Carbide Willson Ruins

About the Carbide Willson Ruins

Nestled in the forest on the shore of Meech Lake, the Carbide Wilson Ruins have a unique history.

The ruins are the last remaining traces of a fertilizer plant constructed by little-known inventor, Thomas Leopold Willson.

The complex originally included three buildings: an acid condensation tower, a dam and a generating station. Unfortunately, the ruins were never preserved. The tower was destroyed by fire and, today, only its foundation remains.

In 1907, Thomas Leopold Willson purchased 460 acres of land at Meech Lake for his summer home. He used the site to advance his research on nitrogen. Four years later, he built the dam, generating station and an acid condensation tower near his home, on the shore of Meech Lake.

The entire complex formed a superphosphate fertilizer plant. Unfortunately, in 1915, while in New York City trying to raise new venture capital, Willson collapsed in the middle of the street, struck down by a heart attack.