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* I was born in Kankakee, but spent much of my childhood in a farmhouse rented by my parents in rural Iroquois County, a few miles from my grandfather. So, I suppose that’s partly why I love HGTV’s “Home Town” show, hosted by Erin and Ben Napier. The show and the small town of Laurel, Mississippi (pop. 17,161) was profiled today in the Wall St. Journal…
Laurel hasn’t always been this lovable. “When I first came on the council [in 1997], there was nothing going on downtown,” says [Laurel’s third-term mayor, Johnny Magee]. “You could shoot a shotgun down Central Avenue and not hit anybody.”
Surrounded by crumbling and shuttered buildings, a handful of local government and civic leaders in the mid-2000s championed change. Laurel Main Street, a consortium of local businesses, was formed in 2007 with a mission to revitalize a city once home to thriving timber and textile industries, brick manufacturing and other enterprises. In 2008, the Napiers—fresh out of college and newly married—moved back to Laurel, Erin’s hometown. The couple lived in a small apartment downtown, where they say the only other residents were friends Jim and Mallorie Rasberry and Josh and Emily Nowell. (Jim Rasberry is also Erin’s cousin.)
By all accounts, downtown Laurel wasn’t dying. It was dead. “When we moved back, there was one coffee shop and one restaurant that was open only for lunch,” Ben Napier, 40 years old, recalls. Erin Napier, 38, adds: “Other than that, there were a few professional services like lawyers and a lot of shuttered buildings.”
In time, the three couples became involved in redevelopment and restoration efforts downtown, which many consider a turning point in the city’s rebirth. “The effort by younger people got downtown growing again,” Magee says.
* The house I was raised in was southwest of Chebanse, a tiny town of 1,044 souls which also appears to be experiencing a revival of sorts. Here’s Tiffany Blanchette writing about Chebanse for the Kankakee Daily Journal…
A visit to the Whistle Stop Cafe & Bar in Chebanse brought back a rush of fond childhood memories as well as a renewed appreciation for the people that make that community connection a reality.
The restaurant, owned by local couple Jen Surprenant and Sal Lopez, operates out of the same building as a former, locally-loved spot called Russ & Rosie’s. […]
Next door is the Chebanse General Store, opened in October 2021 by mother-daughter duo Cindy Charbonneau and Brittany Cotter, both lifelong Chebanse residents. They stock everything from dry goods and dairy to locally-raised meat.
You can even get a scoop of ice cream or a couple pieces of candy — something I remember doing as a kid when Bonfield had its own little general store.
A coffee shop, Rally Point 1854, sits around the corner for the early morning crowd of farmers and teachers. It was started by two local veterans in 2019.
A locally-owned hardware store, a new boutique and a couple of bars line the other road through town.
The last time I was in Chebanse, I noticed a place on the outskirts of town called First Stop Bar and Grill, which has a huge beer garden. I made a note to stop by during my next visit (my uncle lives in Ashkum, which is ten miles or so south).
Chebanse is right off of I-57 and about 70 miles south of Chicago. It’s worth a visit.
Point being, it most certainly helps to have a popular TV show and a decent population base to jump-start a small town, but it isn’t always necessary.
* The Question: Do you have a favorite small town? Explain and stay on-topic, please. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:23 pm
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Spent my first few years living on a pig farm outside Kingston, however, I don’t remember it at all. I guess I have to say Genoa which was my Dad’s hometown and the small town I spent so much time visiting family.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:42 pm
Petersburg has become a new favorite. Great restaurants, brewery, and wine tasting. Their festivals are fun and well attended. Very impressed with the recent progress there. Oh, and Terror on the Square!
Comment by FIREDup! Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:43 pm
An unnamed number of years and years ago I was almost weekly driving on rt52 into Indiana from Illinois. Occasionally I would jump on 57 to get around kankakee and get back off at the airport exit. A few times, I went down 57 to Chebanse and found it to be a nice little town.
The towns further along the route, like Donovan and Iroquois, have slowly been crumbling instead. I watched Donovan go from having a small downtown of about two buildings, to a burned out building and one building. Then a shutdown building with just vending machines out front, then that building burned down. All that’s left of that downtown now is a grass field.
I did really like Milford, a small town bit south of Watseka. Stopped for a beer and burger at the local watering hole.
