Dixie Square Mall; Harvey, Illinois
When you look at a city, you’re viewing a kind of publication - a publication written on the landscape in the form of buildings, roadways, parks, and much more. Although these publications in the landscape are not like the ones you can experience in books or newspapers, they can still be read. In their reading, they disclose a product of the set of dreams, visions, aspirations, accidents, and mistakes of people who by various means left a legacy of “text” on the landscape. I’ve always been fascinated by reading this textual fabric and how people have used the built environment to publish their lives and legacies.
A large component of the built environment consists of retail and shopping centers. Since I was very little I was intrigued by retail chains, malls, and the like. Over the years it has become a dedicated interest, and I’ve toured retail landscapes from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine and everything in between. A common misconception is that this hobby is married with that of ’shopping’ - it is not. I have little to no interest in shopping or any sort of excess, but merely in seeing how these retail landscapes transform over time and publish a legacy, for better or worse, relating to the places where they are.
My first post will discuss the former Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, Illinois. Dixie Square Mall was located at the intersection of 151st St and Dixie Highway in south suburban Chicago. I feel it’s an appropriate place for me to start, because it not only represents the most extreme example of what can go wrong in retailing, but it is also one of the first exposures to this genre of downtrodden retail I had in 1999 (The first of which being River Roads Mall in Jennings, MO). Because Dixie Square Mall is possibly the most publicized ‘dead mall’ and there are more complete articles on wikipedia, and even a film documentary currently being made about the mall, I’ll instead focus on my own personal experiences with the mall and the implications the mall has on the urban millieu of Harvey and that part of Chicagoland
I first wrote about Dixie Square Mall almost exactly five years ago in 2001 on deadmalls, following earlier trips in 1999 and 2000. In fact, it was somewhat of an accident that I discovered Dixie Square Mall in the first place. Caldor and I were driving around Chicagoland in 1998-99, when he noticed Dixie Square Mall labelled on my map. I quickly discounted it as ‘nothing’ and we kept on going. I was so sure I had at least heard of most of the malls in the Chicago area that a mall called Dixie Square, being in Harvey of all places, was simply preposterous to me. Then, a few months later, I investigated further and shockingly discovered that not only was Dixie Square a mall, it was a huge mall. Whoops! Furthermore, the reason I hadn’t heard of it is because it was only successful for a few years in the 1960s. Throughout much of the 1970s the mall was a failure, and everything in it had closed permanently by 1979, several years before I was even born. Even more amazing, I learned the mall had been sitting abandoned ever since.
I’ve been back several times since I first published about it on dead malls dot com almost five years ago. I’ve also learned a lot about the Dixie Square Mall, most notably that the mall was used during the chase scene in the original Blues Brothers movie in 1979, and that a young woman was raped and murdered in the abandoned JCPenney store in 1993. Wow.
But back to what I wrote about at the very beginning of this article. How does Dixie Square Mall function as a text of the landscape of Harvey, or on a greater scale? More succinctly, why did this mall fail? Much of the resources online are dedicated to ‘what happened’ but few delve into ‘why’ - I think an understanding of the events that caused Dixie Square’s failure is as interesting as the downfall of the mall itself. Probably more important than anything else is urban sprawl, which both created and destroyed Dixie Square as well as Harvey as viable places to live and shop. In the post-World War II economic boom, suburbs sprouted up very fast around Chicago as well as many of the nation’s industrial centers. As a result, suburbs such as Harvey grew from zero population to tens of thousands in a matter of less than 20 years. The problems with Harvey, and with all urban sprawl, are twofold. First, there’s nothing dynamic or unique about these suburbs to distinguish them from any other suburb. They don’t contain functional centers where people work, because all the people are commuting into the city. In fact, most 1950s-1970s suburbs look much the same no matter where you go in the entire country. Second, urban sprawl doesn’t stop - it just keeps going (like the Energizer bunny!) Before Harvey was 20 years old, development began to move farther and farther out to places like Orland Park and the exurbs in the Land of Beyond. At the same time we have people both moving out to ‘better’ newer places, we have Harvey, with nothing unique to retain people’s interest. Sounds like trouble to me!
So what’s driving urban sprawl? It has to be more than just the economy. And it is. There are also other considerations, such as the notion of white flight. The issues of who is moving where also drives what happens with urban spaces. As urban sprawl pushed development farther and farther out, the land value in places like Harvey plummeted. As this happened, the (predominantly) African-Americans living in poor conditions (caused by urban sprawl) on the south side of Chicago moved into Harvey and surrounding areas. Because of this, the remaining whites in Harvey also left. Land values plummeted even more, crime rates rose, and more people left. People began to shop at newer, bigger malls in newer suburbs like Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, or Orland Square in Orland Park. This feedback negative cycle makes places like Harvey worse and worse, while constantly investing in things that are shiny-and-new. No one wins except for greedy developers and the brand new suburb-du-jour, and places like Dixie Square become the retail equivalent of a fossil record, indicating poor decisions in urban planning.
