You’ll find numerous ghost towns scattered across Iowa, from submerged communities beneath Lake Red Rock to abandoned mining settlements in the southern counties. In the late 1960s, six towns disappeared underwater during the lake’s creation, including Coalport and Red Rock. The state’s coal mining boom of the 1800s left behind dozens of deserted company towns, while natural disasters forced the abandonment of riverside communities. Iowa’s ghost town legacy holds countless stories waiting to be discovered.
Key Takeaways
- Iowa has numerous ghost towns, including six communities submerged beneath Lake Red Rock during its creation in the 1960s.
- Southern Iowa contains abandoned mining towns from the 1800s coal boom, when 342 mines employed over 6,000 miners.
- Several well-preserved ghost town structures can be explored in locations like Buckhorn and Elkport.
- Historic cemeteries in Bear Grove, Morrisburg, and Wichita serve as reminders of Iowa’s lost communities.
- Natural disasters and government flood control projects led to the abandonment of multiple river communities throughout Iowa’s history.
The Lost Towns Beneath Iowa’s Waters
While the waters of Lake Red Rock now ripple peacefully across central Iowa’s landscape, they conceal the remnants of six once-thriving communities that were deliberately submerged during the lake’s creation in the late 1960s.
Beneath Lake Red Rock’s tranquil surface lies a hidden history of six drowned towns, sacrificed for progress in 1960s Iowa.
Lake Red Rock, today Iowa’s largest lake, serves as both a testament to flood control and a watery tomb for these historic settlements.
The region experienced six major floods between 1851 and 1954 that ultimately led to the lake’s construction.
You’ll find submerged history in towns like Coalport, a river shipping hub founded in 1842, and Red Rock, which boasted sawmills, stores, and schools until its final days.
Reservoir archaeology reveals traces of Fifield, with its bustling creamery, and railroad towns like Dunreath and Cordova.
Though most structures were demolished during land acquisition, you can still spot glimpses of foundations and roadbeds beneath the water during certain conditions.
Time and siltation have buried many remnants, but these ghost towns continue to intrigue visitors who wonder about the communities that once called this valley home.
Mining and Railroad Ghost Towns of Southern Iowa
When the coal mining industry boomed across southern Iowa in the late 1800s, it spawned dozens of company towns that would later become ghost towns.
By 1895, you’d find 342 mines employing over 6,000 miners across 21 southern counties, with employment doubling by the 1920s. The loss of thousands of jobs in these mining communities led directly to their abandonment. Cultural diversity defined these towns, with multiple languages used in union publications to reach immigrant miners from Europe and beyond.
- Buxton stands out as the largest, reaching 10,000 residents with groundbreaking racial equality and higher living standards.
- Moran’s Norwood-White mines battled underground fires and flooding until their 1940 closure.
- Dunreath’s once-bustling mining center now lies permanently submerged beneath Red Rock Reservoir.
Railroad decline and mine mechanization dealt the final blow to these communities.
Places like Flagler and Zook Spur faded as diesel engines replaced steam, leaving only scattered remnants of Iowa mining’s golden age.
Natural Disasters and Abandoned River Communities
Along the Des Moines River, devastating floods repeatedly struck riverside communities throughout the 1850s, early 1900s, 1940s, and 1954, ultimately leading to their permanent abandonment.
The flood impacts were so severe that the government enacted Flood Control Acts, culminating in the construction of Red Rock Dam between 1960 and 1969.
Today, visitors can enjoy scenic views from Cordova Tower, one of the tallest observation points in the Midwest.
Six river communities – Red Rock, Cordova, Dunreath, Rousseau, Fifield, and Coalport – were sacrificed to create Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake.
You won’t find these towns today; their buildings were demolished and residents relocated before the waters rose.
While the dam successfully protected downstream communities from future flooding, these submerged towns left behind only memories and occasional glimpses of their foundations during low water conditions.
Local residents received fair compensation for their properties when relocated, making the transition more manageable despite the emotional toll of leaving their homes.
Exploring Iowa’s Ghost Town Legacy Today
Today’s adventurous travelers can explore numerous ghost towns across Iowa, with some sites offering well-preserved structures and others marked only by cemeteries or historical markers.
Historical preservation efforts have maintained several accessible locations for urban exploration enthusiasts. The rise and fall of mining and railroads shaped many of these towns’ destinies. These sites provide valuable insights into early settler life in Iowa.
- You’ll find well-preserved structures in Buckhorn and Elkport, where public roads lead to haunting remnants of former communities.
- Cemeteries at Bear Grove, Morrisburg, and Wichita serve as powerful reminders of once-thriving settlements.
- Historical markers and parks, like those at Mount Pisgah and Dalmanutha’s Monteith Town Park, help preserve these forgotten places.
Navigate to these sites via established routes: take Hwy 44 to Bear Grove Cemetery, P28 north to Morrisburg church, or follow county roads to explore North Branch’s remains in Bear Grove Township.
Historical Records and Maps of Vanished Towns
Historical documentation reveals an extensive network of vanished Iowa towns through various archival sources, including Wikipedia’s catalog of over 40 ghost towns, Rootsweb’s thorough directory, and detailed county records.
You’ll find historic maps showing towns like Carver in Union City Township from 1855-57 and Chantry in Lafayette Township’s section 12. Bear Grove served as a key stagecoach stop before trains arrived in the region.
Town establishment records paint a vivid picture of Iowa’s lost communities. Dalmanutha was platted in 1855 along the Western Coach stage line, while Dale City emerged in 1862 around the Lonsdale Woolen Mills. The creation of Lake Red Rock led to the submersion of several towns including Conover and Dunreath.
Iowa’s ghost towns tell stories through their founding dates – from stagecoach stops to mill towns that once thrived.
Many towns have left behind tangible remnants – Buckhorn’s old creamery and church still stand, while Rockville’s collapsed mill serves as a reflection of its industrial past.
The records also document post office operations, with Fort’s office running from 1870 to 1909.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Completely Preserved Ghost Towns Left in Iowa?
You won’t find any completely preserved ghost towns in Iowa today, though you’ll discover sites of historical significance with remnants like cemeteries, foundations, and occasional buildings marking where these towns once stood.
Can You Legally Remove Artifacts Found in Iowa Ghost Towns?
You can’t legally remove artifacts from Iowa ghost towns on public land due to legal restrictions. On private property, you’ll need explicit owner permission and must follow artifact preservation requirements.
Which Iowa Ghost Town Has the Most Paranormal Activity Reports?
Dear periodindonmercial peoplesrainah ay
Do Any Iowa Ghost Towns Still Have Year-Round Residents?
You’ll find several Iowa ghost towns still maintain current residents, including Buckhorn and Monmouth in Jackson County, where ghost town demographics show small populations living near original town sites.
What’s the Oldest Documented Ghost Town in Iowa’s History?
You’ll find Iowa’s oldest ghost settlement at Northport, established in 1846 as the original county seat. Its historic significance comes from being the earliest documented abandoned town in state records.
References
- https://kids.kiddle.co/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Iowa
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ia/ia.html
- http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/iowa/ia-ghost-town
- https://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~gtusa/usa/ia.htm
- http://www.iowapbs.org/article/8600/local-legends-around-iowas-haunted-locations
- https://www.discoverguthriecounty.org/ghosttowns
- https://pubs.lib.uiowa.edu/annals-of-iowa/article/id/6960/download/pdf/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L883pwCPOwE
- https://www.geotab.com/ghost-towns/
- https://krocnews.com/six-ghost-towns-are-lost-submerged-under-red-rock-reservoir-in-iowa/
