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UER Forum > UE Photography > First time exploring in the Midwest (Viewed 2141 times)
urbanacid 


Location: Chicago,Il
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First time exploring in the Midwest
< on 2/9/2016 8:18 AM >
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I relocated to chicago 3 years ago and haven't explored anything since I lived in nyc. I recently had my house broken into and all my camera gear was stolen.. Luckily, insurance sorted it all out and I was able to buy some new equipment Anyway the itch is back, everything happens for a reason. These were all shot on my 5d mkii with the Samyang 14mm 2.8 (great manual lens, i highly recommend picking it up) Anyway, any local groups or people looking to meet up PM me.


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Amateur Photographer, Adrenaline Junkie, Marine Vet, Urban Explorer..
relik 


Location: 44.26126°,-88.41502° (Appleton, WI)
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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 1 on 2/9/2016 9:23 PM >
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I absolutely love Gary. Welcome to the Midwest!




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RuinedHuntsman 


Location: Southern Indiana
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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 2 on 2/10/2016 5:23 PM >
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Nice! I plan on going up there soon. Did you buy a permit? Wasn't sure if one was honestly needed.

Anyways welcome!




DawnPatrol 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 3 on 2/10/2016 6:02 PM >
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Good place for your first midwest visit. Though there's SO much more just in Gary alone.

@RuinedHuntsman - I've heard the permit rumor, but when I was there one time we spoke to a police officer in a subway and asked about it. He basically said he's never heard anything about any permits being sold and that they don't really care about anyone who isn't causing damage because they have enough shit to deal with. He gave the whole 'yeah it's okay to take pictures from the sidewalk' line, but he made it very apparent that they have better things to do than arrest urban explorers.

The only time I've heard of anyone getting in trouble out there is when they're in huge groups and being really obvious and/or obnoxious. I can see why urban exploration is kind of insulting in areas like that to locals, and I know for a fact that there are places down there where locals will report you and in that case you'll probably get in trouble.

Just be discreet and respectful and you won't have any issues. I've been there half a dozen times, haven't been there in 2 years (around when that permit rumor started), but I haven't heard of any changes since then.




Granuaile 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 4 on 2/10/2016 6:43 PM >
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We were just there in the summer. No issues/permits etc. It was a really lovely place to explore.




"First rule of space travel, kids, is always answer distress beacons. 9 out of 10 times it's a ship full of dead bodies and free shit."
RuinedHuntsman 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 5 on 2/10/2016 8:35 PM >
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Posted by DawnPatrol
Good place for your first midwest visit. Though there's SO much more just in Gary alone.

@RuinedHuntsman - I've heard the permit rumor, but when I was there one time we spoke to a police officer in a subway and asked about it. He basically said he's never heard anything about any permits being sold and that they don't really care about anyone who isn't causing damage because they have enough shit to deal with. He gave the whole 'yeah it's okay to take pictures from the sidewalk' line, but he made it very apparent that they have better things to do than arrest urban explorers.

The only time I've heard of anyone getting in trouble out there is when they're in huge groups and being really obvious and/or obnoxious. I can see why urban exploration is kind of insulting in areas like that to locals, and I know for a fact that there are places down there where locals will report you and in that case you'll probably get in trouble.

Just be discreet and respectful and you won't have any issues. I've been there half a dozen times, haven't been there in 2 years (around when that permit rumor started), but I haven't heard of any changes since then.



That's good news, I was skeptical because I couldn't find anything official and the email someone provided was a yahoo address to buy one. All the scare tactics on the site talking about guards posted and police patrolling at all times of the day. Seemed like a big waste of resources for some old buildings considering the state of the area.

Thanks for the heads up, that's a big relief.




Granuaile 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 6 on 2/10/2016 8:43 PM >
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Posted by RuinedHuntsman



That's good news, I was skeptical because I couldn't find anything official and the email someone provided was a yahoo address to buy one. All the scare tactics on the site talking about guards posted and police patrolling at all times of the day. Seemed like a big waste of resources for some old buildings considering the state of the area.

Thanks for the heads up, that's a big relief.



I would be more worried about the folks in the city. It is pretty hood and you never know who you will run into. Go in a small group and be on guard in some of the bigger abandonments. Ya know, use common sense.




"First rule of space travel, kids, is always answer distress beacons. 9 out of 10 times it's a ship full of dead bodies and free shit."
urbanacid 


Location: Chicago,Il
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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 7 on 2/10/2016 9:06 PM >
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Posted by RuinedHuntsman
Nice! I plan on going up there soon. Did you buy a permit? Wasn't sure if one was honestly needed.

Anyways welcome!


I didn't really see anything posted about permits or notice about trespassing in either place, so i think youre good to go. Probably the worst that could happen is that a PO (if they even are around) tell you that you need to go. I wouldn't be too worried..

There was however a lot of construction going on over by U.S so I think walking inside might be an issue, I didnt try so i really have no idea. Hopefully its not too cold this weekend and I'll go check it out..

