I'm a truck driver that drives through there quite often. I knew there was something historic about the city, so I started looking into it. Definitely not a place to be fearful of. It's just a depressed town. The title of this video is a bit drastic
Yep, Cairo didn't make it into the "10 mostr dangerous towns in Illinois" list. It is about 90% abandoned and it may look scary, with so many run down old buildings around; but it doesn't seem to be particularly dangerous.
Black people demanded more jobs and white business owners left instead of hiring black workers. Cairo like East St. Louis is an example of economic racism that many claim don't exist or doesn't effect the current generation. Cairo should be a prime tourism spot in the State.
The guy that put this video out is a clown/baby/wimp/light weight/girly man? You chose you favorite adjective, they all fit, but whatever your most comfortable with will work?
Cairo is not a dangerous town. I’ve been here 15+ times. Some of the nicest people live here, it’s just run down. If you had talked to anyone you would see that babe
I am thinking about going there next week. I live in an old forgotten town. With them it was transportation stated away from the river, for us it is the usage of steel and coal going away. But, you are right, it doesn't make it dangerous, just forgotten
What would attract somebody to a boring and dreary place like this 15 times? And since there's no place to get life sustaining supplies, how do all the "nice people" you met survive there? Unless they're magicians.
It was in the late 1960’s. When I was a kid we lived in Michigan and drove through there at night and got our windows busted out during the riots.But now it’s not dangerous.
Sorry, nothing looked threatening at night there except maybe the raccoon crossing the street. Creepy town at night, hell yes. Bullets weren't flying, gangs weren't having shootouts. I am from Chicago. I wouldn't go in certain south side or west side neighborhoods at night in an armored tank with a police escort. Dude, your TH-cam title for this vid is OVER the top dramatic. Geez, it's a town that has died and the real trouble makers moved somewhere else.
but the DANGER!!! He drove past a white car with its lights off - TWICE!!! Only danger can come from going past a third time. Chillin in Chillcago, Chillinois as well.
@@rustynailmendlesohn8710 twas tongue firmly fixed in teeth, still... WHAT IF that cuddly lookin raccoon had suddenly stood up and grew to 15 feet tall (standing up) (which he would be)! THINK how dangerous! You simply dont wanna tangle up with anything 15 ft tall standing up as they should be in the middle of the freekin darkasass road It's just way better to be safe than to be all chewed up by a streetwalkin 15ft (standing) she-raccoon, no? With caution and common scents you can go into the night unafraid, but, if you so much as hear a tinkle of drippin water from them things washing their lil tiny (at that point) fingers that's an audible prelude to destruction and you'd best RUN!
Cairo is my home, where I was raised. I appreciate you getting some footage of Cairo, but I’m not sure how you can come to the conclusion that the city is dangerous or that you were in danger while exploring. Dude you were more than safe, and I really wish you would have stopped at the spirit house. The spirit house is the building where the people were gathering outside. You would have been just fine, and probably met some hilarious & crazy people.
@@hfjemini5 I'm sure he didn't have any bad intentions. The best thing we can do is show him love, connect with more people who know the real Cairo, and represent the city in the best way we can. Cairo used to be such an amazing place.
I take it you don't get out much if you think Cairo is a dangerous town. Cairo has plenty of history, best you read up on it before you judge it's character.
@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS wrong! I'm much older than you and it's not racism YET they want you to believe that...and always has. Yet how are you when you encounter people? How are they towards you? Say your local gas station, Walgreens, whatever... Don't believe the lies sir. Don't fall in the trap. I watched the dribble play out for 50 yrs. My father who traveled all over the country would always get fired up as he learned traveling the world...America is the least racist. Don't fall into that trap! And yes I know about what happened in Cairo...im from IL
Are you from here ? Cause it’s so funny how Cairo is such a “dangerous” & “bad” place for someone who’s talking to raccoons crossing the street . Me personally, I don’t care for “outsiders.” & I’ve been living here my whole life, so apparently it ain’t that “dangerous” or “bad.” I’m still getting the education that I need . It’s soooo “dangerous” but y’all keep touring this place. So it ain’t that bad apparently. Y’all “outsiders” must love it, y’all keep coming back 🤣🤣💯.
yeah these people are insane... it's a beautiful town with lots of history that just needs some business rolling in... it's a shame everyone thinks its dangerous cause the only dangerous shit i saw were some big ass dogs walking around but even they didnt do shit when i walked past em lol
Definitely NOT the most dangerous place in southern Illinois. You have to know the history. So many people have tried to revive the area over the years!!! I was born and raised in Cairo! I visit regularly and My family still lives there! There are very loving, passionate and hospitable folk who still live in Cairo. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I didn't see anything dangerous about it. I'm from outside Chicago and I would feel perfectly safe walking around Cairo at night. When I go outside here at night I hear gunshots and police sirens. This guy must live a sheltered life.
I lived down there graduated HS in Cairo in 1985, you drove past a school I went to, Cairo fell on hard times due to a lot of issues and people moved away, a lot of towns have similar issues, in fact Paducah has a lot of crime as well, I wouldn’t say Cairo is dangerous just depressing a town with such rich history has went down like it has.
I'm a truck driver who lives in murfreesboro Tennessee, of which did a video of, but my route takes me thru Cairo every other day. Cairo is just a very sad town with alot of poverty and no jobs. I've never witnessed anything illegal, not saying that it doesn't happen, but people have nothing to do. So they hangout on the street, the only thriving business there is the liquor store. Many people have tried to open a business, but never made it, because people have no money. There are alot of disabled people that live there, you see them alot in their motorized wheelchairs. People depend on the soup kitchen there. There is also a high police presence there, so don't speed beyond the 30 mile speed limit, or you will get busted. Probably their only source of income.
Yep..worst move they made was to SPEED..it is definitely enforced..lol..I guess that's one way to meet the residents.Cairo used to be a thriving river town..time has a way of changing things for sure..
I was born and raised in Cairo, and I cannot understand how you come to the conclusion that it is one of the most dangerous towns with no evidence to support your theory. Yes, in the late 60’s and early 70’s it had racial issues, but that is no longer the case.