In the same area is another really small town and off the main roads completely called L’Erable, which I liked just for the name. There’s not really much there except a church. It led me to read up on it and discover the very strong French influence in that small part of the state before it was even a state. Interesting stuff.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:50 pm
====A visit to the Whistle Stop Cafe & Bar in Chebanse====
I found a Whistling Stop drink chip in one of the parking lots near the Capitol. It stayed my car for awhile but one day on the way home to Chicago I decided to look it up and stop in. Nice place. I was only having one so I didn’t use the chip and probably still have it somewhere. I would stop back again. I was impressed with the town.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:51 pm
===There’s not really much there except a church===
And a French restaurant.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:54 pm
I love Macomb. My years at Western helped me fall in love with the place. It has struggled as the University has struggled in recent years but still has lots of charm and good people. There are some good local restaurants that have been around forever.
Comment by Mr. Middleground Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:58 pm
Murphysboro. Any town that can claim to be the BBQ Capital of Illinois has a certain charm.
Comment by James Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:01 pm
I’ve always admired Canton, IL. It seems that every time I’m involved with them they are recovering from a bad tornado, a business closing, or some other disaster. But the people are hearty and oddly optimistic. I also appreciate the way they are kind to strangers (completely opposite of the small towns around Springfield, imo)
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:01 pm
L’Erable has Longbranch. I know the town is no longer small, but Manteno has made their downtown along the tracks very attractive. For a person who grew up in Peotone right up the road, Manteno has does some nice things with their downtown: beautification, restaurants, bars, park, coffee shop, ice cream parlors.
Comment by Will County Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:02 pm
As a kid, I remember the Square in Woodstock as being fairly empty, there was a Metra station, a DQ, and the Opera House needing significant repairs. How that has changed, maybe it was Groundhog Day helping it along, or the fact that Woodstock is considered a suburb now as opposed to a sleepy farm town? They always had some money due to being the county seat of McHenry but that was outside town not downtown.
Comment by Frida's boss Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:03 pm
Really have come to love Lebanon, IL. We often drive through and stop on our way to Marion. Small town charms but close to everything and a small college adds to the charm.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:07 pm
Locally, I really like Princeton. It has a vibrant downtown, neat historic houses, and just opening this summer, a new brewpub with pretty good beer. In Wisconsin, I’ve always liked little Paoli Wisconsin. It is centered around a repurposed 1860’s gist mill on the Sugar River that has shops, entertainment, and, of course, a brewpub. There is everything from fine dining to traditional bar and grills. It still has a rural feel even though it is only a few minutes from Madison and New Glarus (another small town I like a lot).
Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:18 pm
Macomb is just on the too big side to be small but love it. When WIU was humming it was a great college community.
Petersburg - lots of great new places to eat and a pretty part of C-IL
Oregon - When I lived up north that was a great escape for a drive, dinner and view.
Red Bud - Great S-IL town with a brewery and excellent dinner options.
I’ve been in 93 of the 102 counties in the state, love a good small town to peek around in.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:26 pm
Of course I’m biased but I really appreciate the cultural diversity of my current home town of Arcola. My daughter was one of the 11 Co-Valedictorians that graduated last year and her class was 50% Latino. It’s an incredibly tight knit, family oriented community.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:26 pm
Hard to beat Washington, but it is 15K so hardly small. Lincoln has some interesting spots, but nothing tops Grand Tower on the banks of the Mississippi—in the heyday Ma Hales was one of a kind especially on Sunday when they served all you could fried chicken and sides family style. They even tolerated students. Wonder if the ferry still runs?
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:30 pm
Wilmington is a nice vintage Main Street town with a good brewery and a couple of cafes. It’s a bit rundown, but a good stop for a drink and a stretch of the legs when driving 55.
Also, Pontiac’s town square and collection of murals throughout is a great stop. A guilding museum? Yes, sir.
Comment by Matty Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:37 pm
Lemont, but the Lemont I grew up. 4,000 population, high school enrollment was 500+, 12 taverns, 6 churches.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:42 pm
Mount Vernon, Iowa which is now somewhat of a bedroom community, but I fell in love when I visited for a college visit and still love the place. It’s gotten nicer restaurants as time has gone on
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 2:54 pm
I am biased and love Sterling, as I am from there. The people are nice, people greet you with a smile, and the downtown is walkable. The local economy is suffering and I hope the new mayor is able to assist with job creation, securing grants, and motivating a now quiet town to become something bigger again! I also love Dixon and Oregon (also mentioned here in the comments), too. I also recently stopped in Ford County and stumbled upon a town called Roberts; 300-something people and walked into a place called Kettles Tap and Grill. I didn’t come in to the restaurant/bar for a lovely conversation and a free water bottle to go for my drive back to the city, but I did! The owner was wonderful and tried to convince me to hangout and come to her birthday party that night at the spot. I didn’t, but promised next year. I did put it on my calendar! I will say, being from a small town and relocating to a big city has perks, but it also means encountering a lot of people who don’t understand towns filled with farms, abandoned factories, and generational poverty. Not to stereotype, but it is often true. I like educating people on what “small town folk” *actually* think about certain issues (rural healthcare, ag, etc.) and helping people see beyond what they think. I am proud to be from a small town and love this thread. Thanks, Rich!
