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0Buddy Holly Memorial
Clear Lake, Iowa
19 miles from Thornton, IA
Buddy Holly may be alive beyond the grave. According to reports, some have seen a phantom plane crashing that matches the one involved in the 1959 tragedy. Also, 3 orbs have been caught on tape in the spot where Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens died.
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0Thompson Hall Dormitory
Iowa Falls, Iowa
29.4 miles from Thornton, IA
The dorm at Ellsworth Community College and Union Cemetery across the street are both said to be haunted. The spirit of town benefactor Mr. Ellsworth himself has been seen, and footsteps and voices have been heard in the dorm's basement.
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Hazel Green Cemetery
Ackley, Iowa
35.5 miles from Thornton, IA
The gazebo in this old cemetery seems to be the central spot for the spiritual activity. In it, visitors have reported seeing an elderly woman's ghost sitting in a rocking chair, holding a baby. It is said that those who see her feel sadness, rather than fear. Reports say that ...
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Riverside Cemetery
Charles City, Iowa
36.4 miles from Thornton, IA
Visitors here have reported dark figures and a feeling of being watched. The ghost of a Native American is said to have been seen -- perhaps it is he who keeps an eye on the place.
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Children of Iron Hill
Charles City, Iowa
37.7 miles from Thornton, IA
According to local lore, in the 1920s there was a fiery train crash that killed many passengers. One car was full of orphan children who perished in the fires. It is said that the ghost children can still be heard crying, and sometimes the smell of burning is detected. Some ...
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Little Africa - Geigel Woods
Algona, Iowa
41.1 miles from Thornton, IA
This site is said to be very active with spirits, in part because the old bridge was the site of two hangings. Car accidents have been caused by apparitions standing in the middle of the road. Also, at the old farm house, the husband is said to have killed the ...
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Plum Creek Pits
Algona, Iowa
43.1 miles from Thornton, IA
Locals say a little boy's ghost appears at this popular fishing spot. Some say the boy was once accidentally impaled by a stick when he fell while running nearby. The ghost has been seen walking along the bank of the pit.
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Humboldt County Historical Museum
Humboldt, Iowa
43.7 miles from Thornton, IA
Lights are seen in the building at night and some people claim the ghost of a man who drowned in the nearby river has also been spotted roaming the grounds.
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Gypsy Cemetery - Union Township Cemetery
Algona, Iowa
46.3 miles from Thornton, IA
This small gypsy cemetery is said to be haunted by a gypsy queen, who is guarded by a murder of crows. Legend has it that in the 1800s gypsies came through here often with their wagons. If any member of their group was sick and dying, they would simply bury ...
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Satan's Hollow Bridge
Shell Rock, Iowa
46.3 miles from Thornton, IA
According to reports, those who go underneath the bridge may see tall white figures and hear strange sounds. The figures and a feeling of general unease are said to follow you the further you go.
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J L Reece Memorial Park
New Providence, Iowa
48.6 miles from Thornton, IA
According to reports, a young woman committed suicide in the cornfield at this site. Witnesses have seen her appear in the field and have heard her screaming.
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0Hawkeye Theatre
Fort Dodge, Iowa
50.4 miles from Thornton, IA
Reports say visitors to the theater get the feeling of being watched, and have seen a ghostly little girl. Also, some say if you are alone here you will feel the not-so-gentle touch of an invisible hand.
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Hawkeye Community Theatre
Fort Dodge, Iowa
50.4 miles from Thornton, IA
This historic theatre is believed to be haunted by the apparition of a young girl who was murdered nearby. Witnesses claim to have seen her sitting in the hall after hours, and have felt her brush past them in the corridors. The chandelier at the entrance also moves of ...
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Vegors Cemetery
Lehigh, Iowa
51.8 miles from Thornton, IA
The cemetery is said to be haunted by the spirits of restless Native Americans and Mrs. Henry Lott, the wife of a man who was known to cheat the Native Americans and steal their horses. She was killed while trying to escape from angry Native Americans seeking revenge, although her ...
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Camp Ingawanis
Waverly, Iowa
52.2 miles from Thornton, IA
It is said that a 12-year-old boy died here when he jumped from a swing and hit his head on a rock. Folks in the area have noted a moving swing when there is no breeze, and some have heard the boy's giggle.
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0Grotto of the Redemption
West Bend, Iowa
53.6 miles from Thornton, IA
This sacred site was constructed over a 42-year period, beginning in 1912, using semiprecious stones from every state in the U.S. and every world region. The Christmas Chapel contains a 300-lb. amethyst, and Bethlehem Cave contains 65 tons of petrified wood. The spiritual place has tons of statues depicting the ...
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0Strayer-Wood Theatre
Cedar Falls, Iowa
55.4 miles from Thornton, IA
Zelda is the nickname students have for a ghost who plays the piano, makes strange noises, or causes some of the equipment to work by itself.
