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First building uptown u said been abondond since 2013! Well that used to be a popular bar and grill there. The Depot! It had burned down two times. After the second fire was on purpose from a worker, they never rebuilt. Schools stink there!
Great video shows well the description above about the economics and history. The town has however a nicely rolling appearance with pretty older homes many of which need some sprucing up. I have always wanted to see this place because one of my favorite hiking biking trails is the Vandalia Trail which follows a former railroad going from Indianapolis to Vandalia. Note this trail is present in Greencastle Indiana which has a great Chris Harden video. I so hope things turn around for Vandalia because it's looks and feels special. Thanks so much for posting this.
Both sides of my family are from Vandalia, luckily my parents left in the 1960's. I've been there a million times, especially as a child. It's really not that bad, just always seemed 20 years behind the times. Does anybody remember the old skating rink with the orange concrete floor? Me and my cousin were there for its opening night back in 1982-ish. Good times
Lived in Vandalia, IL for 6 years now. It's not sad. It is small. And quaint. And a little lost in time. And I love it. They put a Christmas tree in the center of the main downtown street in early November. It's Hallmarkesque. Maybe nothing to write to friends about, but it's not as depressing as this video makes it sound either.
My step Dad was from this town but moved to Texas and met my mother when I was 5. I started calling him dad and soon they married. He took us up there every year to his parents 500acre farm and old homestead. Have so many childhood memories like getting pulled behind the Chevy blazer when it snowed on a tube down the mile long driveway, watching grandpa feed his catfish dogfood at the pond when they heard the vibration of his 3 wheeler and knocking down a patch in the middle of endless corn fields with my cousins and pretended it to be our club hangout. Had to comment before I watch because I got flooded with immediate memories which are too many to mention. My grandparents also in their later years had a restaurant in this town. WOW thank you for this video and thank God it just appeared in my feed
PS I still have my grandpa's 30.06 Remington pump deer rifle which he carved a deer in a pasture on the stock. I shot my first deer with that gun and still is my gun I hunt with today
Yep 👍 I worked at the hospital for 6 years just left in April and now our hospital is going downhill..... It's sad really so much money in the cauffers and none for the town
Weird to see this on TH-cam, live in Washington State now. Was born in Vandalia. Pretty sure I was born in that hospital…too many years ago. Think they took my tonsils out there too. So were my two sisters and mom born there too. My dad was born nearby in his parents home. We lived in even a smaller town, St Elmo, that was a few miles away. Mostly beautiful farm land in this county. We moved to California when I was 5. When we visited St Elmo and my grandparents in the summertime from California, there would be a write up in the town newspaper that we were “visiting all the way from California”…now that’s a small town! My grandma had a beauty salon in her home, and my grandpa sold antiques there, also. They did not graduate from high school, but were very proud of my dad and his brother, both somehow with PHD’s. My dad was a veterinarian and his brother was one of the best dermatologists in Chicago. The following two generations and their spouses all also have college degrees. Things would have likely been much different for all if we would have not moved away. H.L. Hunt was born on a small farm nearby in Ramsey. He did not make it through school either. My grandfather lived on the next farm over and played with the Hunt’s as a child. H.L. later stuck oil and became one of the richest men in the world. Probably the most famous person from the area. I think his heirs still own the Chiefs. Thanks for the video. I will show it to my 85 year old dad! He won’t like the town being labeled down and out, though most of these towns have gone way downhill in the last 50 years. These Midwest towns and people are the faces of those that were Walmartized and sold out for globalization. They were the places where things were “Made in America”, but not anymore.
They don't deliver babies anymore, they didn't have the units for NICU babies and those babies would of passed away if they didn't get air flight for them. But yes you was probably born there! I lived there most of my life and alot has changed.
Thanks for the nice notes. Good thing we were all born healthy. My mom was only 17 when she had my older sister. She had me at 20 and my other sister at 21. Dad was 21 with my oldest sister. Supposedly they were married when my oldest sister was conceived, but the dates are really close. Like to tease my sister about that! My mom was still in high school and pregnant. Less than 10 girls on her high school class including her, two or three were pregnant. She has congratulations notes from her friends and teachers for marriage and the pregnancy in her year book. She made her wedding dress in home economics class. They have been married now 64 years and counting!
My step father -Straub family. I spent an entire summer there in 1983 and had a blast. It was a very small, older homes and business. The country is beautiful. Lots of great memories.
You passed right by my mom’s house. Vandalia really is “where the hopes of the future look really bleak.” I grew up in this town and couldn’t wait to get out. I left in 2009 and never looked back.
Raised here and still here, I don't fit in due to the fact that im so awesome, however let's not forget, Vandalia Wrestling is number one, our crime rate had dropped since I quit drinking
@@hankwstout1406 thank you remembering my brother so fondly. I still miss him like crazy. I have fond memories you coming over when we were kids and playing Nintendo.
