Dwight Community
Dwight is home to approximately 4500 people and boasts three schools,
eight parks, a swimming pool, nine churches, 10 restaurants, two state
facilities and numerous businesses.
A village Administrator, under the direction of a six member Board of
Trustees and a Village President, manages daily operation of the village.
The Village maintains a full-time police force and an Advanced Life
Support (paramedic) Ambulance Service. Fire protection is provided by
a volunteer force, which protects an area of 100 square miles.
Water and sanitary sewage treatment is also provided by the Village.
SBC, NICOR, Com Ed, Mediacom Cable and Waste Management provide
additional services.
Dwight is home to approximately 4500 people and boasts three schools,
eight parks, a swimming pool, nine churches, 10 restaurants, two state
facilities and numerous businesses.
A village Administrator, under the direction of a six member Board of
Trustees and a Village President, manages daily operation of the village.
The Village maintains a full-time police force and an Advanced Life
Support (paramedic) Ambulance Service. Fire protection is provided by
a volunteer force, which protects an area of 100 square miles.
Water and sanitary sewage treatment is also provided by the Village.
SBC, NICOR, Com Ed, Mediacom Cable and Waste Management provide
additional services.
Education
Dwight Township High School graduates qualify for entrance into
top colleges and universities. A member of the Interstate 8
Conference, the high school is located on a 35 acre campus, and
offers many educational activities and several sporting classes
such as football, basketball, volleyball, golf, track, and softball.
The Dwight School District is located in the Joliet Junior College
District.
The Dwight Elementary School District includes a kindergarten
through eighth grades. The building sits on a site of 27 acres,
encompassing a large playground area, four softball fields, and
several physical education fields. There are numerous
volunteer-organized sports available to both youths and adults in
the community.
In addition to the public educational facilities, the Baptist
Academy provides an accredited school with 12 grades plus
kindergarten.
The are is conveniently located near many colleges: University of
Illinois, Illinois State University, Bradley University, Illinois
Wesleyan and Northern Illinois University. There are also smaller
private colleges and state supported community colleges in the
area such as Olivet University, Kankakee Community College,
Joliet Junior College and the University of St. Francis.
Dwight Township High School graduates qualify for entrance into
top colleges and universities. A member of the Interstate 8
Conference, the high school is located on a 35 acre campus, and
offers many educational activities and several sporting classes
such as football, basketball, volleyball, golf, track, and softball.
The Dwight School District is located in the Joliet Junior College
District.
The Dwight Elementary School District includes a kindergarten
through eighth grades. The building sits on a site of 27 acres,
encompassing a large playground area, four softball fields, and
several physical education fields. There are numerous
volunteer-organized sports available to both youths and adults in
the community.
In addition to the public educational facilities, the Baptist
Academy provides an accredited school with 12 grades plus
kindergarten.
The are is conveniently located near many colleges: University of
Illinois, Illinois State University, Bradley University, Illinois
Wesleyan and Northern Illinois University. There are also smaller
private colleges and state supported community colleges in the
area such as Olivet University, Kankakee Community College,
Joliet Junior College and the University of St. Francis.
Shopping
Dwight, an Illinois Main Street Community, offers convenient
shopping for residents, and features a florist, hardware,
pharmacies, grocery store, jewelry and gift shops, auto parts and
office supplies. There is also a choice of auto dealers, repair shops,
specialty shops, service shops, and restaurants. Two motels and
three banks are conveniently located in the community.
Dwight, an Illinois Main Street Community, offers convenient
shopping for residents, and features a florist, hardware,
pharmacies, grocery store, jewelry and gift shops, auto parts and
office supplies. There is also a choice of auto dealers, repair shops,
specialty shops, service shops, and restaurants. Two motels and
three banks are conveniently located in the community.
Chamber of Commerce
The Dwight Area Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1957, and in
July 1998, the Chamber office relocated to it's current location at the
Depot in downtown Dwight.
The Chamber operates with a 9 person board and a Program
administrator. The Chamber represents the businesses of the area,
and also accepts associates members.
Events sponsored by the Chamber includes the "Bidding for
Excellence" fund raiser auction/dinner, an Easter Event, the Fourth
of July Celebration, and the Christmas Parade and Festivities.
The Dwight Area Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1957, and in
July 1998, the Chamber office relocated to it's current location at the
Depot in downtown Dwight.
The Chamber operates with a 9 person board and a Program
administrator. The Chamber represents the businesses of the area,
and also accepts associates members.
Events sponsored by the Chamber includes the "Bidding for
Excellence" fund raiser auction/dinner, an Easter Event, the Fourth
of July Celebration, and the Christmas Parade and Festivities.
