You can't stop progress. Construction started this spring building a massive new $100 million amusement park, set to open in 2022. The owners of Lost Island Water Park, located at 2225 E. Shaulis Rd, in Waterloo, are busy planning for a new nearly 200-acre theme park, located right across the street from the water park and right down the road from this historic house.

Built in 1899, the (original) "Hess House" has had many owners in its 120 year history. Some previous tenants swear it's definitely haunted, some say they never experienced anything unusual, other than a "creaky" old house. Scroll down to read more on that subject, in our original article called, "Cedar Valley's Most Haunted Locations".

Over the years, the house has fallen into much disrepair. The owners of nearby Lost Island Water Park have purchased the house and property. "Originally, we thought it would be wonderful to save such a historic building, but, (unfortunately), it's beyond beyond saving" said General Manager, Eric Bertch. They had planned to renovate the house into a "Bed & Breakfast" or maybe a coffee shop, however, the house is just too far gone to restore.

“We are currently salvaging much of the hand-carved banister and solid wood doors, but eventually, it will need to be demolished. The foundation is cracked and sagging, the second story is totally unstable, and the roof is molding. There are currently no plans for the property”, Bertch said.

The engineering department for the city of Waterloo does confirm that a roundabout is in future plans for the corner of East Shaulis and Hess Roads, but the street plan would not have included tearing down the house.

To read more about the Cedar Valley's Most Haunted Locations, keep scrolling down:

--- (Originally published June 2, 2020) ---

No matter what time of the year, I'm always "down" for a good spooky ghost story. You might be skeptical if you've never had an encounter with an apparition. On the other hand, if you have, you know what it's like to have the hair stand on the back of your neck.

Iowa is known for its haunted locations, like the Mental Health Institute (MHI) in Independence, the Franklin Hotel in Strawberry Point and probably the most popular haunt, the Villisca Axe Murder House. That started me thinking, what about some haunted locations right here in the Cedar Valley area?

Let's explore, but before we dive into it...a reminder that this is all in "good fun" and for entertainment purposes only. Under no circumstances should you approach the homes in the photos, they are private property and could result in criminal prosecution.

Cedar Valley's Most Haunted Locations - Photos

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KEEP READING: Can You Guess These C.V. Locations From An Aerial View?

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