Step Inside This Forbidden Army Depot That's Been Left To Decay In Illinois

Along the Mississippi River in both Caroll and Jo Daviess Counties, you can find the forbidden land that once made up the Savanna Army Depot.

Serving various roles to the military over the years since the land was purchased, the work began on this property roughly around 1917. The facility would end up being used to test military weapons as well as manufacture, store, and recycle munitions.

Fighting against the obvious fate that the depot had in store, after years of dwindling away the Savanna Army Depot would close its doors with roughly 500 workers remaining. What was once one of the largest army depots in the state during World War II has become an abandoned piece of history that is now off limits.

One of the main reasons why this abandoned area has become so forbidden may be the fact that there are still unexploded land mines lying around the property. All over the remaining area of the army depot you'll find warning signs, many referencing the fact that there have been environmental contaminants here.

If you're curious as to what this place looks like but have zero interest in dealing with toxic chemicals and unexploded land mines, then you're in luck! Back in 2003, the Army signed over more than 9,000 acres of their land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Today the land they've acquired next to the Mississippi River is known as the Lost Mound Unit, featuring areas for hiking and birdwatching. The wildlife area has now become a unique place to explore considering that it lies right next to the abandoned remains of the Savanna Army Depot.