Honestly, when I hear the word âBrook Sightsâ, I think first of all about the inconspicuous village that emerged in 1854 as a rail shrine on Chicago & North Western Railroad and has since accumulated more dust than glamour. The Iroquois Township, in which Brook is located, used to be a wild mix of prairie and pioneering dreams; the first settlers came with hacks and hopes, and the small village grew around the old postal carriage, which today is only considered a rusty post in the museum of memory. I don't quite understand the hype about the âhistoricalâ signs, but the whole flair that comes from yellowed photos and barns is really great for those who like to dive into the past without buying a time travel ticket.
If you come from Chicago by car, take the Iâ65 north, then from Iâ80 west to exit 124 â this is the gate to Brook, and yes, the GPS sometimes shows you only âunknown fieldâ because the village is so small that it is almost a myth. Once on site, leave the phone in the glove compartment and stroll over the main road; the old wooden houses tell more about the hard times of grain harvest than any tourist book. And while you're standing there, you might notice that the real highlight is not a museum, but the quiet understanding of the inhabitants, that life here pulsates more slowly but more honestly â that is for me the true âBrook Sightsâ experience that you don't find in guidebooks, but only when you're ready to taste the dust.
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Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site â ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Brook, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop I always recommend is that Kankakee River State Parkjust a short drive east of Brook. The river swells here through wide meadows, and I have tried several times to catch a piece of the famous âKankakeee-Waterâ â without success, but with a neat portion of mosquitoes that give you the feeling of being part of a natural documentation. The park area is well signposted, parking is usually a Klacks, except for the hot summer days when the families with picnic blankets flood the field.
A few miles further north, across the border to Illinois, waits the Iroquois County Historical Museum in Watseka. I don't quite understand the hype about small history museums, but here there is an amazingly well-preserved log house from the 1880s that reminds me of the dusty libraries of my childhood â only with less dust and more original furniture. At the last visit, I almost caught myself in an old desk, because the wood crawled so that it almost developed an own life.
Back in Indiana, a short trip to Kentland leads to Newton County Courthouse. The building is a classic example of the sober government architecture of the early 20th. Century, and I have to admit that I feel a bit like a movie star there when I climb up the marble stairs. The elevator is unfortunately not existent, so you have to take the stairs â a good training if you want to burn the calories from the barbecue.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve near Kentland. The prairie is a rare sight in this area, and I have had more than once the feeling of landing in a film by Terrence Malick. The hiking trails are well maintained, parking is free at the edge of the entrance, as long as you do not try to occupy the whole field, because this is a bit exaggerated.
If you're looking for something that promises more hustle and bustle in the summer, see the Iroquois County Fairgrounds in Watseka. The annual fair is a mix of rides, local arts and a lot of hot-dog stands that claim to have the best chili-dog recipe. I won a competition there â not because I cooked the best chili, but because I found the only stand that did not serve Cola.
A small secret tip that only the locals seem to know is the Kankakee River Trail, which stretches through the State Park area and continues to Momence, Illinois. I once explored the trail with my old mountain bike and discovered more than three different types of wild flowers I had never seen before. The trail is well marked, parking at the beginning is usually free, but if you arrive at the weekend, you should be there better early â otherwise you fight a place between a tractor and a picnic basket.
Whether you're looking for nature, history or a bit of local entertainment, Brook's environment has more to offer than you'd suspect at first sight. My personal list of Brook Attractions may not be complete, but it gives you a good overview of what you can experience nearby without wasting too much time with meaningless search.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Brook is not exactly a shiny tourist magnet â this is also the whole concept of Brook Attractions for people who have enough of crowded capitals. Right behind the old Brook Town Hall, which still carries the official sign I have overlooked since my childhood, is a small place where the city administration stacks its files and occasionally organizes a village festival. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole neighborhood looks past its tractors.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Brook Community Park. I once made a picnic there, while a few young people spoke loudly about the latest reality show â that was almost a local cultural event. The playground is not exactly an architectural miracle, but the swing is stable enough to free you from everyday life for a few minutes. And yes, the field behind the park is a popular place for the annual village festival, where you can even taste the best corn flasks from the local farmers market.
If you have a flaw for history, you should Brook Cemetery visit. I saw my big aunt buried there â that was a strange but somehow soothing experience. The gravestones tell stories from the 19th century. Century, and the old forging business, which once stood next to the cemetery, is today only an empty building site. I don't understand the hype about weathered gravestones, but the rest there is really great if you need a moment for you.
Another highlight I always mention is that Brook Grain Elevator. This massive silo shaft dominates the skyline and is what I would call the âheartâ of the city â not because it is romantic, but because it brings the whole grain out of the surroundings. I once observed a peasant during unloading and heard a conversation about the future of agriculture; that was a real insight into what really is going on here.
The Brook United Methodist Church is another piece of local identity. I went there for the first time, because I wanted to hear a concert from a local Gospel group, and then I noticed that the acoustics inside is almost sakral. The church is small, but the people there are cordial â at least as long as you don't ask for the last piece of cake, then the conversation becomes a bit more sober.
A short detour to Brook Volunteer Fire Department is worthwhile if you are interested in real everyday life. I went there for a fire protection course because I thought that was a good way to experience some action. The firefighters are not in shiny uniforms, but they have the necessary equipment and a real community feeling that you rarely find in larger cities.
Last but not least there is the old Brook School, which today serves as a community centre. I have visited a few workshops where local craftsmen restore old furniture. The building itself is a relic from the 1920s, and the walls still have the smell of chalk and wood. So if you're looking for a place where you can breathe the real âsmall townâ feeling, this is your goal.
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