Members: ToXiC, Dr. Magnus, Mole, Brute, Missa & Company
Pictures by: ToXiC

History:

The site has 2,383 acres and 255 buildings.

Construction on Twin Cities AAP began in August 1941, and production started in February 1942. During the war, the plant produced more than 4 billion rounds of ammunition.

After World War II, it engaged in repacking ammunition and demilitarizing unusable ammunition. The repack program was completed in 1947; the demilitarization program was completed in 1951. The plant began producing ammunition again in 1950.

From 1950 to 1957, 3.5 billion rounds of small arms ammunition, 3.2 million 195-mm artillery shell metal parts, and 715,000 155-mm shell metal parts were produced. The plant was placed on standby status from August 1958 to December 1965, when it was announced that the plant would be reactivated. By September 1966, the plant was again producing ammunition. It produced more than 10 billion rounds of various types of ammunition for the Vietnam War. An enclosed range was built on the site in the late 1960s to proof test cartridges, and other aspects of the facility were modernized in the late 1960s.

Depleted Uranium rods were used to make projectile ammunition.

The plant was placed on layaway status in several stages from 1971 to 1974. It is now inactive. Decontamination of the site began in 2001 and should be completed by spring 2004. Full Ground & Water Contamination should be completed by 2040.

 

An online Quote I found from an Arden Hills Native -

"I grew up in Arden Hills and the "arsenal" was a mainstay of life.
It will be sad to see all of that history
replaced by condos and salons. During the Vietnam War you could see tracer fire
from Highway 96 on the test range.
Little did we know until after the fall of the Soviet Union that the arsenal was a primary target of their nuclear missiles. I remember practicing air raids at Johanna Elementary where we got under our desks. With the arsenal as a primary target, we never knew that we were definitely toast."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Exploration:

To be honest I dont remember how this trip started but I believe that Dr. Magnus suggested it. It was really funny because earlier I was at home alone and Brute & Dr. Magnus both called me like within a half hour of eachother. They both wanted to explore and they both had groups at their houses. So I said come over to my place.

(Left: Brute is ready for the National Guard Troops!)
(Right: A bathroom was some antique soap disposers)

After all was said and done I have about a dozen explorers over at my place and I had no idea what would be safe enough to explore with this many people. It was actually laughably ridiculous. Dr. Magnus ended up suggesting TCAAP which I had heard of before, I cant remember where but I had.

(Left: Ventilation System)
(Right: I want to know whats behind Door #4, it has a Combination Lock)

So we ended up driving 3 vehicles out to Arden Hills and parking nearby to TCAAP. I couldnt believe just how big this place was, what kind of blowed was how spread out it was. Then again it was the 'burbs, what do you expect out there?

(Left: I was tempted to switch the Alarm on, but I didnt know if it still worked)
(Right: Standard 1940's Brick... How ugly..)

There isnt too much to tell about TCAAP since we got to it a little late in its life having been shutdown for atleast 3 years probably longer. A bunch of buildings and weathered remains. Mostly scrapped and ready for demo. 1940's style industrial brick, sheet metal, and random pipes.

(Above: Half the group that came, I wasnt kidding when I said a dozen)

We were there for about 3 hours and maybe only went through 20 buildings. We hit 4am and decided to head out since the National Guard still uses parts of the area we didnt really feel like having to run away from a HUMVEE. We'll head back that way one of these days... When we can afford gas... Ya...

Onto Trip #2 (Coming Eventually)