Jon, You are CRAZY! You can see through the floor man! Great footage wish you would have had a little more light though. Do you think those wild dogs venture up there or is it to dark for them? My heart would have been racing!!! Have you or anybody else ever considered venturing out onto the roof of JC Penny? Thanks for always answering my questions:)
@MissMaddy881 Hard to say because their appearance is so rare, but all accounts I've read on top of my experience is that they're more bark than bite.
Its also so crazy how the 2nd floor bathroom is so preserved, yet the rest of the store is crumbling to nothing. I guess its the one part of the store that hasn't become the victim of water damage.
Water damage seems to have really fueled the decay of Penneys. Faulty construction? The Wards had little to none. If you look at Mike Bargerhuff's 1986 photos, there was already a lot of water damage in Penneys even then.
this is probably creepiest part of Dixie Square. As the years went by, 1981, 1987, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006...this floor and its decor just sat in total pitch black, undisturbed, frozen in time. The possibility that a girl was left for dead up here for who knows how long just makes it worse.
I also find it fascinating how while the mall itself and most of the stores seems to have had several remodels throughout the 70s, the DSM Penneys looks to be all-original 1966.
@xanadu247 Looking at it on Bing, I wouldn't be surprised if they, at one point, had similar architecture... though I can't find any history on NE-Mall. You can also tell that store's been expanded from its original footprint; this was also in the plan for DSM's JCPenney.
Amazing how intact those offices and that restroom still are up there! Must not be roof leaks near those parts so they're probably protected from the weather. That restroom looks untouched by vandals too. I'm guessing not many people have ventured up there?
I'm sorry abt whut happened to Ms. Shelby to kuz that's sum unfortunate slimeball-azz shitt...but I went to dsm smokin 3 blunts(in da mall)and tha only thing I was worried about was da stray dogs runnin around dat I heard 'boutt
I commented in one of your other videos and didn't realize you were on the second floor. You have some serious stones man, any part of that place could have collapsed and you could have been impaled and left for dead in all that metal. Not saying that to be mean, I was just holding on to the edge of my seat hoping you didn't get hurt. I wish you well and pray that you use an N95 mask if you go back in there, the asbestos and toxicity of all that material just rotting is beyond bad.
@jonrev, her dad is my uncle. Im from harvey and her dad is from dixmoor. Its still a tragedy til this day and really messed up her siblings. I wish I knew who else was saying they are a cousin. I would never move back to harvey but i do visit and glance by the area when i can.
went there today to explore the DSM. my buddy claims he saw a dog in there a couple of months ago but didnt see a soul today. explored the entirety of the mall and the second floor is lookin terrible. it has severly collapsed. yall cant be scared of harvey like that, this is 2010, it aint like it used to be. i didnt see a soul in there and it was kinda creepy but it was a good time.
@cityofchi74 I can also vouch that Harvey isn't nearly what everyone warns me about... actually in my travels to these abandonments, I've encountered some of the friendliest strangers in the absolute worst of areas.
At 3:49 I noticed you peered into a room and then you quickly backed away from it. Was there something in there or did you hear the floor creak beneath you?
@kwag4 No; we only spend a few hours at a time in there, it is commonly believed that it takes years and years of exposure for the asbestos to cause illness.
the big maglites make good flashlites for this kind of stuff. my uncle had one that shined into the clouds. also why were there rooms? were they offices?
@degaik It's way too far gone. Even if they did everything they could without demolishing the structure, the mall may look pretty for a short while but it would be structurally very dangerous.
@uluvme29 We both had forgotten our good flashlights and had to make-do with a crappy "freebie" flashlight from a pack of batteries. On the last trip back in February, I had a camping lantern which worked great. I'm now using a 3,000,000 candlepower flashlight.
Wow I cant believe someone posted this on here. I'm the first cousin of the woman that was raped and murdered there and I hope they tear this shit down because it holds a painful memory for my family and we have to drive pass this everyday
@Ladymodel Dear god. That to me is one of the worst crimes that can be done. I wish that terrible event had never happened to you, and that your cousin was with you.
@Falcone45 Yeah but we have healed and got justice. The man is in jail for life with no parole and how he is hunted everyday for what he did to her. she was so young and beautiful
@Ladymodel I`m sorry what happened to your cousin i send my condolensis to u and your family i wish that dumb man never did that to her thats just sad but keep your head up hun and stay stong. ~2pac4life400/Tony R.~
In February 2010 it was reported that Chicago-based developers MG Development South LLC were planning to demolish the remains of the mall and replace them with a mixture of big-box stores and other retail on the site.
