AROUND MOMENCE

As evidenced by the historic record of Burt E. Burroughs' book entitled Tales of an Old Border Town and along the Kankakee (published in 1925), the city of Momence owes its origins to the flow of the Kankakee River through eastern Kankakee County. This diverse tributary linked marshy areas in Indiana to the adjacent fertile fields on the Illinois side. Momence became a beacon, providing traders with the latest conveniences and a break from the frontier.

Years later, the historic Dixie Highway crossed the river at Momence, assuring a modern era for the city. In her writings of 1983-1984, the great educator and historian Kay Hess revealed the community spirit, entrepreneurial zeal, and celebratory nature of Momence through the many personalities of this rural city. Today, as Momence approaches its 200th year, massive urban sprawl promises to possibly wash over this ever-changing community and add to its history. But not yet.

Topographical maps reveal the marked change in the river once it arrives at Momence. There is twisted pattern it follows east of town, following even greater fragmentation upstream in Indiana, which was subsequently eliminated by channel work around 1910. Momence was the node between an agricultural prairie to its west and a luscious fish and game sanctuary to the east. Add to that the ability of traders to cross the river the shallow crossings at Momence it is no wonder that this area became attractive to the earliest settlers in northeastern Illinois.

Author Kevin McNulty creates a pictorial history of the old river town from its crude beginnings to its wild fur trading days. Back then 250 wagons would park each night along the “Upper Crossing” where French Voyagers, traders, and the Pottawatomie exchanged valuable pelts trapped in the Wabash Valley of Indiana. The crossing was the most shallow portion of the Kankakee as traders worked north the Fort Dearborn to sell their trappings at present-day Chicago. McNulty gathered photos, many never seen before,  to tell the story of how Momence became the first incorporated City in Northeast Illinois, before Chicago was formed.

Rare photos of the marshland east of Momence show early hunters and fisherman drawing from the largest water marshland in the United States after the Louisiana swamps. Automobiles change the city and each post-war period took on a different look. Not fully dependent on a farm economy, the city continued to thrive until the economy changed in the 70s and 80s. The town has fully preserved its downtown. Today, Momence continues its passionate interest in history and its Gladiolus Festival started in 1938. Around Momence is a great way to understand the unique history of this “Old Border Town,” which got its name due to the Illinois farmland to its west and the old Marsh to the east—still present to the Indiana border In 2026, a luxury restaurant called “The Grand Marsh” was added to the interesting old city to complement with the five museums visited year-round by local cities and travelers.