Haunted Places in Shelby, Iowa



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    Old Highway 83

    Shelby, Iowa

    Different witnesses have reported seeing two young girls playing in the middle of the highway late at night. They wear flowing white dresses and are bathed in a glowing light.


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    The Earling Exorcism

    Earling, Iowa

    18 miles from Shelby, IA

    Earling is famous for a 1928 exorcism that lasted more than 3 weeks. A local Franciscan convent was the setting for the ceremony; the target was the demons inhabiting Emma Schmidt. As Roman Catholic Capuchin Theophilus Riesinger worked, Emma is said to have flown across the room and clung to ...


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    Lewis and Clark Park

    Council Bluffs, Iowa

    25.7 miles from Shelby, IA

    Unexplained feelings of sickness and disorientation have been reported by those who come to this park that honors the historic explorers.


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    Fairview Cemetery

    Council Bluffs, Iowa

    26.8 miles from Shelby, IA

    The Black Angel statue is said to follow visitors with their eyes, and may curse visitors with sickliness. Also reported here have been lights in the trees behind the older graves, and a feeling of being closely followed.


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    General Dodge House

    Council Bluffs, Iowa

    27.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    Folks say General Dodge himself is still hanging about the grounds. If you take a guided tour through the building, you may catch a glimpse of him sitting in his rocking chair. Around the grounds, light flashes and the smell of fire have been reported. Another strange occurrence that may ...


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    Union Pacific Railroad Museum

    Council Bluffs, Iowa

    27.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    This museum has been completely restored and renovated, but it was once the town library. Locals say that in the basement, books would often fly off the shelves, and shadowy figures have been seen. Also, items would disappear only to turn up again later.


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    Squirrel Cage - Old Pottawattamie County Jail

    Council Bluffs, Iowa

    27.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    Built in 1885 and an innovation in jail cells for its time, this jail utilizes a "lazy susan" design, where the jail block is round and the cells form individual wedges like slices in a pie. With only one door leading in, the cells would be rotated by a ...


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    The Historic Klondike Hotel

    Manilla, Iowa

    28.2 miles from Shelby, IA

    The Klondike Hotel was built on the street that in 1897 was named Railroad Street. It faced to the west toward the bustling Milwaukee tracks and depot. An access road was completed shortly after the hotel was built which directly connected the Hotel with the Depot. The ...


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    Hummel Park

    Omaha, Nebraska

    28.2 miles from Shelby, IA

    This park was known for its lynch mobs who would long ago target African-Americans. This is said to be the reason why the trees all spookily lean to one side. Folks report hearing drums and howling wolves here, and apparitions have been seen as well, according to legend stemming from ...


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    Mystery Manor

    Omaha, Nebraska

    30.7 miles from Shelby, IA

    Built in 1887, Mystery Manor was home to William and Greta Hall. Reports say that when the stock market crashed on October 23, 1929, William Hall lost his fortune and went insane. He attacked Greta with an axe then buried her in the front yard. A week later, Greta's brother ...


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  • Haunted Iowa
    Kathleen Vyn
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    O'Connor's Irish Pub

    Omaha, Nebraska

    30.8 miles from Shelby, IA

    At O'Connor's Irish Pub, which opened in 2003, shadow figures and unexplained footsteps are seen and heard in the kitchen as well as in the second-floor bar area.


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    White House Apartments

    Omaha, Nebraska

    31.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    The White House Apartments building is a three-story Italianate Victorian building assumed to once have been a home built around the turn of the century. It was a hospital before it was remodeled into apartments, and is said to be haunted possibly by former patients' ghosts. Witnesses say the apparition ...


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    Prospect Hill Cemetery

    Omaha, Nebraska

    31.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    A ghostly woman in white was scene by occupants of the property adjacent to the cemetery in 1874. An account of the ghostly lady, who demanded to know the whereabouts of her children before walking back to her grave in the cemetery and vanishing, was published in the Omaha Daily ...


