Haunted Places in Salem, Iowa



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    Birthday Bridge - Giblin Bridge

    Mount Pleasant, Iowa

    6.2 miles from Salem, IA

    This spot, near where Kentucky Avenue and US 218 meet, is said to be haunted by a local girl who hanged herself from the bridge after having an affair with a married doctor. The day she died was also her birthday. Legend has it that her ghost can be seen ...


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    Mason House Inn and Caboose Cottage

    Keosauqua, Iowa

    15 miles from Salem, IA

    This historic 1846 hotel was also a stop on the Underground Railroad, and several spirits are living here. In Room 5, the ghost of a young boy pulls on people's clothing at night. His apparition has been seen on the landing. In Room 7, a man named Knapp was murdered, ...


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    Mason House Inn and Caboose Cottage

    Keosauqua, Iowa

    15 miles from Salem, IA

    This historic 1846 hotel was also a stop on the Underground Railroad, and several spirits are living here. In Room 5, the ghost of a young boy pulls on people's clothing at night. His apparition has been seen on the landing. In Room 7, a man named Knapp was murdered, ...


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    Top of the Rock Grille

    Fairfield, Iowa

    20.9 miles from Salem, IA

    The origin of the hauntings at this restaurant is uncertain. What IS certain, is that it's haunted. Witnesses have seen objects moving by themselves in the kitchen and heard whispering and voices in the bathrooms. They have also heard the sound of people walking on the upper floors when no ...


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    Burlington National Guard Armory

    Burlington, Iowa

    26.8 miles from Salem, IA

    Horses' hooves and footsteps can be heard late at night, doors open and close by themselves, and one witness reported seeing a reflection of a man with a handlebar mustache in a computer screen, but when he turned around, no one was there.


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    Highway 34 Ghost

    Burlington, Iowa

    27.1 miles from Salem, IA

    The ghost who walks along the highway at night is said to be an escaped slave who died in the 1860s of diptheria and was buried in the basement of a nearby home. He carries a leather bag and walks westward on the north side of the road between 1 ...


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    The Drake Bar and Restaurant

    Burlington, Iowa

    27.3 miles from Salem, IA

    This upscale restaurant is housed in a historic building, and staff and diners report that the women's restroom is haunted by a lady in an old-fashioned dress, who has been known to walk through the walls. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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    Stony Hollow Road

    Burlington, Iowa

    29.4 miles from Salem, IA

    Spooky tales told here revolve around a ghost named Lucinda. She is said to have committed suicide by jumping off a cliff when her beloved failed to meet her to run away together. There are many reports of people seeing the ghost. Local urban legend also says that if you ...


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    Hotel Wapello

    Wapello, Iowa

    32 miles from Salem, IA

    The old-fashioned hotel, furnished with original antiques, used to be a schoolhouse and a law office. In 1906 the place became the Commercial Hotel, which became the premier place to stay in town after their main rival burnt to the ground. Now a bed and breakfast inn, the place ...


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    220 North 4th - Keokuk

    Keokuk, Iowa

    33.9 miles from Salem, IA

    Built by businessman Enos H. Harrison in 1857, this house is reported to be the home of a friendly ghost, according to many witnesses who have seen and heard the spirit.


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    Hotel Iowa

    Keokuk, Iowa

    34 miles from Salem, IA

    This historic hotel was built in the early twentieth century for workers constructing a nearby lock for the town dam. And according to some reports by guests, they may have never left. Ghostly music, disembodied footsteps, screams and a male apparition in workman clothes have all been reported by staff. ...


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    Mars Hill Church

    Bloomfield, Iowa

    38.7 miles from Salem, IA

    This old log cabin church is actually a restoration using salvaged timber from vintage barns. The church had been in existence from 1856 til 2006 when some dirtbag arsonist decided to burn the place to the ground. Rumors of it being haunted however have become something of local ...


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    Hotel Ottumwa

    Ottumwa, Iowa

    42.9 miles from Salem, IA

    An apparition of a lady in white haunts the hotel basement, which formerly served as a ballroom. The ghost of a man in a suit haunts the hallways of the hotel. Strange noises and voices have been heard. The face of a man has also been seen in the hotel ...


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    Ottumwa Cemetery

    Ottumwa, Iowa

    42.9 miles from Salem, IA

    Night visitors to the cemetery have seen shadowed figures sitting on tombstones or running behind trees, and heard whispering and footsteps in the grass. There has also been reported a white cat who will run in circles around your feet, and then vanish.


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    Riverside Cemetery

    Riverside, Iowa

    43.9 miles from Salem, IA

    It is said that many pairs of glowing eyes, belonging to the many graveyard spirits, can be seen by those who drive past.


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    Clubb House Restaurant

    Sigourney, Iowa

    45 miles from Salem, IA

    Lots of orbs and ghosts, pans falling off shelves! Customers feeling people touching them. (Submitted by Debbie and Justin)


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    Vishnu Springs

    Colchester, Illinois

    47.9 miles from Salem, IA

    Back in the 1880s, the strange-tasting water at Vishnu Springs, named after a Hindu god, was thought to have healing properties. Holiness Camp Meetings of folks who wanted to partake of the magical waters drew 3,000 people to the area, and a town was formed. Witnesses say the area is ...


