Old Joliet Prison designated to National Register of Historic Places

The Old Joliet Prison, aka Joliet Correctional Center or Illinois State Penitentiary, in Joliet, Illinois, recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation was effective Sept. 25, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service that administers the program. Two years ago, the City of Joliet received a $35,000 grant from … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison designated to National Register of Historic Places

Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi to perform next month at Old Joliet Prison

Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi will perform at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois, on Aug. 19 as part of an elaborate Blues Brothers Con at the historic site. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Joliet Area Historical Museum, reported The Herald-News. “He [Dan Aykroyd] made a significant donation of his time to … Continue reading Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi to perform next month at Old Joliet Prison

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

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

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

Old Joliet Prison will be featured on Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures”

The old Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, now called the Old Joliet Prison, will be featured in upcoming episodes of "Ghost Adventures," the Travel Channel's most popular show. The "Ghost Adventures" team interviews locals and spends nights in allegedly haunted places, searching for paranormal activity. According to The Herald-News of Joliet: The piece will … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison will be featured on Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures”

Report: $10M needed to stabilize portions of old Joliet prison

The historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, will need at least $10 million worth of repairs in the next five years to stabilize six key structures within the long-closed complex. The Klein & Hoffman architectural and structural engineering firm gave the estimates to shore up the prison's administration building, east and west cell blocks, … Continue reading Report: $10M needed to stabilize portions of old Joliet prison

Fundraisers for old Joliet prison net nearly $150,000 so far

Tours and a major fundraiser -- all at the old Joliet Correctional Center -- have generated more than $142,000 so far, with a disc-golf benefit next month slated to generate at least anther $5,000 for the old prison. The big event was the Great Joliet Prison Break-in event last month at the century-old facility, which … Continue reading Fundraisers for old Joliet prison net nearly $150,000 so far

Joliet sets up schedule for old prison tours

The city of Joliet, Illinois, in early August will begin offering guided tours to the historic but long-closed old prison. The Joliet Patch reported some details about the upcoming tours: The Joliet Area Historical Museum will transport tourists to and from the prison by bus, about a five-minute ride each way. Tours inside the old … Continue reading Joliet sets up schedule for old prison tours

Joliet may use $50,000 for old prison, reopen this month

The city of Joliet, Illinois, proposed an allocation of $50,000 to the Joliet Area Historical Museum to help cover expenses in reopening the historic Joliet prison. If funding goes through as expected, Greg Peerbolte, the museum's executive director, said it could start tours inside the old Joliet Correctional Center later this month. The Herald-News reported: The … Continue reading Joliet may use $50,000 for old prison, reopen this month