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Description
From the abandoned Prairie Observatory, near Oakland, Illinois. Built by the University of Illinois Astronomy Department back in 1968, it once housed a 40-inch reflecting telescope. The site was decommissioned in 1981, and the telescope went to California, where it is still in use to this day.

Now, it's a rather eerie place to visit. Walking through the first floor reminded me of Black Mesa from the video game Half-Life. This photo was taken on the second floor, next to what I called the "Block Room." The graffiti on the wall was a surprise. I shot this as part of a HDR set, and this image was from the more-exposed side. I didn't see it until I got home.

Description
From the abandoned Prairie Observatory, near Oakland, Illinois. Built by the University of Illinois Astronomy Department back in 1968, it once housed a 40-inch reflecting telescope. The site was decommissioned in 1981, and the telescope went to California, where it is still in use to this day.

Now, it's a rather eerie place to visit. Walking through the first floor reminded me of Black Mesa from the video game Half-Life. This photo was taken on the second floor, next to what I called the "Block Room." The graffiti on the wall was a surprise. I shot this as part of a HDR set, and this image was from the more-exposed side. I didn't see it until I got home.