What happened to this abandoned railroad in Illinois is such an amazing story I have to share it with you.

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Abandoned Stories In Illinois Usually Don't End Well

Whenever a business, building, or anything else becomes abandoned, it's usually a sad story. They close or go out of business, which is never a good thing. Then sit unoccupied for years and become a wreck of a place.

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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An Abandoned Story In Illinois With A Happy Ending

This abandoned story in Illinois is an exception to the rule. Many years ago, a rail line around the Chicago area shut down. Instead of just leaving the old track there to rot, a group of residents decided they wanted something better. It was converted into a bike and hiking path.

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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The former Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin Electric rail lines became the Illinois Prairie Path.

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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I grew up near the Prairie Path. My friends and I would ride our bikes down it all the time. When I played youth football we did a "walkathon" fundraiser every season there too.

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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What Is The Illinois Prairie Path?

According to onlyinyourstate.com, 

The Illinois Prairie Path is a network of 61 miles of biking and hiking trails.

 

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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It is mostly in DuPage County, with some spilling out to Kane County and Cook County.

 

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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The Illinois Prairie Path has been around since 1963.

 

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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The project was started by volunteers but now the local government maintains it. The path is filled with beautiful scenery including wildlife, vegetation, water, bridges, and even railroad tracks.

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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For more info about the Illinois Prairie Path, HERE.

Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
Photo from YouTube Video of Illinois Prairie Path
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Abandoned Radio Station In Illinois Is A Blast From The Past

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Abandoned Meth House in Illinois Is Worse Than You Can Imagine

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Take a Look Inside an Abandoned and Creepy Chicago Police Station

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This Abandoned Illinois Animal Hospital Is Littered with A Whole Lot of Strange

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Can You Guess The Abandoned Rockford Business?

Can You Guess The Abandoned Rockford Business?

Ummm, can anyone explain why these toys are tethered to an abandoned motel south of Rockford???

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