NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional certification comments, entries, and narrative items on continuation sheets if needed (NPS Form 10-900a). 1. Name of Property historic name Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet other names/site number Joliet Prison, Joliet Penitentiary, Joliet Correctional Center, Old Joliet Prison, Collins Street Prison Name of Multiple Property Listing N/A (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing) 2. Location street & number 1125 Collins Street not for publication city or town Joliet vicinity state Illinois county Will zip code 60432 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant at the following level(s) of significance: national statewide local Applicable National Register Criteria: A B C D Signature of certifying official/Title: Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Date Illinois Historic Preservation Agency State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. Signature of commenting official Date Title State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government 1 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet ,Illinois Name of Property County and State 4. National Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: entered in the National Register determined eligible for the National Register determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain:) Signature of the Keeper Date of Action 2 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 ,Illinois Name of Property County and State 5. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property (Check as many boxes as apply.) (Check only one box.) (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing private building(s) 16 7 buildings public - Local x district 1 0 site x public - State site 2 0 structure public - Federal structure 0 0 object object 19 7 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 0 6. Function or Use Historic Functions Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) (Enter categories from instructions.) GOVERNMENT / correctional facility VACANT / NOT IN USE 7. Description Architectural Classification Materials (Enter categories from instructions.) (Enter categories from instructions.) Gothic Revival foundation: STONE/Limestone walls: STONE/Limestone, WOOD, BRICK roof: other: METAL/Iron, METAL/Steel 3 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 ,Illinois Name of Property County and State Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current physical appearance and condition of the property. Describe contributing and noncontributing resources if applicable. Begin with a summary paragraph that briefly describes the general characteristics of the property, such as its location, type, style, method of construction, setting, size, and significant features. Indicate whether the property has historic integrity). Summary Paragraph The State Penitentiary at Joliet, also known as the Joliet Correctional Center and Old Joliet Prison, was originally constructed between 1857 and 1869 and designed by architects William W. Boyington and Otis Wheelock. The compound today, approximately fifteen acres in area, contains twenty-seven buildings and a reservoir structure, enclosed by a massive limestone masonry wall. Most buildings are constructed of coursed ashlar limestone masonry. The buildings are primarily of the Castellated Gothic Revival style, with the Administration Building, Guard Towers, and Cell Blocks closely resembling a medieval fortress. The prison is situated on the north side of the City of Joliet in Will County, about ten miles from Joliet City Hall and about 950 feet east of the Des Plaines River. The main compound is bordered on the north by Hills Avenue and an automotive scrapyard. Collins Street (which becomes Illinois Route 171 out of town) borders the prison on the east. To the northeast are two ponds which once, when empty, formed a dolomitic limestone quarry where prisoners extracted the stones used to build the prison and several other structures in Joliet; The dolomite is colloquially known as Joliet limestone, and will be referred to as such from here on. Woodruff Road forms the southeastern boundary, with a large 330-feet by 130-feet parking lot across from the prison. The compound is lightly wooded on the west and bordered by the BNSF Railroad track, the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail, and the Des Plaines River. The compound’s general surroundings are sparsely developed, with businesses featuring warehouses and open yards selling auto parts, fencing supplies, and landscaping materials to the northwest and south. To the west and northeast is a large green space including semi-dense woods. Modern residential development begins a few blocks south. Overall, despite some contemporary business presence, the area maintains much of the same flat, isolated feeling it would have possessed during the prison’s operating years. Several walkways and green areas define the space of the complex. A main walkway extends between the East and West Sally Ports and divides the compound into northern and southern halves. The main prison yard is located in the southwest quadrant of the complex and is bordered by the West Cell Block, School and Chapel Building, and the Power House. A walkway also extends from the Administration Building to the centrally-located North Segregation building. A Note on Descriptions: The authors have endeavored to describe the prison and structures with as much detail as possible. However, given the Department of Correction’s ownership of the prison and policies regarding access to it, the team was only able to visit the compound once for a few hours, was not allowed to enter any of the buildings, and was therefore unable to collect comprehensive photographs or measurements in person. For these reasons, many of the descriptions and dimensions are based on Google Earth satellite imaging and are therefore approximate and incomplete despite our best efforts. Nonetheless, the team firmly believes that the following descriptions accurately communicate the scope, condition, and integrity of the State Penitentiary at Joliet. 4 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Narrative Description Original Contributing Structures The early structures, built between 1857 and 1858, were designed by Wheelock and Boyington in the Castellated Gothic styles. While nearly all these buildings have sustained internal water damage, broken windows, and moderate graffiti, they maintain their form due to the strength and width of their sturdy, load-bearing masonry. (The mattress factory and vehicle restoration buildings, heavily fire-damaged, are the exception.) The compound’s buildings all rest on a limestone foundation. This feature figured prominently in the choice of location for the prison, as the stone foundation helped prevent escape tunnels. 1. The Administration Building, built 1858 The Administration Building, which contained the warden’s residence and administrative offices, faces south and served as the main entrance to the prison. The main east and west cell blocks flank the administration building, forming the southern boundary of the prison. The walls are load-bearing masonry of Joliet limestone. The square-plan building rises four stories, and features two small, projecting, crenelated turrets flanking the entrance and three large crenelated turrets at the SW, SE, and NE corners. Two chimneys rise above the flat roof. Other ventilation features appear on the roof. The south elevation runs about 110 feet from west to east and features finely-dressed, regularly-cut ashlar masonry. In front of the door is a projecting portico measuring twenty-five feet by twenty-five feet. The portico was added to the entrance around 1892 and features a red, hipped roof and an enclosed observation porch. Two rectangular, one-over-one windows are situated on each side of the door,