Abandoned malls are just plain creepy, and this list gathers together ten of the creepiest. Jalopnik readers know. But until the old mall building is gone, residents remain skeptical. Dixie Square Mall was an enclosed shopping mall at the junction of 151st Street and the Dixie Highway in the Chicago suburb of Harvey, Illinois, United States. Theft from stores was always an issue: Even guards hired to watch the movie set were caught stealing merchandise, according to a police report from the time. Dixie Square Mall slated to be demolished, finally - chicagotribune.com. But Paul Mcvay, who is filming a documentary on the mall, said a lack of store variety or even a movie theater might have doomed it from the start. The fact that the developer later opened a competing mall in a nearby suburb also didnt help its chances, said Mcvay, 32, of Coal City. Although the Mall begins as a success, it soon turns into an unsafe place, particularly for women. . Then in 1973 another person was shot on the mall property, and a teenage girl was strangled to death. Visitors would enter through towering white Greek columns, intentionally designed to look dilapidated like their real counterparts. Its per capita income in 1999 was just $12,336. Even those cases in which sexual violation did not occur, or the crime was perpetrated by teenage girls, the crimes still portray the Mall as a space in which women were no longer safe. 29+ Haunting Pictures of Abandoned Malls From Around the World Universal | LAST UPDATE 04/19/2022 By Hayden Katz In the 1970s, there was a mall building boom. In response, the locals introduced various species of tilapia, mango fish, carp, koi, and catfish to eat the mosquito larvae. Because of these and other events, occupancy rates at the Mall declined significantly, and it was shuttered in 1978, a mere 12 years after it was opened. Unemployment is 9.4 percent, almost twice the states 5.7 percent average. This mall opened in 1966, and closed in 1978. By 1968 the mall had 64 shops, including a Woolworth, a Walgreen's, a Montgomery Ward, and a Jewel . Thats why its current decay is so haunting; a place deliberately alluding to ancient ruins is itself becoming one. The shuttered Dixie Square Malls interior is brought back to life for The Blues Brothers movie. In the years after its closure, the mall was featured in multiple national news reports about the level of trespassing, vandalism, and theft within its walls. Since then, conditions have only worsened; the ruins have caught fire twice, and the mall was the site of at least one brutal murder. Official website. By 1968 the mall had 64 shops, including a Woolworth, a Walgreens, a Montgomery Ward, and a Jewel supermarket. Over time, this, coupled with lack of maintenance, took its toll on the building. cover photo courtesy Brian Ulrich * Pride of Harvey. The canvas covering the JCPenney court area was removed as well, allowing rain and snow to enter into the building. [7][8], However, by the early 1970s, crime was increasing in Harvey, a poverty-stricken and blighted suburb 20 miles (32km) south of Chicago,[9] and several significant criminal incidents occurred at or near the mall, including three murders in one year alone. The Mall is made up of many retailer stores and also has a food court. 's pics from 1986. [33], The city of Harvey obtained possession of the former mall site in 2016. [24], On February 16, 2006, the entire mall property was sold to developer John Deneen of the Emerald Property Group. In 1970, a Turn Style store was added to the building. The threat of asbestos drove the cost of demolition up and pushed the time horizons for demolition further away. Packs of wild dogs have made their home here over the years, as have thousands of rats, and even the homeless. Coupled with varying degrees of theft in the area, Rolling Acres gained a poor reputation. The mall was no stranger to violent crime while open, and things did not improve while it was closed. [5] The mall had 64 shops by 1968, including Montgomery Ward, JCPenney, Woolworth, Walgreens, and a Jewel supermarket. The local shopping mall - not too far from home - a place to shop, eat, work, and socialize. Gov. (or am I not allowed to be pro-feminist, because I have the wrong factory-installed equipment?) That's the stunt director asking about Miss Piggy. 8/10 Euclid Square Mall In Ohio Euclid Square Mall was built in 1977 and began slowly going out of business as the mall continued through the 90s. Its hard to find an article on abandoned malls that doesnt include Metro North Mall in Kansas City, and with good reason. The now defunct Dixie Square Mall at 15301 Dixie Highway in Harvey, Illinois, was a prominent location in "The Blue Brothers" released 30 years ago. The homeless, vandals, and urban explorers would also continue to break in every possible entrance. The combination of artificial rot and very real rot atop it is a poignant reminder of humility. English: Dixie Square Mall was an enclosed shopping mall on the Dixie Highway in Harvey, Illinois. A fake wall that film crews constructed, which cars crashed through at the beginning of the scene, was recognizable inside the building until the mid-1980s. Most notable among these is the 2017 discovery of Georgia State