Thriving 1950s Community Now A Ghost Town On Minnesota’s North Shore

There are quite a few ghost towns across Minnesota, especially in the Northern parts of the state. Many mining and industrial towns became ghost towns after the plants and mines shut down. Mines would build towns right next to their operations so that they could house employees. This was before automobiles, so the towns were built close enough that employees could walk to work.

Ghost Towns Common In Northern Minnesota

Sometimes a town was built around a military base, like the old Cold War base in Finland, Minnesota. There are still houses and buildings on that property, and it looks like something out of a nuclear apocalypse.

Related: Minnesota Cold War Air Force Base For Sale

Taconite Harbor - North Shore Ghost Town

Another Ghost Town on Minnesota's North Shore has barely any signs of it left. Taconite Harbor has been vacant for decades. It's been almost completely reclaimed by nature. The town was once a thriving 1950s eutopia. Dozens of kids would play outside, up and down the streets. They had views of Lake Superior right out their door.

Related: A Look At Pineville, Minnesota, Ghost Town

Erie Mining Company brought houses in by truck and built the town for the employees at the taconite plant. The houses were offered for cheap rent, and the wages at the mine were good.

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Taconite Harbor had it all - a fire hall, playground, community center, basketball court, tennis court, and baseball field. Read more about the 1950s picturesque town from Exploring The North Shore.

1980s Mining Industry Lows

The early 1980s were a tough time for the taconite industry. The industry suffered, mines idled, and Taconite Harbor took it hard. In just 4 years, the residents were told in Taconite Harbor were told that they were going to have to move. The mine offered the residents the opportunity to buy their homes for just $1, but they would have to remove them from the land. Some took their homes to nearby communities, like Silver Bay.

Remnants Of A Vibrant Past At Taconite Harbor

There isn't much left of Taconite Harbor at all. The houses were removed, and the only thing left above ground is a street light pole, marking where the beginning of Main Street was.

The pavement is still there, but it's quite amazing to see how fast nature takes over again. Truly remarkable.

So, next time you head up the North Shore, stop in and take a peek at Taconite Harbor. It's always an eerie feeling walking through a ghost town.