Abandoned places and decaying ruins certainly aren’t an oddity in Missouri. Have you ever wondered, however, when you’re driving along and pass an abandoned home about its past? Who lived there and what happened that it’s now left abandoned in ruins? You won’t have those questions when it comes to Cementland in Missouri, an abandoned former cement factory turned art amusement park. Its story really is one-of-a-kind.

Please note: Cementland is closed to the public. However, you can admire it through the many photos and videos that have been shared online over the years.

Sprawled between Scranton Avenue and Riverview Drive in St. Louis, Cementland is a testament to the city's rich industrial past.
Google/Paul
At one time, the 54-acre area held a thriving cement factory. After its closure, the land became a dumping ground, for dirt and other materials, mostly for area construction companies.
Flickr/Paul Sableman
The buildings eventually showed their neglect as they began to decay. To most, the area was little more than a blight on the St. Louis landscape.
Google/Paul
Artist Bob Cassilly, however, saw things a little differently. Those 54 acres were a canvas, so he purchased the land.
Google/John Bostic
If Cassilly's name sounds familiar, he is also the founder of City Museum.
His vision was to create an amusement park of artistic attractions that would inspire visitors, much like City Museum has since 1997.
Google/John Bostic

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Cassilly began the long creative process with a bulldozer and the dirt, which companies continued to dump at the artist's request.
Google/Paul
An art park, featuring a castle and walkways, began to take shape.
Google/John Bostic
Unfortunately, Cassilly's vision would go unfulfilled. He died in 2011 as he worked on a bulldozer in the park.
Google/Paul
His death was initially attributed to the bulldozer rolling over. However, further investigation found that foul play was likely.
Google/John Bostic
Today, Cementland, which suffered several fires in recent years, remains unfinished. It's closed to the public.
Flickr/Paul Sableman

What do you think of Cementland in Missouri? Do you think it should be re-opened to the public? Join the conversation in the comments! Did you know that Missouri is also home to the abandoned town of Times Beach?

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Cementland, 520 Scranton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63137, USA