Honestly, if you're looking for a place that breathes history and isn't overrun by tourists, then you're right at the Donovan sights. I sit here in my old pickup, while the fields of Beaver Township shimmer in the summer glamour, and tell you why this tiny village has more to offer in the heart of Iroquois County than one would suspect at first sight. Founded in 1872, when the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes railroad spans its network, the town got its name from a little well-known railway engineer – a detail that I like to emphasize again and again because it underlines the charm of the place. The old wooden building along the main road tells of a time when the grain determined the economy and the municipality circled around the weekly market events.
A short trip by car over US‐52 takes you in the middle of the village; The next major hub is Kankakee Airport, from there Donovan can be reached with a cozy 30-minute drive – no joke, that is almost a mini adventure. I don't quite understand the hype about big metropolitan areas, but here, between the endless corn fields and the quiet sum of the grills, I find a piece of real, unsightly Illinois iddyll. And that’s exactly what makes the “Donovan Sights” for me an underestimated jewel that anyone who wants to feel the real land life should experience at least once.
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The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Iroquois County Historical Museum in Watseka, about 15 km northeast of Donovan. There are old school benches, a cracking trainer and a dusty farm that tells more stories than you could hear in a whole day. I recall how I secretly tried the old phone cell as a child – the ringing was louder than the crying of the cows on the surrounding fields. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday afternoon, then the small parking lot becomes the battlefield.
A short trip to Momence leads to Momence Historical Museumhidden in a former station. The exhibition is not exactly spectacular, but the atmosphere is so authentic that you have almost the whistle of the old steam locomotive in your ear. Once there I found an old roadmap that made me plan the 1910 train connections – a meaningless undertaking that made me smile in my face. The way there leads over a quiet road, which is barely traveled, and parking is practically right in front of the door.
If you have enough dusty exhibits, you should Kankakee River State Park about 25 km south. The river winds through wide meadows, and the trails are so well maintained that even my tired knees thanked. I once made a picnic with a friend who insisted that we go fishing “just a bit” – the result was half a day full of patience and a fish that was bigger than our grill. The parking lot at the main entrance is large enough, but on hot summer days it fills itself faster than a bucket of popcorn in the cinema.
Another highlight is the Iroquois County Speedway in Iroquois, about 20 km west. Here the cars are so fast that you can taste the adrenaline almost. I was there for the first time when a local racer told me that the “race” was actually a “fight around the predominance” – and that was him until he slipped into the curve and I heard the sound of squeaking tires, which was almost louder than the spectators' circle. The approach is uncomplicated, and parking is an open field that becomes a muddy mud pit in rain.
For those who prefer to immerse in the past, this is Iroquois County Courthouse in Watseka a must. The imposing brick building dating from 1865 looks like a relic from another era, and the interiors are decorated with artistic wood panels. I once made a guided tour with an enthusiastic historian who explained that the court building once served as a “Schauplatz for the most dramatic court proceedings of the Middle West” – a bit exaggerated, but the atmosphere is still impressive. Parking is right in front of the building, but you have to be there early if you want to see the morning sunrise over the pillars.
A little away from the known paths lies the Kankakee River Trail, a 30-km-long cycle and hiking trail that runs along the river. I explored him on a nebulous autumn morning when the leaves lit in all conceivable red tones and the water seemed like a mirror. The trail is well marked, and parking at the entry points is usually free, except for weekends when local joggers and families flood the way.
Last but not least, Iroquois County Fairgrounds not forget that every year in August becomes the scene of the Iroquois County Fair. The mixture of carousel, cattle shows and local food stands is a feast for the senses – and for my taste buds, which are always happy with the freshly baked corn flasks. I once tried to climb a giant wheel there, just to realize that my fear of heights is stronger than my curiosity. Parking is generous, but on the main days you have to expect a short walk to the main entrance.
So, if you're in the area next time, don't forget that Donovan's environment has more to offer than just endless fields – from museums to state parks to racing tracks, there's enough fabric for a varied weekend. And yes, these are my personal Donovan AttractionsI recommend to anyone looking for a bit of adventure and a bit of history.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Donovan is not some hipest café, but that Donovan Community Park – a piece of green that has more character than many city centers. Where the old baseball field is still played by the kids of the area, you can hear the quiet sum of the grills while the sun glistens over the field lines. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the annual “Donovan Fall Festival” will turn the field into a mini-Mardi-Gras. I once tried to conquer a Hot-Dog-Ständer kingdom there and went home with a handful of pommes and a new knowledge: The true charm lies in the lukewarm wind blowing over the old benches, not in the gourmet burger.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Donovan Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library that actually still books from the 20. century borrowed. I found a dusty copy of “Midwest Farming Tales” there that I never wanted to return because the old reading lamp in the reading room casts a light that almost seems poetic. Parking right in front of the building is a children's game as long as you are not there at noon when the local seniors stop their weekly chess games. No joke, that's the only time I told the chess "Matt" because I couldn't see the figures anymore.
Go on Donovan United Methodist Church, a red brick building that has been decorating the cityscape since the 1880s. I don't quite understand the hype about church architecture, but here the church ship has an acoustic that even makes a whisper sound like an opera solo. I accidentally took over the microphone at a church service – no microphone, just an old wooden tube – and suddenly I was the star of the community. The parking behind the church is small, but sufficient if you are ready to walk a few meters; this is the true “walk experience” that you rarely find in the guides.
A short detour to Donovan Grain Elevator – yes, the massive silo system that extends over the railway line – is a must for all who wonder why the heart of the Middle West still consists of grain. I pressed the elevator button there (from pure curiosity), and the loud ratter was almost as satisfying as the cracker of a vinyl plate. The terrain is not a classic tourist destination, but the panorama over the endless fields you have from there makes you almost forget that you are in a village with less than 500 inhabitants. Parking is a bit tricky here because the property is private, but a short view over the wall is enough to enjoy the picture.
If you're looking for something that breathes more history, look at it. old school building today as a community center. The walls are still covered with faded classroom fonts, and the old bell game that sounds every morning sounds like it reminds you that you have never really grown up. I took part in a Bastel workshop where we built Mini-Skylines from old wooden blocks – a real “DIY-Moment” you don’t find in every guide. Parking is practically right in front of the entrance, as long as you do not come to the weekly Bingo night, then the whole thing becomes a small battlefield from cars.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Donovan Diner at the corner of Main and Oak. It's not exactly a Michelin restaurant, but the homemade pancakes are really great, and the service knows you when you first see the tray with syrup. I once asked a stranger whether he wants to share the recipe, and he only smiled and said: “Here in Donovan we share everything.” Parking right in front of the diner is a bit tight, but that's part of the charm – you just have to get a little creative and park a few meters backwards while you're wondering if you should come next time by bike.
Finally, if you really want to work into the local scene, take a look at the Donovan Post Office. Yes, this is a place that you usually only fly over, but here there is a small sign with the inscription “Donovan Sights”, which I would personally call the most ironic souvenir of the city. The building is a classic example of the 1930s architecture, and the staff there is so friendly that they even tell you a few local anecdotes about the “old mill” you don’t hear anywhere else. Parking is convenient because the post office is located directly on the main road and you almost always find a free space as long as you do not pick up a package there at noon.
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