Martinton Attractions? Yeah, that sounds like one of those Instagram hashtags I never really understand, but let me tell you why I still get a bit of heartbeat every time I drive through the little town in the heart of Iroquois County. The city was founded in 1855 when the railroad slit the prairie, and since then it has developed into a sleepy but proud piece of Illinois â a place where history can be felt not in dusty plaques, but in the barns and the old field crossings.
I usually come by car from Chicago, because the Iâ57 motorway leads me right here, and this is a small bonus: no annoying parking, just leave the car next to the only diner and go. If you prefer to take the bus, there is a regional service that lasts once a day â a real secret tip for those who love the adventure to decipher the schedule.
A short detour to the Martinton Township Museum (yes, that really exists) is a must for me because I see the original posters of the 1900s and I think: âHere someone really believed in something.â And while I'm standing there, I realize that the âMartinton Sightsâ consist not only of buildings, but of the people who still order the field here, run the cafĂ© and organize the annual harvesting program â a bit rustic, a bit charming, and honestly, no joke, that's the real heart of Martinton.
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The old railway shed on the edge of Watseka, today the Iroquois County Historical Museum, is my personal favorite place because it serves the dusty sides of history with a pinch of local peculiarity. I once found an old Tractor logbook there that betrayed more about the life here than any tourist brochure â and even though the museum hardly advertises. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday afternoon, then the field before the entrance to the battlefield will be used for parking.
A short detour to the south leads to Iroquois County Courthouse in Watseka, an impressive brick building from the 19th century The century that expresses more about the ambitions of the founders than about their actual successes. I watched a trial that seemed more like a local play â the judge seemed more interested in her coffee than the lawyers' arguments. The building is freely accessible, and parking is right in front of the door, where a few old trees donate shade if the weather suddenly becomes lukewarm.
If you have enough of dusty halls, it is worth a detour to Kankakee River State Park30 miles north. The river sounds through dense forests, and the trails are so well maintained that even my grandmother, who never left more than the supermarket, went jogging here a round. I shared a picnic with a local angler who explained to me why the pike population here is a bit bigger every year â a secret that he naturally did not want to reveal.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the county, lies the Iroquois County Speedway. I admit, I'm not a big fan of loud motors, but the adrenaline that goes out from the 1â4-MeileâDirtâTrack route is almost already therapeutic. I was there on a Friday night when the crowd came out of town to celebrate the local heroes â and I had to admit that the rolling of the engines was almost as satisfying as the cracking of fresh corn in the oven.
For those who prefer to find something quieter, there is Iroquois County Fairgrounds in Watseka, which serves throughout the year as a venue for trade fairs, exhibitions and the annual County Fair. I visited a local honey competition where the jury seemed to know more about bees than about the visitors. The terrain is huge, so parking is easy as long as you do not try to build a tent and run a carousel at the same time.
A little away, but not too far, lies the Iroquois County Airport (KIRK). For travellers who do not want to travel by train or car, this is a small but fine airport that is surprisingly well equipped. I once saw a small plane that just started for a round flight over the fields â an image that reminded me how small the world is here when you first fly over the endless corn fields.
Last but not least, Iroquois County 4-H Fair do not forget an annual event that brings together the youth of the county to present their projects. I was there in August when a 12-year-old boy introduced a self-built solar panel that could provide enough energy for a small house â a bit exaggerated, but the enthusiasm was real. Parking is possible at the edge of the terrain, and the atmosphere is so easy that you almost feel like being in another time.
Whether youâre looking for the dusty halls of the museum, the venerable court building, the nature on the river, the drones of the Speedway, the colorful drive on the fairgrounds, the small airport or the youthful energy of the 4âH Fair â the surroundings of Martinton offer a colourful mix that surprises every traveler. And that's exactly what makes Martinton Attractions to an underestimated treasure in the heart of Illinois.
So, when you come to Martinton for the first time, you must visit the old railway depot â this is for me the unpredictable definition of âsmall city, great charmâ. The brick building has been on the edge of the main road since the 1880s, and I swear that the stick of the old wooden beams has more history than some museum guides in Chicago. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly âDepot-Bier-Tastingâ will take place and the locals will complete the field.
Right next to the depot Martinton Historical Museum, which is located in the former primary school. I don't quite understand the hype about huge art installations, but here are some dusty school books and an original 1900-Kuh Schlachter toolbox â that's pure authenticity for me. The museum has no fixed opening hours, but the volunteers usually let you in as long as you don't ring with a loud phone. And yes, the sign âPlease wash handsâ is not just decoration, this is meant seriously here.
A short walk leads you to Martinton Community Parkwhere a small pond is inhabited by ducks who seem to know more about life than most tourists. I once made a picnic there, while an older gentleman told me that the ducks come here âonly for the showâ â a real inside joke I have never forgotten. The playground is not the latest, but the swing is stable enough to catapult you back into your childhood, and parking is almost always free there as long as you don't come to the barbecue season.
If youâre looking for a place where you can sniff the real âMidwest-Feelingâ, look at the Martinton Grain Elevator on. The silver silo skull protrudes over the fields like a silent guard, and I watched a sunset there that was so red that I thought that was an advertising poster for BBQ sauce. There is no entrance, you just have to walk along the field path â and yes, that means you get a bit of mud in your shoes, but that is part of the experience.
Another highlight that I cannot leave is the St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Gothic facade is a bit like a mini-catathedral clone, and the interior is surprisingly well preserved. I heard an organ concert there that was so loud that the neighbors came out of the house to ask if we had a party. The parking lot behind the church is small, so better to come early, otherwise you have to park on the street and that is then a bit like a parking district.
For those who have a bit of bibliography, the Martinton Public Library a quiet retreat. The shelves are not overcrowded, but the selection of local history books is amazing. I once found an old yearbook that shows the whole city in 1920 â a real look into the past, without having to run through dusty archives. The Wi-Fi is free, and the staff is so friendly that they almost borrow the book before you even asked.
Last but not least, a short hint for those who googeln after âMartinton Sightsâ: The city may be small, but people here have a big heart and an even greater sense of humor. So next time you stroll through the main road, look for the old water tower â an inconspicuous concrete giant that has dominated the cityscape since the 1950s. I once made a selfie that is now stored in my cell phone as a âculture estateâ. And this is actually all you need to understand Martinton: a bit of history, a bit of dust and a lot of local charm, packed in a few but unforgettable stops.
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