Let's not forget you and bills guitar skills, dude, Bill was the jack of all trades, he could do anything, damnit we gotta get the band back again... Lol, just kiddin buddy, I do miss past life and everybody in it
First time viewing this site, found while wondering how a young man from this town died in my town, without comment. I have a clearer idea now. Fascinating concept to take a more in-depth drive through small towns that no one sees or knows anything about, largely because they stay on interstates whenever possible, even if it is an equal or shorter time taking the back roads. From your narrative and the comments here, there is a common thread. There is history. There is pride. There are great memories and lots of love and affection. Usually some number of residents say, this is where I live, and we may not be what we were or could be, but we're going to do what we can to make our little corner of the world as good as we can. It's so admirable and it's seen in so many 'sad" or "dying" towns. Bloom where you're planted. Thanks for the extensive history and data, so interesting as well. Looking forward to seeing more of your excellent work.
The video was pretty much historically correct and that part was pretty good, but this town has more than all of the dilapidated buildings and area which were mentioned.The content was horrible.
I grew up in nearby Brownstown and spent a lot of time in Vandalia growing up. I remember seeing the old Michael Keaton Batman movies at the Liberty, many trips to the old Wal-Mart before the new location was built and doing various other activities around town (soccer league, skating rink, etc). My dad and I would visit Michael's Feed Store just about every Saturday morning and I would rent video games from C&M Video over by the Aldi/McDonalds. I live in the Chicago burbs now but when I visit my family I will still sometimes use the DMV in Vandalia if I need a new sticker or license renewal because it's much faster than what we have up north. I still miss the easy pace of life down there. I know enough people that still live down there to know that it's not that bad.
@@ironmike7339 And the Dems are still destroying this State, unfortunately. If only Chicago would become their own State, as the rest of the state is mainly conservative.
Born and raised here! Old money chased most of all the production jobs over to Effingham way back before I knew anything! As I got older I learned about all that! Now that all the old money is dead and gone Vandalia is stuck with very little and living with what happens when old greed rules your community!
I have to give the town some credit though. There are good things happening there. Most of what plagues Vandalia plagues small towns everywhere. It’s not a slight on the people who live there.
we had friends who used to live in Centralia, seeing the gigantic cross in Effingham was cool, and i would always see signs for Vandalia, and thank you for the history info.
You should visit Taylor springs Hillsborough and tramp City that's about 26 miles on 185 they got hit have some good history down there too and have connection with Lincoln and I've been also been through vandalia
I'm from Decatur Illinois and lived most of my life here in Vandalia! No one has believed me in Decatur that Illinois has two capitals. Then coming to find out we have three! Kaskaskia was the original place they had the capital! Moved to Vandalia when Abraham came through. Abraham Lincoln house is still standing! So much history! Should come to a little park in Harristown where Mary Todd and Abraham once had a cabin on this land!
My mom was born next door to Vandalia in Farina . I still have a bunch of rels in Vandalia and Effingham. Sadly i was born in another garbage town Harvey Illinois which is slowly rotting away just south of Chicago.
That abandoned building is the old shoe factory well several people worked at very young age to support their family. My aunt was 13 when she started there.
Years ago the Vandalia Correctional Center had acres and acres of beautiful vegetable gardens. The inmates would work in the gardens and grow produce that was served in the prison and other prisons in the state.
Vandalia is gorgeous imo. Just drove thru there 2 weeks ago, got some amazing night pics of the town. The train depo and burnt-out bar at 5:04 almost glow at night.
This place isn’t all as bad as it seems. We have more than just rundown places and old buildings. When you nitpick and put down every little spot in Vandalia you are not spotlighting the wonderful things that this town also has to offer. (This was also filmed last year in 2020 during Christmas time so a lot has changed since then!)
I stayed for an entire weekend in Vandalia in July 2021. Great town. Very nice. Great history. Easy to pick on a few bad spots that every town has. How about trying to focus on positive features of towns.
I totally agree. I found this to be a beautiful town, rich in history with a lot of really friendly folks. I can't wait to go back and spend some more time there exploring, especially the historical sites.
Wow, cool! I lived in Vandalia at one time. Then moved to Shoboneier just 14 miles southeast from Vandalia and lived in a house that was quite literally the last house on the left in Fayette County in the country, I loved it except all the tornados. I knew exactly where you were the whole time in your video!
The burned-out building across from the track tower was the vandaila train depot it was turned into a very popular bar and grill but it suspiciously burnt down 3 times. There are other historic building that burned down every so often another mysteriously
@@CowboyKermit1 the town is cursed the rich people in town is keeping the town down the history of the town is sad about ever 15 20years something historic burns down mysteriously
This was a lovely story about a sad little town. I live here and the truth is, this is not a sad little town. Does it have issues, yes, like most cities do. I've never been to a city that doesn't have all the things you mentioned and more. Heres what it does have. It has a beautiful city park with a 2 mile walking trail, kids playgrounds, ball fields and pavilions, and a public swimming pool. We have a wonderful YMCA that has plans to expand even further. We have a new movie theater, and a bowling alley. We have a downtown patio open to the public that hosts entertainment and food trucks. As far as industry we have some large company's that employ several people from the community and surrounding smaller communities. We also have a newer middle school and have improvements to the high school and sports fields. To say we are sad, well, that's your opinion that you have a right too, but maybe you just like the big city life. I can't speak for everyone in town but I'd say most live here because we like our small town, sad as it may seem to some.
