Joliet, Illinois: Site of World's First Dairy Queen
According to DQ historians, a humble storefront in Joliet on old Route 66 was the site of the World's First Dairy Queen.
- Address:
- 501 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL
- Directions:
- North side of downtown. On the west side of Hwy 53/N. Chicago St., at the intersection of Ohio St. The two-story building stands alone, with a parking lot on its left side and a small house on its right.
- Admission:
- Free
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Site of World's First Dairy Queen The president and CEO of Dairy Queen International was in Joliet as landmark status was conferred on the the building that housed the world's first DQ. Some believe that a store in Kankakee deserves the honor, but Dairy Queen historians say that the Joliet location -- which opened June 22, 1940 -- was the first to use the Dairy Queen name. Today even the smallest American towns, bypassed by other fast food chains, usually have at least one DQ. Joliet has three, but none of them are in the original building, which is now a storefront church and no longer identified as a Dairy Queen. To aid in its recognition, the building will have an historical plaque placed by Joliet, and DQ will install a plaque in the sidewalk.
[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 05/24/2011]Nearby Offbeat Places
- Old Joliet Prison Park, Joliet, IL - < 1 mi.
- Lockport Powerhouse, Lockport, IL - 3 mi.
- Statue of Liberty Replica, Joliet, IL - 2 mi.
- In the region: Smoking Mummy, Berwyn, IL - 25 mi.
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