This month I've been examing local ghost stories and haunted sites across Iowa. A popular one here in the corridor involves the statue of an angel at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. I'm speaking about the 'Black Angel of Death'.

This legend has been around for years. I've actually visited the site and yes, it is creepy and foreboding. The history of the statue dates back to the early 1900's. Teresa Feldevert had the statue made to honor her son who died in 1891. The statue was made in Chicago and transported to the Iowa City cemetery in 1913. Numerous family members are buried at the site. Over the years the golden angel turned an eerie blackish green hue.

The rumors surrounding the statue are many. Among the most popular is that if you touch or kiss the statue, you will die. It is also said that if a pregnant woman walks beneath the statue she will miscarry. Nothing to be messed around with, am I right? During my only trip to see the angel, I didn't mess around. I didn't get too close, I didn't touch it. I'm not overly superstitious, but why take chances?

 

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