The prison was built using convict labor to quarry and cut the limestone on-site.
It served as the primary set for the first season of the television series Prison Break.
The facility was completely self-sufficient during its early years, maintaining its own farm and industrial shops.
The high, turreted stone walls are original features that earned the prison its nickname, the 'Castle on the Des Plaines'.
The prison’s original design was modeled after the Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania.
Old Joliet Prison is an 1858 limestone correctional facility that operated for over 140 years before closing in 2002. The site gained international fame as the opening filming location for the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style and is constructed from locally quarried Joliet limestone. The prison housed notable inmates including John Wayne Gacy and Leopold and Loeb. Today, the site functions as a historic landmark and tourism attraction operated by the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Visitors can tour the prison yard, cell blocks, and the administration building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The iconic gothic stone front gate facade seen in The Blues Brothers.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the grounds are uneven and gravel-heavy.
Check the official website for specialized themed tours, such as photography or paranormal-focused sessions.
Bring a portable battery pack if planning on extensive smartphone photography, as there are no charging outlets on the tour route.
Attempting to access unauthorized off-limits areas or restricted buildings, which are strictly monitored for safety.
Operates seasonally from spring through autumn; closed during winter months.
Closed-toe shoes are mandatory; stay within designated tour pathways at all times; do not remove any physical artifacts from the site.