As for the future of the mall, your guess is as good as mine. Since 2002, several companies have expressed interest in the site. According to one source, the mall began coming down in February 2006. However, I drove past more recent than that and it was still standing.
I took the following pictures in July, 2001.
on June 14th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
The mall is coming down, but only in stages. From the pictures I have seen, it would still still look very similar to pre-demo pics. The “developer”, from what I gather, only has crews on site when he is has cash from another deal he has made.
on June 19th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Wow…that would explain the mall’s current condition then. I recently drove past the mall and saw the former Montgomery Ward building torn down and in a pile of rubble. The rest of the former mall doesn’t appear to have been touched by the demo crews yet; however, access to the mall is sort of limited (by car, anyway) due to the fact they placed a fence around the entire property. It didn’t look like there was recent activity, or even any wrecking equipment around the site…interesting, though. Thanks for the comment!
on October 2nd, 2006 at 7:35 pm
A quick clarification or two for you, since I live nearby and have hooked up with the guys at Paw Filmworks, who are doing the documentary about it.
The Wards building was the only building that was supposed to be saved during the most recent round of shady dealings. The developer had crews on site over the holidays last year and, for some reason, started tearing down the mall at the wards building on christmas or new years (i forget) in the middle of the night. A city planner was appearantly driving past at the time and stopped then. Soon after, the crews disappeared and the mall still stands as is.
As yet, no further plans have been announced. You can barely see it from Dixie Hwy anymore due to the newer outbuildings, such as the recent police station. After dark (an dangerous time to be there anyway), the mall is almost completely lost in shadows and invisible from the street.
on November 4th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
when it was in a better condition this dead mall was renovated and used for a car chase in the movie The Blues Brothers.
but now in the condition its in its pretty much toast.
on November 4th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
In some photographs of the interior you could see remnants of the mock stores made in the movie.
For example the former Walgreens was converted into a Toys R Us in the movie and you can still make out Toys R Us markings in the interior of the former Walgreens.
Maybe in previous years this mall could have been reusable…
but now with the condition its in, its pretty much toast.
on November 6th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
WOW….
I worked a summer job at Montgomery Wards in 1975. The mall was pretty bad then. Hardly anyone there then. Even when they built it, I remember the “adults” saying it was a bad decision. The area was considered a “bad neighborhood” then!
on April 5th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I remember it as being pretty shabby, even back in the late 70’s when we would occasionally hang out there.
on December 16th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Harvey’s death was mostly due to intergrated school busing. In the 60′ Harvey was about 95% white. The school district in Harvey was forced by the courts to intergrate some black students from nearby South Holland. The whites were horrifed at this and fled the area (stupid white people!!!). By 1980, Harvey was 98% black, poor, and crime ridden. White flight at in absolute worse. Ironicly, South Holland is now about equal population of blacks and whites.
on January 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
It should also be noted that corrupt politics in Harvey over the past 20 or so years has had a direct impact on whom could do what to that land.
on May 20th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I drove around the perimeter of the mall this past Sunday (18th May 2008). It basically looks the same as in your pictures: horrible, rotting, depressing, but a very intriguing place nonetheless.
There appears to be a chainlink fence surrounding the entire property. But if you wanted to get inside, I doubt anything (or anyONE) would really stop you. I would never, ever, attempt to gain entry by myself. Maybe if I had some friends along (and some decent weaponry), it would be cool. The Harvey Police Dept is situated very close to the mall. Maybe you could get permission from them, though I doubt they would explicitly allow it.
I come from a rather sheltered upbringing, so it surprises me that there are places in the US that are allowed to look like this. It is a truly disgusting display of neglect and apathy.
on June 7th, 2008 at 12:47 am
You should go and see River Oaks Mall in Calumet City, IL.
on July 8th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I was born in Harvey in 1958 and went to the Mall many times in the 60’s. I remember the great snow storm of 67; many folks were stranded slept in the mattress store. This place went to hell because excess shrinkage or what we like to call shoplifting. It also suffered from white flight as folks were terrified of the changing demographic. I remember my Aunt on 154th street telling me that Harvey cops cruised down her alley many times a day (early 70’s). She never even saw them before that. Another time I attended my grandfather’s funeral at the 1st Methodist church. While inside the rims on my 75 Malibu Classic were stolen (1981). Classic newspapers like the Harvey Tribune are only a memory. Massive factories such as Whiting and Ingle Shepherd turning out tanks and planes for our defense in the 1940’s are but a memory. I remember the parades on holidays where the fire fighter’s would throw candy to the kids from high upon their pumping trucks. There also used to be the “ABC” outdoor theater which used left over building from the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Harvey is a great old city and it holds scores of memories from my early childhood. It is sad to see it in its current state.
