If I could live anywhere, I have to think I may just end up where I am at this very moment. I know there are zillions of other locations around the world and for sure around the country that are more beautiful, have more amazingly intense sunsets, more green cool forests and maybe even a better quality of life. But, and this is a really big but, it's not where I call home. I've been living in the Kankakee, IL area ever since my family moved here from a small town in central Illinois in 1970. At the time I was furious with my parents since having to leave all my grade school friends at the age of 13 was super traumatic. I went through my junior high and high school years without any deep friendships. My best friends are from various jobs I've had over the years. But, without our family moving in 1970, I would have never met my wife, had a family with amazing kids and grandkids and lived a really fulfilling life.
So aside from all the great family reasons of living in the Kankakee area, we also have an amazing natural history with beautiful natural resources to go along with some very important and prominent architectural sights as well as events and experiences to enjoy every season of the year. So here are some of the best of the best for Kankakee County, Illinois.
So, did you know that.....
Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built his very first Prairie Style home in Kankakee, IL? It's called the Bradley House, named after B. Harley Bradley. This home has had an incredible history. You can even see story about it on your PBS channel in a film The American Home. Here's a link. Bradley Home PBS
Interesting facts about the home. It was a restaurant in the 1970's. The owners were losing money and decided to start selling the original stained glass and furniture to raise cash. Barbara Streisand purchased a giant sized piece of stained glass from the ceiling in the dining room. At one point, the local newspaper owned the property and were renovating the home and tragically, the owner Steven Small was lured to the home by a killer posing as the police. He kidnapped Mr Small for ransom and buried him in a makeshift coffin with minimal breathing allowed. He died during the time in the coffin and the killers were captured, but when they got to Mr Small it was too late.
Today the Wright in Kankakee Foundation owns the property and conducts numerous events throughout the year from regular tours to art shows and Christmas events. It's been restored to it's original beauty even having a local stained glass expert recreate the Streisand ceiling.
Looking for a perfect gift for someone you love for a wedding, baby shower or the main man or woman in your life? Then you have to go visit Moon Cookie Gallery. Located in downtown Kankakee in the Clock Tower building. The owner is an actural working artist and has a gallery with over 60 different artists with everything from watercolors, Fractal burned clocks and decorations, home made soaps, essential oils, polished rocks and crystals, jewelry, candles, windchimes, fused glass and much more. Truly a hidden gem in Kankakee and at the top of everyone's list of best gift shops in the area.
I could on and on but I have to go get some rocks ready to bring to Moon Cookie. You see, I'm the guy that does the polished rocks and crystals for the owner, Natalie, who just happens to be my daughter.
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