Honestly, if you ask yourself why I'm even talking about DeMotte, that's because of his inconspicuous history: in 1855 the railway came, a few brave settlers set the foundation and gave the place the name of the then railway magnate J. DeMotte. Today, the town is in the heart of Keener Township, Jasper County, and looks like a forgotten chapter I like to hit again. I usually drive over the US‐231, which cuts like a red thread through the country, and when you arrive by train, keep short in the small station – this is almost a ritual for me.
I do not understand the hype around the big metropolises, but the small corners here have their own charm: the old town hall, which still carries the echo of the first city meetings, and the historic main street café, where coffee is as strong as the opinions of the locals. Right next to DeMotte is Jasper, the “City of Parks”, and a short trip there is worth it because you see the Jasper County Courthouse there, a real photo motif.
Keener Township itself is a patchwork of fields and old barns, which in autumn offer a colour game that you do not find in any guide. And yes, if you’re looking for “DeMotte Sights” then forget the usual lists – here counts the feeling you’ll get while passing through the main road, and the quiet smile of the people who give you a “welcome” without knowing that you’re thinking a bit cynically about their little paradise.
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The first stop of my little Odyssee leads me to the imposing Jasper County Courthouse, a brick building that looks like it had an ambitious architect from the 19th century. century built with a slope to drama. I once observed a court trial – not because I had legal curiosity, but because I was looking for a parking lot and the only free gap was right in front of the main entrance. Parking is usually a children's game except on Friday afternoons when the local lawyers bring their families and turn the field into a mini carousel.
A short trip down the street leads to the Jasper County Historical Museum, which is more than a dusty basement full of relics. There I hanged an old photo of a 1920s-century tractor next to a modern hybrid SUV – a silent dialogue between past and present. The exhibition on railway history is particularly worth reading; I even found an original ticket from 1905 that I used as a bookmark in a short time because the museum does not have a souvenir shop.
If you have enough of dusty halls, a detour to the Kankakee River State Park is worth about 15 miles north. The river swells there through a lush green that is almost too beautiful to believe it – and yet the water is rather cloudy, which makes fishing a patient but rewarding job. I caught a huge pike fillet there on a hot summer day, which almost had the size of a small boat; that was not a gourmet dinner, but a good discussion topic for the next barbecue.
Another highlight I don't want to hide is the Jasper County Fairgrounds. During the annual fair, the field is transformed into a colourful carousel kaleidoscope, cattle turtles and food stands that offer everything from ketchup-fried corn flasks to vegan tacos. I remember an evening I sat in the giant wheel, while a local country singer played a song about the “Life in the Middle West” – a bit cheesy, but honestly, to inspire the audience, is almost a profession here.
For those who prefer to stay on solid ground, the old Kankakee River Trail is a must. The path leads along the river and offers numerous places where you can simply walk your feet in the water. I once organized a picnic with my neighbour who claimed he could pull the best oysters out of the river – a joke, because the water is more suitable for trout and perch, but the idea was good enough to harvest a few laughs.
A little off but definitely worth a visit is the small but fine St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery near DeMotte. The tombstones tell stories of pioneers who worked the country, and the quiet ambience makes you almost forget that you are not in a tourist trap. I discovered an old, handwritten inscription from a soldier from the First World War – a silent witness of history that reminded me how small our own concerns are compared to past generations.
Whether you are a fan of historic brick buildings, quiet river landscapes or quirky County-Fair-Trubel – the surroundings of DeMotte offers a colorful range of experiences that go far beyond the city centre. So whoever asks what is to be discovered in the region, I can only advise to visit the places mentioned and to decide which DeMotte Attractions most inspire.
So if you ask me, this is DeMotte City Park the true heart of this sleepy little town – and I say that not only because I have held my Sunday grill parties there, but because the place has more to offer than one would expect from a small town in the Middle West. The small lake in the middle is not huge, but it reflects the light so beautiful that I almost feel like you could have a romantic photoshoot here – if you want to have a bit of cheesy romance. Parking is usually a Klack, except when the annual “DeMotte Summer Fest” starts; then you have to choose between the crowded car parks and the improvised camping pitches.
A short walk further DeMotte Public Library, a place I like to sign as my personal “Stille oasis”. The library is not only a place to roll books, but also regularly hosts small exhibitions of local artists – a detail I only discovered when I was looking for a rainy afternoon to escape the rain. The friendly librarian, who gave me an old photo album of the city at the time, told me more about the history of DeMotte than I would have thought possible.
If you have enough of modern facilities, you should DeMotte Historical Museum in the former school building from the 1920s. I don't quite understand the hype about “old school buildings”, but here the museum is actually a treasure: original school books, old class lists and a crunchy wooden chair, on which I was mistaken once, while I tried to make a photo of an ancient typewriter. The museum doesn't have a big crowd of visitors, so you can quietly check out the exhibits – without the usual crowd you know in larger cities.
Another highlight I can hardly overlook is that DeMotte Fire Department Museum. Yes, you've read correctly – a fire department museum. I was skeptical until I heard the collection of old firefighters and the cracking sound of an original siren that suddenly brought the whole building to vibrate. The place is small, but the passion of the volunteer firefighters who serve the museum is huge. Practically, there is always a parking space right outside the door, which is almost a miracle for a museum of this kind.
For those looking for a little culture and community, this is DeMotte Community Center A must. I took part in a karaoke evening where a 70-year-old Mr. “Sweet Caroline” sang in a voice that brought even the hardest critics to sing. The Center is a multifunctional space used for everything from yoga classes to local art exhibitions. The driveway is easy because the center is located directly on the main road and parking is usually free – unless you come during one of the weekly senior dance nights, then you have to share with a few wheelchairs.
A short detour to St. Mary's Catholic Church is also worth it. The church of 1905 has an impressive brick stall and a bell game that echoes every Sunday morning through the town. I took part in a fair there, just to see if the acoustics are really as good as the locals say – and yes, the organist's voice was actually crystal clear. Parking is a bit more tricky here because the terrain is small, but a few free places you always find when you drive a bit around the block.
And if you're in DeMotte in the summer, you can DeMotte Farmers Market do not miss. I found my best tomatoes and some homemade jams that I haven't forgotten until today. The market takes place on Saturdays in the parking lot of the City Park – yes, exactly where you normally park your car when you visit the park. It is a bit chaotic, but this is part of the charm; You can stroll back and forth between fresh vegetables and local handicrafts, while you hear the occasional laughing of children fighting with their parents for the last peaches.
All this together DeMotte Attractions to a mixture of nostalgic charm and surprising liveliness that I rarely find in one place. I could talk more about the small cafes and the occasional street festivals, but that would blow the frame – and honestly, the next time I'm here, I just want to go back to the park and watch the water in the lake while I think about how strange it is that a place can be so small and yet has so many stories to tell.
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