Upper Bluff local District

Map | Site Description | Architectural Overview | Statement of Significance
Development of the Upper Bluff Local Historic District | Legal Description

Statement of Significance
The Upper Bluff Local Historic District is being nominated for its architecture, because of the following factors: the district is illustrative of the wide variety of architectural styles available in the residential housing between 1894-1920located primarily within the Upper Bluff Historic District; because much of the district developed as a distinct neighborhood within an expanding city; and because of the degree to which the structures are intact with a minimum of alterations. 88% of all structures in the district are contributing (37 or 42).

The development of the Upper Bluff Historic District, which for the most part, took place after 1894 and into the 1920’s,mirrors the difficult times as well as the times of progress within the city, the state and the nations. The neighborhood was a distinctively upper class subdivision where prominent members of the community built their family homes. A cross-section of original owners of houses in the Upper Bluff Historic District reveal the following occupations:

• President, furniture store
• Several lawyers
• Several physicians
• President, cemetery
• Real estate agent
• Engineer
• Storekeeper

The oldest structure in the district is the C. W. Talcott House, circa 1887. After a 7-year hiatus, several houses were constructed in 1894-1895 at 605, 609 and 625 Western Avenue. New house construction continued through 1898, and thereafter was sporadic until 1910 when 7 houses were built. The latest time of construction in the local district was Richard J. Burrill house, circa 1923-1924 at 616 Western. This is a two story, Y-shaped structure.

Growth in population of the local district mirrored the overall growth pattern in the city (see following graph.)

History of Joliet
After its original founding in 1837 and later incorporation in 1852, growth of the city was enhanced by the early construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The canal construction employed limestone, an abundant resource in Joliet. The quarry industry flourished in Joliet as early as the 1840's and Joliet became known as the " Stone City" of the Midwest. Irish immigrants were brought to Joliet in large numbers (3,000 per year) as laborers in the construction of the canal. They lived in shanties which were part of "labor camps" serving the canal. Upon completion of the canal in 1848, the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trustees surveyed and laid out an extensive area of new streets and blocks in Joliet, forming a new major subdivision.

Along with the impetus provided by the development of the canal, Joliet's growing importance as an industrial center can be measured by a series of significant developments which occurred in the mid to late 1800's.

Limestone Quarries
Limestone quarry operations began as early as 1835, and when construction of the canal began in 1836, limestone was utilized in the canal locks and for other purposes. Joliet's first commercial row, Merchant's Row, (Bluff Street) employed the use of limestone in 1836 and Joliet's first major church, St. Patrick's (now demolished), was constructed of limestone in 1839, just above the Bluff Street commercial row on the west side of the river. In 1857 the Joliet prison was built with Joliet limestone. The prison was located on land underlain with solid limestone and was a state construction project of major proportions. Officials of the United States government tested and approved Joliet limestone for government construction in 1867. In the same year, a major U.S. Government contract was awarded for Joliet limestone to be used in the construction of the Rock Island Arsenal. Joliet limestone was widely used throughout the Midwest, particularly in public buildings and churches. The Illinois State Capitol and Chicago Water Tower are distinguished examples of the use of the indigenous Joliet Stone. Joliet acquired the name " Stone City," and by 1890, there were 25 stone companies conducting 1.5 million dollars worth of business annually and employing 1,500 men in Joliet. Over 3,000 rail cars of stone were shipped out each month.

Iron and Steel Mills
In 1870, iron and steel production began in Joliet, under the auspices of the Union Coal, Iron and Transportation Company, Initially, the mills manufactured railroad rails. in 1878, barbed wire production began. The new fencing, invented by Hiram B. Scutt, a Joliet resident, was in great demand by the cattlemen of the " Great Plains" States. The popularity of barbed wire did not wane, and in the 1880's, there were ten barbed wire plants in Joliet. Steel production surpassed limestone production in economic importance and by 1890, steel and iron mills employed 2,000 workers. A merger of the ten barbed wire plants in 1898 created the American Steel and Wire Company.

Railroads
As early as 1852, the Rock Island Line provided rail service to Joliet. In 1854, the Alton Railroad provided a rail connection to the south and in 1855, the Michigan Central line reached Joliet. The major south and in 1855, the Michigan Central line reached Joliet. The major growth of railroads occurred, however, in 1880, when the Chicago, Santa Fe and California Railroad and the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern (E.J. & E.) began operations. The Santa Fe opened up markets in the Great plans and the Southwest. The E J & E became Chicago's outer belt line. Joliet became a "break-in-bulk" point, allowing transfer of cargo from one railroad to another and transfer between railroads and canal traffic. The E J & E, reacting to increased levels of use, constructed a huge rail yard and shop facility in Joliet to provide services to rail freight traffic. In a move which further increased the prominence of E J & E, the railroad became a subsidiary of Joliet Iron and Steel and became a major employer of local area labor.

Manufacturing
By 1890, Joliet companies manufactured bricks, boats, shoes, chairs, harnesses, saddles, bicycles, windmills, and horseshoes, stoves, tiles, doors, agricultural implements, beer, soda pop, wagons and carriages, paint, lime, cigars, engines, clocks and one third of the nation's wallpaper. By 1900, there were 455 manufacturing plants in Joliet turning out products valued at 27.7 million dollars and Joliet's steel and iron mills produced an additional 13.3 million dollars in products.

Joliet's prospering industry was linked to changes in technology. The technological changes that happened throughout the country (and the world) in the last 1800's were equally felt in Joliet, and included the provision of telephone, water and electric service to households and businesses in Joliet. These fundamental changes in lifestyles ushered in a "Progressive Era" (1891-1917) when a new enthusiasm and push for positive reform swept across the country. Locally, efforts were made to improve city services, roads, utilities, health care, education, recreation, communications and public transportation. (One of Joliet's most dramatic accomplishments of the "Progressive Era" was the elevation of railroad lines in downtown Joliet.) The "Progressive Era" was accompanied by a fundamental change in the Jolietian's way of life; the automobile. Automobiles were used for business and public transportation ca. 1905 and were readily available to only the wealthy citizenry until 1920, when Henry Ford's assembly-line production of the "Model T" made the automobile economical for Joliet residents. The convenience and mobility of the automobile impacted every aspect of life and was even a determining factor in the location of new housing areas (housing was decentralized). Following the "Progressive Era", World War I, which began in 1917, resulted in a patriotic movement in Joliet. Over 3,000 area men were drafted into service for the country. The war had a positive impact on local industry which experienced increased levels of production of war-related goods. The year 1919 marked the end of the war, the beginning of Prohibition and was also a year of labor unrest. Steelworkers went on strike for better hours and wages and they remained unsatisfied with conditions until they achieved unionization in the 1930's. Joliet felt the full impact of the Depression when building activity slowed and workers were laid off or lost their jobs entirely.