Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Iowa

Stiles

A ghost town of unknown status in Davis County, Iowa.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Stiles ghost town, Iowa
Plate I — Stiles, IowaPhoto: Strauss (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

If walls could talk, Stiles would never shut up. Lucky for visitors, they mostly just stand there. Edward Holcomb Stiles (October 3, 1836 – May 9, 1921) was a lawyer, politician and writer. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate.

Stiles is the lone documented ghost town in Davis County — for now.

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The story of Stiles

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

Edward Holcomb Stiles (October 3, 1836 – May 9, 1921) was a lawyer, politician and writer. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Stiles 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.

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Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Stiles 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 Stiles is roughly 40.6350, -92.3513 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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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.

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Survey Map

Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting

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Stiles FAQs

01Where is Stiles located?
Stiles is in Davis County, Iowa, mapped near 40.6350, -92.3513.
02What county is Stiles in?
Stiles sits in Davis County, Iowa. See our full guide to ghost towns in Davis County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Stiles?
Edward Holcomb Stiles (October 3, 1836 – May 9, 1921) was a lawyer, politician and writer. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate.
04What remains at Stiles today?
The on-the-ground condition of Stiles 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.
05Can you visit Stiles?
Here's the honest truth: access to Stiles 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 Stiles is roughly 40.6350, -92.3513 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Edward H. Stiles”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Davis County

All 1 ghost towns in Davis County →