Located in the midwestern United States, Iowa is a state that is mostly known for its agricultural output, rolling hills, mesmerising lakes, and tallgrass prairies. However, this seemingly normal American state harbours some haunting secrets that only the bravest can explore. From historic hotels to abandoned manors, these amazing haunted destinations in Iowa are perfect for lovers of the paranormal. So what are you waiting for? Let’s embark on a unique journey through some of Iowa’s most haunted places and prepare for some bone-chilling stories and ghostly encounters.
Top 10 Haunted Places In Iowa That Will Leave You Frightened
Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? Iowa is one such state in the midwestern United States that is quite popular among paranormal investigators and tourists looking for something supernatural. So here is a list of the Top 10 most haunted places in Iowa that you must visit. If you dare to.
1. The Villisca Ax Murder House
Image Credit: Jason McLaren for Wikipedia
Painstakingly restored in the 1990s, this quaint house harbours a dark history. The Villisca Ax Murders of June 1912 are often remembered as one of the most unsettling enigmas in American criminal history whose effects are felt to this day. On a pleasant summer’s night, 8 unsuspecting victims – including 6 children – were bludgeoned to death as they slept. And despite a nationwide manhunt, the murder of these 8 victims remains unsolved. Over the years, people have experienced an assortment of paranormal activity. Some report feelings of an evil presence inside the house whereas some people have reported bloodstains on the walls appearing and vanishing. At the Vilisca House, you can opt for a daytime tour or an overnight stay. You can choose either depending on how brave you are feeling.
Address: 508 E 2nd St, Villisca, IA 50864, United States
Best Time To Visit: 8 am to 1 am
Things You May Encounter: Ghostly figures, voices of children, being pushed or pulled, bloodstains appearing and vanishing, feeling of an evil presence, and objects seemingly moving on their own
Also Read: Haunted Places In New Orleans
2. Farrar Schoolhouse
Built in 1921, this once-abandoned schoolhouse sits isolated with only a few buildings around. After closing its doors in 2001, the building was purchased by a couple who soon after learned it wasn’t completely empty. From unknown voices to shadow people, people have reported a myriad of paranormal activities which soon led to it being referred to as one of the best haunted houses in Iowa. At Farrar Schoolhouse, you can opt for a daylight tour with the owners. If you are brave enough, you can even choose to spend a night there with your friends.
Address: 11095 NE 134th Ave, Maxwell, IA 50161
Best Time To Visit: 8 pm to 2 am
Things You May Encounter: Mysterious voices, slamming doors, phantom footsteps, shadowy figures, knocking, tapping, cries, laughter, and apparitions
3. Cresco Theatre & Opera House
Voted as one of the Top 10 Iowa haunted locations, Cresco Theatre & Opera House opened in 1915. While the theatre is still in operation, it is home to some unwelcome guests. Some visitors to the theatre have reported seeing ghostly apparitions appear and disappear in front of their eyes. There have also been several sightings of a lone ghost that sits in the theatre while the lights are off and disappears into thin air when approached. To add to the mystery the basement of this theatre is said to be even more active with several ghost sightings and voices. So if you are looking to get a bone-chilling experience, maybe try getting a ticket to a horror movie at the Cresco Theatre.
Address: 115 2nd Ave W, Cresco, IA 52136, United States
Best Time To Visit: Wednesday through Sunday at 7 PM
Things You May Encounter: Unknown voices, ghostly figures, lone ghosts, unexplained electrical disturbances, shadow figures
Related Post: Haunted Places In Ohio
4. Edinburgh Manor
At the Edinburgh Manor, there is much more than what meets the eye. The manor was initially designed to be a courthouse. But in the mid-1800s, it was put in use for the poor and incurably insane to stay in return for farm work. In 1910, the house was demolished and in its place, a new manor was built that was put to use as a home for the elderly and mentally insane. However, all operations ceased in 2010 and the manor is now open for tours and overnight stays. One of the most popular spirits at the manor called “The Joker” is known to appear quite frequently to visitors. The spirit is known to throw plates and slam doors quite violently. Hence, it is advised to be cautious.
Address: 13859 Edinburgh Rd, Scotch Grove, IA 52310, United States
Best Time To Visit: 5:30 pm to 10 am
Things You May Encounter: Unknown voices, ghostly figures, slamming doors, plates being thrown, and encounter with an entity named “The Joker”. Some visitors have also experienced being choked and held.
5. Malvern Manor
Built in the late 19th Century, Malvern Manor was once a family-owned hotel that provided a soft bed and warm meal for just $2 a night. However, in recent times, it has become a place so haunted that paranormal investigators have fled the building and refused to return. With stories of murder, schizophrenia, and abuse, Malvern Manor has become one of the most haunted houses in Iowa. Over the years, visitors have reported experiencing many paranormal encounters that include hearing voices, unknown footsteps, seeing objects move, light flicker, and feeling as if they have been touched or pushed. It is one of the most haunted places in Iowa.
Address: 103 E 3rd St, Malvern, IA 51551, United States
Best Time To Visit: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Things You May Encounter: Unknown voices, footsteps, lights flickering, encounter with a spirit named “Grace”, seeing objects move, shadowy figures, screaming, moaning.
Related Post: Amusement Parks In Nashville
6. Mathias Ham House
Often referred to as the “textbook haunting”, this home-turned-museum offers bone-chilling scares. Built in the early 19th century, this quaint house has witnessed several deaths. Since being turned into a museum in 1964, employees and visitors have reported a variety of mysterious activities. There have been several reports of a ghostly apparition that roams the house, cold breezes, and objects moving on their own. So if you are planning to encounter something paranormal, Mathias Ham House is one of the best haunted houses in Dubuque Iowa.
