The Deadly History Of This Iowa Town Is Terrifying But True

Villisca, Iowa is widely known – and mostly known – for the deadly ax murders that happened in this sleepy community more than 100 years ago.

Oddly, the famous ax murders are the first thing the Wikipedia page for the City of Villisca says about the town, right after describing the location and listing the population. In 1912, a grisly massacre took place in a house in Villisca when someone murdered eight people in their sleep – with an ax.

Wikimedia Commons/Vac4rcm2

This sleepy little bedroom community about 100 southwest of Des Moines has a population of approximately 1,250. Further, Villisca isn't so tiny that it's not on the map. There are churches, cafes, banks -- and many people.

Flickr/Jo Naylor

Residents who, no matter where they travel in Iowa, probably always cringe when they're asked where they're from because they know the first thing they'll hear after they say "Villisca."

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Flickr/Jo Naylor

But it's absolutely unavoidable.

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Flickr/Little Black Star

Even before a local couple purchased the rundown house where an entire family and two guests were axed to death in the middle of the night, the murders were legendary to the people of Iowa. After the purchase, the couple restored the dilapidated dwelling and opened it for public tours.

Flickr/Little Black Star

Now the paranormal community and ghost hunters from all over regularly visit "The Ax Murder House" in Villisca, hoping to get a sixth sense from the place.

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Facebook/Villisca Ax Murder House (official)

Facebook/Villisca Ax Murder House (official)

They learn the names of the eight people who were brutally murdered here: Josiah B. Moore, 43; his wife, Sarah Montgomery Moore, 39; their four children, Herman, 11, Katherine, 10, Boyd, 7, and Paul, 5; and the family’s overnight guests, Lena and Ina Stillinger, ages 12 and 7.

Flickr/Jennifer Kirkland

They step into the very rooms where the victims were savagely axed to death.

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Flickr/Will Murphy

They're encouraged to look for ghosts or impressions that remain of the departed.

Facebook/Villisca Ax Murder House (official)

And maybe, just maybe a few of them say a little prayer for the souls whose lives were viciously taken on that night back in 1912. The Ax Murder House in Villisca, Iowa may be a little on the dark side, but it certainly is an amazing piece of history that anyone can visit.

Additionally, it’s widely known as one of the most haunted houses in America. To this day, the eight murders committed here have never been solved.

You can tour the Villisca Ax Murder House and even spend the night in this haunted place — if you dare. It’s located at 508 E 2nd St., Villisca, Iowa. More information can be found here.

Have you visited this piece of history? And did you see or feel anything strange while you were there? We’d love to know about your experience in our comments.

For more creepy places to visit in Iowa, check out this abandoned and haunted Iowa asylum.