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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Stiles FAQs
01Where is Stiles located?
02What county is Stiles in?
03What is the history of Stiles?
04What remains at Stiles today?
05Can you visit Stiles?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Edward H. Stiles”), CC BY-SA.
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