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0Jordan House
West Des Moines, Iowa
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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0Smelly Ghost of University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa
3 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Drake Municipal Observatory
Des Moines, Iowa
3.4 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Merle Hay Mall
Des Moines, Iowa
4.6 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Terrace Hill
Des Moines, Iowa
5 miles from West Des Moines, 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
5.5 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Des Moines International Airport
Des Moines, Iowa
5.7 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Spooky Table at the Weaver House
Des Moines, Iowa
6 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Old Red Horse Armory
Des Moines, Iowa
6.1 miles from West Des Moines, 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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The Van Meter Creature
Van Meter, Iowa
11 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Avon Railroad Tracks
Carlisle, Iowa
12.4 miles from West Des Moines, 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.
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0Van Fossen Cemetery
Adel, Iowa
15.8 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Old Chapel - College Hall
Indianola, Iowa
17.1 miles from West Des Moines, 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 ...
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Mt Hope Cemetery
Madrid, Iowa
20.5 miles from West Des Moines, 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
25.2 miles from West Des Moines, 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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New Virginia Cemetery - Beymer Cemetery
New Virginia, Iowa
27.2 miles from West Des Moines, 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.
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The Mud Man of Metz Bridge
Newton, Iowa
31.4 miles from West Des Moines, 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 ...
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0Iowa State University - C.Y. Stephens Auditorium
Ames, Iowa
31.5 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Fisher Theatre - Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
31.5 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Friley Hall - Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
31.6 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Iowa State University - Memorial Union
Ames, Iowa
31.6 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Farm House Museum
Ames, Iowa
31.9 miles from West Des Moines, IA
The spirits of two sisters are believed to reside at the museum; details of the hauntings are unknown.
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Sugar Grove Cemetery - Metz Cemetery
Newton, Iowa
32.1 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Maple Hill Mansion
Monroe, Iowa
32.3 miles from West Des Moines, 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 ...
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The Boone News-Republican
Boone, Iowa
34 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Boone County Historical Society - Masonic Temple
Boone, Iowa
34.5 miles from West Des Moines, 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
35.6 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Children's Forest
Newton, Iowa
36.7 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Capitol II Theatre
Newton, Iowa
36.8 miles from West Des Moines, 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
36.9 miles from West Des Moines, 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
37.2 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Newton Community Theatre
Newton, Iowa
37.7 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Union Cemetery - The Devil's Chair
Guthrie Center, Iowa
39.2 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Penguin Lady of Graham Hall
Pella, Iowa
44.4 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Stoneking Cemetery
Russell, Iowa
46.3 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Elk Grove Cemetery - Union Township Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Iowa
49.9 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Vegors Cemetery
Lehigh, Iowa
52.5 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Bucksbaum Center - Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa
54.2 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A haunted wheelchair is said to reside on the stage in the performing arts building. Sometimes it has been known to roll out onto the stage during rehearsals or performances. Legend has it that it is the spirit of a former theater director paying a friendly visit.
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Riverside Cemetery
Marshalltown, Iowa
54.4 miles from West Des Moines, 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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J L Reece Memorial Park
New Providence, Iowa
55.2 miles from West Des Moines, 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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The Ghost Hunter's Survival Guide: Protection Techniques for Encounters With The Paranormal
Michelle Belanger
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Terre Haute Cemetery
Decatur City, Iowa
61.8 miles from West Des Moines, 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.
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Meskwaki Bingo Casino and Hotel
Tama, Iowa
62.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA
Screams and arguing voices have been heard when no one is around. (Submitted by Callum Swift)
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Davis City Cemetery
Davis City, Iowa
64.4 miles from West Des Moines, 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.
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Tedrow Cemetery
Kellerton, Iowa
65.3 miles from West Des Moines, 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.
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0Hawkeye Theatre
Fort Dodge, Iowa
68.7 miles from West Des Moines, 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
68.7 miles from West Des Moines, 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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0Rainbow Bridge
Lake City, Iowa
69 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Thompson Hall Dormitory
Iowa Falls, Iowa
70.4 miles from West Des Moines, 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
71 miles from West Des Moines, 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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Bannwell Bridge - Terror Bridge
Barnum, Iowa
71.4 miles from West Des Moines, 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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