If you couldn't tell from the first article I wrote on this topic, I really like DeKalb Illinois. It's full of history and community. I hope some of you guys choose to visit here some day! Here are a few more reasons that may persuade you!
1. Ollie’s
This wonderful frozen custard shop is just right outside of DeKalb in Sycamore and is a common meeting place for DeKalb residents. If you haven’t had frozen custard before, you’re really missing out, you guys (‘you guys’ is another phrase you’ll hear in DeKalb to address anyone by the way!) They have about 30 flavors and it’s pretty incredible (The S’mores and Huskie are my favorites!) It's been around since 1985.
2. The Confectionary
3. Duke Ellington
DeKalb, Illinois is the last place he played. There’s a Duke Ellington Ballroom at NIU where the Steinway piano he played on still resides. He played in March of 1970, and the ballroom is now named after him.
4. Egyptian Theater
It was also built in the style of Art Deco like the Haish library, as well as Egyptian Revival. Eleanor Roosevelt actually spoke there! And in 1959, John F. Kennedy gave a speech in front of it. It’s since been converted to a modern movie theater now.
5. Ellwood House
The Ellwood House is probably the most iconic things about DeKalb. Ellwood started manufacturing the barbed wire Glidden produced. It is a mansion on 10 acres of property in which 3 generations of the Ellwoods lived. It has a miniature house on it that was built for the kids who grew up there.
But again, one of the best things about DeKalb is the community. There are tons of outreach for the homeless and those in need. Even visiting the Common Grounds coffee shop can help impact the community in a positive way. If you buy a book from there, the money gets donated to an anti-human trafficking organization. The YMCA and NIU host a Halloween bash every year for the kids of the community. And the Penguin Project where each child with special needs is paired with a student without special needs and they all learn a musical together.
