Ghost Hunting Season Starts In Iowa And Illinois

Both Iowa and Illinois have some famous ghost hunting spots. Today we will be looking at a handful of spots you can visit herein the Midwest.

Ghost Hunting In Iowa

If you live in Iowa, there are some amazing ghost-hunting spots to visit!

Many states have their own local legends, and iconic haunted spots, but Iowa has some nationally famous locations that locals can visit today. Please remember to never trespass onto these areas. 

Villisca Axe Murder House

This spot is easily the most famous. It is historic and has been visited by some of the most famous ghost hunters around the world. Anyone can visit this spot.

The tragic story is as follows,

On a quiet residential street in this small town sits an old white frame house. On a dark evening, the absence of lights and sounds are the first indication to visitors that this house is different from the other homes that surround it. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice the doors and windows are tightly closed and covered. An outhouse in the backyard suggests that this house does not occupy a place in the 21st century but somehow belongs in another era or another story. A weather-beaten sign warns rather than welcomes. This is the "Murder House".

You can learn more on the website.

Edinburgh Manor

Places like Edinburgh Manor are once again open for those who want to explore abandoned asylum.

They have openings starting in July. Their website states,

PLEASE NOTE THAT RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO VISIT FOR EITHER THE DAY TOURS OR THE OVERNIGHT VISITS
The building does not have heat or running water. There is electricity. There is a house on site that is used for the bathroom and guests may use that to sleep in. Has fridge, micro, toaster, coffee pot, stove, etc...no beds, but carpeted. Please feel free to bring air mattresses and sleeping bags.

13 Steps

Another very well known spot locally. I've also been to many times is 13 steps, though I'd recommend making sure you are allowed there first.  A few stories and legends that fill this area are that of EVP ghostly voices. Sightings of a red-eye growling dog. A witch that haunts the area, and floating orbs of light. Many of the headstones date back to the 1800s which just adds to the legends.

The "witch" legend comes from an infamous cracked tombstone,

Ghost Hunting In Illinois

just like Iowa, Illinois has some very famous spots that people love to visit and talk about.

Manteno State Hospital

Asylums are always popular spots for people to talk about. the first hundred patients were transferred from Kankakee in 1930.

In 1930, Manteno State Mental Hospital opened its doors in response to overcrowding at other state asylums in the Chicago area.

You can see more here.

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery

Some call this the most haunted cemetery in the world.

Since as far back as the 1950s stories have circulated about paranormal activity taking place out at Bachelors Grove cemetery and its immediate area. After well over five decades many of these tales have now become common knowledge among the local communities But what are these tales that the locals speak of and are there any facts to support them?

You can see more on their website here.