Haunted Places & Ghost Tours in Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Des Moines, United States, Des Moines, Unique & Fun, Haunted Places & Ghost Tours

Haunted Places & Ghost Tours in Des Moines, Iowa, United States

1. Des Moines Social Club

A cultural hub offering arts, music, and ghost tours. Known for its historic building with a haunted past.
  • Historical Building: Built in the early 1900s, it is one of Des Moines' oldest buildings.
  • Arts and Music Events: Hosts various performances and exhibitions throughout the year.
  • Haunted Ghost Tours: Guided tours focusing on the building's haunted history and ghost sightings.

2. Greyson House

A beautifully restored 1850s mansion with a darker side - it's rumored to be haunted.
  • Beautiful Restoration: Recently renovated, showcasing Victorian-era architecture.
  • Historical Significance: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Haunted Reputation: Said to be haunted by its former owner, Dr. John Greyson.

3. Pioneer House Museum

A historical museum with a creepy basement where strange occurrences have been reported.
  • Historical Artifacts: Features artifacts from the region's pioneer days.
  • Haunted Basement: Known for unexplained sounds and sightings.
  • Guided Tours: Offers guided tours that delve into the museum's haunting history.

4. Leon Correctional Facility

A former prison known for inexplicable paranormal activity.
  • Former Prison: Opened in the early 1900s and closed in the 2000s.
  • Paranormal Activity: Witnesses have reported eerie noises, shadows, and ghostly apparitions.
  • Guided Tours: Haunted tours are conducted by former inmates and staff.

5. Fort Des Moines

A military fort with a haunting presence, especially around its cemetery.
  • Military History: Trained over 400,000 soldiers during World War I and II.
  • Haunted Cemetery: The final resting place for many soldiers is said to be haunted.
  • Guided Tours: Tours explore the fort's ghostly history and spooky stories.

6. Governor's Mansion

A beautiful mansion with a chilling past - rumors of hauntings by previous governors.
  • Beautiful Architecture: Constructed in the late 1800s, it showcases Victorian-era design.
  • Haunted Reputation: Said to be haunted by various former governors and their families.
  • Public Tours: Tours are available during the summer months.

7. Van Dorn Inventory Barn

An old barn with a dark history of unsolved murders and strange occurrences.
  • Dark History: In 1924, five people were murdered here, and the case remains unsolved.
  • Paranormal Activity: Visitors have reported ghostly figures and eerie noises.
  • Haunted Tours: Tours are offered by paranormal investigation groups.

8. The Salisbury House

A stunning English Tudor mansion with a twist - it's rumored to be haunted.
  • English Tudor Style: Modeled after an English manor house.
  • Haunted Reputation: Said to be haunted by its former owner, Carl Weeks.
  • Guided Tours: Tours provide a glimpse into the house's history and ghostly legends.

9. Capitol Square Underground

A network of tunnels beneath the Iowa State Capitol, rumored to be haunted.
  • Historical Significance: Constructed in the late 1800s.
  • Paranormal Activity: Ghostly voices and footsteps have been reported within the tunnels.
  • Haunted Tours: Tours explore the underground network and its ghost stories.

10. Dahl's Classic Pioneer Theatre

A vintage theater with a haunted past, known for strange occurrences.
  • Vintage Theater: Opened in the early 1900s.
  • Haunted Reputation: Said to be haunted by a former projectionist.
  • Movies and Ghost Tours: Shows classic films and offers ghost tours during Halloween season.

11. Jesse Hall Lyon Farm

A farmstead with a tragic past - rumors of hauntings by the farm's former owner.
  • Historical Significance: One of the oldest farms in Des Moines.
  • Haunted Reputation: Said to be haunted by Jesse Hall Lyon, who committed suicide on the property.
  • Guided Tours: Tours explore the farm's history and ghost stories.

12. The Iowa State Penitentiary

A former prison with a grim past - known for inexplicable paranormal activity.
  • Former Prison: Opened in the late 1800s and closed in the early 2000s.
  • Paranormal Activity: Visitors have reported eerie noises, shadows, and ghostly apparitions.
  • Haunted Tours: Haunted tours are conducted by former inmates and staff.

13. The Bone House

A creepy old building with a dark past - rumors of hauntings abound.
  • Dark History: Originally used as a butcher shop and mortuary.
  • Haunted Reputation: Said to be haunted by the spirits of its former occupants.
  • Haunted Tours: Tours explore the building's haunting history and spooky legends.

14. The Willis Building

A historical office building with a ghostly presence, especially on the top floor.
  • Historical Significance: Constructed in the early 1900s.
  • Haunted Reputation: Said to be haunted by former workers who fell to their deaths during construction.
  • Office Space and Ghost Tours: Rent office space or join a ghost tour to explore the building's ghostly tales.

15. The Hotel Fort Des Moines

A historic hotel with a chilling past - rumors of hauntings by previous guests and staff.
  • Historical Architecture: Constructed in the early 1900s.
  • Haunted Reputation: Said to be haunted by various former guests and staff.
  • Hotel Accommodations and Ghost Tours: Stay in the hotel or join a ghost tour to experience the haunting history firsthand.