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Originally named Juliet, the region surrounding present-day Joliet has a history that stretches back to 1673. It was then that French Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet reached the area by canoe via the Des Plaines River. It would be over 150 years before the village plan for Juliet was laid out in 1834. Although there is some speculation about its origins, the town name, Juliet, was decidedly a corruption of Louis Jolliet's own name. In 1845, its residents officially changed the name to Joliet and the village was incorporated seven years later.
Joliet is a city in it's own right, but today, with the explosive growth
in Chicago's Western Suburbs, Joliet is often grouped with the other
communities in Chicago's Western Suburbs. Joliet is less than an hour from downtown Chicago by car or commuter rail. Take a look for yourself to see why more and more people are relocating to Joliet.
The founder of the city of Joliet was, Louis Joliet. In the fall of 1673, he and with his father came to the Illinois-Des Plaines River Valley- the area which encompasses the present Joliet region. In June 1852, the city of Joliet was incorporated and established as a city.
Situated as it was on the Des Plaines River, near the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Rock Island Railroad, the town became an important stop along these transportation arteries. Joliet is still intersected by the long-time rail lines and now two major highways (55 and 80) connect just south of the city. At one time, the terrain near Joliet was rich with valuable mineral rock and the quarries in the area provided much of the limestone used to build bridges along the Illinois and Michigan Canal, completed in 1848. Joliets wealth of natural resources resulted in the towns nickname, "City of Stone." However, that title didnt last long as it was changed to "City of Steel" in the late 1800s with the arrival of steel mills to the Joliet vicinity.
Like many industrial cities, Joliet saw its economy enter a steep decline in the 1970s. Things did not improve until the 1990s, when the village experienced a financial renewal with the help of riverboat gambling and racing tracks, whose tax revenues were invested into restoring Joliets downtown. Today, supporting a population of over 100,000 inhabitants, residential real estate in Joliet is very affordable with single-family homes available for between $50,000 and $200,000. Townhouses, condos and units in residential developments generally cost between $100,000 and $300,000. The neighborhood blocks in Joliet are engulfed in greenery and tall trees with many larger-than-average yards and unused lots providing additional open space in the midst of this built-up Chicago suburb.
Bicycling was extremely popular in Joliet a hundred years ago, so popular in fact that in 1887, enthusiasts formed the Joliet Bicycle Club. Newspapers regularly carried stories describing the physical benefits of cycling and instructing riders on proper techniques. In 1895, Joliet passed an ordinance requiring the use of lamps at night and establishing a speed limit of 6 miles per hour.
There's no end to the long list of activities and entertainment in Joliet, both indoor and out. For high-octane sports enthusiasts, NASCAR racing is held at the Chicagoland Speedway, a large outdoor racetrack arena situated amid the Joliet farmland, and you can catch some drag racing at Route 66 Raceway. Joliet is also home to the professional minor league baseball club, the Joliet Jackhammers. Family and fans gather to root on the home team at the Silver Cross Field whenever the Jackhammers play in town. Like a smaller version of any Major League stadium, the Sliver Cross is stocked with all the American favorites hotdogs, peanuts, pizza and beer and Tuesdays are Family Night where kids get to run the bases after the last inning!
Children of all ages can have an aquatic blast at Joliet's Splash Station Water Park, which features a tube slide, the lazy river float, a zero-depth pool for the tots, and even a sandy playlot for that real beach feel! Interested in a bit more culture for an evening with the adults? The beautiful Rialto Theater (founded in 1926) has a long history of providing live performance and entertainment to the citizens of Joliet. Over the years the playhouse has seen much in the way of renovations and is still an important venue for traveling musicians and comedians, as well as live theatrical productions.
Joliet prison is a group of buildings built in 1858, just outside of Joliet city limits. Designed by William Boyington (he also designed the Chicago Water Tower), his limestone buildings became a model for United States prisons. At the time of being built, it was the largest prison in the country. Joliet Correctional Center closed in February 2002 for general inmates.
During the first half of the 20th century, farmland became housing subdivisions and small farms were in decline. Following World War II, through the system of benefits offered to veterans, new homes were now available. Higher education was now available through loans and grants, and veterans enrolled in record numbers at colleges and universities, including Lewis University, Benedictine University, and the University of St. Francis. Joliet Junior College is recognized for being America's Oldest Public Community College offering pre-baccalaureate programs for students planning to transfer to a four-year university.
Some of the increasing new home development in Joliet, includes the community called 'Old Renwick Trail'. A scenic area with single-family homes in the middle of 2 ponds with a bridge entry and a large park with gazebo.
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