Olde Keg building in Joliet to become Mexican restaurant

The long-closed and historic Olde Keg building in downtown Joliet, Illinois, will reopen as a Mexican restaurant in a few weeks. The Herald-News reports Amy Montiel of nearby Lockport, Illinois, plans to rechristen the building at 20 W. Jackson St. as Catrina’s Mex in May. Montiel told the newspaper she wanted to open a restaurant that … Continue reading Olde Keg building in Joliet to become Mexican restaurant

Old Joliet prison may reopen to the public by August

Supporters of reopening the 160-year-old Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, as a tourism attraction now are thinking of a grand reopening for August after cleanup efforts at the site accelerated in recent weeks. The Herald-News reported Homer Tree Service was busy last week removing brush inside the  prison, which has been closed and neglected … Continue reading Old Joliet prison may reopen to the public by August

Old Joliet prison to become haunted house this fall

The historic but long-abandoned Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, best known for the opening scene of "The Blues Brothers" movie, will become a haunted house in time for Halloween. The Joliet Patch reported this week Evil Intentions, which operates an acclaimed haunted house in nearby Elgin, Illinois, announced it will open a second site … Continue reading Old Joliet prison to become haunted house this fall

City strikes deal to rent old Joliet Correctional Center

The city council of Joliet, Illinois, this week entered into a five-year lease to take some responsibility for the historic but long-closed and deteriorating Joliet Correctional Center. The Herald News reported about the deal for the prison, which has been closed by the state of Illinois since 2002: The state retains ownership, while city officials … Continue reading City strikes deal to rent old Joliet Correctional Center

Joliet’s baseball stadium to be renamed Joliet Route 66 Stadium

The independent baseball stadium in Joliet, Illinois, eventually will be renamed Joliet Route 66 Stadium, it was announced Friday during the Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Joliet. The name change may not occur for a year because of cost considerations, reported The Herald-News. Regardless, city officials trumpeted the news. "This is international branding," … Continue reading Joliet’s baseball stadium to be renamed Joliet Route 66 Stadium

Miles of Possibility news conference to introduce Launching Pad Drive-In’s new owners

On Tuesday, Tully Garrett and Holly Barker officially bought the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, and its iconic Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. On Friday, the couple will be introduced as the Route 66 restaurant's new owners during a news conference at 9:30 a.m. at the Route 66 Miles of Possibility event in Joliet, … Continue reading Miles of Possibility news conference to introduce Launching Pad Drive-In’s new owners

David Clark to lead Chicagoland tour after Miles of Possibility conference

David Clark, aka the Windy City Road Warrior, on Saturday will lead InSites to Go's Saturday Night Sunset tour on Route 66 between Joliet, Illinois, and Chicago after the Route 66 Miles of Possibility conference in Joliet concludes. According to a news release from InSites to Go, which is a Chicago-based tour agency: The tour features … Continue reading David Clark to lead Chicagoland tour after Miles of Possibility conference

Joliet lukewarm to Route 66 The Road to Rock museum idea

A pitchman wants a Route 66 The Road to Rock museum in downtown Joliet, Illinois, but a few city officials seemed tepid to the idea -- especially the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Ron Romero proposed his idea -- which aims to pay homage to the musical heroes of Illinois -- to the Joliet City Council … Continue reading Joliet lukewarm to Route 66 The Road to Rock museum idea

Fire destroys a building inside Joliet Correctional Center

An industrial building inside the historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, burned to the ground earlier this week, and a juvenile was charged with starting the blaze. The Daily Southtown reported: Joliet police received numerous Crime Stoppers tips from a social media post Tuesday morning seeking to identify two males who were seen inside … Continue reading Fire destroys a building inside Joliet Correctional Center

Ruby Street Bridge in Joliet to undergo months of repairs

We have some good news and bad news about the historic Ruby Street Bridge in Joliet, Illinois. The bad news is the bridge will undergo repairs starting Monday and may cause traffic tie-ups until the project's completion this summer because of lane closings. So keep that in mind if you want to go Route 66 cruising … Continue reading Ruby Street Bridge in Joliet to undergo months of repairs