Trail #4: History meets nature.
Or maybe I should say that nature took over where the history ended . . .
I’m not really a big history buff but this was pretty cool. Hubby and I decided to tackle the 2.5-ish mile Joliet Iron Works site and it didn’t disappoint. We stuck to the Woods Walk path alongside the railroad tracks, which was mostly paved then transitioned to crushed gravel once we crossed the road. On the whole, the path is fairly even so if you have wheels you shouldn’t have too much of an issue. The only glitch you may encounter is at the bridge. There’s a ‘lip’ to get over and the hill, immediately after you cross the river, is a bit steep. We did notice a few ruts carved into the path from recent rains as well so you’ll have to watch out for those. The good news is that the Goosechase checkpoint isn’t far at all. Then you’ll turn around and head back.
Rather than come back the same route we came, we chose the sidewalk on the other side of the street that meanders through the industrial ruins, marked periodically with information stations outlining the history of the site. (And when I say ruins, I mean ruins . . .) Throughout the walk we could see the shapes of the buildings and often wondered what the nooks and crannies were used for: maybe furnaces, coal storage bins, or transport stages. The site was built in the 1800’s and employed mainly immigrants who lived in the surrounding neighborhood. Polish, Irish, Swedish, English, Slovak, among others. They labored, lived, socialized, and even died here. As with most commercial areas back then, working conditions and safety were not always top priority so you can imagine many workers’ fates. It’s fascinating to read about the history but also makes us wonder why it shut down. It was once a bustling center of activity and prosperity. What remains is overgrown and crumbling. The abandoned structures and dark recesses create a hauntingly somber aura. The whole area is rather quiet and seems almost lonely.
Sorry . . . didn’t mean to bring on the creep factor. This is a very interesting experience. There are a few things to keep in mind if you decide venture out there. First, the entrance is a bit tricky to find. We got a little lost. We came from the north, down Rte. 53 (a.k.a. Independence Blvd to the north and Broadway Street once you’re in Joliet) then we took a left onto Ruby Street. Follow Ruby as it veers right and becomes Chicago Street then turn left on Ohio Street. Turn left at Scott Street and make sure you’re in the right lane because the road will suddenly veer to the left but you’ll need to take a sharp right onto Columbia Street and then an immediate left into the parking lot. There is a real toilet there in case you need it as well as a large pavilion where you can rest for a bit or have a bite to eat after your journey. Second, the majority of the path is out in the open so make sure you lube up with sunscreen (if you go on a sunny day) and bring plenty of water.
I took quite a few photos on our trek – click through the slideshow below to view them. I hope you get a chance to wander that way so that you can learn about the old Joliet Iron Works site and enjoy a little exercise and fresh air too.
Happy hiking!
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#reconnectwithnature
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