Upper Bluff local District

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

Site Description
The Upper Bluff Local Historic District includes one block of single family residential buildings located atop the upper bluff west of the DesPlaines River in Joliet. The district is located above a gently sloping site which is actually a second succession of dolomite limestone bluffs which overlook the west bank of the DesPlaines River. Western Avenue is an east/west arterial street which links the area to Joliet’s downtown by way of the Cass Street bridge, one of five trunnion bascule bridges spanning the Des Plaines River in Joliet. The majority of lots in the district are long, and rectangular in shape. Most of the lots are large (60’ x 180’) relative to lots platted in adjoining neighborhoods (50’ x 125’). The large lots graciously accommodate the stylistic grandeur of the homes which comprise the district.

A majority of the homes in the district have limestone foundations. Homes in the district are primarily frame construction and clapboard sided dating from 1894-1923. The buildings which comprise the Upper Bluff Local Historic District represent a range of architectural styles including the following: Queen Anne, Neoclassical, Neoclassical Revival, Dutch Colonial, Prairie, Colonial Revival and Georgian Revival. Brick and stucco homes are located in the district as well as several homes utilizing brick veneer. Major features of the proposed district which have changed over time include the street and alley surfaces which have changed from brick to asphalt and the street lighting which has recently been replaced by reproduction Victorian era standards.

Most of the house within the district are intact and are contributing buildings to the district. There are 21 contributing house (100%), 14 contributing garages, and 7 non-contributing garages in the proposed district. There are a total of 42 structures located in the district. 37 structures are contributing and 7 structures are non-contributing. Contributing resources are significant to the district because they possess historic integrity and reflect the character of the district during its period of significance (circa 1894 through 1920s). Non-contributing resources either lack architectural integrity or were constructed after the period of significance of the district (post 1940).

In the following section, all buildings in the district are listed by address. Contributing buildings are not represented by a dot, but are simply indicated by address. Contributing garages are indicated by a black dot and non-contributing garages are shown by a white dot.