Haunted Places in Charles City, Iowa



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    Children of Iron Hill

    Charles City, Iowa

    According to local lore, in the 1920s there was a fiery train crash that killed many passengers. One car was full of orphan children who perished in the fires. It is said that the ghost children can still be heard crying, and sometimes the smell of burning is detected. Some ...


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    Riverside Cemetery

    Charles City, Iowa

    Visitors here have reported dark figures and a feeling of being watched. The ghost of a Native American is said to have been seen -- perhaps it is he who keeps an eye on the place.


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    Satan's Hollow Bridge

    Shell Rock, Iowa

    26.9 miles from Charles City, IA

    According to reports, those who go underneath the bridge may see tall white figures and hear strange sounds. The figures and a feeling of general unease are said to follow you the further you go.


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    Camp Ingawanis

    Waverly, Iowa

    29.1 miles from Charles City, IA

    It is said that a 12-year-old boy died here when he jumped from a swing and hit his head on a rock. Folks in the area have noted a moving swing when there is no breeze, and some have heard the boy's giggle.


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    Buddy Holly Memorial

    Clear Lake, Iowa

    37.3 miles from Charles City, IA

    Buddy Holly may be alive beyond the grave. According to reports, some have seen a phantom plane crashing that matches the one involved in the 1959 tragedy. Also, 3 orbs have been caught on tape in the spot where Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens died.


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    Lawther Hall - University of Northern Iowa

    Cedar Falls, Iowa

    39.5 miles from Charles City, IA

    According to some reports, a soldier named Augie is said to haunt the building. It is said that he passed away there when the hall was used as the infirmary. Students have reported cold spots, strange sounds, and moving objects. Other reports say that the place was never an infirmary ...


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    Bartlett Hall - University of Northern Iowa

    Cedar Falls, Iowa

    39.5 miles from Charles City, IA

    Students tell of a Halloween haunted house that was to be set up in the hall, but the resident spirits must have liked the idea and were willing to lend a ghostly hand. During the setup, so many eerie things happened, flickering lights, slamming doors, temperature changes, that the students ...


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    Strayer-Wood Theatre

    Cedar Falls, Iowa

    39.6 miles from Charles City, IA

    Zelda is the nickname students have for a ghost who plays the piano, makes strange noises, or causes some of the equipment to work by itself.


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    Conover Road Ghost Family

    Ridgeway, Iowa

    40.2 miles from Charles City, IA

    Acoording to local lore, a family of four once died near a group of evergreen trees along the road. Their four shadowy apparitions have been seen near the place.


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    West Union Hardee's

    West Union, Iowa

    44 miles from Charles City, IA

    Reports say that highways were built over the old cemetery, which lies about where the Hardee's stands. Employees have heard their names being called when they were alone, have felt cold spots, and have had things misplaced. Some accounts tell of a Ouija board incident in which a spirit inhabited ...


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    Walmart - Flammang Drive

    Waterloo, Iowa

    45.4 miles from Charles City, IA

    Even Wal-Mart is not immune to spirits. Employees say Jeremiah, a 12-year-old boy, haunts the store by playing pranks, moving merchandise and tugging on the employees' smocks. He also taps them on the shoulder at times. Those who have seen him say he is pale, thin, and wears black pants ...


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    Hazel Green Cemetery

    Ackley, Iowa

    45.9 miles from Charles City, IA

    The gazebo in this old cemetery seems to be the central spot for the spiritual activity. In it, visitors have reported seeing an elderly woman's ghost sitting in a rocking chair, holding a baby. It is said that those who see her feel sadness, rather than fear. Reports say that ...


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    Larsen Hall - Luther College

    Decorah, Iowa

    46.8 miles from Charles City, IA

    The third floor is said to be haunted by Gertrude, a ghost who likes to pull fire alarms and hide students' belongings, or replace students' clothing with old-fashioned versions. She is reported to be the spirit of a prospective student of the college who was killed by a car while ...


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    Regents Center - Luther College

    Decorah, Iowa

    46.8 miles from Charles City, IA

    Students tell the story of an unfortunate janitor at this sports facility who committed suicide in the 1990s. Staff members have reported seeing his ghost.


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    Porter House Museum

    Decorah, Iowa

    47.3 miles from Charles City, IA

    Actual details of this haunting are vague and hard to come by. Most accounts simply refer to "playful spirits" who inhabit this estate, without any specifics on the actual details. If you've encountered any ghostly activity while visiting the museum, drop us a line and share some details!


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    Thompson Hall Dormitory

    Iowa Falls, Iowa

    47.9 miles from Charles City, IA

    The dorm at Ellsworth Community College and Union Cemetery across the street are both said to be haunted. The spirit of town benefactor Mr. Ellsworth himself has been seen, and footsteps and voices have been heard in the dorm's basement.


