Villisca Axe Murder House

Villisca Axe Murder House Welcome to the Official Villisca Axe Murder House Page! During the weeks that followed, life in this small town changed drastically. Bloodhounds were brought in.
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Almost 97 years ago, long before serial killers and mass murders had become a way of life, two adults and 6 children were found brutally murdered in their beds in the small mid-western town of Villisca, Iowa. As residents of this small town reinforced locks, openly carried weapons and huddled together while sleeping, newspaper reporters and private detectives flooded the streets. Accusations, rumo

rs and suspicion ran rampant among friends and families. Law enforcement agencies from neighboring counties and states joined forces. Hundreds of interviews filled thousands of pages. And yet, the murders remained unsolved, the murderer unpunished.

We’re thrilled to announce that several of our historic properties and tours have been nominated in the 2026 USA TODAY 1...
09/02/2026

We’re thrilled to announce that several of our historic properties and tours have been nominated in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. 🏆👻

Show your support by voting for your favorite haunted destinations and ghost tours below:
👉 Vote Best Haunted Haunted Hotel: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-haunted-hotel/
👉Vote Best Haunted Destination: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-haunted-destination/
👉Vote Best Ghost Tour: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-ghost-tour/

You can vote once daily through Monday, September 21 at noon EST. 🗳️

Today, we remember Herman Montgomery Moore on his birthday.Born September 2, 1900, he was the firstborn of the Moore fam...
09/02/2026

Today, we remember Herman Montgomery Moore on his birthday.

Born September 2, 1900, he was the firstborn of the Moore family and a cherished big brother to his younger siblings.

His life was part of a family whose story continues to be remembered today.

Happy Birthday, Herman. 🕊️

Planning an overnight stay at the Villisca Axe Murder House? Before you arrive, take a moment to review these important ...
08/24/2026

Planning an overnight stay at the Villisca Axe Murder House? Before you arrive, take a moment to review these important tips and guidelines.

From preparing your equipment ahead of time to respecting the historic house and your fellow guests, these reminders can help ensure a safe and enjoyable overnight stay for everyone.

Ready to experience the house after dark? Book your overnight stay today (link below 👇)

08/13/2026

Take a look inside one of Iowa’s most infamous historic homes...

On June 10, 1912, eight people were found murdered inside this home in Villisca, Iowa.

The victims included the Moore family and two young Stillinger sisters who had spent the night with them.

Despite extensive investigation, the murders remain unsolved more than a century later.

Today, the Villisca Axe Murder House stands as a reminder of one of America's most haunting and enduring mysteries.

Would you step inside?

📸A glimpse into historic Villisca through vintage photographs that capture the town's rich past.Explore even more hist...
08/07/2026

📸

A glimpse into historic Villisca through vintage photographs that capture the town's rich past.

Explore even more historical photos and discover the story of Villisca when you visit the Villisca Axe Murder House.

This week, we remember Lena and Ina Stillinger on their birthdays.Lena Gertrude Stillinger was born on Aug. 1, 1900 and ...
08/01/2026

This week, we remember Lena and Ina Stillinger on their birthdays.

Lena Gertrude Stillinger was born on Aug. 1, 1900 and Ina May Stillinger was born July 30, 1903.

Both spent the night with the Moore family on June 9, 1912, when their lives were taken in a crime that still haunts history.

Lena, 12, was known for her bright spirit and love of reading.

Ina, 8, was considered kindhearted and hoped to become a teacher one day.

Happy Birthday, Lena and Ina. Rest in Peace. 🕊️

Did you know that Lizzie Borden's uncle, John V. Morse, was a suspect in the Villisca Axe Murders case at one point?Mors...
07/30/2026

Did you know that Lizzie Borden's uncle, John V. Morse, was a suspect in the Villisca Axe Murders case at one point?

Morse lived in Iowa, leading some to speculate he could have been connected to the 1912 murders.

He was already known to the public because he had once been suspected in the infamous 1892 Borden murders in Fall River, Massachusetts, though investigators ruled him out.

However, it was later revealed that he died on March 1, 1912—a few months before the crime.

Who do you believe was responsible for the murders? 💭

07/21/2026

One of the biggest challenges in solving the Villisca Axe Murders happened before police even began their investigation.

By the time the Red Oak Police Department arrived, the house had already been filled with neighbors, contaminating any evidence that remained.

Crime scene photography was also uncommon in 1912. Although someone brought a camera to photograph the scene, Josiah Moore's brother, Roscoe, allegedly destroyed it.

In this interview, former Villisca Axe Murder House owner Martha Linn shares these historical details with current owner Lance Zaal while discussing the home's history and the events of June 10, 1912.

Watch the full interview at the link below. ⬇️

Among the many mysteries of the Villisca Axe Murders, one of the most puzzling is a slab of bacon reportedly found wrapp...
07/15/2026

Among the many mysteries of the Villisca Axe Murders, one of the most puzzling is a slab of bacon reportedly found wrapped in a towel in the downstairs guest bedroom where the Stillinger sisters were discovered.

At first glance, it seems completely out of place. But due to the home's layout and common household practices at the time, it may not have been so unusual after all.

In 1912, home-cured bacon was a valuable household staple that needed to be stored in a cool, dark, and still location.

While the Moore family's pantry served as general food storage, its window made it less suitable for curing meat.

Instead, Sarah Moore likely cured her family's meat in the spare room closet—an enclosed, dark space that offered the ideal conditions for preservation.

As the killer moved through the home covering mirrors and windows with cloth, he may have opened the closet and accidentally knocked over the bacon, leaving it at the crime scene.

What are your theories? Let us know in the comments. 👇

Our suspect series continues with another name often connected to the Villisca Axe Murders: Frank F. Jones.Unlike previo...
07/08/2026

Our suspect series continues with another name often connected to the Villisca Axe Murders: Frank F. Jones.

Unlike previous suspects, Jones wasn't linked to the crime through a confession or a criminal past. Instead, suspicion stemmed from his relationship with Josiah "Joe" Moore.

A respected businessman and politician, Jones served his community as a schoolteacher, farmer, hardware merchant, city council member, state representative, state senator, and member of the Iowa Board of Education.

Joe Moore worked for Frank F. Jones at the Jones Store for nearly nine years before leaving to open his own farm implement company.

Rumors later surfaced that Joe was having an affair with Jones' daughter-in-law, Donna Jones. Some have speculated that this alleged relationship may have provided a motive, leading to the theory that Jones hired William Mansfield to kill the Moore family.

However, no evidence ever proved the allegation or connected Jones to the murders, and he was never charged.

Do you think Frank Jones played a role in the Villisca Axe Murders, or is this theory based on rumor rather than fact?

Share your thoughts in the comments as we continue exploring the leading suspects in this mystery.👇

Address

508 E 2nd Street
Villisca, IA
50864

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 10pm
Tuesday 10am - 10pm
Wednesday 10am - 10pm
Thursday 10am - 10pm
Friday 10am - 11pm
Saturday 10am - 11pm
Sunday 10am - 11pm

Telephone

+17122505122

Website

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