Joliet Iron Works Historic Site
Location
Joliet Iron Works Historic Site is located on Columbia Street, east of Route 53/Scott Street, in Joliet.
Hours
8 a.m.-sunset
Trails
I&M Canal Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
The 52-acre Joliet Iron Works Historic Site in Joliet offers a unique glimpse into the region’s industrial past set within a natural setting along the Des Plaines River. Remnants of the former iron manufacturing facility create a striking backdrop for exploration and reflection.
Planning your visit
Joliet Iron Works Historic Site is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
Amenities and activities
- Picnicking: Joliet Iron Works Shelter accommodates up to 100 people and is available for rental.
- Trails: A 0.59-mile paved trail provides a self-guided interpretive tour highlighting the site’s historical significance. The preserve also connects to the 7.57-mile I&M Canal Trail, offering opportunities for biking, hiking, running, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Flora and fauna
Natural areas surrounding the historic site provide habitat for a variety of plant and animal species typical of river corridors in Will County. The mix of open space and nearby water supports birds and other wildlife throughout the year.
Preserve history
Joliet Iron Works was acquired between 1991 and 1997 and is part of the Des Plaines River preservation system, which protects 2,600 acres.
Before the District acquired the land, it was home to a large iron manufacturing facility operating from the late 1800s into the early 1900s. Today, cultural resources at the site include the preserved foundations of blast furnaces and other structures from the dismantled factory.
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Upcoming events
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'The Stick' Traveling Exhibition by Clay Rice
This traveling exhibition, developed by South Carolina silhouette artist Clay Rice and the South Carolina State Museum, follows a young boy who embarks on an exciting journey after finding a stick.
Trail Hoppers
Log some miles walking through the prairie as grasshoppers bounce out of our way.
Trail Club: September at Hadley Valley
Trail Club is back this fall, and in September the group will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesdays at Hadley Valley.
Latest headlines
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Rustic and cozy Fireside Fest coming to Messenger Woods
Enjoy food, music, a campfire and more on Saturday, Oct. 3.
‘Enthusiasm and confidence’: Four Rivers interpreter wins regional award
Outstanding New Interpreter Award honors Lyons’ creativity, passion and growing expertise
Fall volunteer mornings offer hands-on habitat work across Will County
October through December opportunities include seed collection and brush control.
Frequently asked questions
Visitors to the site should stay on the trail. Climbing on the ruins is prohibited.
Guided walking tours are offered at the site as well as bike programs along the I&M Canal Trail.
Illinois still has an iron and steel industry, particularly in the northern part of the state and the Chicago area, accounting for roughly 5% of U.S. steel production.
Interpretive signage and an audio tour are available at the site to guide visitors.
Amateur photographers and videographers are welcome to take photos and video in the preserve, but individuals who are taking or will use the photos for profit are required to apply for and receive a permit.
For decades after the factory’s closing in the 1930s, the foundation of the buildings that once were the lifeblood of Joliet lay all but forgotten. In the early 1990s, the Forest Preserve District purchased this former industrial property with the goal of reconnecting the community to an important piece of Joliet and the country’s history. The ruins serve as an industrial archeological site.