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    James F Lynch Park

    Omaha, Nebraska

    31.9 miles from Shelby, IA

    The park is believed to be haunted, as many witnesses will attest. Some of the strange occurrences here have been unexplained footsteps, a ghostly baby's wails, and a man screaming, asking for help, and grabbing the legs of passersby.


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    Cornerstone Mansion Bed and Breakfast

    Omaha, Nebraska

    32.3 miles from Shelby, IA

    This 1894 bed and breakfast inn is housed inside a historic mansion, which has many ghostly tales associated with it. There have been reports of the apparitions of a young man and an elderly former owner appearing on separate occasions in a rocking chair located in the parlour room, ...


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    Jewell Park

    Bellevue, Nebraska

    34.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    Witnesses at Jewell Park have reported residual sounds from phantom rodeos, apparitions of people and objects, unexplained mist, footprints, strange noises and animal sounds.


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    Keystone Trail

    Omaha, Nebraska

    34.3 miles from Shelby, IA

    The Keystone Trail, near 90th and Fort streets, is believed by some locals to be visited by a phantom train on cold misty nights. The apparition of the train has been both seen and heard, although the railroad tracks were removed from this spot years ago.


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    John Rice Library

    Bellevue, Nebraska

    34.6 miles from Shelby, IA

    Apparitions of an old man and a young girl have been seen at the John Rice Library. The girl, about 10, has dark brown hair parted in the middle and big round glasses, and the man is seen crouching over books.


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    Malvern Manor

    Malvern, Iowa

    36.2 miles from Shelby, IA

    Built in the late 1800's as a hotel initially to service the railroad. Was eventually turned into a nursing home and then a group home for the mentally handicapped. It serviced everyone from those with Down's Syndrome to the more exotic of diseases like multiple personalities and schizophrenia. The building ...


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    Dana College

    Blair, Nebraska

    36.6 miles from Shelby, IA

    Dana College dates back to 1884, but was recently shut down and sold in 2010 due to financial problems. Latest word has it that the college will be refurbished and reopened around 2015-2016. Back in its heyday though, there were a number of places on campus said to be haunted. ...


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  • Dubuque's Haunted History
    Richard Barker

    Haunted Iowa City
    Vernon Trollinger
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    Brother Sebastian's

    Omaha, Nebraska

    38.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    Bill Walden is the identity of the ghost who haunts this restaurant, a man who wears a tweed smoking jacket and ascot. He was a regular patron, and although he has since passed away, his spirit has made it clear that he still visits regularly.


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    Elk Grove Cemetery - Union Township Cemetery

    Coon Rapids, Iowa

    42.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    According to local legend there is a small headstone with an eerie ability: If you position yourself the right way in front of it, after a few minutes it will begin to glow.


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    Hannah's Grave

    Plattsmouth, Nebraska

    46.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    According to local legend, Hannah was a 16-year-old girl in the 1800s who became pregnant. Her parents, displeased, delivered the baby at home and promptly drowned it in the Missouri River, telling Hannah the baby had been stillborn. Poor Hannah died of a broken heart shortly thereafter and was buried ...


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    Villisca Axe Murder House

    Villisca, Iowa

    47.5 miles from Shelby, IA

    In 1912 an entire family was murdered here by axe, and it is said that the house is still haunted by their spirits. The house has been investigated and featured on the TV show Ghost Adventures.


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    Union Cemetery - The Devil's Chair

    Guthrie Center, Iowa

    50.9 miles from Shelby, IA

    It is said that those who sit in the cement chair will receive a spell of bad luck. The Devil's Chair has no markings, and sits between the Peterson and Miller graves. According to reports, the chair has been believed to be cursed for at least 35 years.


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    Ball Cemetery

    Springfield, Nebraska

    51.6 miles from Shelby, IA

    The oldest grave marker at Ball Cemetery is reported to be dated 1869, and many apparitions have been reported here over the years. One is a tall male with a bad temper who walks around after dark, sometimes attacking late-night visitors. Another is Mary Mumford, who is buried here. Folks ...


