DIXIE SQUARE MALL IN HARVEY, IL has been abandoned since 1979, coming up on 30 years now. Take a look at how nature reclaims the folly of man. I discovered this incredible story thanks to my friend Howard, who introduced me to the web site of The Center for Land Use Interpretation. There, I discovered this place, the oldest abandoned shopping mall in the United States. One year after it closed, the mall was used as a location for “The Blues Brothers” film, perfect for the scenes of police cars driving through the stores and walkways. It’s odd that the buildings have not been demolished or even an attempt at reuse since that time. New growth forest is overtaking the site, and the buildings are surrendering to the harsh midwestern winters, vandalism and neglect.
To visit the abandoned site, drive onto or take photographs, you must get permission from the Harvey Police Department. They can be reached at: 708.210.5200
Harvey, IL is 20 miles south of Chicago.
