So where does Times Beach come in?
By now you should know that I have a minor affliction for abandoned places. Having a place that I once called home turn into an abandoned zone was the beginning, but my fascination still runs deep. Someday, I hope to visit Pripyat, Ukraine. Photographing abandoned farmhouses leaves me with a bittersweet fascination of the home’s history. All of these places do not have a happy ending, Times Beach, Missouri, included. It’s never a ‘happy’ ending when people are forced from their homes due to an ugly situation, and Times Beach was in a very nasty situation indeed. However, the ending for Times Beach, known today as Route 66 State Park, is better than for most stories of abandoned places.
Lately I have been strangely fascinated with this place I had forgotten about for almost 13 years, but recently stumbled upon again.
The Times Beach Disaster story is now outdated. If you want to read more, here is the Times Beach Story as told by the last official mayor of Times Bea ch, Marilyn Leistner (I would love to meet her if she is still around). The EPA has some interesting reads, and of course there’s the Wiki link.
The town of Times Beach’s dirt roads was contaminated with dioxin in 1972-1976. Dioxin is a toxin that that is considered harmful at one part per billion. The dioxin’s origins came from a chemical company called NEPACCO, who payed a wastehauler named Russell Bliss to take away industrial waste from its chemical plant. Bliss also had a business of using waste-oil to spray on the dirt roads as a method of keeping down the dust layers. Times Beach and other places in Missouri had contracted Bliss to spray their roads with oil. Dioxin-laced waste from NEPACCO was concluded to be part of the waste oil used on the roads of Times Beach and 27 other sites Mr. Bliss sprayed. Bliss later testified that he did not know there was anything hazardous about the waste he received from NEPACCO, thus somehow mixing it wth oil used for the dirt roads. The death of a large number of horses in a stable did aroused suspicion of the oil’s origins. Once it was traced to NEPACCO, the EPA was called out to test the soil in Times Beach. In 1982, ten years after the spraying began, the town’s soils was identified as having dangerous levels of dioxin. Ironically, the town was already abandoned when the EPA announced its findings. A major flood of the nearby Meramec river had engulfed Times Beach at the exact timing of the public announcement of the dioxin. The EPA’s statements put this small town in St. Louis County in national headlines. In 1983, the EPA had begun a buyout of the town and established its system of hazardous waste site handling now known as ‘Superfund Sites.’
What I remember most about Times Beach is the giant incenerator that was built by the EPA off higwhay 44 and the trucks from the other affected Missouri sites hauling toxic waste to it. The EPA determined that the best way to destroy the dioxin was to incenerate soil and other contaminated debris in a giant kiln. The controversal incenerator and its billowing plume of smoke was a permanent fixture along the highway for almost two years, from 1996-1997. Those years, I was traveling nearly every weekend down highway 44, passing the defunct town of Times Beach and its incenerator. Part of the EPA’s hired army of covered trucks roared with me down one particular Missouri backroad I took on my way to visit family. I soon learned that those trucks were coming to and from a farm (likely Bliss) where toxic waste had been stored since the ’70s. Two trucks would come through in opposite directions about every thirty minutes, the time it took from the farm to the incenerator. Those two trucks drove past rural neighborhoods and farmhouses from sun up to sun down, every day, every half hour, in an orchestrated operation that lasted months. That is how much toxic waste was buried on one farm.
After the inceneration of the soil, destruction and disposal of nearly every home and building, and testing to make sure the area is safe, the EPA handed over Times Beach to the state. Around 1999, the area formerly known as Times Beach became Route 66 state park. One building that existed from the town and used as an EPA operations site lives on as a Route 66 Visitors center. The park today is safe, beautiful, and eerily much like Carrollton as it is today. In the Route 66 Park, one can see where trees were planted, guess at where houses once stood and still see where roads were once laid. There is something about that park that speaks, “People used to live here. I was once loved. I still am loved.” The fact that the park is in St. Louis County and right off of highway 44 makes it very accessible to urban residents, but it is just far out enough that it was once considered out in the ‘boonies. The Beach part of the former town’s name is indication that there is water, as in the Meramec River. Missouri is fortunate to have such an abundance of streams and waterways, and we are further lucky to have a place in the St. Louis region to experience such a beautiful, natural setting. No toxic waste, no dead animals, just a thriving, beautiful park with a name that doesn’t link it to a sordid, toxic past.
Carrollton and Times Beach has its parallels, but far more differences. I do know that the former residents of Times Beach ranged from mainly working class, middle class to almost impoverished… Carrollton didn’t see much of the poverty, but did have its share of lower working class to middle class residents. Like many of the Carrollton residents, many were originally offered a buyout that was far below a livable price for their home. The EPA did come back with higher payments for the buyout, unlike Lambert. And unlike the Lambert buyout, the residents of Times Beach, frightened, confused, and already out of a home thanks to extensive flooding, were nearly unanimous for wanting their buyout (one elderly couple remained). Many of the people of Times Beach were shunned in their new neighborhoods as people were scared that the dioxin was contagious. Many still live in fear that the dioxin has done damage to their health, though there is some controversy about the extent of how harmful dioxin is to humans (see Wikipedia link). The former Carrollton residents at least do not have to live with that fear.
