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.
Dwight 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.
Dwight 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
four stops per day in each direction. 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
four stops per day in each direction. 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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