Chamness

Illinois ghost towns cluster around the old lead district and the coal fields that fed Chicago.

Chamness, also known as "Chamnesstown," is a former unincorporated community in Williamson County, Illinois, that disappeared in the mid-1930s when the town was bulldozed for the construction of Crab Orchard Lake. The Lake was part of the Crab Orchard Impoundment Project and was begun as a W.P.A. project after the Federal Government purchased a large section of property which included the town.

The on-the-ground condition of Chamness 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.

Here's the honest truth: access to Chamness 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 Chamness is roughly 37.6769, -88.9886 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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.