The Ghosts of Mossy Glen - Edgewood, Iowa

Just north of the quiet little town of Edgewood, Iowa, there is a patch of forest in the middle of Iowa farmland that holds a few mysterious legends. These are tales of three folks who's lives touched this area in some way and for some their lives ended here. One was murdered there, one committed suicide there in the Stoney Hollow and leaves a curse to those unfortunate enough to cross her path, and it is believed that the other must have spent a great deal of time those woods before she was sentenced to death.  The spirit of all three still linger in the Mossy Glen.

The spirit of a woman who took her own life in the Stoney Hollow of Mossy Glen is said to curse those who she chooses by leaving a rose in their path. 
Photo credit: © Petarpaunchev | Dreamstime.com 

The Ghost of Pearl Shine

In this patch of woods can be found the Mossy Glen, a serene, peaceful place in the middle of the woods.  In 1936, a young local woman by the name of Pearl caught the eye of farmer Dan Shine.  Taken by the much younger woman, they were married and lived happily on their farm together in central Iowa.  That is until Pearl fell for one of their farm hands and in an heinous act of attempting to acquire Dan's farm and possessions, killed him and attempted to make it look like an accident.  The authorities were not convinced and convicted Pearl and her lover. 

Ever since Pearl died, people have claimed to see her apparition roaming the Mossy Glen.  The reason for her spirit manifesting itself in the Mossy Glen is unknown.  Perhaps this is the place where her and her lover met and her spirit is drawn to it searching for eternal happiness.

The Legend of Lucinda

This wooden haven is also the home of a ghostly figure named Lucinda.  It is said that years ago, Lucinda lived in a secluded cottage in the area known as Stoney Hollow.  It was so hidden, no one really knew exactly where she lived.  They did know that she was in love with a local man.  However, the man did not return those feelings for her and married another.  Lucinda, was so devastated by this loss, she threw herself onto some rocks in the hollow and killed herself, leaving only a single rose behind as she fell to her death.

Lucinda carries her spite into the after world and attempts to bring others with her.  The legend goes that she wanders the woods of Stoney Hollow and that if you are wandering the paths late at night and whisper her name three times in a row, you see her ghostly vision appear.  Beware if you choose to do this however, because if she drops a single rose, you are doomed to die shortly after. 

When the ghost of Lucinda in the Stoney Hollow leave a rose in your path, you are doomed to die shortly after.

The Phantom Peddler of Stoney Hollow

Another story associated with Mossy Glen is that of the peddler.  In the mid 1800's, a man would from time to time pass through the area selling his wares to the locals.  Legend has it that one year, folks were so desperate, that they ambushed the man near Stoney Hollow, then proceeded to murder and rob him.  It is said that they hid his body in a secluded cave in Stoney Hollow.

Over the years since, many have claimed to see the ghostly figure of the peddler strolling through Stoney Hollow as if still selling his wares.  His spirit, apparently tied to the place where he spent his last minutes of life.

The body of a 19th century peddler was believed to be hidden in a cave in the Stoney Hollow after he was robbed and murdered.  To this day his ghost haunts the Mossy Glen.

So if you pay a visit to the Mossy Glen Preserve near Edgewood, Iowa, pay close attention to what is around.  You just may encounter one of the ghosts of Mossy Glen!

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Floating Coffins Of Rock Creek - Bullhead, South Dakota

Years ago in the quiet little village of Bullhead, South Dakota located on the rugged central plains, nature took it's toll.  The town was ravaged by the flood waters of Rock Creek which splits the town in two as well as the larger nearby river that it empties into. The flooding was so fierce that the coffins in the cemetery began to rise and wash away.  As the coffins were retrieved, many were found to be empty of the bodies that the once contained. It is believed that the remains of many of the cemetery inhabitants were lost, scattered and reburied in the soil surrounding the town.  It is because of this tragedy that many believe that the town of Bullhead is haunted.

Years ago, the flood waters of Rock Creek dislodged inhabitants of the local cemetery, scattering their remains across town.  The village of Bullhead, SD has not been the same since the floating coffins of Rock Creek.

Most of the "Rock Creek" hauntings however, are centered around a school in town known as the Rock Creek Day School. Ever since the tragic flood, there have been stories of strange happenings in that school.  Figures have been seen through the windows of the building late at night when no one is supposed to be in there.  Teachers staying late to grade papers in the quiet after school hours are said to have heard voices and the shuffling of feet only to find that upon investigating, not a singe person was around to have made those noises. Some arrive in the morning to find that the desks and chairs have been rearranged in a random manner and some claim to have even heard the furniture moving as they worked alone in the building.

Grounds of the supposedly haunted Rock Creek Day School in Bullhead, South Dakota.

The normally docile Rock Creek at Bullhead, SD once flooded to the point where coffins from the local cemetery were dislodge and some of the occupants lost and scattered over the surrounding terrain.

Other incidents in the village have residents convinced that the spirits of the relocated dead are restless and are letting those around know it.  Awakened from their state of rest for all eternity.  The village has not been the same since the floating coffins of Rock Creek.

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The White School - Anamoose, North Dakota

Built back in the late 1920's on 33rd Street in Anamoose, North Dakota, there stood a school house known as White School.  Founded by Colonel Samuel White.  It severed as a school for local students and later served as a teacher's school were new methods of teaching were taught.  Tragedy struck the school and a couple of people killed there were said to haunt the building.

The White School was the scene of a tragic fire that killed two people who may have still haunted the place afterward

At some point in the school's history, there was a fire that devastated the school and the superintendent and one of the students lost their lives.  After repairs, the school stayed open until 1968.

The building was later purchased and completely remodeled.  During the renovations however, workers claimed to have witnessed some strange disturbances within the building.  As construction personnel were toiling along, they would smell cigar smoke.  When they traced the smell down to the basement, they claim to have seen the actual smoke on numerous occasions.  However, there was no one around smoking a cigar.  By coincidence, the former superintendent of the school who was killed in the fire, was a cigar smoker.  Workers also claimed to hear moaning sounds coming from the walls as they were being torn down. Afterward, there were many reports of strange feelings as people entered the house, hair standing on end, and objects moving about.  There were no further reports of cigar smoke, it seemed the poltergeist activity took over.

The White School is now the Sage Hill Bed and Breakfast. All hauntings seem to have subsided.  But, rumor has it they have great bread!

After being renovated again in the mid-1990s and being restored to it's former schoolhouse look, it reopened as the Sage Hill Bed and Breakfast, the paranormal activity in the house has seemed to subside.  Whatever was causing the unrest of the spirits within the house, seems to have put them at rest.

Although you may not have any paranormal experiences if you stay there, rumor has it they have some fantastic homemade bread!

Sage Hill Bed & Breakfast and Country Inn
2091 33rd Street NE, Anamoose, North Dakota
www.sagehillnd.com