Carrollton may not become a State park as Times Beach has. However, any state park is an important natural resource for the residents. If Carrollton can’t or won’t become one, then its time to befriend the sister towns that did end in peace. Go for a drive this fall when the leaves change and see Route 66 State park for yourself. Celebrate what we do have, and hope for the better or Carrollton, be it a nature preserve or a place for people to work.
(some random personal side note) Silo X, a haunted house that used to be in Fenton off 44 was awesome! I used to go there as a kid during the Halloween season and had a blast. I finally get the whole ‘hazardous waste’ theme… it was in close proximity to Times Beach, and open during the later years of the dioxin scare! : ) Duh!
Here is a link to a Post-Dispatch article about the Times Beach Meramec flood in 1982.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_06941751-5727-589a-8a72-79ad13cd15f5.html
I am a former Times Beach resident who lived a 510 Ivy Road from 1937 to 1943 and would love to hear from anybody who might have lived there during that period. I am 83 now and live in Vancouver, Washington. My telephone number is (360) XXX-XXXX
Note: Victor- To protect your information from scammers, I have erased your phone number.
If anyone from Times Beach is interested in contacting Victor, please email him at his email address or email me for verification. I will NOT give Victor’s phone number unless I have explicit permission to do so. Thank you. -Desy
Mr. Victor Hemphill, Sr. I believe I may have some information for you concerning Times Beach. My Grandma and her children were there. Contact me please-I would love to share what we each know. Ms. Joan Cramer
e-mail joaniecramer@hotmail.com, Anyone reading this may contact me as well. Thank you, Ms. Cramer
My name is Mike Harris, I lived in times beach as a young boy. My dad was Kenneth Harris and mother was Bernice Harris. My childhood girl friend was Donna Kay Dotson.if you can please get back with me Michaelharris48@att.net. or. 318-6143330
i loved this website! it helped me ALOTT with my research paperrrrr<3 thank you guys so much…BOMB.COM baloonga!!:D hahahahaa alrightt LOVE YOU<3(; !~BYEEEEEE~!
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One of the incinerators used to torch the contaminated soil of Times Beach in the 80′ was built by the company Shirco Infrared Systems based in Dallas, Tx. It’s my understanding that the funds were so grossly mismanaged that the doors were locked with no notice to the employees. I believe the founder of that company subsequently moved to Oklahoma to reopen his company under another name. Another tid bit of info is that one of the officers of that company had a wife that was employed by the EPA in a position that could have influenced the decision to use the Shirco incinerator.
I just found your post and wanted to post a link to something I just put up for my friend Laine Jumper. Laine and his family lived in Times beach and owned several properties there. He was an outspoken advocate for the community and testified at the Congressional hearings during the 80’s.
Would love to get in touch with Mr. Victor Hemphill who commented earlier on your blog post.
http://www.lainejumper.com/blog/2011/12/there-but-for-the-grace-of-god/
Comcast has the movie ” MADE IN USA” with Christopher penn 1988 showing on – On Demand or you can rent it- It shows some of time beach roads and houses still standing. I’ve never seen time beach but have watched specials about it and still feel sorry for all the people that lost every thing. I hope they are all well and that they have a wonderful Christmas and new Year for 2011.
Oh my gosh, total Blast form the Past!! My family moved to Missouri from the Pacific Northwest to North County St. Louis in the early 80’s. I totally forgot about Times Beach until I saw the History Channel’s Modern Marvels Engineering Disasters episode that recounted what happened there. So sad. As a child during that time, we called it the “ghost town” when we’d drive past it on our way to Six Flags. Back then I didn’t really know or understand what had happened there nor the details behind what made it a “ghost town” – I just remember a feeling of sadness when we’d pass it. It looked depressing and the name “Times Beach” always carried an ominous tone. Thanks for sharing the story here. Glad to hear that it’s finally a place that people and animals can enjoy – something positive has come from it.
I had the rare privilege to actually meet the lady mayor, and the law enforcement officer of Times Beach, back in ther 80’s!! I was a student at the University of Evansville, and I was taking a course in Environmental Biology. My thesis was on Times Beach!! I have MANY photos of the area after it was abandoned, and it was heart-breaking. I have pics of trailers, doors open, and clothes inside. School busses, and so forth. The officer was very nice, as I was also a deputy sheriff at the time, and he took me everywhere I wanted to go!! God bless this town, and it’s people!!
Marc, if you have some pictures I would be interested to see them. Maybe Desy can add them to this blog. Being from Rhode Island, I have an interest in historic summer beach towns and how they have changed over time. I also have an interest in the ghost town aspect as I used to hang out with my friends in a neighborhood of Warwick, RI which is being torn down, one house at a time, to extend the main runway of PVD Airport (T.F. Green) to the south. Unlike what happened in Times Beach, the buyout near the airport is taking place one homeowner at a time, so some streets have several houses and some have one house left, but all the streets are still there. Its creepy to drive through that area now.
