All photography courtesy of the Decay Devils.
Who we are
The first thing many people ask us is, what's with your name? Decay Devils? Really?
Yes - but it's not how it sounds. Our name is a nod to our humble beginnings, back when we were just a group of friends who loved urban exploration and playing in abandoned buildings.
So who are we now? We're still a group of friends who love urbex and playing in abandoned buildings. We're also history lovers, artists, and adventurers. We're parents, partners, and community leaders. We love NW Indiana, especially Gary, and we want the best for its infrastructure and its people.
What we do
The Decay Devils advocate for the abandoned, speak up for the voiceless, and rally the troops to make change happen. We:
Raise funds for various preservation and restoration efforts
Collaborate with engineers, state and city leaders, and our community to revive historical places
Host community outreach projects and events
Travel across the globe to learn about other organizations’ preservation and restoration efforts, build our network, and get inspired for projects back home
Still play in abandoned buildings
What We Want
The Decay Devils are agents of change. We're determined to revive neglected places, unify communities, and bring beauty, safety, and activity back to places we once looked past, sped past, or cringed at.
We shed light on and restore forgotten relics through:
· Cleanup projects
· Creative endeavors, such as murals
· Making critical repairs
· Restoring structures to their former glory or better
We want to give back to the community by making abandoned places useful again, whether it's a multi-million dollar Fiber Smart House or something - dare we dream - bigger. It's our goal to create functioning spaces that benefit the community, create revenue streams, give back to the region's economy, and fund more restoration efforts.
“Architecture has been called the art of building beautifully, a fixation of man’s thinking, and record of his activity… Keep in mind that last phrase. It is important.”
What We've Achieved
2019 American Express Aspire Award
National Landmark Designation for Union Station
2018 National Trust for Historic Preservation 40 Under 40
Transforming Lake County Grant
Gary Love Fest & Historical Tours
1906 Initiative & Art is Life Fellowship
Induction to The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana
Spread in the New York Times
Featured on WGN News
Gary Union Station Revival Project
St Monica St Luke Oral History Time Capsule Project
Marquette Beach Clean-up with the Alliance for the Great Lakes
WHERE YOU CAN SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Shop, pay membership dues, and more in our store.