From Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis to the remains of long-gone mining operations on the Iron Range, Minnesota has experienced its fair share of abandonment. Some of the state’s ruins are a proud testament to a bygone era of Minnesota industry. Others are the sad remains of other people’s misfortunes. This abandoned factory is, perhaps, a mixture of both. Read on to learn about UMore Park, a fascinating World War II-era factory in a Minneapolis suburb:

Just outside of Rosemount Minnesota, a series of long-abandoned buildings rises above a quiet landscape.
Anthony Auston/Flickr
Though it is known today as UMore Park, the facility was called Gopher Ordinance Works when it began in the 1945.
Kent Landerholm/Flickr
It was built to supply gunpowder for use in World War II.
Kent Landerholm/Flickr
It took up thousands of acres of land, forcing many area families to give up their homes.
Bjorn/Flickr
However, the factory was not in use for long. The war ended shortly after operations started.
Ruin Raider/Flickr

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The now empty factory buildings – over 100 in total – sat unused for two years. Then, in 1947, the University of Minnesota took over the deed.
Ruin Raider/Flickr
The university began using the buildings for research purposes. Today, UMore Park is used to study medicine, aeronautics, and more.
Bjorn/Flickr
Visitors are not allowed at UMore Park. The only way to look inside is to view photographs.
Kent Landerholm/Flickr
But the factory’s impact can still be felt in the surrounding landscape, which never recovered from the evacuation of so many from their houses.
Kent Landerholm/Flickr
All that remains in the public eye is a series of concrete columns, which frame a grouping of dreary looking buildings.
Ruin Raider/Flickr
Still, UMore Park is a fascinating piece of Minnesota history that everyone should know about.
Joe D/Flickr

Did you know about this mysterious park? Are you interested in any other Minnesota ruins? Tell us about them in the comments below!

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