This is where the girl was raped and murdered back in the 90's.
Anyway, I work around Harvey all the time. With the recent news of a possible demolition, I'm going to be going back in there myself pretty soon. I've gone in a couple times already, I think the place is incredible.
I doubt it's going anywhere soon. Though, if I hear an official date of demolition, I'll be sure to go back before it goes down and I'll film the demolition itself. What do you want me to do?
Maybe, maybe not. Dixie Square is going to come down no matter what anyway. That mall will collapse on itself if nobody tears it down. Sadly, she's f***ed one way or the other. I mentioned what I would like you to do on your video. I would do this myself, but my Dad doesn't want to risk getting shot in Harvey.
I agree with the others, it's really brave going up there and it's an eerie feeling watching this video and I really want to thank you for sharing this video and I have a question, do you was alone there?
Rule number one about this place is NEVER go alone; the building is very unstable, and God knows what can be hiding in there. Always have someone that can go for help if needed.
Awesome footage! Being brave and going up onto that 2nd floor paid off. Thanks.
It sure is an eerie feeling watching footage in an area where a rape/murder took place and this was AFTER the mall was abandoned that the event happened.
Awesome video, you're brave! You should have added more subdued and gloomier music though, would make it a bit more scary ;)
It's like something out of Fallout 3! The once cheerful 60's clashes with the apathy and neglect of it's future, darkness and gloom is all that remains. All that's missing is the radiated ghouls.
i took a trip up to harvey a year or so ago and did some photography at this site. it's what you don't see that scares the shit out of you. the basements..flooded. the chance of collapse...high. hundreds of blind rooms, blind corners and 30 years of decay just sitting there waiting for you to make the wrong move. it is exceptionally dangerous to go in there but it absolutely draws curiosity out. if that wasn't bad enough, the town of harvey waits for people to come to the mall.
Thanks for this interesting video. To think that just 40 years ago, that place was a modern, brightly-lit mall full of happy shoppers. Now it's a forbidding, gutted-out ruin. Someday all of America will be like that.
It was not that dark in the middle were the floor colapsed, Is there liek a third floor or something the stairs i went up had like another set on the other side going up another level
I got some video footage but with a cell phone i am goin to go back soon i was only there for about a hour because my freind had work. That place is so crazy wish i had a map becuase i had no idea what was what except for jc penny.
i went up here last year and omg 0_o i swear i herd some of the floor clasp and i ran like fuck after that XD great video and you stayed up there way longer then i have lol
The wikipedia page for Dixie square mall was updated to say the Thom McAn sign disappeared around march 2009.LOL Maybe they watched your 3/14/09 video.
I wonder if the decor/graphics were even upgraded from the early Seventies at the DSM location of Penney. The front signage was retro Sixties all the way to its closing, that's for sure. Reminds me of the early Seventies decor the Belk store in Milledgeville had even until 1996. It was in a one-decker mall, though.
The mall went through a remodeling in the 70s (white interior became the blue you see today), but as far as I know Penneys essentially stayed the same throughout the years it was open.
When they filmed The Blues Brothers they changed the the old Penneys signage to the normal JCPenney sign, but just for the movie.
Are the collapses occurring where the floor is concrete? I can understand the roof collapsing, and parts of the floor where there were penetrations (ie: ducts, pipes, etc) but usually concrete floor slabs last forever. I'm not doubting it's unsafe, I'm just very curious. Maybe the steel columns are rusted to ratcrap.
The steel columns are badly rusted, and the concrete floor appears to be only a few inches thick. Remember it was built in 1966 and I'm sure construction techniques have changed since.
It makes me wonder what shape the building would be in if the DSM were to be built with today's construction and sat open and empty from 2009-2028......Better?.......Worse?
@PampersPete 2009-2039... it was abandoned for 30 years when this video was made. But I'd say in better shape because construction is far different now than it was in 1966.
