The Old Joliet Prison was founded on May 22nd, 1858 and operated until 2002. In 2017 the City of Joliet took control of the property and worked with the Joliet Area Historical Museum to open the site to visitors.

More information can be found here.

With this site being well over 100 years old there is uneven ground and multiple buildings that have not been maintained for several decades. Please follow all signs and fencing for areas that are off limits. There are multiple buildings open to the public that can be explored and we do recommend doing so.

In agreement with The Old Joliet Prison:

No outside alcohol is permitted, no drones are allowed, service animals only are allowed, burnouts and excessive revving are not permitted. The Old Joliet Prison has authority to ask any patron to leave.