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    Barnard Park

    Fremont, Nebraska

    54.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    Barnard Park was once a cemetery, and it is rumored that when the city moved the bodies and turned it into a park, some of the bodies were missed. Several apparitions are said to roam here late at night, most notably a woman who was following the Mormon Trail and ...


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    Oakwood Cemetery

    Weeping Water, Nebraska

    57.2 miles from Shelby, IA

    One witness warns that the spirits may rise from the graves and attack visitors at night.


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    Stage Coach Inn

    Ida Grove, Iowa

    58.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    The Stage Coach Inn was built in 1856 by John and Martha Moorhead; The Inn served a stage coach stop and the first court house in Ida County Iowa and was also the church, School as well as the first hospital in Ida grove were amputations sometimes accrued on the ...


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    Blackbird Hill

    Shelby, Nebraska

    58.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    The burial place of Omaha Indian Chief Blackbird, said to be buried here sitting upright on his horse, is rumored to be haunted. And it's old -- folks say in 1804, famed explorers Lewis and Clark visited this gravesite, leaving behind decorations to commemorate him. But the ghost here is ...


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    Rainbow Bridge

    Lake City, Iowa

    60.9 miles from Shelby, IA

    A chocolate-loving spirit resides at this old bowstring bridge. Stories say that if you bring an unopened chocolate bar to the bridge at midnight, lay it in the center of the bridge, and exit the bridge, after 5 minutes you will find an unopened and intact wrapper, but the chocolate ...


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    Oxbow Cemetery - Callahan Cemetery

    Murdock, Nebraska

    61.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    Ghostly children are said to be heard playing at this cemetery, known as Oxbow Cemetery, North Callahan Cemetery, Carter Cemetery and North Elmwood Cemetery. So the story goes, a nearby school collapsed in a big windstorm, pinning and killing a little girl named May Carter. Her father gave this land ...


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    Super China Buffet

    Nebraska City, Nebraska

    61.7 miles from Shelby, IA

    Formerly Bischof’s Hardware, the restaurant is believed to be haunted by either the ghost of former owner Mr. Bischof or the spirits of a young man who died nearby. Many strange occurrences have been reported here, such as objects that move by themselves.


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    Wildwood

    Nebraska City, Nebraska

    62.5 miles from Shelby, IA

    Sensitive guests feel a 'presence' when they tour this historic 1860's home. Some have mentioned seeing a lady in a long black dress in the kitchen or hear footsteps in the dining room. Others hear children's voices upstairs. A paranormal team had it's flashlight turn on ...


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    St. Mary's Cemetery

    Hamburg, Iowa

    63.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    A mysterious spirit, that of a woman, has been seen kneeling at the feet of three of the cemetery's Virgin Mary statues. Also reported have been wailing sounds coming from the statues.


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    The Hotel Cafe and Saloon

    Scribner, Nebraska

    63.7 miles from Shelby, IA

    The 1901 Hotel Cafe and Saloon, now operating as a restaurant, is believed to be haunted by victims of murders or suicides thought to have occurred in the building. On the second and third floors, witnesses have seen shadow figures, heard unexplained voices and felt cold spots.


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    Museum of Shadows

    Elmwood, Nebraska

    64 miles from Shelby, IA

    We have captured some amazing evidence that links back to Harry Green and the Blackbird Store. We have even interacted with the souls who are attached to the very items in the museum. You may feel a soft touch on your arm or shoulder to smelling a very strong perfume ...


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    High Creek Cemetery

    Watson, Missouri

    69.9 miles from Shelby, IA

    Upon finding this website, I was shocked to find this location was not listed, as it is "well known" by locals to be noted as haunted. The experience I had there happened about 10 years ago. A friend and I were hanging out one night and decided to ...


