Route 66 selfie station added to Joliet Area Historical Museum

The city of Joliet, Illinois, recently added a Route 66-themed selfie station for travelers at the entrance of the Joliet Area Historical Museum. According to the Joliet Patch, the station is a collaboration between the museum, the Joliet City Center Partnership and the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. Museum director Greg Peerbolte told Joliet … Continue reading Route 66 selfie station added to Joliet Area Historical Museum

Joliet history museum plans to re-create a Slovenian grocery from 1929

The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Illinois, plans to make a re-creation of a 1929 Slovenian corner grocery store that operated in town until the 1990s. According to The Herald-News, the Planinsek Meat and Grocery Store has sat unoccupied for at least 20 years at the southeast corner of Elizabeth and Russell streets (map … Continue reading Joliet history museum plans to re-create a Slovenian grocery from 1929

Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street, an original alignment of Route 66

The Joliet City Council on Monday marked the official reopening of North Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, Illinois, along with officials from the Joliet City Center Partnership, Joliet Chamber of Commerce and Will County. According to The Times Weekly: “This is an exciting day for all of Joliet as we reopen an iconic street in … Continue reading Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street, an original alignment of Route 66

Future home of Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 given landmark status

The historic building that will house the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet was given landmark status by the city council. The Herald-News had some details about the landmark designation: The building at 9 W. Cass St. was the original home of the White Store and later housed the local … Continue reading Future home of Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 given landmark status

Rialto Square Theatre will be temporarily converted into traffic court

The historic Rialto Square Theatre, closed since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be used as a courtroom for traffic violations in Will County, Illinois, for as long as four months. The Joliet Patch reports the theater in downtown Joliet will be paid $700 a day for its use as a traffic court, the … Continue reading Rialto Square Theatre will be temporarily converted into traffic court

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 announces its first inductees

The forthcoming Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet announced its inaugural class Friday night. They are Chicago, Cheap Trick, Ides of March, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Buckinghams and REO Speedwagon. Nominees that didn't make the cut were Styx, Earth Wind & Fire, Smashing Pumpkins, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Rufus with Chaka Khan, Dan … Continue reading Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 announces its first inductees

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 holding first induction March 29

The fledgling Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, will hold its first induction class on March 29 at the Renaissance Center Ballroom in Joliet. If you want to vote on who goes into the Hall of Fame this year, you'll have to become a charter member by enrolling here for … Continue reading Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 holding first induction March 29

Old Joliet Prison to host 40th-anniversary party for “Blues Brothers” movie

The Old Joliet Prison, now converted into a tourism site, in Joliet, Illinois, will host a big bash in August to mark the 40th anniversary of "The Blues Brothers" movie, part of which was originally filmed there. The Herald-News, based in Joliet, reported the celebration will be a two-day event. Final dates aren't 100% set, … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison to host 40th-anniversary party for “Blues Brothers” movie

Construction begins on Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66

Construction has started on the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, and a Chicago-area radio station showed artist's renderings of what the museum will look like, inside and out. Earlier in the year, the museum's organizers bought a 1920s three-story building at 9 W. Cass St. in Joliet. The structure … Continue reading Construction begins on Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66

Old Joliet Prison draws 14,000 visitors since opening in August 2018

The Old Joliet Prison has drawn a total of 14,181 visitors for tours and events since opening to the public in August 2018, according to the Joliet Historical Museum. The 19th-century prison, known officially as the former Joliet Correctional Center, also generated $407,654 in revenue, a report in The Herald-News stated. The net revenue of … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison draws 14,000 visitors since opening in August 2018