Rockville doesn't need a haunted reputation — the empty streets do the talking. Rockville is a former city and unincorporated community in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. Bordering Dubuque County within the North Fork Township, it was approximately 3 miles northwest of Worthington and 1.
Rockville is the lone documented ghost town in Delaware County — for now.
The story of Rockville
Iowa's ghost towns are coal camps and railroad towns in a state that farmed too well to need many of them.
Rockville is a former city and unincorporated community in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. Bordering Dubuque County within the North Fork Township, it was approximately 3 miles northwest of Worthington and 1.5 miles west of today's Iowa Highway 136.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Rockville 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.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Rockville 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 Rockville is roughly 42.4186, -91.1422 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.
Good to know
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.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Rockville FAQs
01Where is Rockville located?
02What county is Rockville in?
03What is the history of Rockville?
04What remains at Rockville today?
05Can you visit Rockville?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Rockville, Iowa”), CC BY-SA.
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