10 Abandoned Places In Illinois You Must See Before They Wither Away
By Elizabeth Crozier|Updated on September 21, 2023(Originally published September 04, 2022)
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Some of the eeriest abandoned places in Illinois are also among the most beautiful. After all, there’s a strange fascination surrounding once-bustling buildings and formerly thriving communities that now sit in ruin. While a sense of sadness permeates these spots, we can’t help but be fascinated by the way they’ve been reclaimed by nature and, sometimes, found themselves at the center of local legends. While we don’t condone trespassing, many of the most iconic abandoned places in Illinois can be admired via urban explorers’ photography.
Get out and explore the deserted pockets of our beautiful state with this handy list. Check it out:
Built in 1919, this long-abandoned building has a fascinating history. Following years of use as an almshouse, it operated as an asylum from 1959 to 1986. Today, it is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of residents who once called it home. While renovation efforts have taken place over the years (with some still reportedly in the works), there's a real sense of spookiness about Ashmore Estates.
Due to flooding of the Ohio River in 1937, this once-thriving town is currently home to fewer than 300 people. Most businesses are shut down and most buildings are abandoned places locals no longer frequent. While Old Shawneetown has a haunting past, there has been blooming from the rubble with the establishment of modern-day Shawneetown, which rebuilt in the generations following the flood, not too far from these abandoned neighborhoods in Illinois.
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3. Cahokia Mounds - Collinsville
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville, IL, USA
Though once a large Indigenous community that thrived, this plot of land has been left to decay since about the 1400s. Visitors can still see remnants of the community and learn how they engineered their way of life. Talk about a fascinating way to connect with the earliest people who called our region home.
Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers in Southern Illinois sits an abandoned town you must visit before it withers away completely. It is currently home to fewer than 3,000 people and is rumored to be haunted. With a tragic and complex history, there's a lot to learn about Cairo, whether you believe in these ghost stories or not.
5. Bachelor's Grove Cemetery - Midlothian
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, West Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, IL, USA
Burials at this cemetery began around 1840 and ceased around 1989. It is small with only 82 plots and is believed to be very haunted, with reports of everything from strange creatures to floating orbs among the tombs. Just 25 miles from Chicago, the cemetery is one of Illinois' most famous haunted places.
Learn more about this chilling place in this YouTube video from grimmlifecollective:
Situated in the Shawnee Forest along the Ohio River near the town of Rosiclaire is a historic, abandoned furnace that once used to smelt iron that was mined nearby. It was in operation from 1839 to 1883, though it went into decline long before that. While it might be a little-known wonder here in Illinois, we think it's well worth seeking out when you're looking for an out-of-the-box roadside stop.
Located at 29th and Damen on the banks of the Chicago River, this is a popular spot for teens to roam. It is technically illegal to go here, so we don't advise stopping by to see for yourself. Built in 1906, these 15-story grain silos were abandoned after an explosion in 1977, yet enough of its secret tunnels and rail line are still standing. These fascinating silos conjure memories of a long-gone era in Chicago and its surrounding areas.
8. Savanna Army Depot - Carroll and Jo Daviess counties
Located along the Mississippi River, this building was once used by the U.S. military to store equipment for the Rock Island Arsenal, which is nearby. The depot was in use between 1917 and 2000. In its heyday, it spanned 13,000 acres, though most of that is now a nature preserve.
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9. Joliet Correctional Center - Joliet
Old Joliet Prison, 1125 Collins St, Joliet, IL 60432, USA
Though mostly deteriorated, there are 24 buildings on this campus that had been in operation as a jail from 1958 to 2002. It is surrounded by high walls with barbed wire and includes guard towers, a hospital, a gym, a cafeteria, a church, and more. There's something fascinating yet sad about imagining the experiences of prisoners here during the institution's operational years.
10. Manteno State Hospital - Kankakee County
State Hospital Cemetery, 8000 Road N, Manteno, IL 60950, USA
Horror movies about old psych wards are probably all based on this one. Known for being the site of lobotomies, shock treatments, and other unpleasant procedures, it was in operation from 1930 to 1989, though it was at peak capacity in the 1950s. While the vast majority of the grounds have been demolished or destroyed, a small number of buildings remain standing and provide plenty of content for ghost stories throughout Illinois and beyond.
You can learn more about some of these and other locations in Michael G. Wright’s book Abandoned and Unusual Southern Illinois. Now that you’re up to date on some of the most unique abandoned places in Illinois, we’d love to hear from you: Are there any other long-defunct spots in your area that should be featured in an upcoming article? Have you ever had the opportunity to experience one of these spooky spots in real time? Share your thoughts with us by leaving a Facebook comment or recommend some of your favorite purportedly haunted places in Illinois by completing our nomination form.
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More to Explore
Spooky Places In Illinois
Sophie Boudreau|September 09, 2022
What are some other spooky places to visit in Illinois?
There are all sorts of frightening spots to visit throughout the state, like abandoned neighborhoods near me, but if you like to combine relaxation with ghost-hunting, you might appreciate reading about a haunted hotel in Illinois. While the Ruebel Hotel has plenty of associated ghost stories, it also provides a fascinating historical setting and awesome access to the charming town of Grafton. No matter your reason for visiting, you'll love this locale.
Are there any haunted hikes in Illinois?
In short: absolutely. There are plenty of scenic and peaceful places to stretch your legs in our state, but nothing beats combining natural beauty with a side of ghost stories. You can do just that when you walk along this scary cave hike in Illinois, which has a decidedly dark past. Despite this, you'll still find opportunities to appreciate your surrounding and enjoy the fresh air at Cave-in-Rock State Park.
Are there any ghost towns in Illinois?
You might have noticed that we included a few ghost towns in the article above. If this fascinated you, be sure to check out eight abandoned ghost towns in Illinois that deserve a second look. While the stories surrounding these communities aren't always happy, they're a part of our state's past -- and they play a vital role in understanding some of the challenges and developments our area faces today.
