From deserted towns and hospitals to commercialized museums and nature preserves, these are the coolest abandoned places in Minnesota
for explorers of all skill levels. Touring abandoned places is all about knowing your appetite for adventure. We’d consider the halls of Anoka State Hospital to be for experts only, while the Mill City Ruins are more friendly for entry-level explorers. But all the locations in our guide to abandoned places in Minnesota are equally fascinating!
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Abandoned towns in Minnesota
Taconite Harbor
Location: Schroeder Township, Cook County
Is it legal to go in? Yes
Located along the North Shore of Lake Superior, Taconite Harbor
was once a thriving community that benefited from the abundance of—you guessed it—taconite. Throughout the 1950s, the industry produced roughly 10 to 11 million tons of this low-grade iron ore. But, good things must come to an end. In the 1980s, business slowed and many residents began to search for other opportunities. The aptly named Erie Mining Company, which served as the de facto landlord, practically did everything in its power to push out the remaining families—without business, there was no reason to support the community.
By 1988, many of the homes were demolished. Little is left but a winding paved road and an eerie sense of emptiness.
Dorothy
Location: Louisville Township, Red Lake County
Is it legal to go in? Yes
Civilization has progressed immensely in the last 100 years. Sometimes it’s easy to forget what small-town America looked like before the shopping malls and multi-story apartment complexes.
Well, if you want a glimpse into the past, the abandoned town of Dorothy is an interesting place to check out. It basically consisted of a church, a post office, a few houses, and some farms—that’s about it. You can freely walk around the empty town today to get an idea of what life used to be like.
Dorothy’s church mysteriously burned down in 2014, leaving even less of what once was behind. But, when it comes to exploring ghost towns, sometimes less can be more!
Pelan
Is it legal to go in? Yes
Ever heard of the phrase make it or break it? Well, the town of Pelan broke, and it broke fast. A wealthy Englishman founded Pelan in 1903, but the town was quickly abandoned in 1909 after it failed to secure a spot on the railroad construction blueprint.
The town hardly had time to drum up any of the fun stories that many ghost towns have to tell. Regardless, the abandoned homes can still be fun to explore. While you’re there, check out the 240-acrePelan Prairie natural conservatory
as well—popular activities include hiking, photography, and bird-watching. Abandoned hospitals in Minnesota
Tanner Hospital
Is it legal to go in? No—but you can walk around the outside
The castle-like design of Tanner Hospital certainly makes it stand out alongside traditional Northern Minnesota architecture.
Decades ago, due to the local mining industry's low sanitation standards, the residential workforce had incredibly high disease rates. Tanner Hospital capitalized on the excess number of sick people, becoming one of the first hospitals to explore medicine as an entrepreneurial pursuit. Whether this movement left America better or worse is debatable.
In 1950, the hospital was converted into the Lakeview Apartments. It seems pretty creepy to live in a building where many people died (but maybe that’s just me).
The apartments closed in the ‘80s, but the building has been preserved by the National Register of Historic Places. There have been discussions about restoring the structure, but exact plans have yet to be revealed.
Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center
Is it legal to go in? Maybe—if it hasn’t been completely demolished yet
In the late-1800s, there were inadequate facilities to assist the mentally ill. The need sparked the construction of Fergus Falls State Hospital, officially opening in 1890.
The facility offered patients occupational therapy activities designed to provide “moral treatment,” but many complained that the activities felt more like chores.Most patients ended up staying for life, leading to questions about the effectiveness of the facility’s treatments. Since no one was being rehabilitated, it just seemed like a convenient place to further isolate social outcasts.
Eventually, in 1985, the facility was renamed the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center to reflect its renewed mission, which focused on treating patients with developmental disabilities and chemical dependencies. But, that venture closed in 2005, leaving it partially abandoned for several years.
After much debate, the community agreed to demolish the building—yet it’s unclear how these plans have progressed. So, you may just have to go see for yourself!
Anoka State Hospital
Is it legal to go in? Yes
If you thought the treatment of patients at Fergus Falls was terrible, try the Anoka State Hospital. Throughout the 1900s, this facility was home to patients with allegedly incurable mental illnesses.
Straitjackets, handcuffs, and electroshock therapy were not uncommon at Anoka. And even though those practices were standard for the time, the mistreatment was so apparent that the hospital began to develop a bad reputation, which led to its eventual closure in 1999.
Some buildings have been repurposed into offices, but many remain abandoned and rundown. Locations with a history of this type of pain and suffering can be extra creepy to explore—this one isn’t for the faint of heart.
Other interesting abandoned places in Minnesota
Mill City Ruins
Location: Downtown Minneapolis
Is it legal to go in? Maybe
The milling industry in Minneapolis has undoubtedly had its ups and downs, from producing millions of pounds of flour a day to suffering a disastrous explosion that cut production capacity by a third.
And that’s only a broad peek into the rich history. You can visit the Mill City Museum
to learn more and experience it for yourself—the museum is iconically built into the ruins. Technically, Mill City was abandoned, but the area is extremely commercialized today. But, that’s not a bad thing! The museum is conveniently located near many other attractions like the Stone Arch Bridge and various downtown Minneapolis restaurants and shops. You can make a whole day out of this one!
Rouchleau Mine
Is it legal to go in? Yes
The Rouchleau Mine is an abandoned open-pit mine within the Mesabi Iron Range. During its years of operation from 1893 to 1977, it produced over 300 million gross tons of iron ore.
The land has undoubtedly been beaten down by decades of excavation. Yet against all odds, Mother Nature is doing her best to bringbeautyback to the area. You can hike freely throughout the landscape to explore her progress.
Tips for exploring Minnesota’s abandoned places
Here is a checklist to help you prepare for your exploration of Minnesota’s most iconic abandoned locations:
Check property laws. Always check to see if the property is public, private, or restricted before heading out on your exploration.
Leave it how you found it. Don’t ruin the experience for future explorers!
Dress appropriately. Abandoned locations can be littered with debris or overgrown by the landscape. Therefore, it’s essential to wear protective gear like gloves, closed-toed shoes, and safety glasses to shield yourself from the elements.
Bring a friend or make your location known. Most of these places are still relatively public, so safety isn’t generally a concern. Regardless, it’s always good to share your location before adventuring anywhere.
If you mix these rules with respect and safety, you’ll have the perfect recipe for an exciting day!
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