Abandoned towns always have a spooky feel to them. If you’re unsure of its history, you may jump to conclusions yourself, or ask plenty of questions. What happened here? Why did the people leave? Times Beach at one point was a booming beach resort, and then, within the span of two years, it became completely vacant of any residents. So, what happened here? There’s a reason why people call this place the creepiest abandoned town in Missouri! Which ghost towns in Missouri do you think are eerie enough to visit? Let us know.

Times Beach, Missouri, was founded in 1925 as a summer resort.
Wikipedia/Alexrk2
Named after the St. Louis Star-Times, lots were sold for $67.50 and included a six-month subscription to the newspaper. For a short time, it became the premier vacation destination for wealthy people traveling from St. Louis. However, when the Depression hit, gas was rationed, and people stopped making the 17-mile trip to the beach.
To suppress the dust, the city hired waste hauler Russell Bliss to oil the roads from 1972-1974.
Wikipedia/Mitchazenia
No longer a booming resort, the town became home for the lower-middle class. Residents couldn't afford to pave the roads, so their dirt roads plagued the city with dust. It turns out that one of the contractors that Bliss received its waste oil from was Northeastern Pharmaceutical and Chemical Company. During the Vietnam War, the facility produced Agent Orange.

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The waste clay and water removed from the plant contained levels of dioxin 2,000 times higher than the dioxin content in Agent Orange. Residents were coming down with headaches, nosebleeds, abdominal pain, and diarrhea at alarming rates. Horses, birds, and small animals of the farms started to die off as well.
Flickr/Daveynin
The government became aware of this serious environmental issue and bought out the town in 1983. This would be the first time our nation would witness government intervention like that. By 1985, the entire town's population of 2,000 people had been evacuated.
Mirineidelopes/TripAdvisor
From 1996 to 1997 the government removed 265,000 tons of contaminated soil and debris from Times Beach and 28 other sites in eastern Missouri at a cost of $110 million. With the assurance of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Missouri took back the land and created the Route 66 State Park.

What do you think? Is this abandoned Missouri town really clean now? Share your thoughts about Times Beach, easily one of the creepiest old ghost towns in Missouri, in the comments. We love to hear from you! If you’re looking for more creepy adventures, you might want to visit these five ghost towns in abandoned Missouri as well. If you want to make this a road trip, just be sure to check out our ultimate road trip packing list before you head out!

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Ghost Towns in Missouri

Elisa Regulski | September 30, 2019

What other abandoned places are there in Missouri?

There are several creepy abandoned places in Missouri:

  • If you’re feeling brave, take a visit to the Missouri State Penitentiary.
    • The prison opened in 1836, and several terrifying executions have occurred here.
    • The prison closed in 2004, but you can now explore the old building through a guided tour.
    • If these walls could talk, they would have so many scary stories to tell.
  • For another freaky excursion, tour Lemp Brewery in St. Lewis. Warning: this place is not for the faint of heart.

Are there any hiking trails to abandoned places in Missouri?

The Castle Trail in Ha Ha Tonka State Park leads to one of the most fascinating abandoned places in Missouri:

  • This scenic trail is less than a mile long, so it’s perfect for a family getaway.
  • After a brief stroll through the state park’s gorgeous landscape, you’ll reach the ruins of an old mansion.
  • The building was constructed in the 1920s, but it burned just 22 years later.
  • This place will make your imagination run wild.

What ghost towns can you find in Missouri?

  • Arlington is one of the many ghost towns in Missouri. This fascinating place was once a bustling town that sat along Route 66. Today, all that remains are dilapidated buildings and ruins.
  • Far West, located in Caldwell County, is another unique Missouri ghost town. This quiet and serene place is home to an empty church and several rotting buildings.
  • For another wild adventure, head to Garber. This tiny town was successful in the 1920s, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at it today. All that remains is an old post office and schoolhouse.

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