Exploring the Costliest Deserted Developments
4. The abandoned munitions plant in More Park
Location: Rosemount, Minnesota
Time: 1943
Cost to build: $4 million*
In 1943, the small town of Rosemount, Minnesota, became the site of a significant construction project. With a budget of $4 million, a substantial facility was erected, marking a major investment in the area. This ambitious project not only underscored the importance of Rosemount during this period but also demonstrated the substantial financial commitment made to its development.
During World War II, over 12,000 acres of rural farmland in Minnesota were designated for eminent domain by the United States government. This action was part of a broader effort to support the war effort, leading to the establishment of a facility dedicated to the production of smokeless gunpowder. Known as the Gopher Ordnance Works, this facility became operational in 1945, just as the war was nearing its conclusion. Unfortunately, the plant's operation was short-lived, as the war ended merely seven months after it began.
With the surrender of Nazi Germany, America’s urgent need for large quantities of gunpowder diminished significantly. Consequently, the Gopher Ordnance Works was shut down, leaving behind an abandoned munitions plant that would soon become a relic of the past. In the 1950s, the University of Minnesota acquired the land, and the remnants of the factory were left to decay, becoming a haunting reminder of the wartime production that once flourished there.
Over the years, the remaining area was transformed into UMore Park, a space dedicated to academic and agricultural research initiatives. Despite this new purpose, the ghostly silhouettes of the manufacturing towers still loom over the horizon of Rosemount, serving as a poignant symbol of a bygone era. These structures not only reflect the historical significance of the site but also evoke a sense of nostalgia for the industrial efforts that played a crucial role during a tumultuous time in history.
