Big Spring

Iowa's ghost towns are coal camps and railroad towns in a state that farmed too well to need many of them.

Big Spring is a ghost town located in Wayne County, Iowa, United States. By 1887, several mineral springs had been located nearby. The settlement had a post office from 1875 to 1901. All that remains of the settlement is the Big Springs Cemetery.

Big Spring sold the one thing the country around it didn't have: water.

The on-the-ground condition of Big Spring is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Big Spring is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Big Spring is roughly 40.6833, -93.5269 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.