Discover Iowa’s Forgotten History With These 3 Haunted Places

Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night thinking you’ve heard something? Or maybe you’ve seen something move out of the corner of your eye, just to find it vanish when you’ve looked closer? Either way, everyone has strange little experiences every now and then, and this can lead to great stories. I love visiting different states and learning what the local ghost stories are, finding out the ominous histories of a community. For those living in or visiting Iowa, here’s a list of three of my favorite haunted places in the state.

1. Squirrel Cage Jail - Council Bluffs

Built in 1885, this three-story, revolving jailhouse is one of the last of its kind. An experiment in jail design, the revolving cellblock allowed jailers to interact with fewer inmates at a time. The cells were cut into pie-shaped slices and put on a large lazy susan, which would spin when the jailer wanted it to. These types of cells never really caught on, and only three are left in the country. None, however, operate as actual jails. 

This particular jail is said to be haunted by a number of its notorious inmates. One of the most infamous was the mass murderer Jake Bird. Legend says that during his trial, he cursed all those involved in his punishment, saying that they would all die before him, and many of them did. Other inmates who have also died mysteriously in the jail are said to haunt it. Odd shadows, yelling, and footsteps have all been heard within its walls.

2. Villisca Axe Murder House - Villisca

The Villisca Axe Murder House was home to one of the most brutal crimes of the early 20th century. Eight people were murdered with an axe in 1912, and although an intense investigation was undertaken to discover the perpetrators of this atrocity, no culprit was ever found. 

Following this disaster, there were many tenants who lived in the house, but only for short periods of time—sometimes only a few weeks. Stories about flashing lights, memory loss, and odd sounds have all been reported in the house’s history. In the mid-1990s, it was purchased by amateur historians who renovated the house back to its former glory. It now operates as a museum and hotel, with many of its visitors citing odd events occurring during their stays, with some finding themselves in rooms that they don’t remember entering. It may be one of the most haunted places in Iowa.

3. Mason House Inn - Keosauqua

Tucked in among the impossibly quaint Villages of Van Buren, you'll find the Mason House Inn. This historic hotel was built in 1846, and originally served as a rest stop for steamboat passengers coming down the Des Moines River to visit Keosauqua. It has worn many hats since then, including those of a hospital and even a stop along the Underground Railroad. 

The inn’s ghost stories stem from the multiple deaths that have occurred within its walls. Perhaps the most recognized is that of Mary Mason Clark, who died of a heart attack in 1911. An accomplished seamstress, she can often be heard working hard in her sewing room. She has even been seen swaying in her doorway in a stark, white dress. 

Multiple children have also been heard galloping through the halls late at night, though no children are in the building. They’ve been reported to be little pranksters, pulling hair, moving objects, and knocking on doors to annoy the guests. 

Have you experienced any of these haunted places or any other haunted Iowa spots? If you’ve got other ghostly areas that you want us to look into, please share them through our nomination page.

If you're feeling inspired to create your own spooky experience, plan a trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.