on July 10th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
There was also a great restaurant at the mall called Armonds. I remember the menu’s with a picture of baby Armand on the back. They also had a novelty store there were you could purchase a cigarette holder in the shape of a donkey. When you lifted its tail a cigarette would automatically come out of its backside. My older brother worked at the Hickory Farms store and would always bring home whiskey sour candy. We used to purchase tropical fish from Wards. I remember my father purchased a boat and outboard motor from wards. Sea King. In inherited it several years later and could not get parts for it. This was the first place I ever saw indoor water fountains. I remember watching the blues brothers when I was in the Air Force at McChord, AFB in 1980. No one believed me when I said I used to shop at the mall in the movie. Enough babbling. This is what happens when an old man takes Gingko Biloba. Thanks for the pictures of Harvey. I am all that is left of my family and it brings back so many memories.
on July 21st, 2008 at 11:21 pm
^^ Yep. It’s still there. …lol
The place is fascinating.
Ironically, this monument, or tombstone, if you will, of the demise of Harvey, IL is what may become the city’s salvation someday.
The popularity of this ‘dead mall’, and it’s movie stardom, draws curious visitors to the area, whom would otherwise never have reason to come anywhere near.
Despite the site’s worst criminal happenings before or after closing down, and the locals who could care less anymore, it is somehow more appealing the place has been left a rotting nostalgia. Isn’t it?
on July 27th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I was born in harvey. And watched the mall many times the city or someone should buy it and restore it. does anyone think that can be done.
on August 25th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Retail History Blog…
I drove around the perimeter of the mall this past Sunday (18th May 2008). It basically looks the same as in your pictures: horrible, rotting, depressing, but a very intriguing place nonetheless.
There appears to be a chainlink fence surrounding the e…
on September 15th, 2008 at 1:52 am
I was just at the mall last week 9/08 and I agree that it is a pretty cool peice of history, but it comes with a price. The area is bad and I have done some plumming in Dolton and it’s surrounding area’s but we don’t go into Harvey. Now I know why. I have grown facinated with this whole dead malls thing and this is the mall that got me started. The Blues Brothers is an alltime favorite movie of mine so I had to check it out. I suggest you do to just be careful there are dogs, homeless, and plenty of trash and rubble. I did however happen to get a nice big brick from its original structure that made my day, but be carefull in the area. (I almost felt safer around the mall) Check it out hopefully it won’t be around much longer to see!
on October 18th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I wish it could be saved and reopened. Harvey and its residence; however, don’t seem to have any pride so it will never be.
on October 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 am
Reopened? It’s a pile of rubble that has been completely abandoned for over 20 years. I doubt the remaining structure is sound.
on November 16th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
“It’s a pile of rubble that has been completely abandoned for over 20 years.”
Actually, it’s a mountain of asbestos, shrapnel, and toxic waste that’s been abandoned for 20 years in a dangerous, crime-ridden slum that nobody would ever want to go to except to view this amazing deadmall.
Other than that- yeah, it would be a good idea to spend a couple billion dollars to restore it to the crummy mall in a bad area it was a few years after opening.
on December 6th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Lol… it will probably fall down on its own before anyone can take it down. No ones going to ‘restore’ it. I’m surprised anything is left at all.
on December 17th, 2008 at 1:34 am
This mall reminds me of an eerily similar empty, crumbly, dangerous yet somewhat haunting structure, the Ryungyong Hotel in North Korea, the hotel itself is 110 stories with 7 spinning restaurants on top, like good ole Dixie Square it was the talk of the town, it was put on a postage stamp BEFORE it was even built, but unlike the Ry Hotel, this mall was a nice, happenin’ place back in the day,
the hotel NEVER opened and it’s left to rot as a great disgrace, just like poor ole Dixie, NoKo decided not to finish that building and left it alone, undone and with a crane on the top, here in Harvey, the same thing has happened, it’s time to put both the Ry Hotel and poor Dixie out of their misseries 
on December 22nd, 2008 at 7:25 am
It is very sad. I remember those stores (Wards, JcPenny , Sears, Woolworths) from my youth. From some of your pics (even in the horrid condition) I can still see them how they looked in their day.
I am always amazed how what when out of fashion (in this case indoor malls) are now starting to come back.
I think the demize, lack of restoration and/or not demolished is squarly on the corrupt goverment of Harvey. Pure and simple.
The main thing I still find totally amazing is that alot of it;even after all the fires, vandalism, stealing, criminal activity of all types, and mother nature herself,; that alot of it is still standing (abit unsafe).
I see modern houses built and occupied today that don’t last as long as this mall has AFTER being neglected for 20 years. Think of how it would have been if it had been kept up.
Maybe the true lesson to be learned is to build buildings like we used to.
Modern building teniques may not be all that great.
My 2 cents.