There’s something special about cruising down the back roads and past abandoned places in Iowa, seeing all those old, dilapidated structures that stand as the only remnants of days long gone by. You can almost feel the history of these places, and the experience leaves you wondering how it must have been on the day it was built, and why it was left to fall into disrepair. These structures are haunting, yet beautiful, and each one has its own story to tell. The following photos, which were taken by Forgotten IA: Lost and Abandoned Places of Iowa, show us a closer look at these lost and forgotten treasures.

1. Waterloo Greyhound Park, Waterloo

The Waterloo Greyhound Park opened in October of 1986, but after one year, the track's income took a downward spiral. Things got worse in 1992, and the park closed its doors after going bankrupt in July of 1996. In recent years the property has been used by a trucking company to store equipment but has remained largely untouched since the late 1990s. Watch this video for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Waterloo Greyhound Park:

Watch this video for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Waterloo Greyhound Park:

2. Lehigh Clay Works, Lehigh

Editor's Note: This one is no longer abandoned!

When it comes to abandoned buildings in Iowa, Lehigh Clay Works may be among the eeriest. This old factory was built in the 1800s and was used for manufacturing bricks. It has been abandoned for countless years and has fallen into disrepair.You can still explore this old property on YouTube, though. Check out this video from Finding Beauty in Desolation:

3. Old school building, Bagley

This building has been abandoned for quite a while, though there is uncertainty about how long. It's clearly dilapidated and returning to Mother Nature.

4. Abandoned farmhouse, Boone County

This farmhouse in Boone County has been abandoned for years. The house is rough, but the backyard is filled with treasures, like this rusted old car.

5. Biblical College Church Camp

This old church camp has been abandoned for quite a while, but it's easy to imagine what it may have looked like not all that long ago.

6. Old grocery store, Bagley

This old grocery store in Bagley is just a few blocks from the abandoned schoolhouse and is still filled with shelves of rotted products. The mood within it is rather apocalyptic and forlorn.

7. Old schoolhouse, Luther

This old schoolhouse in Luther has also been abandoned for quite a while and has been the subject of some vandalism. But oddly, the graffiti art only adds to the rustic, rundown character of the historic building.

8. Train car interior, Boone

Among the many abandoned sites in Iowa, this old railyard is among the most unique. It's apparent that no one has ridden in this train car for many years, and it's quite eerie in the pale winter light.

9. Train car exterior, Boone

The graffiti adds an artistic touch to the outside of this abandoned train car in Boone. You can’t help but wonder how creepy this railyard must be at night, and if any apparitions have ever been witnessed here at night.

10. Searsboro School, Searsboro

Since it was abandoned in the mid-1990s, the old school in Searsboro has fallen deeply into disrepair. What the vandals and scrappers missed during their destructive conquests, Mother Nature saw fit to finish off.You can explore this old school virtually through this YouTube video from Noah's Expeditions:

For more amazing photos of abandoned places to visit in Iowa, check out the Forgotten IA: Lost and Abandoned Places of Iowa Facebook page. You can also read more about the subject in Mitch Nicholson's book, Abandoned Iowa: Vacant Heartland.

Have you uncovered any hidden abandoned Iowa gems worth exploring? We'd love to hear about them in the comments below.