Awesome job on implementing Floyd into this video. You got ALOT of respect from me just for sheer bravery. That floor is FUBAR!!!! I'd hate to meet someone while exploring any of the dark corners of DSM. Fuckin' aye I wish I could've gotten to see that place while I was out there. You guys are doing an amazing job documenting the DSM and I'm sure I speak for others when I say keep up the good work. DSM will most likely collapse in on itself in the next decade or so. It's in the waning years.
balls
southport97 3 months ago
Jon, You are CRAZY! You can see through the floor man! Great footage wish you would have had a little more light though. Do you think those wild dogs venture up there or is it to dark for them? My heart would have been racing!!! Have you or anybody else ever considered venturing out onto the roof of JC Penny? Thanks for always answering my questions:)
Scott
Bigfriendly15 3 months ago
@Bigfriendly15 First dog I saw there was on the second floor.
jonrev 3 months ago
@jonrev are they aggressive? if they're not, someone should take them and give them a good home.
MissMaddy881 3 months ago
@MissMaddy881 Hard to say because their appearance is so rare, but all accounts I've read on top of my experience is that they're more bark than bite.
jonrev 3 months ago
@jonrev oh ok.
MissMaddy881 2 months ago
does anyone own the building and if u go in it would u get caught??????
MrSonic935 5 months ago
@MrSonic93 It has an owner, and if you create enough attention to catch a cop the worst you may get is a small fine.
jonrev 5 months ago
I'd like to film a post apocalyptic movie there some day. It would make an excellent claustrophobic/action movie motif for my High-C 2 story.
TonyShow82 9 months ago
1:18 - TOILETRIES?
April 24, 2011 2:10 am
whattheheck1000 10 months ago
Its also so crazy how the 2nd floor bathroom is so preserved, yet the rest of the store is crumbling to nothing. I guess its the one part of the store that hasn't become the victim of water damage.
Water damage seems to have really fueled the decay of Penneys. Faulty construction? The Wards had little to none. If you look at Mike Bargerhuff's 1986 photos, there was already a lot of water damage in Penneys even then.
Shiv5710 11 months ago
this is probably creepiest part of Dixie Square. As the years went by, 1981, 1987, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006...this floor and its decor just sat in total pitch black, undisturbed, frozen in time. The possibility that a girl was left for dead up here for who knows how long just makes it worse.
I also find it fascinating how while the mall itself and most of the stores seems to have had several remodels throughout the 70s, the DSM Penneys looks to be all-original 1966.
Shiv5710 11 months ago 2
Let me just say the layout of the store is the same as JCPenney Northeast Mall In Hurst TX
xanadu247 1 year ago
@xanadu247 Looking at it on Bing, I wouldn't be surprised if they, at one point, had similar architecture... though I can't find any history on NE-Mall. You can also tell that store's been expanded from its original footprint; this was also in the plan for DSM's JCPenney.
jonrev 1 year ago
@jonrev i wonder what it looks like now..
it's SO sad for me to see these dead malls, but it's interesting, too.
MissMaddy881 7 months ago
Amazing how intact those offices and that restroom still are up there! Must not be roof leaks near those parts so they're probably protected from the weather. That restroom looks untouched by vandals too. I'm guessing not many people have ventured up there?
Thepylot78 1 year ago
@Thepylot78 It's "better" than most areas of the store, but most of the fixtures have been trashed. Paper towel dispensers are still there, however.
jonrev 1 year ago
in the room at 6:16 I saw a toilet seat!
MrERIC314 1 year ago
SOmehow this reminds me of Fallout.
dixievfd55 1 year ago 2
@dixievfd55 IKR
PhoenixKing0617 1 year ago
I'm sorry abt whut happened to Ms. Shelby to kuz that's sum unfortunate slimeball-azz shitt...but I went to dsm smokin 3 blunts(in da mall)and tha only thing I was worried about was da stray dogs runnin around dat I heard 'boutt
EARLYKINGJAMES 1 year ago
I commented in one of your other videos and didn't realize you were on the second floor. You have some serious stones man, any part of that place could have collapsed and you could have been impaled and left for dead in all that metal. Not saying that to be mean, I was just holding on to the edge of my seat hoping you didn't get hurt. I wish you well and pray that you use an N95 mask if you go back in there, the asbestos and toxicity of all that material just rotting is beyond bad.
