From Chicago but looking to explore Indiana, particularly Gary, this weekend. Any good spots or warnings? Thanks

Don't get stabbed.

Downtown stuff is safe-ish and fairly idiot-proof so long as you use common sense. Avoid Ambassadors due to demolition (take exteriors, would appreciate an update if you can). Avoid Edison due to nosy neighbors. Avoid Emerson and vicinity due to body found there not too long ago.

Don't get gas at the station on the east of the main strip near the post office. They charge $1.00 more per gallon. Also, really. Don't get stabbed. Gary bolt & screw is pretty cool. And make a point to see Horace Mann.

Posted by jonrev Avoid Emerson and vicinity due to body found there not too long ago.

Pretty sure Emerson is being demo'ed currently. Last i saw there wasnt even windows in it anymore.

yeah don't get stabbed. if your a smoker load up on shitty cheap ciggs cause they are dirt cheap compared to Chicago. obviously check out the church. when you get to Gary you will see its really not hard to find abandonment's although try and stay near downtown. but just be safe above all. oh and check out churches chicken if you get hungry!

oh also if you are going to be trying houses, be sure to check floor stability. last time we were there my buddy fell straight through a kitchen floor. luckily we weren't on the 2nd or 3rd story otherwise we might not have walked out of there in one piece.

Be proactive. Be the one who stabs, not the one who gets stabbed.

Posted by jonrev Downtown stuff is safe-ish and fairly idiot-proof so long as you use common sense. Avoid Ambassadors due to demolition (take exteriors, would appreciate an update if you can). Avoid Edison due to nosy neighbors. Avoid Emerson and vicinity due to body found there not too long ago.

^This. Pretty much sums up all the current events I'm aware of in Gary. Not sure if there's any additional security on the church after the roof collapse, but I've seen plenty of recent pictures on the inside so I'm sure it's fine, just be careful in there.

The Post Office is pretty darn neat and has secrets. Also, bring a few friends...for safety and such.

Posted by MonoxideChild Pretty sure Emerson is being demo'ed currently. Last i saw there wasnt even windows in it anymore.

F'real?! I was saving that one for my next trip, as Horace Mann took up too much time last trip. Damn. Hopefully you're wrong. No offense. Heh.

I hope so too. Im just going off the fact it didnt have a single window in place and was wide open. It very well could have been hardcore scrappers.

Windows at Emerson and at least one other school were indeed looted by scrappers.

Everyone and their mom can still get into the church, just can't go in the front door anymore. Also, nevermind the crane next door, it was for another project. That place is going nowhere soon.

Oh, and beware (kinda) of the end of the security overlooks at the Post Office... have heard multiple reports of a decomposing dog in there.

Posted by relik F'real?! I was saving that one for my next trip, as Horace Mann took up too much time last trip. Damn. Hopefully you're wrong. No offense. Heh.

Horace Mann > Emerson. It's a much bigger school, lots more to explore. Though emerson was pretty cool, particularly the 1960s survival supplies in the attic.

...and less-likely to get fucked with. I've walked from the Metro Center to HMHS alone without issue, but Emerson even spooked one of the hardcore graffiti crews from Chicago.

Is there a thread full of Gary horror stories? Seems like a lot of people have had troubles there or know someone who has...

I don't really know anyone who has had bad problems there and I've been there half a dozen or better times and never had an issue. Ran into some scrappers once but they seemed friendly enough. I've also been in Horace Mann and heard other people in the building and decided just to leave as opposed to risking a confrontation. Just keep a low profile, don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself and you should be fine.

I went there and ran into some taggers ( just kids). I also was waiting in the car for someone and had 2 cars pull up that made me very nervous. Beyond that, it seemed like any other town that has fallen on hard times. Although, I was told to be very careful there. I guess it is just a use common sense thing like any other place.

Posted by Granuaile I guess it is just a use common sense thing like any other place.

This. In 21 Gary runs I've bumped into cops, scrappers, drug dealers (or something sketch, though they seemed pretty lax), and homeless - the key is to just be respectful. The cops were cool once they knew we were photogs, they have better things to worry about. I barged in on the homeless guy's place accidentally so I aborted that one - had seen all the rest of the building anyway.

As far as horror stories, I have none but last year a trucker friend of mine rode his bike from the Flying J on the SW side to meet me at HMHS and apparently got chased at some point, though we think they were just fucking with him. I've also heard of photogs getting chased en route to the Ambassador Apts however I've made that hike without such problems. The worst I've heard was actually building-related; avoid the south staircase going up the Parry-Shaw Building - the one with a couch dangling precariously near the top. Photog went through the hole several years ago and I believe got hurt.

Did a trip to the midwest two weeks ago for my birthday. Started in Detroit and made a day trip to Gary. All I have to say is that I felt 100% safe in Gary compared to Detroit. We hit all the main buildings excluding the Ambassador apartments because apparently they are under-going renovation and it was mid week when we went. Emerson school still is very much intact, the windows are gutted but the building still stands and there is absolutely no sign of demolition. I was unable to find any room that had crime scene tape or anything of the like which intrigues me because I was curious as to which room the body was found in (not to sound weird). Overall Gary was probably my favorite place I visited the whole trip, the people were also extremely friendly all over town which was a pleasant surprise. Horace Mann is awesome just don't let the cardboard cut-outs of the basketball players scare the shit out of you like they did to me! You get in the gymnasium and see just a guy standing there.... its a cardboard cutout! Just a heads up~ If anyone has any questions I was there two weeks ago and hit the majority of the main spots excluding Screw & Bolt and the Ambassador apartments.