Wheelock, North Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wheelock
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Abandoned schoolhouse in Wheelock
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 Wheelock
Location in North Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Dakota |
| County | Williams |
| Elevation | 2,392 ft (729 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 701 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1036332 |
Wheelock is a fascinating ghost town located in Williams County, in the northwestern part of North Dakota. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and buildings are often empty or falling apart.
In 1938, about 115 people lived in Wheelock. By 1990, the population had dropped to just 23. The town officially stopped being a town in 1994.
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What is the History of Wheelock?
Wheelock was started in 1902. It was built along a very long train track called a transcontinental rail line. This track was part of the Great Northern Railway.
The town got its name from Ralph W. Wheelock. He was a writer for a newspaper called the Minneapolis Tribune. He wrote good things about the area, and so the town was named after him.
What Does Wheelock Look Like Today?
Unlike some ghost towns that are completely gone, Wheelock still has many buildings standing. Its homes, churches, and shops look like they were used not too long ago. The paint on the buildings is peeling, but it's still there.
The grass is green, even though no one mows it. The roof of the old brick schoolhouse has fallen in. This shows the four classrooms and the gym roof inside. The town's garage is empty.
A few shops and the church look like they could be used, but they are empty and getting old. The train tracks, now owned by BNSF Railway, still run through Wheelock.
How Do Trains Use Wheelock Now?
Wheelock is still a place where trains can switch tracks. This is called a passing siding. Amtrak's Empire Builder train goes through Wheelock. This train travels between Seattle or Portland and Chicago.
However, the train does not stop in Wheelock. The closest train station is in Williston. Williston is about 26 miles southwest of Wheelock.
What Happened to Wheelock's Buildings?
Some of Wheelock's important buildings are no longer there. The large building where grain was stored was taken down in 2011 or 2012. The general store, which sold many different things, burned down in 2005. The old school building was also taken down in 2012 or 2013. No one knows for sure why it was removed.
In 2018, the old church was put up for sale. It was first listed for $75,000. By 2019, it was still for sale, but the price had dropped to $65,000.
Has Wheelock's Population Changed Recently?
Even though Wheelock is a ghost town, it has seen some changes. Since 2010, the area has grown a bit. This is because of the North Dakota oil boom, which brought more people to the region. However, there are still no businesses operating in Wheelock itself.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 115 | — | |
| 1940 | 94 | −18.3% | |
| 1950 | 101 | 7.4% | |
| 1960 | 82 | −18.8% | |
| 1970 | 21 | −74.4% | |
| 1980 | 34 | 61.9% | |
| 1990 | 23 | −32.4% | |
| 2000 | 18 | −21.7% | |
| 2010 | 12 | −33.3% | |
| 2015 (est.) | 29 | 141.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
What is Wheelock's Climate Like?
Wheelock has a semi-arid climate. This means it is usually dry, but not a desert. On climate maps, this type of weather is shown as "BSk" according to the Köppen Climate Classification system.