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    Greenwood Cemetery

    Muscatine, Iowa

    48.6 miles from Salem, IA

    The Blue Angel is a statue with a legend. Reports say that back in the 1950s, she was thought of as the benevolent spirit of the cemetery, protecting it from vandals. Sometime since then, tales about her have become more sinister. She is said to have once held a rose; ...


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    Mercer County Courthouse

    Aledo, Illinois

    51.4 miles from Salem, IA

    The courthouse building dates back to the 1890's, and in the 1930's a skeleton was removed from the basement when the interior was remodelled. Ever since, staff have reported hearing footsteps after the courthouse has been locked up for the night, and a woman leaving the building in the ...


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    Hotel Baring

    Edina, Missouri

    52.1 miles from Salem, IA

    This historic hotel is believed to be haunted, and was formerly a railroad stopover during the early twentieth century era. The building is believed to be haunted by several apparitions, who are believed to be associated the building as it changed hands and uses over the many years of its ...


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    Watt's Antiques and Collectables

    Iowa City, Iowa

    55.7 miles from Salem, IA

    This address, at the corner of Muscatine Ave. and Dearborn Rd., is now an antique store that is rumored rumored to be haunted. People are said to have heard footsteps, voices, seen apparitions, and felt patches of paranormal feelings (ex. cold spots, uncomfortable feelings...) A great place to visit for ...


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    Slater Hall - University of Iowa

    University Heights, Iowa

    55.8 miles from Salem, IA

    It is reported that on the ninth floor a student once jumped to his death. Students say his ghost roams the halls carrying an ax, and footsteps and screams may be heard at night.


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    Western Illinois University

    Macomb, Illinois

    56.1 miles from Salem, IA

    Lingering spirits are many at this university! Bayliss Hall, room 1117, is haunted by a former occupant who delivered a baby in secret, threw it down the trash chute, then hung herself in the closet. Cries and moans can be heard in her room. In room 501, a severely depressed ...


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    Super 8 Macomb

    Macomb, Illinois

    56.1 miles from Salem, IA

    This Super 8 has been the site of numerous strange happenings. Witnesses say the lights and air conditioning will turn on and off by themselves, doors will open on their own, and mysterious whistling can be heard. Clerks have experienced electrical malfunctions with the phone, such as all the lines ...


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    Currier Hall - University of Iowa

    Iowa City, Iowa

    56.4 miles from Salem, IA

    Students like to tell of a triple suicide that occurred on the 4th floor. The reason? Three roommates fell in love with the same man. It is said that if roommates get into arguments, their ghosts will step in to restore harmony. Rumor also has it that the ghost of ...


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    Black Angel - Oakland Cemetery

    Iowa City, Iowa

    56.7 miles from Salem, IA

    Strange phenomona occur here, seemingly revolving around two statues: the Black Angel and a young girl set on a pedestal. Folks have reported seeing strange lights and the Angel walking about as a glowing shape. It is said that the little girl statue will pick out one member of a ...


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    Machinist's Hall

    Conroy, Iowa

    63.6 miles from Salem, IA

    This meetinghouse was once a school, and it is said to be haunted by flickering lights in the night. Voices have been heard behind the building, as well. Note: Some Internet sites mistakenly call it "Mechanists Hall."


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    Greencastle Cemetery

    North Liberty, Iowa

    63.6 miles from Salem, IA

    Something eerie may be going on in this old cemetery. Even though no one has been buried here for a long time, reports say the earth looks freshly dug up. Tombstones are said to move about, and some have seen a teenage witch dressed in black with long, dark hair. ...


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    Friendly Cafe

    Abingdon, Illinois

    63.9 miles from Salem, IA

    The café is rumoured to be haunted. Employees have been touched by unseen hands, and a woman in a long dress appeared to a former owner in the main kitchen. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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    Mary Wright - Granny Sprague Cemetery

    Homestead, Iowa

    64.7 miles from Salem, IA

    The ghost of Mary Wright, a child of 6 who died in 1854, appears as a pale blue light over her grave, some say. She is said to appear during the final minute of each year.


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    Indian Dam - Indian Fish Trap State Preserve

    Homestead, Iowa

    65.2 miles from Salem, IA

    The restless spirits of the Sauk Nation people who build the dam are said to haunt this area during full moons. The sounds of chanting and drums have been heard.


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    Centerville Railroad Tracks

    Centerville, Iowa

    65.7 miles from Salem, IA

    Local legend sayd that if you park your car on these railroad tracks and shut it off, an unseen force will push you off the tracks. Reports say you can hear footsteps in the gravel while the spirits of children are pushing your car.


