11,129 people in one town would seem like it should be called a big town, but to the people who live in Minooka it’s a small town. There’s not much to it, mainly a lot of cornfields. But to those who have lived in Minooka for their whole life, or most of their life, know that Minooka will always be that small town USA.

Although Minooka has grown in size, it will always be considered a town of few people. It doesn’t matter that there are nine Minooka schools in total, it’s always considered a small town. It’s not the size of the town that makes Minooka seem like a small town, it’s the way the town is looked at.

There’s little things that make the town feel like home, from torn down land marks, to the still standing master pieces. It’s things like the portrait on the side of Cookies, the corn silos, Central’s hallways, the blue water tower, and orange water tower. It’s those things that make Minooka feel like it’s still a small town.

Although Minooka has a bigger population, it doesn’t have all the convince that a bigger town would have. Technically, Minooka has a one general store. But because Minooka is right off the highway, there are a few more fast food places and gas stations.

There’s a running joke that if you go down Mondamin, also known as Downtown Minooka, you’ve seen all that it has to offer. The town itself is not big; we don’t have much to offer besides pizza and Dunkin. You’d miss the town if you blinked.

Sometimes it’s how you take in the town that matters the most. It’s not a place for people who love the sound of rushing traffic or busy streets. Minooka is a quiet little town that doesn’t make much commotion. Every so often, tragedy strikes and our town will pull together.

In our little town, everyone knows everyone. There’s always a polite hello said at every encounter and people are sweet as pie. Kind customers bring in vegetables from their own gardens for their bankers; corn is sold on the corner with no attendant.

Minooka is home to 11,129 people. Those 11,129 picked Minooka for some reason or another and chose to stay here. They planted their roots in Minooka, made a family, and decided to stay. It’s those people who make Minooka feel like home, and a small town. It’s not the size of the town that makes it a small town, it’s the way you perceive it.