Most Haunted Place On Earth: Historic Iowa State Penitentiary

For a hundred and seventy-five years, the towers of the historic Iowa State Penitentiary held court at Fort Madison. The large maximum-security prison had a storied history – one with a lot of blood along the way. From prison riots to executions, is it any surprise that many people feel there’s something haunting about this old prison in Iowa? Today, the inmates were moved to a new location and the old facility stands abandoned. Over the years, some folks were lucky enough to tour the cell blocks of this frightening place. Is the abandoned penitentiary the most haunted place on earth? I believe it could be…dare you find out for yourself?

The penitentiary is a historical landmark and tourist site in Fort Madison. During the time that tours were regularly offered, you could see cheerful tourists lined up outside.

Anyone who approached the facility could easily see traces of the place it used to be - starting with the mighty stone walls covered with barbed wire to prevent any escapes.

Founded in 1939, the prison used to be more of a fortress; it used to hold some of the most dangerous people in the Hawkeye State for close to two centuries.

The guards at the historic prison were used to guarding the worst of the worst - and oversaw forty executions over the decades. The prison was also the site of a bloody riot and standoff in 1981.

Today, the inmates have all been transferred to a new facility, but there could be some restless souls from all the executions and riots roaming those cell blocks.

The abandoned prison has many remnants of the old days, including unique graffiti stylings left behind by inmates from decades past.

But many sites in the prison hold a darker history. The massive auditorium, which might not look much different from a high school, once held hundreds of prisoners.

The guard tower, which still overlooks the prison but has fallen into disrepair, was the site of tense negotiations during the infamous prison riot.

The deeper you go inside the prison, the darker and more foreboding it gets. This is where tourists often insisted they heard things moving around inside the haunted grounds.

most haunted place on earth — The tours were during the daytime - but anyone who found themselves exploring the prison during the night would likely have had a much different - and more terrifying - experience.

Want more evidence? Take a look and listen to some video and audio footage taken on a rare tour of the penitentiary – what do you think? Are there spirits trying to tell us something?

If you’ve toured the penitentiary, let us know if its haunted past made an impression on you in the comments section. If you’re interested in learning more about this prison, future tours, or exploring the larger Fort Madison area, make sure to visit the Fort Madison City website.

If you’re searching for more creepy adventures, check out this ghost tour of this Iowa mansion.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

More Haunted Places In Iowa

Chris Muras | January 30, 2023

Can you tour the Iowa State Penitentiary?

The penitentiary has had tours in the past but does not do so on a regular basis. The last set of tours was in 2018, but there has been no announcement of planned tours since then.

What are some haunted places in Iowa?

It seems anywhere tragedy strikes there is potential for spirits to linger with cries of help. There are definitely haunted Iowa places to explore, from haunted roads, buildings, bridges, and of course cemeteries. Here are a few haunted places in Iowa to give you the creepy crawlies:

Stony Hollow Road, Burlington, IA: The most haunted road in Iowa is Stoney Hollow Road. In the 1800s a woman was waiting for her husband, and when he didn't show up on time she assumed he was with another woman - she climbed a cliff and jumped to her death. He arrived shortly after - his wagon had been stuck in the mud.
Lincoln High School, Des Moines, IA: Flashing lights, cold spots, banging chairs, curtains rustling without a breeze, these are some of the paranormal experiences you might notice at Lincoln High School...
Dowling Catholic High School, West Des Moines, IA: It seems ghosts sure do love hanging around old schools in Iowa. At this one strange purple orbs have been seen floating around the school.
Merle Hay Mall Tower, Des Moines, IA: Des Moines is a hot spot for paranormal activity, and the Merle Hay Mall Tower sits on the very same spot where an old monastery was. It is said that the occasional nun would become pregnant and have a miscarriage - the babies were buried in unmarked graves on the grounds. At the Merle Hay Mall Tower, a ghostly woman in a habit carries her dead child around the halls.

Explore Iowa

Featured Addresses

Historic Iowa State Penitentiary, #3 John Bennett Dr, Fort Madison, IA 52627, USA

This Abandoned Iowa Prison Is Thought To Be One Of The Most Haunted Places On Earth

Raymond Goldfield

Author

Related Stories

This Haunted Holiday House In Iowa Will Give You A Very Creepy Christmas

The Harris Haven Funeral Home In Iowa Is Now A Haunted House

The Small Town In Iowa With A Terribly Creepy Past

Want more Iowa in your inbox?