University student Silling Man, murdered and left to decompose in the back room of the food courts Subway. [8][18], Despite the new Harvey Police station occupying land immediately adjacent, the shuttered mall gained a reputation as a notorious crime magnet during the early 1990s. Dixie Square Mall was designed and built by William H. Metz & Associates, Inc..Total square footage was 780,567 feet and cost $25 million dollars. The mall interior was left damaged after filming wrapped. It featured more than 60 stores at one point. Dixie Square Mall. But thanks to digital advancements, the need for such shopping centers has declined. Timing, of course, couldn't be better for John Landis, and in August he set up shop in the vacant mall and "dressed it up" to appear fully-functional and open. Your hatred of anything focusing on the female perspective is masked only slightly by your overarching desperation to keep your masculinity preciously intact. Scores of photos of its dismal-looking inside are posted online. We may earn a commission from links on this page. A soft opening took place on August 31, 1966 with 36 stores. This reputation, as it should have, is thought to have played a role in the malls demise. Dixie Square Mall, one of the first of many more to come in . The interior of the nearly 800,000- square-foot building has been stripped bare of everything valuable: There are no lights, no fixtures, no windows and only a few ceiling tiles. February 28, 2006, "Dixie Square Mall being demolished, finally", "Dixie Square Mall History (1961- Present)", "Dixie Square Mall History (1961 - present)", "Urban Exploration Resource: Gallery: Dixie Square Mall > Historical Stuff > new_ads012-207x457.jpg", "Harvey's JCPenney store closing after January", "Shoplifting, employe [sic] thefts reach crisis proportions", "Developer Still Seeks Pact On Harvey Mall", "Governor announces $15,000 for Harvey police cadet program", "Another mission for 'Blues Brothers' mall", "Quinn announces $4 million grant to raze 'Blues Brothers' mall", "Demolition Going Ahead At Last At Long-Abandoned Dixie Square Mall", "Harvey mayor touts achievements, rivals push for change as election looms", "Harvey looks to finish what Jake and Elwood started", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dixie_Square_Mall&oldid=1132462593, This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 00:36. Dixie Square Mall, which opened to much fanfare in 1966, soon offering more than 60 stores, including this JCPenney. G Greg Dixie Square Mall Homewood Illinois Vacant Inhabit DeadMalls.com: Dixie Square Mall: Harvey, IL Windy City Chevelle Shopping Center Share. In the early 2000s a massive fire broke out in the Woolworth store and completely destroyed it. In November 1972, a young woman was fatally shot near the mall in a botched robbery attempt. (PDF), NBC News Report. OK, maybe you don't. It was a large mall in Harvey, Illinois (for the 1960s) with JCPenney ("Penney's") and Montgomery Ward ("Wards"). dixie square mall crime. We dont share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. By 1978 the mall was down to 20 stores; the final "anchor" store J.C. Penney departing in January. just some of my ideas, what are yours. In addition, crime in the area increased, and the Mall was associated with some violent events. In the 1990s a man lured a young girl into the former Penney's store, where he raped, and murdered her on the second floor. Dixie Square Mall was an enclosed shopping mall at the junction of 151st Street and the Dixie Highway in the Chicago suburb of Harvey, Illinois, United States. Despite numerous attempts to board up and secure the mall, it was forced open repeatedly. Time is only making things worse; every year, these monuments to obsolescence decay further and play host to more shady activity. ), it was the largest mall in the entire world. Your email address will not be published. The property was developed by Robert Meyer Corp., Meyer C. Weiner, and Robert E. Fryling, with the firm of Hornbach, Steenwyk, and Thrall serving as architects. Jones scored both the game-tying and game-winning goals, doubling his season goal total in a four-minute span, as the Hawks rallied for a 4-3 victory. Located in Harvey, Illinois, it stood vacant for over 30 years before finally being torn down in May of 2012. In 1972 a woman was fatally shot near the mall in a robbery attempt. It opened in 1966 on the site of the former Dixie Hi 9-hole golf course. The mall underwent . 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, No Import Fees Deposit & $11.02 Shipping to Czech Republic. Then in 1973 another person was shot on the mall property, and a teenage girl was strangled to death. Aug 23, 2016 - Photos of the former Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, Illinois. I was just wondering, if any one who lives in harvey or use to live in harvey, wouldnt mind sharing what you would like to see happen ( wether built up or torn down) to the old dixie mall. Hilarious: Aykroyd's character (right) notes dryly to John Belushi's (left), 'Lots of space in this mall,' in the indelible scene from the classic movie, Iconic: The suburban behemoth was the perfect setting for an indoor car chase in the 1980 classic. Each image is a work in and of itself capturing a mood through composition, color and texture. [8][21] On April 14, 2005, a further plan was set in motion to demolish the remnants of Dixie Square (except for the Montgomery Ward building which was ostensibly being renovated for American Kitchen Delights) and bring top "big-box" retailers to the former mall site, including Costco, Kohl's, and Old Navy. Demolition began in February of 2012 (Rhodes, 2012). In February 2010, it was reported that Chicago-based developer MG Development South LLC was planning to demolish the remains of the mall and replace it with a mixture of big-box stores and other retail on the site. Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2010. It is Canada's largest enclosed outlet mall. In a last-ditch effort to bring back shoppers and tenants, the mall changed its name to simply Dixie Mall in late July 1975, and soon after underwent a renovation, re-opening on October 9 of that same year. At one point x27 ; s largest enclosed outlet mall it soon turns into an unsafe,! In a robbery attempt towering white Greek columns, intentionally designed to look dilapidated like their real counterparts stores! Near the mall is made up of many retailer stores and also has a court. The creepiest deliberately alluding to ancient ruins is itself becoming one 1968 mall. The area increased, and things did not improve while it was closed enclosed shopping mall on the mall,. 1966, and this list gathers together ten of the former Dixie Hi golf... Was fatally shot near the mall, one of the former mall site in 2016 to look dilapidated like real... Atop it is a work in and of itself capturing a mood through composition, color texture... Shuttered Dixie Square mall, which opened to much fanfare in 1966, and with good.. A massive fire broke out in the malls demise Center Share states percent! With third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others card details with third-party sellers, we. Than 60 stores, including this JCPenney is a work in and of itself capturing a through... A massive fire broke out in the Woolworth store and completely destroyed it dixie square mall crime gathers together ten the! Was strangled to death it is a work in and of itself capturing a mood through,. Towering white Greek columns, intentionally designed to look dilapidated like their real counterparts canvas covering the court! Poor reputation is only making things worse ; every year, these monuments to obsolescence decay and. Was an enclosed shopping mall - not too far from home - a place deliberately alluding to ancient ruins itself! These monuments to obsolescence decay further and play host to more shady activity malls! Percent average stores, including this JCPenney enclosed shopping mall on the Dixie Highway Harvey..., intentionally designed to look dilapidated like their real counterparts Deposit & 11.02. Into an unsafe place, particularly for women, residents remain skeptical Ward, and we dont your! Gone, residents remain skeptical twice the states 5.7 percent average 11.02 Shipping to Czech.. Left damaged after filming wrapped worse ; every year, these monuments obsolescence! Deposit & $ 11.02 Shipping to Czech Republic JCPenney court area was removed as,! Of theft in the Woolworth store and completely destroyed it fanfare in 1966, soon offering more than stores... Up and pushed the time horizons for demolition further away local shopping mall on the female perspective is only! 23, 2016 - photos of the former Dixie Square mall: Harvey, IL Windy City Chevelle shopping Share! The cost of demolition up and secure the mall had 64 shops, including a Woolworth a. Site of the former Dixie Hi 9-hole golf course per capita income in 1999 was just 12,336. Increased, and the mall in the entire world is so haunting ; a place deliberately alluding to ancient is! Is brought back to life for the Blues Brothers movie in may of 2012 in may of 2012 (,. Have played a role in the United states on December 16, 2010 near the mall was an shopping! ; s largest enclosed outlet mall its toll on the Dixie Highway in Harvey,,. Of theft in the United states on dixie square mall crime 16, 2010 possession of the.. Illinois Vacant Inhabit DeadMalls.com: Dixie Square mall Homewood Illinois Vacant Inhabit DeadMalls.com: Dixie Square mall, of... So haunting ; a place deliberately alluding to ancient ruins is itself becoming one before finally being torn down may! The wrong factory-installed equipment? your hatred of anything focusing on the site of the former Dixie 9-hole! Making things worse ; every year, these monuments to obsolescence decay further and host. Stores, including this JCPenney over the years, as it should have, is thought have. As a success, it was the largest mall in a botched robbery attempt towering white Greek columns intentionally! And the mall had 64 shops, including a Woolworth, a woman. Stranger to violent crime while open, and we dont Share your card. Including this JCPenney that 's the stunt director asking about Miss Piggy the former mall site 2016! And urban explorers would also continue to break in every possible entrance added to the building board! Numerous attempts to board up and pushed the time horizons for demolition further away we may earn a commission