Bureau of Mines General Location Map

The Bureau of Mines, Twin Cities Research Center was constructed primarily during the late 1950's through the early 1960's.The Research Center developed significant mining safety equipment, mining technologies and mineral extraction processes used worldwide. Federal funding for the Bureau of Mines was permanently eliminated in 1996; by 1997 the buildings were vacated and have remained vacant since.  Prior to ownership of the Minneapolis site (27.32 acres) by the Bureau of Mines, the property was originally part of a larger parcel owned by the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA).

Bureau of Mines General Site Map

The property is now known as Coldwater Unit and there are still 11 buildings on the 27.32-acre site associated with the former research center including vacated offices, laboratories, garages, maintenance shops, core sample storage sheds, an ore crusher building and miscellaneous storage and research areas. (Building descriptions.)

The area is also valued for its relationship to historical events, including those associated with American Indian history as well as the expansion of the United States and settlement. The site still contains remnants of features representing the time when Coldwater Spring served as the waterworks for Fort Snelling.