The world’s first Dairy Queen is being revived to be a Route 66 landmark in Joliet.
The Dairy Queen was opened up by J.C. McCullough and Sherb Noble on June 22, 1940 at 501 N. Chicago. St. in downtown Joliet.
The Joliet Area Historical Museum is leading the project along with the City of Joliet and said Dairy Queen helped to advise by providing staff with historical and archival documentation.
The goal is for the restoration to serve as a stop on the 2026 Centennial of Route 66.
The building has been home to a church, an insurance agency, a lawn mower shop and even a motorcycle dealership over the past 86 years.
“Joliet’s distinction as the home of the world’s first Dairy Queen location, one of the most beloved brands in the world, is one of its greatest hidden historic gems,” said CEO of JAHM Greg Peerbolt. “It seems appropriate that International Dairy Queen (IDQ) also shares its story with another American icon—the original alignment of Route 66, one of the most recognizable roads in the world.”
The location was on the original alignment of Route 66 in 1926.
