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Joliet Union Station: A Beaux-Arts Landmark

Experience the grandeur of a bygone era at Joliet Union Station, a beautifully preserved Beaux-Arts landmark and former rail hub.

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Joliet Union Station, built in 1912, is a Beaux-Arts architectural gem that once served as a bustling hub for several major railway lines. Today, it stands as a reminder of Joliet's rich railroad history and operates as a banquet hall.

A brief summary to Joilet,IL Metra-Amtrak Union Station

Local tips

  • Explore the station's architecture, including the Bedford limestone exterior and the Romanesque-style windows.
  • Check out the mural on the lower level, designed by Alejandro Romero.
  • Consider attending an event at the Grand Ballroom to experience the station's interior.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Joliet Gateway Center (90 E Jefferson St), walk west along Jefferson Street. Joliet Union Station will be on your right, a short walk of approximately 0.1 miles. No costs are associated with this final approach.

  • Public Transport

    Pace bus routes 501, 504, 505, 507, 508, 509, 511, 832, and 834 serve the area near Joliet Union Station. Check Pace bus schedules for the nearest stop and connections. A single ride fare is typically around $2.00-$3.00.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    From anywhere in downtown Joliet, a taxi or ride-share to Joliet Union Station will typically cost between $8 and $15, depending on distance and demand. Note that prices may surge during peak hours.

  • Parking

    The Union Station Lot is located at 24 Lincoln Hwy, Joliet, IL 60436, a short walk from the station. Parking costs $1 per hour. Parking is free Mon-Fri 5pm-9am and Sat-Sun. Other parking lots are also available in the vicinity.

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Discover more about Joilet,IL Metra-Amtrak Union Station

Joliet Union Station, completed in 1912, stands as a testament to the city's significant role in American railroad history. Designed by Chicago-based architect Jarvis Hunt in the Beaux-Arts style, the station is strategically located at the intersection of what were once four major trunk lines. Hunt also designed Kansas City Union Station. The station's architecture is notable for its Bedford limestone facade, steel frame, and interior finishes of Tennessee marble and bronze. The design includes Romanesque-style windows and ornamental canopies. Inside, the former passenger waiting area has been transformed into a banquet hall, while a mural designed by Alejandro Romero in 1991 adorns the lower level. At its peak, Joliet Union Station served over 100 trains daily, facilitating passenger travel, U.S. Mail services, and express parcels. Several U.S. presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt and Gerald Ford, visited the station. Although passenger train traffic declined in later years, the station remains a visible landmark and a reminder of Joliet's past. In 1978, Joliet Union Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Following a period of underutilization, the station was renovated in 1991 and now serves as a banquet hall.

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