Hello, Kankakee County and friends! This month, we’re taking a hike through time and nature as we uncover the story behind one of our county’s most beloved treasures: Kankakee River State Park. In our latest episode of the Kankakee Podcast, I sat down with historian Jack Klasey of the Kankakee County Museum to dig deep—pun intended—into the park’s fascinating past, near-misses, and its lasting legacy.
A Park With a Past: Power Plants, Prairie, and Preservation
Did you know Kankakee River State Park wasn’t always destined for family picnics and scenic bike trails? Jack reveals that back in 1910, the Illinois Light and Power Company acquired over 2,500 acres along the river with plans for a massive hydroelectric dam:
“The plan was to build a 60-foot tall, 750-foot long dam… it would have changed the complexion of this county incredibly… it would have created a half-mile wide lake stretching all the way from the dam back upstream to Kankakee.”
Imagine that! Instead of the peaceful woods we know today, we almost had a sprawling industrial lakefront. Plans moved forward until the crash of 1929 halted the dream—leaving the land open for an even better fate.
How the Park Came To Be
In 1938, the vision for a more natural haven became reality when Mrs. Ethel Sturgis Doomer donated a 36-acre site to the state on the north bank of the river. Her gift included the now-famous island home to the rare Kankakee Mallow flower:
“At one time, this was believed to be the only place in the world that the Kankakee Mallow grew…”
From there, it was all about community effort—land swaps, donations, and political champions. The Chamber of Commerce raised funds, and state senator Victor McBroom fought to expand the park in Springfield:
“He became a powerful voice for the development of the state park… his interest and his hopes for the Kankakee River State Park have been largely responsible for its present worth as a recreational area for thousands.”
Milestones Along the Way
- 1946: Chamber of Commerce raises $17,000 and donates 86 acres to the park
- 1948: The state acquires the stunning Rock Creek Canyon, adding its dramatic limestone cliffs to the park
- 1956: Commonwealth Edison donates 1,700 acres, quadrupling the park’s size
- Today: The park spans over 4,000 acres from Altorf to Ritchie, protecting miles of shoreline on both riverbanks
Local Stories and Hidden Gems
Our park is more than just acreage. Jack and I swapped memories about pancake breakfasts by the river, and the picnic spots families have loved for generations. The park holds secrets for the curious, like the tiny family cemetery by the main entrance and an old rusted truck deep in the woods—its story still a mystery.
Rock Creek Canyon, a favorite for hikers and photographers, has been captivating locals for generations:
“It’s the most beautiful section of the river… because you have a placid river, limestone outcrops, tree-lined banks—just a beautiful piece of gorgeous.”
Preserving Nature, Building Community
Why protect so much land? As Jack explains, the goal was to ensure future generations could experience the wild beauty and peace of the Kankakee. It’s a story of people coming together to preserve something irreplaceable in the face of development:
“It was a desire to keep that from being privately developed into residential and industrial…and keeping the more or less virgin property, the trees and prairie lands and so forth, for future generations.”
Adventure Awaits You
From the rare Kankakee Mallow and tales of Potawatomi villages to trails echoing with the laughter of kids crossing stones in Rock Creek, Kankakee River State Park is a living monument to history, nature, and community vision.
So next time you explore the park—whether you’re hiking, fishing, or simply breathing in that fresh, wild air—remember the generations of people who fought to keep this stretch of river wild and free.
For more Kankakee history, be sure to visit the Kankakee County Museum or check out Jack Klasey’s weekly history column on the museum’s blog. And if you loved the stories in this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to the Kankakee Podcast for more tales from the heart of our county!
Until next time, enjoy the trails, cherish the memories, and keep the spirit of Kankakee alive!
