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2012 Joliet, Illinois
June 17 - June 23
     Type: Jr. High and Sr. High
     Availability: Open
     Campers Interested: 127		 History of Joliet:
     Joliet, Il was laid out by James B. Campbell in 1834. Joliet was first incorporated as Juliet in 1837, but residents petitioned to rescind that status because of the tax expenses. Then Joliet was reincorporated Joliet, ILunder its new name in 1852.
      Joliet hit its heyday after the Chicago Fire of 1871. Joliet was the home of many quarries and stone for buildings was in great need. A state penitentiary was also located in Joliet because of the abundance of stone for cell walls. In 1869, the Joliet steel mill was constructed and began to boom. The city began to grow as canal construction drew in Irish immigrants and the steel mill attracted thousands of southeastern Europeans. The success of Joliet’s industrial side soon brought in many other industries ranging from the bottling of 7-Up to constructing pianos.
      In 1983, Joliet hit an economic low point with an unemployment rate of 26 percent. In the 1990s, Joliet began to rebound through riverboat casinos and NASCAR races.

Fun Facts About Joliet:
     The Joliet Prison is featured in the television show Prison Break and the opening scene of The Blues Brothers.Dairy Queen
     The first Dairy Queen Drive-In was opened in Joliet in 1940.
     The Rialto Square Theater, a favorite haunt of the infamous Al Capone, is in downtown Joliet.
     Joliet’s Lois Delander was crowned Miss America in 1927 at the age of 16. She went on to serve the longest reign in pageant history! .
     The 1500 block of Virginia Street is considered to be the longest city block in the world.

Joliet At A Glance:
  • Unemployment Rate: 12.2%
  • Population (2009): 147,633
  • Land area: 38.10 sq. mi.
  • Elevation: 600 ft.
  • Median Household Income: $53,675
Closest Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
5700 South Cicero Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
(773) 686-3700
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How far is Joliet from...
Pittsburgh, PA...474 miles
Washington, DC...712 miles
Chicago, IL...45 miles
St. Louis, MO...262 miles
Atlanta, GA...726 miles
Reach Headquarters in CO...936 miles
Printable Fact Sheet

Pre and Post Workcamp Activities

Wednesday Activities

Local Restaurants

Find out more:
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org
http://www.cityofjoliet.com


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