Take A Thrilling Road Trip To The 9 Most Abandoned Places In Minnesota
We know by now that there are more than a few abandoned places scattered across Minnesota. Mill ruins, ghost towns, and forgotten buildings dot our land, and in many cases, nature is slowly reclaiming them. This abandoned road trip will get you up close with some of the most interesting abandoned places in Minnesota before they’re gone completely.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
This road trip is not exactly short. It spans 804 miles from the southwest to the northeast - and then some. But these are some of Minnesota's coolest ruins. Any portion of the road trip that you do - or all of it - will be a trip through the state's forgotten history. Find the entire route here.
Hadley, Minnesota, was founded in 1879 and incorporated in 1903. At its peak, the population of this little town was 161. Since then, that number has dwindled to just 61 as of the last census. The abandonment shows in this old bank building, now covered in vines and left for nature to reclaim. It now stands as one of the creepiest places in Minnesota.
This abandoned building is located on I-35 and MN-19 near Northfield. According to one source, it was once an antique store and barber shop. It remained as an abandoned building that looked like something out of the Old West, but it was recently torn down.
UMore Park, once known as Gopher Ordinance Works, is an abandoned factory that once produced gunpowder in the 1940s. But it closed just a few months after it opened, after the end of World War II. The eerie ruins served as a reminder of a time long gone. Learn more about the park here, but keep in mind many sources report that this factory has recently been torn down.
While it may not be completely abandoned, a visit to Mill Ruins park brings you on a trip through the history of Minneapolis. Featuring the remains of several flour mills, you'll learn about the industry that Minnesota became known for in its early history. The park now features walking paths and other amenities that wind through the crumbled remains.
Banning State Park is a beautiful place to visit even if you don't see any abandoned places. It features a rushing river and a stunning waterfall, not to mention many gorgeous nature hikes. But if you are interested in abandoned places, there are few better than the park's abandoned quarry ruins. The Banning Sandstone Quarry began operations in the 1800s and continued until 1905. Many fires swept the area, wiping out the nearby town of Banning. All that remains today are the crumbled ruins of the once-bustling quarry ruins.
Taconite Harbor is one of Minnesota's most eerie ghost towns, which is why we thought it was the perfect one to include on this trip. The town grew up around taconite mining in the area, with the mining company building dozens of homes and stores to serve its employees. But when the demand for taconite ceased, the town all but disappeared. Today, all that remains are a few paved sections of road already half overgrown with weeds. Still, a visit is a powerful reminder that what's here today can easily vanish tomorrow.
The old Tanner Hospital in Ely is a 100-year-old building located on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Camp Street. Many refer to it as the Castle, a reference to its impressive architecture that is a rarity in northern Minnesota. The building was last used as apartment housing before it was abandoned. In recent years, there has been increased interest in restoring the building to its former beauty, but for now, it remains abandoned.
It's no surprise that Minnesota's Mesabi Range has experienced its share of decay. But one of the most impressive abandoned sites is the Rouchleau Mine in Virginia. This large open-pit mine began operations in 1893 and ceased in 1977, leaving a glaring scar on the Minnesota landscape. There are plans to continue expansion of another mine in the area, which may well affect the abandoned Rouchleau pit. For now, though, it remains as a reminder of Minnesota's mining history.
Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center, once known as Fergus Falls State Hospital, is a series of buildings built through the late 1800s and early 1900s and opened in 1890. The hospital was originally used to treat mentally ill patients. But in 1971 after medical advances, it became a multi-purpose hospital, often used to treat those with chemical dependencies or developmental disabilities. The hospital closed in 2005, with many of the buildings now remaining abandoned.
Have you ever explored any of these – or other – abandoned places in Minnesota? Let us know your experience! Also, check out the grim reality of these 11 ghost towns in Minnesota.
Address: 170th Street East, Rosemount, MN 55068, USA
Address: 102 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Address: 61101 Banning Park Rd, Sandstone, MN 55072, USA
Address: Taconite Harbor, MN 55613, USA
Address: Rouchleau Mine, Virginia, MN 55792, USA
Address: Fergus Falls, MN 56537, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Places In Minnesota
March 27, 2020
Meghan Kraft
What is the most famous abandoned place in Minnesota?
It’s hard to choose what is the most famous abandoned place in Minnesota, since there are truly so many. It’s strange the way the past has a way of intruding on the present. There are multiple abandoned places and roadside haunts scattered throughout the state, including Ortonville’s Grand Columbian Hotel, the Fergus Falls City Light Station and the oldest home in Moorhead that has long since been left to its own devices. Did you know that there’s even a Minnesota beach where there is no water? It’s true. There’s nothing more haunting than a place that was supposed to be, and never existed.
What is the most haunted place in Minnesota?
There’s many an old mansion and haunted fright in Minnesota, but one of the most haunted places just might catch you by surprise. Located in Sauk Centre, the Palmer House Hotel was built in 1901 hand was even featured by the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventurers. There are all sorts of “permanent, unregistered gusts” that call the hotel home, including a ghost that goes by the name of Lucy. You’ll find the Palmer House Hotel, once a popular spot for everyone from salesmen to pioneers, a historic spot with a hint of ghostly mayhem.
Can I go ghost hunting in Minnesota?
Absolutely! There are multiple ghost hunting experiences found in Minnesota, including the overnight ghost hunt hosted by the Nopeming Sanatorium in Duluth. Downtown Pipestone offers summer ghost walks that just might reveal a ghostly friend, and the Wabasha Street Cave guides will tell you many an eerie tale as you wander through the inky darkness of the underground. There’s no reason to leave the chill of ghostly tales to October, friends. Stay overnight, take a tour, indulge in the scary stories of a well-educated guide. Minnesota is just as friendly to its citizens that have long since passed.
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 19 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at [email protected] or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
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