Emerson Dameron

A few curiosity-seekers gravitate more towards the lonely, forbidden spots in Chicago, the abandoned South Side steel mills and the UIC steam tunnels, than the safe occupancy of the city streets.

Megan is one such "urban explorer," who enjoys researching and visiting Chicago's deserted structures. She isn't a tagger, a vandal, a voyeur or a terrorist. She is a member of Chicago Urban Exploration, a loose confederation of writers, photographers and artists who investigate the Chicago area's neglected wonders and publish their findings at chicagourbanexploration.com. She estimates that there are now "about twenty or so people" in the CUE network. "We are not a bunch of vandals," Megan says, "and we don't break into places. It just drives me nuts when people think this! You won't find spray cans or crowbars inside my backpack, just a bunch of photography equipment and perhaps a light snack. I have never, and I mean never, snapped a lock, smashed a window, or broken a door to get into a place. All explorations I have ever engaged in have been to places fairly wide open or left unlocked, and most of them have not actually been within the city proper."

The "off-limits" concept can be a slippery one--Paris offers officially sanctioned "sewer tours" that, for a fee, lead the inquisitive through the city's smelly underground. The logistics involved in visiting Chicago's subterranean marvels aren't so easy. "Personally," says Megan, "I don't think Chicago is that good for UE. Chicago is notorious for its expedient efforts to board up, seal off or demolish its abandoned structures, so you really have to look hard to find something here."

Megan hardly flaunts a disregard for the law. She actually advises the owners of abandoned buildings to post "No Trespassing," "Asbestos" or "Beware of Dog" signs if they want to keep urban explorers out, as a lot of empty buildings don't have them, and the discerning explorer will usually avoid the ones that do. Many Chicago Urban Exploration affiliates have construction or EMS backgrounds, and often keep their hands to themselves while exploring. The CUE website contains protracted discussions of potential dangers-from suffocation to paranoia-and lends practical advice and suggestions on what accessories to bring, such as reliable flashlights, gloves, masks, topography maps, strong personal ethics and always a companion or two.

Megan says that "getting caught" is the most common fear among urban explorers. Indeed, the stakes are higher now, at least in America. Explorers used to dread $100 trespassing citations. Now, they're also likely to be considered potential terrorists and dragged through expensive, traumatic arrests and court proceedings.

(2003-04-15)

Also by Emerson Dameron

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