Exploring Abandoned Buildings in Gary Indiana | April 2021

April 2021
Much like my Exploring Abandoned Downtown East St Louis video, I explore multiple abandoned buildings in Gary Indiana, all of which are on the same street. I explore the abandoned Palace Theater, American State Bank, The H. Gordon and Son's Department Store, and the infamous City Methodist Church. Closing the video out in Chicago off Lake Michigan.

Gary, named after Elbert Gary who was the founding chairman of the US Steel Corporation, was founded in 1906 and is located in Indiana just over 20 miles from Chicago.
The population at it's highest reached about 18,000 people however today the population is just around 50,000.
Gary Indiana is the hometown of Michael Jackson. The Jackson Five never performed at the Palace Theater however they did perform at the Gilroy Stadium in Gary which I have a separate video of.

The Palace Theater was built in 1925 and designed by architect John Eberson. The theater featured live plays, Vaudeville acts, and movies. The theater closed down in 1972.

The American State Bank I believe was built in the 1920s though not confirmed. No luck with finding information on it still.

The H. Gordon and Son's department store was built in 1923 and closed down in 1972.

The City Methodist Church was built in 1925 by architects Lowe and Bollenbacher of Chicago (Gothic Revival).
It had a member capacity of 3,000 members making it one of the largest in the midwest.
It closed down in 1975.
Multiple films used this place as a location such as Transformers Dark of the Moon, the Nightmare on Elm Street remake (deleted scene), and Soul Survivors to name a few.
The music video by Calboy - Envy Me was filmed here as well.

- Tom V

0:00 Intro
1:06 Palace Theater 
5:57 American State Bank
9:23 Department Store (H. Gordon's)
10:10 City Methodist Church 
20:17 Wrap up (In Chicago)