Honestly, if you think that “Iroquois sights” are just a dusty name on a map, then you haven’t experienced the little jewel in the heart of Concord Township. The city of Iroquois was founded in 1855, named after the same-named Indian tribe, and has harvested more field fruits than glamour since then – but this is their charm. I usually drive over the I‐57 because the highway is the fastest ticket to the rural idyll, and if you prefer to take the bus from Kankakee, just head towards Iroquois County, which is practically the only public transport that makes a little sense here.
A short detour to the city centre shows you that the main road carries more history than an old history book author. The old brick buildings from the 1880s are still standing, and I don't understand the hype about modern art installations here, but the old town hall next to the post office is a real magnet for me. If you're still doing a detour to the nearby Iroquois County Fairgrounds – yes, that's not a museum, but a place where the real country lives are pulsating – then you feel that you have caught the true heart of Concord Township. And that's what makes the Iroquois sights so... unmistakable.
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The first stop I couldn't miss was that Iroquois County Historical Museum in Watseka – a small but surprisingly well-stocked museum located in a former courthouse. I discovered an old tractor display there that reminded me of the dusty fields of my childhood, and while I strolled through the exhibitions, I noticed that parking is almost always a children's game, as long as you don't come to the fair on Saturday afternoon, then the field in front of the museum becomes a battlefield for cars.
A short detour to the south leads to Kankakee River State Parkwhere I could finally recover from the endless width of the corn fields. The river is not the wildest, but the water is clear enough to see the reflections of the trees – a perfect place for a picnic, if you don't want to be followed by the local ducks who apparently have a sophisticated system to get every piece of bread.
Back near Iroquois lies the Iroquois County Speedway, a 1/4-mile-dirt track that swirls more dust than any site in the environment. I saw a race where a driver jumped several times over the guide plank, only to then triumphantly cross the finish line – a spectacle that you don't miss when you love the thrill, but not necessarily the noise.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the known Iroquois area, is the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. I was skeptical about whether a “national park” in this area really has something to offer, but the endless prairie areas, traversed by hiking trails, have completely surprised me. The visitor centers are small, but informative, and parking is almost always easy thanks to wide, unconsolidated areas – unless a tractor is just driving over the way, then the whole becomes a small off-road expedition.
Another highlight I was not allowed to leave is that Iroquois County Courthouse in Watseka. The building is a classic example of the romance of the early 20th. century, with massive arches and a clock that always runs a few minutes too fast – a charming detail that the city dwellers lovingly call “the ever too late watch”. The courtyard is a popular meeting place for local seniors who play chess there while tourists like me are shooting staunch photos.
If you are in the area in August, you should Iroquois County Fair visit. I experienced the first time there a year after my move and was surprised how much more than just rides are offered: cattle shows, local crafts stands and a competition for the best corn bread, where I almost won the seal “Best Baker” – until a professional baker came by with a secret recipe.
Last but not least a short trip to Iroquois County Fairgrounds, where various events take place all year round, from vintage-timer meetings to local music festivals. The terrain is huge, parking is usually a children's game, and the atmosphere is always a bit like a mini festival, whether you are visiting a concert or a tractor showdown.
Whether you are looking for history, nature, speed or just for a good piece of corn bread – the surroundings of Iroquois, Concord Township, offers a colorful mix of experiences that go far beyond the small town. These Iroquois Attractions have convinced me that the heart of the Middle West consists not only of endless fields, but of people, stories and a bit of dust, which only really seasons life.
I have to admit right at the beginning that my favorite place in Iroquois is not some hipster café, but that Iroquois County Fairgrounds. Yes, the field with the colourful exhibition stands, which turns into a true sea of colours every year in July – and that, although I cannot fully understand the hype around County Fairs. Nevertheless, if you are there in the summer, grab a piece of sugar candy, sit on the old wooden bench next to the giant wheel and watch the locals discuss the latest tractor models with a mixture of pride and light spot. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village comes together to see the “Best-Dressed‐Cowboy” duel.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Iroquois County Public Library. I spent more time there than I want to admit – not because of the books (the selection is solid, but not spectacular), but because of the cozy reading corner, where an old man still reads his newspaper from the 80s and shouts loudly about the “good old times”. The library has free Wi-Fi, so you can stream your Instagram story live through the Fairgrounds chat while you're in a squeaky armchair. And yes, the staff is friendly, but they have a look for people who only visit the café to get the free coffee.
If you're looking for something green that's not just a parking lot, look at the Iroquois City on. The park is small, but it has a playground, a small swimming pool and a barbecue area that is always full when someone organizes a BBQ and overwhelms the neighbors with loud country music. I remember a summer when I accidentally stumbled into a children's birthday party because I thought that was a picnic for adults. The children threw me with glitter confetti, and I wondered if this is the true Iroquois experience – and yes, it is.
A little further down the road, hidden behind an inconspicuous brick facade, lies this Iroquois Community Center. This is where art exhibitions of local hobby artists regularly take place, and I have once experienced an improvised Poetry-Slam event where a pensioner ran over his lost youth and the “good old time”. The center is a real hub for social life, and the staff is always ready to give you a flyer for the next village party – even if you just want to look past to test the air conditioning.
Another highlight I can't leave is the small, but fine Iroquois County Historical Museum in the neighboring city of Watseka, which I still consider as part of my Iroquois tour. The exhibition is not huge, but the originals – old land machines, an original school bus from the 50s and a few yellowed photographs of founding families – give you a real feeling why people here are so proud of their roots. I spent almost an hour studying the old maps, while an older gentleman murmured quietly over the “good old time”. No joke, it was almost meditative.
And because I don't just want to list the classic sights, I still have to Iroquois Attractions mentioning that one overlooks easily: the old, slightly sloping sign on the outskirts of the city that proclaims “Welcome to Iroquois” and the small but charming St. John’s Lutheran Church. The church is not only a place for worship, but also a popular place for weddings, because the interior is so rustic-elegant that even the most sceptical visitors become a little humble. I once witnessed a concert from a local country band that was so loud that the neighbors from the surrounding houses heard with the windows flappers – a perfect example of how the noise and joy balance works here.
Finally, a little hint I almost forgot: If you are in Iroquois the next time, take your time to stroll through the streets, visit the small shops and observe the “real” life. The city does not have the dazzling skyline of a metropolis, but it has character, and that is something you don't find in every guide. So, grab your sunglasses, bring a little patience and let yourself be surprised by the mix of nostalgia and light cynicism – this is Iroquois in a set.
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