Forward
Where Roads Once Led—Gone but Not Forgotten
Illinois is a state of crossroads—of rivers and railways, ambition and reinvention. But for every thriving metropolis or enduring small town, dozens of communities flickered and faded, leaving behind little more than a name on a yellowed map or a cryptic headstone in a weed-choked cemetery. The Lost Towns of Illinois series is a resurrection of those places, a lantern held up to the shadows of history.
These towns weren’t simply abandoned—they were undone by floods that redrew the landscape, railroads that chose other paths, industries that collapsed, and political decisions that left them stranded. Some, like Kaskaskia, were once central to the state’s identity, only to be exiled by the Mississippi’s shifting course. Others, like St. Omer, live on in legend, their cemeteries whispering riddles to those who dare to ask.
This series doesn’t just document what was lost—it asks why. Why did some towns thrive while others vanished? What do these absences reveal about the forces that shape our communities: the lure of progress, the cruelty of chance, the resilience of memory?
Each entry is a portal. You’ll find stories of settlers and speculators, of boomtowns that never boomed, and of quiet places that mattered deeply to the people who called them home. You’ll encounter towns erased by nature, neglected by policy, or simply outlived by time. And in every case, you’ll feel the pulse of a place that once was—and, in some ways, still is.
So step off the highway. Wander down the gravel roads and into the archives. Let the Lost Towns of Illinois remind you that history isn’t just what survives—it’s also what we choose to remember.
An abandoned or ghost town (not to be confused with Ghost Signs) may contain visible remnants of buildings and infrastructure, such as roads. There were numerous abandoned Illinois towns due to the decline of the railroad and mining industries. Some towns relocated, taking everything with them and moving a few miles to where the railroad tracks were being laid. Once the area mines dried up, so did the town.
Some towns in the American Bottoms flooded, with most experiencing numerous flooding events from the Mississippi River. These communities relocated or established new towns on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. However, as the above photograph suggests, many villages were restored to their natural state and converted into farmland.
19th CENTURY POPULATION TERMS
CITY (300K - >1M)
COUNTY (100K - 300K)
TOWN (10K - 100K)
TOWNSHIP (1K - 10K)
VILLAGE (200 - 10K)
HAMLET (Less than 200)
SETTLEMENT (Less than 100 Occup.)
ROADHOUSE / INN (Less than 50 Occup.)
SALOON / TAVERN (Less than 20 Occup.)
TO MAKE THE "LOST TOWNS OF ILLINOIS" LIST,
THE AREA MUST BE VACATED.
Africa, Illinois.
