When fall arrives in Iowa, there are so many fun things to do, like carving pumpkins, making caramel apples, and, of course, Halloween. It’s that time of year when most people are ready for a good scare. While there are many haunted attractions in Iowa, complete with sound effects, actors, and good scary fun, there are also those that are genuinely haunted, with terrifying stories and ghostly encounters to go along with them. These 10 haunted places in Iowa will genuinely terrify you.

1. Villisca Ax Murder House
508 E 2nd St, Villisca, IA 50864, USA
Flickr/Jennifer Kirkland
Villisca became notorious when, In 1912, an entire family was brutally murdered by an unknown assailant in their sleep with an ax. The house is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the murdered family. The Villisca Ax Murder House is now open for tours, and brave souls can even spend the night there if they want to go ghost hunting.

Check out this paranormal investigation at the Villisca Ax Murder House:

2. The Mason House Inn
21982 Hawk Dr, Keosauqua, IA 52565, USA
Sean Flynn/Google
This historic 1846 hotel in Bentonsport is said to be haunted by several spirits. In Room 5 of The Mason House Inn there have been reports of the ghost of a young boy pulling on people’s clothes while they sleep. People have also seen his apparition on the landing. A man named Knapp was murdered in Room 7, and it’s believed that his spirit still haunts the room. People have also seen a floating, disembodied head in Room 8. On the 3rd-floor, people have reported seeing the ghost of an old woman.
3. Mathias Ham House
2241 Lincoln Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Flickr/SD Dirk
This house, built by Mathias Ham, was built in 1856 and is now a museum. It’s said that at least four members of the Ham family died in the Mathias Ham House. One of the daughters, Sarah, shot and killed an intruder one dark and lonely night. It’s said that the murdered intruder’s lamplight still wanders the house after dark. People have also reported lights turning on and off on their own, and disembodied voices and footsteps.

Learn the history of the Mathias Ham House:

4. The Cunningham House, Allamakee County
Allamakee County, IA, USA
Flickr/TumblingRun
This old house called the Cunningham house, is located in Allamakee County and is one of the most haunted places in Iowa. This house looks like a haunted house straight out of a horror movie, and one only wonders what ghostly activity goes on inside. The house is on private property, so if you’re brave enough to go and find it, you’ll have to be okay with viewing it from the road.
5. Granger House Museum
970 10th St, Marion, IA 52302, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Ian Poellet
The Granger House Museum is a beautiful, historic Victorian house, museum, and cultural center, built in the Victorian Italianate architectural style. The property consistently tops the list of Iowa haunted houses. It’s said that the house is haunted by the ghost of a woman whose white figure is seen at midnight, sitting in front of a window.

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6. Alice French House
321 E. 10th St. Davenport, Iowa
Wikipedia/Farragutful
This historic mansion in Davenport was the summer home of the writer, Alice French. Her father was the town mayor, and he originally owned the house. It is said that his spirit is often reported by visitors to the house. Some people say they’ve seen a distinguished gentleman in an old-fashioned suit in the parlor of the Alice French House, and others have seen lights mysteriously turning on and off and doors slamming on their own. It is one of the most active and most extreme haunted houses in Iowa to date.
7. Brucemore Mansion
2160 Linden Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, USA
Flickr/Richard Roche
Brucemore Mansion is a historic 21-room mansion, museum, and community cultural center. It is also believed to be one of the most sincerely haunted places in Iowa! People have reported seeing a glowing entity in the library in this beautiful Queen Anne-style mansion.
8. General Dodge House
605 S 3rd St., Council Bluffs, IA
Flickr/Jan Tik
This house in Council Bluffs was owned by General Dodge and his family. Dodge is called the "greatest railroad builder of all time," cementing his name in history! The historic General Dodge House is open for community tours, and it’s also said to be haunted by the General’s ghost, who wanders around the house or sits in his rocking chair. It’s also been reported that around dusk every day, you can hear two men arguing, and you can see mysterious flashes of light on the house lawn.
9. The Jordan House
2001 Fuller Rd., West Des Moines, IA.
Wikipedia/Goddesshanna
This historic Victorian home located in West Des Moines was a stop on the underground railroad and is now a museum. The Jordan House is also said to be haunted by the ghost of the young daughter of the original owner of the house, who has been seen and heard playing throughout the house to this day.
10. The Haunted Mansion of Jasper County
Jasper County, IA, USA
Youtube/Mindy Lu
Like the Jordan House, the Haunted Mansion of Jasper County (also known as the Maple Hill Mansion) was also a stop along the underground railroad. The house was built in 1865 during the Civil War, and at some point, it began to show strange paranormal activity. Things moving inexplicably, odd sounds in the middle of the night, and even ghostly sightings have been witnessed over decades by various individuals. Many say that the property is haunted by Regina Long, the original owner.

Get a closer look at this frightening house:

Have you ever visited any of these haunted places in Iowa? Let us know about your experiences in the comments! For more fall fun, take a road trip to get lost in these 10 awesome Corn Mazes In Iowa this fall.

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More to Explore

Haunted Houses In Iowa

Christina Arrascaeta | August 23, 2022

What are the most haunted places in Iowa?

The most haunted places in Iowa include:

  • Independence State Mental Health Institute

Due to the nature of the state's rich history, including bone-chilling events, there are many haunted places in Iowa that locals and experts insist are haunted. Places like the Independence State Mental Health Institute in the town by the same name. Built in 1873 to help with overcrowding at nearby hospitals, the facility was guilty of ill-treatment of its mental health patients. Disembodied whispers, cold spots, and feelings of being watched have been reported by those who have visited the haunted grounds. Brave guests can visit the museum inside the old institution today.

Are there any haunted hotels in Iowa?

Haunted hotels in Iowa include:

  • 1846 Mason House Inn
  • Hotel Julien

Many ghost hunters and paranormal experts enjoy staying in the most extreme haunted houses in Iowa, including haunted hotels, not hoping for a good night’s sleep! If you are on the hunt to experience something unexpected and unexplained, then haunted hotels in Iowa like the 1846 Mason House Inn in Bentonsport may be the scary pick for you. Or stay a night or two at the historic Hotel Julien in Dubuque, Iowa, for restless nights of floating figures, strange noises, and even rumors of Al Capone still wandering the halls.

Can I go ghost-hunting in Iowa?

You can go ghost-hunting in Iowa at:

  • The Edinburgh Manor

Should you wish to brave a ghost hunting experience in Iowa, you’re in luck! Try touring the haunted Edinburgh Manor for a spook-filled night of photographing orbs, spotting odd phenomena, capturing EVP recordings, and even filming down the dark hallways in one of the most haunted places in Iowa.

 

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