The tiny town of Manilla, Iowa is located over an hour from Council Bluffs, and nearly two hours from Des Moines. For years, it was a railroad depot for the Milwaukee Railroad, and the tiny town always had visitors stopping overnight. Some of those visitors did not make it through the night, though, because their accommodations at the Klondike Hotel were eerie, and paranormal activity as all too common. Read below to learn the history of this beautiful, haunted hotel in Iowa, and see how you can get involved with a ghost hunt yourself.
Back in the 1800s, there were high hopes for Manilla, Iowa becoming a bustling railroad town.
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association
The town was going to be an important travel stopover, so the Klondike Hotel was built nearby in 1897.
Facebook / Des Moines Haunted Stories
In anticipation of the importance of Manilla Railroad, an access road was built connecting the depot to the nearby hotel.
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association
While the town did not meet is high expectations and remained small, it remained an important junction point for the Milwaukee Railroad.
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association
The elegant and historic Klondike Hotel became one of the main draws for visitors to this town.
Facebook / Historic Klondike Hotel Ghost Hunt
To this day, exploring the hotel is like taking a step back in time to the 19th Century.
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association
Many of the rooms have only been minimally updated, and evidence of the history is everywhere.
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association
The Manilla Area Historic Association purchased the hotel in 1995, and is in the process of restoring it to its former glory.
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association
You can visit the hotel if you want to trek out to the tiny town of Manilla. The Association is preserving not just the building, but the railroad heritage of the town.
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association
There’s just one catch…. the Klondike Hotel is one of the most haunted buildings in the world.
Facebook / Forgotten Iowa Historical Society
For centuries, guests have been complaining about lights flickering, chairs rocking, eerie feelings, and other paranormal experiences. Over the years, many guests have fled the hotel in the middle of their stay!
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association If you want to see more, watch this paranormal investigation of the Klondike.
On February 10th, there’s going to be a Ghost Hunt and Paranormal Investigation at the Klondike Hotel — are you brave enough to attend? Click here for more information on the event, and how to sign up.
Facebook / Manilla Area Historical Association
Facebook / Des Moines Haunted Stories
Facebook / Historic Klondike Hotel Ghost Hunt
Facebook / Forgotten Iowa Historical Society
If you want to see more, watch this paranormal investigation of the Klondike.
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