An unassuming two-story brick building on Historic Route 66 in Joliet’s Downtown has quietly maintained a hidden history as the first home of an internationally iconic brand.

The world’s first Dairy Queen® location at 501 N. Chicago St. in Joliet, now is under management of the Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAHM), which is giving the building a historically accurate facelift in time for the 2026 Centennial of Route 66.

While the development of Dairy Queen soft serve dates back to the late 1930s, the first Dairy Queen location was opened in Joliet by J.F. “Grandpa” McCullough and his family and Sherb Noble on June 22, 1940. The building, originally constructed in the 1890s, was characterized as a storefront for DQ® cones, sundaes and to-go pints and quarts of soft serve, which was at that time a revolutionary offering.

The location, in a working-class neighborhood known as “Slovenian Row” on the original 1926 alignment of Route 66, was so well received that Noble bought out the McCulloughs after the first season. In the 1950s, Dairy Queen locations grew from 1,400 to 3,000, and by 1955 the original Joliet Dairy Queen location relocated. Over the years, the building became home to a nondenominational church, insurance agency, lawn mower shop and even a motorcycle dealership.

Greg Peerbolte, CEO of JAHM, notes that this famous first is not widely known, even among locals. “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,” he said in a press release.
“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 project, a shared economic development initiative between the Museum and the City of Joliet, has been supported with regional and statewide grant funding facilitated by Heritage Corridor Destinations Route 66 Grant Program and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

Perhaps most importantly, the restoration effort also has been supported by International Dairy Queen, who has advised the project by supplying Museum staff with historical and archival documentation. “While we have modernized and grown to more than 7,900 DQ restaurants in over 20 countries serving hot food and treats, it’s important to remember the legacy of the Dairy Queen brand. We’re humbled that Joliet Area Historical Museum and the City of Joliet are recognizing the Dairy Queen brand in this way,” said Troy Bader, president and CEO at International Dairy Queen, in the release.

Historical support from IDQ has enabled the Museum’s curatorial staff to ensure accurate reproductions of period neon signs, exterior signage and murals, as well as lighting fixtures. The Museum already has embarked on Phase Two of the project, which will include a full architectural and engineering assessment of the building to determine its potential future uses.

In the meantime, the building façade is anticipated to function as a highly popular “selfie stop” among Route 66 visitors from around the world traversing the Joliet region for the 2026 Centennial. In addition to celebrating the history of this world’s first Dairy Queen location, the building will provide information about JAHM’s popular portfolio of visitor attractions, including the Old Joliet Prison, First 100 Miles Visitor’s Center and the Gemini Giant & Landing Pad Souvenir Shop.