Wheatfield

Kankakee Township is charmingly agricultural, with antique farm equipment adding rustic flair to yards, fields across the way and silos in sight. Residents can enjoy rural Indiana living with convenient amenities in an environment that once was marsh and wetlands. The Potawatomi tribe called the area Aukiki — land of wolf and river — among other names. Don't confuse this Kankakee with others in Indiana or Illinois. Though considered part of greater Chicago, it keeps its Hoosier identity. With the Kankakee River flowing over 130 miles westward from Indiana into Illinois, that name shows up along the way. Lynda Anderson, broker/owner for Boulder Bay Realty Group, specializes in northwest Indiana and services Wheatfield. She says $200,000 is the average sales price for the area. "Prices here have gone along with the real estate market as a whole." At the end of 2023, Wheatfield's inventory was very limited. "There are 15 homes on the market. And year-to-date, about 30 have closed." In Kankakee Township, there tend to be even fewer. Anderson says there aren't a lot of planned subdivisions in the area. Properties come with land and ample space between residences. "Most lots are large; some are over an acre," she says. In addition to ranch-style houses, Kankakee architecture includes Cape Cods and farmhouse-style homes. The only Porter County site with public access to the Kankakee River, Dunn's Bridge County Park is a spot for canoeing and kayaking. The bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is believed by some to have been constructed using leftover metal from Chicago's 1893 World's Fair. Another aspect of history: Dunn's Original KKK Pleasure Resort once had its home on the riverfront here. Kankakee Township Park offers pavilions, picnic tables, a playground and walking areas. For a wilderness environment close by, the 650-acre Aukiki Wetland Conservation Area is a site where visitors like hiking and hunting. To the south, the 507-acre Prairie Border Nature Preserve also works to restore natural habitats. A few miles to the west in the center of Wheatfield, there are stores, the public library, the fire and police departments, a bank and some eateries. Heather's Diner serves breakfast all day; don't miss the chalkboard specials. Stowers & Son Market, a family owned mainstay for fresh produce and meat, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023. Anderson says residents may go a bit farther, depending on what they are looking for. "If they want to do major shopping, they'll probably go to Valparaiso or DeMotte." The city of Valparaiso, also known as Valpo, is about 20 miles north; the town of De Motte is about 15 miles west. Kids may attend public schools like Wheatfield Elementary, graded A-minus by Niche and serving kindergarten through third grade. Kankakee Valley Intermediate, with a B-plus, is for fourth and fifth grade, and Kankakee Valley Middle, for sixth through eighth, has an A-minus. Kankakee Valley High, with a B, features a full lineup of teams, including swimming and bowling, golf and wrestling. Dual credit courses with Kankakee Community College are available. According to the Indiana Department of Education, at least 92% of twelfth graders complete their graduation requirements. Area events and gatherings include the Wheatfield's September Sandhill Crane Festival, which includes vendors and a classic auto show. Wheatfield Lanes bowling alley is the spot for April's annual firefighters association event, Bowling with the Badges. About 15 miles north in Kouts, events include the Aukiki River Festival. In addition to agriculture, the area is known for its manufacturing and utilities companies. These include Kankakee Valley Steel, paper and chemical producer Georgia-Pacific Corporation and coal-fired power plants. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management works with local governments to identify and mitigate problems, including air pollution, odors and water contamination. Most of Kankakee Township is open space, with the river to the north and state routes 10 and 49 accessible. Kankakee is about 75 miles southeast of downtown Chicago. The trip from the township to the Windy City might speed up once on Interstate 65, which is about 20 miles to the west.