Discover the 13 Most Terrifyingly Spooky Locations in Iowa

By Ethan Blake 3 min read

The 13 Most Haunted Places in Iowa

The Mystique of the Malvern Manor

Malvern Manor, located in the small town of Malvern in southwest Iowa, has a deeply eerie history. Well known for its original use as a hotel during the late 1800s, it later served as a care facility for people with mental illnesses and disorders until the 1970s. Many believe that those who passed away under the manor’s roof still roam its halls today.

Paranormal enthusiasts and investigators have reported everything from disembodied voices and phantom footsteps to physical contact from unseen entities while exploring the property. The oppressive feeling of being watched and the frequent sightings of shadow figures make this location a favorite for ghost hunters.

Nowadays, the manor is open for tours and overnight stays for those brave enough to venture within its walls. Adrenalin junkies and paranormal seekers from across the country visit this location in hopes of experiencing firsthand what others have only heard or read about.

Visiting Malvern Manor a few years ago was supposed to be a fun weekend get-together for some friends but it ended up being an unforgettable chilling experience. In one room where a woman named Gracie reportedly lived and died, they captured an EVP recording of a female voice asking for help.

Original use was as a hotel
Served as a care facility for mentally ill
Currently a popular site for ghost hunters
Phantom voices and footsteps have been recorded
Physical contact with unseen entities reported
Shadow figures frequently seen

Frightening Fort Madison

Fort Madison, located in southeast Iowa, is riddled with historical intensity and supernatural occurrences. Dating back to the early 1800s, the fort was a military post during the War of 1812. It was the site of violent conflicts between the American settlers and Native American tribes, which some believe led to its haunting.

Paranormal activities at Fort Madison include everything from ghostly apparitions of soldiers in outdated military uniforms to strange orbs seen floating throughout the site. Additionally, unexplained noises like cannon fire, shouting voices, and horse hoofbeats are among the common reports from visitors.

Today the fort is reconstructed as a popular tourist attraction open to the public for tours. Visitors interested in both history and the paranormal can walk the same paths trekked by soldiers centuries ago and maybe even encounter a few who never left.

A curious visitor toured the facility some time back. As they walked through the hallway, they saw an apparition of what appeared to be a soldier in uniform from the corner of their eye. Upon turning to face the figure, it had disappeared.

Military post during the War of 1812
Violent conflicts with Native American tribes occurred here
Apparitions of soldiers frequently reported
Strange orbs seen floating around the area
Noises like cannon fire and horse hoofbeats common
Now a public tourist attraction for historical and paranormal tours

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Summary

And this wraps up our journey through some of Iowa’s most haunted locations. Each one resonates with a chilling history and tales of paranormal experiences which continue to fascinate and terrify visitors. It’s safe to say, these places aren’t for the faint-hearted. But for those drawn to the inexplicable, they offer an intriguing insight into the past and the mysterious world of the supernatural.