This is hidden gem. Especially if you're into ghost hunting, local history, how the state treated the poor and mentally ill. A group of four of us had a great time during a day tour that we attended in October. Our group was part of a much larger afternoon tour that included around 30 people. Pulling up to this place is kind of ominous. It's just such a massive structure in the middle of nowhere. We arrived before our designated time (I recommend arriving a few minutes early in case you have to use the restroom inside the property nearby) where the owner/tour leader, Cindy, escorted us inside to pay and sign the guest book. Cash only. $10/per person. We started the tour in the large day room on the main floor of the manor. Cindy gave us an extensive history of the property, told us what we could/might expect from the tour. From the day room we moved throughout the manor to different rooms and levels. Most spooky was the basement where the kitchen and dining room used to be. I think the entire tour lasted around an hour. No one in our group of four experienced anything paranormal. The manor is absolutely huge, thus there is no heat or water. Cindy explained that when she and her husband first purchased the property they quickly learned how expensive the utilities were, so there are none. When they bought the property in 2010 it looked nothing like it does today. Paint peeling from the walls has really aged the manor and is a result of not having the utilities turned on. Despite this, the peeling paint really adds to the overall eeriness of the place. Dress warmly if you're visiting during the cooler months. There is an overnight option for a nominal fee, which I would never do. Not because I'm afraid, but because there is no heat or running water inside the manor. There is a home located behind the manor that overnight guests can use for restroom purposes, sleeping, etc. I love that this place is being preserved and that the public is being allowed inside. Fascinating that Edinburgh Manor was still operating as a mental health facility through 2010. Lots of documents remain from 2010 like newspapers in some of the rooms. Residents still in the manor at that time of the closure were relocated elsewhere. Honestly, this might be the most unsettling part - lots of mementos left behind from the residents who were forced to move. Some didn't even take their clothing. Time came to to a standstill in this place. Totally worth the trip! I went into it not thinking I was going to be scared, and I wasn't. I was more curious about the history. If you go into it with the 'I want to see something I can't explain' attitude, you might leave a different kind of review. Cindy leads most of the tours herself and maintains the day tour and overnight schedules. Hands up for her. It has to be so much work. Lastly, you must make a reservation! Don't just show up and plan to get inside. Follow the Edinburgh Manor Facebook page for day tour openings and more. We made an afternoon of our trip to Scotch Grove and visited Grant Wood's grave in close-by Riverside Cemetery afterward. I enthusiastically recommend. read more

Edinburgh Manor is extremely haunted, my team, DAAM! Paranormal, have stayed overnight for multiple Investigations. My team rents the property for 12 hours and we have not had more than 5 people in our group. Do not book with the ghost hunt businesses that sell hundreds of tickets for one investigation, it's way too expensive and you will not get the full experience. They are just trying to make money off folks that don't know any better. When you have fifty to a hundred people, all in different groups, on all floors, the chances of catching any evidence is slim. There is way too much noise caused by people, both the promoters and those who attend do not take Paranormal investigating seriously. This location is often referred to as having "evil or demonic" spirits. I don't believe that's true, I believe people who say that are being over-dramatic and have never been in the presence of a demon. I believe, the spirits there are irritated with all the people invading their home, asking the same stupid questions and trying to provoke activity. On our first investigation, we caught a crystal clear EVP in Room 200 within a few hours of being there. That EVP can be found on my Paranormal blog at https://daamparanormal.com/ read more

Edinburgh Manor - The basement, where "The Joker" is said to roam the halls. Many say its an evil/demonic entity but I believe they're being over-dramatic. - Retirement Homes Near Me - Scotch Grove, Iowa

See all

We attended a "ghost hunt" at this abandoned manor with Ghost Hunts USA. Once the site of a poor farm, then most recently a mental institution where reportedly over 180 people died on the property (Google it for more details). There was definitely a presence in the basement when we first arrived, but once the crowd of 80+ people showed up all fell silent. Some people stayed overnight in the rooms which would have been cool had it not been so freakin cold inside! I am not saying don't go, I'm just saying Spring and or Fall would be much better!! Also a smaller group would probably see more activity, I think the tour group over booked this event. read more

See all

A group of 4 friends (counting myself) had went around 2am and ended up leaving because we were absolutely terrified. This place seems like a building you'd see in a game or horror film. Probably should bring a mask for dust and lots of lighting, like flashlights for how dark it is. read more