A Forgotten Town in Northern Illinois

A Forgotten Town in Northern Illinois - We explore forgotten history while walking the empty streets of a living Midwestern ghost town. Although most of the businesses are gone and many places appear to be abandoned, there IS a reason why people still live in this small rural town in Northern Illinois. Find out in this episode of SightseeingSally.
About me: I grew up in a small town the Midwest. Now I drive America's backroads exploring small towns, forgotten places, local history and more!
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#forgottenplaces #illinois

[@a1ar127]

Your video shows no one anywhere. Do you ever make an effort to talk with the remaining residents, get a little of the local history? Why did this town decay? Who can explain the secrets of where Buda was, and is today?

[@SightseeingSally]

Of course we do! We make every effort to chat with locals and research history. We also take people’s privacy seriously. If someone doesn’t want to appear on camera we don’t film them. If you actually watched the video (and paid attention) you would know that we made several references to the people we talked to AND shared information about the town’s history.

[@johnnynbk]

its sightseeingsally. she made no claims of being a conversationalist.

[@catherinecrawford2289]

Bingo. Thank you. There is one video like this where someone just drives around an empty neighborhood in Rockford and says, dude, it's so scary, and empty, and icky. How about turn your camera two blocks away and find some folks who use this neighborhood and get real facts instead of dumping on small cities and towns.

[@davidjarigese5509]

The “shotgun” house at 1:20 was my grandmothers workshop since the 70s-80s and she was a seamstress.

[@SightseeingSally]

Very cool! We were wondering what the history was. Now we know. Thank you :)

[@jeannie457]

I’m not sure what that building was when it was built, but before my mother used for a costume shop, I know a couple that lived in it before she got to it. I also remember the building no water or sewage.

[@danebarnett2063]

The building with the “let your fingers do the walking” sign in the window was the Fullerton Lumber Yard and then turned into the Buda Lumber Company until my family bought it for the office of Buda Feed and Mill that was down the road along the tracks and then the feed mill was sold and that building was turned into the office for the gas business my great-uncle bought from my grandpa on the other side of my family 😂. The scale you reference wouldn’t have been used for grain or feed. It was used for coal and other bulk purchases for the lumber yard. My great-uncle still owned the building and the storage behind it until very recently. The “shotgun” building was the original offices for Buda Feed and Mill after my great-grandpa bought the building from the original feed store and then my great-grandpa and great-uncle built the feed mill down along the tracks. Hope this is helpful and makes sense!

[@SightseeingSally]

Made sense to me. Thanks so much, appreciate you sharing this!!!

[@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503]

Let your fingers do the walking! Yellow pages.. any where in USA Between 1947-1984 chances are 1 in 8 it came off my Dad's press in Los Angeles...LA Times had the contract for almost 40 years.. Telephone Directory Division... Boyle heights CA ✌️❤️🇺🇸

[@user-ne2tb1vs9m]

Thanks for sharing Dane.

[@donnaml8776]

What happened to the town?

[@jamesclinton5841]

😅

[@lisalally3038]

I grew up here , my parents still live here and most of my dad's family still reside here . ❤️❤️

[@juliewatts6145]

Hi Lis! ❤️😘

[@virginiaconnor8350]

I thought shot-gun houses only existed only in the south. My boyfriend had a Packard. Ho hum. I loved-and miss- his '05 Mustang more so. He was born in Provo, Utah and lived in Lebanon, Ohio before moving to Ga. Another friend lived in Sandy, Utah.and lives here.

[@scottsteward110]

Did u no the carper boys ...Mike n Tom

[@stevescoville8465]

I’m sorry

[@marieshanahan946]

It is easy to see how pretty a place it is, and would be, with more people. Why did so many people leave? It is sort of "mind boggling!"

[@jeannie457]

The Buda Plain Dealer (newspaper) was a weekly that ran from 1871-1953. The library has most of it on microfilm, there are few missing pieces. I can trace my ancestry here to 1852. I have lived since 1964 and was the village librarian for 27 years. I know a lot of Buda history. My great- great uncle started the newspaper.

[@johnwilcox4078]

Love the name of that paper, in my hometown, Cleveland, the newspaper is also the Plain Dealer!

[@SK_2019]

New Bedford, IL !

[@brianbeecher3084]

Jeannie, born in April 1957?