Small world, I was just here last weekend (8 days ago), you should have gone here during the day to get a better appreciation of the old decaying forgotten houses like the one at 9:13 in this video, I also shot some video of the old GEM theater here and will be posting it soon. I spent a few hours in Cairo and a some of the other run down towns close by, lots of abandoned places, many were the result of flooding. This was my 2nd trip here, my first trip was 1.5 years ago, I met an older White woman who said she lived here 50 years with her son and was originally from Wales, told me the nearest grocery store was 30+ miles away in KY. There's a lot of history in this town, they've knocked down some of it unfortunately that I never got to see. They're supposed to be building a new river port here which will bring jobs and some revenue.
My folks were in Mounds, and Mom told me to take my baby sister out and let her drive. Her first drive was into 3 states. I was NOT the best instructor. She made a turn into some farmers land and got the car stuck in the mud. We had to be pulled out with a tractor! The HIGH property tax rate is KILLING off many of the towns in Illinois. Everyone is taxed at a Chicago rate. Just not fair, to the rest of the state. I still have family (mostly in so Il) and some of them want to move out. I got out in '85 and seldom go back.
1st the s in Illinois is silent. 2nd, the paper mill you smell is in Kentucky, not Illinois. 3rd... where did you see that you can't go during the day? Cairo is a shell of the town that it used to be, in that statement you are correct. But.... Saying it is the most dangerous town in Illinois tells me you have never been to Chicago or to east St Louis. I will take my chances in Cairo any day over those two cities.
Correction: Chicago is the most dangerous. Outside of Chicago, the state of Illinois is relatively nice and Cairo and much of southern Illinois is also really nice: it is like a completely different world than Chicago and that particular area.
I’ve never felt in any type of danger in Cairo. I’m sure it looks creepy, especially at night, to outsiders, but I guarantee you it isn’t the most dangerous place in Illinois.
At 9:21 the white house with the garage was my grandparents house that they raised my dad in. They owned it from 1940's to the time they died. My dad kept it after they passed for a few years and then sold it and the property next door on the left. It was immaculate then. The garage was built after we sold. I'm 55 and was in Cairo all the time up till I was about 28. I still go down to Shemwells to get BBQ and sauce as nobody has anything like it anywhere. Cairo started going down hill when they built the interstates and a bridge across to Missouri on it bypassing Cairo. The bridge to Kentucky was important too but it was crazy narrow before they widened it.
I know some brothers that have went to some of those little towns in Arkansas, Hughes, and Earle to be exact and never made it back to Memphis. Those towns will have you missing for real.
I live in Mt Vernon Illinois, and Cairo is nowhere close to being more dangerous than Chicago Illinois. I don’t even think it’s as bad as Mt Vernon as far as crime goes.
This isn’t true at all. I live close to Cairo and Cairo is not like that. They are the most genuine and most caring people I’ve ever met. Don’t underestimate Cairo based off what it looks like.
@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS you saved me a trip, and showed me a typical broke town no different than any other similar town prolly everyonr lives within 15 minutes from. I DID enjoy the vid though. Your expressions of fear are hilarious.
I lived in Cario for 5 years and it was once a very thriving city. Ever since they created a new route and you don't have to go through Cario anymore, it has to stop job production and it has been depleted. Cario when I lived there had the # basketball and track teams in the region. I love Cario and always will.
I'm not even from here and you were over-the-top offensive. Continually mentioning how people shouldn't come in the day, let alone at night, but not saying exactly why. Sees people MINDING THEIR OWN BUSINESS talking amongst themselves outside a store, "OH NO, THIS IS SUPER SKETCHY, LET GET OUT OF HERE!!!!" (I'm suprised I didn't hear doors locking. Then you share absolutely NONE of the history and RACIAL strife and deliberate economic flight that preceded the struggles this town is having today. Lord Spoda's coverage was a lot more thorough and OBJECTIVE.
This guy was very offensive and extra. He got real scared when he saw people gathered outside the spirit house. I can guess what made them so threatening to him. I love Cairo. These folks are wild. The actual history of the town is worth researching and learning about it. It’s actually quite a fascinating place with brick roads, 150+ year old buildings. Washington (the street where he was shocked to see an “actual mansion”) is called Millionaires row and is home to many mansions. The one he spoke about is called Magnolia Manor. It is maintained by the state and has an incredible history of its own.
This part of the country fascinates me. It has to be one of the least visited regions in the Midwest/mid-south, since it’s not really on the way anywhere. And many of the towns are decrepit, particularly in far S Illinois. Closest I’ve been is Caruthersville, MO which I found depressing. Cairo is clearly far worse. Kudos to you guys for visiting it on a Saturday night, something I wouldn’t do. But if ever nearby, I’ll be taking a tour of Cairo but in daylight.
Cairo is safe for anyone anytime 😂 and Caruthersville is just country 😂 y'all act like y'all don't know the difference between rural areas and metropolitan areas.
Hey, it's a barbecue restaurant in Cairo that was good, and had some good service. I remember that bridge coming out of Paducah late night in the rain. I almost gave up lol, driving my old Toyota Camry with bad windshield wipers.
Shemwells is the BBQ joint. It's still there. Nothing like it anywhere. And the bridge is coming out of Wicklife that goes into Cairo from Kentucky. Paducah is off 24, north about 30 miles or so.
As a beer driver who delivers here sometime. People here are nothing but nice and funny as hell. It used to be a little dangerous with the housing projects but that was about it. People here are awesome and just trying to make it by
I lived here for over 38 years, it's not bad at all, most of the trouble makers moved away when they tore down both housing projects, people are scared of their own shadows, it's not bad at all and this is coming from a white guy.
nothing in this video warrants the title. Hoping Cairo gets some funding to revitalize the town and less ignorant people like the video poster hating on it.
Your title is misleading, typical click bait. However, I enjoyed the tour of the town. But no danger what so ever, just a economically depressed ghost town.
Do you have a radar detector? They are handy for road trips especially if you’re driving through small towns. You don’t want to be caught in a speed trap.
Had no idea racist past here. Racism breeds poverty and crime ive seen that all over USA. People today don’t really understand what their actions today will do to their future generations
Cairo is not an abandoned ghost town, it's not a dangerous town, it's like a village where there are less people, go to the south side of Chicago yes it's very dangerous lol
It kinda reminds me of my hometown of Becker, Minnesota. Though Becker as of late is experiencing development finally. Like Cairo, Becker is dead and abandoned at night. I could walk down the center of the highways coming into town and not see a single car for an hour. Small towns like these end up forgotten and feeling abandoned, leading to depressing scenes like this.
