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Joliet East Side Historic District, Illinois

Historic district
In Joliet, Illinois
0.2 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

Joliet's East Side Historic District in Joliet, IL, is a neighborhood of 290 buildings, 281 of which count toward its historic character. Close to the Route 66 corridor, it grew in the 19th century as Joliet prospered from limestone quarries, the canal and the railroad. By 1873 it was the city's most fashionable address. For travelers, it is a pleasant walk among the houses of Joliet's early leading families.

What is Joliet East Side Historic District?

The district is a large area of historic buildings, nearly all of them contributing to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It is mostly residential, with houses built by some of Joliet's most prominent 19th-century citizens, along with early churches.

The neighborhood's most important house was the mansion of the Henry family; Henry made his fortune in railroads. Central Presbyterian Church and Richards Street Methodist Church, the area's first churches, were built soon afterward.

History of Joliet East Side Historic District

Joliet was founded in 1831. Settlers were drawn by natural resources, above all thick beds of limestone; Joliet stone went into buildings such as the Old State Capitol in Springfield and the Chicago Water Tower. The town incorporated in 1852 and did well thanks to the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

In 1834 James B. Campbell laid out the first East Side lots and called the place Juliet. When Will County was created two years later, Juliet became its seat, and in 1845 residents changed the name to Joliet in honor of the French explorer Louis Jolliet. Between 1852 and 1873, thirty-two houses went up on the East Side, which was prized for being close to the railway station. Cornelius Van Horn, Joliet's first mayor, built his home here in 1852; his son William later became a leading figure in Canadian railroads.

Visiting Joliet East Side Historic District: tips

Allow 30 minutes to an hour for a stroll. The houses are private homes, so enjoy them from the sidewalk. The Jacob H. Henry House is about 0.2 miles away, the Louis Joliet Hotel about 0.4 miles, and the Rialto Square Theatre about 0.5 miles.

Practical info

Address: 159 2nd Ave, Joliet, IL 60433
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Joliet East Side Historic District

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Rich & Creamy
Joliet, IL · 1.5 mi from Joliet East Side Historic District
A Joliet ice cream stand on old Route 66 with the Blues Brothers dancing on its roof.