History
On August 29, 1853, the first edition of the weekly Kankakee Gazette newspaper reported that the city "is rapidly progressing in her building, already 15 or 16 dwellings are in the process of erection. Several stores are near completion...the buildings for the railroad depot are nearly ready for occupancy...." The railroad would call the town Kankakee Depot.
At that time, the town that would become Kankakee did not formally exist: A plat map showing a proposed town of 49 residential and commercial blocks was not filed with the County Recorder until January 14, 1854. The plat was centered upon the Illinois Central railroad station and was bounded by Chestnut Street on the north, Chicago Avenue on the east, River Street on the south, and Entrance Avenue on the west. By the end of the year, various developers had platted "additions" that more than doubled the area of the community, and the population of Kankakee Depot was estimated at just over 1000 people.
A public meeting was held in January, 1855, to formally organize the settlement as a town. A petition requesting a charter was sent Springfield, and on February 15, 1854, Governor Joel Matteson signed the document creating Kankakee City. The new town would be governed by a Board of Trustees. On April 10, 1855, the trustees elected attorney Thomas P. Bonfield as President (in effect, the town's first Mayor).
Ten years later, in 1865, the town changed from a village governed by trustees to a city with a mayor and city council, and shortened its name to the present form, Kankakee. The first Mayor under the new mayor-council charter was merchant William G. Swannell. An unusual provision of the new charter placed the Mayor on the Kankakee County Board of Supervisors as an ex-officio member. That provision was dropped in 1892, when the city abandoned its special charter and was reorganized under the state's general law regarding municipalities.
Vibe
Downtown Kankakee offers a vibrant mix of commerce, culture, and community. From farmers markets and street festivals to live music, car shows, and seasonal celebrations, Downtown Kankakee continues to attract new businesses along with unique food and drink experiences for residents and visitors alike. Click here for signature events happening in Downtown Kankakee showcasing the energy and community spirit that's been helping make the experience of our historic town so special over the years. Click a local happening below to learn more!
Kankakee Parks
The Kankakee Valley Park District has over 30 parks in the city, including about a dozen on the riverfront, some with boat launch access. The park system operates Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena, an NHL-style rink for public skating, youth and adult hockey leagues, and even curling.
The KVPD Rec Center also offers pickleball and basketball courts, as well as children and adult programs. River Run Dog Park is part of the park of the same name and has a separate play area for large and small breeds.
Riverview Historic District
There are two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed houses in the neighborhood. “This is the only place where there are multiple Frank Lloyd Wright houses outside of Oak Park,” Germano says, referring to the Chicago suburb with a historic district consisting entirely of Wright-designed houses. Unlike other historic districts, there aren’t stringent rules when it comes to renovations. “We don’t have any legal measures to enforce,” says Joan Germano, who’s on the board of directors for the Riverview Historic District. “We welcome people who move into the area and remind them they’re in a historic district. They are encouraged to treat their house with the utmost care.”
Arts and Culture
The City of Kankakee believes that experiencing art and culture is a key component of quality of life for our residents. There are many ways that residents & visitors express through art within Kankakee and we are grateful for the programs listed below and the emerging programs to come.
Our hope is that residents and visitors take advantage of the opportunities presented.Visit Kankakee and experience the culture through museums, events in Festival Square, our art galleries and find a unique piece by a local artisan to add to your collection.From performing arts to art you can pack into your suitcase, it's waiting for you here!
Shopping and Dining
Various locally owned businesses, boutiques, and restaurants line Schuyler Avenue, the main road through downtown. Larger chain retailers and grocery stores are in other parts of the city and close to Interstate 57. The Meadowview Shopping Center has retail chain stores and a movie theater, while Riverstone Plaza is on the city's south end.
Public Transportation
The River Valley Metro Mass Transit District provides public bus transportation in the region. The bus runs in Kankakee and the surrounding communities of Bradley, Bourbonnais, Aroma Park and Manteno. Amtrak provides service north into Chicago and south to Champaign. The Greater Kankakee Airport is a general aviation facility in the southern part of the city. Midway International Airport is about 50 miles away, while O’Hare is about 70 miles north. Interstate 57 runs on the south and east sides of the city and leads into Chicago.
