-
#57: Electric Park – Kankakee County Museum
Long before the days of what is present day Beckman Park in Kankakee, stood Electric Park from 1894 to the early 1920s. Jorie Walters and Jack Klasey from the Kankakee County Museum join us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to give us the history of the once popular entertainment spot. The museum’s fall mums…
-
#52: Hotel Riverview – Kankakee County Museum
Before all the grand homes were built near present day Cobb Park in Kankakee, stood the luxurious Hotel Riverview. Even though the hotel only lasted from 1887 to 1897, it’s legacy has become one of the many crown jewels in our county’s history. I’m delighted to once again be joined by Jack Klasey and Jorie…
-
Episode 44: The Small Family – Kankakee County Museum
Dr. Small at right, Len at left holding infant grandson Len Howard, and in middle, Len’s son Leslie (father of Len Howard). This Sunday, May 22nd, the Kankakee County Museum will be hosting their 32 Annual Rhubarb Festival from 10:00am until 4:00pm. One of the many things being celebrated that day includes the unveiling of…
-
Episode 40: Nell Clark – Kankakee County Museum
This month’s episode with The Kankakee County Museum takes back in time to when Nell Clark ruled Kankakee’s underworld. For about 50 years, from the 1890s to the 1940s, Nell ran a brothel in what is now City Tavern on 367 South West Avenue in Kankakee. Local renowned storyteller, Jack Klasey, explains to us why…
-
Episode 36: Women’s History Month – Kankakee County Museum
It’s that time of the month where we are joined by staff members of the Kankakee County Museum to talk about a particular subject in our county’s history. We are lucky enough to have both Jorie Walters and Jack Klasey join us on this episode to celebrate Women’s History Month. Jorie and Jack introduce us…
-
Episode 34: 10 Most Listened to Episodes of 2021
Here’s who made the cut for the 10 most listened to episodes of Kankakee Podcast in 2021! Did your favorite make the list? Listen to this episode to find out! Special thank you to: Seth & Mary Burkey, Josh LaMore, Brianna Whittler, Franklin & Anna Weber, Dawn & Jim LaMore, Lizzie Yolich, Noble Dairy Queen…
-
Episode 29: Native American Heritage Day 2021 – Kankakee County Museum
Hey! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving filled with lots of love, food, family and friends. With today being the day after Thanksgiving, most of us are thinking about it being Black Friday. However, there is a more important civil holiday we should be celebrating today, Native American Heritage Day. Veronica Featherston of the…
-
Episode 23: Radeke Brewery
Hey! I hope you’ve been enjoying the fall like weather we’ve been having lately here in Kankakee County. Before we dive into this week’s episode, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who came by and said hello at the Kankakee Podcast booth this past Sunday at Halloween Downtown. I had such a…
-
Episode 19: B. Harley Bradley House
Hey! Welcome back to our monthly episode of Kankakee Podcast with The Kankakee County Museum! Unfortunately, we didn’t have an episode with the museum last month because of some technical issues on my part. It feels good to be back on track. Thank you for your understanding! On this episode we are joined by local…
-
Episode 11: 1920s Prohibition from Chicago to Kankakee
Schuyler Avenue in downtown Kankakee in the 1920s. It’s that time of the month already where we are joined by the Kankakee County Museum to put out a special episode of Kankakee Podcast! Executive Director, Veronica Featherston, and Research Coordinator, Jorie Walters, take us back to the Prohibition era of the 1920s. As you probably…
-
Episode 7: The Inception of Kankakee County
I’m excited to celebrate “Kankakee Day” for the very first time! I don’t believe I’ve ever celebrated this important day in our county’s history before. It might just be the first time for you as well. It was on this very same day in 1853 that Kankakee Depot was chosen as the county seat. Hence…
-
Episode 2: Kankakee County Museum
The Kankakee County Museum Campus is beautiful. Especially in the spring when the trees are blooming or in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. It’s a hot spot for taking for photos. We’ve all done it, right? I know we once shot photos there for when my son turned 18 months old. How…
