Visit Gilman Iroquois Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the University of Gilman, Illinois - a scientific center of world class! Experience the magnificent campus facilities and the diverse research possibilities. Not to miss: The city of Gilman also offers interesting sights such as the Lincoln-Heritage-Sttte or the Illinois River.
Honestly, if you ask me, what Gilman sights are, is not some shiny tourist-buzz, but the crunching echo of a city that originated in 1867 from nothing at the Chicago Railroad Railroad. I sit here in the small café on Main Street, while an old tractor conveniently crosses the fields of Douglas Township – this is the true heart of Iroquois County, not any Instagram filter.
I don't understand the hype around large metropolises, but here, between corn fields and the silent, wind-curved prairie meadows, you can feel the pulse of history. The city was named after the railway pionist John Gilman, and this is still felt today when you arrive by bus from Kankakee or the train to Danville – a short stop, and you are in the middle of rural charm. The old brick building on the outskirts of the city tells of a time when the post office was the center of the happening, and the old town hall, which still has the same wooden windows, almost lets you believe you would wander through a lively history book.
A walk along the old railway line, which today serves as a quiet bike path, is the highlight for me – not a joke, that is almost meditative. And if you happen to be in town on a Saturday, you hear the laughing of the locals at the annual County Fairs-Picknick, which smells more like a real community than after tourist staging. So, this is my small, slightly cynical, but heartfelt overview of Gilman sights – a place that has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
I have to confess that Gilman Historical Museum my personal favorite place here in the little town is not because it is a huge art palace, but because it is the only place where you can feel the real heart of Gilman without a tourist guide whispering over your shoulder. The museum sits in the old railway depot, which still has the smell of lubricating oil and old wood, and this is for me a better fragrance than any freshly ground coffee in the city centre. Parking is usually a Klack, except on Saturday night, the small parking area in front of the depot suddenly becomes a battlefield for the weekly flea markets.
Located next to the museum Gilman City Parka piece of green that has more to offer than one would expect from a small town. The little lake there is not deep enough to swim, but perfect for a few relaxed fishing hours – I caught a carp that was almost as big as my bike. The playground is a bit worn out, but the children there seem to care about it; they run around like there is no tomorrow. And if you're lucky, you'll listen to the quiet sum of the grilling station in the evening, where the locals are crumbling their sausages – a real “no-waste” moment, because the grilled goods usually come from the supermarket around the corner.
A short walk leads you to Gilman Public Librarya tiny building that has more books than the city has inhabitants. I found an old yearbook from the 1920s that tells the story of the local railway – a must for anyone who doesn't understand the hype for old locomotives, but still wants to sniff a bit of nostalgia. The staff is friendly but not exaggerated polite; they give you the book without asking you if you want to bring it back because they know you will never return it anyway.
If you’re looking for something more “authentic” flair, look at the Gilman Water Tower on. This rusty colossus is the unofficial landmark of the city – a bit like the Eiffel Tower image for Paris, only that here nobody makes a selfie with the tower, because the weather is mostly too windy. Nevertheless, it is worth a short trip, because you get a surprisingly clear view over the endless corn fields from there. And yes, this is one of the few places where you really feel like a “Rural-Explorer” without needing an expensive outfit.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Gilman Community Center. Here the weekly “Karaoke-Nights” take place, where the locals give their best (or worst) singing skills. I was there once when a 70-year-old builder “Bohemian Rhapsody” sang – no joke, that was better than any Broadway show I have ever seen. The Center is also the place where the annual “Gilman Farmers Market” is held; fresh vegetables, homemade jam and a stand with handmade wood carvings that you don't need, but still buy because you want to feel good.
And because I don't want to neglect everything, I still have to Gilman Fire Department mention. This is a small space full of old firefighters, rusty hoses and a story that you can only find in the dusty archives. I saw an old fire truck that still carries the original paint from the 1950s – a real treasure for everyone interested in the history of the little heroic craft. Parking is always a children's game because the museum is located right next to the fire station and the terrain is rarely full.
If you now think that this is too much, let me tell you: Gilman Attractions are not meant to overwrite you, but to give you a little insight into what life is really doing here – a mix of history, rustic nature and a portion of dry humor, which even makes the most skeptical travellers sneak. And if you ask yourself where you'd best stay: The small motel on the main street is not luxurious, but the bed is comfortable enough to sleep after a day full of discoveries without feeling like in a hostel that is overrun by students.
The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Iroquois County Historical Museum in Watseka, about 12 miles east of Gilman. The building is a red brick house that has more stories to tell than you could create in Gilman all day. I discovered an old tractor display that reminds me of the dusty fields of my childhood – and yes, the museum actually has an original Fordson from the 30s, no replica. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday morning, then the field before the museum becomes a battlefield for cars.
A short detour to the south brings me to Kankakee River State Park, a piece of nature you shouldn't overlook when you feel you have seen enough of endless corn fields. The river sounds here through dense trees, and the trails are so well maintained that even my tired hiking boots thanked. I made a picnic on the river bank, while a fisherman, besides me, spoke loudly about the size of his catch of pike – a real small-town charm, which is almost one of the sights here.
Back to the east, only a stone's throw from Watseka lies the Iroquois County Courthouse. The imposing, slightly weathered sandstone gems look like it's got more court negotiations on the last piece of cake on family celebrations than I can count. I admired the old clock in the tower – it still ticks, although the building has been standing since the 1800s. A short look inside suffices to feel that more than just right is spoken here; it is a piece of local identity that should not be missed.
A little further southwest, almost on the edge of the county, lies the Iroquois County Fairgrounds. This is where the annual County Fair takes place, a spectacle of sugar cane, rumble and a lot of local peculiarities. I did not miss the year when they hosted the pig-shoulder race – a sight that is at the same time skurril and fascinating. The parking spaces are huge, but on Friday afternoons you can feel like standing in a crowded stadium because everyone flows out of the surrounding area.
A little off the beaten path lies the small town Loda, which points with its historical grain silo and an old railway bridge. I made a short walk there, while the sun went down over the fields and the silver grain glistened in the light. The place has hardly any visitors, what makes it a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life – and parking? Just next to the field path, no problem.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Old Iroquois County Jail in Watseka. The abandoned prison from the 1890s is now a museum that illuminates the darker chapters of the region. I saw an old handcuffed exponate there that reminded me that not everything in rural America is rusty. Access is free, and parking is right in front of the building where an old wooden chair is still in the shade.
If you are looking for a place that has more to offer than just endless grain fields, then the Gilman Attractions in its surroundings a surprisingly diverse package of history, nature and unique charm – all packed in a mix of honest enthusiasm and a touch of cynical observation that makes travel here a small adventure.
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