Address: 2241 Lincoln Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States
Best Time To Visit: 11:00 am to 04:00 pm
Things You May Encounter: Apparitions, unknown voices, unknown footsteps, unexplained cold breeze, objects moving on their own, flickering lights.
7. Banwell Bridge
There are many tales and stories behind the Banwell Bridge in Fort Dodge Iowa. However, the most popular one is rather gruesome. It is said that a woman brought her children to this bridge to watch the trains pass below. But instead, she threw each child over the bridge railings before jumping herself. The locals warn against stopping their cars on the bridge without locking their doors and windows as the woman’s spirit may try to throw you off. Visitors who are brave enough have reported seeing strange orbs around the bridge, hearing strange voices of children, and seeing unexplained handprints on their car windows. If you are brave enough to explore this Iowa haunted location, it is advised to tread carefully.
Address: 220th St. in Fort Dodge, Iowa
Best Time To Visit: Open 24 Hours
Things You May Encounter: Strange orbs, the voice of a woman coming from the woods, unexplained moans of a woman, voices of children, unexplained handprints on people’s cars.
Related Post: Hidden Gems In San Francisco
8. Hotel Ottumwa
Built in 1917 as a luxury hotel, Hotel Ottumwa is often referred to as one of the top haunted house in Ottumwa Iowa. This hotel was closed in 1973 and was abandoned for nearly a decade until it was purchased and restored back into a hotel. However, soon it became clear that some unwelcomed guests were not ready to leave this place yet. Visitors and guests at the hotel report seeing shadowy figures in their rooms and lights flickering without any reasonable explanation. One of the most popular paranormal encounters at Hotel Ottumwa is seen in its basement. Staff and investigators have reported seeing the apparition of a woman wearing white. Some guests have also reported seeing a man following them down the hotel’s corridors and then disappearing inexplicably. Ever since such experiences surfaced, Hotel Ottumwa has become quite an attraction among paranormal lovers and paranormal investigators.
Address: 107 E. Second Street Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Best Time To Visit: Check-in is at 3:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM
Things You May Encounter: Shadowy figures, flickering lights, ghostly figures, ghost of a woman in white.
9. Squirrel Cage Jail
Built in 1885, Squirrel Cage Jail is one of the most popular Iowa haunted locations. Squirrel Cage Jail is the only three-story revolving jail that has ever been built and has many inexplicable occurrences. Visitors touring the jail have reported seeing and hearing several ghosts, including that of a young girl dressed entirely in grey. From shadowy figures to unknown voices, this jail has become one of the top haunted houses in Council Bluffs Iowa and is sure to give you the creeps.
Address: 226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
Best Time To Visit: 11 am–4 pm
Things You May Encounter: Shadowy figures, inexplicable sounds, disembodied voices, strange orbs, flickering lights, apparition of a young girl dressed in all grey
Related Post: Camping Sites In Florida
10. Stony Hollow Road
Iowa is no stranger to haunted roads and bridges. However, Stony Hollow Road in Burlington is a place that deserves a spot of its own. This stretch of gravel comes with a story of a woman named Lucinda who is said to have thrown herself off a nearby cliff after learning about her husband’s abandonment. It is said that if you say Lucinda’s name 3 times at night, her ghost will appear standing atop the same cliff she threw herself off. Due to such stories, locals deem it unsafe to visit this road at night. However, these stories have also made it quite a popular spot for paranormal enthusiasts and investigators. But be warned – should she lay a rose at your feet, legend says you a bad omen may be set upon you from that day onwards.
Address: Stony Hollow Rd, Iowa, USA
Best Time To Visit: Open 24 Hours
Things You May Encounter: The ghost of Lucinda
You May Also Like To Read: Best Small Towns In Colorado
Iowa is one of those midwestern American states that is drowned in history and culture. It is most popular for its tourist spots, state fairs, and food. However, this quaint state is also home to some dark stories and secrets that have become staples of American horror stories. From ghostly apparitions to disembodied voices, these top 10 most haunted places in Iowa are sites that only the bravest can conquer. So what are you waiting for? Plan your next trip to the USA today and find out how much of these legends and stories hold true. And maybe, you will come face to face, with a bone-chilling reality. Plan your next vacation to Iowa today!
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Credit : Harald Hoyer for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Haunted Places In Iowa
Where to ghost hunt in Iowa?
Some of the best places to ghost hunt in Iowa are mentioned below:
- The Vilisca Ax Murder House
- Franklin Hotel
- Farrar Schoolhouse
- Edinburgh Manor
- Malvern Manor
How many haunted houses are there in Iowa?
According to the Iowa haunted house directory, there are a total of 38 haunted houses in the state of Iowa.
How many ghost towns are in Iowa?
Some of the most popular ghost towns in Iowa are mentioned below:
- Fansler
- Franklin
- Green Bay
- Ottawa City
- Buxton
What is the most haunted place in Iowa?
The Villisca Ax Murder House is often considered to be one of the most haunted places in the state of Iowa.
What is the story behind the Rainbow Bridge in Iowa?
The ghost that haunts this bridge is said to love chocolate and it has been said that if you bring her an unopened chocolate bar at midnight and lay it in the centre of the bridge, and leave. After 5 minutes, it has been said that the chocolate will be missing from the inside but the wrapper was still intact and unopened.
People Also Read:
Haunted Places In America Haunted Places In Italy Haunted Places In Turkey
With a passion for exploring and travelling to the roads long forgotten, experience the world through enthralling stories and adventures. Join me as I share my experiences at some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and quench that pestering curiosity with something exciting!
