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History - The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad passenger depot in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was built in 1899. The depot was built on the same site as an older station and was part of a capital improvement plan for the Rock Island Line. Located at the southern tip of Main Street, the depot is separated from downtown Council Bluffs by 10 or 12 blocks and a manufacturing district. Serving as a major transportation hub for people coming in and out of Iowa City during the peak years of the 1890s, no fewer than 15 railroad lines operated 90 trains a day through the depot.
Passenger service came to a halt in May 1970 and operations at the depot ceased altogether in 1980. The Claims – Visitors and staff report hearing unidentified voices and strange sounds within the building and on some of the vintage train cars. |
Investigation - We investigated the Rock Island Depot in June, 2021. The depot itself is small as you would expect. There were two waiting rooms – one for men and one for women, as well as a baggage/freight room. Recent renovations also include the addition of a second story loft above the baggage area, where claims of unidentified voices are often heard.
After setting up static night vision cameras in each room as well as on the vintage mail car, we began holding EVP sessions throughout the location. While we did not hear the phantom footsteps we did capture what we believe to be voices. We also heard some sounds that seemed to be doors opening and closing.
We did spend some time on the vintage train cars. And we heard voices. Unfortunately, they were coming from a bar that is several blocks away but clearly able to be heard. Is this what others are hearing?
Is the Rock Island Depot haunted? While we did not capture enough unexplained activity to put a haunted stamp on this one, it is definitely worth another look.
After setting up static night vision cameras in each room as well as on the vintage mail car, we began holding EVP sessions throughout the location. While we did not hear the phantom footsteps we did capture what we believe to be voices. We also heard some sounds that seemed to be doors opening and closing.
We did spend some time on the vintage train cars. And we heard voices. Unfortunately, they were coming from a bar that is several blocks away but clearly able to be heard. Is this what others are hearing?
Is the Rock Island Depot haunted? While we did not capture enough unexplained activity to put a haunted stamp on this one, it is definitely worth another look.