Festivals
Dwight Harvest Days is an annual event held on the third
weekend in September. It runs for three days with crafts, flea
market, car show, 5K Run, kiddie activities, street dance and a
huge two-hour parade on Sunday. The parade is kicked off with
the Annual Basset Hound Waddle where over 900 bassets and
their owners parade down Mazon Avenue (Route 17). Funds
from the Waddle and associated activities aide the Guardian
Angel Basset Rescue, Inc.
The Dwight Main Street Program sponsors a Fine Arts and
Antiques Festival on the second Saturday in June, and the
Dwight Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Pond and Garden
Walk on the third Sunday in June.
The annual Fourth of July Celebration includes fireworks, Junior
Water Fights, games for the children and food booths.
Dwight Harvest Days is an annual event held on the third
weekend in September. It runs for three days with crafts, flea
market, car show, 5K Run, kiddie activities, street dance and a
huge two-hour parade on Sunday. The parade is kicked off with
the Annual Basset Hound Waddle where over 900 bassets and
their owners parade down Mazon Avenue (Route 17). Funds
from the Waddle and associated activities aide the Guardian
Angel Basset Rescue, Inc.
The Dwight Main Street Program sponsors a Fine Arts and
Antiques Festival on the second Saturday in June, and the
Dwight Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Pond and Garden
Walk on the third Sunday in June.
The annual Fourth of July Celebration includes fireworks, Junior
Water Fights, games for the children and food booths.
Recreation
Eight parks provide recreation to the area within walking distance
from homes. Lions Lake is one of the newest recreational facilities.
It is located on Route 66 and includes a picnic area, sand volleyball
court, walking path and fishing events all season.
Renfrew Park includes a picnic area, shelters, playground
equipment and an Olympic size swimming pool. There are also
tennis courts, volleyball courts, and baseball diamonds. A new
downtown park, maintained by the Chamber of Commerce, is the
latest addition to the Village. This new area adds a touch of nature
to downtown Dwight. In addition, there are many state parks and
wildlife preserves located within 40 miles of Dwight in any
direction. Am 18 hole golf course, with a clubhouse built in 2001
is located west of the Village.
Eight parks provide recreation to the area within walking distance
from homes. Lions Lake is one of the newest recreational facilities.
It is located on Route 66 and includes a picnic area, sand volleyball
court, walking path and fishing events all season.
Renfrew Park includes a picnic area, shelters, playground
equipment and an Olympic size swimming pool. There are also
tennis courts, volleyball courts, and baseball diamonds. A new
downtown park, maintained by the Chamber of Commerce, is the
latest addition to the Village. This new area adds a touch of nature
to downtown Dwight. In addition, there are many state parks and
wildlife preserves located within 40 miles of Dwight in any
direction. Am 18 hole golf course, with a clubhouse built in 2001
is located west of the Village.
Cultural
The Prairie Creek Public Library is an attraction to see. This newly
renovated building is a former carriage house listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, and holds 16,000 volumes, plus
reading and audiovisual equipment.
The Dwight Historical Society is located in the Depot (also on the
National Register), sharing space with the Dwight Area Chamber of
Commerce. There is much area history to be seen, including
memorabilia from the wold-renowned Keeley Institute, founded in
Dwight in 1879.
Several famous architects have left their mark in Dwight, Frank
Lloyd Wright designed the First National Bank of Dwight; Julian
Barnes, the Country Mansion, windmill, deer barn and Fox
Developmental Center complex. Henry Ives Cobb, the Depot;
Horace Schaler Cleveland, Oak Lawn Cemetery; and Ossian Cole
Simonds, Renfrew Park.
The 106 year old Dwight Windmill is the defining hallmark of
Dwight's skyline, listed on the National Register, the symbol of
Dwight's rich heritage is comparable to the Chicago Water Tower in
its uniqueness. The Pioneer Gothic Church (also on the National
Register) was visited in 1860 by the Prince of Wales, who later
became known as Edward VII, King of England.
There are many theaters to enjoy within a 30 mile radius of
Dwight, such as the Vermillion Players in Pontiac, and the Rialto
Theatre in Joliet, which features many nationally known
entertainers. Bloomington, Streator and Ottawa also offer many
events of interest.
The Prairie Creek Public Library is an attraction to see. This newly
renovated building is a former carriage house listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, and holds 16,000 volumes, plus
reading and audiovisual equipment.
The Dwight Historical Society is located in the Depot (also on the
National Register), sharing space with the Dwight Area Chamber of
Commerce. There is much area history to be seen, including
memorabilia from the wold-renowned Keeley Institute, founded in
Dwight in 1879.