Dude I'm white and that didn't look "scary" at all. I see you got a FL logo, which part of FL you from? Here in the panhandle (Bay Co.), black folks are just as country as my hillbilly butt from WV. I guess you could call them "southern" but in my opinion, being country and being southern is 2 different things. You should really take the advice from some people on here, and get out and talk to them. You're scared because you're outside your comfort zone. Speak with someone who is in their comfort zone there. I bet you'd be surprised. If these people were trying to say Chicago wasn't dangerous, then I may have a different view. Everyone on here from Cairo seems like really good folks, and if it's as abandoned as you say, then wouldn't that be most of the population? Don't be so quick to judge. Talk to the people. Driving around like Blair Witch Project doesn't get to the heart of the city or town.
As others here have already said, the town is broke due to so much corruption and it is not that dangerous, unless you try to start up a business there (graft). If you want to drive through a dangerous town, try Chattanooga Tennessee just off of the interstate near one of their gas stations.
When I was very young, my family stopped at a gas station here. Some of the family went inside, and while we were in the car, two residents in the parking lot got in a shootout, and they were locked inside until the shooters left
I visited Vicksburg, Mississippi during their Tricentennial celebration. They have the "VICKSBURG NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK" in which they have the "USS CAIRO MUSEUM". They have a civil war battleship built in CAIRO, IL. It was there that they explained that the correct pronunciation of CAIRO is actually "CARE - OH". It seems that "CARE-OH" built war ships for the Union Army during the Civil War. It was quite interesting. Anyone from "CARE - OH" should visit the museum given the opportunity.
Your commentary on Cairo was very ignorant. It’s just a small town that hit hard times because of the economy. You know nothing about the people or their circumstances. Stop with this BS
I work a plant shut-down every year in Cairo. Stay across the border in Missouri. No hotels in Cairo, no grocery stores and now the last gas station is boarded up. No where to eat lunch except Shemwells BBQ. And that gets old after a while. Over the last decade the town dies more and more every year. But, I've never felt in danger being there. Just depressed.
I must have spent too much time in Seattle. That place actually looks nice and clean in comparison. Same goes for Portland Oregon and San Francisco. Go out at night and you will see all the crazies walking around those places. That just looked like a quiet neighborhood in comparison.
Illinois has alot of problems in general they have a massive pension debt hole in the billions, crime problems in urban areas, property taxes are highest in the nation, poor education despite lots of money spent on education gas and sales taxes are reaching number 1 status for being the worst its hell living here companies have left and people can't move cause nobody wants their house. So either it all collapses or the people at the local level have to rise up and take action and elect better people.
Towns like Cairo look worse they are. I'm from a small town that's label super dangerous. We had a couple murders last year that were domestic. But they make out crime rates look out of control. But in reality you are super safe. Most people happy to see folks from out of town. But things definitely look dilapidated
I passed through this town once last year.... and one question ❓❓❓❓.... how in the hell do people live in a dead town like this????😐 there's literally nothing there!!!! It's so creepy there and I passed there in the day time 😐😶
This place isn’t as dangerous as people say, you passed the same spot multiple times so people are on edge and if there’s someone “following” that’s probably why
This man said Cairo is dangerous 😂😂😂😂 that's fkn laughable, being from Saint Louis, and growing up in Cape..I had some awesome times in Cairo as a teenager in the mid 2000s..The firework wars, the bbqs, spending time with friends and family making memories I'll never forget. In my early 20s we even clubbed over there after the Missouri clubs were closed..we could smoke on the dance floor and all the dj would say was " no smoking on the dance floor" we'd say boooo and keep going 😂😂😂 It was fun, yeah its raggedy in a lot of places, it's like visibly seeing the trauma of the towns past..but there are some cool af people in and from Cairo!!! Don't do them like this.
A load of crap , people are friendly and kind ,I broke down there a couple of years back and the folks helped me get sorted , I liked it so much I moved there , if you want dangerous visit harlem
I stopped in Cairo to get gas. This was in the early 2000s. I had no clue about sundown towns. When i went in to pay for my gas i saw the store attendant berating an elderly black guy. I paid for my gas and got ghost.
Cairo Illinois is like Slab City California. People there are nice and conversive, but once night falls, whatever isnt in the house or camper, will be gone in the morning.
You should go on up to Cincinnati the historic ghettos and beautiful landscape are like no other up north. Over the Rhine, West End and Lower Price Hill
My great grandfather and grandfather the Sullivan's owned alot of places in cairo in the 40s thru the 60s saw alot of old pictures was a beautiful town back than.
A race war in the 60’s killed this town. I’m white and was born across the river in Kentucky in 69. My wife is black and was born in Cairo in 72. All people in communities surrounding Cairo got along well but they just couldn’t seem to tolerate one another in that town. Cairo has got to be the largest ghost town in the world.
The town has had gang activity before during and after prohibition. The history guy channel does a great episode on it I think it's called The Charlie badger gang. There's been organized crime down there since before there was "organized crime" in America lol Now it's basically just street-level poverty crime but that place has a wild west history.
Looks like Benton Harbor or Dowagiac,Mi ( Do-wah-Jack).Both small cities in SW Michigan north of S Bend Indiana. They were once busy industrial cities. Now high crime poor family’s poor school system and population decline. In 2024 Dowagiac was ranked #1 for the worst city in Michigan to live.Benton Harbor once had Whirlpool Corp/ Clark equipment very little is left of Whirlpool. Clark equipment company made tractors and heavy earth moving equipment. It closed its plant in the 1980s. Dowagiac also had a rich industrial history. Dowagiac was once known as “Stove Town” it was the furnace capital of the world. All the major furnace / stove companies were located there. Starting with the massive Round Oak foundry in the 1800s. James Heddon inventor of the artificial fishing lure lived in Dowagiac. Heddon was the largest manufacturer😢 of fishing lures and rods and reels. It closed in 1983. There is nothing left of the stove and furnace industry in Dowagiac Mi. Although Dowagiac & Benton Harbor is hometown to many notable people who once lived there.
