Neighborhoods that once attracted the who-is-who across the United States today remain a shell of their former selves. These were the places you would go for motivation to achieve your big-money dreams. Today, most of them remain abandoned, never sure when the revival they hope for will come.

Detroit’s Brush Park – Michigan

You may not have heard of this, but Brush Park in Detroit was one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It hosted affluent mansions and was home to some notable personalities, including brewer Frederick Buhl. Today, it’s a ghost neighborhood with empty houses.

Gary’s Downtown District – Indiana

Gary’s Downtown District was once the home of diversity, hosting the rich from a variety of cultures. Almost all the cultures in the United States were represented here. Industrial magnate U.S. Steel’s executives were the most popular residents. The steel industry’s decline saw the neighborhood’s demise.

Cairo’s Commercial District – Illinois

This was another industrial-influenced neighborhood that was home to the wealthy merchants. Cairo’s Commercial District was home to figures such as lumber magnate George Parsons. However, dwindling economic opportunities and racial tensions initiated its demise. What is left today is a haunting reminder of its former glory.

East St. Louis – Illinois

This is another neighborhood that developed as a result of the industrial success of St. Louis. It was a thriving, rich neighborhood that hosted wealthy businessmen and executives. Renowned businessman Charles Lindbergh Sr. was once a resident here. The estate’s glory faded away, and the area remains deserted.

Cleveland’s Hough Neighborhood – Ohio

In Ohio, you would find almost all the rich in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood. It was an attractive area that saw famous people like oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller grace it. Nowadays, it stands largely empty, its former elegance a disappearing memory, waiting for new apartments to rise on its historic streets.

Buffalo’s East Side – New York

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Buffalo’s East Side was your home if you had deep pockets. Influenced by the railroad, you were likely to bump into elites like railroad magnate William Fargo. Its former glory is currently history, and all you find there is the silent echo of its past success.

New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward – Louisiana

New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward in Louisiana was once home to jazz legend Fats Domino. The lively atmosphere and posh homes were the center of attraction for the rich residents. The abandoned homes you will find there now tell the story of a once popular, affluent neighborhood.

Baltimore’s West Side – Maryland

This is where you could find your dream home if you had the chance to visit. Baltimore’s West Side was painted with elegant homes with a cultural appeal. Industrialist Robert Garrett was one of the most famous residents of the estate. Today, it’s largely vacant after residents found homes elsewhere.

New York City’s South Bronx – New York

If you are a lover of history, you must have heard about the South Bronx. It hosted a substantial number of New York’s upper class. The glamorous brownstones and thriving culture attracted the money there. Living there, you would brush shoulders with industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt, among other oligarchs.

Pittsburgh’s Hill District – Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh’s Hill District was once a magnet that attracted almost every rich person in the state. The lively jazz scene it was known for was the principal attraction. Boxing legend Joe Louis found it welcoming and called it home for a long time.

Detroit’s Highland Park – Michigan

If you wanted to experience opulence, Detroit’s Highland Park was the place to go. It boasted elite and elegant homes hidden behind tree-lined streets. This was the home of auto pioneer Henry Ford when it still had its glory. Today, it remains a haunting reminder of its past.

St. Louis’ North Side – Missouri

St. Louis’ North Side was a 20th-century haven for the wealthy in Missouri. It acquired its status from the grand architecture and thriving businesses that graced it. This explains the decision by industrialist Adolphus Busch to call it home. Today, it awaits a hopeful revival.