Historic Preservation

The Joliet Historic Preservation Commission (JHPC) is an advisory board to the City which was established with the Historic Preservation Ordinance of 1990 and subsequent amendments.  The JHPC evaluates and then nominates historic structures as Local Landmarks or part of Local Historic Districts; reviews applications for Certificates of Appropriateness; promotes historic preservation in the community; and assists with educating residents about available resources for preservation activities.

Meetings: 4th Wednesday of each month, Council Chambers

Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

• Landmark Nomination Form(PDF, 171KB)

• Owner's Consent Form(PDF, 54KB)

The City of Joliet boasts a rich diversity of architectural styles and building forms with over 2,000 buildings built before 1900 and 11,000 built before 1950! A small subset of these homes or structures have special recognition as “historic properties,” meaning they have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places; designated as local historic landmarks; are located within a local historic district; are located within a National Register Historic District; and/or a National Scenic Byway. These designations celebrate the historic character of these properties and neighborhoods. 

Historic Resource Databases

The City of Joliet maintains historic resource databases that includes information such as construction date, architect, builder, architectural style and description and significant owners for designated historic properties in Joliet. This database will continue to have more resources added over time. 

Click here to access the Designated Historic Properties Historic Resource Database

Click here to access the Illinois State Penitentiary – Joliet Historic Resource Database

St. John’s Neighborhood Historic Resources Survey

The historic resource survey of the St. John’s Neighborhood was completed in 2023 and documents the diverse range of cultures and traditions of one of Joliet’s earliest sites of settlement.

St. John's neighborhood Historic Resources Survey Final Report(PDF, 13MB)

St. John’s Neighborhood Historic Resources Survey Project Maps(PDF, 26MB)

St. John's Neighborhood Resource Database - Tier 1 Forms(PDF, 36MB)

St. John's Neighborhood Resource Database - Tier 2 Forms(PDF, 58MB)

Downtown Joliet National Register Historic District

The Downtown Joliet National Register Historic District recognizes the significant collection of commercial, governmental, educational, transportation, and religious high-style architecture as well as downtown Joliet’s overall historical development and architectural history.  The period of significance for the Downtown Joliet NRHD is from 1858, the construction date of the oldest building in the district, to 1973, the fifty-year cutoff for the National Register of Historic Places.

Downtown Joliet NRHD Nomination(PDF, 3MB)

Nomination Photos(PDF, 52MB)

Map of the Downtown Joliet NRHD(PDF, 2MB)

Downtown Joliet National Register Historic District F.A.Q.(PDF, 143KB)

Illinois State Penitentiary-Joliet (Old Joliet Prison) National Register Historic District

The architecture and design of the main Penitentiary and Women's Prison as well as the philosophies and practices of incarceration and prison reform carried out within its walls and grounds make it a significant local, state, and national historic resource. The Penitentiary is also very significant as a place of conscience in our nation's racial and ethnic history.

Illinois State Penitentiary-Joliet NRHD Nomination(PDF, 19MB)

ISP-Joliet Photo Key(PDF, 2MB)

ISP-Joliet Photos(PDF, 26MB)

For Designated Historic Properties, almost all work performed on a building’s exterior, as well as new construction, demolition and fencing, requires the Historic Preservation Commission to review and approve the proposed work.

The City of Joliet requires the submittal of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application, which describes the work a property owner or applicant will perform. Staff conduct a completeness review of the application and then determines if the application is eligible for administrative approval or if it requires Historic Preservation Commission approval. 

Any applicant may request a meeting with the Commission before applying and may consult with the Commission and/or City staff during the review of the application. In addition to obtaining a COA, all property owners must meet all applicable zoning and building code requirements. Receiving a COA does not guarantee a property owner’s approval of other required building permits. The Historic Preservation Commission does not review ordinary maintenance and repairs that do not require a building permit, such as exterior painting.

Certificate of Appropriateness(PDF, 818KB)  

JHPC Deadlines & Meeting Dates(PDF, 171KB)

Please complete the form and return it to Jayne Bernhard at jbernhard@joliet.gov or return to the Planning Department in Joliet City Hall's South Wing. Contact Jayne Bernhard at 815-724-4052 for any questions. 

The Joliet Historic Design Guidelines Manuals provides guidance for conducting general maintenance, preservation, and rehabilitation as well as the maintenance and preservation of landscaping and site features within Joliet’s historic residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. The Manual also provides guidance and design direction for residential additions and new construction and outlines best practices and commonly accepted preservation and rehabilitation procedures for these types of projects, providing examples of appropriate and inappropriate actions.

Historic Residential Design Guidelines Manual(PDF, 32MB)

Historic Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Design Guidelines Manual(PDF, 46MB)

Bestowed annually in May.

Previous Award Winners and more information About the Annual Historic Preservation Award

Walking Tours

• Upper Bluff Local Historic District Tour(PDF, 8MB)

• City Center Tour(PDF, 3MB)

Union Depot Tower – Railroad Exhibit

• Railroad Exhibit at Union Depot Tower(PDF, 7MB)

• Union Depot Tower Exhibit Components(PDF, 740KB)

Reports & Resources

• JHPC Annual Report

• Resources and Links of Interest