May 30, 2026
US Steel – Joliet
This site is the former US Steel plant in Joliet, Illinois. It shut down in 2001. As far as I can tell, operations at this site date back to 1891 when the historic administration building was constructed. Unfortunately, that building burned down in September, 2024. Between the fire and the discovery of a dead body onsite in July 2025, they decided to demolish everything.
I, an idiot, was unaware this place was even explorable until I wound up here recently. I was aware of it back in 2012 when I explored the legendary and awesome Joliet Prison but I remember thinking the steel plant was active at the time and for some dumb reason I never followed up on it.
An ‘official business’ trip brought me through town semi-recently and I thought I’d take a tour of Joliet Prison now that you can do so legally. Compared to exploring it: the legal tour is, in fact, pretty disappointing; Only one side of the main section was open and various other buildings were locked up or otherwise heavily restricted. As such, I found no cause to un-sheath the camera. But I concede that a disappointing tour is still a lot better than nothing.
I observed the steel plant being actively demolished when I drove past so after the prison tour ended I figured I better go see what I had been missing out on over here. Heavy demolition equipment was being operated and loud noises and destruction rang out in all directions. Scurrying around out of sight like the filthy pest that I am, I did my best to avoid becoming dead body #2. And I guess I succeeded, so that’s cool. Unless I’m actually dead and none of this is real. In which case: I regret to inform you that the afterlife fucking sucks.
