If you’ve ever been to Sandstone, Minnesota, you’ve likely visited — or at least heard of — Banning State Park. But have you learned about the early history of this beautiful town and park? It was once home to a thriving quarry, the ruins of which you can still see today. This hike to abandoned ruins in Sandstone is more than a little bit spooky. Take a look:

Banning State Park is located in east-central Minnesota. It’s about 90 miles north of the Twin Cities on I-35.

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The park is known for its beautiful, wild scenery, including the rushing Kettle River that flows through its borders.

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It has long been a popular spot for kayakers.

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But for those who prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of trails that offer spectacular views of the river.

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There is also one trail that, while beautiful, is also a little spooky.

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The Quarry Loop Trail takes visitors on a tour of the park’s forgotten history. It is a 1.7-mile loop that leads to a group of historic buildings that were once used by the Banning Sandstone Quarry.

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The quarry began in the late 1800s when it employed more than 500 workers. Here, they pounded sandstone into blocks to be sold for construction.

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Business boomed, and the town of Banning was platted in 1896.

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But by the turn of the century, builders began using stronger materials to construct buildings. The town — which had grown to house 300 people — started to vanish.

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Business slowed, and by 1905, the quarry ceased operations completely.

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Despite the closure of the quarry and its buildings more than a century ago, its shell still remains to this day. The crumbling buildings are an eerie reminder of just how easy it is for a business — or an entire town — to go bust.

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Despite its spookiness, the abandoned ruins are still well worth seeing. They are a testament to the hard work many Minnesotans put into building the state during its early days.

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Have you ever hiked in Banning State Park? Did you see the deserted ruins of the quarry? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

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