I live in Ramsey, just North of Vandalia. Vandalia isn't the world's greatest town but it sure isn't the worst either. Fayette County is working on trying to get better.
I believe you said you video this in 2020! You didn’t show how by Walmart there’s a brand new theater. We have several nice restaurants up town, a Distillery! By interstate several restaurants! New grade and Middle schools! You seemed to flyby all this! You seem to like to just pick out abandoned buildings! Not impressed with your video!
8:00 The Old Presbyterian Church has a Lincoln funny story. During the building of the new Statehouse, the Legislature met there temporarily. Lincoln got upset one day and to avoid a quorum that would lead to the vote of a bill he didn't approve, he JUMPED out of the window.
Mount Carroll Illinois used to have a movie theater which was years ago turned into a bowling alley. Other places, old movie theaters have been turned into all sorts of things. Or simply abandoned.
@@michelehenne2477 Rockford Illinois has a theater (Coronado) that is used for live performances. Ironically that was the original purpose for the theater back in the days of vaudeville in the 1920s. Then it became a movie venue until the 1980s when it was closed and then was refurbished for live performances. 🤔
@@michelehenne2477 in the 1980s Timberlake Playhouse south of Mount Carroll Illinois started for summer stock theater. I think Rock Valley College In Rockford has a summer stock theater, at least they used to.
So the first abandoned building in not sure what it's initial use was but I know at one point they used it as a haunted house. The second abandoned building used to be a train depot originally. Then after train travel died down out the building want used for awhile but was then turned into a restaurant but then it burned down and stayed that way since.
Back in the 70's and early 80's, that first warehouse with piles of brick debris used to be a warehouse for some type of chemical product. I remember as a kid there was a huge fire that broke out in the previous structure needing the assistance of neighboring towns.
The first old warehouse used to be the Ford roofing products Co. Where you came down the hill main street to the right of the warehouse was the old Ford pond wich was also ironocly enough was the first public swimming in town.
Having traveled through small towns from the east coast of Maine to Key West and to the Midwest for a survey company, this town looks like small town, USA. Downtown is nearly empty, and retail is outside along the major highway. Lots of old homes probably built by the local banker, store owner and other businessmen. Now all the local business are gone, gobbled up by Walmart, and chain restaurants, etc. I grew up in a large old Victorian home that was built by the then local banker. The bank now is just part of a chain of banks. 3 supermarkets replaced by now a Dollar General. Movie theater is an antique store, so it goes.
I live here. Oh and btw half of that old storage warehouse was a haunted house for a bit. And you can still find Halloween stuff in it, and that old school is still being used as a haunted house
Are you old enough to remember The fashion lane, the dime store or cuppy's pharmacy downtown? I never lived there but I used to run all over that town as a kid.
I grew up in vandalia I currently live in Effingham and I am actually moving back to vandalia the town has changed the old depot is not a run down building anymore it really isn’t that bad of town to live in yes drugs are a problem but that is everywhere in this nation
Drugs are everywhere, sure, but certain areas of our nation have a more severe drug problem than others… unfortunately southern Illinois is one of the biggest problem areas for drugs in the country.
As the responsible persons in Vandalia,I would have changed the name of the town, cause it sounded strange like:"The name is program".The pictures and informations about the real Americana, great and👍up.No Hollywood and candy pictures.Greatings from a German fan.
My hometown is Iuka, IL. Fun. 😁 Many of the towns in this area have German names, though, because most of the people who settled here were Prussian/German. My Great Great grandparents settled here from Hanover. 😊
Shame. It looks alot like my rural town except our rural town is expanding ATM. For example we also have an old timey theater but unlike theirs ours has been completely restored and is still operating
I was in vandalia for a week over the winter period on a job installing a vapour reduction system in a metal cutting factory and man that town has nothing going for it but they had a cool sign that stated they were illinois' oldest capital. a decent pizza place by the hotel I stayed at tho
Effingham I think is on two interstates, so that might help them that much more. The lake is pretty, but 'Alcohol Prohibited', I think lots of folks would go camp elsewhere.
I was in the prison there twice. Released the second time in December 2021. Can't say I'm surprised Vandalia doesn't have much to offer. The officer's at the faculty are in their own world there. Good Ol' Boys to say the least. Very Conservative, Trump loving folk.
I like the background music, very 80's synth feel. On another note, you are very adventurous. I never would venture to these far flung towns not because of any crime but I wouldn't know what to do if my car broke down in that area. I suppose I could find a mechanic shop but this place looks like it doesn't have any.
