A town of about 6,000 (2000) that's located in Will County in the middle of the scenic Kankakee River Valley, Wilmington covers an area of about 4.2 square miles. Nearby villages include Lakewood Shores (2.9 miles away), Braidwood (5.5 miles away) and Symerton (6.5 miles away). Wilmington is 49 miles southwest of downtown Chicago....
Show all »
A town of about 6,000 (2000) that's located in Will County in the middle of the scenic Kankakee River Valley, Wilmington covers an area of about 4.2 square miles. Nearby villages include Lakewood Shores (2.9 miles away), Braidwood (5.5 miles away) and Symerton (6.5 miles away). Wilmington is 49 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.
Many Wilmington residents are attracted to the town because of its prime location on the Kankakee River; outdoor recreation enthusiasts take advantage of its locale to go fishing and boating on a regular basis. Four thousand acres of scenic parkland envelop both sides of the Kankakee River, providing additional opportunities for walkers, joggers and bicyclists. An abundance of wildlife, picnic areas, farmland and beautiful shoreline attract nature lovers from all around.
Wilmington is equally proud of its unique heritage. Originally called Winchester, the town was settled in the early 1830s and incorporated in 1865; today it ontains historic buildings that date back to the mid- 1800s. Collectors from all over the Chicago area come to Wilmington to shop at the town's small antique shops and two large antique malls located in the downtown North Water Street area. In addition to antiques, the downtown district also hosts a Farmer's Market, car races, and the well-attended "Catfish Days" featuring parades, a carnival, a flea market, and catfish dinners.
The well-known Route 66 (now known as Route 53) runs through downtown Wilmington. The road is an important part of the national highway system that was started in 1927. Wilmington's Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant is located along Route 66 at 810 E. Baltimore. First opened in 1960, it is a member of the Route 66 Hall of Fame. Another Wilmington landmark is the Mar Theatre at 121 S. Main Street. It first opened for business on June 15, 1937, and today remains a first-run movie theatre, playing current films and a limited number of old classic movies.
« Show less
.