Spanning over 150 years of history, Downtown Joliet serves as the city’s historic commercial core and cultural heart. Originally centered on the west side of the Des Plaines River, the hub of activity shifted east in the 1870s, driven by the arrival of multiple railroads that fueled growth and industry. The early twentieth century brought another boom with the rise of the automobile, adding showrooms, garages, and filling stations along Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway. Today, downtown’s streets showcase a rich mix of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century architecture, historic auto-related buildings, and enduring railroad infrastructure. Recognized for its significance, Downtown Joliet is listed on the National Register of Historic Places..