ILLINOIS: Sad Towns That Are Slowly Dying

I bought my house in Cairo for $2100. Beautiful, historic home, needs some work, not staying there at the moment. There is a gas station at the Missouri end of the Cairo bridge. Gas tax significantly lower in MO so the gas stations in IL can't compete. Cairo's crime has dropped quite a bit since the two large projects were demolished. The building you mentioned as being the old grocery store was in fact a hardware store/home center. The customs house was built in the 1800s. There are two Dollar Generals in town and one motel. Yes, Mounds probably is worse than Cairo. Def more Detroit like. Enjoyed your video.

I did work for the US Post Office in the midwest region; Handled Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. I literally worked in every one of these towns you showed. The state of dis-repair of the towns you are showing is happening everywhere, and these towns are in better shape then about half the ones I rolled through.

For years we have been told our once great country has been squandered away to foreign countries. Seeing the pictures of the autopsy is still hard to watch. Thanks for what you do.

So wierd that you never see any people walking around outside in these towns. I have experienced that myself in my travels.

In reference to the incomes, I live in AZ and survive on $21k a year and that is after our raise in SS this year. You’d be surprised what you can do when you have to. I never planned this but health, death and age have all been a factor! Carry on, people! Love your videos! Helps me To cope in this clown 🤡 world!

Amazing how liquor stores always thrive. Even in feast or famine conditions.

I have always heard when churches start to close down in a town it means most of the town is pretty much nearing the end of it's time.

Been born and raised in Rockford but ready to bail out of Illinois! Governor had raised taxes so many times and taxed the hell out of people for any and everything possible and crime running rampant in Chicago has ran 100yr companies out. If I'm correct Illinois is either first or second behind California in people fleeing the state for relief.

I’ve spent my whole life in Illinois, been everywhere from rockford down to Cairo and there’s beauty everywhere. It’s not one everyone can see but the ones who can appreciate it are the best.

Thanks for showing us America!

I live in central IL, the state has so many dying cities. We have the 2nd highest property tax in USA and are taxed on top of tax, Businesses leaving. There is a lot to love about this state & it's all so sad.

When I see the homes abandoned and neglected, I see, in my minds eye my cousins playing on green grass and running through sprinklers, playing ball, and eating watermelon. So many good days with family, now all gone into the mist of time

I'm from Illinois. Many of these towns are dying out because of lack of innovation and re-investment. I think it was a result of a slow occurring change from river transport to rail to highways (each part played a role in its development, destruction and decline) Globalization was is another factor.. Chrysler had a plant in Evansville and they used the river to transport cars down south so when railroads came - Chrysler chose to move to Fenton MO. Illinois has some of the most fertile lands for farming and livestock. But nobody seems to realize and make investment. Most of the US is like that these days and I wonder how much longer we can hold out the way things are right now.

Whenever I see these videos I can't help but think about how the United States is such a large country with plenty of space for people to live except for a community to really FLOURISH it needs more than just space to live, it needs good paying jobs in order for that community to do just that, flourish.

I enjoyed your video. As a previous citizen of Joppa, however, I can assure you it's a sweet little village full of friendly people, without anyone from "Deliverance." Joppa once had the "richest" school district in Illinois in the 1960s/70s, but as the local plants (cement plant, electric plant, and natural gas company) shut down, the town has slowly grown smaller and smaller as people left to find work. The big gray house in Metropolis is apartments that are for rent...not sure what they're asking.

Wow, Cairo, IL. When your town is surrounded by flood walls, it's like living in a shallow box...never seeing the horizon. I bet that's part of the reason people left.

Instant subscriber here. Some Youtubers just show visuals with music but you have done extensive research of these towns. It's very enjoyable to watch (as well as educational).

I have to admit, I am impressed with your driving skills. For someone to be able to take video pictures and drive as well as you do without drifting all over the place is impressive.

Commenting before I finished the vid, if you've not taken the River byway through Alton, Grafton and Elsah, you gots to. Very fun drive!

Next, you can make a video about happy towns and cities in Illinois that are growing. Peoria is a perfect example. I moved here some years ago from California. Much happier here!