There’s something undeniably cinematic about abandoned industrial landscapes: silent corridors of forgotten machinery, vast empty rooms where time stands still, weathered brick and concrete telling stories that no set designer could replicate. For filmmakers seeking evocative backdrops, one such hidden gem sits quietly in Kankakee, Illinois — the former General Mills dog food plant at 980 N Hobbie Avenue.

Originally part of a sprawling mid-20th-century manufacturing complex, this plant once hummed with activity as part of General Foods’ dog food operation. Since the closure of pet food manufacturing in 1997, the facility has stood largely vacant, its hulking presence a magnet for photographers, urban explorers, and — now — creative visionaries seeking raw, industrial authenticity. Shaw Local

Why This Location is a Filmmaker’s Dream

1. A Vast, Atmospheric Canvas

The General Mills dog food plant offers expansive interiors that can double for any number of cinematic worlds — from dystopian futures to gritty crime dramas. Its cavernous halls, peeling paint, and rusted remnants of machinery create a natural texture and depth that would otherwise take considerable budget to replicate on a soundstage.

This is the kind of setting where a thriller’s tense chase scene could unfold, or a reflective indie drama could plant its emotional beats.

2. Industrial Aesthetic With a Story to Tell

No set design can replace the authenticity of decades-old industrial architecture. Each corner of the Kankakee plant reflects history: of labor, industry, abandonment, and resilience. Whether it’s the aging brickwork, high ceilings, or narrow catwalks above forgotten factory floors, the building itself becomes a silent character — rich with visual storytelling potential.

And while the plant lacks the towering grain silos of some locations, its ground-level detail — from gritty floors to overhead pipes and support beams — offers a nuanced aesthetic in tight-shot cinema.

A Midwestern Parallel: The Damen Silos

Chicago’s Damen Silos were long celebrated as one of the Midwest’s most memorable abandoned industrial locations — not just for urban explorers, but for filmmakers, photographers, and visual artists. These towering grain elevators — neglected since the late 1970s — held a distinct cinematic presence precisely because of their scale, geometry, and textures. WBEZ

Cinematic Legacy

The silos gained widespread recognition when they appeared in the 2014 blockbuster Transformers: Age of Extinction, where the structures were adapted to portray a location in China — a testament to their visual power and flexibility for storytelling. WTTW Chicago News

They became more than abandoned grain elevators; they were iconic frames in films, music videos, and architectural photography, a symbol of decay and possibility. Chicago Sun-Times

While demolition has been underway on the Damen site this year as part of redevelopment efforts, its legacy remains an inspiration — and a benchmark for what abandoned industrial spaces can offer to filmmakers. Chicago Sun-Times

Kankakee’s Potential: A New Industrial Icon

Though more modest in scale than the towering silos, the General Mills plant offers its own unique cinematic personality. Where the silos dominated the skyline, the Kankakee facility dominates the immediate environment — a sprawling campus of rooms and corridors that can represent countless unseen worlds.

Filmmakers looking for:

• Scene backdrop for a post-industrial future

• Atmospheric thriller locations

• Intimate character dramas against gritty urban decay

• Music videos with raw, iconic texture

…will find this location ripe for creative interpretation.

With proper permits and safety considerations, the plant could become a regional hub for location shooting, especially for projects seeking Midwestern authenticity without the crowds and restrictions of bigger cities.

Conclusion: Unearthing Hidden Stories

Industrial relics like the General Mills dog food plant remind us that beauty — and creative opportunity — often lies in the forgotten and overlooked. Like the Berlin factories rediscovered by photographers or the Chicago silos that once inspired filmmakers worldwide, this Kankakee site offers a unique canvas for visual storytelling.

For directors, cinematographers, and production designers seeking a site with history, atmosphere, and endless visual possibilities, the abandoned General Mills plant stands ready to be rediscovered.

Interested in shooting here? Always check property ownership (info@mirtactical.com) and secure necessary permits. This location is not free to use and is avalable to rent starting at a 2 hr minimum. 

If you want, I can also help draft a location scouting pitch email tailored to producers or location managers!