Joliet, Illinois


Joliet is located in the northeastern part and is the fourth largest city in the state of Illinois. It is a major stop along the highway Route 66. The city is ranked as one of the safest places to live in America. The city is known for its historic architecture, and the place has a thriving local economy.

The largest employer is Amazon with around 3,500 employees. The cost of living makes the city attractive to live and to work in.



To See And To Do In Joliet


  • Visit the Old Joliet Prison
  • Jacob Henry Mansion
  • The Joliet Iron Works Historic Site
  • The Bird Haven Greenhouse
  • The Joliet Area Historical Museum
  • Downtown
  • The Rialto Square Theatre
  • Harrah's Joliet Casino
  • The Reserve Steakhouse
  • Hamburgerseria Hamburger Restaurant
  • Pilcher Park
  • The Old Plank Road Trail


History Of Joliet - Timeline


Before the first European settlers came, the Illinois Tribe inhabited the region. In 1673, the French-Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet, explored the area together with Jacques Marquette from France. They camped in the area where Joliet is today.

In 1831, Phillip Scott, Major Robert G. Cook, his father John B. Cook, and Reason Zarley settled in the area. In 1833, Charles Reed built a cabin, and a grist mill along the Des Plaines River. In 1834, the village was laid out by James B. Campbell, who named it Juliet. It was used by the local settlers before James B. Campbell laid out the village.

In 1837, the village was official incorporated. In 1838, the village had a courthouse and a jail. In 1840, the village mayor, Cornellius Van Horne, was almost hung for a murder that never happened. He had been framed by a family who had a dispute with him. In 1841, president Martin Van Buren and his secretary of the navy stopped to visit the settlement.

In 1845, the local residents changed the village name from Juliet to Joliet. In 1848, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was completed. Also in 1848, a new courthouse was built.

In 1852, Joliet was incorporated as a city, and the first railroad was built. In 1858, the Old Joliet Prison was built. In 1865, Abraham Lincoln's funeral train stopped in the city. In 1869, a steel mill was built (the Joliet Iron and Steel Works), and the city got the nickname City of Steel. In 1870, Dr. Charles Eldred House was built. He kept his physician office in the house. In 1873, the Joliet Opera House was built.

In 1874, the John Leiser House was built. John Leiser died 1 year later and his wife remained living in the house until her death. In 1876, the Jacob A. Henry mansion was built. He was an railroad tycoon. In 1882, the Hiram B. Scutt Mansion was built in Joliet where he began a career in barbed wire. In 1883, Frederick Sehring became owner of the Columbia Brewery, and changed its name to the Fred Sehring Brewing.

In 1889, the J.W. Downey House was built. He was a real estate business man. In 1891, the St. Joseph Catholic Church was built, and the Joliet Steel Company Main Office was completed. In 1892, the Sehring Castle was built by Frederick Sehring. It was a brewery and a house for him and his family. In 1894, the Samuel H. Roberts House was built.

In 1900, around 29,300 people lived in the city. In 1912, the Joliet Union Station opened. In 1924, the Charles J. Shaw House was built. He was the general manager of the Barrett Hardware Company. In 1926, the Rialto Theater opened. In 1950, the population was around 51,600. In 1977, the Joliet Area Historical Museum was established. In 1980, the opening of the movie Blues Brothers, was filmed in the Old Joliet Prison. In 1993, the Harrah's Joliet riverboat casino opened. In 2000, the population was around 106,200. In 2001, the Chicagoland Speedway track opened. It has hosted speedway, Nascar and IndyCar races.