What makes Godley landmarks so special is the unique mix of dusty history and surprising presence that makes me sneak every time I stroll through the little alleys. I remember the first time I discovered the old railway shed on the outskirts of the Reed Township – a relic from the 1880s, which once formed the backbone of the local economy and today served as a photo motif for Instagram aspirants. The city itself grew out of a modest post office, founded in 1870, and has since experienced more changes than an average Netflix-Binge-Watcher season for Staffel.
If I drive from Chicago to Will County by car, I‐55, you can feel that the pace is slower here when you leave the suburbs – a good sign that you are no longer embraced by the hustle and bustle. I am lucky that the local bus, which occasionally swings between Godley and the neighboring communities, is almost a relic from another era, but it still reliably brings the few visitors to the few cafés I love.
A stroll along the nearby Little River lets me enjoy nature in its unpretentious form; the water is almost as soothing as the occasional squeaking of the old barn windows. And yes, I don’t always understand the hype about the “small cities with charm”, but here in Godley I find exactly the right measure of nostalgia that makes me come back every time.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey is Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a huge piece of untamed green that spreads about 20 km north of Godley and lets the heart of every nature lover beat higher – unless you are being persecuted by a horde bees. I spent a few hours there with a self-guided hiking trail that tells more about the history of the prairie than a history book could ever, discovering a few rare prairie flowers I previously only knew from Instagram posts. Parking is usually a Klacks, except for the rare Saturday afternoons, when the whole region suddenly becomes the hotspot for birdwatchers.
A short detour to the east leads to Morton Arboretum in Lisle, where the trees are so tidy in rows that you almost feel they would correct each other. I have to admit, I don't quite understand the hype about the huge maple collections, but the maze from Japanese pines is really a highlight that almost made me forget that I was actually just looking for a snack for the return trip. The entrance is free when you turn off the car at the edge – a small price for a bit of forest therapy.
Further south, almost in the backyard of the suburbs, this is Illinois Railway Museum in Union. There are more old trains going on here than in any Hollywood movie, and I voluntarily turned into a 1920s steam locomotive guide just to see if I can still do the old “Choo-choo”. The exhibition is so extensive that you can easily spend half the day strolling through the halls, while the staff patiently declares why a particular wheel no longer rolls. Parking? No problem as long as you don't try to book a barbecue on Friday night.
A short trip near Mokena brings me to Old Mill Museum, a charming relic from the time when mills still formed the backbone of the local economy. I saw an old millstone demonstration there that reminded me that the word “mill” is not just for baking bread. The museum is small, but the story is big – and the café next door serves the best apple cake I haven't eaten since my childhood.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, Great Western Trail A must. The path stretches through fields, forests and small villages, and I started it on a sunny Saturday morning from Godley, just to see that the signage sometimes raises more questions than answers. Nevertheless, the feeling of crossing the endless prairie, while the city sounds fade behind one, is unpaid. And the best thing: most sections can be easily reached by car, so you can take a break at any time to enjoy the view.
A little further south, near the Kankakee River, lies the Kankakee River State Park. I rented a kayak there and ventured on the river just to find that the water sometimes flows faster than you imagine in the advertisement. Nevertheless, the water plunder and the occasional quaken of the frogs create an almost meditative atmosphere that is rarely found in the hectic of everyday life. The park offers numerous hiking trails that are great for a spontaneous picnic – provided that you are lucky not to be overrun by a group of ducks.
Whether you're a fan of endless preriens, historical trains or silent river landscapes, the surroundings of Godley will provide a colorful mix of experiences that can surprise any traveler. These Godley Sights show that the surrounding area has more to offer than just land roads and field roads, and they invite you to explore the region with an open mind and a pinch of humor.
This guide invites you to make a small but surprisingly self-contained trip through Godley with me – yes, just this tiny little corner in the Reed Township that you would easily overlook if you don’t accidentally drive along Highway 55 and suddenly discover a sign with “Welcome to Godley”.
I must confess, my first highlight was that Godley Community Center. The building looks like an ordinary shed from the outside, but there is a whole arsenal of activities, from bingo ends to local art exhibitions. I experienced an improvised Poetry-Slam where a pensioner ran over his youth in the 70s – no joke, that was really great. Parking is usually easy, except on the first Saturday of the month when the Senioren-Bingo completes the car park and you are forced to walk a few blocks.
A short walk leads you to Godley Park, the only place where I ever had a real picnic with a group of friends who talked about the “big” city because they thought Godley was a suburb of Chicago. The playground is a bit worn out, but the baseball-diamonds are always well maintained – this is probably because the local team, the Godley Gophers, organise a game here every weekend. I once tried to start a hotdog stand business, but the gophers have hunted me over the lawn in a short time.
If you are a bookworm, you should be the Godley Public Library visit. The shelves are small, but the librarians know every villager by name and always recommends the latest crime that no one else read. I found an old photo album there, the history of the village up to the 19th. Century documented – a real find for those who do not fully understand the hype about “local history” but are still curious.
Another piece of Godley charm is that old Godley Train Depot, which today serves as a small museum of the Reed Township Historical Society. The locomotive is only a model, but the exhibition on the railway, which once formed the backbone of the municipality, is surprisingly well researched. I remember how I found a mini toy there as a child, which I then “dried” in my garden all summer.
A little away from the center lies the St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also an architectural gem with a stone facade that glitters in the summer of sunlight. I once participated in a choir test – the voices were so loud that I thought the village would trigger an earthquake alarm.
For those who love the rural flair, there is Reed Township Hall. Here you will find not only the office of the Township Supervisor, but also a small visitor center that explains the development of Godley from an agricultural settlement to a modern village. I discovered a poster that shows the planned extensions of the municipality by 2030 – a bit ambitious, but at least a sign that not everything is silent here.
A last but not less interesting stop is that Godley Grain Elevator. This massive wooden and steel building dominates the village's skyline and is a popular photo motif for Instagram users looking for “rustic vibes”. I once saw an old tractor standing there for decades – a perfect example of how Godley does not push away his story, but just puts it next to the modern supermarket.
If you now think that all are just a few dusty corners, then you have the Godley Sights not yet properly experienced. Each of these places has its own, slightly self-contained character, and this makes the village a surprisingly entertaining destination for those looking for something authentic outside the tourist paths.
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