There is another TH-cam channel from Nick Johnson who has a series on places in the USA you should never move to. I think he has an episode for about every state of 10 places in the respective state you should not move to.
Would many of the residents with Bachelors Degrees be residents of the correctional center? Seems like a prison would be a great place to study for a college degree since you don’t have much else to do. 🥴
Not true he just has little good to say anytime nice to say except towns that surround Chicago. Many parts of Southern Illinois are very nice especially the smaller towns like Millstadt and Waterloo
@@jeffereyhopkins750 He has some very good things to say about Galena Illinois. Also Northeast part of Rockford Illinois. He also said some good things about Dubuque Iowa which is just across the river from Galena Illinois
Democrats policy. This world should be only for ppl who are responsible and pitch in. No freeloaders. Also the rich should treat their workers well . and the government should stay out of ppls business
Would many of the residents with Bachelors Degrees be residents of the correctional center? Seems like a prison would be a great place to study for a college degree since you don’t have much else to do. 🥴
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First building uptown u said been abondond since 2013! Well that used to be a popular bar and grill there. The Depot! It had burned down two times. After the second fire was on purpose from a worker, they never rebuilt. Schools stink there!
Great video shows well the description above about the economics and history. The town has however a nicely rolling appearance with pretty older homes many of which need some sprucing up. I have always wanted to see this place because one of my favorite hiking biking trails is the Vandalia Trail which follows a former railroad going from Indianapolis to Vandalia. Note this trail is present in Greencastle Indiana which has a great Chris Harden video. I so hope things turn around for Vandalia because it's looks and feels special. Thanks so much for posting this.
Vandalia is a gorgeous city! It really can be magical.
Both sides of my family are from Vandalia, luckily my parents left in the 1960's. I've been there a million times, especially as a child. It's really not that bad, just always seemed 20 years behind the times.
Does anybody remember the old skating rink with the orange concrete floor? Me and my cousin were there for its opening night back in 1982-ish. Good times
Lived in Vandalia, IL for 6 years now. It's not sad. It is small. And quaint. And a little lost in time. And I love it. They put a Christmas tree in the center of the main downtown street in early November. It's Hallmarkesque. Maybe nothing to write to friends about, but it's not as depressing as this video makes it sound either.
Exactly I love that old theatre ! It very open it seems there perfect for me !
One problem in town is that US 40 was by passed by the newer interstate and a lot on US 40 died.
It had a huge prison so might be recession proof.
My step Dad was from this town but moved to Texas and met my mother when I was 5. I started calling him dad and soon they married. He took us up there every year to his parents 500acre farm and old homestead. Have so many childhood memories like getting pulled behind the Chevy blazer when it snowed on a tube down the mile long driveway, watching grandpa feed his catfish dogfood at the pond when they heard the vibration of his 3 wheeler and knocking down a patch in the middle of endless corn fields with my cousins and pretended it to be our club hangout. Had to comment before I watch because I got flooded with immediate memories which are too many to mention. My grandparents also in their later years had a restaurant in this town. WOW thank you for this video and thank God it just appeared in my feed
PS I still have my grandpa's 30.06 Remington pump deer rifle which he carved a deer in a pasture on the stock. I shot my first deer with that gun and still is my gun I hunt with today
ITS DAD HERE LITTLE BUDDY, IM BAAAAAK
Great video Great history wonderful information amazing work 👍👍👍
When it's declined to where the prison and the hospital are the two largest employers, you know it's gone.
That’s the same thing that applies to all of California. Lol
@@FallingHranchare you insane
California haters are so miserable
Big facts 💯 most prison towns are on the decline
Yep 👍 I worked at the hospital for 6 years just left in April and now our hospital is going downhill..... It's sad really so much money in the cauffers and none for the town
The main prison is from 1920s. Terrible condition. Work camp is much newer. But yeah it definitely seemed everyone in the town worked there.
I've only known about this channel for three minutes and I'm already hooked.
Weird to see this on TH-cam, live in Washington State now. Was born in Vandalia. Pretty sure I was born in that hospital…too many years ago. Think they took my tonsils out there too. So were my two sisters and mom born there too. My dad was born nearby in his parents home. We lived in even a smaller town, St Elmo, that was a few miles away. Mostly beautiful farm land in this county. We moved to California when I was 5. When we visited St Elmo and my grandparents in the summertime from California, there would be a write up in the town newspaper that we were “visiting all the way from California”…now that’s a small town! My grandma had a beauty salon in her home, and my grandpa sold antiques there, also. They did not graduate from high school, but were very proud of my dad and his brother, both somehow with PHD’s. My dad was a veterinarian and his brother was one of the best dermatologists in Chicago. The following two generations and their spouses all also have college degrees. Things would have likely been much different for all if we would have not moved away. H.L. Hunt was born on a small farm nearby in Ramsey. He did not make it through school either. My grandfather lived on the next farm over and played with the Hunt’s as a child. H.L. later stuck oil and became one of the richest men in the world. Probably the most famous person from the area. I think his heirs still own the Chiefs. Thanks for the video. I will show it to my 85 year old dad! He won’t like the town being labeled down and out, though most of these towns have gone way downhill in the last 50 years. These Midwest towns and people are the faces of those that were Walmartized and sold out for globalization. They were the places where things were “Made in America”, but not anymore.
