Skip to main content
Shedd Aquarium

Joliet Iron Works Historic Site

Collins St., east of Joliet City Center, Joliet, IL 60435

Historic Sites

The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s 52-acre Joliet Iron Works Historic Site was acquired between 1991 and 1997.

The preserve is part of the Des Plaines River preservation system, which conserves more than 2,400 acres. Prior to the District's acquisition of the land, it was the site of an iron manufacturing facility from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Cultural resources protected at the preserve include foundations of the blast furnaces and other structures from the dismantled factory. Joliet Iron Works Historic Site features 0.59 mile of paved trail that provides a self-guided interpretive tour of the site's historical significance. The preserve also provides access to the 7.57-mile, crushed limestone/paved I&M Canal Trail. The preserve offers one picnic shelter for rental, Joliet Iron Works Shelter, which has a permit capacity of 100 people.

You might also be interested...

Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau

Joliet

Welcome to Illinois' historic I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor.

Read more about Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau

Joliet Prison Park

Joliet

The Old Joliet Prison Park is free public park located just outside the Collins Street Prison.

Read more about Joliet Prison Park

The Jacob Henry Mansion

Joliet

A true Victorian gem.

Read more about The Jacob Henry Mansion

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.