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0Lawther Hall - University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
55.4 miles from Thornton, IA
According to some reports, a soldier named Augie is said to haunt the building. It is said that he passed away there when the hall was used as the infirmary. Students have reported cold spots, strange sounds, and moving objects. Other reports say that the place was never an infirmary ...
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0Bartlett Hall - University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
55.5 miles from Thornton, IA
Students tell of a Halloween haunted house that was to be set up in the hall, but the resident spirits must have liked the idea and were willing to lend a ghostly hand. During the setup, so many eerie things happened, flickering lights, slamming doors, temperature changes, that the students ...
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Bannwell Bridge - Terror Bridge
Barnum, Iowa
57.4 miles from Thornton, IA
Local legend maintains that a woman once killed her 3 kids here. Some reports say she hung them from the bridge and they were hit by a train coming through. Her ghostly head is said to follow you down the road, and if you don't have your doors and windows ...
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Walmart - Flammang Drive
Waterloo, Iowa
63.2 miles from Thornton, IA
Even Wal-Mart is not immune to spirits. Employees say Jeremiah, a 12-year-old boy, haunts the store by playing pranks, moving merchandise and tugging on the employees' smocks. He also taps them on the shoulder at times. Those who have seen him say he is pale, thin, and wears black pants ...
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Farm House Museum
Ames, Iowa
64.8 miles from Thornton, IA
The spirits of two sisters are believed to reside at the museum; details of the hauntings are unknown.
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0Iowa State University - Memorial Union
Ames, Iowa
65 miles from Thornton, IA
The hall is a tribute to graduate soldiers who died at war. According to reports, a strange low moan can be heard constantly here. Some say is it the voice of the only woman who ever graduated from the school who died in World War I.
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Friley Hall - Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
65.1 miles from Thornton, IA
One dormitory room is nicknamed Satan’s Legion. Rumor has it that a student killed himself there, and everyone who is assigned to that room either dies or disappears. Reports say many students are afraid to go into the room, and some maintain that because of this, the university stopped assigning ...
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Fisher Theatre - Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
65.1 miles from Thornton, IA
Named for contributor J.W. Fisher, the 1974 theater is rumored to be haunted by Frederica Shattuck, another university theater department contributor. So the story goes, the ghost took up residence in the Fisher Theatre after her Shattuck Theater was demolished.
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0Iowa State University - C.Y. Stephens Auditorium
Ames, Iowa
65.2 miles from Thornton, IA
A friendly ghost, C.Y. Stephens himself, in fact, is known to haunt this auditorium. He has been seen in the basement tunnels or sitting in the back right corner of the 3rd balcony. He also makes himself known by cold spots and the sound of footsteps. When performers see him, ...
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Riverside Cemetery
Marshalltown, Iowa
65.8 miles from Thornton, IA
It is said that in the older part of the cemetery there was a chair that looked as if it had been made of wood, although it was concrete. Urban legend said that those who sat in the chair would die within a year. There are contradicting reports as to ...
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The Boone News-Republican
Boone, Iowa
65.9 miles from Thornton, IA
Employees who work late have heard unexplained footsteps and, at times, have heard their names called. The phenomena seem to occur only when the place is nearly empty of people.
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Lot Behind Nauss Oil
Emmetsburg, Iowa
65.9 miles from Thornton, IA
A motel once stood in this vacant lot, but it has since been demolished. The foundation/drive-/walkway is still there. Locals say the spirit of an old man in a plaid shirt and chinos walks along the way, stopping several times as if he is checking to make sure the motel ...
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Boone County Historical Society - Masonic Temple
Boone, Iowa
66 miles from Thornton, IA
Dating back to 1907, the historic former masonic temple and museum may have a resident ghost. Known as 'Frank', the poltergeist frequently slams doors and turns on lights after the place has been closed up for the night. Disembodied footsteps have also been heard on the second floor, and ...
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0Kate Shelly High Bridge
Boone, Iowa
68 miles from Thornton, IA
Local legend tells the tale of 15-year-old Kate Shelley, who in 1881 crawled across a badly damaged bridge during a terrible storm to warn an oncoming train that the bridge was out. This bridge, built in 1901, is said to be her ghost's home. Phantom trains also have been seen ...
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Meskwaki Bingo Casino and Hotel
Tama, Iowa
75 miles from Thornton, IA
Screams and arguing voices have been heard when no one is around. (Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Conover Road Ghost Family
Ridgeway, Iowa
77.1 miles from Thornton, IA
Acoording to local lore, a family of four once died near a group of evergreen trees along the road. Their four shadowy apparitions have been seen near the place.
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Mt Hope Cemetery
Madrid, Iowa
77.8 miles from Thornton, IA
The ghost of a child named Sara resides at this cemetery. She and four other children from her family are buried near the back. Sara is said to follow around visitors and ask for someone named Ree. She is also known to touch people and tug at clothing if her ...