So was there a “neighborhood beach” somewhere in this area that used to be Times Beach? I know its a river and not the ocean but it looks like there may be remnants of a beach area and there’s a good size patch that may have been an old hotel about a block away on the satellite map. What was the visitor’s center when the town was still around? And what about the last house with the old couple? How long did they hang around for and how did the whole reclamation project work around them? Thanks!
Yes there was a beach,the Meramack river devided Eurica. From Times Beach where we would swim and have family gatherings.
I am interested in photos of “Times Beach”. My twin and I lived with my Grandma and Aunt Evelyn Warman there when we were little. After school started, we visited every weekend. My older sister’s Mother-in-law delivered the mail. My Aunt collected utilities in the Community Center. Teen dances there, comminity meetings, and card parties. Road my bike all over the dusty roads, The best part was going to the beach area to play with adults along. Great memories and Yes-Sad when the “sorrow came”. Liberty to burn leaves, trash in old barrel, shoot fireworks-just fun. First saw “Wizard of Oz” on colored TV, “John Wayne Movies” Saturday morning cartoons. Played outside, no electronics. :) :) But we have great stories to tell. joaniecramer@hotmail.com.
Saved a few antiques, memories and good family holidays. God helps to heal!
As a young boy in times beach I also Have found memories of of good times with family and friends. Donna Kay Dutson was my childhood girlfriend. The railroad ran toward the back of our house. Will ck to see if I can locate pictures from there. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Donna.
Hi,
I grew up in Times Beach and would be more than happy to assist anyone that has questions. I was 13 when the flood occurred. My Mother was friends with Ms. Leistner (the last Mayor) and my Mother was an advocate for many. I have paperwork dissolving the towns name along with video of what it looked like inside years after it was closed and before the homes were torn down.
Hi Stefannie,
I am currently working on an article about Times Beach for Vox Magazine based in Columbia, Mo. I would love to speak with you about your experience growing up there. I know this comment might be too late to actually get to you, but if not, please contact me at gmwrk6@mail.missouri.edu. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Greta
I may have a story for you about times beach.
Stefannie,
I lived my first 17 years in Times Beach (1962-1979) and would really enjoy viewing the video you speak of….. Kind of a bummer not being able to share the childhood home and such.
Any info appreciated.
Leonard Wieberg
616 Grove Rd
TImes Beach, MO 63025
ljwieberg@gmail.com
I teach a Hazardous Waste Management class and would love pictures of Times Beach to use in a PP slide show I’ve put together as an introduction to the class. Seeing the problems created in communities seems to make an impact on students – more than my just telling them about these places. If anyone has pictures I could use, my email is: annie2180@cox.net. Thanks!
Hi Ann,
Where do you teach? I have a few I can copy for you. Times Beach flooded and shortly after is when the E.P.A. arrived. I was a teen but remember volunteers helping us clean our home while E.P.A. were in “protection suits” taking samples of the land. I’ve been quite busy lately so if I do not send them within the week, please send a reminder.
Thank you
I recently read an excellent book on this very subject called Killing Horses:A Personal Chronicle of an Environmental Disaster in Missouri by Judy Piatt. I encourage everyone who lived in Times Beach (and many other locations in Missouri, including Wildwood) anytime during or after the Vietnam War to read this book. I wonder if any studies have been done on the children who lived and played in the dioxin laced streets, which sometimes flooded from a heavy rain….we still played & splashed around as children do not knowing we were playing in poison! Where are the children? http://www.killinghorses.com/
Your question of where are the children of times beach….my mother, sister , two brothers died a very horrible death.
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I too remember hearing the story and seeing the signs as we drove to Six Flags. I read the former mayor’s accounts, very interesting and so so sad. I teach 1st grade and just can’t imagine what the children and parents must have endured being “shunned” in their new communities.
As a young boy in times beach I also Have found memories of of good times with family and friends. Donna Kay Dutson was my childhood girlfriend. The railroad ran toward the back of our house. Will ck to see if I can locate pictures from there. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Donna.
my granparents lived there for a time in the 1960’s… not sure of there adress, as they have both passed away.
My father bought his first house on the GI Bill, on Narcissis Ave. in Times Beach. I lived there until 1957 when the family moved into St. Louis. I was 10 years old then. My brother Bruce, named after Texas Bruce of local TV fame, was born in Times Beach. We lived next door to the Waters family and across the street from a family named Carter, I believe. Tommy Young, whose parents owned a motel on the highway, was a boyhood friend. I have many memories, but the most compelling involve the dangerous Meramec River. I nearly drowned there. One cousin, just nine months older than me, died there while playing on a homemade raft about 1964. Another cousin also drowned there. The father of a girlfriend, named Nancy, died during a flood when his boat overturned.
I also lived there when I was 5 I remember driving through the flood waters still to this day im scared of big amounts of water I would love to see pictures as well we lived in the green house under the billboards on Blakey thanks Jennifer jenniferodom2623@att.net