Times Beach
Dioxin contamination - entire city evacuated
State: Missouri
County: St. Louis County
Founded: 1925
Abandoned: 1985
Peak Population: 2,240
Times Beach was a Route 66 vacation community until 1982, when the EPA discovered deadly dioxin levels 300 times above safe limits. The contamination came from waste oil sprayed on roads to control dust. The federal government bought out and evacuated the entire town. It's now a state park.
Quick Facts
- Dioxin came from waste oil sprayed to control dust
- Contamination 300 times above safe levels
- Entire city evacuated at federal expense
- Now a state parkâcleanup was successful
Location
Address: Route 66 State Park (former site), St. Louis County, Missouri
Coordinates: 38.5114, -90.5967