Iowa is a state with a long and storied past, and we’ve always been a leader in higher education. In fact, Iowa is home to some of the most well-regarded colleges in the country! One private college in Cedar Rapids is known for being a wonderful place to continue your education – so much so, in fact, that one former student has never quite left…
One of Iowa’s eeriest stories is the tale of Helen Roberts, a former student who haunts the buildings of Coe College in Cedar Rapids.
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Coe has been an Iowa institution since 1851, and young Helen was just a Freshman living in Voorhees Hall when the Spanish Flu pandemic swept through campus. Helen died before she had even completed a full semester of college.
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Since her death in 1918, the ghost of Helen Roberts haunts the buildings and halls on campus. After her death, her family donated a grandfather clock to the college in her memory.
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The clock was originally placed in Voorhees Hall, but it was moved around to other residence halls over the years. It finally found a home in Stuart Hall. In each building where the clock resided, visitors, students, and staff reported paranormal happenings.
Flickr / Joy Banerjee
The ghost of Coe College likes to wander the halls, disturbing students in their sleep, and playing music throughout the dorms.
Flickr / Joy Banerjee
Campus security guards have reported hearing instrumental music from closed-off sections of campus with no explanation, and students have been woken up by something tugging their sheets off their bed.
Flickr / Joy Banerjee
The ghost of Coe College is an innocent one, though, so do not fear. Helen Roberts is just trying to relive the youthful days that were taken from her far too early.
Flickr / Joy Banerjee
For more eerie Iowa ghost stories, read Here Are 8 Of Iowa’s Most Famous Ghost Stories To Tell Around The Campfire.
Flickr / Joy Banerjee
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Address: 5008, 1220 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, USA
