Mills Prairie

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

Mills Prairie is a former settlement in Edwards County, Illinois, United States. Mills Prairie was 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of West Salem.

Mills Prairie sounds like exactly what it was — a working town, not a resort.

The on-the-ground condition of Mills Prairie 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 Mills Prairie 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 Mills Prairie is roughly 38.5042, -87.9708 — 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.