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Farrar Schoolhouse
Maxwell, Iowa
78.7 miles from Thornton, IA
This building, formerly a middle school, has been a private residence since 2008. Please respect the owners' privacy. Witnesses have seen the ghost of a small boy in the stairwell; one has also appeared in a photo sitting on the edge of the auditorium stage. Voices of children talking and ...
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It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Owatonna, Minnesota
79.1 miles from Thornton, IA
The bar called It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere is said to be haunted. Reports say the apparition of a man in old-fashioned duds and a puddle of blood appear out of nowhere. The bar was a funeral home and a used furniture store in past incarnations.
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West Hills
Owatonna, Minnesota
79.4 miles from Thornton, IA
Ghosts of orphaned children are rumored to linger in this former orphanage, laughing audibly. Witnesses also have seen the floor move and warp and smelled phantom cigar smoke. Books also have moved, temperature has been known to change drastically, and phone calls have been made to the police department from ...
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Oak Hill Cemetery
Estherville, Iowa
80.3 miles from Thornton, IA
A couple of spooky stories surround this cemetery's hill, and the fact that your car, when put in neutral, will seem to travel up it by itself. According to one story, a car full of football players was in an accident here when the car stalled. While they were pushing ...
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0Buchanan County Court House
Independence, Iowa
82.7 miles from Thornton, IA
It is said that in the late 1800s or early 1900s a man was hung here, but something went awry with the process and he died a slow, painful death. His ghost is said to haunt the place at night; it has been seen hanging from a rope.
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Mantorville Opera House
Kasson, Minnesota
83.7 miles from Thornton, IA
Built in 1918, the Mantorville Opera House building has been a club, a speakeasy, a silent movie house, a skating rink, a city hall and a civic center. It is believed to be haunted by several spirits, including former actors and entertainers and a woman who the staff nicknamed Ellen. ...
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0Rainbow Bridge
Lake City, Iowa
85.4 miles from Thornton, IA
A chocolate-loving spirit resides at this old bowstring bridge. Stories say that if you bring an unopened chocolate bar to the bridge at midnight, lay it in the center of the bridge, and exit the bridge, after 5 minutes you will find an unopened and intact wrapper, but the chocolate ...
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0The Kahler Hotel
Rochester, Minnesota
87.6 miles from Thornton, IA
The ghosts of former Mayo Clinic patients are said to haunt the hotel, causing eerie sounds and smells and quick temperature changes.
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Capitol II Theatre
Newton, Iowa
87.6 miles from Thornton, IA
The theater, which first opened in 1927, is said to be haunted by an eerie presence. One employee was forcefully pulled backward by his hair. Paranormal researchers investigated in 2012, and the results turned up unexplained photos, strange sounds, and physical contact from the presence.
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Newton Daily News
Newton, Iowa
87.7 miles from Thornton, IA
The Daily News building was built in 1921 specifically for the town newspaper. Over the years, rumors and jokes have been heard from the newsroom to the press room about ghosts haunting the old building. Since inviting members of the Jasper County Paranormal Idealist to investigate the building on Oct. ...
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0David Ryan House
Newton, Iowa
87.8 miles from Thornton, IA
Actual details of this alleged haunting seem to spring from a single source, a local paranormal group who claims the house is haunted. Alleged haunting is basically hearing footsteps and voices. Some EVPs are claimed by the paranormal group that offers occasional tours of the house for interested ...
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Le Sueur County Historical Society Museum
Elysian, Minnesota
88 miles from Thornton, IA
Some odd things have been reported at this museum: disembodied voices, a typewriter and a record player that worked by themselves, and a service bell that rang on its own.
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Evergreen Cemetery
Vinton, Iowa
88.3 miles from Thornton, IA
This cemetery is home to a ghostly woman on horseback who wears a white dress and rides up and down the train tracks. There are also reports of strange phenomena surrounding a statue and apparitions of military men who wander in the portion of the cemetery for unknown soldiers.
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Children's Forest
Newton, Iowa
88.3 miles from Thornton, IA
Locals will tell you that an antique glass jar was found in these woods and taken to a nearby resident's garage, and shortly thereafter, the spirit of a very sad-looking Native American appeared and walked right through a table. The next day, the jar was taken back to the forest ...
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Newton Community Theatre
Newton, Iowa
88.4 miles from Thornton, IA
T.G., or Theater Ghost, is said to haunt this building. One board member reported seeing an apparition of a man on the stage, and it is said that actors often have difficulty finding their props. Any such difficulty, of course, is attributed to T.G.
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Sugar Grove Cemetery - Metz Cemetery
Newton, Iowa
88.5 miles from Thornton, IA
This old cemetery is known for a glowing tombstone, purportedly owned by Charles M. Baker, who died April 17, 1881. According to urban legend, when vehicle headlights shine into the cemetery from a nearby interstate bridge, the tombstone emits an eerie glow. No one knows the reason behind this phenomenon.
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