Josh Gibson Photography

urban exploring

have an obsessive passion for exploring
abandoned places.
often times, I find myself starving for a
taste of such desires. I've driven hundreds
of miles based on rumors that an empty
building exists in a far off town. I've cut up
my arms traveling through sacred grounds,
lost my glasses jumping from death and
bruised my legs falling through weak floors.
I've trespassed and willingly broken
the daylight only rule.

what drives such a hunger, one may ask?

perhaps it is for the thrill... for the chill that
shoots up the spine when you hear a
rustling noise in a dark musty basement.
perhaps it is in search of ghosts or spirits.
perhaps it is for understanding...

...understanding of what a place was like.
when I explore these ruins
I imagine the people that once shared a part of their life
with these places
..I see these people going about their lives. I see history...

and this is how I travel back in time.


Chanute Air Force Base Old theater building on an abandoned air force base.	Manteno State Hospital An old state hospital in a small town south of Chicago. Most of the remaining buildings have been demolished.	Abandoned House An old abandoned farm house found just north of Bloomington, IL.


Gary Methodist Church One of the many abandoned structures in Gary, IN.	Peoria State Hospital An old insane asylum in Peoria, IL. Most of the buildings remain from the old Peoria State Hospital, however, local businesses have taken them over.	Clark Oil Refinery The old Clark Oil Refinery in Blue Island Chicago. A barren field is all that is left of these gothic structures.


Abandoned House Heading south on I-55 out of Chicago you would pass this old abandoned farm house. It was demolished last year.	Clock Tower This building is actually a water tower and home to many homeless people.	Gary Ambassador Apartments Big abandoned apartment building in Gary, IN.


Gary Post Office A large post office for what use to be a large city.	Gary Union Station Another famous structure in Gary, IN.	Hyde Park Hotel An old abandoned hotel in Hyde Park Chicago. Now replaced by a parking lot.


Northern Michigan Asylum I didn't get into NMA - but the outside was worth the trip.	St. Boniface Church Old abandoned church on the west side of the loop. Very haunting at night.	St. Stephens Church Gothic size church in Hyde Park Chicago. First Church of the Scientist.


	Train Factory Old abandoned train factory outside Metamora, IL.