Iowa’s nature lovers have a habit of tracking down little-known parks and preserves that recognized for being some of the most beautiful in the country. Not all of these scenic landscapes have a peaceful aura, and sometimes it takes a little digging into the history books to find out why one spot is so eerie to explore. The story of the Gitchie Manitou murders is a true Iowa horror story, and many people make the journey each year to pay homage to lives lost in rural Iowa.

You'll find the preserve way up in Lyon County, near the border of South Dakota.
Google Local / Leslie Fenlon
For decades, Iowans visited this gorgeous park to see the historic Native American burial mounds and the ancient quartz that's been dated back 1.6 billion years.
Google Local / David Leu
In 1973, that all changed, and the Gitchie Manitou Preserve was the site of a gruesome murder.
Google Local / Bella Amelion

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On November 17, 1973, five young teenagers from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, decided to explore this natural oasis. They were relaxing down by the water, sitting around a campfire and enjoying the fresh air.
AllTrails / Patrick Boberg
Out of nowhere, three brothers stumbled upon and then attacked their entire group. Four of the teenagers were killed, and a fifth was raped, but managed to escape with her life.
AllTrails / Ben Hoese
Those killed were 17 year old Roger Essem, 18 year old Stewart Baade, 14 year old Dana Baade, and 15 year old Michael Hadrath. The crime shook the otherwise peaceful community.
The brothers kidnapped Sandra Cheskey, the youngest of the group, and imprisoned her in their home. She managed to escape and alert local authorities, who were already out searching for the murderers.
Wikimedia Commons
Due to Sandra Cheskey’s testimony, the brothers were convicted of their crimes and sentenced to serve life terms in prison. Allen Fryer was convicted of four counts of first degree murder and sentenced to four consecutive life terms in prison. Allen and his accomplice and brother James managed to escape the Lyon County Jail and fled the state. They were arrested again in Gillette, Wyoming. David Fryer and James Fryer were both found guilty of three charges of first degree murder and one charge of manslaughter. All of them were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Gitchie Manitou murders shook up the entire state, and this tragedy is a story that nobody who was around in the 1970s would ever forget.
Google Local / Tim Adams
Today, the preserve's historic buildings are crumbling, and the gorgeous wilderness is an eerie spot where many go to pay tribute to the young lives lost.

Have you been here before? Did you know the dark story behind it?

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Gitchie Manitou State Preserve, 52141, Adams Ave, Larchwood, IA 51241, USA