Caledonia isn't the ghost town on the postcards, which is exactly why it's worth knowing about. Caledonia is a village in Caledonia Township, Boone County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Rockford, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 183 at the 2020 census.
Caledonia is the lone documented ghost town in Putnam County — for now.
The story of Caledonia
Illinois ghost towns cluster around the old lead district and the coal fields that fed Chicago.
Caledonia is a village in Caledonia Township, Boone County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Rockford, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 183 at the 2020 census.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Caledonia is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Caledonia is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Caledonia is roughly 42.3722, -88.8903 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Caledonia FAQs
01Where is Caledonia located?
02What county is Caledonia in?
03What is the history of Caledonia?
04What remains at Caledonia today?
05Can you visit Caledonia?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Caledonia, Illinois”), CC BY-SA.
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