[@jeannie457]

@@brianbeecher3084 yes

[@cobra5088]

I grew up in southern IL. As someone who has traveled all over illinois i can tell you illinois is abundant with small rural towns like this.

[@Pianoman999]

Very much so. It’s a cool drive North to South if you let it be.

[@GeorgeHartler-jg4rc]

Hi

[@marlinweekley51]

Absolutely. Most were built 150 years ago as whistle stops, usually every 5-8 miles to take on wood and water. Since diesels in the 1950’s most have slowly died. Sometimes theres a grain elevator that has survived. The lucky ones have a Caseys and a few a Dollar store. Some died when the interstate highway (example I-55) was build around the towns vs the original route through the town. The family owned gas stations and cafes were the first to close. Others that were larger and more established have continued to grow attracting business and new residents.

[@cobra5088]

@@marlinweekley51 Interesting. Never thought about those towns being built around whistle stops. My uncles house was next to the tracks of the nickel plate railroad which went from new york to st. louis. I remember as a kid in the early 80's it was still active but was defunct by the 90's, its now a bike trail. I saw a map from the early 1900's and noticed there was a stop about every 5 miles and was wondering why there were so many stops. At first i thought it was to pick up passengers but that couldnt be because theres no population there. Thanks to your reply I now know why.

[@WildJJasmine]

One of my college friends (1988-91) grew up in Buda, and I believe some of her family still lives there. So cool to find this video. I know a lot of tiny towns in IL that are slowly dying.

[@dank7256]

I love it when the leaves of Fall are left on the ground and not immediately chopped up.

[@brocklally5068]

My great grandmother and grandfather rasied 17 kids in buda. Buda will always be home

[@PsychicHomeschools]

What would you speculate their diet was like? My grandmother had 10 children. I say we can grow strong off oatmeal and potato 😆

[@bryanburton4094]

My hometown!

[@ike780]

Do you ever visit?

[@benjaminwood6900]

Went to school in that town. I’m from that area (lived 10 miles away) and its wild to see my home towns slowly going away.

[@denisestinnett4414]

Born in Northern Illinois, the town of Palatine. I have the best memories of the town, people and countryside! We lived by the tracks and I still love the sound of trains at night. I also remember fruit growing everywhere in the summers. Trees of apples, pears and plums. Grapes and berries galore, gardens that folks would plant with a little corner where kids could grab tomatoes or beans. Streams, ponds and giant willows. It was magical 🤙😎

[@thekowboymom2710]

My grandparents lived in Palatine in the 1979's. There was a horse stable in their neighborhood. I remember we could see the screen for the drive-in movies from my uncle's bedroom window.

[@funnypranker34]

My parents currently live in palatine and in my opinion palatine is not what it used to be anymore

[@denisestinnett4414]

@@funnypranker34 what is? My experiences were based on 60+ years ago. 😎

[@funnypranker34]

@@denisestinnett4414 look at the comment above me

[@funnypranker34]

@@RK-ey6gs thank you!

[@rjenkins23853]

I really appreciated how respectful you were in the video. These old places are were many good people worked hard, built their dreams, loved their families, and tried their best. Great video

[@roughcutguitars]

Spot on

[@KenBlackRifleAmerica]

Kinda sad in a way. Old towns that used to be thriving and so much fun, now wasting away. Thanks for bringing them to us before they're gone forever guys!

[@ladesigner8764]

very sad

[@toniremer1594]

I can actually see myself, along with my husband, living there. The peacefulness, the tranquility, and the beauty in towns like Buda. We currently live in Pontiac and not too far away from the maximum prison of the same name as the town. Coming from a city, where there were a lot of noise, cops being called almost on a daily basis, first responders being called almost on a daily basis, fights between 2 extremely intoxicated and drug fueled people, suicides and many other very deplorable people residing in the building, and living in a town where it’s quiet, police patrols every so often and low crime rate was a bit of a shock to our senses. We absolutely LOVE living in Pontiac.

[@Dulcimertunes]

You have a great museum too

[@cindygreenberg9079]

My cousin sent me this link to your video and as I watched I got teary eyed. My mom was born in this town and so was her mother and I spent a lot of time there as a child visiting my grandparents. The last time I was there was in the 1970's when my grandfather was in the hospital and my mom and I drove from Southern California to visit and make sure that grandma was OK. My grandpa worked for the CB&Q railroad at the pump station in Buda, in which the Bu part of the name rhymed with "cue" the way they pronounced it and I remember walking into the town everyday but Sunday with my grandpa, during a summer vacation visit, to pick up some groceries at the little store....I couldn't tell you where that was now. I also remember that there were no kids my age around because they were all away at band camp or something else. My grandmother's family immigrated to America in 1853 and after their ship landed in New York they went straight to LaSalle County and in a couple of years moved to Buda and they were there for the rest of their lives 😪

[@hattyburrow716]

Autumn is so lovely in that part of America, its very like England.

