Haunted Places in Manly, Iowa



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    Buddy Holly Memorial

    Clear Lake, Iowa

    10.1 miles from Manly, 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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    Riverside Cemetery

    Charles City, Iowa

    29.7 miles from Manly, IA

    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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    Children of Iron Hill

    Charles City, Iowa

    31.1 miles from Manly, IA

    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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    Plum Creek Pits

    Algona, Iowa

    52.1 miles from Manly, IA

    Locals say a little boy's ghost appears at this popular fishing spot. Some say the boy was once accidentally impaled by a stick when he fell while running nearby. The ghost has been seen walking along the bank of the pit.


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    Little Africa - Geigel Woods

    Algona, Iowa

    52.5 miles from Manly, IA

    This site is said to be very active with spirits, in part because the old bridge was the site of two hangings. Car accidents have been caused by apparitions standing in the middle of the road. Also, at the old farm house, the husband is said to have killed the ...


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    Thompson Hall Dormitory

    Iowa Falls, Iowa

    52.6 miles from Manly, 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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    Satan's Hollow Bridge

    Shell Rock, Iowa

    53.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Gypsy Cemetery - Union Township Cemetery

    Algona, Iowa

    54.3 miles from Manly, IA

    This small gypsy cemetery is said to be haunted by a gypsy queen, who is guarded by a murder of crows. Legend has it that in the 1800s gypsies came through here often with their wagons. If any member of their group was sick and dying, they would simply bury ...


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    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

    Owatonna, Minnesota

    55.1 miles from Manly, 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

    55.5 miles from Manly, 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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  • Haunted Iowa City
    Vernon Trollinger
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    Hazel Green Cemetery

    Ackley, Iowa

    56.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Camp Ingawanis

    Waverly, Iowa

    57.3 miles from Manly, 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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    Mantorville Opera House

    Kasson, Minnesota

    58.3 miles from Manly, 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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    The Kahler Hotel

    Rochester, Minnesota

    62.8 miles from Manly, 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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    Humboldt County Historical Museum

    Humboldt, Iowa

    63.4 miles from Manly, IA

    Lights are seen in the building at night and some people claim the ghost of a man who drowned in the nearby river has also been spotted roaming the grounds.


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    Quarry Hill Nature Center

    Rochester, Minnesota

    64.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Lawther Hall - University of Northern Iowa

    Cedar Falls, Iowa

    65.1 miles from Manly, 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

    65.2 miles from Manly, 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

    65.2 miles from Manly, 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

    65.4 miles from Manly, 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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  • Dubuque's Haunted History
    Richard Barker

    Haunted Iowa
    Kathleen Vyn
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    Grotto of the Redemption

    West Bend, Iowa

    66.5 miles from Manly, IA

    This sacred site was constructed over a 42-year period, beginning in 1912, using semiprecious stones from every state in the U.S. and every world region. The Christmas Chapel contains a 300-lb. amethyst, and Bethlehem Cave contains 65 tons of petrified wood. The spiritual place has tons of statues depicting the ...


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    Le Sueur County Historical Society Museum

    Elysian, Minnesota

    67.4 miles from Manly, IA

    Some odd things have been reported at this museum: disembodied voices, a typewriter and a record player that worked by themselves, and a service bell that rang on its own.


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    Mrs B's Bed and Breakfast Inn

    Lanesboro, Minnesota

    68.3 miles from Manly, 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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    Regents Center - Luther College

    Decorah, Iowa

    70.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Larsen Hall - Luther College

    Decorah, Iowa

    70.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Porter House Museum

    Decorah, Iowa

    71 miles from Manly, 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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    J L Reece Memorial Park

    New Providence, Iowa

    71.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Minnesota State University Mankato

    Mankato, Minnesota

    71.5 miles from Manly, IA

    Minnesota State University Mankato is said to have a ghost who rings buzzers and another who steals toilet paper in the Crawford Dorm. And in the Crawford-McElroy Complex, there is a ghost stuck in the 1960s who goes on panty raids.


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    Walmart - Flammang Drive

    Waterloo, Iowa

    72.3 miles from Manly, 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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    R.D Hubbard House Museum

    Mankato, Minnesota

    72.5 miles from Manly, IA

    This historic mansion is currently operated as a museum by the Blue Earth County Historical Society, and staff claim that even after the building has closed down for the night, some still walk the halls of the old house. Visitors claim to have heard ghostly laughter, running footsteps in ...