RichsWorldLive 1 year ago
@jonrev, her dad is my uncle. Im from harvey and her dad is from dixmoor. Its still a tragedy til this day and really messed up her siblings. I wish I knew who else was saying they are a cousin. I would never move back to harvey but i do visit and glance by the area when i can.
imabme2010 1 year ago
went there today to explore the DSM. my buddy claims he saw a dog in there a couple of months ago but didnt see a soul today. explored the entirety of the mall and the second floor is lookin terrible. it has severly collapsed. yall cant be scared of harvey like that, this is 2010, it aint like it used to be. i didnt see a soul in there and it was kinda creepy but it was a good time.
cityofchi74 1 year ago
@cityofchi74 I can also vouch that Harvey isn't nearly what everyone warns me about... actually in my travels to these abandonments, I've encountered some of the friendliest strangers in the absolute worst of areas.
jonrev 1 year ago
im curious to know, are you related to denise?????
imabme2010 1 year ago
im curious to know, are you related to denise? if so how. because this was my cousin. I miss her dearly and til this day it still hurts.....
imabme2010 1 year ago
@imabme2010 No, I have no relation to Denise. It's tragic what happened to her, please accept my condolences.
This is interesting, however, because you are now the second person to leave a comment claiming to be her cousin.
jonrev 1 year ago
It looks like there isn't much left of the second floor since you filmed this.
amyisindallas 1 year ago
How did you get up there it would of been dangerous to get up to that floor
maikeliRAIWALUI 1 year ago
Comment removed
MrAirbuster57 1 year ago
At 3:49 I noticed you peered into a room and then you quickly backed away from it. Was there something in there or did you hear the floor creak beneath you?
ApolloBoy 1 year ago
I don't go in jc penny. Ugly crappy clothes
dizzlefizzle9 1 year ago
@dizzlefizzle9 they're not ugly. some are cute.
MissMaddy881 1 year ago
at 3:37 did you notice if the toilets were still in the stalls?
MrAirbuster57 1 year ago
I'm curious, how many people were with you when you filmed this?
alsemberski 1 year ago
@alsemberski Myself and my friend.
jonrev 1 year ago
i'd love to go see this if it wasn't in a dangerous part of town. abandoned places interest me.
MissMaddy881 1 year ago
so what am i looking at at 1:36? is that the dressing room at the beginning?
MissMaddy881 1 year ago
@MissMaddy881 Store and management offices.
jonrev 1 year ago
@jonrev cool.
MissMaddy881 1 year ago
@jonrev Isn't there lots of asbestos? Do you wear a mask so you don't get Meselphelioma?
kwag4 1 year ago
@kwag4 No; we only spend a few hours at a time in there, it is commonly believed that it takes years and years of exposure for the asbestos to cause illness.
jonrev 1 year ago
Ladymodel, i'm soo sorry about denise. may she RIP.
MissMaddy881 1 year ago
@MissMaddy881 ahahahaahahaha!!!
scottspeaksfuckinsux 1 year ago
i like shopping so i'm very sorry about DSM. one question: does the lady haunt that area?
MissMaddy881 1 year ago
like a journey through hell
clarkbell 1 year ago
So creepy. It's like a Ghost Hunters episode.
mrericashley726 1 year ago
@mrericashley726 That's exactly what I thought BEFORE reading this comment!
kwag4 1 year ago
the big maglites make good flashlites for this kind of stuff. my uncle had one that shined into the clouds. also why were there rooms? were they offices?
MrAirbuster57 1 year ago
@MrAirbuster57 Yes, those were offices.
jonrev 1 year ago
i'll bet it was scary to you guys. I would not go in there alone, especially areas like that.
MrAirbuster57 1 year ago
this mall should be saved and reopened
degaik 1 year ago
@degaik It's way too far gone. Even if they did everything they could without demolishing the structure, the mall may look pretty for a short while but it would be structurally very dangerous.
April 24, 2011 2:10 am
whattheheck1000 10 months ago
Dude ~ you need a better flashlight
uluvme29 1 year ago
@uluvme29 We both had forgotten our good flashlights and had to make-do with a crappy "freebie" flashlight from a pack of batteries. On the last trip back in February, I had a camping lantern which worked great. I'm now using a 3,000,000 candlepower flashlight.
jonrev 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this, Jon. That took guts !!!
ALM1972 1 year ago
Wow I cant believe someone posted this on here. I'm the first cousin of the woman that was raped and murdered there and I hope they tear this shit down because it holds a painful memory for my family and we have to drive pass this everyday
Ladymodel 1 year ago
@Ladymodel If what you are saying is true, my condolences are sent.
jonrev 1 year ago
@jonrev I wouldnt lie about anything this serious but thank you very much :)
Ladymodel 1 year ago
@Ladymodel Dear god. That to me is one of the worst crimes that can be done. I wish that terrible event had never happened to you, and that your cousin was with you.