I know this road very well. Used to drive it every weekend visiting SEMO family. Cairo IS pretty bad, or WAS at one time. Now it's just sad. Back in the day, the Chicago mob had their southern HQ there, they ran the town. Gambling, hookers, drugs, you name it, they owned it, and from there they had "branches" (like a bank) in neighboring states. Now, of course, Chicago is on downhill slide, what with their politicians more and more on the take, and it's citizens (all over Illinois) suffering for it. Last time I was there, I was driving through on my way to Georgia...thirty two years ago. It was really sad then, looks like it's gotten worse. You should actually do some reading on the folklore of southern Illinois, cos if you did, you'd NEVER go there after dark. It's not JUST the crime, it's the legends too. From phantom panthers, to bigfoot, to ghosts, and the occasional serial killer (John Wayne Gacy hunted there). spent about 18 hours there in 1976 after the car broke down trying to get back to Paducah, KY, with a two year old and a newborn! I will not travel through there ever again, felt like I was being watched the whole time. Even my kids were nervous!! Between Illinois and Kentucky state police, we finally got home around 3 am! Seriously, I have no reason to go through there, and I'm glad of it! Surprised it's even still there with the severe flooding every spring!
This guy is such a winer. Ohhh the buggs. Oh the most dangerous town. What a cry baby. It’s time to grow a pair. I met kids fishing at Ft Defiance part at river junction. The only problem I had in Cairo were the high gas prices there. Other than that it seems like a town that needs companies to invest and rebuild it. 🇺🇸
Title of the video is (over Dramatic) People make this place sound horrible when it’s really not. I was there back in 2013 now 2023 a lot more has changed in my 10 year gap. It’s now a ghost town, the last I herd it had a population of 5,000. Not sure what that number is now. Again people misjudge this town and it’s history.
Funny you said the roads are good. For YEARS and YEARS we’d read or see on the local news another giant sinkhole opening up and swallowing vehicles and homes
I grew up and Harrisburg. I was always told to never go there. To this day I never have been there. Seeing this, I can’t see why I was always told growing up to stay away from there
It's one thing to be alert but to call a city the most dangerous city just based off a drive thru the town is bogus. I've driven thru this city twice before when I was an OTR driver and became curious of it's history so I began watching videos about it. The town has been through some very hard times. Throughout your video, you spoke in a condescending tone of a place that you have little to no knowledge of. I would advise you to do a little research, you'd be shocked at what you learn about the history of the town.
I'm from Southern Indiana Southern Illinois has always been a rough place and people in Southern Illinois or really suffering to just survive there's no work in Southern Illinois and so they make a lot of meth down there used to be fun to go to Southern Illinois lot of country and western bars when I was young we used to go listen to the country music but they're all gone now course that was 40 years ago but Southern Illinois is used to be a good time wasn't always like it is now .
Cairo is anything but dangerous. I would feel perfectly safe walking alone at night in this town. It looks like shit because they get no funding to fix anything. And the utilities are super expensive. That's it.
lame. if you think an abandoned town is dangerous you havent seen much. Come on up to the south or west side and drive around. You driving around with a camera someone will prolly come right up to you and take your car lol
I'm a truck driver that drives through there quite often. I knew there was something historic about the city, so I started looking into it. Definitely not a place to be fearful of. It's just a depressed town. The title of this video is a bit drastic
I agree. Please see my comment just above. And You Tube just censored my remarks.
Yep, Cairo didn't make it into the "10 mostr dangerous towns in Illinois" list. It is about 90% abandoned and it may look scary, with so many run down old buildings around; but it doesn't seem to be particularly dangerous.
Black people demanded more jobs and white business owners left instead of hiring black workers. Cairo like East St. Louis is an example of economic racism that many claim don't exist or doesn't effect the current generation. Cairo should be a prime tourism spot in the State.
The guy that put this video out is a clown/baby/wimp/light weight/girly man? You chose you favorite adjective, they all fit, but whatever your most comfortable with will work?
Cairo is not a dangerous town. I’ve been here 15+ times. Some of the nicest people live here, it’s just run down. If you had talked to anyone you would see that babe
Thanks ella
I am thinking about going there next week. I live in an old forgotten town. With them it was transportation stated away from the river, for us it is the usage of steel and coal going away. But, you are right, it doesn't make it dangerous, just forgotten
What would attract somebody to a boring and dreary place like this 15 times? And since there's no place to get life sustaining supplies, how do all the "nice people" you met survive there? Unless they're magicians.
It was in the late 1960’s. When I was a kid we lived in Michigan and drove through there at night and got our windows busted out during the riots.But now it’s not dangerous.
There is something very mysterious about that town.
Sorry, nothing looked threatening at night there except maybe the raccoon crossing the street. Creepy town at night, hell yes. Bullets weren't flying, gangs weren't having shootouts. I am from Chicago. I wouldn't go in certain south side or west side neighborhoods at night in an armored tank with a police escort. Dude, your TH-cam title for this vid is OVER the top dramatic. Geez, it's a town that has died and the real trouble makers moved somewhere else.
but the DANGER!!! He drove past a white car with its lights off - TWICE!!! Only danger can come from going past a third time. Chillin in Chillcago, Chillinois as well.
@@rustynailmendlesohn8710 twas tongue firmly fixed in teeth, still... WHAT IF that cuddly lookin raccoon had suddenly stood up and grew to 15 feet tall (standing up) (which he would be)! THINK how dangerous! You simply dont wanna tangle up with anything 15 ft tall standing up as they should be in the middle of the freekin darkasass road It's just way better to be safe than to be all chewed up by a streetwalkin 15ft (standing) she-raccoon, no? With caution and common scents you can go into the night unafraid, but, if you so much as hear a tinkle of drippin water from them things washing their lil tiny (at that point) fingers that's an audible prelude to destruction and you'd best RUN!
@@rustynailmendlesohn8710 I think the commenter was trying to be funny.
He may be confusing it with east st Louis 😂
He kept up the theme which was odd, there were not any people?
Cairo is my home, where I was raised. I appreciate you getting some footage of Cairo, but I’m not sure how you can come to the conclusion that the city is dangerous or that you were in danger while exploring. Dude you were more than safe, and I really wish you would have stopped at the spirit house. The spirit house is the building where the people were gathering outside. You would have been just fine, and probably met some hilarious & crazy people.
