We’ve talked about some of Minnesota’s most abandoned places in the past - we even planned a road trip to visit them - but there are still abandoned ruins all over the place. One, a mysterious concrete ruin close to the Lake Superior shore near Duluth, has become a strange landmark for the city. The ruin, known by most as Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum - or less commonly as the Cribs - has baffled people for decades.
The ruins are located just off the Lake Superior shore near Duluth's Lakewalk.
In the past, many theories have been offered up to explain the building’s origin. One claim suggested it was once a gambling house during Prohibition.
But the truth is that the building was built by Harvey Whitney in 1919 as a hopper to move gravel and sand.
It was an effort to improve his business after a building boom in Duluth began to decline.
But the project ultimately failed, and the hopper closed in 1922.
The building eventually came to be known as Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum, perhaps to commemorate the loss.
It is federally recognized as the Cribs.
The half-sunken building serves no official use today, but it is a common swimming spot in the summer.
And when the lake freezes, the building makes for a strange sight as it rises from the frozen water.
Those brave enough to trudge across the icy lake can get an up-close view of the strange ruins.
If you dare, you can even peek inside for a unique view you can only get in the winter.
Have you ever been to Uncle Harvey's Mausoleum? Let us know your experience in the comments!
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