Just a little disclaimer before I start, I only dropped the name because this place is so iconic it's almost instantaneously recognizable and the Joliet Historical society is now offering tours and events at the prison, it is no longer "abandoned". Which leads to the next point. Though I was on the site legally I thought I'd share the pictures because of, as previously mentioned, how iconic this place is. It is easily one of the most famous abandoned places in the Great Lakes region. I thought people might like to see how they cleaned it all up. I'd also like to encourage you to try and get a tour if you get the chance. The money is going towards renovating the entire facility in hopes that they can open it up and allow people to roam the buildings. It's a good cause so if you have the time I'd highly advise it. They give some good history on the subject. Without further ado, lets get into the pictures.
We entered from the East Gate. 1.
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I really liked the Power House. The overall architecture and design were very pleasing to the eye in my opinion. 6.
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The chapel was another beautiful building. I was told this was the one area of the prison all inmates would show respect. Gladly Joliet hopes to restore them chapel to exactly as it was, complete with the original pews. 9.
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15. West Cell block
16. East Cell Block (I can't believe I didn't notice the metal bar till it was too late) Next was one of my favorite buildings, the hospital. The third floor was used as the psychiatric ward. 17.
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To end the tour we visited the solitary confinement building. 25.
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In the solitary courtyard was a cell from the original cell block, before the 1950s renovations. 29.
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As we were making our way out I snapped a few more shots. 31.
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Thanks for viewing! This prison was one of the places that first got me interested in urban exploration. I'm glad to see that they are restoring it, but tours do limit some freedoms that I crave when exploring. Luckily once the buildings are stable and renovated the experience should become freer roam-like Eastern State. The Joliet Historical society is working to preserve this historic structure and many of the remnants from within. So, if you can I'd advise checking it out. Also, just a little thing that was interesting, an episode of Empire was being filmed in the front of the prison while I was there. Once again, thanks for viewing!
Jake: Bring me four fried chickens and a Coke. Mrs. Murphy: You want chicken wings or chicken legs? Jake: Four fried chickens and a Coke. Elwood: And some dry white toast, please. Mrs. Murphy: Y'all want anything to drink with that? Elwood: No, ma'am. Jake: A Coke.
RIP Mrs. Murphy, aka Aretha Franklin RIP 'Joliet' Jake Blues, aka John Belushi RIP Reverend Cleophus James, aka James Brown RIP Ray, aka Ray Charles RIP Matt 'Guitar' Murphy, aka Matt Murphy RIP Curtis, aka Cab Calloway RIP Jake's crazy ex-girfriend, aka Carrie Fisher RIP Donald 'Duck' Dunn, aka Donald Dunn RIP Alan 'Mr. Fabulous' Rubin, aka Alan Rubin RIP Head Nazi, aka Henry Gibson RIP Burton Mercer, aka John Candy
Edits: damn - I hadn't realized how many of these people passed until I started remembering all the cameos in this masterpiece, and I wouldn't be surprised if I missed a couple......
[last edit 8/29/2018 6:55 PM by Mr. Bitey - edited 5 times] Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.
Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium.
Edits: damn - I hadn't realized how many of these people passed until I started remembering all the cameos in this masterpiece, and I wouldn't be surprised if I missed a couple......
Also
RIP Charles Napier (Tucker McElroy) RIP Jeff Morris (Bob of Bob's Country Bunker)
Still with us are:
Steve Lawrence (Maury Sline)
Steven Spielberg (Cook County Assessor)
My job had sent me to Chicago about 10 years ago, so I went about visiting filming locations.
Posted by Mr. Bitey AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing! I am looking at weekend tours now....
No problem at all, glad I had some influence.
I had a feeling there would be a lot of Blues Brothers mentions, talking about it was part of the tour, rest in peace to all those amazing actors who are now deceased.
Wait, wait, wait... Are the pictures in this post from a tour or no? Because this news article says that the tour is mostly outside and they don't even let you in the building?? "So, for the time being, tours will be largely outside, with peeks at interiors." If you can't even go inside, that doesn't sound interesting at all.
[last edit 8/31/2018 3:01 PM by JennyUE - edited 1 times] You're not weird if you're not normal.
Wait, wait, wait... Are the pictures in this post from a tour or no? Because this news article says that the tour is mostly outside and they don't even let you in the building?? "So, for the time being, tours will be largely outside, with peeks at interiors." If you can't even go inside, that doesn't sound interesting at all.
These pictures are from the tour. You are allowed to walk around a little in some of the buildings, as they acquire more funding and renovate more of the buildings they are to allow a more in-depth view.
Glad you got to see the place and enjoyed it. I loved exploring this place, but man these pictures just make me sad. So much more decay and vandalism since I first explored there. Their job would have been so much easier if they started trying to preserve this place years ago.
Ethics
