McVey

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

William Estus McVey (born on a farm near Lee’s Creek, Clinton County, Ohio, December 13, 1885 and died in Washington D.C. August 10, 1958) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Illinois' 4th congressional district from 1951 until his death. He attended public schools; graduated from Ohio University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity in 1916 and from the University of Chicago in 1919.

The on-the-ground condition of McVey 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 McVey 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 McVey is roughly 39.3898, -89.7465 — 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.