Falcone45 1 year ago
@Falcone45 Yeah but we have healed and got justice. The man is in jail for life with no parole and how he is hunted everyday for what he did to her. she was so young and beautiful
Ladymodel 1 year ago
@Ladymodel I am sorry to hear about that.
MrAirbuster57 1 year ago
@MrAirbuster57 Thank you and thank God justice was serviced
Ladymodel 1 year ago
@Ladymodel I`m sorry what happened to your cousin i send my condolensis to u and your family i wish that dumb man never did that to her thats just sad but keep your head up hun and stay stong. ~2pac4life400/Tony R.~
2pac4life400 1 year ago
@2pac4life400 Thank you! Hopefully she's resting in peace and the man who did it is serving his punishment
Ladymodel 1 year ago
@Ladymodel Your welcome hun and yes she is and that guy he`s goin 2 rot in hell i dont feel sorry for him cuzz he did somethin bad.
2pac4life400 1 year ago
at 5:43 is that a working light???
tarkan525201 1 year ago
No, that's a hole in the roof; if you look at the floor beneath it there is snow that has drifted into the mall.
jonrev 1 year ago
@jonrev oh ok my mistake :) great videos btw
this place is every intriguing, looked like it was one hell of a mall at one time
tarkan525201 1 year ago
It would have been cool if Pyramid Head was in there.
lasttractionhero 1 year ago
It makes you wonder if the penny's sign is still up there with all those rooms.
keepmacin 1 year ago
I've looked, all that's up there are a few old desk fixtures, toilets, lockers, and a safe.
jonrev 1 year ago
You did JC Penneys floor 2? You sir have balls of iron. Thanks for sharing with us stay at homes!
ihatestupidsignups 1 year ago
Just read about this place randomly on Wikipedia. Thanks for the footage! What a creepy place.
PatrickBurnsRed 1 year ago
Yup, i like it. Ty for the history too.
insulationking 2 years ago
Jon, just read this on Wikipedia:
In February 2010 it was reported that Chicago-based developers MG Development South LLC were planning to demolish the remains of the mall and replace them with a mixture of big-box stores and other retail on the site.
Any comment?
Oddball313 2 years ago
I will believe it when I see it.
jonrev 2 years ago
There's no way in hell i would go in there alone. Maybe with a friend but i would be in a ball crying if i went alone
H4lfd3ad 2 years ago
@H4lfd3ad YOu cant get over there it's nothing but debris and fucking bricks and blood of my cousin
Ladymodel 1 year ago
This is where the girl was raped and murdered back in the 90's.
Anyway, I work around Harvey all the time. With the recent news of a possible demolition, I'm going to be going back in there myself pretty soon. I've gone in a couple times already, I think the place is incredible.
Blackson187 2 years ago
Oh really?
hondolespaul 2 years ago
Actually, I just went today. Got tons of pix and vids. I'm going to make a montage of them soon. Check my page for a sample vid.
Blackson187 2 years ago
@Blackson187 I was going to ask you to do me a favor, but nevermind. I'll keep an eye out for your pics and vids.
hondolespaul 2 years ago
I'll be going back in a couple months when it's not so wet in there.
Blackson187 2 years ago
The mall might be gone completely in a couple of months. I'll make your next trip worth your while.
hondolespaul 2 years ago
I doubt it's going anywhere soon. Though, if I hear an official date of demolition, I'll be sure to go back before it goes down and I'll film the demolition itself. What do you want me to do?
Blackson187 2 years ago
Maybe, maybe not. Dixie Square is going to come down no matter what anyway. That mall will collapse on itself if nobody tears it down. Sadly, she's f***ed one way or the other. I mentioned what I would like you to do on your video. I would do this myself, but my Dad doesn't want to risk getting shot in Harvey.
hondolespaul 1 year ago
You my friend, must have an impressive set of testicles...
EyeLuvGaeSekzz 2 years ago
Noting some good stills from the video:
At 2:50, original graphics; I know where to shop for all things home.
At 3:26, SP above the door? Wonder if that meant anything during construction.
At 3:37, anyone need to use the restroom before leaving Penney's?
At 5:07, dark and industrial.
At 6:20, random debris.
