Joliet Iron Works Historic Site

Didn’t work for me

Well: nicely made; but unfortunately all the signs refer to the poor working conditions back in those days. I wish, that signs say more about what once had been there and for what those ruins had b...

Once the second largest steel mill in the United States

The Joliet Iron and Steel Works was once the second largest steel mill in the United States. Initially run from 1869 to 1936. The 52-acre site had a dam on the Des Plaines River for power and four bla...

Industrial history made personal

TIP - It's ok to start at the north end (.6 miles away). The informational signs are mostly about the workers, not the industrial ruins. Info about the ethnic diversity are AMAZING! The mill was s...

Another Site to See

Cool little park with a walking trail. Neat to see all the cool stuff and the way it used to be. Just a little sketchy part of town.

Don't bother

They should explain at each location where there is a current story board; 1) what part of the mill were you looking at, and 2) what part of steel making was done at that particular location. Cu...