Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Kankakee

KANKAKEE, a city and county-seat of Kankakee co., Ill.; on the Kankakee river, and the Illinois Central and other railroads; 56 miles S. W. of Chicago. It is an important railroad junction and trade center, is principally engaged in the manufacture of horseshoe nails, has an excellent system of waterworks supplied from the river, and contains the Illinois Eastern Insane Hospital, Emergency Hospital, conservatory of music, public library, and National and private banks. The tax valuation is about $6,500,000. Pop. (1910) 13,986; (1920) 16,753.