Walnut offers small-town living with nearby urban access
Walnut is a rural community in north-central Illinois surrounded by vast corn and soybean fields. While its quiet setting is one of the area's biggest appeals, a welcoming atmosphere anchors the village of just over 1,200. “I love our little town,” says Tiffany Miller, Village of Walnut clerk. “I’ve been here all my life, and it is so quaint and friendly. When someone says it takes a village to raise your kids, we’ve got that here. Everyone knows everyone.” Here, locals get around the community on golf carts, gather for annual events like Walnut Days, and are well-connected to amenities in surrounding cities.
20th century homes sit back from quiet streets
Mature trees line the wide streets of Walnut, which provide shade for the narrow sidewalks below. Homes here come in a wide range of architecture, from bungalows and cottages to National Folk and ranch styles. Build dates span the entire 20th century, with the oldest homes filling the central portion of the community. More recently built properties sit closer to the outskirts, where surrounding crop fields add to the area's rural feel. Quarter to half-acre lots are the standard here, and most properties feature detached garages or workshops. The median single-family sales price is around $120,000, which is less than in nearby Princeton.
Recreation ranges from fishing ponds to hiking trails and youth sports
Walnut Park District on Sunset Avenue offers a pond for fishing and kayaking, alongside a walking trail that circles the water. Its baseball and softball diamonds stay busy during Little League season, and its pool fills throughout the summer. The district also runs programming at the site, including summer camps and Wednesday Garden Club. Walnut Park District Ross Nature Preserve has a series of hiking trails and a 23-acre pond for fishing and viewing wildlife.
Seasonal events like Walnut Days brings neighbors together
Walnut Days brings the community together over Independence Day weekend. Alongside local food vendors and live music, festivities include a parade and a grand fireworks show to close the celebration. “If you were to go around the region and ask who has the best fireworks, they’d say Walnut,” Miller says. “Thousands of people come into town for it.” Fall Fest on Main is another annual staple held in early October. The event features hayrides, pumpkin painting, and other activities for all ages.
Students can earn college credits at Whiteside Area Career Center
Bureau Valley North School enrolls prekindergarten through fifth-grade students and earns a B from Niche. Bureau Valley High School also scores a B. High school students can take classes at Whiteside Area Career Center in Sterling. The program allows students to earn college credits and industry certifications upon completion, with subjects ranging from agriculture to business and health.
Residents dine downtown and shop big-box stores in Sterling
A selection of locally owned restaurants forms a downtown stretch at the heart of the community. The Shed Tap n Grill pairs cocktails with modern American fare. “The food there is great, and you go out on the patio and listen to live music,” Miller says. Avanti’s Foods is a local landmark known for its selection of cheese and an attached gift shop. Dollar General and Walnut Acres Country Store cover essentials and groceries in the community. “Walnut Acres has a meat locker,” Miller says. “The owners raise cattle and butcher them at the store.” She also notes that while a lot of people go to Walmart in Princeton, 19 miles south, Sterling offers more options for big-box shopping, a similar distance north.
Commuting around and out of Walnut
It’s common to spot locals driving golf carts down main roads. “We have an ordinance within the village that people can drive around on their golf carts,” Miller says. “They can drive them down to the elementary school and pick up the kids.” State Route 92 passes through the community, connecting residents to surrounding cities like Moline, 50 miles west, which is home to the Quad Cities International Airport. CGH Walnut Medical Center is on Jackson Street, and the nearest emergency room is at OSF Saint Clare Medical Center, some 28 miles east. Chicago is roughly 130 miles northeast via Interstate 88.
Written By
Matthew Simmons