Agreed, Brian. Moral of the story: "Don't judge a book by its cover."
Cause he saw a bunch of “niggas” that’s why. Shit sad asf
He drove through somewhere he knows nothing about and had the nerve to title a video this
I was literally in this video. We would've made sure no harm came to him.
@@hfjemini5 I'm sure he didn't have any bad intentions. The best thing we can do is show him love, connect with more people who know the real Cairo, and represent the city in the best way we can. Cairo used to be such an amazing place.
This guy: Cairo Most dangerous town in Illinois.
Chicago: Am i a fucking joke to you???
Chicago is amazing go see my videos there
Chicago is a beautiful city... just to much crime there.
@@sandraphillips1718 nope..... crime in certain areas...other than that, Chicago is an amazing city especially in the summer
east saint louis, Illinois: am i a joke to you?
I take it you don't get out much if you think Cairo is a dangerous town. Cairo has plenty of history, best you read up on it before you judge it's character.
Its character isn't what's scary ....it's the people with no jobs no money and no future who's only income is what they can get from you.
I encourage you to look at the history of this town. It didn't just "die off" because of industry, Cairo has a very long storied history.
racism what is killing america
@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS Cairo’s downfall is not because of racism
@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS wrong! I'm much older than you and it's not racism YET they want you to believe that...and always has. Yet how are you when you encounter people? How are they towards you? Say your local gas station, Walgreens, whatever...
Don't believe the lies sir. Don't fall in the trap. I watched the dribble play out for 50 yrs. My father who traveled all over the country would always get fired up as he learned traveling the world...America is the least racist. Don't fall into that trap!
And yes I know about what happened in Cairo...im from IL
@@scarcesmile9518 they cry racism every chance they get.
@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS exactly white people mad blacks got it popping& now they scared of that rebellious energy. That’s why they demonize it
Are you from here ? Cause it’s so funny how Cairo is such a “dangerous” & “bad” place for someone who’s talking to raccoons crossing the street . Me personally, I don’t care for “outsiders.” & I’ve been living here my whole life, so apparently it ain’t that “dangerous” or “bad.” I’m still getting the education that I need . It’s soooo “dangerous” but y’all keep touring this place. So it ain’t that bad apparently. Y’all “outsiders” must love it, y’all keep coming back 🤣🤣💯.
Shoosh hick.
That's exactly what I keep wondering! Who's that useless "yes-woman" of yours? just keeps on agreeing with everything! lol
🤣 I swear him talking to the raccoon was the most dangerous part of the video.
yeah these people are insane... it's a beautiful town with lots of history that just needs some business rolling in... it's a shame everyone thinks its dangerous cause the only dangerous shit i saw were some big ass dogs walking around but even they didnt do shit when i walked past em lol
@@INSTAGRAMCLIPSDAILYGogetem DO THEY BITE?
I HAVE HEARD SOME OF THEM MIGHT CARRY RABIES?
Definitely NOT the most dangerous place in southern Illinois. You have to know the history. So many people have tried to revive the area over the years!!! I was born and raised in Cairo! I visit regularly and My family still lives there! There are very loving, passionate and hospitable folk who still live in Cairo. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I didn't see anything dangerous about it. I'm from outside Chicago and I would feel perfectly safe walking around Cairo at night. When I go outside here at night I hear gunshots and police sirens. This guy must live a sheltered life.
Dude's just scary.
Facts
If you ever get the chance, and if TH-cam hasn't censored it to smithereens, please check out my comment above.
Until the corrupt local utilities fall under pricing control, regular folks simply can't afford to live in Cairo.
I lived down there graduated HS in Cairo in 1985, you drove past a school I went to, Cairo fell on hard times due to a lot of issues and people moved away, a lot of towns have similar issues, in fact Paducah has a lot of crime as well, I wouldn’t say Cairo is dangerous just depressing a town with such rich history has went down like it has.
It will be back
Yep, paducha can be rough for sure
Cairo is not the Worst place, that assessment I do not agree with..
I'm a truck driver who lives in murfreesboro Tennessee, of which did a video of, but my route takes me thru Cairo every other day. Cairo is just a very sad town with alot of poverty and no jobs. I've never witnessed anything illegal, not saying that it doesn't happen, but people have nothing to do. So they hangout on the street, the only thriving business there is the liquor store. Many people have tried to open a business, but never made it, because people have no money. There are alot of disabled people that live there, you see them alot in their motorized wheelchairs. People depend on the soup kitchen there.
There is also a high police presence there, so don't speed beyond the 30 mile speed limit, or you will get busted. Probably their only source of income.
Chicken lights n chrome 🚛
Yep..worst move they made was to SPEED..it is definitely enforced..lol..I guess that's one way to meet the residents.Cairo used to be a thriving river town..time has a way of changing things for sure..
Is Shemwell's still open?
@@Guy_de_Loimbard I think it is.
@@Guy_de_Loimbard Yes they are still open.
I was born and raised in Cairo, and I cannot understand how you come to the conclusion that it is one of the most dangerous towns with no evidence to support your theory. Yes, in the late 60’s and early 70’s it had racial issues, but that is no longer the case.
You know any of the Cooks or Burkes from Vienna?
Thanks David
I knew a David Westerman (yes, this David Westerman)...
Small world, I was just here last weekend (8 days ago), you should have gone here during the day to get a better appreciation of the old decaying forgotten houses like the one at 9:13 in this video, I also shot some video of the old GEM theater here and will be posting it soon. I spent a few hours in Cairo and a some of the other run down towns close by, lots of abandoned places, many were the result of flooding. This was my 2nd trip here, my first trip was 1.5 years ago, I met an older White woman who said she lived here 50 years with her son and was originally from Wales, told me the nearest grocery store was 30+ miles away in KY. There's a lot of history in this town, they've knocked down some of it unfortunately that I never got to see. They're supposed to be building a new river port here which will bring jobs and some revenue.
My folks were in Mounds, and Mom told me to take my baby sister out and let her drive. Her first drive was into 3 states. I was NOT the best instructor. She made a turn into some farmers land and got the car stuck in the mud. We had to be pulled out with a tractor!
The HIGH property tax rate is KILLING off many of the towns in Illinois. Everyone is taxed at a Chicago rate. Just not fair, to the rest of the state. I still have family (mostly in so Il) and some of them want to move out. I got out in '85 and seldom go back.