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    Van Fossen Cemetery

    Adel, Iowa

    72.8 miles from Shelby, IA

    Since the 1850's, the Van Fossen cemetery has had many names, from Rodenbaugh Cemetery, the Old Adel Cemetery, to the "official" name recorded by the state, the Gibson Cemetery. Along old highway 6, the cemetery is sometimes just called the Bilderback Cemetery, after the massive headstones that mark the ...


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    Eliza C. Morgan Hall - Peru State College

    Peru, Nebraska

    73.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    The Morgan Hall dormitory is said to be haunted by Eliza Morgan herself. Legend has it that she once lived in the house that makes up the center of the dormitory, and she died in the basement.


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  • Haunted Houses
    Corinne May Botz
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    Ghost Bridge of Logan Creek

    Pender, Nebraska

    74.5 miles from Shelby, IA

    Local legend tells of an early-1900s train that was held up by vigilantes chasing down a hired hand who murdered the family that employed him. The train bridge used to cross the Logan Creek, and from this former trestle, the man was hanged. Residents say sometimes a ghost bridge appears ...


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    Captain Bailey Museum

    Brownville, Nebraska

    78.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    Civil War Captain Bailey's seven-gabled house now holds the museum of Brownville artifacts, and is rumored to be haunted by the captain himself. Among the proof, witnesses say, are doors that won't stay closed and the sound of piano playing late at night. Local tales say the captain died as ...


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    Old Captain's Studio

    Lincoln, Nebraska

    78.1 miles from Shelby, IA

    This historic building was formerly the residence of a retired sea captain, who owned a studio on the upper floor. Tenants of a law firm now located on the premises have reported seeing his apparition on several occasions over the years. (Submitted by Callum Swift)


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    Meriwether Lewis Dredge

    Brownville, Nebraska

    78.2 miles from Shelby, IA

    Dredge Captain Meriwether Lewis, built in 1931, is one of the few surviving examples of its type built to control flooding along U.S. rivers. It contains a museum that is believed to be haunted. Employees say the ghosts have long been a part of the museum's staff. Perhaps most notably, ...


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    Swope Hall - Buena Vista University

    Storm Lake, Iowa

    78.8 miles from Shelby, IA

    A ghost named Mary is said to haunt this hall. Legend says her house once stood in the very spot where Swope Hall stands today. She died of lead poisoning, which caused her to become mentally unstable and leap from a 3rd-story window. Phenomema experienced here involve the opening and ...


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    Richmond House

    Lincoln, Nebraska

    79.5 miles from Shelby, IA

    In the 1920s there was a triple murder suicide involving the husband, Bill, his wife Venus, her lover and their baby. Bill killed Venus by shotgun... he then laid on the railroad tracks near the home and was killed by a train. The baby was never found... In a corner ...


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    Graceland Park Cemetery

    Sioux City, Iowa

    79.7 miles from Shelby, IA

    It is said that orbs of light can be seen here, but visitors trying to take pictures report that they feel a bit disoriented and find that their cameras mysteriously fail to work until they leave the area.


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    Lottie's Grave - Taylor Cemetery

    Homer, Nebraska

    80.4 miles from Shelby, IA

    Some say Lottie haunts the cemetery and that a curse will befall those who visit her gravesite. In some stories, Lottie was murdered, was a witch, or was run over by a car. Many tales abound, such as one that says shortly after her burial, thieves tried to dig up ...


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    Antelope Park

    Lincoln, Nebraska

    80.8 miles from Shelby, IA

    Near Antelope Park's memorial, behind the caretaker's house, is a field. Witnesses report that many apparitions have been seen in this field, walking across it and into the woods.


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    Leflur / Lefler House

    Sioux City, Iowa

    81 miles from Shelby, IA

    Reports may differ as to spell the name of the locally famous haunted house, but its merit as a haunted site is hard to argue. Several murders have taken place on the premises. Phenomena reported include a red glow seen upstairs, a very cold attic (even in the heat of ...


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  • Haunted Cemeteries Across The USA
    Gregory Branson-Trent


» Cemeteries near Shelby, IA

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