Comment by EFS Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 3:10 pm
Alto Pass in southern Illinois. Bought a guitar there once. Nice little town.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 3:21 pm
As a college student, ==Ma Hales== was one of the best places to eat. So much food and they would bring more and more and then offer dessert.
I’ve been in so many small towns in Illinois; some are stable or improving, while others are on a serious decline. Nothing is better than eating at the diners, supper clubs, and, more recently, brew pubs.
One favorite is Toluca - Mona’s and Capponi’s restaurants are classic small town supper clubs with excellent food and homey atmospheres.
Utica has finally figured out how to take advantage of traffic to Starved Rock; the downtown has a very nice selection of places to eat, drink, and enjoy.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 3:30 pm
Shelbyville
There’s something about driving into town West on 16 and seeing the courthouse as you drive up the hill. Not the best description and last time I’ve been the downtown still has vacancies, but it has potential. Always enjoyed my time when I was there for work and leisure. Lake Shelbyville is a hidden tressure in the summer. Glad folks from the Chicagoland area don’t know about it.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 3:43 pm
We love Oregon Il. Food, drink, and an old timey small town feel.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:17 pm
I grew up in a small town near Peoria. It was a vibrant and thriving little town when I was a youngster. People had good jobs at factories in Peoria that afforded nice homes, cars, trucks & boats. Both the bars and churches were packed, while the storefront were full and busy.
But not anymore. Stores are shuttered. The bars are few and bleak, while the churches are struggling. Housing is crumbing. Sad to see and heartbreaking when visiting family still in the area.
I’m happy to hear about towns undergoing a rebirth. I just hope the same will happen soon to my birthplace.
Comment by Suburbanon Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:20 pm
Galena is my favorite small town. It’s thriving due to a vibrant Main Street area with good restaurants and charming shops. There’s also lots to do in the surrounding area: golfing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and skiing (Chestnut Mountain isn’t far away), to name a few things. You can while away an hour or two sipping wine at one of the local vineyards.
I always get a kick out of how the locals have claimed General Grant as their own. As I understand it, Grant couldn’t wait to get away from Galena. Nonetheless, it’s a charming and vibrant town.
Comment by Bourbon Street Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:52 pm
My vote is for Grafton the Key West of the Midwest. It’s come a long way from the way it was in the aftermath of the Great Flood of ‘93.
Comment by Which one is Pink Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:59 pm
I love Cairo and still pray for its resurrection. Cairo is an amazing place, where you can really see the town that was, a vibrant center of commerce at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Besides, where else can you walk to the southern most point in the state and get your feet wet in beautiful Fort Defiance state park.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 5:00 pm
My own love and love letters to Galena…
Tough to find a better town to enjoy this state, “small towns”, tourist destination, and regional hub.
Can’t love Galena enough
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 5:03 pm
It’s fun seeing Chebanse, Bonfield and L”Erable mentioned in this. I’ll vote for Herscher as my favorite small town, but could add Irwin and Buckingham as runners up.
More people live within three blocks of me now than in all those towns combined.
Fun QOTD Rich. Thanks for this.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 5:58 pm
Hebron. The water tower celebrating the 1952 state high school basketball champs, Crandall’s chicken and in the summer The Dari ice cream stand.
Comment by Jaguar Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 6:23 pm
Does Ottawa count as small. If so, that’s where my vote goes?
If not, my choice would go to nearby Utica. In the summer they’ve started making a couple of streets fully pedestrian, which makes for a really nice atmosphere.
Comment by Former Albany Parker Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 7:09 pm
Makanda is a village, not even a town, but has a pervasive hippie cool. The Rainmaker’s Garden is a strange and beautiful place. Vulture Fest, Oct. 21-22, is a great little music and art festival, free to all.
Comment by Barnaby Wilde Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 8:20 pm