That’s a great story about your roots to the area. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoyed your story. Thank you.
They don't deliver babies anymore, they didn't have the units for NICU babies and those babies would of passed away if they didn't get air flight for them. But yes you was probably born there! I lived there most of my life and alot has changed.
Thanks for the nice notes. Good thing we were all born healthy. My mom was only 17 when she had my older sister. She had me at 20 and my other sister at 21. Dad was 21 with my oldest sister. Supposedly they were married when my oldest sister was conceived, but the dates are really close. Like to tease my sister about that! My mom was still in high school and pregnant. Less than 10 girls on her high school class including her, two or three were pregnant. She has congratulations notes from her friends and teachers for marriage and the pregnancy in her year book. She made her wedding dress in home economics class. They have been married now 64 years and counting!
My step father -Straub family. I spent an entire summer there in 1983 and had a blast. It was a very small, older homes and business. The country is beautiful. Lots of great memories.
You passed right by my mom’s house. Vandalia really is “where the hopes of the future look really bleak.” I grew up in this town and couldn’t wait to get out. I left in 2009 and never looked back.
You left me, and I'm still here getting chewed on from the vandalialians, ahhhhhh
I don’t blame you. As soon as I see the right opportunity, I’m leaving this place as soon as possible.
Raised here and still here, I don't fit in due to the fact that im so awesome, however let's not forget, Vandalia Wrestling is number one, our crime rate had dropped since I quit drinking
Hank you’re a legend.
@@neoboomernostalgiacore, you McClarys are some of the best folks a guy could ever know, Aaron was a true friend of mine also, RIP big fella
@@hankwstout1406 thank you remembering my brother so fondly. I still miss him like crazy. I have fond memories you coming over when we were kids and playing Nintendo.
Let's not forget you and bills guitar skills, dude, Bill was the jack of all trades, he could do anything, damnit we gotta get the band back again... Lol, just kiddin buddy, I do miss past life and everybody in it
@@hankwstout1406 same here man. I miss the old days too and all the people we’ve lost along the way.
Videos never disappoint!
First time viewing this site, found while wondering how a young man from this town died in my town, without comment. I have a clearer idea now. Fascinating concept to take a more in-depth drive through small towns that no one sees or knows anything about, largely because they stay on interstates whenever possible, even if it is an equal or shorter time taking the back roads. From your narrative and the comments here, there is a common thread. There is history. There is pride. There are great memories and lots of love and affection. Usually some number of residents say, this is where I live, and we may not be what we were or could be, but we're going to do what we can to make our little corner of the world as good as we can. It's so admirable and it's seen in so many 'sad" or "dying" towns. Bloom where you're planted. Thanks for the extensive history and data, so interesting as well. Looking forward to seeing more of your excellent work.
Good video with interesting history. I'm an Illinoisan, but gave a like because I love the background music.
The video was pretty much historically correct and that part was pretty good, but this town has more than all of the dilapidated buildings and area which were mentioned.The content was horrible.
I grew up in nearby Brownstown and spent a lot of time in Vandalia growing up. I remember seeing the old Michael Keaton Batman movies at the Liberty, many trips to the old Wal-Mart before the new location was built and doing various other activities around town (soccer league, skating rink, etc). My dad and I would visit Michael's Feed Store just about every Saturday morning and I would rent video games from C&M Video over by the Aldi/McDonalds. I live in the Chicago burbs now but when I visit my family I will still sometimes use the DMV in Vandalia if I need a new sticker or license renewal because it's much faster than what we have up north.
I still miss the easy pace of life down there. I know enough people that still live down there to know that it's not that bad.
Really like all your videos and do appreciate the time and research you do to tell us of all the history of every town you drive through
Wow,Really appreciate this History lesson, learned more here, closest I been in Illinois is Chicago, even thought very busy, Loved it
I went to SIU-C. I love videos of small Illinois towns. I remember either driving past these towns or knew people from them.
I did too! Been in Tennessee for 34 years since. There’s no going back , the dems crushed that state!
@@ironmike7339 And the Dems are still destroying this State, unfortunately. If only Chicago would become their own State, as the rest of the state is mainly conservative.
Born and raised here! Old money chased most of all the production jobs over to Effingham way back before I knew anything! As I got older I learned about all that! Now that all the old money is dead and gone Vandalia is stuck with very little and living with what happens when old greed rules your community!
Agreed my dad always told me the town was founded by cut throats and thieves and will always be that way
You hit the nail on the head. Read “The Talk in Vandalia”. It touches on everything you said.