1st the s in Illinois is silent.
2nd, the paper mill you smell is in Kentucky, not Illinois.
3rd... where did you see that you can't go during the day?
Cairo is a shell of the town that it used to be, in that statement you are correct. But.... Saying it is the most dangerous town in Illinois tells me you have never been to Chicago or to east St Louis. I will take my chances in Cairo any day over those two cities.
Correction: Chicago is the most dangerous. Outside of Chicago, the state of Illinois is relatively nice and Cairo and much of southern Illinois is also really nice: it is like a completely different world than Chicago and that particular area.
You must ain't been to Peoria or East St. Louis. Stop thinking everywhere else in Illinois is sweet.
I’ve never felt in any type of danger in Cairo. I’m sure it looks creepy, especially at night, to outsiders, but I guarantee you it isn’t the most dangerous place in Illinois.
He’s just saying that because of the people who live there if you know what I mean
i have to wonder if youve ever been in any real danger.
the way you paniced at the car with no headlight was embarassing.
At 9:21 the white house with the garage was my grandparents house that they raised my dad in. They owned it from 1940's to the time they died. My dad kept it after they passed for a few years and then sold it and the property next door on the left. It was immaculate then. The garage was built after we sold. I'm 55 and was in Cairo all the time up till I was about 28. I still go down to Shemwells to get BBQ and sauce as nobody has anything like it anywhere.
Cairo started going down hill when they built the interstates and a bridge across to Missouri on it bypassing Cairo. The bridge to Kentucky was important too but it was crazy narrow before they widened it.
Lol I can guarantee you that isn't the worst town In Illinois
Yeah. Try Chicago or Joliet, IL!
I know some brothers that have went to some of those little towns in Arkansas, Hughes, and Earle to be exact and never made it back to Memphis. Those towns will have you missing for real.
I live in Mt Vernon Illinois, and Cairo is nowhere close to being more dangerous than Chicago Illinois. I don’t even think it’s as bad as Mt Vernon as far as crime goes.
i love Cairo. i talked to the mayor and told him i wanna save the city
This isn’t true at all. I live close to Cairo and Cairo is not like that. They are the most genuine and most caring people I’ve ever met. Don’t underestimate Cairo based off what it looks like.
How dangerous can it be when virtually nobody lives there any more?
Go find out
@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS you saved me a trip, and showed me a typical broke town no different than any other similar town prolly everyonr lives within 15 minutes from. I DID enjoy the vid though. Your expressions of fear are hilarious.
@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS I have, lived there for 38 years, not dangerous at all.
6:48 does anyone know what demonination church that is? Thanks.
I'm kind of thinking, the things you saw while driving thru there at night, you'd see the same things in 99% of all the small towns in the US.
I lived in Cario for 5 years and it was once a very thriving city. Ever since they created a new route and you don't have to go through Cario anymore, it has to stop job production and it has been depleted. Cario when I lived there had the # basketball and track teams in the region. I love Cario and always will.
I'm not even from here and you were over-the-top offensive. Continually mentioning how people shouldn't come in the day, let alone at night, but not saying exactly why. Sees people MINDING THEIR OWN BUSINESS talking amongst themselves outside a store, "OH NO, THIS IS SUPER SKETCHY, LET GET OUT OF HERE!!!!" (I'm suprised I didn't hear doors locking. Then you share absolutely NONE of the history and RACIAL strife and deliberate economic flight that preceded the struggles this town is having today. Lord Spoda's coverage was a lot more thorough and OBJECTIVE.
This guy was very offensive and extra. He got real scared when he saw people gathered outside the spirit house. I can guess what made them so threatening to him. I love Cairo. These folks are wild. The actual history of the town is worth researching and learning about it. It’s actually quite a fascinating place with brick roads, 150+ year old buildings. Washington (the street where he was shocked to see an “actual mansion”) is called Millionaires row and is home to many mansions. The one he spoke about is called Magnolia Manor. It is maintained by the state and has an incredible history of its own.
This part of the country fascinates me. It has to be one of the least visited regions in the Midwest/mid-south, since it’s not really on the way anywhere. And many of the towns are decrepit, particularly in far S Illinois. Closest I’ve been is Caruthersville, MO which I found depressing. Cairo is clearly far worse. Kudos to you guys for visiting it on a Saturday night, something I wouldn’t do. But if ever nearby, I’ll be taking a tour of Cairo but in daylight.
Cairo is safe for anyone anytime 😂 and Caruthersville is just country 😂 y'all act like y'all don't know the difference between rural areas and metropolitan areas.
Hey, it's a barbecue restaurant in Cairo that was good, and had some good service. I remember that bridge coming out of Paducah late night in the rain. I almost gave up lol, driving my old Toyota Camry with bad windshield wipers.
Shemwell's. The place is legendary far and wide and is one of the few reasons outsiders visit Cairo.
@@Guy_de_Loimbard next time I'm up that way I will be stopping in again for sure.
Shemwells is the BBQ joint. It's still there. Nothing like it anywhere.
And the bridge is coming out of Wicklife that goes into Cairo from Kentucky. Paducah is off 24, north about 30 miles or so.
As a beer driver who delivers here sometime. People here are nothing but nice and funny as hell. It used to be a little dangerous with the housing projects but that was about it. People here are awesome and just trying to make it by
I lived here for over 38 years, it's not bad at all, most of the trouble makers moved away when they tore down both housing projects, people are scared of their own shadows, it's not bad at all and this is coming from a white guy.
Lol you're not an hour from Paducah you're about 20 minutes lol .
I’m unsure of your timing, sir. Why would you visit the most dangerous town in Illinois at dark?
LOL! Right!!!
nothing in this video warrants the title. Hoping Cairo gets some funding to revitalize the town and less ignorant people like the video poster hating on it.
Your title is misleading, typical click bait. However, I enjoyed the tour of the town. But no danger what so ever, just a economically depressed ghost town.
Btw if anyone is wondering who I am ...I am a 41 year old cairo vet
Do you have a radar detector?
They are handy for road trips especially if you’re driving through small towns. You don’t want to be caught in a speed trap.
Dang so when u cross that bridge , is it water all around ?
I was just there this past Saturday. It's not as bad as people make it out to be.
