Buckhorn is one of the many towns in the state of Iowa that are today vast lands filled with old dilapidated ruins of the 1880s buildings. Buckhorn town located in Maquoketa city, Iowa was abandoned and deserted by its residents in the midst of the 1900s to date.

Early years of the town

Buckhorn town started as a small co-op community of farmers with only two hotels, a stagecoach, and a shop as the main buildings of the town. The town was later purchased by a dairy company that helped in its development. A creamery that employed thousands was constructed and cattle keeping was introduced by the company shortly afterward. Breeds like Holstein, Guernsey, and Jersey were the major breeds that were kept. Residents were employed by the company both in the creamery and out in the field taking care of the herd of cattle. The creamery was the main source of finance in the region producing milk that was sold both locally and over the nation.

Fall of Buckhorn

The creamery business declined for a while before the 1950s but was later resurrected by the 1950 to 1960s consolidation of schools, businesses, stores, farms, and creameries. Since it was the largest creamery, it served as an advantage. The creamery instead of their old strategy of producing butter changed their dealing with cheese making. The cheese wasn't profitable enough as butter and in 1962 merged the company with the Mississippi Valley Milk producers. The creamery was abandoned and left to decay together with the town that was sustained due to its existence. The building was sold to an auction a year after it was abandoned.

Hazards and the current state of Buckhorn

The building was bought by a local Iowan investor who has plans of renovating the creamery. Most of the dilapidated buildings were torn down by the owner leaving only salvageable structures. Cow dung and garbage litter most of the rooms resulting in a stench. On top of the stench, the building's old concrete walls are a major eye-sore in the county of Jackson. Vandalism and graffiti are some of the factors that resulted in further distraction of the structures in the town.

Most of the building's structures are unstable and can collapse anytime. This the owner confirmed to have plans of reinforcing them before it is too late. The property is private and the owner does not allow visitors to tour the building. This is due to the unsafe condition that the structures possess. Today, the creamery which was the major supplier of butter in the whole of the United States is still abandoned and deserted. Taking pictures of the ruins is not illegal and you can drive to the place and take one or two for future reference.