@@neoboomernostalgiacore it's a dam shame
@@niceguy4875 I still love that town though. Always will
I have to give the town some credit though. There are good things happening there. Most of what plagues Vandalia plagues small towns everywhere. It’s not a slight on the people who live there.
we had friends who used to live in Centralia, seeing the gigantic cross in Effingham was cool, and i would always see signs for Vandalia, and thank you for the history info.
You should visit Taylor springs Hillsborough and tramp City that's about 26 miles on 185 they got hit have some good history down there too and have connection with Lincoln and I've been also been through vandalia
the building across from the train engine used to be a restaurant/train station, but it burnt down in 2007, and has not been changed since
The Depot?
@@drew_0917 yes
@@mirandam.188 Sad Times😔
U R forgetting the drug & stealing problems that vandalia has
@@angellamyers9758 yes, correct
I'm from Decatur Illinois and lived most of my life here in Vandalia! No one has believed me in Decatur that Illinois has two capitals. Then coming to find out we have three! Kaskaskia was the original place they had the capital! Moved to Vandalia when Abraham came through. Abraham Lincoln house is still standing! So much history! Should come to a little park in Harristown where Mary Todd and Abraham once had a cabin on this land!
There's a lot of towns in the Midwest like this. Do Streator Illinois and Vincennes Indiana
My mom was born next door to Vandalia in Farina . I still have a bunch of rels in Vandalia and Effingham. Sadly i was born in another garbage town Harvey Illinois which is slowly rotting away just south of Chicago.
That abandoned building is the old shoe factory well several people worked at very young age to support their family. My aunt was 13 when she started there.
4:06 the other day I saw a squeaking dog toy pig at the broken building. Also a house just recently exploded it was near the vandaila lake
The correctional center in Thomson Illinois is a large employer for the economically depressed area of Carroll County Illinois
We were just there today for our grandson's first birthday!🎉 There's no T at the end of across. It's cool to see where we just were.
Automatic like and comment. Thank you for everything you do.
Years ago the Vandalia Correctional Center had acres and acres of beautiful vegetable gardens. The inmates would work in the gardens and grow produce that was served in the prison and other prisons in the state.
Nowadays you wouldn't think of trying to get them to participate in something like that.
I miss this li'l town. Some painful but most cherished weeks.
Vandalia is gorgeous imo. Just drove thru there 2 weeks ago, got some amazing night pics of the town. The train depo and burnt-out bar at 5:04 almost glow at night.
Spirits
Don’t forget the copper penny
This place isn’t all as bad as it seems. We have more than just rundown places and old buildings. When you nitpick and put down every little spot in Vandalia you are not spotlighting the wonderful things that this town also has to offer. (This was also filmed last year in 2020 during Christmas time so a lot has changed since then!)
Hmm... I doubt that much has changed over the course of one year in this town, but alright!
@@ChrisHarden Only change I've seen is the F**k Biden banners and the Fire Pritzker signs that they are so proud of. What a disgrace.
Yeah the F Biden and fire Pritzker are a nice touch to a rotting corpse of a town. I say that with love. I’m from Vandalia.
lol they redesigned the Walmart interior and parking lot.
I agree! Vandalia is a neat nice town 😍
I stayed for an entire weekend in Vandalia in July 2021. Great town. Very nice. Great history. Easy to pick on a few bad spots that every town has. How about trying to focus on positive features of towns.
What was it like? Do you have family there?
I totally agree. I found this to be a beautiful town, rich in history with a lot of really friendly folks. I can't wait to go back and spend some more time there exploring, especially the historical sites.
What r the positives
Drugs, stealing n gone 2 jail law does nothing n out then back 2 jail
Wow, cool! I lived in Vandalia at one time. Then moved to Shoboneier just 14 miles southeast from Vandalia and lived in a house that was quite literally the last house on the left in Fayette County in the country, I loved it except all the tornados.
I knew exactly where you were the whole time in your video!
As an Illinois escapee, I'd prefer corrupted buildings in Vandalia to corrupt politicians in Springfield.
NOOOOO! You drove almost right past my old house twice, but you turned about a block too soon! Anyway, I was cool to see my old town again
The burned-out building across from the track tower was the vandaila train depot it was turned into a very popular bar and grill but it suspiciously burnt down 3 times. There are other historic building that burned down every so often another mysteriously
Yeah, now it's a hair salon, it going to open in the next month or two, but that building is cursed and it'll most likely burn down too...
@@CowboyKermit1 the town is cursed the rich people in town is keeping the town down the history of the town is sad about ever 15 20years something historic burns down mysteriously
This was a lovely story about a sad little town. I live here and the truth is, this is not a sad little town. Does it have issues, yes, like most cities do. I've never been to a city that doesn't have all the things you mentioned and more. Heres what it does have. It has a beautiful city park with a 2 mile walking trail, kids playgrounds, ball fields and pavilions, and a public swimming pool. We have a wonderful YMCA that has plans to expand even further. We have a new movie theater, and a bowling alley. We have a downtown patio open to the public that hosts entertainment and food trucks. As far as industry we have some large company's that employ several people from the community and surrounding smaller communities. We also have a newer middle school and have improvements to the high school and sports fields. To say we are sad, well, that's your opinion that you have a right too, but maybe you just like the big city life. I can't speak for everyone in town but I'd say most live here because we like our small town, sad as it may seem to some.
