A Gym That Doesn’t Need A Name. But some call it the Old Barn.
Part of the photo series Illinois’ Best High School Gyms; Joliet Central High School. Joliet Central High School’s gym, as seen during the Central vs Joliet West game on, Feb. 12, 2022.(Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
Joliet Central’s gym does not have a formal name or any nickname that I’m aware of. Which is a rarity given that the most of the gyms seen as the best gyms in the state, which Central is one of, have names; Wharton, Max Morris, The Titan Dome, and many more. Even a bigger testament to the gyms greatness is the fact that both myself, a grad of rival Joliet Catholic and the Sun-Times’ Michael O’Brien, a grad of cross-town rival Joliet West, both agree this gym is so special it deserves consideration towards the top of the list.
Part of the photo series Illinois’ Best High School Gyms; Joliet Central High School. Featuring an Illinois varsity high school boys basketball game between the Tigers of Joliet West and the Steelmen of Joliet Central on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022.(Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
The school, built in 1901, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It is just an incredibly beautiful structure outside to the inside and is worth a visit for that alone. I’m not 100% sure if the gym was part of that build or later expansions in 1917, 1922, 1924, or 1931. More research needs to be done on that, but my guess is probably the 1931 expansion given the size of the gym, estimated to hold 6,000 spectators, and a ceiling that spans much further than any others that would have been built in the 1900s or 1910s.
A 1/16 running track is at the very top of one-half of the gym, about three-stories high. While the other half of the gyms has a barn-like ceiling.
The gym has to be one of the longest I’ve seen. Judging by the retractable hoops you could run 4 simultaneous full court games at once with the bleachers retracted. This photo shows a catwalk that goes over the middle partition, Feb. 12, 2022.(Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)One half of of the gyms has a 1/16 mile track sits about three-stories above the court. Spectators are not allowed up there during games, Feb. 12, 2022.(Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)Old ticket window at the gym at Joliet Central High School, Feb. 12, 2022. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)Keep an eye out for the heating system at Joliet Central’s gym, which is still done by boilers. These vents allow heat to rise up under the cement bleachers, Feb. 12, 2022. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)A barn-like ceiling breaks up a partially domed roof over one-half of the Joliet Central High School gym, Feb. 12, 2022. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
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