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 mine nearby, so a posse was assembled. As they approached the mine, the creature barreled out, followed by a second one. Shots fired were ineffective as the monsters flew away. Guards posted at the shaft saw the two monsters eventually plunge back into the mine, and no one ever saw them again.
If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know!
Rate this Haunted Place
What do you think? Is this place really haunted? Voice your opinion here! Click "thumbs up" if you think its haunted, or "thumbs down" if you think its all just a tall tale.
Geographic Information
- Address:
- Van Meter, Iowa
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 41.526067, -93.94958889999998
- County:
- Dallas County, Iowa
- Nearest Towns:
- Van Meter, IA (0.5 mi.)
De Soto, IA (3.1 mi.)
Waukee, IA (6.8 mi.)
Adel, IA (7.0 mi.)
Earlham, IA (9.3 mi.)
Cumming, IA (10.1 mi.)
Dallas Center, IA (11.0 mi.)
West Des Moines, IA (11.0 mi.)
Patterson, IA (12.8 mi.)
Clive, IA (12.8 mi.)
Please note: It is your responsibility to acquire appropriate permissions before investigating any location listed on this site. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. Many "ghost hunters" have been arrested because they failed to contact property owners and/or local authorities ahead of time.
Share Your Experiences
Comments (3)
Share Your Comments
Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends.
We live only 18miles from this site and we have been experiencing a lot of weird activity in our home in Saint Charles. I don’t think it is related to this site but we are looking for somebody to help us with the activity going on in our home and surrounding us and especially our youngest daughter.
Me and my team will help all me can what sort of things are happening to your family please reply to my number 5153461152
Dawn,
Was this issue ever looked into or resolved? I am part of a team that conducts investigations as well as cleansings and blessings. If it hasn’t we would be more than happy to come and look into it.
Feel free to reach out to 5158081572