Cairo Illinois is a very laidback place" I don't know how you came to the conclusion it was most dangerous.🤔
I dont know look at the crime rates perhaps
@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS What a joke 🤣😂
Very Scarey and like East St. Louis has had a tragic. racist past that was a big part of it's decline.
Had no idea racist past here. Racism breeds poverty and crime ive seen that all over USA. People today don’t really understand what their actions today will do to their future generations
The "S" is silent on Illinois.
Cairo is a good name for this place because it belongs in Africa.
seriously???
Cairo is not an abandoned ghost town, it's not a dangerous town, it's like a village where there are less people, go to the south side of Chicago yes it's very dangerous lol
It kinda reminds me of my hometown of Becker, Minnesota. Though Becker as of late is experiencing development finally. Like Cairo, Becker is dead and abandoned at night. I could walk down the center of the highways coming into town and not see a single car for an hour. Small towns like these end up forgotten and feeling abandoned, leading to depressing scenes like this.
Dude I'm white and that didn't look "scary" at all. I see you got a FL logo, which part of FL you from? Here in the panhandle (Bay Co.), black folks are just as country as my hillbilly butt from WV. I guess you could call them "southern" but in my opinion, being country and being southern is 2 different things. You should really take the advice from some people on here, and get out and talk to them. You're scared because you're outside your comfort zone. Speak with someone who is in their comfort zone there. I bet you'd be surprised. If these people were trying to say Chicago wasn't dangerous, then I may have a different view. Everyone on here from Cairo seems like really good folks, and if it's as abandoned as you say, then wouldn't that be most of the population? Don't be so quick to judge. Talk to the people. Driving around like Blair Witch Project doesn't get to the heart of the city or town.
As others here have already said, the town is broke due to so much corruption and it is not that dangerous, unless you try to start up a business there (graft). If you want to drive through a dangerous town, try Chattanooga Tennessee just off of the interstate near one of their gas stations.
This guy doesn't get out alot! You can tell he has taken the long journey all the wasy from Paducah, KY!!
When I was very young, my family stopped at a gas station here. Some of the family went inside, and while we were in the car, two residents in the parking lot got in a shootout, and they were locked inside until the shooters left
I visited Vicksburg, Mississippi during their Tricentennial celebration. They have the "VICKSBURG NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK" in which they have the "USS CAIRO MUSEUM". They have a civil war battleship built in CAIRO, IL. It was there that they explained that the correct pronunciation of CAIRO is actually "CARE - OH". It seems that "CARE-OH" built war ships for the Union Army during the Civil War. It was quite interesting. Anyone from "CARE - OH" should visit the museum given the opportunity.
Where did you get your Intel???
My mother was born in Cairo it’s not a dangerous town it’s just abandoned from the floods. It’s a historic town.
It's not dangerous. It's more sad than anything.
Your commentary on Cairo was very ignorant. It’s just a small town that hit hard times because of the economy. You know nothing about the people or their circumstances. Stop with this BS
UNSECURED FOR LATE NIGHT TRAVEL LOL... bro wtf does that mean? what exactly are you afraid of?
It boarders 2 states, they should have put a river boat casino there, some Air bnb, bed and breakfast a get away from the city life
The 's' in Illinois is silent.
You’re weird for your reaction if people hanging out in their own neighborhood. Felt like you went on a “safari”.
so the people were not action like lions? cuz i recall seeing them swing
I work a plant shut-down every year in Cairo. Stay across the border in Missouri. No hotels in Cairo, no grocery stores and now the last gas station is boarded up. No where to eat lunch except Shemwells BBQ. And that gets old after a while. Over the last decade the town dies more and more every year. But, I've never felt in danger being there. Just depressed.
Its an absolutely horrible region of the country. Failed places with bad vibes.
I must have spent too much time in Seattle. That place actually looks nice and clean in comparison. Same goes for Portland Oregon and San Francisco. Go out at night and you will see all the crazies walking around those places. That just looked like a quiet neighborhood in comparison.
I moved from Cairo to Seattle in 2017. I want to go back...
@@bobbymayberry3305 you crazy
I love these people. Gangster he says. He can't properly pronounce Illinois. Sketchy. Nice people im sure.
If you swing by Waukegan again, let me know, and I’ll show you around.
East St. Louis ?
Illinois has alot of problems in general they have a massive pension debt hole in the billions, crime problems in urban areas, property taxes are highest in the nation, poor education despite lots of money spent on education gas and sales taxes are reaching number 1 status for being the worst its hell living here companies have left and people can't move cause nobody wants their house. So either it all collapses or the people at the local level have to rise up and take action and elect better people.
I live not far from Cairo. King Tuts was a hopping place to party back in the 80s! Fun Fun
Towns like Cairo look worse they are. I'm from a small town that's label super dangerous. We had a couple murders last year that were domestic. But they make out crime rates look out of control. But in reality you are super safe. Most people happy to see folks from out of town. But things definitely look dilapidated
I passed through this town once last year.... and one question ❓❓❓❓.... how in the hell do people live in a dead town like this????😐 there's literally nothing there!!!! It's so creepy there and I passed there in the day time 😐😶
Wow, everywhere you go is DANGER!! The town, the ppl, the roads! Be careful out there... because you gotta be - it's DANGEROUS.
This place isn’t as dangerous as people say, you passed the same spot multiple times so people are on edge and if there’s someone “following” that’s probably why
This man said Cairo is dangerous 😂😂😂😂 that's fkn laughable, being from Saint Louis, and growing up in Cape..I had some awesome times in Cairo as a teenager in the mid 2000s..The firework wars, the bbqs, spending time with friends and family making memories I'll never forget. In my early 20s we even clubbed over there after the Missouri clubs were closed..we could smoke on the dance floor and all the dj would say was " no smoking on the dance floor" we'd say boooo and keep going 😂😂😂 It was fun, yeah its raggedy in a lot of places, it's like visibly seeing the trauma of the towns past..but there are some cool af people in and from Cairo!!! Don't do them like this.
A load of crap , people are friendly and kind ,I broke down there a couple of years back and the folks helped me get sorted , I liked it so much I moved there , if you want dangerous visit harlem
In new york? Thats all rich people now.. how slow are you
I stopped in Cairo to get gas. This was in the early 2000s. I had no clue about sundown towns. When i went in to pay for my gas i saw the store attendant berating an elderly black guy. I paid for my gas and got ghost.