One more thing I failed to mention is our beautiful lake that people from all over come to enjoy.
I'm glad that you enjoy your town, Nancy.
I live in Ramsey, just North of Vandalia. Vandalia isn't the world's greatest town but it sure isn't the worst either. Fayette County is working on trying to get better.
I believe you said you video this in 2020! You didn’t show how by Walmart there’s a brand new theater. We have several nice restaurants up town, a Distillery! By interstate several restaurants! New grade and Middle schools! You seemed to flyby all this! You seem to like to just pick out abandoned buildings! Not impressed with your video!
amen
Oh man! A brand new theater by the Walmart?! Hopefully it has Mountain Dew and scratch and sniffs!
@@ChrisHarden scratch and sniff sounds like something Biden would do. 😏
@@shamsupport0politician937 amen
8:00 The Old Presbyterian Church has a Lincoln funny story. During the building of the new Statehouse, the Legislature met there temporarily. Lincoln got upset one day and to avoid a quorum that would lead to the vote of a bill he didn't approve, he JUMPED out of the window.
Grew up in Vandalia,… the town is far past its golden days , but I wouldn’t say it’s centralia level… yet
It's working on it with drugs & theft problems
Mount Carroll Illinois used to have a movie theater which was years ago turned into a bowling alley. Other places, old movie theaters have been turned into all sorts of things. Or simply abandoned.
Salem IL uses theirs for live performances, now. 💜💜💜
@@michelehenne2477 Rockford Illinois has a theater (Coronado) that is used for live performances. Ironically that was the original purpose for the theater back in the days of vaudeville in the 1920s. Then it became a movie venue until the 1980s when it was closed and then was refurbished for live performances. 🤔
@@glennso47 yes, I am well aware of the history of live theater. 😊
@@michelehenne2477 in the 1980s Timberlake Playhouse south of Mount Carroll Illinois started for summer stock theater. I think Rock Valley College In Rockford has a summer stock theater, at least they used to.
We have a couple abandoned schools
No businesses to speak of. What besides nursing at the hospital is there to do for work? Man.
there are several companies. Octochem, laclede steel, gasket and seal manufacturing, signature label, Radial tire, fayco to name a few
Dope videos!
So the first abandoned building in not sure what it's initial use was but I know at one point they used it as a haunted house. The second abandoned building used to be a train depot originally. Then after train travel died down out the building want used for awhile but was then turned into a restaurant but then it burned down and stayed that way since.
Back in the 70's and early 80's, that first warehouse with piles of brick debris used to be a warehouse for some type of chemical product. I remember as a kid there was a huge fire that broke out in the previous structure needing the assistance of neighboring towns.
The first old warehouse used to be the Ford roofing products Co. Where you came down the hill main street to the right of the warehouse was the old Ford pond wich was also ironocly enough was the first public swimming in town.
I visited vandalia when I was in high school but it was over 20 years ago
Having traveled through small towns from the east coast of Maine to Key West and to the Midwest for a survey company, this town looks like small town, USA. Downtown is nearly empty, and retail is outside along the major highway. Lots of old homes probably built by the local banker, store owner and other businessmen. Now all the local business are gone, gobbled up by Walmart, and chain restaurants, etc. I grew up in a large old Victorian home that was built by the then local banker. The bank now is just part of a chain of banks. 3 supermarkets replaced by now a Dollar General. Movie theater is an antique store, so it goes.
Wow....I would love to be able to travel through these various small towns too, must be quite an experience!
I live here. Oh and btw half of that old storage warehouse was a haunted house for a bit. And you can still find Halloween stuff in it, and that old school is still being used as a haunted house
Is the old school still being used as a haunted house or no? I haven’t been back home in a while
@@FishnWithWilly yeah, we did it for the first time in two years in 2022, but I think this next year will be our last, everyone is getting tired
@@CowboyKermit1 yeah understandable
20:39 is the tower a microwave relay tower or cell phone tower? Or something else? Where I am in Rockford there is such a tower not far away from me.
att building local phone service
@@sr9ruger1 thanks 🙏
Can you tell me where Vandalia corr. center is located. and direction to get there from Harrisburg,ill. ?
The "run down building" that you say has been the same since 2013 was a steak house it burned down was repaired and reopened then it burned down again
It seems like a lot of things burn down in Vandalia
@@michaelhamilton9269 It's all the vandal-ism! 😆
I know these streets like the back of my hand
Downtown is actually starting to clean up a lot of the abandoned/destroyed buildings into a small business district
Are you old enough to remember The fashion lane, the dime store or cuppy's pharmacy downtown? I never lived there but I used to run all over that town as a kid.
