Posted in Illinois
March 17, 2018
11 Abandoned Places In Illinois You Must See Before They Wither Away
Some of the most interesting places to explore in Illinois are the spots that have been long forgotten. Check out 11 abandoned places around the state that are on the brink of crumbling away.
Get out and explore the deserted pockets of our beautiful state with this handy list. Check it out:
This long-abandoned building operated as an asylum from 1959 to 1986, and now it is rumored to be haunted. Though it is not available for general tours, groups may schedule times to conduct their own paranormal investigations. Learn more about this ancient psychiatric ward here.
Due to flooding of the Ohio River, this once-thriving town is currently home to fewer than 300 people. Most business are shut down and most buildings are abandoned places locals no longer frequent. Learn more about the history of this tiny town here.
This establishment originally opened in 1965 as a boarding school and orphanage for children of veterans of the Civil War, but by 1899 was also open to those affected by the Spanish-American War. The school shut down in 1979 and many of its buildings have long since been torn down. Of course, some say it's haunted. Learn more from previous Only In Illinois coverage here.
Though once a large Native American city 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. Click here to learn more about this ancient civilization.
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. Learn more about this small town here.
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, which you can learn about here. The graveyard is closed off to visitors but some have still found their way in.
Situated in the Shawnee Forest along the Ohio River near the town of Rosiclaire is a historic, abandoned furnace 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. Find out how to get to this little-known wonder here.
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 proceed with caution. 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.
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.
Though mostly deteriorated, there are 24 buildings on this campus that had been in operation as a jail from 1958 to 2002. It is surround by high walls with barbed wire and includes guard towers, a hospital, a gym, a cafeteria, a church, and more.
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. Click here to learn more about the "Manteno Madness" that took hold of the ward and left 47 dead.
For more Illinois history, check out seven rare photos of our state’s farming roots you’ll never forget.
What other abandoned places do you enjoy exploring in Illinois? Share your secret spots with us in the comments below.