Cairo ain't no sundown town. It's all black folks there
Population went from 15K to 2K. Yes, 102 years can have that type of effect. 1920 population was 15K, 2022 population was under 2K.
1920 west palm beach was nothing today 1 million people in the county.
Cairo Illinois is like Slab City California.
People there are nice and conversive, but once night falls, whatever isnt in the house or camper, will be gone in the morning.
Pay attention to the white vehicle...aaaand nothing happens ...
You should go on up to Cincinnati the historic ghettos and beautiful landscape are like no other up north. Over the Rhine, West End and Lower Price Hill
My great grandfather and grandfather the Sullivan's owned alot of places in cairo in the 40s thru the 60s saw alot of old pictures was a beautiful town back than.
A race war in the 60’s killed this town. I’m white and was born across the river in Kentucky in 69. My wife is black and was born in Cairo in 72. All people in communities surrounding Cairo got along well but they just couldn’t seem to tolerate one another in that town. Cairo has got to be the largest ghost town in the world.
The town has had gang activity before during and after prohibition. The history guy channel does a great episode on it I think it's called The Charlie badger gang. There's been organized crime down there since before there was "organized crime" in America lol
Now it's basically just street-level poverty crime but that place has a wild west history.
As dangerous as you let it be. There are probably a lot of great people left there. React to what?
Looks like Benton Harbor or Dowagiac,Mi ( Do-wah-Jack).Both small cities in SW Michigan north of S Bend Indiana. They were once busy industrial cities. Now high crime poor family’s poor school system and population decline. In 2024 Dowagiac was ranked #1 for the worst city in Michigan to live.Benton Harbor once had Whirlpool Corp/ Clark equipment very little is left of Whirlpool. Clark equipment company made tractors and heavy earth moving equipment. It closed its plant in the 1980s. Dowagiac also had a rich industrial history. Dowagiac was once known as “Stove Town” it was the furnace capital of the world. All the major furnace / stove companies were located there. Starting with the massive Round Oak foundry in the 1800s. James Heddon inventor of the artificial fishing lure lived in Dowagiac. Heddon was the largest manufacturer😢 of fishing lures and rods and reels. It closed in 1983. There is nothing left of the stove and furnace industry in Dowagiac Mi. Although Dowagiac & Benton Harbor is hometown to many notable people who once lived there.
REally? I thought they made everyone move from Cairo??
You should check out my city springfield, illinois
What a miracle you survived :/
You didn’t show anything dangerous. It just looks like they don’t have much.
You should research the places you go and deem “dangerous”. Learn about them or maybe stay away instead of blasphemy online.
So its not dangerous?
I know this road very well. Used to drive it every weekend visiting SEMO family. Cairo IS pretty bad, or WAS at one time. Now it's just sad. Back in the day, the Chicago mob had their southern HQ there, they ran the town. Gambling, hookers, drugs, you name it, they owned it, and from there they had "branches" (like a bank) in neighboring states. Now, of course, Chicago is on downhill slide, what with their politicians more and more on the take, and it's citizens (all over Illinois) suffering for it. Last time I was there, I was driving through on my way to Georgia...thirty two years ago. It was really sad then, looks like it's gotten worse. You should actually do some reading on the folklore of southern Illinois, cos if you did, you'd NEVER go there after dark. It's not JUST the crime, it's the legends too. From phantom panthers, to bigfoot, to ghosts, and the occasional serial killer (John Wayne Gacy hunted there). spent about 18 hours there in 1976 after the car broke down trying to get back to Paducah, KY, with a two year old and a newborn! I will not travel through there ever again, felt like I was being watched the whole time. Even my kids were nervous!! Between Illinois and Kentucky state police, we finally got home around 3 am! Seriously, I have no reason to go through there, and I'm glad of it! Surprised it's even still there with the severe flooding every spring!
This guy is such a winer. Ohhh the buggs. Oh the most dangerous town. What a cry baby. It’s time to grow a pair. I met kids fishing at Ft Defiance part at river junction. The only problem I had in Cairo were the high gas prices there. Other than that it seems like a town that needs companies to invest and rebuild it. 🇺🇸
Title of the video is (over Dramatic) People make this place sound horrible when it’s really not. I was there back in 2013 now 2023 a lot more has changed in my 10 year gap. It’s now a ghost town, the last I herd it had a population of 5,000. Not sure what that number is now. Again people misjudge this town and it’s history.
Funny you said the roads are good.
For YEARS and YEARS we’d read or see on the local news another giant sinkhole opening up and swallowing vehicles and homes
Anyone with a military training notice what i did… 👀 at those intersections at the start
Enlighten us please
I grew up and Harrisburg. I was always told to never go there. To this day I never have been there. Seeing this, I can’t see why I was always told growing up to stay away from there
I thought that they were so poor in Cairo, IL that they couldn't afford guns.
It's one thing to be alert but to call a city the most dangerous city just based off a drive thru the town is bogus. I've driven thru this city twice before when I was an OTR driver and became curious of it's history so I began watching videos about it. The town has been through some very hard times. Throughout your video, you spoke in a condescending tone of a place that you have little to no knowledge of. I would advise you to do a little research, you'd be shocked at what you learn about the history of the town.
Based iff CRIME STATs.. I can’t believe how blind you guys are
My grandmother use to teach at Benet elementary. Mrs Marshall she had the city on good terms alone
they are full of it the only thing dangerous is them
I'm from Southern Indiana Southern Illinois has always been a rough place and people in Southern Illinois or really suffering to just survive there's no work in Southern Illinois and so they make a lot of meth down there used to be fun to go to Southern Illinois lot of country and western bars when I was young we used to go listen to the country music but they're all gone now course that was 40 years ago but Southern Illinois is used to be a good time wasn't always like it is now .
Cairo is anything but dangerous. I would feel perfectly safe walking alone at night in this town. It looks like shit because they get no funding to fix anything. And the utilities are super expensive. That's it.
lame. if you think an abandoned town is dangerous you havent seen much. Come on up to the south or west side and drive around. You driving around with a camera someone will prolly come right up to you and take your car lol
chillin in Chillcago Chillinois!