Will-Joliet Bicentennial Park

Joliet, as ‘Juliet,’ had its beginnings in the 1830’s here on old Bluff Street. Originally an Indian trail, this became the site of Joliet’s first home, grist and saw mills, general stores, blacksmith, tinsmith and mason works, newspaper, school, theatre, hotels, church services, volunteer fire department and even the first bottling of soda pop. Meetings held in these pioneer homes and establishments led to the formation of both city and county governments. Bicentennial Park commemorates the vision of our great nation’s 200th birthday in 1976.