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    Mrs B's Bed and Breakfast Inn

    Lanesboro, Minnesota

    57.1 miles from Charles City, IA

    It just wouldn't be a haunted inn without a famous ghost, and this delightful historic bed and breakfast is allegedly haunted by Buffalo Bill, where he stayed the night on several occasions. In Room #001 (River Song Room), a curious apparition has been reported. Guests have reported seeing a shadowy ...


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    Buchanan County Court House

    Independence, Iowa

    57.2 miles from Charles City, IA

    It is said that in the late 1800s or early 1900s a man was hung here, but something went awry with the process and he died a slow, painful death. His ghost is said to haunt the place at night; it has been seen hanging from a rope.


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    J L Reece Memorial Park

    New Providence, Iowa

    61.8 miles from Charles City, IA

    According to reports, a young woman committed suicide in the cornfield at this site. Witnesses have seen her appear in the field and have heard her screaming.


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    Franklin Hotel

    Strawberry Point, Iowa

    63.4 miles from Charles City, IA

    This 1900’s hotel is believed to be haunted by two ghosts, including that of a woman named Lily and of a former merchant. Singing voice, and the apparition of a woman in a ballroom outfit (most likely Lily) have been seen on various floors of the hotel. Objects move around ...


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    Lover's Leap

    Elkader, Iowa

    65.5 miles from Charles City, IA

    Local legend says that in the early 1830s, a young man named Lou Millville became friendly with the Native Americans who lived nearby, especially the chief's daughter White Cloud. One day, Lou followed two braves into the woods to learn the whereabouts of some nearby lead mines. He was discovered, ...


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    The Kahler Hotel

    Rochester, Minnesota

    66.9 miles from Charles City, IA

    The ghosts of former Mayo Clinic patients are said to haunt the hotel, causing eerie sounds and smells and quick temperature changes.


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    Mossy Glen Hollow

    Strawberry Point, Iowa

    67.3 miles from Charles City, IA

    Pearl Shine, a woman who in 1936 conspired with her hired hand to kill her husband, is said to haunt this peaceful area. Pearl was caught, tried, and convicted, and she died in prison. Other ghosts here include a man who committed suicide by walking into the muddy bog, and ...


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    Quarry Hill Nature Center

    Rochester, Minnesota

    67.7 miles from Charles City, IA

    The wooden "dead man's bridge" is, according to local legend, where a man hanged himself in the 1960s. Other eerie things on the premises are a small cemetery and several caves that are rumored to be haunted.


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    Mantorville Opera House

    Kasson, Minnesota

    69.2 miles from Charles City, IA

    Built in 1918, the Mantorville Opera House building has been a club, a speakeasy, a silent movie house, a skating rink, a city hall and a civic center. It is believed to be haunted by several spirits, including former actors and entertainers and a woman who the staff nicknamed Ellen. ...


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    Stagecoach Inn Museum

    Manchester, Iowa

    69.7 miles from Charles City, IA

    The Stagecoach House, formerly an inn and a museum, is now a private residence, so please respect the owners' privacy. The building is said to be haunted by the Baker family, who used to own and run the museum and are buried in a nearby graveyard.


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    Riverside Cemetery

    Marshalltown, Iowa

    70.8 miles from Charles City, IA

    It is said that in the older part of the cemetery there was a chair that looked as if it had been made of wood, although it was concrete. Urban legend said that those who sat in the chair would die within a year. There are contradicting reports as to ...


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    Evergreen Cemetery

    Vinton, Iowa

    70.9 miles from Charles City, IA

    This cemetery is home to a ghostly woman on horseback who wears a white dress and rides up and down the train tracks. There are also reports of strange phenomena surrounding a statue and apparitions of military men who wander in the portion of the cemetery for unknown soldiers.


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    Pettlon Family House

    Manchester, Iowa

    73.9 miles from Charles City, IA

    This home was built by the Pettlon family back in 1913, and has been in the family all that time. It is now for sale as of 2014. A member of the Pettlon family has shared with us her paranormal experiences there: "Visiting my Grandmother in the family home ...


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    Meskwaki Bingo Casino and Hotel

    Tama, Iowa

    74 miles from Charles City, IA

    Screams and arguing voices have been heard when no one is around. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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    Effigy Mounds

    Harpers Ferry, Iowa

    75.2 miles from Charles City, IA

    The historic Indian Mounds are said to be haunted by the spirits of the Native Americans. Residents who live nearby have reported ghostly moans on the wind at night.


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    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

    Owatonna, Minnesota

    75.6 miles from Charles City, IA

    The bar called It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere is said to be haunted. Reports say the apparition of a man in old-fashioned duds and a puddle of blood appear out of nowhere. The bar was a funeral home and a used furniture store in past incarnations.


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    West Hills

    Owatonna, Minnesota

    76.2 miles from Charles City, IA

    Ghosts of orphaned children are rumored to linger in this former orphanage, laughing audibly. Witnesses also have seen the floor move and warp and smelled phantom cigar smoke. Books also have moved, temperature has been known to change drastically, and phone calls have been made to the police department from ...


