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0Swope Hall - Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa
15.9 miles from Varina, IA
A ghost named Mary is said to haunt this hall. Legend says her house once stood in the very spot where Swope Hall stands today. She died of lead poisoning, which caused her to become mentally unstable and leap from a 3rd-story window. Phenomema experienced here involve the opening and ...
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0Bannwell Bridge - Terror Bridge
Barnum, Iowa
30.1 miles from Varina, 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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0Rainbow Bridge
Lake City, Iowa
30.5 miles from Varina, 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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0Grotto of the Redemption
West Bend, Iowa
31.2 miles from Varina, 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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Lot Behind Nauss Oil
Emmetsburg, Iowa
33.4 miles from Varina, 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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0American Theatre
Cherokee, Iowa
33.8 miles from Varina, IA
Staff at the theatre maintain that it is haunted by previous owner Mr. Goldie. A seat has been seen rocking, slowly, all by itself, and it is said that the theatre's employees have many more stories to tell.
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Moose Pond
Spencer, Iowa
34.7 miles from Varina, IA
Locals tell a story of harrowing events that happen at 8:47 p.m. on December 23. If you visit the iced-over pond on that night, you can hear pounding on the ice and hear the screams of a young boy trapped beneath the ice. According to the story, the young boy ...
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Cherokee Mental Health Institute Cemetery
Cherokee, Iowa
35.5 miles from Varina, IA
Behind the MHI on the north side there Is a locked gate about 4 feet tall, if you follow that path down about a foot ball field distance you should cross a small bridge,and there is a small cemetery that is home to nameless graves. It is said that if you ...
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Humboldt County Historical Museum
Humboldt, Iowa
36.1 miles from Varina, 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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0Stage Coach Inn
Ida Grove, Iowa
36.2 miles from Varina, IA
The Stage Coach Inn was built in 1856 by John and Martha Moorhead; The Inn served a stage coach stop and the first court house in Ida County Iowa and was also the church, School as well as the first hospital in Ida grove were amputations sometimes accrued on the ...
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0Hawkeye Theatre
Fort Dodge, Iowa
37.7 miles from Varina, 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
37.7 miles from Varina, 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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Little Africa - Geigel Woods
Algona, Iowa
44.6 miles from Varina, 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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Gypsy Cemetery - Union Township Cemetery
Algona, Iowa
46.4 miles from Varina, 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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Plum Creek Pits
Algona, Iowa
46.9 miles from Varina, 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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Oak Hill Cemetery
Estherville, Iowa
51.2 miles from Varina, 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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Vegors Cemetery
Lehigh, Iowa
54 miles from Varina, 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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The Historic Klondike Hotel
Manilla, Iowa
55.7 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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Loon Lake Cemetery
Jackson, Minnesota
60.8 miles from Varina, IA
Loon Lake Cemetery is said to be haunted--and dangerous. According to local lore, three witches were violently executed and were buried here, but not before threatening to curse anyone who desecrated their graves. Mary Jane, beheaded in 1881, was said to be the most powerful of the witches. Legend has ...
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0Kate Shelly High Bridge
Boone, Iowa
62.9 miles from Varina, 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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Elk Grove Cemetery - Union Township Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Iowa
64.4 miles from Varina, 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.
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Boone County Historical Society - Masonic Temple
Boone, Iowa
66.3 miles from Varina, 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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The Earling Exorcism
Earling, Iowa
66.5 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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The Boone News-Republican
Boone, Iowa
67.4 miles from Varina, 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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Union Cemetery - The Devil's Chair
Guthrie Center, Iowa
70.7 miles from Varina, 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.
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Graceland Park Cemetery
Sioux City, Iowa
75.1 miles from Varina, IA
It is said that orbs of light can be seen here, but visitors trying to take pictures report that they feel a bit disoriented and find that their cameras mysteriously fail to work until they leave the area.
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Leflur / Lefler House
Sioux City, Iowa
75.7 miles from Varina, IA
Reports may differ as to spell the name of the locally famous haunted house, but its merit as a haunted site is hard to argue. Several murders have taken place on the premises. Phenomena reported include a red glow seen upstairs, a very cold attic (even in the heat of ...
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0Dimmitt Hall - Morningside College
Sioux City, Iowa
75.7 miles from Varina, IA
Residents of this dorm have reported hearing a girl choking and gagging at night. Also, an apparition of a crying woman has been seen walking down the hall. She is said to be the ghost of a girl who committed suicide by hanging herself from the heating pipes in her ...
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0KD Station
Sioux City, Iowa
76.5 miles from Varina, IA
The building started out in 1915 as a meat-packing plant, but changed hands to a packing operation. In 1949 a gas leak and resulting explosion killed several people. Later on, the spot became a shopping center, and it is here that strange happenings have been reported. Lights turn on by ...
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Friley Hall - Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
77.3 miles from Varina, 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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Farm House Museum
Ames, Iowa
77.5 miles from Varina, 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
77.5 miles from Varina, 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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Mt Hope Cemetery
Madrid, Iowa
77.9 miles from Varina, 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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Fisher Theatre - Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
77.9 miles from Varina, 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
78 miles from Varina, 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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Blackbird Hill
Varina, Nebraska
81.6 miles from Varina, IA
The burial place of Omaha Indian Chief Blackbird, said to be buried here sitting upright on his horse, is rumored to be haunted. And it's old -- folks say in 1804, famed explorers Lewis and Clark visited this gravesite, leaving behind decorations to commemorate him. But the ghost here is ...
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0Van Fossen Cemetery
Adel, Iowa
84.5 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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Old Highway 83
Shelby, Iowa
86.7 miles from Varina, 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.
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The Van Meter Creature
Van Meter, Iowa
92.1 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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0Merle Hay Mall
Des Moines, Iowa
93.8 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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Smelly Ghost of University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa
95.4 miles from Varina, 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.
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Palace Theatre
Luverne, Minnesota
95.4 miles from Varina, IA
The Palace Theater was built by Herman Jochims in 1915, and his wife Maude played piano to accompany the silent films shown there. Her ghost is said to remain here playing the pipe organ, even though it no longer works. Both Herman and Maude have been seen as apparitions, and ...
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0Drake Municipal Observatory
Des Moines, Iowa
96.1 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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Old Red Horse Armory
Des Moines, Iowa
96.1 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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0Jordan House
West Des Moines, Iowa
96.5 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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Spooky Table at the Weaver House
Des Moines, Iowa
96.6 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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0Terrace Hill
Des Moines, Iowa
98 miles from Varina, 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.
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0Air Lanes Bowling Center
Des Moines, Iowa
100.1 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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Dana College
Blair, Nebraska
100.1 miles from Varina, IA
Dana College dates back to 1884, but was recently shut down and sold in 2010 due to financial problems. Latest word has it that the college will be refurbished and reopened around 2015-2016. Back in its heyday though, there were a number of places on campus said to be haunted. ...
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0Des Moines International Airport
Des Moines, Iowa
100.8 miles from Varina, 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 ...
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