Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Illinois

Caledonia

A ghost town of unknown status in Putnam County, Illinois.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Caledonia ghost town, Illinois
Plate I — Caledonia, IllinoisPhoto: DemocraticLuntz (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Survey Map

Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting

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Caledonia FAQs

01Where is Caledonia located?
Caledonia is in Putnam County, Illinois, mapped near 42.3722, -88.8903.
02What county is Caledonia in?
Caledonia sits in Putnam County, Illinois. See our full guide to ghost towns in Putnam County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Caledonia?
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.
04What remains at Caledonia 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.
05Can you visit Caledonia?
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.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Caledonia, Illinois”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Putnam County

All 1 ghost towns in Putnam County →