What do you love about your hometown? I’m not sure what it is, but there’s something about the summertime that just fills me with an overwhelming sense of hometown pride. Obviously, there’s something incredibly magical about summers in the Midwest, which probably has something to do with my love; the weather is beautiful, so people spend more time outside enjoying life and everything their little corner of the world has to offer. We’ve talked about where we live before, but what about the very, very beginning? You know, where you came from…
But first, a mini history lesson is in order: Aside from corn and Cindy Crawford, my hometown of DeKalb, Illinois, is also home to Jacob Haish. Haish became an early inventor of barbed wire when he received a patent for his innovation in 1874. He would go on to leave his mark on this town through his many philanthropic endeavors, including being instrumental in establishing what is now Northern Illinois University (Go, Huskies!) and leaving $150,000 for the DeKalb Public Library.
So it was that very library that proved the perfect spot to unveil an official memorial marker in his honor. I went to the dedication ceremony last weekend, where I got up close and personal with my hometown in a way that was both inspiring and life-affirming. And remember my amazing friend Jessi? Well, she’s a Haish descendant and has been chronicling the family’s history on A Twist in History, which is the most detailed resource on the Jacob Haish story that I’ve ever read! She also helped unveil the marker!! See, I told you that she was pretty awesome, didn’t I?
Growing up, I didn’t really have a true appreciation for this place I came from. I wanted nothing more than to break free from these corn fields and the small town life I’d come to see as suffocating. It was boring and nothing even remotely exciting EVER happened here, I’d think, and I had huge dreams of moving to the Big Apple. But now? Things have changed and my perspective is certainly different than it used to be. Sure, maybe someday I’d like to move to a big city, but right now, in my hometown, there is absolutely no place I’d rather be.
Where we come from helps make us the people we become. It’s our compass and helps chart the course for the rest of our lives. So how can this place ever be something we come to hate? It feels like that would be hating a part of ourselves, you know?
I don’t know about you, but I’m viewing my hometown with more gratitude these days. For everything it’s given me over the years and for helping me through this journey we call life. In case you’re feeling particularly nostalgic right now, here are a few more hometown pride blog posts from years past…
*’Small Town‘
Do you have hometown pride, friends? What do you love about the place you came from? What makes it so special? I’d love to hear all about it, so be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments! And, for fun…what cool things is your hometown known for? xoxo
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Central Park engagement
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My Father’s Suicide: On symbolic dreams
Lela Austin-Green says
Melissa, as always, I enjoyed your “Home Town”with the little walk through some DeKalb history. I was born in a VERY small town in S. Illinois, called Keenes. I was moved from there at two years old, at the time my Mother died. Even though I don’t remember my Mother at all, it always makes me feel sad to think about that town where she died. It is a rural farming community, its “claim to fame” is there pumpkin producing. I believe that this tiny farming community holds the title of the largest pumpkin producer in the United States. I really feel that DeKalb is my hometown, I have lived in this area since 1956. So there it is, my little hometown story! Blessings my friend.
Sami Summers says
What a neat idea for a post. I love the history of small towns. Mine is know for several battles and a mental hospital (so that’s fun).
Nicole says
I grew up in Ohio but now live in southern Mississippi and I definitely miss my hometown. My husband and I were just talking about how odd it feels to think of raising our kids and not get to share the same traditions we grew up with. No matter where we live, Ohio will always be special to me.
entirely erika says
Love this! I am from Middle Georgia, Macon specifically and a lot came out of this mid-sized town!
erika || http://www.entirelyerika.com
Tyla Milian says
I grew up in a small town, New Auburn, WI. I now live in Southern California. Smack between San Diego and LA. Missing the slower paced speed of Midwestern living these days. Miss my family and miss really good pie and miss trusting a stranger so much that you let them pay for gas after they pump it. Can’t have roots and wings. Now that I’m a mother, I am really valuing those roots.
Whitney says
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky. I’m kind of embarrassed to be from there. But it’s one of those places, when you meet others from there, you are instantly bonded. I moved away from my hometown (I lived there for 22 years) to where I live now, and have been here for 9 years. I know it may sound bad, but I never go back and visit my hometown. I’ve never been happier! I know lots of people that I grew up that love our hometown and that they never plan on leaving. My hometown is known for the Cut Through, which is one of the largest civil engineering projects in the western hemisphere.
Whitney says
I meant I love my city now (I’ve never been happier!)
Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com says
I lovelovelove my hometown, and in the last few years, it’s started to grow & diversify & include tons of cool new places – culturally, food-wise, artistically, musically, etc. It’s become such a great place to be from – & while I wouldn’t want to move back, I love living nearby.
shelly sitzer says
I love my hometown of Charlottesville, VA because there is always something going on here. It is never dull and so one probably suffers from guilt of not getting enough time and opportunity to do everything. The entertainment arenas are outstanding as well as all the choices for food shopping and farmers markets, which happens to be a past time of mine.
Helene says
I don’t get back to my hometown often but it still gives me a warm glow. It’s the oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches. Try learning to spell that in the first grade. I love the old brick streets in downtown, which are still there. It felt safe growing up there. People were there for each other. If a new person moved in, people brought them a cake or pie. If someone passed away, everyone brought food to the family. That warmth and those tradtions are still there. I feel very fortunate to have grown up in the oldest town in Texas. It gave me a feeling of stability and a pioneering spirit. I would recommend anyone to visit this special town in East Texas, population just under 34,000. Nacogdoches has the largest azalea garden in Texas with 7,000 azaleas. .