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    Shellsburg Cemetery

    Shellsburg, Iowa

    77.8 miles from Charles City, IA

    In the cemetery stands a statue of an angel, which marks the grave of two children who died in the 1940s. Locals say the angel statue will cry real tears at night.


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    Pleasant Ridge Cemetery

    Palo, Iowa

    78 miles from Charles City, IA

    Locals will point out that there are 13 stairs that lead up a hill into this cemetery. Unexplained voices have been captured on tape here, and visitors have seen apparitions and felt the touch of something unseen.


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    Parkers Grove Cemetery

    Shellsburg, Iowa

    80.1 miles from Charles City, IA

    According to reports, one gravestone boasts a carving of a face. The stone face is said to cry tears at night.


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    Big River Inn

    Genoa, Wisconsin

    80.8 miles from Charles City, IA

    This 1879 inn has a haunted restaurant. The ghost is said to be a former employee named Kenny who makes himself known by hiding things in the kitchen and turning on the TV.


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    Vegors Cemetery

    Lehigh, Iowa

    82.7 miles from Charles City, IA

    The cemetery is said to be haunted by the spirits of restless Native Americans and Mrs. Henry Lott, the wife of a man who was known to cheat the Native Americans and steal their horses. She was killed while trying to escape from angry Native Americans seeking revenge, although her ...


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    St. Mary's College - Heffron Hall

    Winona, Minnesota

    83.5 miles from Charles City, IA

    Heffron Hall at St. Mary's College is known to have a ghost, that of Father Louis Lesches, who murdered Bishop Patrick Heffron in 1915, and who may have been involved in the suspicious burning death of Rev. Edward Lynch in 1931. Witnesses have seen apparitions, experienced cold spots, and had ...


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    362 Cummings Street

    Winona, Minnesota

    84.7 miles from Charles City, IA

    The house at 362 Cummings Street is rumored to be haunted. Some of the things witnesses have experienced here include shadowy figures, moving objects, locked doors opening on their own, crashing sounds, and banging from the basement.


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    Winona State University

    Winona, Minnesota

    85.2 miles from Charles City, IA

    At Winona State College, two halls are rumored to be haunted. On Lourdes Hall's 3rd floor, posters and pictures have been moved or taken off the wall, doors close and lock on their own, and voices can be heard when no one is there. On the 4th floor, which was ...


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    Pieces of the Past

    Winona, Minnesota

    85.7 miles from Charles City, IA

    Pieces of the Past is an antique store housed in an 1850s building that's the setting for many a local legend. It has housed many businesses, including a law office and a brothel (and at the same time). At the brothel, so the stories say, one of the women was ...


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    Farm House Museum

    Ames, Iowa

    87.2 miles from Charles City, IA

    The spirits of two sisters are believed to reside at the museum; details of the hauntings are unknown.


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    Fisher Theatre - Iowa State University

    Ames, Iowa

    87.3 miles from Charles City, IA

    Named for contributor J.W. Fisher, the 1974 theater is rumored to be haunted by Frederica Shattuck, another university theater department contributor. So the story goes, the ghost took up residence in the Fisher Theatre after her Shattuck Theater was demolished.


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    Iowa State University - C.Y. Stephens Auditorium

    Ames, Iowa

    87.4 miles from Charles City, IA

    A friendly ghost, C.Y. Stephens himself, in fact, is known to haunt this auditorium. He has been seen in the basement tunnels or sitting in the back right corner of the 3rd balcony. He also makes himself known by cold spots and the sound of footsteps. When performers see him, ...


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    Iowa State University - Memorial Union

    Ames, Iowa

    87.4 miles from Charles City, IA

    The hall is a tribute to graduate soldiers who died at war. According to reports, a strange low moan can be heard constantly here. Some say is it the voice of the only woman who ever graduated from the school who died in World War I.


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    Friley Hall - Iowa State University

    Ames, Iowa

    87.6 miles from Charles City, IA

    One dormitory room is nicknamed Satan’s Legion. Rumor has it that a student killed himself there, and everyone who is assigned to that room either dies or disappears. Reports say many students are afraid to go into the room, and some maintain that because of this, the university stopped assigning ...


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    Warehouse Concert Venue

    La Crosse, Wisconsin

    87.9 miles from Charles City, IA

    We have owned the building for 25 years, operating on the 2nd and 3rd floors as a non-alcohol concert venue. Building was built in 1888, and has in the past had various businesses such as clothing stores, tailor shops, harness shop, general store, with the 2nd floor being ...


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    Bodega Brew Pub

    La Crosse, Wisconsin

    87.9 miles from Charles City, IA

    The pub has changed ownership many times due to the haunting by former owner Paul Malin. Since his death, reports of activity in the building have included slamming doors, objects moving inexplicably and even the apparition of the deceased former owner. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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    Del's Bar

    La Crosse, Wisconsin

    88.1 miles from Charles City, IA

    According to patrons, the bartenders at the bar are willing to dispense ghost stories, including tales of how a male maintenance employee was once told to leave the women's room by an unexplained voice. Giggling voices can also be heard in the bar. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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