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Famous Residents |
The Slovenian Women’s Heritage Museum was founded in 1978 in order to preserve the ethnic Slovenian heritage. Museum exhibits include artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, and rare books from Slovenia. The museum is located at 431 North Chicago Street in Joliet. Call (815) 727-1926 for additional information.
Part of the Joliet Park District, The Bird Haven Greenhouse and Conservatory is located in Joliet’s Pilcher Park. The 3-acre facility hosts a variety of floral shows and offers classes for children and adults. The Italian Renaissance greenhouse was built in the early 1900's and includes a tropical house and cacti room. Call (815) 741-7278 for more information.
The Rialto Square Theatre, a historic vaudeville theatre, is said to be one of the ten most beautiful theatres in the world. It was built at a cost of two million dollars in 1926 and was completely restored in 1980. Ray Charles, Jack Benny, The Marx Brothers, Bill Cosby, and Jerry Seinfeld are a few of Rialto’s notable performers. The Rialto Square Theatre is located at 102 North Chicago Street. For additional information call (815) 726-6600.
Joliet has a wealth of historically significant architecture. The following
is a list of the more notable structures that can be found on
Joliet’s Walking Tours. The walking tours are self-guided
tours that highlight three eras of Joliet architecture. These structures
are evidence of Joliet’s rich, colorful heritage. Call (815) 727-2323
for information on the walking tours.
• Louis Joliet Hotel,
8-story Neoclassical Revival built in 1927
• Patrick Haley Mansion,
3½-story limestone mansion built in 1889
• Union Station,
uniquely designed train station built in 1912
• Joliet Post Office,
2-story Renaissance Revival built in 1901
• Joliet Central High School,
Collegiate Gothic built in 1901
• Joliet Opera House,
built in 1873
The Jacob Henry Mansion
was built by Jacob Henry, railroad magnate, in 1873. This elegant National
Historic Landmark is a 4-story Second Empire/Italian Renaissance with
more than 16,000 square feet. Its 40 rooms are filled with elaborate woodwork
and incredible detail. The mansion is located at 20 South Eastern Avenue.
Phone (815) 722-2465 for additional information.
The Joliet Iron Works Historic Site covers nearly 60 acres of old iron mills. From the 1870's to the 1930's Joliet was a top producer of steel in the United States. This historic site contains the ruins of once massive structures that produced iron. There is a 1½-mile trail that tours the ruins and is complete with a series of interpretive signs. For additional information call (815) 727-8700.
The Illinois & Michigan Canal was completed in 1848 and provided the first water route from the East Coast to the Gulf of Mexico by connecting Lake Michigan to the Illinois River. The canal was constructed to measure 60 feet wide and 6 feet deep and stretched nearly 100 miles. Fifteen locks were built on the canal to accommodate the differences in elevation. The monumental project cost more than six million dollars. Barges moved through the canal by way of mules and horses pulling them on tow paths located on each side of the canal. In 1933 the Illinois & Michigan Canal was closed when the Illinois Waterway was completed. Since the closing, the Illinois & Michigan Canal has been developed for recreational activities. The I & M State Trail has modified 60 miles of tow paths to serve as hiking, biking and snowmobile trails. For more information call (815) 433-2220.
The Illinois & Michigan Canal Museum is located in the original 1837 canal headquarters building at 803 North State Street in Lockport. Costumed guides explain museum exhibits and tell stories from the canal days. There are ten rooms of period items that provide insight on what life was like along the canal. For more information on the museum call (815) 838-5080.
Built in 1838, the Gaylord Building Historic Site now serves as an Illinois & Michigan Canal Visitors Center. The building was originally used as a warehouse along the canal. In 1859 an Italianate addition was completed. The building was restored in 1987 and serves as a fine example of adaptive reuse. The Gaylord Building Historic Site is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is located on 200 West 8th Street in Lockport. Call (815) 588-1100 for additional information.
As of January 2001, the Illinois State Museum has a new home in the Historic Norton Building in Lockport. The museum showcases the works of Illinois artists and also offers a permanent exhibit on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. For more details call the Illinois State Museum at (815) 838-7400.
The Isle a la Cache Museum presents the history of the region during the French-Indian fur trade era. The exhibits focus on the mid 1700's and offer hands-on learning experiences. The museum is located on an 80-acre island in the Des Plaines River at Romeoville. Besides the hands-on exhibits and the living history programs, the museum offers a walking trail along the river complete with scenic picnic facilities. Call (815) 886-1467 for more information on the Isle a la Cache Museum.