8 Abandoned and Forgotten Ghost Towns in Illinois | Shanghai Polar Express Co.,Ltd

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In the state of Illinois, history has been left behind in fascinating remnants. People often overlook ghost towns in our fast-paced world, but these antique settlements give people unrivaled opportunities to see how people lived in the past.

In this article, I will uncover some of Illinois’ most intriguing ghost towns, revealing a hidden aspect of the state's rich history. So, buckle up as we venture off the beaten path, exploring these captivating time capsules you can visit.

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Cardiff is an intriguing ghost town that sprung up in the early 20th century and fell into oblivion just as rapidly. In the heart of Livingston County, Cardiff was founded in 1899 when a sizable coal seam was discovered in the region. The town bloomed around the thriving coal mining industry and quickly grew to accommodate approximately 2,500 residents. It boasted many amenities, including a hotel, a school, and various stores. The Cardiff Coal Company was the town's pulse, with its gigantic coal mine that produced thousands of tons of coal.

However, the promising prospect of Cardiff proved to be fleeting. A mere thirteen years after its founding, people began leaving Cardiff. By 1912, the vast coal reserves that were the bedrock of the town's economy had begun to dwindle significantly. This sudden and unexpected decline in the availability of coal began the onset of the town's demise.

The coal mining operation was also not without its hazards. Accidents within the mine were common, some fatal, further exacerbated the situation, leading to the mine's eventual closure. The abrupt cessation of the mining activities had devastating consequences for Cardiff.

The mine had been the town's primary economic engine, providing employment and income for the majority of the townsfolk. Its closure led to an abrupt end of work for many, resulting in widespread joblessness and economic hardship. Without employment, the residents searched for greener pastures, and Cardiff became a mere shadow of what it once was. Today, all the once bustling town remains are the crumbling foundations of buildings, an old mine shaft, and a lonely church.

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Nestled in Jackson County, in southern Illinois, lies the ghost town of Brownsville. Established in 1816, Brownsville quickly became a bustling hub for trade and commerce, owing to its strategic location on the Big Muddy River. At the town's peak, the town boasted several amenities, including a few general stores, a post office, and a hotel. Notably, it served as the county seat of Jackson County until 1843. With its cobblestone streets echoing the lively sounds of trade, the town seemed poised for long-term growth and prosperity.

The fate of Brownsville took a drastic turn when the county seat was moved to Murphysboro in 1843. The decision led to a significant decrease in the town's importance and its population. With the loss of the county seat status, the town went into a state of economic decline. This pushed residents to start migrating to more prosperous regions. Brownsville fell into decay as the years passed, its vibrance slowly fading into obscurity. Today, visitors to the site can observe the remnants of what was once a thriving settlement. Among these, the old town well and a few scattered foundations provide a glimpse into the life that once bustled in this now-deserted town.

Griggsville Landing, also referred to as Phillips Ferry, is a haunting ghost town in Pike County, Illinois, on the eastern banks of the Illinois River. Established in the mid-19th century, the town was named after its founder, Richard Griggs. The town thrived as a crucial river port, and its strategic location made it a popular stop for river traffic.

At its zenith, the bustling river town was home to a thriving population and several commercial establishments, including a hotel, a store, and a blacksmith shop. The ferry at Griggsville Landing transported people, livestock, and goods across the river, connecting communities and facilitating trade.

Despite its promising start, Griggsville Landing needed help to escape the relentless tide of progress. The railroad's completion in the region in the latter part of the 19th century led to a decline in river traffic, slowly rendering the town's ferry service obsolete. As businesses closed and people migrated towards rail-connected towns, Griggsville Landing gradually faded into history. Today, the ghost town is part of the Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area. Visitors can explore the area and find remnants of the old city, such as cellar holes and building foundations.

Established in 1818, Wanborough in Illinois is a spectral echo of the past in Edwards County. This ghost town was the brainchild of English philanthropist Morris Birkbeck and his associate George Flower. Named after Birkbeck's hometown in England, the settlement was conceived as a utopian agricultural colony. Birkbeck and Flower, both staunch abolitionists, dreamed of creating a prosperous, egalitarian society and actively promoted the area to English settlers. At its peak, Wanborough was a vibrant, self-sufficient community with houses, stores, a school, and a gristmill, home to about 800 inhabitants.