[@bbqistasty69]

My 4x great grandfather first came from Wales and settled in Buda. I have never been there, thank you for sharing!

[@alanosterman7130]

There are many virtues to living in a town like this. Nice and peaceful. Nature all around. Since it is northern Illinois, still get spring, summer, fall, and winter. No drive by shootings, no car jackings. Very sincere place.

[@jims1942]

We used to live in Sheffield, IL. about 5 minutes away. Our daughter went to the school you show in Buda. - Thanks for the video. 😀👍

[@Kathleennebel]

I absolutely love old towns especially in Illinois, my home state.. I was born and raised in Rockford and our family moved to Tucson in 86.. After raising kids, divorced I’m finally back in the Midwest.. Didn’t go back to Rockford but I’m close to it and I love it… old old towns that are abandoned I just love seeing.. thank you ❤

[@patmaloney5707]

Former Rockfordite here as well, left in 1981.

[@JESUS-SAVES_1975.]

I was born and lived a few years in Freeport, Illinois.

[@For_TheExhale]

Stay where you’re at , we’re not doing well up here

[@crismartinez1642]

I was in Oswego a few weeks ago and I have to say I love that Midwest small town feel.

[@tammyuptegrove6589]

This was a trip down memory lane I grew up here and LOVE my home town. My Father was a Signal Maintainer for B&N Railroad and his office was in the old Depot that was torn down years ago sadly 🥺. Western High School is also no longer there "Home of the Western Rams".

[@tammyuptegrove6589]

I graduated from a class of 26 people and have so many Great memories of the small town closeness we all shared. My Parents both were on the Fire & Rescue team for many years. And I still have Family that lives in town there in the house I grew up in 🙂.

[@JohnShinn1960]

@@tammyuptegrove6589 👍 I feel somewhat envious.

[@hoghead2608]

What's the name of this town .I never herd them say

[@ivermectin1908]

@@hoghead2608 it's Buda Illinois. I live south of it but I remember going there visiting the Van Drews

[@josephmartino9958]

Glad to know that your Father kept the railroad rolling safely thru your town...in the heat of summer and the depths of winter. I remember the chicken train high balling on the CNW mainline in DeKalb.

[@johnkinsel5027]

Good to see Marty in front of camera. If you go a little farther south in Illinois the train stations of an old electric railroad all have blond brick and red tile roofs. They are still in Pekin, Mackinaw and Union.

[@tonyborello3826]

There is still one in minooka il

[@420luvsounds]

thanks!

[@mfeltes]

You're referring to the Illinois Traction System? There's an old station that's been beautifully renovated into a home with period decor in Fithian.

[@cheriboles9235]

I have memories of every place you showed in my tiny hometown. :)

[@vjb488]

This was like a family reunion! Enjoying the video and listening to the wonderful conversations from folks who lived here. I don't think this place will ever be forgotten! Great video!

[@bobm8294]

You have to love how people in the Midwest would name their towns after European cities and then have unorthodox pronunciations. In Illinois there is Milan (My-lin), Athens (Ay-thins), Vienna (Vy-anna), and my favorite, San Jose (San Joes)

[@debra1363]

Also(outside Peoria)is Creve Coeur which they pronounce as Creeve Core.

[@jameswagoner3309]

The most obvious is "Kay-row" Illinois...(Cairo).

[@davidcrandall2415]

In Cattaraugus County New York there is Versailles. (Ver'-sails) Not the French palace pronouncement.

[@samiam7086]

Go to east coast and they are named for English kings and queens. Towns people were usually from the European place they came from. Louisiana purchase French names and South West Spanish names. You have some towns name after person who started the town or some that describes the town and some names after Indian tribes.

