In many ways, my wife and I are much alike and in complete sync. Our backgrounds are very similar. We have the same number of siblings. We're both #3 children. We're from the same small town. Etc. ... etc. ...
One thing that I learned that was quite different though, was the fact that I knew little about my family tree when growing up. I had little knowledge of my ancestry other than where both my parents had grown up, they both had come from large families, and that I was mainly of German heritage. Hard to guess that with a name like Mundt, right?
My wife on the other hand? She knew in great detail what her blood line was. Some of her fondest memories are of her father telling stories of his own life and those handed-down of her grandparents, great uncles and aunts, and great-great-great family members. Family history, plus history regarding our hometown of Manhattan, the farmers that had settled it, and Will County, was a common topic at family gatherings. I caught the bug ...
As I said, the town where we both grew up was pretty small. But Manhattan, IL has grown. Proximity to Chicago, the western suburbs, major highways, and more dictated that. Manhattan now has commuter train service to Chicago. A big advantage to many new and younger residents. During recent growth, new subdivisions replaced much of the surrounding farm land. More housing developments and commercial are planned for the future.
In 2003, the Manhattan Park District was approached by Frank Koren, a farmer that owned property on the outskirts of Manhattan, to buy his farm. The Koren Farm was not any ordinary farm. The property had been a working farm since the earliest settlers had worked it in the mid-1840's. Somewhere shortly after that time, 2 round barns had been built upon the farm. One of those barns survives still today.
It would have been easy to overlook or forget the farming roots of the community during all the recent growth, but both Marilyn and I are proud to say that the Village of Manhattan's Park District has taken big steps to protect and preserve some of Manhattan's farm heritage. We feel that's important and valuable.
Frank Koren had seen to the surviving historic barn being
designated a Will County Historic Landmark in 1999. When he approached the Manhattan Park District in 2003, he wanted to see if they'd be interested in buying the farm, further preserving it, keeping the museum within the historic barn going, and utilizing the barn and farm within the park district.
Since buying the farm, the Manhattan Park District has slowly worked on the property to enhance its use and increase its availability to the residents of the Village and public in general.
Repairs, construction, and continued development will be ongoing as revenue is available. The Round Barn itself has already received a much-needed facelift, a new roof, and been partially painted. The old, historic building has also been stabilized.
The Round Barn Farm Park has been developed into a nature and forest-themed playground. There's a new ball field that can accommodate a 50', 60', and 70' base change. It's also home to an 18-hole Disc Golf Course. The course winds through the beautiful oak trees scattered throughout the farm and runs alongside the flowing waters of Jackson Creek. Outfitted with both novice and professional dual baskets and concrete circular tee pads, the course offers play to fit everyone's level of enjoyment and need for competition.
Events such as the Round Barn Wine Festival and Manhattan Civil War Days are hosted at the historic farm located at 24115 South Route 52, in Manhattan, IL each year. This year's Manhattan Civil War Days will be held on June 8th and 9th, 2013.
The Baker-Koren Round Barn Farm Park, and the other services and activities offered by the Manhattan Park District, are just one of the many reasons that the Village of Manhattan, IL is a great place to live and to raise a family.
Should you be hoping to buy a home in the Village of Manhattan, the Lincoln-Way High School District, Will County, or elsewhere in Chicagoland ... please contact me. I can be of service to you when in need of mortgage financing when buying your new home, but I also can provide referrals to many of our area's finest real estate-related professionals.
I can be conveniently found at:
Comments(13)