At 8:04, random shapes.
Oddball313 2 years ago
if i go there am going to try and get a motor off a air handler i bet it still will work. If i can.
67tr876 2 years ago
Everything's been cleaned out, whats left are metal shells and huge things that could not be carted down the stairs. Don't bother.
jonrev 2 years ago
No way in hell! Should anyone go their without a gun.
pettyofficer30 2 years ago
Youve got guts man
anderalex129 2 years ago 2
I agree with the others, it's really brave going up there and it's an eerie feeling watching this video and I really want to thank you for sharing this video and I have a question, do you was alone there?
Reggaefan92 2 years ago
Rule number one about this place is NEVER go alone; the building is very unstable, and God knows what can be hiding in there. Always have someone that can go for help if needed.
jonrev 2 years ago
This "landmark" looks absolutely disgusting, yet it's interesting at the same time; thanks for the time and effort to make uploads about the mall.
I did see another comment and was wondering the same thing--if this area is under watch, how were you able to work around that?
Oddball313 2 years ago
Harvey has one of the highest crime rates in the Chicago suburbs; the cops have much worse things to worry about than some guys with cameras.
jonrev 2 years ago
Good thing he went then. That floor has collapsed in by now.
Falcone45 2 years ago
About a third of the floor had collapsed by August. Will see it again probably next month and will film another update.
jonrev 2 years ago
What noises did you hear?
jeepcherokeexj1992 2 years ago
Almost sounded like a clunking noise coming from the floor; was thinking to myself "get ready to run!"
jonrev 2 years ago
btw is that police tape @ 0:20?!
atomicpuppet 2 years ago
Awesome footage! Being brave and going up onto that 2nd floor paid off. Thanks.
It sure is an eerie feeling watching footage in an area where a rape/murder took place and this was AFTER the mall was abandoned that the event happened.
Must have been pretty eerie BEING there.
atomicpuppet 2 years ago
OMGGG! at 1:17 i saw a ghost behind the door!! ACK!
guitarmaster456789 2 years ago
That clip was recorded in January with about 15-20* temps. It's my breath you are seeing.
jonrev 2 years ago
ok thanks! :). It is eerie enough for it though :S
guitarmaster456789 2 years ago
haha, was going to post this.
PatrickBurnsRed 1 year ago
Wow! That was brave of you to go inside JCPenney's Second Floor despite the massive hole in the center.
Ant29 2 years ago
You are 1000 times braver than I would ever be. When I saw that hole in the floor, a cold shiver ran down my spine. EXCELLENT work.
rcktmanil 2 years ago
Awesome video, you're brave! You should have added more subdued and gloomier music though, would make it a bit more scary ;)
It's like something out of Fallout 3! The once cheerful 60's clashes with the apathy and neglect of it's future, darkness and gloom is all that remains. All that's missing is the radiated ghouls.
HB45175 2 years ago
the store lookin things at 7.23 r those stores or show windows???plz reply ty
233268 2 years ago
It's a wall with decorative trim.
jonrev 2 years ago
that would make a kickass scary FPS game
sonic2277 2 years ago
Comment removed
degaik 1 year ago
i dont think i would have the balls to go in there lol,but i live in aus so im just judging by the vid
13248855 2 years ago
was it scary in the mall ?
emanuelbug 2 years ago
It was at first but then I was just like what ever, and being with 3 other people helps alot. Its so cool inside you forget how scary it is.
bmxer1989 2 years ago
i took a trip up to harvey a year or so ago and did some photography at this site. it's what you don't see that scares the shit out of you. the basements..flooded. the chance of collapse...high. hundreds of blind rooms, blind corners and 30 years of decay just sitting there waiting for you to make the wrong move. it is exceptionally dangerous to go in there but it absolutely draws curiosity out. if that wasn't bad enough, the town of harvey waits for people to come to the mall.
penske13 2 years ago
part 2: this section of town is as run down and desperate as any i've seen. time was not good to harvey or it's respectable citizens.
penske13 2 years ago
Thanks for this interesting video. To think that just 40 years ago, that place was a modern, brightly-lit mall full of happy shoppers. Now it's a forbidding, gutted-out ruin. Someday all of America will be like that.
spahnranch69 2 years ago
It was not that dark in the middle were the floor colapsed, Is there liek a third floor or something the stairs i went up had like another set on the other side going up another level
bmxer1989 2 years ago
Those go to the machinery room on the roof.
jonrev 2 years ago
I was just up there today pretty crazy.
bmxer1989 2 years ago
Did you get any pics?
jonrev 2 years ago
I got some video footage but with a cell phone i am goin to go back soon i was only there for about a hour because my freind had work. That place is so crazy wish i had a map becuase i had no idea what was what except for jc penny.
bmxer1989 2 years ago
Nice very cool.
