Honestly, if you think that Illinois is only Chicago and endless corn fields, you haven't experienced Buckley yet. The city was founded in 1880 as a railway junction, and this is still felt today: the old wooden planks of the main road are crumbling as if they wanted to imitate you a little town from the founding period. I've always wondered why the little town in the heart of Artesia Township and Iroquois County never got the big boom – maybe it's the charm you can't measure in numbers.
A short trip by car from Chicago (about three hours over the I‐57, then a short stroller on the US‐52) takes you to the village where the only café in the city – a real relic from the 50s – still serves the best coffee I ever had. No joke, that's better than some hip latte in the metropolis. And when you arrive by train, look out for the small stop that has hardly more than one sign that announces “Buckley” – a perfect spot for a spontaneous photo that you can later show to your friends.
I don't understand the hype about big cities, but the Buckley sights I've discovered here are the real highlight for me: honest people, a touch of history and a sense of time that's not over yet.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Buckley, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Watseka, where the Iroquois County Historical Museum residing in a renovated bank building. I have learned more about the pioneering period than I would have ever thought possible – old agricultural machinery, an original 19-year old school desk and a dusty box full of photos that rural life in the early 20th. document the century. The museum is not exactly a tourist magnet, but that is what makes the charm; Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you do not come to the annual “Heritage Day” celebration on Saturday afternoon, then the field in front of the building becomes a battlefield for cars.
A short trip to the Watseka Courthouse, the imposing red brick building from 1865, keeps me wondering how much pride a small town is in its government buildings. I once observed a court appointment there – no drama, only a Moravian judge who decided on a controversial chicken-and-grain problem. The interiors are surprisingly well preserved, and the small café next door serves the best coffee in the area if you do not like the smell of old wood and dust too much.
If I have enough of historic walls, I drive south to Kankakee River State Park. The river stretches through wide meadows, and the trails offer both flat walks and more challenging paths for those who really want to ride their hiking shoes. I once experienced a carp fishing adventure that ended in a wet but triumphant way – the water was cold, but the smile of the fishing friends was warm. The parking lot is large enough to host a few campers, and the visitor center is a good place to get information about the current wildlife population.
Another highlight I highlight every year in the calendar is that Iroquois County Fairgrounds in Watseka. The Fair is a collection of beef and veal, carousel, and a lot of food stands that offer everything from deep frozen maize to freshly baked apple cake. I don’t understand the hype around the “Giant Pumpkin Contest”, but the spectacle where an 800-pound pumpkin almost rolls over the entire tent is definitely a photo motif. On weekends, parking here can be a real patience game, especially if the local high school bands have their appearances.
A little further east lies the Iroquois County Speedway, an oval round course, which mainly provides adrenaline-laden evenings for the locals. I once experienced a nightly race where the lights of the cars like lightworms flew over the track – a bit loud, a bit dirty, but exactly what one expects from a real “midwest-Racing experience”. The seats are simple, the food consists of hot dogs and cola, and parking is usually easy as long as you do not come to the main event on Saturday night.
Last but not least, I must not Hoopeston Corn Festival Forget that is a bit further away, but for those who want to experience the rural Illinois in full splendour is a must. The festival celebrates the corn harvest with parades, competitions and a lot of corn dishes ranging from sweet to hearty. I took part in a Mais‐eating-Contest and almost rolled over the entire field – an experience I will never forget. The venue is located on a large field that offers enough space for parking, and the weather in September is usually friendly, making the whole even more pleasant.
Whether you are a history fan, nature lover, racing enthusiast or just a fan of corn – the surroundings of Buckley offers a colorful mix of experiences that go far beyond the tranquil village. And while the real Buckley sights may not conquer the world, the variety of surrounding attractions ensures that every visit here remains a small adventure.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Buckley is not some hip café you could find on Instagram, but that Buckley Community Park. There is more green space than one would expect in a city the size of a small town cruise, and the best: The gamers are still out of time when I was still plucking through the mud with a rubber boot. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then the cars are like sheet metal plates on the edge, while the kids conquer the slide.
A short walk further leads you to historical grain silo Highway 53. I don't understand the hype about modern art installations, but this old, rusty building has the charm of a forgotten age for me. The silo is not open to the public, but a short view from the road is enough to feel the industrial heritage of Buckley. If you're lucky, you'll even catch the annual “Silo-Licht-Festival” where the neighbors with floodlight and grilled odour dive into a small light sea.
A little further, almost hidden behind the town hall, lies the St. John the Baptist Church. I was there once because I thought that was a typical tourist magnet – and I was wrong. The church is more of a place where the municipality comes together to survive the weekly bingo. Nevertheless, the building has an impressive stained glass window that throws a warm, almost sacral light at sunset. If you ask yourself if you should pray there: No, but a short look is worth it because you feel the true heart of Buckley.
For those who like to swallow a bit of history, there is Buckley Museum – a tiny but fine collection of old school books, photos of fair stands and a collection of firefighter models. I had my first real encounter with local history there when I accidentally discovered an old yearbook entry from myself in 1998. The museum has no fixed opening hours, but the volunteers open the doors whenever they are not busy at the annual Grillfest in the city center.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel like a real local, go to Buckley Fire Department. The volunteer fire brigade is not only known for its fast operations, but also for the legendary Pancake-Breakfast, which takes place every first Sunday of the month. I ate a pancake there that was so big that I almost had to use it as a substitute for my lunch. And yes, parking is a bit messy there, because the fire trucks are always in the middle of the parking lot, but this is part of the charm.
A short detour to Buckley Public Library is also worthwhile. The library is small, but it has a surprisingly good offer of local magazines and a cozy reading shackle that invites you to swallow a book about the history of Artesia Township. I once found an old city planning document there, which showed how the city should become almost an industrial centre – a dream that was never realized.
And because you are Buckley Attractions I shouldn't have asked Buckley Town Hall forget. The building is a classic example of the sober architecture of the 1950s, but what makes it special is the weekly public meeting where everyone has the chance to discuss the new garbage bucket design. I once experienced a heated debate about the colour of recycled containers there – a real highlight for everyone who loves politics in small format.
Finally, a little tip: if you spend the weekend in Buckley, take your time for a walk along the old railway line, which today serves as a hiking trail. The path is not particularly spectacular, but it leads you through the heart of the city, past the houses I knew as a child, and lets you feel the quiet, slightly cynical smile of the inhabitants you only find here.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