Thanks Chris 😊
I grew up in vandalia I currently live in Effingham and I am actually moving back to vandalia the town has changed the old depot is not a run down building anymore it really isn’t that bad of town to live in yes drugs are a problem but that is everywhere in this nation
Drugs are everywhere, sure, but certain areas of our nation have a more severe drug problem than others… unfortunately southern Illinois is one of the biggest problem areas for drugs in the country.
Do joliet illinois its like 40 mins outside of Chicago off of the i55 Stevenson. I believe its 4th biggest city in Illinois
One day I will
Is there a reason why you film things and don't upload the video for months after? Just curious to what your process is. Thanks. Also, great videos,
As the responsible persons in Vandalia,I would have changed the name of the town, cause it sounded strange like:"The name is program".The pictures and informations about the real Americana, great and👍up.No Hollywood and candy pictures.Greatings from a German fan.
My hometown is Iuka, IL. Fun. 😁 Many of the towns in this area have German names, though, because most of the people who settled here were Prussian/German. My Great Great grandparents settled here from Hanover. 😊
The National Road preceded Route 66? Or was it in addition to US 66? Thanks
Nah National Road is a different route that follows the path of US-40.
@@ChrisHarden thanks
You're seriously going to drive by a Big pine tree in the middle of the street and not tell us about it?
That pine tree is the yearly Christmas tree for the toen
@@talmabrummet7914 oh, cool. Thanks for the reply.
I noticed the Christmas tree too. They've put that up since the late 1970's at least
Shame. It looks alot like my rural town except our rural town is expanding ATM. For example we also have an old timey theater but unlike theirs ours has been completely restored and is still operating
beautiful history
What is the name of song in this video when you talk about the Vandalia railroad terminal? Enjoy your videos so much
Thanks! and it's Crush by Make-up and Vanity Set.
Witness The glory of globalism
Wow didn't know it use to be the capital
Why the name change for your channel?
I went through second grade in that abandoned school.
would this be a good cheap place to retire?
No. Alot of drugs.
I was in vandalia for a week over the winter period on a job installing a vapour reduction system in a metal cutting factory and man that town has nothing going for it but they had a cool sign that stated they were illinois' oldest capital.
a decent pizza place by the hotel I stayed at tho
They were going to close that down but the state kept the prison open . That is a nice town if you have a job .
DID YOU ENJOY LISTENING TO THIS CHATTERING MAGPIE, WHILE AIMLESSLY CRUISING EMPTY STREETS ???????
I know vandalia as the home of a prison,
Most of Southern Illinois is this way now. 😥
Awesome
Come on now bud, you didn't even go by the kings house.. "Hank Stout", or by McDonald's
Effingham I think is on two interstates, so that might help them that much more. The lake is pretty, but 'Alcohol Prohibited', I think lots of folks would go camp elsewhere.
I was in the prison there twice. Released the second time in December 2021. Can't say I'm surprised Vandalia doesn't have much to offer. The officer's at the faculty are in their own world there. Good Ol' Boys to say the least. Very Conservative, Trump loving folk.
You nailed it 😊
I like the background music, very 80's synth feel. On another note, you are very adventurous. I never would venture to these far flung towns not because of any crime but I wouldn't know what to do if my car broke down in that area. I suppose I could find a mechanic shop but this place looks like it doesn't have any.
There definitely is lmao
@@TheGoatedMMA there’s like three
What? No Mt. Dew?
POV you live there:
There is another TH-cam channel from Nick Johnson who has a series on places in the USA you should never move to. I think he has an episode for about every state of 10 places in the respective state you should not move to.
His channel is one of the top channels on TH-cam for talking about cities in the U.S.
The town looks nice enough if you ask me.
Thank you!
Lincoln was not we’ll liked in lots of places I understand.
No doubt Walmart gave you several up votes.🤑
Would many of the residents with Bachelors Degrees be residents of the correctional center? Seems like a prison would be a great place to study for a college degree since you don’t have much else to do. 🥴
There is not a single town in illinois worth moving to.
Not true he just has little good to say anytime nice to say except towns that surround Chicago. Many parts of Southern Illinois are very nice especially the smaller towns like Millstadt and Waterloo
@@jeffereyhopkins750 He has some very good things to say about Galena Illinois. Also Northeast part of Rockford Illinois. He also said some good things about Dubuque Iowa which is just across the river from Galena Illinois
Sounds like most of rural America lmao
Ottawa, IL isn't that bad
They should have about 5 million from covid funds to spend , pry go to the prison
Visit eastern ky and WV to see real poverty.
HEY! I LIVE HERE
I live there
Looks like a town that in Ohio lol.on ho houses and long grassy space,
F'ing ham
Democrats policy. This world should be only for ppl who are responsible and pitch in. No freeloaders. Also the rich should treat their workers well . and the government should stay out of ppls business
Would many of the residents with Bachelors Degrees be residents of the correctional center? Seems like a prison would be a great place to study for a college degree since you don’t have much else to do. 🥴
Yep that's exactly right ..... I just moved from there in April and the prison politics effects everything in town