In 1748, Shawneetown Illinois was established. It used to be a big, bustling town, one so famous that Lewis and Clark visited here. It was actually home to the first chartered bank in Illinois. In fact, only Shawneetown and Washington D.C. were towns chartered by the United States government at this time. So what happened to this once-burgeoning town? Why is the population only 278 people these days? Find out answers to these and more when you dive deep into the creepiest abandoned town in Illinois – Shawneetown.
This abandoned town in Illinois wasn’t always desolate and empty.
Doug Kerr/Flickr In fact, it was historically aiming to be a truly bustling spot! However, the major problem for this town has always been its location, right along the Ohio River.
Because storms tend to be quite severe in the Midwest, the town had repeatedly suffered massive flooding, which ended up causing a huge issue for residents.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
As people fled for drier ground, the local economy and businesses failed.
Doug Kerr/Flickr With no patrons, things began to take a turn. Old Shawneetown was on its way out.
Today, only a few people live in actual homes in Shawneetown, Illinois.
Doug Kerr/Flickr The rest of the inhabitants of this town are squatters in trailers.
More often than not, when you drive down the streets of the town, you won’t find any sign of life.
Doug Kerr/Flickr Just a few remnants and bones of what once was. It’s both beautiful and eerie.
All that remains steadfast in this town is that once-famous bank, still stunning with its Greek revival style architecture.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Have you heard of Shawneetown, the creepiest abandoned town in Illinois? Did you ever drive through the town during daylight? What are your favorite abandoned places in Illinois? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments! Or, if you want to learn about a few of the other ghost towns in Illinois? Check out some of our other all-time favorite creepy places in Illinois.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
In fact, it was historically aiming to be a truly bustling spot! However, the major problem for this town has always been its location, right along the Ohio River.
With no patrons, things began to take a turn. Old Shawneetown was on its way out.
The rest of the inhabitants of this town are squatters in trailers.
Just a few remnants and bones of what once was. It’s both beautiful and eerie.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Shawneetown, IL 62984, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Shawneetown Ilinois October 01, 2019 Elisa Regulski What other abandoned places are there in Illinois? There are several fascinating abandoned places in Illinois. For a creepy adventure, visit Ashmore Estates. This old building operated as an asylum from 1959 - 1986. It’s been left to decay ever since. Today, paranormal enthusiasts flock to this dilapidated structure in search of ghosts. Rumor has it, this place is full of them. If you loved this eerie place, then you’ll definitely want to visit Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School. This empty building is located in Normal, Illinois, and some say it’s full of otherworldly spirits. Are there any hiking trails to abandoned places in Illinois? There’s a trail inside the Shawnee National Forest that leads to one of the most incredible abandoned places in Illinois. After a quick walk, you’ll soon reach the remains of a Native American village. From 1350 - 1550 AD, there were 26 homes tucked along this bluff. This breezy trail is less than a mile long, and it’s easily accessible for all skill levels. Bring the family along and experience a bit of history. To learn more about this hike, read our feature article here. What ghost towns can you find in Illinois? There are so many amazing ghost towns in Illinois. If you’re looking to get out and explore, visit the town of Buda. This area only has about 500 residents, but it feels completely empty. Many of the buildings are boarded up, and the streets are often totally silent. The town of Cairo has a similar story. Though not completely abandoned, this tiny town feels isolated and empty. This place thrived in the 1920s and ‘30s, but it eventually fell victim to the Great Depression. Today, nearly 2800 people live here. Have you visited any of these “living” ghost towns?
The OIYS Visitor Center
Shawneetown Ilinois
October 01, 2019
Elisa Regulski
What other abandoned places are there in Illinois? There are several fascinating abandoned places in Illinois. For a creepy adventure, visit Ashmore Estates. This old building operated as an asylum from 1959 - 1986. It’s been left to decay ever since. Today, paranormal enthusiasts flock to this dilapidated structure in search of ghosts. Rumor has it, this place is full of them. If you loved this eerie place, then you’ll definitely want to visit Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School. This empty building is located in Normal, Illinois, and some say it’s full of otherworldly spirits. Are there any hiking trails to abandoned places in Illinois? There’s a trail inside the Shawnee National Forest that leads to one of the most incredible abandoned places in Illinois. After a quick walk, you’ll soon reach the remains of a Native American village. From 1350 - 1550 AD, there were 26 homes tucked along this bluff. This breezy trail is less than a mile long, and it’s easily accessible for all skill levels. Bring the family along and experience a bit of history. To learn more about this hike, read our feature article here. What ghost towns can you find in Illinois? There are so many amazing ghost towns in Illinois. If you’re looking to get out and explore, visit the town of Buda. This area only has about 500 residents, but it feels completely empty. Many of the buildings are boarded up, and the streets are often totally silent. The town of Cairo has a similar story. Though not completely abandoned, this tiny town feels isolated and empty. This place thrived in the 1920s and ‘30s, but it eventually fell victim to the Great Depression. Today, nearly 2800 people live here. Have you visited any of these “living” ghost towns?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are several fascinating abandoned places in Illinois. For a creepy adventure, visit Ashmore Estates. This old building operated as an asylum from 1959 - 1986. It’s been left to decay ever since. Today, paranormal enthusiasts flock to this dilapidated structure in search of ghosts. Rumor has it, this place is full of them. If you loved this eerie place, then you’ll definitely want to visit Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School. This empty building is located in Normal, Illinois, and some say it’s full of otherworldly spirits.
Are there any hiking trails to abandoned places in Illinois?
There’s a trail inside the Shawnee National Forest that leads to one of the most incredible abandoned places in Illinois. After a quick walk, you’ll soon reach the remains of a Native American village. From 1350 - 1550 AD, there were 26 homes tucked along this bluff. This breezy trail is less than a mile long, and it’s easily accessible for all skill levels. Bring the family along and experience a bit of history. To learn more about this hike, read our feature article here.
What ghost towns can you find in Illinois?
There are so many amazing ghost towns in Illinois. If you’re looking to get out and explore, visit the town of Buda. This area only has about 500 residents, but it feels completely empty. Many of the buildings are boarded up, and the streets are often totally silent. The town of Cairo has a similar story. Though not completely abandoned, this tiny town feels isolated and empty. This place thrived in the 1920s and ‘30s, but it eventually fell victim to the Great Depression. Today, nearly 2800 people live here. Have you visited any of these “living” ghost towns?
