10 Creepy Iowa Stories You May Not Know

Iowa may be known for its rolling cornfields, friendly towns, and quiet countryside, but surprisingly our states history is filled with eerie mysteries, chilling murders, and unsettling discoveries. From unsolved crimes that still haunt small towns to bizarre phenomena that defy explanation, the Hawkeye State has its share of dark and disturbing events. Whether it’s a brutal massacre that shook a quiet community, mysterious hauntings, lake monsters, or strange reports of UFOs, these ten creepy facts $ events remind us that Iowa’s not-to-distant past is far from ordinary. Halloween is just around the corner, so let’s dive into the eerie side of the Midwest and uncover the unsettling stories lurking in Iowa’s shadows.

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10) The Villisca Axe Murders:

In 1912, in Villisca, Iowa, eight people, including six children, were brutally murdered with an axe in their sleep. Despite several suspects being investigated, no one was ever convicted, and the crime remains one of Iowa’s most notorious unsolved murders.

9) The Iowa State Penitentiary Executions:

The Iowa State Penitentiary, opened in 1839 in Fort Madison, was the site of numerous executions, some of which were botched. In 1963, Victor Feguer became the last person executed in Iowa. He was hanged after kidnapping and murdering a doctor. His case became famous as his execution marked Iowa’s last use of the death penalty before it was abolished in 1965.

8) The Gitchie Manitou Murders:

In 1973, four teenagers were murdered at Gitchie Manitou State Preserve in northwest of Granite, Iowa. The group was camping when they were approached by the three Fryer brothers (aged 29, 24, and 21) who posed as narcotics officers before shooting and killing the boys and raping the lone surviving 13-year-old girl. She survived the attack. Her testimony was instrumental in bringing the perpetrators to justice. It’s one of Iowa's most disturbing murder cases.

7) Ed Gein’s Iowa Connection:

Though Ed Gein, the notorious murderer and grave robber, is associated with Wisconsin, his mother, Augusta Gein, who had a powerful influence on his psyche, was originally from Iowa. Augusta would preach to her sons about the immorality of the world, the evil of drinking and her belief that all women were promiscuous and instruments of the devil. She would often select verses from the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation concerning death, murder, and divine retribution for her "sermons." Gein idolized and became obsessed with her. Her strict, puritanical upbringing and religious fanaticism greatly contributed to shaping Ed Gein into one of America’s most twisted figures.

6) The Rathbun Lake Monster:

In the early 1900s, there were reports of a strange, unidentified creature sighted in the waters of Rathbun Lake, southern Iowa. Though this “lake monster” has never been proven, the mystery attracted attention for years, with some theorizing it was an unknown species of giant fish or eel. Interstingly enough, the lake is the original location of the now underwater village of Griffinsville.

5) Iowa's UFO Flap of 1978:

Iowa experienced a significant series of UFO sightings in 1978. The year before in 1977 there was said to be a UFO crash in Council Bluffs (audio below). Hundreds of Iowans, including police officers, reported seeing unexplained lights in the sky, and the phenomena were widely covered by local media. This was part of a larger UFO wave across the Midwest at the time.

4) The Van Meter Visitor

In 1903, residents of Van Meter, Iowa, reported sightings of a bizarre, winged creature that terrorized the town for several nights. Described as a half-human, half-bat monster with a glowing horn on its head, the "Van Meter Visitor" was seen by multiple credible witnesses, including a local doctor and a bank manager. Despite attempts to shoot it, the creature reportedly escaped into an abandoned mine, never to be seen again. The mysterious visitor has become a part of Iowa folklore, with theories ranging from an unknown species to extraterrestrial origin. Now, the monster even has its own festival.

3) The Jodi Huisentruit Murder:

This continues to be a compelling unsolved case from Iowa is the 1995 murder of 27-year-old Jodi Huisentruit, a news anchor who disappeared on her way to work in Mason City. Her car was found abandoned outside her apartment, and a search revealed signs of a struggle. Despite extensive investigations, including interviews with suspects and a reward of $25,000 for information, no one has ever been charged in her case. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the ongoing mystery have captivated and haunted the community for decades.

2) The Tainted Corn of 1971:

Iowa's corn industry was nearly devastated in 1971 when a pesticide (Thionazin) known as Zinophos contaminated thousands of acres of cornfields. The corn was found to be toxic, causing significant health concerns (vomiting, heart attacks, respiratory failure, convulsions) and cancers, all leading to death. Farmers were forced to destroy their crops, and the state experienced a massive financial loss. The creation of this chemical treatment was due to extensive losses due to corn blight.

1) Iowa's Most Haunted- Jones County's Edinburgh Manor

I have said in the past, I have some knowledge of this place as my mother worked here in the late 80's/early 90's. I remember meeting some workers and residents and swinging out front on the small metal playground. I also remember my mother telling me the place was ominous and full of evil. It makes sense when over its history it recorded more than 230 deaths, with many individuals buried in unmarked graves on the property. Edinburgh Manor served as the Jones County Poor Farm, in addition to the elderly and mentally ill until its closure in 2010. Reports of mistreatment, rapes, murder, and neglect ran rampant during its operational years and contribute to the manor's eerie reputation. Paranormal activity is prevalent, with spirits like Susie, a playful girl, and the mischievous Joker, who is known for throwing objects and interacting with visitors including pushing them down the stairs. You can tour it if you'd like, just watch out for the basement.