Tourist Office In 1889 the mayor of Joliet was Patrick C. Haley. He had an idea for a "Castle on the Hill" that would overlook the city that he ran. To design this work he hired a nationally know architect and Egyptologist named Frank Shaver Allen. The structure would be made of limestone that would come from the quarries that the area was known for. Construction took two years but upon its completion it stood three and a half stories and was overall a massive structure. People coming in on the train can view the impressive sight from their seats. The outside includes both a massive front and back porch giving it a stately look. Inside, the woodwork is a combination of oak, cherry, and mahogany. Also, inside are stained glass windows, elaborate friezes, complex adornments, and six fireplaces. Today the building is still one of Joliet's most notable landmarks and is used for special events.
(c) 2004 - Rene de Vries, Joan Goble and Hajime Yanase |
