History in Joliet
Joliet’s roots run deep through American history and can be traced as far back as 1673, when French explorer Louis Joliet chose the area as an ideal settlement site. Louis Joliet and his voyagers were attracted by the Des Plaines River and its fertile deltas, as well as by the surrounding prairie soil, soft coal, and ample lumber. The explorer wrote about the site, and settlers finally began to arrive in 1833. Joliet’s founding fathers discovered that the area was ripe with the abundant natural resources needed to farm, build homes, establish businesses, and build a new town.
The settlement continued to grow and was incorporated by the Illinois General Assembly in 1852. Soon, mills and factories sprang up along the banks of the Des Plaines River, and the discovery of abundant limestone deposits created a new quarrying industry that quickly flourished, employing thousands of people. With its many limestone homes, churches, schools, and public buildings, Joliet earned the nickname of “Stone City.” The opening of the Illinois & Michigan Canal in 1848 inspired an era of aggressive industrial and commercial growth, attracting an influx of new residents.
Joliet experienced another surge in commercial and residential growth beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when business and government leaders decided to bring riverboat casinos and gaming to Joliet. Furthermore, Interstate 355 opened to provide Joliet commuters with a direct route to the northwest and western suburbs of Chicago. In order to accommodate renewed interest in housing, builders and housing developers arrived in droves. Now, Joliet is renowned for its variety of attractive homes, which are typically considerably more affordable than neighboring communities. Today, Joliet continues to grow and looks forward to a future as bright and prosperous as its past.
Joliet’s residential and industrial growth created a charming collection of historical landmarks, including:
RIALTO SQUARE THEATRE
The Rialto Square Theatre, which originally opened in May of 1926, is a stunning reflection of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine architecture. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Rialto has been called one of the 10 most beautiful theaters in the nation. Its ornamental terra cotta façade and elegant interior combine Classical, Moorish, and exotic motifs. The esplanade, or inner lobby, is designed after the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France, and the arch between the esplanade and rotunda area has been carefully copied from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The elegant rotunda is surrounded by 18 Corinthian-style columns and surmounted by a dome very similar to the Pantheon in Rome. In 1980, the theatre — often refered to as the “Jewel of Joliet” — underwent a complete restoration, and is currently undergoing a $5 million renovation. It currently seats 1,900 people and offers a full selection of performances including a wide variety of music, comedy, and dance, as well as a unique venue for graduations, weddings, and other special events.
JACOB HENRY MANSION
One of Joliet’s most well-known landmarks, the Jacob Henry Mansion is an extraordinary 16,800 square foot, 40-room home built in 1876 by railroad tycoon Jacob A. Henry. Joliet limestone from Mr. Henry’s own quarry forms both the foundation and the entire basement floor. The home boasts an extensive list of specialty features that include a façade of red Illinois sandstone and a deep red brick specially fired in Ohio, an elaborately carved interior of black walnut and oak, an outstanding staircase crafted of solid walnut with a half-landing surrounded by 119 hand-carved octagonal spindles of burled walnut, and slate shingles on a Mansard roof. Each porch is a single slab of limestone, and the largest stone ever quarried in Joliet rests under its entrance gates. The Jacob Henry Mansion won the Architecture Award at the American Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia in 1876 and is said to be the largest and best example of Renaissance Revival architecture still in existence in Illinois. The Jacob Henry Mansion is available for special occasions and receptions for up to 300 guests.
JOLIET UNION STATION
Built in 1912, Joliet Union Station was designed by renowned Chicago railway architect Jarvis Hunt. Originally built to eliminate traffic congestion downtown by elevating all railroads in the area, the resulting elevated station exhibits an imposing façade with stately arches. In total, the facility houses 4,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space. Its Grand Ballroom features stunning crystal chandeliers and 45-foot ceilings. Union Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now used for weddings and corporate events accommodating up to 350 guests.
JOLIET PARK DISTRICT AIRPORT HANGAR
In 1930, the Joliet Park District, using a contemporary style that combined Art Deco and Streamline Moderne, constructed one of the most unique landmarks in the area, the Joliet Park District Airport Hangar. The building’s exterior, a rare and notable example of this architectural composition, has remained unaltered to this day. Over 70 years ago, the Hangar opened with amenities that have now become commonplace in all airport terminals: waiting areas, luggage collection, offices, and a restaurant with a dining room and viewing terraces.
JOLIET STEEL WORKS BUILDING
Recalling the city’s deep roots in the steel industry, the Joliet Steel Company Main Office has remained an icon of that era since its establishment in 1891. The two-story limestone building sits atop a raised basement. Its immense, single-arched entryway and gabled roofline pediment sets the building apart and reminds residents and visitors alike of the importance of the iron and steel industry to the city and people of Joliet.
JOLIET CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
The arches, castellated walls and towers of Joliet Township High School’s 1901 design illustrate the popular “Collegiate Gothic” architecture of the time. Subsequent additions in 1917, 1922, 1924, and 1931 expanded the school to serve the educational needs of the growing community. A major contributor to the Joliet community’s development, it also played a significant national role by housing the country’s first Junior College.
LOUIS JOLIET HOTEL
Unlike many of its fellow landmarks, the Louis Joliet Hotel, built in 1927, is a striking red brick building accented with stone trim. The eight-story hotel was once the finest hotel in Joliet, legendary for its elegance and luxury. Its 225 rooms were located above a two-story central lobby and lounge that featured a large fireplace with a hand-carved mantel of Bedford stone.
The hotel operated until 1964, and the building was designated a national landmark in 1989. It has recently been converted into 56 apartments linked to the revitalization of Joliet’s City Center.
JOLIET POST OFFICE
The Old Joliet Post Office was originally constructed between 1901 and 1903, mingling a variety of architectural styles. Its pale limestone façade and granite entrance steps remained unscathed during the building’s expansion in 1931, when an addition was made to the rear of the building; the front façade remains as it was when originally constructed. In 1981, the Old Joliet Post Office was designated a national landmark.
JOLIET AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Joliet Area Historical Museum, a new cultural facility, occupies the space formerly known as the Ottawa Street Methodist Church (pictured below).
The museum’s main exhibition gallery serves as an introduction to the many stories of the Joliet area and its people. The gallery is made up of several distinct thematic zones: River City, the Canal, City of Steel and Stone, Metropolitan City, World War II, and the All-American City. The exhibit is enhanced by state-of-the-art audio-visual presentations, which include a 12-minute orientation film, an interactive video program, a re-created Trolley ride, and concluding film. Temporary exhibits and targeted educational programming provide additional interpretive opportunities. The museum is a reality thanks to the efforts of the City of Joliet, the Blue Ribbon Committees, the Joliet Area Historical Society, and Joliet citizens.
PATRICK HALEY MANSION
In 1889, Joliet Mayor Patrick C. Haley envisioned a “castle on the hill” overlooking the city. Haley commissioned nationally known architect and Egyptologist Frank Shaver Allen to design the massive limestone structure. After two years of construction, the impressive mansion stood three-and-a-half stories high, with massive front and back porches. Original woodwork in oak, cherry, and mahogany still adorn the building’s interior, along with stained glass windows, intricate friezes, ornate adornments, and six fireplaces. The Patrick Haley Mansion is one of the city’s most notable landmarks and is currently available for special events.
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