Discover the Tragic Past of This Ghost Town in Illinois
The Illinois town named after Cardiff, Wales has long since been abandoned.
America is home to countless ghost towns. These abandoned and forgotten places were the casualty of events such as mines drying up, the gold rush going bust, or railroads and highways being rerouted.
Although the American West is known for abandoned mining towns, Illinois has its share of forgotten places. Many of them were deserted when mines were closed or the railroad was diverted.
One former town, not too far from Chicago, has a tragic history. You can still visit the former location today and view its historical marker.
Cardiff: An Illinois Ghost Town
About 90 minutes southwest of Chicago, located in Livingston County, is the abandoned and mostly forgotten town of Cardiff.
Cardiff began as a coal mining town in 1899. Named after the very successful mining town of Cardiff, Wales, the population boomed. Within the year, homes were built, and businesses thrived as miners and their families flocked to the Illinois town.
By 1903, 400 miners were working daily. The town had a school, a saloon, a supply store, and a hotel.
