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History

Joliet is a city in Will County, Illinois, located about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. The city has a rich history, which dates back to the 1830s. Here are some historical facts about Joliet:

• Joliet was named after Louis Jolliet, a French-Canadian explorer who discovered the Des Plaines River in 1673.
• The city was founded in 1834 by James B. Campbell, who named it "Juliet" after his daughter. The spelling was later changed to "Joliet" to match the pronunciation.
• Joliet was a major transportation hub in the mid-19th century, with the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad passing through the city.
• In 1858, Joliet became the site of the first state penitentiary in Illinois. The prison, which is still in operation today, has housed some of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history, including John Wayne Gacy and Richard Speck.
• Joliet was home to the Joliet Iron Works, which produced iron and steel products from 1869 to 1936. The site is now a park, known as the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site.
• During Prohibition in the 1920s, Joliet became a center for bootlegging and illegal alcohol production. Gangster Al Capone had a hideout in nearby Crest Hill.
• In the mid-20th century, Joliet experienced a population boom as people moved from Chicago and other nearby cities to the suburbs. The city's population grew from around 45,000 in 1950 to over 100,000 by 2000.
• Joliet is home to several notable landmarks, including the Rialto Square Theatre, which was built in 1926 and is considered one of the most beautiful theaters in the country, and the Chicagoland Speedway, which hosts NASCAR and other racing events.
• Joliet is also known for its contributions to the arts. The city is home to the Joliet Symphony Orchestra, the Joliet Junior College Fine Arts Department, and the University of St. Francis' Art and Design Department.
• Today, Joliet continues to be an important industrial and transportation center, with a diverse economy that includes manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
• Joliet was a significant stop on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to freedom in the 19th century. Abolitionist activists like Owen Lovejoy and the Noyes family provided shelter and support to freedom seekers passing through Joliet.
• Joliet was once known as the "City of Stone" due to the abundant limestone and dolomite quarries in the area. The quarries provided building materials for many of the city's iconic structures, including the Joliet Correctional Center and the Rialto Square Theatre.
• Joliet was home to a thriving Polish community in the early 20th century. St. Mary Nativity Church, built in 1899, is a stunning example of Polish Cathedral-style architecture and is still an active parish today.
• The Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, located just outside the city, was a major manufacturer of munitions during World War II and the Korean War. The plant employed over 10,000 people at its peak and produced ammunition for rifles, machine guns, and artillery.
• Joliet was the birthplace of famous Hollywood actor and director John Malkovich. Malkovich was born in Joliet in 1953 and attended college at Illinois State University in nearby Normal, Illinois.
• In 1983, Joliet was the site of one of the largest prison riots in American history. Over 1,000 inmates at the Joliet Correctional Center rioted for several hours, causing millions of dollars in damage and injuring dozens of people.
• Joliet is home to several museums and cultural institutions, including the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the Jacob Henry Mansion, and the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre.
• The Joliet Public Library, founded in 1903, is one of the oldest and largest public libraries in Illinois. The library's main branch features a beautiful art deco building and a unique collection of genealogical resources.
• Joliet has been featured in several movies and TV shows, including "Blues Brothers 2000," "Prison Break," and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."
• Joliet is also home to the Joliet Slammers, a professional baseball team that plays in the independent Frontier League. The Slammers' stadium, Silver Cross Field, was named the "Best Independent Ballpark" in 2010 by Ballpark Digest.

Culture

Joliet is a culturally rich city with a diverse population and a strong sense of community. Here are some aspects of Joliet's culture:

• Ethnic diversity: Joliet is home to people from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, including African American, Hispanic, Polish, Italian, and Irish. This diversity is reflected in the city's festivals, events, and cuisine.
• Arts and entertainment: Joliet has a vibrant arts scene, with several theaters, art galleries, and museums. The Rialto Square Theatre, one of Joliet's most famous landmarks, hosts concerts, plays, and other cultural events throughout the year. The Joliet Area Historical Museum and the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre are also popular cultural attractions.
• Sports: Joliet residents are passionate about sports, and the city has a strong tradition of high school and college athletics. The Joliet Slammers, a professional baseball team, play at Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet. The Chicagoland Speedway, a NASCAR racetrack, is also located in Joliet.
• Festivals and events: Joliet hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, including the Taste of Joliet, a food and music festival, and the Joliet Blues Festival, which features live blues music from local and national artists. The city also celebrates its Polish heritage with the annual St. Joseph Polish Festival.
• Food: Joliet has a diverse culinary scene, with a variety of restaurants serving everything from Mexican and Italian cuisine to traditional Polish dishes. Some of Joliet's most famous foods include the Chicago-style hot dog, Italian beef sandwiches, and pierogies.
• Historical landmarks: Joliet has a rich history, and many of its iconic landmarks have been preserved and restored. These include the Joliet Correctional Center, which was used as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, and the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site, a former iron and steel plant that is now a park.
• Community events: Joliet residents are proud of their city, and they come together for various community events throughout the year, such as the annual Christmas parade, the Fourth of July fireworks show, and the Memorial Day ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Census

According to the United States Census Bureau, the estimated population of Joliet, Illinois as of 2020 was approximately 147,345 people. This represents a slight increase from the 2010 Census, which reported a population of 147,433.

Joliet is the third-largest city in Illinois, after Chicago and Aurora, and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The city covers an area of approximately 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) and is located in both Will and Kendall Counties.

The Census Bureau reports that Joliet's population is diverse, with approximately 54% of residents identifying as white, 28% as Hispanic or Latino, 14% as African American, and 4% as Asian. The median age in Joliet is 34.9 years, and the median household income is $68,385.

The city's population growth has been steady over the past few decades, with an increase of approximately 7% since the 1990 Census. Joliet's location near major transportation hubs, including Interstates 55 and 80, has contributed to its growth and economic development.

Economy

Joliet has a diverse and growing economy that is driven by several industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and logistics. Here are some key facts about Joliet's economy:

• Manufacturing: Joliet has a long history of manufacturing, and the sector remains a major contributor to the local economy. The city is home to several large manufacturing companies, including Caterpillar Inc., which produces engines and generators, and ExxonMobil, which operates a refinery in Joliet.
• Healthcare: Joliet is home to several major healthcare providers, including Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center and Silver Cross Hospital. These institutions provide healthcare services to residents throughout the region and employ thousands of people.
• Transportation and logistics: Joliet's location near major transportation hubs, including Interstates 55 and 80 and the BNSF Railway, has made it a popular location for distribution centers and logistics companies. Several large companies, including Amazon, IKEA, and Walgreens, have established facilities in Joliet to take advantage of its transportation infrastructure.
• Retail: Joliet has a thriving retail sector, with several large shopping centers and malls, including the Louis Joliet Mall and the Westfield Louis Joliet Shopping Center. These retail centers provide a variety of shopping and dining options and employ many people in the service industry.
• Tourism: Joliet is home to several popular tourist attractions, including the Rialto Square Theatre, the Joliet Area Historical Museum, and the Chicagoland Speedway. These attractions bring visitors to the city and contribute to the local economy.

Overall, Joliet's economy is diverse and growing, with a range of industries contributing to its success. The city's location near major transportation hubs and its skilled workforce make it an attractive location for businesses looking to establish a presence in the Midwest.