Internet Sleuths Uncover Real-Life Origin of 'The Backrooms'

A viral liminal space photo that inspired creepypastas and video games traces back to a Wisconsin hobby store.

The Backrooms image first appeared on 4chan in 2011, gaining fame in 2019 as a creepypasta.
A team of four Discord users identified the photo's origin after a multi-year search.
The image was taken in 2003 during renovations at HobbyTown Oshkosh in Wisconsin.
The store's current RC car racetrack occupies the space once depicted in the eerie photo.
The Backrooms concept has influenced numerous horror stories, games, and online lore.