It’s always a strange, somewhat eerie feeling you get when you stumble upon a ghost town. There is a certain feeling of unease and curiosity as to why the town was abandoned. You wonder what happened there to make everyone get up and leave. Like any state, there are plenty of ghost towns in Iowa. So next time you’re looking for a nook or cranny to explore in our state, take some time to stop and check out these abandoned towns in Iowa!

1. Rockville

Rockville, IA 52078, USA
Dāvis Kļaviņš - Flickr
An abandoned stone grist mill stands along the banks of the Maquoketa River at the site of what was once Rockville. Rockville was founded in 1845, and the town boasted a sawmill, a grist mill, a blacksmith shop, a hotel, and several stores. None of this exists today, save for the remains of the old mill. The post office closed in 1898 when the railroad bypassed the town, which is usually a death knell for the places that experience it.

2. Elkport

Elkport, IA, USA
Matthew Ephraim/Flickr
In 2004, a catastrophic flood washed over most of the town of Elkport, Iowa, rendering the vast majority of homes, businesses, and other places completely irreparable. Realizing that the town was located in a floodplain and had undergone floods like this one before, the town voted to relocate its citizens. In 2006, the town was as good as ghosted and many of the buildings were destroyed.

3. Buckhorn

Buckhorn, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Buckhorn is a ghost town in Jackson County just off of Highway 64. There isn't much left nowadays, namely the old cemetery, an abandoned church, and the old Buckhorn Creamery (pictured above).

4. Carrollton

Carrollton, IA 50058, USA
Phil Roeder/Flickr
This old ghost town in Carroll County (imagine that) used to be the official county seat. The town gradually grew until the construction of the Northwestern Railroad in 1867. Carrollton was bypassed entirely. That year, a vote was cast to move the county seat to similarly-named Carroll, leading to Carrollton's eventual end.

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5. Sunbury

Sunbury, IA 52778, USA
photolibrarian/Flickr
This Iowa ghost town in Cedar County was founded when the railroad was introduced to the region, resulting in an economic boom. Sunbury was once known for its famed dance hall, founded in 1895 and then eventually closed in 1964. The town also had a bank, which opened in 1901, though lately it's looking a little less lively.

6. Mount Etna

Mount Etna, Mt Etna, IA 50841, USA
Jo Naylor/Flickr
Somewhere near Lake Acaria is the town - or what remains of it- of Mount Etna. All that's left of what used to be Mount Etna is the old church, some homes, and a few other buildings. None of them are in good shape, though, and all that truly remains here are memories.

7. Stiles

Stiles, IA 52537, USA
Barry Dale Gilfry/Flickr
Stiles is in Davis County and nowadays you won't even find it on a map. In 1858 Stiles's population was 100, and the town boasted three stores, a grist mill, a blacksmith, a sawmill, and even two doctors who each had their own pharmacies. Needless to say, they're long gone now.

Learn more about the Iowa ghost towns of Rockville, Buckhorn, and Stiles in this YouTube video from the Cedar Rapids Public Library:

8. Stanzel

Stanzel, IA 50849, USA
Matthew Ephraim/Flickr
There isn't a whole lot left of old Stanzel besides memories and a few crumbling structures. There are a couple of houses, an active (!) church and a few other buildings. You'll find it somewhere along Highway 92 in Adair County between Winterset and Greenfield. It's worth a gander.

9. Dublin

Dublin, Iowa
Matthew Ephraim/Flickr
Dublin, Iowa is another town delegated to nothing but memories. The town once had quite a downtown area, with a blacksmith, post office, and lots more places you'd come to expect from an old town. Nowadays, it's quiet here.

I think packing up the car and heading out on a road trip to visit some of these ghost towns in Iowa would be an awesome way to spend a weekend. Know of any more Iowa ghost towns? Have any pictures you would like to share with us? Let us know in the comments section!

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Ghost Towns In Iowa

Tori Jane | April 06, 2023
  1. What are some of the most interesting ghost towns in Iowa? 

Iowa is a beautiful state with a truly intriguing history, and part of that history involves plenty of small towns that no longer exist. They are ghost towns, and they’re both mysterious and beautiful. Some of the more notable ghost towns in Iowa include:  

  • Elkport – This town is a “younger” ghost town; following devastating floods in 2004, the town was abandoned by 2006. Some buildings still remain despite most of them being destroyed. 
  • Buckhorn – All that’s left of this Iowa ghost town are a church and a cemetery, but boy, old cemeteries are cool.  
  • Kinross – Here you’ll find an old gas station and what’s left of a brick school building.  

Learn more about these ghost towns in Iowa (and then some). 

2. How many abandoned towns in Iowa are there?  

So, just how many abandoned towns in Iowa – our beloved ghost towns – are there? You’d be interested to know that there are more than 30 known ghost towns in Iowa. These would be towns where there are at least some remnants that remain, and this number doesn’t include the places in which there is nothing at all left – not even a cemetery. Some towns are truly gone forever, with no trace that they ever were in the first place. The number of those will likely always be unknown.  

  1. What small towns in Iowa are worth visiting? 

Ghost towns aside, Iowa is home to some of the cutest small towns in places you’d never expect. It’s a charming Midwestern state, and some of the downright best small towns in IA are ones like:  

  • Osceola – This adorable small town is peak Midwestern vibes. It is a tiny little slice of paradise, and we can’t get enough of it.  
  • Decorah – Known as Iowa’s “Little Norway”, this town is delightful and ridiculously scenic.  
  • Pella – This town is steeped in Dutch culture, with even its architecture reflecting this. It’s a cute town that’ll make you feel like you stepped overseas for a moment.  

Learn more about some of these small towns in Iowa.  

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