The Coolest Abandoned Places in Missouri
Haunted hospitals, crumbling castles, and flood-damaged prisons are among the cool and creepy abandoned places in Missouri.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
From a haunted hospital to abandoned amusement parks, the Show-Me State lives up to its name with some unique abandoned places.
When you think of
Missouri
, you probably think primarily of the Gateway Arch and amazing barbecue. You’re not wrong, but the state of Missouri is also full of lesser-known abandoned sites that are sure to make for a unique and memorable road trip.Here to be your tour guide to the abandoned side of Missouri is
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Abandoned towns in Missouri
Defiance
Location: Worth County
Abandoned since: Circa1887
Is it legal to go in? Yes
Not to be confused with the tiny (but still populated) town of the same name in St. Charles County, Defiance in Worth County, Missouri was founded around 1865. The town was briefly called Riverside, but adopted the name Defiance in response to a local shopkeeper’s staunch refusal to stop selling whiskey, no matter what the laws at the time dictated.
At its peak around 1882, the town had a post office, three blacksmiths, drug and dry goods stores, a physician, a shoemaker, and a carpenter.
The town's decline began in 1887, when the construction of a new railroad missed the town by about a half-mile, causing the population to shift west to the newer town of Sheridan.
Phenix
Location: Greene County
Abandoned since: Circa 1970
Is it legal to go in? Yes
Established as a limestone quarry operation around 1888, the town of Phenix grew around the Phenix Marble Company during the latter part of the 1800s. The town was largely owned and operated by the company, including the town hall, all the homes, and the city park. 1902 saw the addition of a general store, and in 1905 a two-room schoolhouse was constructed.
The town remained a steady source of quality marble and limestone until World War II, when the machinery was scrapped for the war effort. Operations resumed post war, but the quarries never again reached the level of production seen in previous years, and by the 1970s the town was abandoned.
Today several structures remain, including houses and quarry buildings.
Abandoned hospitals and prisons in Missouri
Wheatley-Provident Hospital
Location: Kansas City
Abandoned since: 1972
Is it legal to go in? It’s private property, so you can only view it from the street
Kansas City’s first Black-owned hospital, Wheatley-Provident was in use from 1916 to 1972. After operations moved to the newly-constructed Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital, the imposing stone structure stood empty for many years.
The abandoned building served as a haunted house attraction off and on in the 80s and 90s. In 2012, it was placed on a list of dangerous buildings and slated for demolition after having been set on fire twice in one day.
Fortunately, this historic building was saved from the wrecking ball in 2018, and there are currently restorations underway and plans for redevelopment.
Kansas City Workhouse
Location: Kansas City
Abandoned since: 1972
Is it legal to go in? The building is not accessible, but it’s right on the street for easy viewing
Built in 1897 as a workhouse for petty offenders such as beggars and drunkards, this medieval-style Kansas City prison now sits covered in vines and graffiti, looking oddly out of place in a modern city.
Finally shuttered in 1972, the “castle workhouse,” as it was known at the time, has been empty for decades, save for wildlife and graffiti artists.
There have been a few attempts to revamp and revitalize the workhouse, but so far none have come to fruition. The building itself is not accessible, but it’s well worth stopping by to take a look at this landmark from the exterior.
Renz Women’s Penitentiary
Location: Jefferson City
Abandoned since: 1993
Is it legal to go in? The penitentiary is permanently closed.
This moldering monolith was constructed as a high-security women’s penitentiary in 1926—the 500 or so inmates raised chickens and produce while serving their time. It might still be operational if not for a massive flood in 1993 that crested at over 30 feet and didn’t recede for several days.
The prison was safely evacuated, but the damage was too severe to be repairable, and it was abandoned.
It now sits covered in water stains, slowly being overtaken by vegetation. The penitentiary is often used as training grounds for SWAT teams and military operations, so it’s quite inadvisable to do extensive exploring there.
Old St. Mary’s Hospital
Location: Irontown
Abandoned since: 1975
Is it legal to go in? Yes
The Old St. Mary’s Hospital was founded by the Sisters of St. Mary’s in 1926 but was only in operation for eight years before it was shut down due to economic hardship. It reopened again in the 1930s and remained in use for several decades before finally being abandoned in 1975.
The structure still stands and is reportedly haunted. Neighbors tell stories of hearing strange noises and even seeing shadowy figures roaming the hospital grounds.
Abandoned houses and oddities in Missouri
Odd Fellows Home
Location: Liberty
Abandoned since: Unknown
Is it legal to go in? Grounds are open during business hours, the buildings are only open via tours
The sprawling, 240-acre Odd Fellows Home was part of a large complex built by the Fraternal Order of the Odd Fellows in the late 1800s. Its goal was to provide services for those in need, and at one time it had a hospital, a school, and an orphanage, among other things.
Being an ancient fraternal order, the Odd Fellows were prone to weird secret ceremonies, and some of the remnants of these remain displayed in the buildings today.
Now with just four main buildings and a few smaller structures, the site is mostly abandoned today, save for the
Belvoir Winery and Inn
, which renovated the first floor of one of the grand old buildings for use as an event space and wine tasting room. Most of the buildings are only accessible via various paranormal tours, where you can see more of the structures as well as the odd things the Odd Fellows left behind.
Cementland
Location: St. Louis
Abandoned since: 2011
Is it legal to go in? It’s closed to the public and is considered unsafe
Part art project, part amusement park, and part tragedy, Cementland ranks high on the list of oddities in St. Louis. What was once an abandoned cement factory became local artist Bob Cassilly’s passion project, and he worked for many years to turn
Cementland
into a playful attraction full of statues, sculptures, history, and unique attractions. Sadly, Bob was killed at the site in 2011 in what was initially thought to be a bulldozer accident, but was later revealed to be foul play in disguise. Cementland is now closed to the public, but Bob’s family hopes to finish his project one day.
Tips for exploring Missouri’s abandoned places
Before you grab your flashlight and set out to explore Missouri’s many cool abandoned places, take a minute to prepare and stay safe with these tips:
- Check the ownership and regulations of the area before you go—and get permission to explore if needed. Always do your research in advance, and don’t risk trespassing.
- Dress comfortably, including sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Make sure the clothes you’re wearing allow you to move comfortably and will give you good protection from whatever environment you’re setting out to explore.
- Never take souvenirs. Take only pictures and leave only footprints. It’s tempting to want to score a souvenir, but doing so will only damage the site for future explorers.
- Bring a friend or let someone know your location. Most of the places listed here are fairly safe to visit, but things can change in a hurry and you never know what might happen when you’re exploring off the grid.
- Consider bringing protective gear such as a face mask, gloves, or goggles if you’re exploring areas that might have contamination from outdated building materials like asbestos or old industrial waste.
Urban exploration of abandoned places is all about adventure, safety, and respect. Make sure to keep yourself safe and preserve the site for those who may come after you.
How to find affordable car insurance in Missouri
Remember—when you’re exploring abandoned places, safety is key. That’s why it’s a great idea to make sure both your car and your car insurance are up to snuff before you set out on your adventures.
If you don’t already have it,
towing and labor coverage
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Is it illegal to visit abandoned places?
It depends on the place. It’s illegal to enter any privately owned abandoned place without explicit permission, but many abandoned places are open for public exploration. To stay on the safe side, always check the ownership of an abandoned place before you try to visit—and research any regulations on exploration.
Is there an abandoned amusement park in Missouri?
First opened as Branson USA in 1999 and then reopened as Celebration City in 2003, this failed Branson amusement park has been abandoned since 2008.
