Ghost Town USA

Ghost Town · North Dakota

Wheelock

A ghost town of unknown status in Williams County, North Dakota.

By the Ghost Town USA research team · Last reviewed September 2026

Wheelock ghost town, North Dakota
Photo: Andrew Filer (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Quick Facts

Status
Unknown Status
Access
Unknown Access
Coordinates
Not recorded

If walls could talk, Wheelock would never shut up. Lucky for visitors, they mostly just stand there. Wheelock is a ghost town in Wheelock Township, Williams County, in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of North Dakota. In 1938, the Federal Writers' Project found a population of 115 in Wheelock.

Williams County holds 5 documented ghost towns, including Appam, Beaver Creek, Fort Buford — Wheelock keeps them company on the map.

The story of Wheelock

North Dakota's ghost towns are homestead-era towns the drought and the Depression emptied in a single brutal decade.

Wheelock is a ghost town in Wheelock Township, Williams County, in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of North Dakota. In 1938, the Federal Writers' Project found a population of 115 in Wheelock. In the 1990 census, the population was 23. All census population figures after 1990 are estimates. The town was disincorporated in 1994.

What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Wheelock 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 Wheelock 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.

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.

Wheelock FAQs

Where is Wheelock located?
Wheelock is in Williams County, North Dakota. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
What county is Wheelock in?
Wheelock sits in Williams County, North Dakota. See our full guide to ghost towns in Williams County for its neighbors.
What is the history of Wheelock?
Wheelock is a ghost town in Wheelock Township, Williams County, in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of North Dakota. In 1938, the Federal Writers' Project found a population of 115 in Wheelock. In the 1990 census, the population was 23.
What remains at Wheelock today?
The on-the-ground condition of Wheelock 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.
Can you visit Wheelock?
Here's the honest truth: access to Wheelock 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.

Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Wheelock, North Dakota”), CC BY-SA.

More Ghost Towns in Williams County

See all 5 ghost towns in Williams County, North Dakota