Finally we got a rental car and started looking for the Blues Brothers filming locations after visiting my daughters girl friend in Lake Forest, where we went to the beach of the really cold and windy Lake Michigan.

First Spot was the Joliet Correctional Center, which is now open to public. The place where Elwood picked up Jake looks still the same.

From here I drove a few miles on the legendary Route 66 to Elwood, a small town Elwood Blues was named after. South of Elwood I took a short walk through the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie nature reserve. A great place to relax, although I didn’t find the bisons which are living somewhere in this area.

South of Chicago there are a couple of BB locations in a small area. Starting with the East 95th Street Bridge over the Calumet River at Calumet Harbor I visited also the Triple Rock Church, the Curl Up And Dye beauty salon, the Palace Hotel and the „Saint Helen of the Blessed Shroud“ orphanage. I didn’t stop at the shopping mall, because it was completely demolished a few years ago. Only one shot from Ray’s Music Exchange out of the car, I couldn’t find a place to park. It’s closed in 2019, hopefully it will be re-opened.

Back to Lincolnwood I enjoyed the skyline of Chicago and the American way of drive – relaxed cruising even on the highways.

– Back to the Ten Days in Chicago starting page –

Photos

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  • My room in Lincolnwood, Prairie Road.
  • Spring time in Lake Forest
  • Lake Michigan, beach in Lake Forest
  • Joliet Correctional Center
  • Also known as old Joliet Prison
  • Will be open to public soon.
  • A real police car in Joliet
  • Opened in 1858
  • The street Elwood came to pick Jake up
  • One Timex digital watch, broken. One unused prophylactic.
  • So, Jake, you’re out, you’re free, you’re rehabilitated. What’s next?
  • Elwood parked here
  • The gate…
  • …is still working
  • The limestone was taken from nearby
  • Joliet water tower
  • One pair of sunglasses. $23.07. Sign here.
  • Another view
  • The street Elwood took after picking up Jake
  • Sign
  • Opposite view
  • Backside of Joliet
  • I thought it was a nice shot
  • One black suit jacket, one pair black suit pants. One hat – black.
  • Elwood is actually a small town at the Route 66
  • Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Elwood
  • A large area…
  • …to walk a bit…
  • …and enjoy nature.
  • „THE“ bridge were the Bluesmobile made the jump…
  • …is not in best condition
  • East 95th Street Bridge over the Calumet River at Calumet Harbor
  • Do you see the light?
  • Entrance
  • Triple Rock church…
  • …alias Pilgrim Baptist Church
  • Still a great view
  • Curl Up And Dye beauty salon, still there
  • Palace Hotel alias South Shore Cultural Center
  • „Saint Helen of the Blessed Shroud’ orphanage…
  • …located West 18th Street at South Normal Avenue
  • View to Chicago Downtown
  • Ray’s Music Exchange (Shelly’s Loan)