[@nac71]

Tipoli Iowa is pronounced Tripola

[@Yzabeaux1]

The churches are absolutely beautiful. Their architecture is reminiscent of the era. Thanks so much for sharing.😄🙏🏻👍🏻

[@billa1870]

I moved from Illinois many years ago. However, in my late teens and early 20s, I bicycled all over the country. During the last 20-30 years I have made many trips from my home in Florida to and through Illinois by automobile via the back roads. There will always be a special place in my heart in Illinois, as I have bicycled to the center, across and to all four corners of Illinois. This video brought back a lot of memories. I loved bicycling through town like this.

[@bobm8294]

This is the first time I've seen one of your videos. I expected you to trash the town and its people. I really appreciate the respectful way you discussed the town. You have yourself a new subscriber.

[@robertrouse1920]

My grandparents have lived here since I was born and further back. I live ten minutes away and I actually fish at the public lakes outside of town atleast once a week. It is dwindling town but not as abandoned as you’d think, there’s ones even further off the map in the area!

[@alanbregar]

I grew up in a small mining town called Mark and t used to only have a population 100 and now so many years later the population is now 500.

[@kennethbjorkmann8517]

You two seem like "the real deal." Authentic and curious, unlocking little mysteries of an old Illinois town. Thanks for allowing us viewers to accompany you through Buda....perhaps now not so forgotten.

[@VanInhalin]

a bar and a gas station is all a town needs

[@vesuviacorpseflower4828]

I go through Buda every now and again...looks like most of the dying little towns scattered throughout Central Illinois (Tiskilwa, Bradford, Lafayette, Yates City, Altona, Sparland, Maquon, etc). Lots of affordable houses there if anyone wants to get out of the cities!! I love those towns...the isolation is peaceful.

[@Kiamichi-Okie]

I know a person from Yates City her name is Carol Moser, she was a member of a group of women that were attached to our Fraternity Alpha Phi Omega Mu Nu Chapter Wesern IL U

[@vesuviacorpseflower4828]

@@Kiamichi-Okie Interesting...I've actually never been through the Macomb area (I don't go West very often).

[@kurtbitting9257]

My hometown🥰 Thank you… thank you so much for this.

[@toribitting8800]

I did not like this video one bit. I thought the way they only showed the ‘bad’ and ‘abandoned’ parts of town was not okay. The fact that they walked around peoples houses and pointed at the stuff in their windows and around their property was VERY rude. I think if you’re going to go to a town you know nothing about maybe ask the mayor or people with knowledge to show you around and educate you about the town instead of making blind guesses. Our town isn’t forgotten for the people who chose to stay here and make a life.

[@kenmiller8370]

A onetime there was a farm home and family making a living on every 160 acres. Now there is 1 family making a living on about 800 acres or more. Consequently, the rural small-town areas have lost 500% of their previous populations that had supported the local schools and businesses.

[@seeker_chicago4352]

I love your walk-around exploration of small towns, rather than driving by.

[@don66hotrod94]

Buda Engine Company was founded in 1881 in Buda, IL. Later moved to Harvey, IL and bought by Allis-Chalmers in 1953. Sad to see the little town fall into decay like it is.

[@timothykeith1367]

The Buda engines were popular

[@cadewey6181]

Where was the factory in town? Buda powered a lot of AC tractors and Dozers in direct competition to Detroit Diesel.

[@7viewerlogic670]

Thanks for the info, I wondered about that but figured the town was too small for that!

[@sandrabrearton5781]

We shouldn't be sad when we see these places deserted and lonely, l have a strong feeling the towns and village's are going to make a comeback. As the madness in the cities increases decent industrious people will ReDiscover the now empty places and breathe a new life into them .

[@JohnShinn1960]

Wow! by reading the comments, I belive all the remaining townspeople are subscibed to Sightseeing Sally! 😆

[@jonsymmonds1120]

Buda, Il. Years ago I used to take care of a transmitter site in this neck of the woods. It was a FM station. I am a broadcast engineer. I remember the area well, I just wish I could remember the call-sign of the radio station. I know it wasn't licensed to Buda, but a town nearby. Thanks for sharing! I would also like to say another thing. I have deleted so many explorers because they do no history. I feel history of the site is important, and you deliver! I thank you!

[@jeannie457]

That transmitter probably had a Sheffield address. That’s 3 1/2 miles, as the crow flies.

[@jonsymmonds1120]

@@jeannie457 That sounds familiar. I thank you!

