Honestly, if you think that Illinois has only to offer Chicago and endless corn fields, then you don't have Brocton on the radar yet. The city was born in 1888 as a railway shrine for Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and has since survived more fates than some Hollywood drama star. Nestled in the tranquil Embarrass Township, which extends over the flat Edgar County, Brocton looks like a forgotten chapter of a history book that I like to hit again – with an eye-catcher and a portion of cynicism.
I don't always understand the hype about small towns, but here's a small café that has more charm than most big city chains, and that's not a joke. Highway 33 leads you directly to the heart of the city, and if you prefer to arrive by train, the old railway station (now a rustic meeting place) lets you feel that there is something from the old railway romanticism. And yes, the word “Brocton Sights” appears here more often because I believe that what you do not find in guides is often the best – an old school building that now serves as an art gallery, and a cemetery where the graves tell more stories than any tourist brochure.
So, next time you ask about the country and ask yourself if you want to experience something authentic, stop by Brocton. I promise you you will not be disappointed – at least not from me.
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The first stop I took after leaving the dusty main road of Brocton was that Kankakee River State Park – a piece of unspoiled nature that draws like a green belt along the river and sprays more charm than some overpriced city park. I parked on the main parking lot, which was almost full on a sunny Saturday afternoon, but a small sideway led me to a quiet spot where I enjoyed an improvised picnic with self-baked cookies. The hiking trail around the “Miller Lake” is not spectacular, but the view of the reflecting water that is disturbed by ducks has something soothing; a perfect place to turn off the phone and taste the silence.
A short detour to Watseka brought me to Iroquois County Historical Museum. The building itself looks like a relic from another era – crunching halls, old paintings and a smell of old wood that instantly conveys the feeling that you have landed in a time capsule. I spent more time there than planned because I deepened into the exhibition on the railway history of the region; the model railway that went through the miniature village was a real eye-catcher. Practical: The museum is located directly on the main road, so parking at the small parking lot behind the building is almost always easy, except during the annual “Heritage Days” when the city fills the entire terrain.
Further north, hardly half an hour from Brocton, this is Momence Lock and Dam. I have to admit, I was skeptical whether a barrier can really be “visible” but the noise of the water that swaps over the locks has something almost meditative charm. On a warm afternoon, I saw a few sailors who patiently held their rods, and a small boat that sneaked comfortably. The access is free, and a small parking lot on the river bank offers enough space for a few cars – only on weekends it can become a bit fuller if the local families have a picnic.
A bit further south, near Iroquois, is the Iroquois County Speedway. This is not about calm nature, but about the moaning of engines and the circle of tires. I was there on a Friday night when a local racing team presented a new vehicle; the atmosphere was electrifying, and the audience – a mixture of dusty farmers and young adrenaline junkies – fired the riders as if there was no morning. Parking is easy: a large open area behind the track, where you can easily park your car as long as you don't get too late, because the gates close shortly before the start of the race.
For those who prefer to let the soul grow, Kankakee River Trail a real secret tip. The path stretches over several kilometers along the river and connects small villages to each other. I explored the trail on a cool autumn morning when the foliage lit in gold and red; the route is well marked, and there are always small resting places with benches where you can enjoy the view. The best thing: The trail is free and parking at most entry points is easy – a few empty places on the edge of the path that are rarely full, unless it is a sunny Saturday.
Another highlight I could not overlook was that Kankakee River Golf Club near Momence. I'm not a golf professional, but the 18-hole course offers a surprisingly varied landscape ranging from gentle hills to dense trees. I spent an afternoon there while I tried to perfect my beat, and was entertained by a friendly caddie with local anecdotes about the history of the club. The clubhouse has a small pro shop, and parking is directly at the entrance area – practically as long as you don't come during a tournament, then the whole thing becomes a bit more chaotic.
Whether you’re looking for the tranquil nature at Kankakee River State Park, the historic atmosphere at Iroquois County Historical Museum, the stunning spectacle at Iroquois County Speedway, or the relaxed hike along the Kankakee River Trail – Brocton’s surroundings are ready for everyone. And while some of these places may not immediately be targeted by a typical guide, they all have their own, distinctive charm, which I can only warmly recommend from personal experience. So next time after Brocton Attractions searches, shouldn't overlook these hidden beads.
I have to tell you about the little jewel I call Brocton Park – yes, this is actually my personal favorite place, although it is hardly larger than a large backyard. There is a tiny baseball field that mutates from native teenagers to an improvised concert venue in the summer, and a playground that has more rust than color, but for that it offers the best sand for sand castles I have ever seen. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole neighborhood unpacks its barbecue.
A short walk further (I mean, a few steps, not half the city) leads you to Brocton Community Center. The building is a bit like an old school house that has decided to become a gym – it has a small hall, a billiard table, and occasionally a yoga course where most participants talk more about the cracking of their joints than about the Asanas. I once participated in a “art & wine” evening; the work of art was a semi-finished crossword, and the wine was... well, let's say he didn't exceed expectations, but the society was really great.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel like a real local, look at them. Brocton Public Library on. It is part of the McHenry County Library network, but you hardly notice it because the shelf is full of local history books that you can't find anywhere else. I once discovered an old photo album that documents the foundation of the village – a real treasure for historians. The staff is friendly, but they have a slight tendency to ask you if you really need the book about the history of the corn, even though you're just looking for a guide.
A little off the hustle and bustle lies what I love the Brocton Historical Society nenne – actually it is a tiny space in the back of the old school building, where old maps, a few dusty tools and a single, still functioning old tractor are exhibited. I don't quite understand the hype about high-tech mouses, but here you get the real, rough feeling of Illinois that you would never find in glittering exhibitions. And the best thing: admission is free because the village simply has not enough money to demand entry.
A short detour to Brocton Grain Elevator is a must if you want to see the typical image of Illinois – a huge, rusty Silos who watches over the village like a murrical guard. I visited a photography course there, because the instructor said the light was “magic” in the late afternoon. I have to admit that it was – the light that breaks through the metal plates makes the whole look almost romantic, although it is basically just a place where corn is packed into bags.
For those looking for a little rest, there is the Brocton Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery, but not some – here are the founders of the village, and the tombstones tell stories that you otherwise only find in old family chronicles. I once met an old veteran who told me about the hard winters of the 1930s while we heard about the rustling of the leaves. A place where you can really feel the pace of life when you stay away from the loud streets.
And because I can't forget that you don't just want to look around for sights that you find on a map, I still have to Brocton Town Hall mention. The building is a bit like an old town hall made of a Western film – wood, a slightly sloping color and a sign that still shows “Brocton” in curved writing. There are often city meetings where residents discuss things that sound completely absurd for outsiders, such as the colour of the new park bench. I once visited a meeting where they decided to change the bank from blue to green because “green fits better with the trees”. No joke, that was the highlight of the evening.
If you now think that this is too little to really experience Brocton, then don't let yourself be fooled – the Brocton Attractions are not found in shiny brochures, but in the small moments you experience between the individual places. A short chat with the old gentleman at the vegetable store, a spontaneous picnic in the park, the sound of the windmill at the edge of the village – this is the true recipe for an unforgettable visit. And next time you drive through the wide fields, keep your eyes open: maybe you see the next hidden corner I haven't discovered yet.
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