-
The Van Meter Creature
Van Meter, Iowa
32.9 miles from Orient, IA
First seen in 1903, the Van Meter Creature is a monster with batlike wings and a horn on its head that glows with blinding light. It may also manifest as a hovering spot of light. Shortly after it began to terrorize the townsfolk, strange sounds started coming from a coal ...
Read more » -
Union Cemetery - The Devil's Chair
Guthrie Center, Iowa
33.2 miles from Orient, IA
It is said that those who sit in the cement chair will receive a spell of bad luck. The Devil's Chair has no markings, and sits between the Peterson and Miller graves. According to reports, the chair has been believed to be cursed for at least 35 years.
Read more » -
Van Fossen Cemetery
Adel, Iowa
34 miles from Orient, IA
Since the 1850's, the Van Fossen cemetery has had many names, from Rodenbaugh Cemetery, the Old Adel Cemetery, to the "official" name recorded by the state, the Gibson Cemetery. Along old highway 6, the cemetery is sometimes just called the Bilderback Cemetery, after the massive headstones that mark the ...
Read more » -
Villisca Axe Murder House
Villisca, Iowa
34.7 miles from Orient, IA
In 1912 an entire family was murdered here by axe, and it is said that the house is still haunted by their spirits. The house has been investigated and featured on the TV show Ghost Adventures.
Read more » -
New Virginia Cemetery - Beymer Cemetery
New Virginia, Iowa
35.4 miles from Orient, IA
This is the gravesite of New Virginia's first settler. As legend has it, the gravestone has been replaced at some time over the years. Locals say an eerie glow will come from the stone at midnight, a protestation from the ghost, angry about the change.
Read more » -
Elk Grove Cemetery - Union Township Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Iowa
39.6 miles from Orient, IA
According to local legend there is a small headstone with an eerie ability: If you position yourself the right way in front of it, after a few minutes it will begin to glow.
Read more » -
Tedrow Cemetery
Kellerton, Iowa
39.7 miles from Orient, IA
Rumor has it that it is not actually the small cemetery, but the surrounding woods, that are haunted. Phenomena experienced here include glowing lights coming from the woods, shadowed apparitions, and the sounds of footsteps, moaning, and other strange noises.
Read more » -
Jordan House
West Des Moines, Iowa
43.1 miles from Orient, IA
This museum is allegedly haunted by the ghost of the young daughter of the original owner. She died when she was three years old after falling from the stair railing she was sliding down and breaking her neck. People claim they still see and hear her playing throughout the ...
Read more » -
Terre Haute Cemetery
Decatur City, Iowa
45.5 miles from Orient, IA
The spirit of a little boy can be seen playing on the swingset behind a cabin adjacent to the cemetery. He may motion for you to follow him into the cemetery, where he is buried. Once at his grave, he disappears.
Read more » -
Old Chapel - College Hall
Indianola, Iowa
45.6 miles from Orient, IA
Legend has it that around the turn of the 20th century, a young man, distraught over a love affair, killed himself here. Then in the 1920s, a young woman did the same. Several more people are rumored to have met their ends in this hall, and folks say their spirits ...
Read more » -
Des Moines International Airport
Des Moines, Iowa
45.6 miles from Orient, IA
There are two ghost stories around this airport. Some offices are haunted by a flight attendant, usually in the fall season. The offices used to be the site of a restaurant called the Cloud Room, and the flight attendant wanders there as if looking for her flight. Also, laughing and ...
Read more » -
Smelly Ghost of University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa
46 miles from Orient, IA
Locals say a cloudlike presence occurs here, and it smells of kerosene. Sometimes within the cloud is the form of a man or several tiny flickering lights. Reports tell of a man who died nearby in 1881 as a result of his kerosene-soaked clothes catching fire.
Read more » -
Air Lanes Bowling Center
Des Moines, Iowa
46.4 miles from Orient, IA
According to local legend, behind the bowling alley is an upstairs area that was used for illegal gambling in the 1920s. Reports say if you gain access to a room down the hallway, you may hear people talking, dice rolling, and you may even hear a ghostly disembodied voice calling ...
Read more » -
Drake Municipal Observatory
Des Moines, Iowa
46.4 miles from Orient, IA
Dr. Robert Morehouse was the first chairman of the Astronomy and Physics department, and he discovered a comet in the 1920s. He also haunts the observatory, according to local legend, perhaps because the remains of Dr. Morehouse and his wife are buried in the entryway wall. Students working in the ...
