Kirkland, IL

Kirkland got its start in the 1830s when settler William Kirk built a cabin here, eventually growing into a lively farming and railroad hub in northern DeKalb County. Giving land to the railroad in the 1870s helped put the community on the map, turning it into a busy stop for shipping livestock across the region. Even though the depot days have passed, you can still feel that rich history throughout the village today. Landmarks like the local library, which sits inside the historic former State Bank building, help give this peaceful rural town its friendly, grounded charm.