Prison Walls Rise From Stony Joliet Turf
The History of Joliet – Chapter 17 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo The ground at the new prison site was filled with limestone, which meant convicts couldn’t tunnel out. That limestone also could be used to build the prison walls and buildings. By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In his inaugural speech during January 1853, Gov. Joel MATTESON of Joliet spoke of the need for a new state penitentiary in the northern part of Illinois. With an ever-increasing crime rate and the population quickly expanding, a place to house criminals … Read more