Several famous architects have left their mark in Dwight, Frank
Lloyd Wright designed the First National Bank of Dwight; Julian
Barnes, the Country Mansion, windmill, deer barn and Fox
Developmental Center complex. Henry Ives Cobb, the Depot;
Horace Schaler Cleveland, Oak Lawn Cemetery; and Ossian Cole
Simonds, Renfrew Park.
The 106 year old Dwight Windmill is the defining hallmark of
Dwight's skyline, listed on the National Register, the symbol of
Dwight's rich heritage is comparable to the Chicago Water Tower in
its uniqueness. The Pioneer Gothic Church (also on the National
Register) was visited in 1860 by the Prince of Wales, who later
became known as Edward VII, King of England.
There are many theaters to enjoy within a 30 mile radius of
Dwight, such as the Vermillion Players in Pontiac, and the Rialto
Theatre in Joliet, which features many nationally known
entertainers. Bloomington, Streator and Ottawa also offer many
events of interest.
Homes
Housing in Dwight ranges from newly constructed homes in
spacious and well-planned developments, to older, two story
homes located on shady, tree lines streets. Compact, cozy ranch
homes, duplex apartments and other rental property are available
in three subdivisions. Senior citizen housing is also available in
several locations.
Housing in Dwight ranges from newly constructed homes in
spacious and well-planned developments, to older, two story
homes located on shady, tree lines streets. Compact, cozy ranch
homes, duplex apartments and other rental property are available
in three subdivisions. Senior citizen housing is also available in
several locations.
Location & Transportation
Dwight has the good fortune of being located on the three main
highways in the area - Interstate I-55, State Route 17, and State
Route 47. Historic Route 66 - "The Mother Road" - runs along
the western edge of Dwight, providing tourists with a unique
perspective of small town America.
Dwight also has railroad service provided by Amtrak - with two
stops per day.
A local airport, Dwight Aero Service, and a local taxi service also
serve the community.
Dwight has the good fortune of being located on the three main
highways in the area - Interstate I-55, State Route 17, and State
Route 47. Historic Route 66 - "The Mother Road" - runs along
the western edge of Dwight, providing tourists with a unique
perspective of small town America.
Dwight also has railroad service provided by Amtrak - with two
stops per day.
A local airport, Dwight Aero Service, and a local taxi service also
serve the community.
Business & Industry
Dwight is an integral part of Livingston and Grundy Counties,
with vigorous commercial, industrial and agricultural
communities. Livingston County is tops in the nation in
producing corn and soybeans and has the richest cropland in the
world. Located on e hour southwest of Chicago, Dwight provides a
strategic central location with inexpensive and available land.
Several companies have located in the Dwight area, including the
Dwight division of RR Donnelley and Sons (world's second largest
printer), Aldi, Inc., and Coils, Inc. The State of Illinois, with two
separate facilities, is also a major employer in the Village.
Dwight is an integral part of Livingston and Grundy Counties,
with vigorous commercial, industrial and agricultural
communities. Livingston County is tops in the nation in
producing corn and soybeans and has the richest cropland in the
world. Located on e hour southwest of Chicago, Dwight provides a
strategic central location with inexpensive and available land.
Several companies have located in the Dwight area, including the
Dwight division of RR Donnelley and Sons (world's second largest
printer), Aldi, Inc., and Coils, Inc. The State of Illinois, with two
separate facilities, is also a major employer in the Village.
Healthcare
Dwight offers several local medical clinics, chiropractic, physical
therapy facilities, and a dental clinic. Heritage Manor of Dwight is a
92 bed skilled nursing care facility.
On duty 24 hours a day, there are two fully equipped ALS
emergency vehicles. The ambulance service provides immediate
transportation to nearby hospitals. Riverside and St. Mary's of
Kankakee are 30 minutes away. OSF St. James, John W. Albrecht
Medical Center in Pontiac, St. Mary's in Streator, and Morris
Hospital in Morris are all 20 minutes away.
Dwight offers several local medical clinics, chiropractic, physical
therapy facilities, and a dental clinic. Heritage Manor of Dwight is a
92 bed skilled nursing care facility.
On duty 24 hours a day, there are two fully equipped ALS
emergency vehicles. The ambulance service provides immediate
transportation to nearby hospitals. Riverside and St. Mary's of
Kankakee are 30 minutes away. OSF St. James, John W. Albrecht
Medical Center in Pontiac, St. Mary's in Streator, and Morris
Hospital in Morris are all 20 minutes away.
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