These 8 Unbelievable Ruins In Minnesota Will Transport You To The Past
By Jo Magliocco|Published January 29, 2016
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Jo Magliocco
Author
Minnesota staff writer for Only in Your State and owner of Minnesota blog NorthGuide.co, I'm a Minneapolis transplant who loves my cats, camera, and local coffee. On the weekends I'm usually exploring the North Shore or making my way through the list of Minnesota's State Parks. Want to talk about MN or ask me a question? Tweet me @sotafiedjo!
As you’re exploring the land throughout Minnesota, it’s not uncommon to stumble upon some fascinating abandoned buildings. From homes to military installations, you can find a little bit of everything in Minnesota’s urban and rural spaces. Some of the most fascinating ruins are the remnants of Minnesota’s industrial history – particularly the reminders that Minnesota used to be home to the “Flour Milling Capital of the World” as well as bits and pieces leftover from the golden age of mining in Minnesota. Here are some of our favorites to explore:
1. Archibald Mill on the Cannon River in Dundas was once a booming water-powered gristmill complex. It was built in 1857 and expanded across the river in 1870. It's known as the first U.S. mill to produce and market patent flour, "Dundas Straight". The mill burned down and was rebuilt at least twice before finally becoming abandoned in the early 1930s.
2. The Ramsey Mill stands in Old Mill Park in Hastings, on the Vermillion River. It burned down in 1894, but the ruins left are still holding up. At Old Mill Park you can also find a log cabin and a steam-powered flour mill that is still fired up once a year, more reminders of Minnesota's milling history.
4. The last of the mills we'll mention is by the far the most well known in Minnesota. Mill City Museum in Minneapolis encompasses the ruins of Washburn A Mill, built in 1874, which exploded, taking 18 lives and cutting Minneapolis' milling capacity in half. The museum itself is fascinating, and its location on the Mississippi River combined with the stunning architectural detail and history of the building make it one of Minnesota's best attractions.
5. Similar to Mill City Museum, neighboring Mill Ruins Park shows some of the most interesting pieces left from Minneapolis' milling industry in a fun outdoor exhibit below the Stone Arch Bridge.
6. Another interesting and well-known ruin in Minnesota is what's left of Duluth's "cribs" or "Uncle Harvey's Mausoleum". In fact, one of the two structures in this photo has already disappeared into Superior.
Abandoned since 1922, Harvey Whitney built the dock to act as a sand and gravel unloading spot should the Outer Harbor Breakwater be rebuilt and protect the area. Alas, it wasn't, and it wasn't reasonable to keep unloading in the exposed conditions, rather than in the safety of the harbor.
7. A fascinating sandstone quarry ruin can be found in Banning State Park along the Kettle River. A hike on Quarry Loop Trail will teach you about the quarry and allow to see all that's left of this once booming industrial site.
8. Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in Waite Park is another great place to explore the remains of Minnesota's mining industry. With swimming quarries, scuba diving, and rock climbing as popular activities, this is another one of MN's favorite previously industrial sites. The quarries are former mining sites of Saint Cloud Red Granite, which can be seen in some of Minnesota's iconic buildings including The Landmark Center and the James J. Hill House in St. Paul.
