Abandoned taxi graveyard found in middle of nowhere with eerie messages on walls and pristine yellow cabs left to rot
URBAN explorers trekked through an abandoned taxi company that suddenly closed its doors after 100 years, leaving eerie signs of life.
The cab owner told media outlets the closure was due to rough economic times, though no one bought it.
Posten Taxi suddenly closed in 2013, and it was one of only two taxi companies offering services in the city.
Before the closure, Posten Taxi had been in operation since 1860.
"It is with great sadness that Posten Taxi announces it will no longer be providing taxi service," read the company president John Katorkas's statement, quoted by
"We are deeply honored to have had the opportunity and wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for many years of loyal patronage."
Many were shocked by the sudden announcement, especially the 40 employees who were abruptly out of a job.
Katorkas offered little to the media, just that the closure served as a "sign of the times."
No word was given about the status of the 15 Ford Crown Victoria or Dodge Caravan taxis that he had, either.
Burgit City Taxi then served as the only taxi service provider in the city, upsetting residents who depended on their services.
"Now I have to walk halfway or take the white cab, but I don't like the white cabs, but I got to do what I have to do," Edwardsville resident Latrice Smith told ABC affiliate .
The result was an abandoned building, abandoned taxis, tools, and offices left in disarray.
Several Crown Victoria taxis sat covered with layers of dust, despite the company only closing five years before filming.
Some taxis had body panels missing and their windows shattered.
Others were on blocks with choice words graffitied across the hoods or side doors.
One yellow Crown Victoria, like the one at the beginning of Jay's video, looked to be in decent condition despite the signs of abandonment.
Not even a minute into Jay's video, he found a sign that read: "Nathan, this building is not your, 'ight?"
It looked as though someone responded with, "F*** you," and "Get your facts straight."
Another cryptic message was, "I'll come back later."
The service part of the taxi company had several toolboxes, many with tools still in them, abandoned and covered with dust.
Tools used to remove engines were scattered in the abandoned vehicle bays, complete with hydraulic lifts used to work on the underside of vehicles.
Forklifts and a stockpile of passenger seats from other vehicles were also frozen in time.
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He'd even discovered a front office with abandoned mail strewn across the floor and plastic containers used for drug testing.