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    Scott City Hall

    Davenport, Iowa

    71.4 miles from Salem, IA

    An imposing building with a bell tower just begs to have a good ghost story associated with it, and this city hall building is no exception. People claim to see the ghost of a hanged man in the tower at night, allegedly from prisoners who were illegally hanged there. ...


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    Hotel Blackhawk

    Davenport, Iowa

    71.5 miles from Salem, IA

    This place has undergone extensive renovation since almost burning down in a fire started by a meth lab operating out of the eighth floor in 2006. Could meth fumes, seeping through the walls account for the reports of ghosts? Cary Grant suffered his fatal stroke on the eighth floor ...


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    Phi Kappa Chi

    Davenport, Iowa

    71.6 miles from Salem, IA

    This fraternity house has a haunt of its own, the apparition of a large man who enters at the front door and walks up the stairs to the front bedroom. He wears an overcoat with the collar turned up. Student lore says that the apparition belongs to a homeless man ...


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    Masonic Temple

    Davenport, Iowa

    71.6 miles from Salem, IA

    A wide assortment of haunted activity is claimed to occur at this former masonic temple. These phenomena include disembodied voices carrying on a conversation, noises without a recognizable source such as footsteps when there is no one seen, names being called when there is no one present, etc. Objects ...


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    Palmer College of Chiropractic

    Davenport, Iowa

    71.7 miles from Salem, IA

    There is a lecture hall, built in the 1800s, that is said to be haunted by ghosts who fly around the ceiling, making the hanging lamps sway. It is said that there are no air vents, fans, or windows of any sort placed in such a way that would cause ...


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    Ambrose Hall

    Davenport, Iowa

    71.9 miles from Salem, IA

    At this hall in St. Ambrose University, witnesses have reported hearing strange noises and footsteps late at night. They have also seen flickering lights. Some attribute the occurrences to the spirit of an old priest who died many years ago.


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    Alice French House

    Davenport, Iowa

    71.9 miles from Salem, IA

    This historic mansion was the residence of the notable writer, who spent her years throughout here during the warmer months. Her father, the town mayor, originally owned the house, and it may be his spirit that is often reported here by visitors. Witnesses claim to have seen a distinguished ...


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    Central Avenue Ghost

    Bettendorf, Iowa

    74.8 miles from Salem, IA

    The spirit of a middle-aged washerwoman haunts the area with her wooden washtub. She has been reported since the late 1800s, but some say she upgraded her equipment and sometimes appears with a double-wringer washing machine.


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    Penguin Lady of Graham Hall

    Pella, Iowa

    77.5 miles from Salem, IA

    At Central College in Graham Hall, there is a locked room rumored to be inhabited by someone they've nicknamed the Penguin Lady. Residents there say if you place a sheet of paper under the door, it will be quickly sucked into the locked room. When the staff unlock the door, ...


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    Oak Hill Cemetery

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    77.6 miles from Salem, IA

    The ghost of a little Czech girl named Tillie is said to linger in this cemetery, haunting through the night carrying a lit candle. It is said she may try to pull visitors into a mausoleum.


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    The Trunkless Tree - Campbell Cemetery

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    77.7 miles from Salem, IA

    Is it an optical illusion or a spirited trick? Locals say that if you visit this cemetery at night and turn off your headlights, you will see a tree that looks as if it has no trunk. It appears to float in the air. Reports say there used to be ...


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    Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    77.8 miles from Salem, IA

    The building was the town library until 1985. According to stories told by locals, one day in the 1960s a regular patron named Hazel visited the library. She was seen walking through the rooms by patrons and employees alike. However, it was soon realized that Hazel had passed away in ...


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    Coe College

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    78.4 miles from Salem, IA

    The resident ghost here is Helen, a student who died of influenza in 1918. A grandfather clock located here is said to have been donated by her parents; it used to be in her dorm. Some say the clock is where her spirit lives, but she may come out at ...


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    Julia Markham - Death Curve

    Cambridge, Illinois

    78.5 miles from Salem, IA

    Locals say that a woman wearing a white flowing gown glides across the field on quiet nights. It is said she is the spirit of Julia Markham, who in 1905 killed her 7 children with an ax and then set her house on fire, killing herself.


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    Brucemore

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    78.7 miles from Salem, IA

    The library is allegedly haunted by a poltergeist-type entity who moves objects, laughs and makes other noises. Some people claim to see a glowing "presence" in the library as well.


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    Stello Performance Hall - Mount Mercy

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    79.5 miles from Salem, IA

    Reports say that a nun once hanged herself from the choir loft balcony, and she now wanders the halls. Especially haunted is said to be Warde Hall.


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    Stoneking Cemetery

    Russell, Iowa

    79.9 miles from Salem, 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 ...


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    Lula Belle's

    Hannibal, Missouri

    80.1 miles from Salem, IA

    This one-time bordello opened in 1917, and is now a bed-and-breakfast and restaurant. The haunts here are known to move or throw things in the kitchen, or twist utensils into pretzels. They show themselves as orbs, shadows or mirror reflections, and can be heard as footsteps or disembodied voices. A ...


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