Read more » -
Merle Hay Mall
Des Moines, Iowa
47.3 miles from Orient, IA
The mall and its tower are rumored to be built over a monastery that was closed in the 1950s. According to the stories, some nuns became pregnant and had miscarriages, and the babies were buried in unmarked graves at this site. Reports say ghosts of both nuns and infants have ...
Read more » -
Terrace Hill
Des Moines, Iowa
47.6 miles from Orient, IA
At this 1860s historic building, home of the governor of Iowa, the ghost of a little girl has been seen. She is transparent, and some say she likes to work the elevator, even though it is only supposed to operate by the use of codes.
Read more » -
Spooky Table at the Weaver House
Des Moines, Iowa
49 miles from Orient, IA
Local legend has it that when the Weavers purchased a table in 1937, they bought a ghost along with it. The table is said to have made rapping noises and caused other disturbances until a minister's wife quieted it by reading from the Bible. A spiritualist consulted by the Weavers ...
Read more » -
Old Red Horse Armory
Des Moines, Iowa
49.1 miles from Orient, IA
This old cavalry armory is now the housing for city school buses. There have been reports that members of the National Guard, when they occupied the building, heard ghostly sounds from long ago: clopping of horses' hooves and jingling of harnesses. An apparition of an older man in cavalry garb ...
Read more » -
Davis City Cemetery
Davis City, Iowa
49.7 miles from Orient, IA
It is said that visitors to the cemetery may exoerience a sudden feeling of pressure as they enter. Shooting lights also have been reported streaming across the grounds very late at night.
Read more » -
Avon Railroad Tracks
Carlisle, Iowa
52.2 miles from Orient, IA
Reports say an apparition appears of an old man holding a lantern and walking along the tracks. Before too long, the man simply vanishes.
Read more » -
Mt Hope Cemetery
Madrid, Iowa
55.2 miles from Orient, 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 ...
Read more » -
Old Highway 83
Shelby, Iowa
59.3 miles from Orient, IA
Different witnesses have reported seeing two young girls playing in the middle of the highway late at night. They wear flowing white dresses and are bathed in a glowing light.
Read more » -
Malvern Manor
Malvern, Iowa
62.5 miles from Orient, IA
Built in the late 1800's as a hotel initially to service the railroad. Was eventually turned into a nursing home and then a group home for the mentally handicapped. It serviced everyone from those with Down's Syndrome to the more exotic of diseases like multiple personalities and schizophrenia. The building ...
Read more » -
Kate Shelly High Bridge
Boone, Iowa
63.5 miles from Orient, 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 ...
Read more » -
The Historic Klondike Hotel
Manilla, Iowa
63.7 miles from Orient, IA
The Klondike Hotel was built on the street that in 1897 was named Railroad Street. It faced to the west toward the bustling Milwaukee tracks and depot. An access road was completed shortly after the hotel was built which directly connected the Hotel with the Depot. The ...
Read more » -
The Earling Exorcism
Earling, Iowa
65.2 miles from Orient, IA
Earling is famous for a 1928 exorcism that lasted more than 3 weeks. A local Franciscan convent was the setting for the ceremony; the target was the demons inhabiting Emma Schmidt. As Roman Catholic Capuchin Theophilus Riesinger worked, Emma is said to have flown across the room and clung to ...
Read more » -
Boone County Historical Society - Masonic Temple
Boone, Iowa
65.5 miles from Orient, 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 ...
Read more » -
The Boone News-Republican
Boone, Iowa
65.7 miles from Orient, 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.
Read more » -
Stoneking Cemetery
Russell, Iowa
67.9 miles from Orient, IA
There is a lot of mystery and talk surrounding this cemetery, a family plot near what was once the abandoned house. Some say there are dangerous trees in the back of the cemetery, and those who walked behind them would catch a glimpse of the Stone King sitting on his ...
Read more » -
Farrar Schoolhouse
Maxwell, Iowa
68.3 miles from Orient, 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 ...
Read more » -
Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from The Atlantic Paranormal Society
Jason Hawes
-
Friley Hall - Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
69.1 miles from Orient, 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 ...
Read more » -
Iowa State University - Memorial Union
Ames, Iowa
69.2 miles from Orient, 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.