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  • Ghost Dogs of the South
    Randy Russell
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    Calvary Cemetery

    Mankato, Minnesota

    72.6 miles from Manly, IA

    At Calvary Cemetery, you can find the visuals for many stories told by school kids. There are several about an evil doctor who appears as a ghost-devil, and some about Hell Road, a nearby path where animal sacrifices were allegedly performed. Ghost hunters determined that no such devilish behavior really ...


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    Hawkeye Community Theatre

    Fort Dodge, Iowa

    73.1 miles from Manly, IA

    This historic theatre is believed to be haunted by the apparition of a young girl who was murdered nearby. Witnesses claim to have seen her sitting in the hall after hours, and have felt her brush past them in the corridors. The chandelier at the entrance also moves of ...


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    Hawkeye Theatre

    Fort Dodge, Iowa

    73.1 miles from Manly, IA

    Reports say visitors to the theater get the feeling of being watched, and have seen a ghostly little girl. Also, some say if you are alone here you will feel the not-so-gentle touch of an invisible hand.


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    West Union Hardee's

    West Union, Iowa

    73.6 miles from Manly, 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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    Lot Behind Nauss Oil

    Emmetsburg, Iowa

    74.9 miles from Manly, IA

    A motel once stood in this vacant lot, but it has since been demolished. The foundation/drive-/walkway is still there. Locals say the spirit of an old man in a plaid shirt and chinos walks along the way, stopping several times as if he is checking to make sure the motel ...


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    Vegors Cemetery

    Lehigh, Iowa

    76.8 miles from Manly, 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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    Bannwell Bridge - Terror Bridge

    Barnum, Iowa

    79.2 miles from Manly, IA

    Local legend maintains that a woman once killed her 3 kids here. Some reports say she hung them from the bridge and they were hit by a train coming through. Her ghostly head is said to follow you down the road, and if you don't have your doors and windows ...


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    St. Olaf College

    Northfield, Minnesota

    81.1 miles from Manly, IA

    The four buildings rumored to be haunted at St. Olaf College are Hilleboe Hall, where children singing and playing piano have been heard; Kelsey Theater, where deceased Miss Kelsey has been witnessed playing the piano onstage; Melby Hall, where the apparitions of a man and a woman in Victorian clothing ...


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    Montgomery Golf Club

    Montgomery, Minnesota

    82.7 miles from Manly, IA

    Montgomery Golf Club is home to two ghosts, maybe more. One's identity has been traced to a farmer who once lived on the land and is said to be buried on the first hole of the golf course. His apparition has been spotted in a hat and overalls. The other ...


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    Green Lawn Cemetery - CSAH 20 Cemetery

    St. Peter, Minnesota

    84.1 miles from Manly, IA

    Green Lawn Cemetery, aka CSAH (County State Aid Highway) 20 Cemetery and Traverse de Sioux Cemetery, is rumored to be haunted and a spot for animal sacrifices. People have reported apparitions, photo anomalies and other strange phenomena here.


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    Quill and Quilt Bed and Breakfast

    Cannon Falls, Minnesota

    85.6 miles from Manly, IA

    Built in 1897 for a prominent local physician, this bed and breakfast inn appears to now be a private residence. During the establishments heyday, guests reported catching glimpse of a shadowy apparition in the Quilters Haven Room. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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    Riverside Cemetery

    Marshalltown, Iowa

    86.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Buchanan County Court House

    Independence, Iowa

    87.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Farm House Museum

    Ames, Iowa

    89.9 miles from Manly, IA

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


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    Iowa State University - Memorial Union

    Ames, Iowa

    90.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Fisher Theatre - Iowa State University

    Ames, Iowa

    90.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Friley Hall - Iowa State University

    Ames, Iowa

    90.2 miles from Manly, 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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    Iowa State University - C.Y. Stephens Auditorium

    Ames, Iowa

    90.3 miles from Manly, 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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    The Boone News-Republican

    Boone, Iowa

    91.2 miles from Manly, IA

    Employees who work late have heard unexplained footsteps and, at times, have heard their names called. The phenomena seem to occur only when the place is nearly empty of people.


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    Boone County Historical Society - Masonic Temple

    Boone, Iowa

    91.4 miles from Manly, IA

    Dating back to 1907, the historic former masonic temple and museum may have a resident ghost. Known as 'Frank', the poltergeist frequently slams doors and turns on lights after the place has been closed up for the night. Disembodied footsteps have also been heard on the second floor, and ...


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  • Haunted Battlefields of the South
    Thomas Freese Bryan Bush


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