The End of the Tahawus Plant

 Despite a large quantity of titanium ore remaining at Tahawus, mining of the open pit ended in 1982 and the last load of ore went out by train on November 17, 1989.  The plant closed a few weeks later.
  It was reported that there was still about a billion dollars worth of ore in the ground and that NL Industries had discovered two rich titanium ore veins in the big open pit in 1989.
It would, however, probably take another national crisis to re-open the mine.
  In 2003, the Open Space Institute bought 10,000 acres of the Tahawus Tract including the old village and blast furnace.  NL Industries retained the 1,200 acre industrial portion.
  In 2005-06, the remaining buildings were taken down and in 2006 it was reported that a $750,000 grant from the state would be used by Warren and Newcomb Counties to purchase the rail line.  More scenic rail rides or another rail-to-trail project?  Time will tell.  

Last Train Out - 11/16/89 (photos courtesy Mike Piekielniak)

Last Train leaving North Creek - 11/17/89

Yardmaster's house at the Wye - 1996

Storehouse at Wye - 1996

Both buildings at the Wye - 1996

The Wye - 1996

Engine House at Tahawus at the Wye - 1996

Float Plant - 2003

Sinter Plant - 2003

  In January of 2005, Sabre Demolition Corp. was awarded a $2.3 million contract to remove all buildings on the site.  Work began in April and included over one half million square feet of concrete and ten thousand tons of steel.  A harsh winter forced them to stop for three months but the job was completed in the summer of 2006.