Way out in West Bend, Iowa, an incredible work of art draws thousands of visitors each year. The Grotto of the Redemption is a remarkable work of art that's 50 years in the making, and it's the most amazing free attraction in Iowa. Plan a visit, because you've got to see it for yourself.
As soon as it comes into view, it's easy to see why the Grotto of the Redemption has been called the Eighth Wonder of the World.
The creator of the Grotto, Father Paul Dobberstein, began his work in began in 1912, and continued to build the shrine for 42 years. Today, it's considered the largest shrine in the world.
The original inspiration for the shrine was a promise Dobberstein made when he was sick, and prayed to the Virgin Mary for a recovery. After Dobberstein passed, his successor Father Greving, worked on the Grotto for another 50 years.
However, the Grotto is maintained by volunteers, and they accept donations. If you think the hours you spend exploring the grotto is worth a few dollars, your donation would be appreciated.
Over the year, an average of 100,000 people visit the shrine. Because of that, it's also one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Midwest!
This incredible treasure is on display, featuring $4.3 million worth of gems. The Grotto is the most valuable collection of gems and precious stones anywhere in the world.
Iowa is full of history, mystery, and relics of places long passed into history. But what ends doesn't always stay gone, and that may be the case for the Farrar Schoolhouse, an abandoned place in Maxwell, Iowa in more ways than one. Since it closed, this abandoned school in Iowa has been the subject of countless paranormal sightings and rumors of ghostly activity - and some bold visitors were able to explore for themselves. It's become a popular spot for Urbex in Iowa, and Haunting at Farrar, a paranormal exploration company, purchased the old building and partially restored it for safety while leaving the abandoned building almost exactly as it is. They regularly hosted bookings to explore the grounds for curious and brave visitors, documenting the mysteries within. Do you dare to visit this haunted Iowa spot for yourself?
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The Farrar Schoolhouse in Maxwell was built in 1921 and served as an elementary school for eighty years - before its closure in 2001.
The land the schoolhouse is on was purchased in 2006 by a couple who hoped to redevelop it - but quickly realized they may have bought more than they bargained for.
Collecting countless hours of footage and exploring the grounds, the couple soon discovered strange sounds, figures moving out of the corner of their eye, and other mysterious phenomena.
A true supernatural event, or a trick of the eye? They did the only sensible thing - opened a paranormal experience. Welcome to Haunting at Farrar - do you dare to explore for yourself?
But one thing has changed - the chalkboard, which has become a canvas for visitors to leave their own personal message on the Farrar Schoolhouse. Maybe they'll be seen by the next group - or maybe by someone or something else...
Have you been to the Farrar Schoolhouse, the abandoned school in Iowa known for its ghost tours? Let us know in the comments if you saw anything unusual at this mysterious abandoned school in Iowa. The school has recently been sold to new owners, and plans for the future of the ghost tours are still uncertain. If you'd like to keep up on the latest, make sure to follow the Haunting at Farrar website and Haunting at Farrar Facebook page for updates.
If you're looking to explore more of haunted Iowa, consider a visit to this eerie cemetery. Some of Iowa's eeriest spots are located deep in the woods, so if you're interested in going exploring, we recommend a subscription to AllTrails +. This app is ideal if you're going to be exploring some off-the-beaten path areas thanks to its downloadable trail maps with step-by-step directions.
There’s something special about cruising down the back roads and past abandoned places in Iowa, seeing all those old, dilapidated structures that stand as the only remnants of days long gone by. You can almost feel the history of these places, and the experience leaves you wondering how it must have been on the day it was built, and why it was left to fall into disrepair. These structures are haunting, yet beautiful, and each one has its own story to tell. The following photos, which were taken by Forgotten IA: Lost and Abandoned Places of Iowa, show us a closer look at these lost and forgotten treasures.
The Waterloo Greyhound Park opened in October of 1986, but after one year, the track's income took a downward spiral. Things got worse in 1992, and the park closed its doors after going bankrupt in July of 1996. In recent years the property has been used by a trucking company to store equipment but has remained largely untouched since the late 1990s. Watch this video for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Waterloo Greyhound Park:
Watch this video for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Waterloo Greyhound Park:
When it comes to abandoned buildings in Iowa, Lehigh Clay Works may be among the eeriest. This old factory was built in the 1800s and was used for manufacturing bricks. It has been abandoned for countless years and has fallen into disrepair.You can still explore this old property on YouTube, though. Check out this video from Finding Beauty in Desolation:
This building has been abandoned for quite a while, though there is uncertainty about how long. It's clearly dilapidated and returning to Mother Nature.
This old grocery store in Bagley is just a few blocks from the abandoned schoolhouse and is still filled with shelves of rotted products. The mood within it is rather apocalyptic and forlorn.
This old schoolhouse in Luther has also been abandoned for quite a while and has been the subject of some vandalism. But oddly, the graffiti art only adds to the rustic, rundown character of the historic building.
Among the many abandoned sites in Iowa, this old railyard is among the most unique. It's apparent that no one has ridden in this train car for many years, and it's quite eerie in the pale winter light.
The graffiti adds an artistic touch to the outside of this abandoned train car in Boone. You can’t help but wonder how creepy this railyard must be at night, and if any apparitions have ever been witnessed here at night.
Since it was abandoned in the mid-1990s, the old school in Searsboro has fallen deeply into disrepair. What the vandals and scrappers missed during their destructive conquests, Mother Nature saw fit to finish off.You can explore this old school virtually through this YouTube video from Noah's Expeditions:
