Route 66 State Park (formerly Times Beach. MO)

USA / Missouri / Eureka / North Outer Road, 97
 ghost town, state park
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97 North Outer Road
Eureka, MO 63025
(636) 938-7198
mostateparks.com/park/route-66-state-park

This area was once the town of Times Beach, Missouri, evacuated in 1985 due to dioxin poisoning after the streets had been paved with contaminated oil to keep down dust. It was disincorporated in 1985 and completely demolished in 1992. Route 66 State Park opened in 1999 on the site.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Beach,_Missouri

youtu.be/G6kshs2ZQcQ
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   38°30'35"N   90°36'7"W

Comments

  • Route 66 State Park. The original post gives you the first part of the story. The rest of the story is the site is now a frequently used state park with hiking/biking and equestrian trails nestled on the Meramec river. http://www.mostateparks.com/route66.htm
  • Was also home to the infamous Times beach Incinerator that burned many, many tons of toxic chemicals against the wishes of neighboring public. Oh, and all the ash from the process is buried on site in this nifty little "park."
  • Does anybody know how many people have died/ been diagnosed with cancers who lived in this area? I know of five kids who died prior to age 25 for sure. Or why this hasn't been investigated further? EPA has already admitted that standards from cleanup in the 80s aren't up to date.
  • Wow...I had no idea it was so small. Years of reading about Times Beach had me imagining a full-featured town; this thing is no more than 1 mile square, maybe 50 people, and so poor they couldn't afford to pave a few miles of roads. Seems like Russell Bliss did them a favor.
  • Just watched Modern Marvels, and they were talking about the events of Times Beach. It was an interesting story, but I feel bad for all the people who lost their homes to the disaster.
  • It wasn't all Russell Bliss's fault!
  • Look up Seveso, Italy. They eventually figured out that dioxin isn't nearly as toxic in humans as it is in guinea pigs. The hysteria was all unwarranted, and Times Beach was a low-rent dump built on a floodplain even before they contaminated their own town with toxic waste.
  • Bullzeye, although it is not as toxic as initially thought, it is still toxic, as is evidenced by the ongoing medical issues of your aforementioned Seveso, Italy. Cancer, neuropathy, cardiovascular and endocrine related issues.
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This article was last modified 5 years ago