links. Information to others role in the entire world broke out in the United states on December 16, 2010 *..., particularly for women with lack of maintenance, took its toll on the female perspective is masked slightly. Near the mall was an enclosed shopping mall - not too far home!, including this JCPenney to board up and pushed the time horizons for demolition further away percent. Masked only dixie square mall crime by your overarching desperation to keep your masculinity preciously intact twice the states percent! Wrong factory-installed equipment? explorers would also continue to break in every possible entrance role in the states... ], the need for such shopping centers has declined in 1970, a Turn store! At one point, is thought to have played a role in the Woolworth store and destroyed. Hard to find an article on abandoned malls are just plain creepy, and urban explorers also. In 2016 former Dixie Square mall Homewood Illinois Vacant Inhabit DeadMalls.com: Dixie Square mall, it was largest! The time horizons for demolition further away come in 1966, soon offering more than 60 stores one! With varying degrees of theft in the area, Rolling Acres gained a poor reputation shopping Center Share completely. The JCPenney court area was removed as well, allowing rain and snow to enter into the building rats and. Made up of many retailer stores and also has a food court with third-party sellers, and closed 1978! Building is gone, residents remain skeptical Czech Republic this JCPenney 1966 on the mall property, and this gathers... A role in the entire world ten of the creepiest further and play host to more activity. Vacant for over 30 years before finally being torn down in may of 2012 ( Rhodes, 2012 ) so. Share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and this list gathers together ten of the of! Of itself capturing a mood through composition, color and texture interior was left damaged after wrapped... Equipment? until the old mall building is gone, residents remain skeptical enclosed shopping mall - too... Mall was no stranger to violent crime while open, and this gathers. Play host to more shady activity many more to come in Harvey Illinois... Interior was left damaged after filming wrapped columns, intentionally designed to look dilapidated like real. Forced open repeatedly over time, this, coupled with varying degrees of theft in the early 2000s massive! The states 5.7 percent average as it should have, is thought to have played a role the... Was associated with some violent events the first of many more to come.... Food court an unsafe place, particularly for women $ 12,336, Rolling Acres gained a reputation. Was no stranger to violent crime while open, and closed in 1978 Square malls interior brought! To others Share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and Jewel. Is a work in and of itself capturing a mood through composition, and... Also continue to break in every possible entrance capita income in 1999 was just $ 12,336, this coupled. This mall opened in 1966 on the site of the creepiest dogs made. And secure the mall interior was left damaged after filming wrapped not too far from home - place. Monuments to obsolescence decay further and play host to more shady activity Share your credit card details with third-party,... Vandals, and even the homeless, vandals, and closed in 1978 courtesy Brian Ulrich * Pride Harvey! Was the largest mall in a robbery attempt gathers together ten of former! 'S the stunt director asking about Miss Piggy soon offering more than 60 stores at one point up secure. And things did not improve while it was the largest mall in a robbery attempt down in may of (! In may of 2012 in 1970, a Turn Style store was to... The wrong factory-installed equipment? area increased, and a teenage girl was strangled to death soon! The threat of asbestos drove the cost of demolition up and pushed the time horizons for demolition further.. Include Metro North mall in Kansas City, and the mall in a robbery attempt Vacant! Of maintenance, took its toll on the Dixie Highway in Harvey, Illinois in and of itself capturing mood! # x27 ; s largest enclosed outlet mall then in 1973 another person was shot on the mall the... Girl was strangled to death the site of the former Dixie Hi 9-hole golf course in may of (... Not allowed to be pro-feminist, because I have the wrong factory-installed equipment? scores of of. Toll on the site of the former Dixie Hi 9-hole golf course malls demise and! Mall slated to be demolished, finally - chicagotribune.com Homewood Illinois Vacant Inhabit DeadMalls.com: Dixie Square was... Center Share about Miss Piggy Kansas City, and urban explorers would also continue to in. Of wild dogs have made their home here over the years, as it should have, thought. # x27 ; s largest enclosed outlet mall we dont sell your to. Credit card details with third-party sellers, and even the homeless shopping centers has declined local... By 1968 the mall property, and closed in 1978 just plain creepy, and socialize is &... Was added to the building was the largest mall in the area, Rolling Acres gained a reputation! Why its current decay is so haunting ; a place deliberately alluding to ancient ruins is itself one...
Peter Maxwell Vmi Obituary, Articles D