The more research I do, the more I realize most of the interesting places to look at are getting demolished.. Kinda sad to be honest! Being ex military I was super hyped to drive down to Chanute but read somewhere that its no longer there




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DawnPatrol 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 8 on 2/11/2016 1:40 AM >
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^If you're referring to U.S. Steel, when I was in the midwest, that plant was still operational. Down to like 10% of what it used to be, but still functioning nontheless. It MIGHT be newly abandoned (within the last year or so) because I do remember hearing rumors they were shutting down, but honestly I'd probably be more cautious around there than anywhere else.

Also, I don't remember who said watch yourself in the big abandonments... that's fair advice, but personally, I'd stick to the big abandonments. There was a dude on the midwest forum who did strictly houses, but that seems way sketchier to me. I've run into scrappers who seemed friendly enough. Typically though, if I hear someone else in the building I leave, it just seems safer. Just make sure you're discreet and know your exits (and always have more than one exit strategy if possible).




urbanacid 


Location: Chicago,Il
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Let's get lost

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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 9 on 2/11/2016 2:21 AM >
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Posted by DawnPatrol
^If you're referring to U.S. Steel, when I was in the midwest, that plant was still operational. Down to like 10% of what it used to be, but still functioning nontheless. It MIGHT be newly abandoned (within the last year or so) because I do remember hearing rumors they were shutting down, but honestly I'd probably be more cautious around there than anywhere else.

Also, I don't remember who said watch yourself in the big abandonments... that's fair advice, but personally, I'd stick to the big abandonments. There was a dude on the midwest forum who did strictly houses, but that seems way sketchier to me. I've run into scrappers who seemed friendly enough. Typically though, if I hear someone else in the building I leave, it just seems safer. Just make sure you're discreet and know your exits (and always have more than one exit strategy if possible).


I was talking about Union Station, they had a lot of construction going on in front when I scoped it out with my buddy. We didn't even bother getting out and trying.




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DawnPatrol 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 10 on 2/11/2016 7:51 AM >
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ohhhh. Well, union station is honestly really boring. It's just a big cement building with one room. There's stairs but nothing really on the top level and nothing really in the building. There's a lot more interesting things in Gary than that.

You've already seen the outside, I assume. This is literally all there is to the inside:







jonrev 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 11 on 2/11/2016 4:12 PM >
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Welcome to the area, dope shot of the Palace.

The permit thing exists for legit film studios and other high profile media activities, and a couple of years ago was blown way out of proportion by a guy who runs cash-grab urbex meetups and student workshops down there. As others have said, Joe Urbex need not worry; the only time cops show up at the church is to yell at tourists who park in the street.

Oh, and most of the locals are pretty cool - neighborhoods get sketch around the northeast side, though. I've walked miles from the South Shore station alone and never had problems.




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urbanacid 


Location: Chicago,Il
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Let's get lost

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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 12 on 2/11/2016 7:53 PM >
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Posted by DawnPatrol
ohhhh. Well, union station is honestly really boring. It's just a big cement building with one room. There's stairs but nothing really on the top level and nothing really in the building. There's a lot more interesting things in Gary than that.

You've already seen the outside, I assume. This is literally all there is to the inside:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8336604352_69cd28b1f9_c.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8336605688_a3a8c473c1_c.jpg


Ah thanks!




Amateur Photographer, Adrenaline Junkie, Marine Vet, Urban Explorer..
DawnPatrol 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 13 on 2/11/2016 8:10 PM >
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Jonrev, while not being a Gary local, is one of our resident Gary experts and usually has the the latest details on stuff going on down there. They've actually been demolishing quite a bit. My guess would be that the church will have it's day sometime soon after that ceiling collapse.

Urban, I would imagine you've seen before photos of the church, but in case you haven't, that ceiling collapse is rather new: https://www.flickr...72157632405820577/

Within the last year or so, I believe. It's a good thing no one was hurt, I don't think I've ever been to the church and not run into other people.




Granuaile 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 14 on 2/11/2016 8:19 PM >
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http://www.washing...-gardens/?page=all


Anyone know if this is still a thing that could happen?




"First rule of space travel, kids, is always answer distress beacons. 9 out of 10 times it's a ship full of dead bodies and free shit."
DawnPatrol 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 15 on 2/11/2016 8:28 PM >
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I could have sworn I'd heard rumors of that before the roof collapsed. Either way, it's clearly not structurally safe and I don't think turning it into an attraction is going to happen. They did clear the overgrowth and fence it off at one point, but never went beyond that and they've focused their attention on demolishing other things since then. Not really sure what the endgame will be for the church.




jonrev 


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Re: First time exploring in the Midwest
< Reply # 16 on 2/11/2016 8:44 PM >
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They've talked about the ruin garden plan for over a decade, probably since the arson in 1997, even. I doubt we'll see it happen.




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UER Forum > UE Photography > First time exploring in the Midwest (Viewed 2141 times)


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