Jays300e1 2 years ago
It is like you are filming "Quaratine 2".
bIancoitaliano 2 years ago
i went up here last year and omg 0_o i swear i herd some of the floor clasp and i ran like fuck after that XD great video and you stayed up there way longer then i have lol
metakight4 2 years ago
5:05 scary as heck!
ihatetaft 2 years ago
Wow. Amazing footage! I felt nervous just watching it; you are brave. Stay safe out there!
millenium0chi 2 years ago
Great footage, Thanks for posting!!
mg4150 2 years ago
I love all these exploration vids, but I have to ask-
How did you get INSIDE? I read that there's like, cops right next door.....no?
I was under the impression that that area is patrolled 24-7.
Venkman007 2 years ago
The mall has countless entry points, and Harvey's Police Department is on the parking lot.
jonrev 2 years ago
that floor could have collapsed at any time.You are a person.
CarouselTheater 2 years ago
oops i meant you are a "Brave" person...
CarouselTheater 2 years ago
LOL. I basically kept telling my friend I was with "be ready to run". Especially with that small hole I stumbled upon by the escalator.
jonrev 2 years ago
The wikipedia page for Dixie square mall was updated to say the Thom McAn sign disappeared around march 2009.LOL Maybe they watched your 3/14/09 video.
CarouselTheater 2 years ago
The sign was gone before the 3/14 visit.
jonrev 2 years ago
I love the Miami vice like music lol
coldk78 2 years ago
I wonder if the decor/graphics were even upgraded from the early Seventies at the DSM location of Penney. The front signage was retro Sixties all the way to its closing, that's for sure. Reminds me of the early Seventies decor the Belk store in Milledgeville had even until 1996. It was in a one-decker mall, though.
wkat950 2 years ago
The mall went through a remodeling in the 70s (white interior became the blue you see today), but as far as I know Penneys essentially stayed the same throughout the years it was open.
When they filmed The Blues Brothers they changed the the old Penneys signage to the normal JCPenney sign, but just for the movie.
jonrev 2 years ago
o ya i like that blue i saw pic's of the mall in 1966 and it was white and then in the blues brothers it was blue so thanks for telling me that
67tr876 2 years ago
To think this wacky shack of drug-addled murder and horrible rape was once part of a mall with colorful walls and psychedelic decor.
oHelmslyo 2 years ago
Are the collapses occurring where the floor is concrete? I can understand the roof collapsing, and parts of the floor where there were penetrations (ie: ducts, pipes, etc) but usually concrete floor slabs last forever. I'm not doubting it's unsafe, I'm just very curious. Maybe the steel columns are rusted to ratcrap.
nataliehall123 2 years ago
The steel columns are badly rusted, and the concrete floor appears to be only a few inches thick. Remember it was built in 1966 and I'm sure construction techniques have changed since.
jonrev 2 years ago
It makes me wonder what shape the building would be in if the DSM were to be built with today's construction and sat open and empty from 2009-2028......Better?.......Worse?
PampersPete 2 years ago
@PampersPete 2009-2039... it was abandoned for 30 years when this video was made. But I'd say in better shape because construction is far different now than it was in 1966.
April 24, 2011 2:13 am
whattheheck1000 10 months ago
@whattheheck1000 Yeah. I think you're correct on that. I think it would take another 20 years(2059) to get to what it's like today.
PampersPete 10 months ago
Awesome job on implementing Floyd into this video. You got ALOT of respect from me just for sheer bravery. That floor is FUBAR!!!! I'd hate to meet someone while exploring any of the dark corners of DSM. Fuckin' aye I wish I could've gotten to see that place while I was out there. You guys are doing an amazing job documenting the DSM and I'm sure I speak for others when I say keep up the good work. DSM will most likely collapse in on itself in the next decade or so. It's in the waning years.
PampersPete 2 years ago
Your vid is like a creepy Dawn of the dead movie. Only all the zombies are dead and nothing is left of the store.
Great work
milincoln 2 years ago