[@pesoto74]

Having grown up in a rural area of Illinois I have noticed a big change that I think accounts for a lot of the decline of small rural towns. When I was growing up in the 60's there were a lot of farms. Most of those farms had large families. These families did a lot of business in the small towns. I remember people used to say that when the farmers have a good year then the local merchants will have a good year. Since that time farms have gotten much bigger. 50 years ago if you saw a house in the country it most likely housed a farm family. Today most of the places in the country are not lived in by farmers. I'd guess the ratio is as much as one farm to ten non-farms. And most of these non-farm households have no connection to the small towns. Most of these people usually work and shop in some larger town. Also many of the people who farm land live far away from the land they farm. Anyway small towns now don't have the large farm families to support them that they once had.

[@glennoconnor2980]

The 80's farm crisis really did a number on family farms.

[@africkinamerican]

Corporations can come in and just hire farm labor including of course, migrants.... Now being shipped in by the millions like human cargo. Maybe that's who's going to be filling up these towns.

[@carlsaganlives4141]

Yes, of course. The knee-jerk reaction is to blame politicians, government in general, 'outsiders', the damn border, etc. when in reality there's winners and losers in a modern free market...those factors didn't force Maytag or RCA to make shit in foreign countries - we all did, demanding cheap and plentiful goods. The blame game is a zero-sum investment, like it or not ya gotta adapt or die a slow death unfortunately. Not much about modern life I like either, but that's the way it is.

[@maryfries2147]

Also government don't want what made America great small farms and small businesses

[@neils5539]

@pesoto74 Bingo! These towns exist because of farming. The small farms are gone, and with them the families. The remaining people just drive to the nearest "big" town for goods and services. Has nothing to do with the government.

[@danebarnett2063]

My hometown! Great place to grow up ❤

[@dicky143]

My great grandfather grew up there when it was known as the mayonnaise capital of the world. Great video guys.

[@caroljames6371]

You and Marty are great together....more, please! What a Buda-ful town! ( Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

[@SightseeingSally]

Lol thanks Carol

[@africkinamerican]

Marty sounds like a Yuper or northern Wisconsinite

[@ohnoyce]

@@africkinamerican yah

[@DeeMoback]

So sad.....great video....thank y'all for the guided tour......towns like this all around me down here in the south....look up my town of Barwick,Ga.....very sad .....used to be 500 and now a ghost town.....nothing here but a DollarGeneral

[@Astromontana]

I actually made a pit stop there just 3 weeks ago at the Casey's gas station when traveling from Rockford to Peoria to go see a friend. Honestly had no clue what this town was called, just stopped by the closet gas station at the time lol. It's kind of sad the state of affairs that town is in. It kind of reminded me of a run downed version of Genoa, IL.

[@BlueGoat682]

Its kind of sad to see how some of these Midwestern towns are now former shells of themselves. I grew up in a small town (3000 population) in East Central Minnesota. My hometown is not only alive and well but it has even prospered and gone up some in population over the years. I rarely go back there anymore but its comforting to know that the town is still alive and well.

[@earljohnson2113]

Yeah,You have the Twin City influence. You get over 150 miles from a major metropolitan area, where the towns sole economy is Agriculture,they are really dying. Sadly. 😕

[@BlueGoat682]

@@earljohnson2113 Thats true. Its close enough to the cities that a fair amount of people even choose to commute daily. It was a nice area to grow up in because you had the small town experience with the big city option to do things in if you chose to. When I was in High School we spent a lot of time in the cities doing fun stuff like going to concerts amongst other big city things.

[@gma956]

Thank you Sally and Marty! I love road-trips and old towns off the beaten path. I try to pull over to look at all the old buildings in town but never know the history. Keep on truckin and making these videos please!

[@bpekim1]

Hey Sally , I appreciate your explorations and thoughtfulness of the history of small towns. I’ve lived in Chicago for over 30 years but grew up in a small town in Indiana and always take small short drives to little places I’ve never been to before like you guys. You guys go beyond the historical markers sometimes which is great. Keep it up! ❤

[@Kiamichi-Okie]

Buda IL I have a friend, Tom Carper , he is Vietnam Veteran, and former Restaurant and Bar owner in Macomb, Il. He was also former Mayor to 2 terms . " Shotgun " homes were built for Railroad workers, those in charge of track switches and making sure trains comes to a stop if there was danger ahead of them. I wish there was / is a way to save that Victorla Ad on the side of the building. I am surprised no one has taken the stain glass from those churches no more to use in homes.

