Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Illinois

Wilson

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

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

The map remembers Wilson long after the crowds moved on. Wilson was an unincorporated community in southern Warren Township, Lake County, Illinois, United States.

Wilson is the lone documented ghost town in Lake County — for now.

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The story of Wilson

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

Wilson was an unincorporated community in southern Warren Township, Lake County, Illinois, United States. The community was located along Illinois Route 120 (Belvidere Road) and is now part of the cities of Waukegan and Park City and the village of Gurnee.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Wilson 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 Wilson 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 Wilson is roughly 42.3467, -87.9061 — 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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Wilson FAQs

01Where is Wilson located?
Wilson is in Lake County, Illinois, mapped near 42.3467, -87.9061.
02What county is Wilson in?
Wilson sits in Lake County, Illinois. See our full guide to ghost towns in Lake County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Wilson?
Wilson was an unincorporated community in southern Warren Township, Lake County, Illinois, United States. The community was located along Illinois Route 120 (Belvidere Road) and is now part of the cities of Waukegan and Park City and the village of Gurnee.
04What remains at Wilson today?
The on-the-ground condition of Wilson 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 Wilson?
Here's the honest truth: access to Wilson 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 Wilson is roughly 42.3467, -87.9061 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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

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