Site announced for Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66

Organizers for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 announced they have acquired a building in downtown Joliet, with the hopes of opening it by next year. According to the Joliet Patch, the museum's organizers bought a three-story building at 9 W. Cass St. (seen above) that dates to the 1920s. The structure … Continue reading Site announced for Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66

Fundraiser set for Oct. 11 for Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66

Those who attend a "fun-raiser" Oct. 11 for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet may learn of the exact place where it will be housed. Ron Romero, chairman of the museum's board of directors and facility's creator, told The Daily Southtown he hopes to reveal the site at the event. … Continue reading Fundraiser set for Oct. 11 for Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66

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

Old Joliet Prison event includes Blues Brothers tribute band

An August fundraiser to help restore the old Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, will include a performance by a Blue Brothers tribute band, and organizers have invited one of the original Blues Brothers, Dan Aykroyd, to the event. The Great Joliet Prison Break-In is slated for 5 p.m. Aug. 25 inside the historic, limestone-walled … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison event includes Blues Brothers tribute band

A lot going on with Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival

Towns along a 90-mile stretch of Route 66 in northern Illinois offer a lot during Saturday's Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival, but Wilmington's seems especially enticing. Not only does that city's Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie offer the chance of seeing the famous Smokey Bear hot-air balloon and newborn bison, but the new owners of … Continue reading A lot going on with Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival

Hundreds of volunteers help clean up Joliet prison

Hundreds of volunteer labor-union members descended on the historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, last weekend to help clean up the long-neglected property. The Joliet Patch estimated 200 to 300 skilled tradesmen were at the 160-year-old prison over the two days, along with volunteer labor from Homer Tree Care to remove trees and brush. … Continue reading Hundreds of volunteers help clean up Joliet prison

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