[@jaybo4999]

I don't live to terribly far away from Buda. A lot of small area towns in Illinois are getting to this state of existence. With the reduction of area farm families to corporate farming, a lot of these small towns struggle to exist. Some of the slightly bigger ones have faired better but still face the same stressors. Just stumbled on your video and will check others out. It is nice thing you are doing.

[@carnivalgods4573]

The town service station has new windows @11:23. Really accentuates the curb appeal. Seriously, I love small towns and this is no exception. Appreciate the history thanks for sharing.

[@mikekazmerski6421]

Wow! What a nice video. My family's roots go back to the very earliest days in Buda. I am familiar with many of the buildings you show and I have personal history with the parks, baseball fields, and main street. My grandfather was the postmaster in town for a few years. The Westervelts and Conley's owned many farms in and around Bureau County. At one time, Buda hosted a very popular 4th of July celebration. The park you showed was full of people and carnival rides. The baseball field you showed was where the fireworks show was held. My great grandfather played a large role in building the Methodist Church that you showed, although, I think the one he build is a different one - I don't recall it being brick. Many great childhood memories of Buda (thanks for correcting the name pronunciation, although being named after Budapest, I'm not sure why it is pronounced Buda, as in Boot.) Thanks again! Many of the early settlers of Bureau County and Buda, came from people of Dutch origin who were farmer's and migrated from both New Jersey and also the Lancaster, PA area.

[@jeannie457]

I don’t think that there are any Westervelts or Conleys left. I can’t think of any.

[@bmeierkord]

My ancestors were the Westervelts. I have quite a bit of information on the family. If I remember correctly there were three brothers and their mother who came from New Jersey in the 1850s or 60s. My great great grandma was the last of the family to live in the town and died in 1975. Her first husband was a Stinson and his mother was a Westervelt.

[@mikekazmerski6421]

@@bmeierkord We're probably cousins. Who was your Great Great Grandmother? My Grandmother Mildred Westervelt lived in Buda until her death in the mid 1980's. One of her daughters still lives in Kewanee.

[@user-fc1cj4kx5z]

I grew up for a few years in Buda. It was a great place to grow up in. I missed the small town world that after my 12 years in the Marines and 27 years of trucking i now live in the small town of Troy Grove. I say a small is town great, because it's true, everybody knows your name!!!

[@cincinnatiphan]

Thanks for your video. My family is originally from Buda and I remember many visits back to my grandparents (He was a waterman on the railroad). Many summers we would be there when fireworks were shot off from the park. Loved seeing the old sights.

[@sherylyoungman1606]

Love this! I'm a road tripper and I purposely meander through towns like this on my travels.

[@kenz5469]

I've traveled through most parts of Illinois in my time There are a multitude of towns like this throughout the state

[@duncanevy]

Yup. I live in the southern half of the state. There are alot of places like this. The small town I live in is like this. It used to be a busy place until the oilfields dried up. Not much here now but it is cheap to live in.

[@JesusLopez-tb7ni]

Great video! This was a breath of fresh air! Nice 2c people going around looking at history. I'd live there. No Hussle n bussle of everyday life, no shooting on the streets. Just living in a piece of history. A hidden gem! Somebody shud start selling it off, n bring it back 2 life. Thanks again!

[@Colorado_Native]

I liked the Victor dog ad painted on the building. I have one of those crank up record players.

[@gregboyden564]

thanks for a great trip back in time. I love these towns that life has passed by. In the 1950's I lived in Highland Park , Ill. I have always had a hankering to go back and see where I grew up.

[@larryhall882]

Thanks for bringing to light old historical forgotten towns like this.They truly represent American history as well as any of the larger cities.

[@robwoodke6592]

So many places like this. I live in Northern Indiana (Chicago suburbs) and there are a lot of little towns like this. One of my retirement hobbies is driving around and exploring these places. It’s very cool and yet very sad.

[@Biggdaddy903]

I live in Rockford and when we moved back here from Versailles Missouri we went past Buda such a lovely little town. I wish I could buy the abandoned homes and cars and give them to people who desperately want the small town feel. I think I would be my first customer, lol

[@bonniekaye]

I don't know how I keep missing your videos... 😭 *Loved this old town!* *Great seeing you and Marty!* 🙂👍🌹🌹

[@scottnielsen1553]

I bet that pizza shaped building at 5.05 on the video was built like that because to the right looks like an old railroad right of way. Further down is a shed angled the same way but on the opposite side of the right of way. Probably abandoned a very long time ago.

