Kewanee is rich in history. The word “kewanee” comes from the Winnebago word for “prairie chicken,” referring to the birds that inhabited the land in the mid-eighteenth century. The town is home to Louis Thomas Reynolds, a local baseball legend, and for many years, the USDA dubbed Kewanee “The Hog Capital of the World.” From its historic downtown area to its vibrant local events, Kewanee is an epicenter of activity and character. Mark Mikenas, executive director of the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce and local resident for 63 years, speaks to the town’s unique character. “We have a good small-town flavor but we’re also close to much larger communities like Peoria and the Quad Cities," he says. "We’re too big to be a small town but we’re not big enough to be a city. Kewanee is right in that sweet spot. We’re our own little community."
A smorgasboard of style in Kewanee
Home styles can vary widely from suburban styles to more historical fashions. Red-brick Craftsmans and bungalows can be found near Italianate and Victorians. Many come with open or enclosed porches and lawn spaces. “We have a mix of residential areas, from newer sub-divisions to houses that are 10-15 years old," Mikenas says. "There are sections of town with 100-year-old homes with big porches, three stories and attics. There are sections with ranch-styles. Kewanee has basically everything from A to Z when it comes to housing.” Houses in this area can cost $42,000 for a two-bedroom with one-bath and go as high as $169,900 for a three-bedroom with two baths.
Kewanee homes usually feature front porches, both enclosed and open.
Kewanee features a number of classic brick bungalow homes.
Kewanee features a number of historic red brick homes with unique design features.
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Kewanee High School offers CTE courses
Students in the area can attend Irving Elementary, which earned a C-plus grade from Niche. Wethersfield Junior/ Senior High School earned an A-minus rating and was named the number one public high school in Henry County. Kewanee High School earned a B-minus rating and offers courses in Career and Technical Education (CTE) like business, agriculture, and family and consumer sciences.
Irving Elementary School is located in Kewanee.
Kewanee High School is located in Kewanee, Illinois.
Kewanee High School features a full size football field and track.
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Kewanee parks and putts
At Windmont Park, residents can enjoy the fishing pond and inclusive playground. Northeast Park has many amenities for playing sports including softball fields and tennis courts. At Baker Park Golf Course, golfers can practice their drives and enjoy a pre- or post-game meal at the course’s 19th Hole Restaurant.
Windmont Park offers a number of outdoor activities.
Veterans Park is located next to the Kewanee City Hall.
Northeast Park features a number of outdoor activities for Kewanee residents.
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Kewanee restaurants serve variety of food
Fernando’s Place serves authentic Mexican cuisine along with house-made sangria and an enormous margarita selection. Rony’s Restaurant offers a hybrid American-Mexican menu and all-day breakfast. Scooter’s Coffee has a convenient drive-thru for residents on the go. Cerno’s Bar and Grill boasts ornately historical décor, with a bar that was built in 1898 by Pabst Blue Ribbon and imported from Belgium. Karaoke lovers will enjoy belting out tunes at Misty’s Bar. Kewanee residents can shop for groceries at major retailers in the area like Walmart and Aldi and visit the local farmer’s market that runs from October to May. Board game enthusiasts can sample the many offerings at The Gaming Goat. Baysinger’s Antiques offers antiques and all kinds of used furniture from “shabby chic” styles to repurposed pieces.
Kewanee has a great downtown with historic buildings and shopping options.
Kewanee residents can get great Mexican food and drinks at Fernandos.
Kewanee is home to Fernandos Mexican Restaurant.
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Kewanee residents attend community events
Kewanee hosts several events throughout the year. During the summer, the city celebrates its pig prestige with Hog Day Festival, complete with a carnival, food pits and a flea market. There is also the Francis Park Fourth of July celebration and the Veterans Park summer concert series. In the winter Kewanee holds Run Your Ice Off, an annual 5K and the Chamber of Commerce sponsors many holiday events in the downtown area. “We light some of our parks up for the holidays and the event is run by all volunteers. Most of the lighting is handmade by people right here in town,” Mikenas says.
Taking the train to Chicago
Kewanee has access to several routes and interstates. Interstates 74 and 80, and Routes 34 78. The town has also been known as a railroad community for many years. Kewanee sees passengers coming to and from Chicago every day, thanks to its popular Amtrak station.
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