It’s not uncommon to find abandoned buildings in Iowa. In fact, if you drive anywhere through rural Iowa, you’re almost guaranteed to see an abandoned barn or farmhouse. In our ghost towns there are abandoned factories and schools, and in some towns, there are abandoned asylums. One in particular is incredibly eerie – check out these photos of the shuttered Edinburgh Manor in Scotch Grove.
From 1850 to 1910, Edinburgh Manor was described as a “comfortable retreat for the lazy, able-bodied and willingly dependent applicants,” It was, in all reality, a “poor farm”.
Facebook / Edinburgh Manor
The deal was that the poor, incurably insane and disabled tenants were given shelter and food, and in return, they would work on the agricultural farm.
Flickr / WindRanch
Conditions at the “poor farm” were questionable at best, and horrifying at worst.
Flickr / WindRanch There are over 80 graves on the site, and many of the workers died under preventable, labor-related circumstances. It is said that their spirits still haunt these grounds.
When the “poor farm” was shuttered and demolished, a new building appeared on the site.
Flickr / WindRanch Edinburgh Manor was constructed in 1910, and opened in 1911. It was announced that the property would be home to the incurably insane, the poor and the elderly.
Like many of the earliest “mental institutions”, treatment of patients at Edinburgh Manor was often cruel.
Flickr / WindRanch
Mental illness wasn’t well understood at the time, and patients were often the victims of experiments in medical science.
Flickr / WindRanch
The property lies, now abandoned, in the middle of nowhere, between Cedar Rapids and Dubuque.
Flickr / WindRanch
It is said to be one of the most haunted spots in Iowa, and even in the Midwest.
Flickr / WindRanch
Ghost hunters and paranormal investigators come here from miles away to see, hear, and interact with these restless spirits themselves.
Flickr / WindRanch
You can visit the site on a day trip and tour the Manor, which was abandoned in 2010. It looks like one day, everybody just left, never to return.
Flickr / WindRanch
If you’re brave enough, you can even spend the night here.
Flickr / WindRanch Both Day Tours and Overnight visits are by appointment only. Find out how to schedule your visit here.
If you can’t get enough of creepy sites like this, you might want to gather a few thrill-seeking friends and embark on The Haunted Road Trip That Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In Iowa. You might end up bringing some spirits along for the ride!
Facebook / Edinburgh Manor
Flickr / WindRanch
There are over 80 graves on the site, and many of the workers died under preventable, labor-related circumstances. It is said that their spirits still haunt these grounds.
Edinburgh Manor was constructed in 1910, and opened in 1911. It was announced that the property would be home to the incurably insane, the poor and the elderly.
Both Day Tours and Overnight visits are by appointment only. Find out how to schedule your visit here.
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