[@JohnShinn1960]

Scott, if you use a colon (:) instead of a period (.) when referencing a certain time point in a video you create a tappable link for one to get to that point in the video. 👍👍 Example: 5:05

[@pippishortstocking7913]

I'm two minutes in but had to pause it to say so far this looks like every little town around my region, including my hometown.

[@mattl1758]

I about fell over when I saw the thumbnail. My wife’s family is from there and I go through once a week.

[@55points]

I love these old forgotten towns, so do a lot of seniors who yearn for those small town days. IF I was the city manager I would seek help from the State to make some small homes with very low rent, and attract low income seniors to come from the big cities who are afraid and lonely. It would encourage small town businesses, population growth, and breathe life back into the place. They could build more and more of these homes for big city seniors, It could bloom into a very nice place for people to retire in and could grow into a super nice place to live, and maybe even start to attract some younger people and employers over time. A good medical clinic a small school, activities and senior meeting places, The goal would to make it a lovely place where retired people would flock to. If I was a wealthy man I would be all in on giving that a go. I truly believe thousands of seniors living in big cities would want to come. How terrible some of our cities have become. I could never live in one. ever.

[@lauriem46]

This is a great idea, and both hosts are really excellent at bringing you into their "finds". Great work, you two. More! Thank you.

[@naturelvr123]

"LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING". A yes. I printed a lot of phone books (really I made the printing plates) down in Dwight saw many of those house ads go into those phone books. Now, I don't even have a phone book in the house!

[@anitablake8032]

If I remember correctly, the first building you looked at was a little restaurant. My mother and I would eat there when we visited her aunt and uncle.

[@montyziebell1077]

The Yellow Pages. AT&T was the creator of "Let your fingers do the walking" but it was used by pretty much all phone book publishers for their yellow pages.

[@stevenwarner7348]

Hey Sally. You guys have got me for this one. Grew up in Sylvania Ohio with plenty of sketchy towns like this one around. Now I'm here in New Hampshire. And so. thanks so much for your "video time" and posting this. I especially appreciate your "connecting with the locals" and offering historical information. Thank you and I am now a new "subscriber."😉

[@fatdaddy-viii-8672]

Great video! I love how well it was shot, related history, and edited. FANTASTIC!👍👍👍

[@user-vd7im6vh8e]

I live Buda. Its part of my childhood memories. Every time we would drive from Springfield Il to Sterling we would travel through Buda. They used to have the best Christmas decorations in all the downtown buildings.

[@NeilLGray-cq1vi]

Lots of towns in IL are in similar abandoned conditions. Years and years of a state mismanagement and nafta drove population away.

[@elizabethowens8548]

This also happened to Ohio from the mid seventies onward. Thanks Nixon and kissenger fiat currency opening China then Reagan Clinton trickle down trickle out economics

[@scottwilkes3705]

@Neil L Gray same here in my hometown of OPP, Alabama except it's been mostly the industry that has disappeared opp used to be a cotton mill and sewing factory town now we're down to one sewing factory and mostly burger joints,gas stations,and 2 grocery stores and 2 bars basically more of a retirement/welfare town oh and we do have 3 hotels and several churches

[@pippishortstocking7913]

A lot of exodus from southern Illinois occurred due to racism. After civil rights successes white racists fled & racist businessmen moved their operations out.

[@joerowland7350]

@@elizabethowens8548 naw that's all democrats vote them out or Starve

[@chrmng1]

High taxes and no jobs

[@Allicks-Guitar-Shop]

Most locals pronounce it Be-you-da smearing the be and you into one syllable. I remember it being a nice little town when I was a kid. It looks like it has gotten pretty run down. Have you checked out Princeton?

[@SightseeingSally]

Yes we found out while filming and made a point to state the correct pronunciation in the video.

[@gnphoto21]

This video popped up on my KZbin feed and I’m happy it did. As a historian and a street photographer, I appreciate this video and looking forward to watching all of the others on your channel. Hope we can collaborate sometime in the future.

[@virginiafujino7350]

I grew up on Buda, the best! Loved it, great times, sorry to see it's decline!

[@Questfinder1]

Perfect town to go in buy all the abandoned properties, renovate them and help homeless people start over. Bring businesses bac to the community

[@tomfields3682]

What would they do there?

