Joliet, Illinois

Joliet is a city located in both Will and Kendall County, Illinois and is a suburb southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County{{GR|6}}. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,221; a 2003 special census revealed the city's population to be 120,782.

History

Joliet was first settled as a town in 1834 and originally bore the name Juliet. Some historians believe the town was named Juliet in honor of settler James B. Campbell's daughter. Other possible sources of the name include the Shakespearean character (the nearby village of Romeoville was named as a companion; see Romeo and Juliet) or a corruption of the name of French Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet, who visited the area in 1673. The name was eventually changed to Joliet in his memory in 1845, and the city was incoporated in 1852.

Related Topics:
1834 - James B. Campbell's - Shakespearean - Romeoville - Romeo and Juliet - French Canadian - Louis Jolliet - 1673 - 1845 - 1852

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Maps from Jolliet's exploration of the area placed a large hill or mound on what is now the south west corner of the city. That hill was named Mound Jolliet, and was made up entirely of clay. The spot was mined by early settlers and is now a depression. That depression was settled soon after and became known as the town of Rockdale.

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