Wanborough faced numerous challenges despite its ideological foundation, such as conflicts with neighboring communities and Birkbeck's untimely death in 1825, which left the town rudderless. Gradually, the utopian vision started to fade. New opportunities in the expanding West lured settlers away from Wanborough, and the population began to dwindle. Eventually, the townspeople of the once-thriving settlement abandoned the settlement, and it slipped into oblivion. Today, all that remains of Wanborough is a marker indicating its location and the nearby Birkbeck Cemetery, with its historic headstones a reminder of the dream that once unfolded on this Illinois prairie.

Tucked away in the remote hills of McDonough County in western Illinois lies the town of Vishnu Springs. This once-vibrant town traces its roots back to the late 19th century when it was a popular health resort. Its namesake, the spring water of Vishnu Springs, had supposed healing properties, attracting health seekers from far and wide.

At its peak, Vishnu Springs boasted a three-story hotel named the Capitol Hotel, various cottages, a dance pavilion, and even its bottling plant for the mineral-rich water.

Despite its initial success, Vishnu Springs began to wane in the early 20th century. As modern medicine advanced and transportation improved, people no longer sought the healing waters of the remote spring. The once-bustling health resort gradually lost its visitors, and it became entirely abandoned by the 1920s. In current times, the Western Illinois University Foundation owns the ghost town.

The remnants of the Capitol Hotel, some dilapidated cottages, and the enchanting spring are the only remaining reminders of the town's past. Access to the area is limited and requires permission from the university due to safety concerns. However, the curious history of Vishnu Springs continues to pique the interest of historians, ghost town enthusiasts, and those fascinated by Illinois’ forgotten past.

In McLean County, in the heart of Illinois, lies another ghost town Benjaminville. This town has a unique past. Three Quaker families founded this city on principles of equality and pacifism. Within a few years, it had grown into a thriving community of farmers. Benjaminville featured a hotel, a store, a blacksmith shop, a wagon shop, a schoolhouse, and a Friends Meeting House for the Quakers, which also functioned as a stop for visitors.

Unfortunately, the construction of the Lake Erie and Western Railroad in the late 19th century thwarted the progress of Benjaminville. Instead of passing through Benjaminville as expected, the railroad was routed through the nearby town of Holder, which led to a significant shift in commerce and trade. Gradually, residents and businesses moved to Holder and other booming towns, leaving Benjaminville to fade into history. All that remains of this once-active community is the Quaker graveyard and the historic Friends Meeting House, both standing as witnesses to the town's past. The Benjaminville cemetery pays homage to the town's founders and early residents, and the Friends Meeting House reminds many of the town's unique history.

The ghost town of Kaskaskia, located in Randolph County, Illinois, is yet another ghost town that holds a unique place in the state's history. Kaskaskia was once a famous French colonial town in the 18th century and the first capital of Illinois upon its statehood in 1818. Its position on the Mississippi River made it a thriving hub of commerce and government. At its peak, the town was home to an enormous population of over 7,000 inhabitants and was filled with vibrant trading posts, beautiful homes, and places of worship.

Kaskaskia's fortunes dramatically turned in the late 19th century due to human intervention and natural disasters. The construction of a new river channel in 1881 inadvertently caused the Mississippi River to shift course, which resulted in recurrent flooding and damage. Most residents fled, leaving the town abandoned. Today, historical treasures such as the Liberty Bell of the West site can still be found, a bell gifted by King Louis XV of France in 1741, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Clayville, situated in Sangamon County, Illinois, is a ghost town with roots deeply embedded in the mid-19th century. It was established around 1824 by its first settlers, who constructed a brick kiln, recognizing the clay-rich soil of the region as a good resource. Soon, a thriving village emerged around this industry, complete with a blacksmith shop, a tavern, and a post office. Clayville was primarily a stagecoach stop between Springfield and Beardstown, providing a rest stop for weary travelers.

Unfortunately, the glory days of Clayville were short-lived. With the railroad's arrival, the stagecoach routes faded into obsolescence, leading to a decline in the town's significance. As travel patterns changed, many businesses shut down, and all of the inhabitants of Clayville gradually relocated to other towns in search of better opportunities and employment. Today, Clayville is known for the Clayville Historic Site, which houses the restored Broadwell Inn, the original stagecoach stop, and several other 19th-century log cabins. Although no longer a bustling village, Clayville offers a step back in time for those interested in Illinois's rich past and the state's early industrial and transportation history.

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