Midwest Shadow Files

What really lurks along Zombie Road ? In this episode of Midwest Shadow Files , we journey to one of Missouri's most infamous haunted locations—a secluded stretch of abandoned railroad known as Zombie Road . For decades, this eerie trail has been the center of chilling legends, ghostly encounters, and unexplained phenomena. Visitors have reported hearing phantom footsteps, seeing shadowy figures e...

Beneath the muddy waters of the Missouri River, legends have swirled for generations. In this episode of Midwest Shadow Files , we dive into the chilling tale of the Miniwashitu —a mysterious river monster rooted in the traditions of the Plains tribes. Described as a massive, serpentine creature lurking beneath the surface, the Miniwashitu has long been blamed for disappearances, strange currents,...

In this episode of Midwest Shadow Files, we investigate the mysterious 1977 Council Bluffs UFO Incident. Witnesses reported strange lights and unexplained materials that fell from the sky -landing in an area park. Leaving witnesses, law enforcement, and UFO researchers searching for answers. Was it a military aircraft, a natural phenomenon, or something far more mysterious? Join us as we uncover t...

Questions and Thoughts surrounding the new Steven Spielberg movie - "Disclosure Day" Let me know your thoughts - (Not a review) -

In this episode of Midwest Shadow Files , we follow the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the mysterious Spirit Mound near present-day Vermillion, South Dakota. Native tribes warned of tiny supernatural beings—known as the "Little Devils of Spirit Mound"—who were said to guard the hill with deadly arrows and strike down anyone who dared approach. Driven by curiosity, Lewis and Clark ignored the warnin...

In this episode of Midwest Shadow Files , we venture deep into the dark folklore of southeastern Wisconsin to uncover the legend of the Haunchies of Haunchyville. Hidden among the wooded backroads near Muskego lies a tale that has terrified locals for generations—a mysterious community of small, elusive beings said to inhabit the forests and fiercely defend their secluded village. Are the Haunches...

In this episode of Midwest Shadow Files , we journey to the haunted ghost town of Spring Ranch, Nebraska. Once a thriving prairie settlement, Spring Ranch is now a forgotten relic whispered about in local legends. From reports of ghostly apparitions and unexplained lights to eerie sounds echoing through abandoned ruins, we explore the history, mysteries, and paranormal encounters that continue to...

For this episode of Midwest Shadow Files , we dive into the murky waters of Kansas' most famous cryptid: Sinkhole Sam . Said to inhabit the Big Sinkhole near Inman, Kansas, this mysterious serpent-like creature first captured headlines in the early 1950s when local fishermen reported seeing a massive, worm-like beast rising from the water. Described as anywhere from 15 to 30 feet long and as thick...

In this episode of Midwest Shadow Files , we investigate the Gorman Dog Fight—one of the most puzzling UFO encounters in American history. Join us as we explore the 1948 aerial mystery over North Dakota, where a seasoned pilot reported an impossible dogfight with a glowing object in the night sky. Was it a military secret, a case of mistaken identity, or something far stranger? Tune in as we uncov...

In this episode of Midwest Shadow Files, we explore the infamous Earling, Iowa Exorcism—one of the most documented and controversial cases of demonic possession in American history. Journey back to a small Midwestern town where strange occurrences, religious fervor, and claims of supernatural forces converged around a young woman named Emma Schmidt (Anna Ecklund) Was it a genuine battle between go...

Episode Title: A Whole New Shadow: Welcome to the Midwest Shadow Files! Episode Description: Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast! If you noticed a slightly different name and logo in your feed today, don't panic—you're exactly where you're supposed to be. In this quick update episode, we are pulling back the curtain on a massive milestone for the podcast. The last year, we’ve loved diving de...

Welcome to Iowa Shadow Files , the podcast where we explore the eerie and unexplained tales from Iowa’s haunted past. In today’s episode, we dive into one of the most violent chapters in the state’s history: the Spirit Lake Massacre . Join us as we recount the harrowing events of that fateful day, drawing from Abbie Gardner’s firsthand account in The History of the Spirit Lake Massacre , along wit...

Iowa Shadow Files: The Butcher Baker – The Story of serial killer Robert Hansen Growing up in the small Iowa town of Pocahontas - we tell the story of a serial killer in the making. In this episode of Iowa Shadow Files , we dive into the dark history of Robert Hansen, the notorious serial killer known as "The Butcher Baker." Operating in and around Alaska, Hansen's heinous crimes went unnoticed fo...

Here the story of the Bank Demon of Mason City, Iowa

The Maquoketa Cave Creature In this episode of Iowa Shadow Files , we tell the account of the Maquoketa Cave Creature, a mysterious and unsettling figure that was witnessed in the caves of Maquoketa State Park. First brought to light by renowned cryptid researcher Linda Godfrey in her book I Know What I Saw , the tale of this strange creature has some pondering of its existence - because there has...

Iowa Shadow Files: The Haunting of The Drake University Observatory In this eerie episode of Iowa Shadow Files , we venture into the heart of Des Moines, Iowa, where a haunting tale lingers beneath the starry skies. The story centers around the Drake University Observatory, a place of scientific discovery and celestial observation, but also a site steeped in ghostly legend. Locals whisper that the...

Welcome to Iowa Shadow Files, the podcast where we dive into the eerie, the unexplained, and the paranormal stories that lurk just beyond the realm of reality - right here in Iowa. In this episode, we take you on a spine-tingling journey to the haunted Trestle Bridge, located just outside the long-abandoned ghost town of Tara, Iowa. This infamous bridge has long been the subject of local legends a...

In this episode, we uncover the haunting tale of Helen Roberts, a former student at Coe College whose tragic death during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 has left her spirit lingering on campus. Helen succumbed to pneumonia during the devastating outbreak, but her mysterious presence is said to still haunt the college to this day. Join us as we explore the eerie sightings, unexplained occurrences...

The Villisca Axe Murder house is the scene of one of the most gruesome and violent crimes in the 1900's - it occurred in the early morning of June 10th, 1912 - and literally stole the headlines of one of the biggest news events of the time period "The Sinking of the Titanic" - Six members of the Moore family and two of their guests we found bludgeoned to death by an axe - victims of a serial axe m...

Part 3 - of a three part series "Bigfoot in Iowa" In this third case - we tell the story of a sighting that occurred in Lockridge, Iowa in the late 70's - most infamous for being dubbed "the Lockridge Monster" Regardless if you are a believer or a skeptic - the story still remains - and sheds more questions than answers at this point. What do you think? Is there Bigfoot in Iowa?

Case #2 of a mini series called "Bigfoot in Iowa" In this episode we go into stories surrounding Bigfoot in the Yellow River State Forest, Other State Forest and State Parks around Iowa.

Probably one of the biggest stories in Iowa Bigfoot Sighting History - is the 1978 Ottosen, Iowa Bigfoot Sightings - so much that the Des Moines Register, and several other news outlets covered the story for years! What makes these Bigfoot sightings so unique is the number of witnesses and stories that come together to point at something "bigger" at work behind the scenes. - Of course, there are s...

In this episode we go into the top 10 Paranormal Sites in Iowa - and naturally it differs by opinion - but most of the top 10 are some of the state's more well known paranormal stories. **Just a quick note - I listened to this many times - and there are times when Villisca sounds like "VILLSICA" - my apologies in that - as it's just Villisca.** We have another episode coming up covering the Axe Mu...

Welcome to Iowa Shadow Files - the beginning -