[7][8][9] The rolling mill, a key element of the works, struck its first blow in March 1873.

[10] The works had a dam on the Des Plaines River for power, and four blast furnaces capable of producing up to 2,000 tons of pig iron daily.

[6] Around the turn of the century, Joliet Iron Works had approximately 2,000 workers on its payroll.

[13] A 1.5-mile (2.4 km) paved trail provides visitors a view of the remains of the Joliet Iron Works.

The trail includes interpretive signs that explain the process of making iron and steel and the specific skills of the workers.