Read more » -
Iowa State University - C.Y. Stephens Auditorium
Ames, Iowa
69.3 miles from Orient, 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, ...
Read more » -
Fisher Theatre - Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
69.3 miles from Orient, 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.
Read more » -
Farm House Museum
Ames, Iowa
69.5 miles from Orient, IA
The spirits of two sisters are believed to reside at the museum; details of the hauntings are unknown.
Read more » -
Maple Hill Mansion
Monroe, Iowa
70.5 miles from Orient, IA
This home was picked up and moved in early 2013, to a spot some six miles away from its original location. The man who had purchased the land and house wanted to tear it down and build a new home on the spot, so a preservationist purchased the house ...
Read more » -
The Mud Man of Metz Bridge
Newton, Iowa
72.7 miles from Orient, IA
As urban legend has it, a mud monster, or Mud Man, lives under the bridge. Some say the Mud Man is a spirit lingering from a fatal car accident that once occurred in the mud near the river; the body was never found. Others assert the tale was created by ...
Read more » -
Rainbow Bridge
Lake City, Iowa
73.1 miles from Orient, 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 ...
Read more » -
Sugar Grove Cemetery - Metz Cemetery
Newton, Iowa
73.7 miles from Orient, 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.
Read more » -
General Dodge House
Council Bluffs, Iowa
74.6 miles from Orient, IA
Folks say General Dodge himself is still hanging about the grounds. If you take a guided tour through the building, you may catch a glimpse of him sitting in his rocking chair. Around the grounds, light flashes and the smell of fire have been reported. Another strange occurrence that may ...
Read more » -
Fairview Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Iowa
74.7 miles from Orient, IA
The Black Angel statue is said to follow visitors with their eyes, and may curse visitors with sickliness. Also reported here have been lights in the trees behind the older graves, and a feeling of being closely followed.
Read more » -
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Council Bluffs, Iowa
74.8 miles from Orient, IA
This museum has been completely restored and renovated, but it was once the town library. Locals say that in the basement, books would often fly off the shelves, and shadowy figures have been seen. Also, items would disappear only to turn up again later.
Read more » -
Squirrel Cage - Old Pottawattamie County Jail
Council Bluffs, Iowa
74.8 miles from Orient, IA
Built in 1885 and an innovation in jail cells for its time, this jail utilizes a "lazy susan" design, where the jail block is round and the cells form individual wedges like slices in a pie. With only one door leading in, the cells would be rotated by a ...
Read more » -
Lewis and Clark Park
Council Bluffs, Iowa
75.3 miles from Orient, IA
Unexplained feelings of sickness and disorientation have been reported by those who come to this park that honors the historic explorers.
Read more » -
St. Mary's Cemetery
Hamburg, Iowa
76.7 miles from Orient, IA
A mysterious spirit, that of a woman, has been seen kneeling at the feet of three of the cemetery's Virgin Mary statues. Also reported have been wailing sounds coming from the statues.
Read more » -
Jewell Park
Bellevue, Nebraska
77 miles from Orient, IA
Witnesses at Jewell Park have reported residual sounds from phantom rodeos, apparitions of people and objects, unexplained mist, footprints, strange noises and animal sounds.
Read more » -
High Creek Cemetery
Watson, Missouri
77.1 miles from Orient, IA
Upon finding this website, I was shocked to find this location was not listed, as it is "well known" by locals to be noted as haunted. The experience I had there happened about 10 years ago. A friend and I were hanging out one night and decided to ...
Read more » -
Hannah's Grave
Plattsmouth, Nebraska
77.2 miles from Orient, IA
According to local legend, Hannah was a 16-year-old girl in the 1800s who became pregnant. Her parents, displeased, delivered the baby at home and promptly drowned it in the Missouri River, telling Hannah the baby had been stillborn. Poor Hannah died of a broken heart shortly thereafter and was buried ...
Read more » -
John Rice Library
Bellevue, Nebraska
77.7 miles from Orient, IA
Apparitions of an old man and a young girl have been seen at the John Rice Library. The girl, about 10, has dark brown hair parted in the middle and big round glasses, and the man is seen crouching over books.
Read more » -
Children's Forest
Newton, Iowa
78.2 miles from Orient, 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 ...
Read more »
» Cemeteries near Orient, IA
» Find museums in Orient, IA