By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
The 25-foot tall limestone walls were built with inmate labor, and razor wire still rings the top of the facility. The Joliet Prison, built originally in 1858 as the Illinois State Penitentiary, shuttered in 2002 when the last of its inmates and most staff were moved to nearby Stateville. After that, the prison fell into a state disrepair, becoming a hot spot for vandals and even suffering through two fires.
But on Aug. 25, the prison yard was full again. But instead of convicts clad in black and white stripes, visitors and tourists filled the lawn for a night of food, drinks, music and history.
The night was designed to introduce the public to one of the city’s most notable landmarks, while raising cash to support preservation efforts and future tours of the facility.
The effort to reinvigorate the Route 66 landmark is being undertaken by the Joliet Area Historical Museum, with help from the city of Joliet and local and corporate sponsors.
Visitors listened to live music, and were also able to stroll through parts of the prison, walking through the old baseball field, visiting the segregation and death row block, and walking through a portion of the east cell block.
Kara and Diane Haller decided to attend the event to get a look inside the prison that had been a backdrop to their everyday lives for years.
“Growing up in Joliet, it’s so much a part of our identity and a city, but most people just drive by,” Kara said.
“I grew up, just up the hill there,” added Diane. “I came past here every day when I was a kid, so I just wanted to see the inside.”
Other visitors couldn’t help but think of the sad history of the prison, once referred to as a “living tomb” by one prisoner. The prison was infamous for harsh conditions that challenged and broke the spirits of its inmates.
“It’s just a part of history,” said Mary Hogrefe, adding that she couldn’t help but think of all the men who had been imprisoned inside the walls at one time. “I’m a longtime Joliet resident and I just wanted to support the Historical Society.”
The Joliet Area Historical Society is offering guided, 90-minute tours of the facility. The $20 tickets for tours are available online at www.jolietmuseum.org.