Abandoned in Iowa

Submitted by Megan

"I know a bit of the back story on the first place...it was last occupied and still owned by a man who's well-known around these parts, due in part to his temper. The place is basically in the middle of nowhere, on a gravel road. It was totally renovated in the early '90s and was absolutely gorgeous. Still is, except that it's falling in. The holes in the roof and the sagging ceiling on the ground floor have prevented me from going upstairs.

The place was left full of family possessions. Clothing, food, a Christmas tree, furniture, photos, you name it. I can almost guarantee you that very little of what's inside has been left by squatters. I know this family somewhat, so I could just tell. When I was there last summer I found a diary written by the owner's wife in which she described all manner of abuse. After reading it out loud to my fiancée and photographer friend, they convinced me it was time to leave.

I ventured out there alone last weekend and was too spooked to go inside again without a buddy. It's been vandalized quite a bit since the last time I was there. It seemed there was no one else there except a cat on the front porch who scampered off when I got out of my car, but the forced-open front door and broken windows were new damage and I was afraid someone might be living inside. Plus there were tire tracks and footprints all over the snow. A couple of people drove by but seemed unconcerned, since it was broad daylight and I was carrying a camera.

If I can get back inside again, I'll get interior pictures. The damage that's occurred in the past two years makes me think I'd better go back soon, before it's too dangerous to enter at all."

"Another bit of recent history on this place: A man was murdered near an outbuilding on this property.

http://www.dailygate.com/news/article_7f456150-5a08-55c4-a9c8-7aaf20e515d3.html"

That actually creeps me out less than the fact that a woman was terrorized by her husband in this place they called home."

"I know nothing about this other house. When I was a kid I think someone was living there, so it's been occupied in the past 20 years. Unlike the last property I sent you pictures of, this place is posted with "no trespassing" signs. The road past it is also somewhat more well-traveled. It's right beside the next place I photographed, a one-room schoolhouse."

To contact Abandoned But Not Forgotten please e-mail us at abnfco@gmail.com with any questions or submissions you may want to contribute to the site.

I DON'T GIVE OUT LOCATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE FOR SALE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE STILL STANDING.

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