[@ryankc6623]

subsidized regenerative agriculture.@@tomfields3682

[@ryankc6623]

best soil in the world@@tomfields3682

[@browngreen933]

Dead as a door nail -- but I like it and could easily live there. Buda was the original home of the Buda Engine Company. Later it moved and that probably helped kill the town. Marty is cool.

[@jeannie457]

Buda engine wanted to expand and they were going to have to displace residents, the village board at that time said no. So they moved down the railroad to Harvey and we can all see what that is now. Buda engine leaving was the beginning of the end, there was also a fire that took out a lot of the downtown in the mid-1950s.

[@browngreen933]

@@jeannie457 Interesting. Do you know about what year Buda Engine Co. left Buda?

[@davidcrandall2415]

I have always pronounced Buda Engines like the City of Budapest. If they were named after this town then we are all saying it wrong.

[@davidcrandall2415]

@@browngreen933 I would believe that we could find that answer in the history of the Buda Engine Company, who I believe was acquired by Allis Chalmers Company. I believe they made the engine for the diesel version of the WD-45 tractor. There were several engine manufacturers which were utilized for making early tractor and truck engines: others being Continental, Hercules, Waukesha, among others. We all been calling them Buda and not Beau'-da all this time.

[@davidcrandall2415]

I looked up Buda Engine Company which was founded in 1881 to fabricate things for the railroads. It later moved to Harvey Illinois (no date given) but began the manufacturing of engines in 1910. They were acquired by Allis-Chalmers in 1953.

[@DC-ht9tc]

I live an hour south of there in Peoria area ,thanks for video love this kinda stuff..

[@movieedge7370]

I love the old RCA Victor sign Nipper the dog which is used in the UK for the HMV stores now 👍🏻

[@edwardkellogg1284]

I just discovered your channel and like it a lot. I love old towns like this. There is lots of history here.

[@raymondsprengelmeyer1278]

I enjoy your friendly town tours! Thank you for sharing!

[@Brooklyn_Powers]

Sitting here at the truck stop waiting to roll and watching this video, I find out that I'm exactly 75 miles from Buda!

[@danehlers9989]

Seriously, this was awesome 👌. I wish I had someone to go "gaddin'" with like you two have. I'd call it an adventure 👍

[@alfabeech]

I had heard of Buda engines. Crane and equipment engines. Yep. Originated there.

[@glennso47]

Allis Chalmers tractors used Buda engines for a while I think.

[@badgerpa9]

I would say everyone from this town has made a comment and most do not seem to think the local that told you info was correct in their history. Sounds like the town has a split personality. Good pick the more comments you will get if with the split. Nice to see you both out and about. Be safe.

[@marshaflorom730]

Great video! I am from what some people call a larger town the smaller places still have their charm ! I would think it would be so nice to visit!!

[@JohnShinn1960]

Almost

[@jaypiper3171]

A few hundred people live there

[@erickatransou8542]

Not a ghost town. Very much a thriving town. We have a very active community.

[@JohnShinn1960]

Edited my comment, added "Almost"

[@davidwick4298]

I enjoy your video's and keep them coming. Thank you.

[@128titanic9]

Thank you so much. Always Safety travel♥️♥️.

[@user-bm3nn4pp1b]

Back when the Chicago & NorthWestern RR owned the track the line that runs through Buda ran from Nelson (just east of Sterling, IL) to National City, just across the river from St. Louis. There were stockyards in National City. The yard at Nelson (pre 1980s) was a beehive of activity at one time.

[@paulezycom]

My family lived in this area. Mostly in Henry Illinois but the entire Bureau and Putnam county area. The Hennepin canal network, the Green River, Rock River, Mississippi Rive and the Illinois river brought resource to and from this entire area.

[@gailandrus7667]

Man, I would love to go with you on your journeys! It's too bad these places can't be revived. I would much rather live there than the hustle and bustle of suburbia!

[@jillybear6007]

This was yet another very enjoyable video!!! I discovered your channel when you were in Vegas and you met up with Jason Goodman and John and have been following ever since. I really enjoy the work and investigation you put into your videos. Your channel is one of my favorite "chill out and enjoy" channels. Thanks for all that you do!

[@africkinamerican]

Do you mean Jason Goodman from Crowdsource the Truth?

[@randyriggs5463]

I went to high school there back in 1979. Fun town back then. I think that small factory called VanPacker is still up and running.

[@marcuscicero9587]

love this stuff. thanks for takin the time to root out these old towns and creating a travellog