Aerial survey view of Graceland Park CemeteryAerial survey · USDA NAIP · public domain
Cemetery / Burial Ground

Graceland Park Cemetery

Sioux City's historic early-1900s cemetery where visitors report orbs of light, camera malfunctions, and the disorienting legend of a weeping angel statue and phantom organ music.

S Lakeport St, Sioux City, IA 51106

Research updated June 2026

Age

All Ages

Cost

Free

Free public cemetery; daytime visits only.

Access

Limited Access

Cemetery grounds with paved drives and some grassy sections.

Equipment

Photos OK

Orbs of light among headstonesCamera malfunctionsSense of disorientation on the groundsAngel statue said to weep after dark (unverified legend)Phantom organ music from the mausoleum (unverified legend)

The folklore surrounding Graceland Park Cemetery spans two categories: physical anomalies reported by visitors and a specific sculptural legend attached to one of the cemetery's angel statues.

Visitors have reported orbs of light visible among the headstones, cameras failing or producing unexplained results, and a distinct sense of spatial disorientation while walking the grounds. At least one account from a 2008 local history blog documents the disorientation experience firsthand, describing it as intensifying near specific sections of the cemetery.

The more dramatic legend concerns an angel statue said to weep at night. The related claim — phantom organ music emanating from inside the mausoleum when the building is empty and locked — has circulated as local lore in Sioux City for years. Both the weeping statue and the organ music are unverified and appear in accounts that lack documentary support. They are presented here as examples of regional cemetery folklore, not as established facts.

Plan Your Visit

1 way to experience
Self-Guided Visit

Historic Cemetery Walk

Walk the grounds of Graceland Park Cemetery, which drew visitors from neighboring states for its mausoleum dedication in the early 1900s. The angel statue and mausoleum section are focal points of local legend.

Duration:
45 min

Sources & Further Reading

Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.

  1. 1.historyculturebybicycle.blogspot.com/2008/11/sioux-city-history-and-culture-by_2851.html

Similar Destinations

Aerial survey view of Calvary Cemetery (Sioux City)
Aerial survey · USDA NAIP
Cemetery / Burial Ground

Calvary Cemetery (Sioux City)

Sioux City, IA

Calvary Cemetery is a Catholic burial ground at 28th and Cassleman on Sioux City's west side, and is the city's second-oldest cemetery. Its older, upper section — reached by a dirt cut-through — is the setting for a long-circulated 'hanging tree' headstone legend, though the claim is disputed by some visitors who say the marker is simply a tree-form stone.

$ All Ages Family: Moderate
Aerial survey view of Pleasant Ridge Cemetery (13 Stairs Cemetery)
Aerial survey · USDA NAIP
Cemetery / Burial Ground

Pleasant Ridge Cemetery (13 Stairs Cemetery)

Palo, IA

Pleasant Ridge Cemetery is a small 19th-century burial ground a few miles north of Palo in Linn County, eastern Iowa. It is reached by a flight of stone steps that gives rise to its popular nickname, '13 Stairs' or '13 Steps' Cemetery. Among its documented burials is Thankful Blackburn (1810-1862), whose weathered headstone became the anchor of the cemetery's folklore.

$ All Ages Family: Moderate
Aerial survey view of Union Cemetery (The Devil's Chair)
Aerial survey · USDA NAIP
Cemetery / Burial Ground

Union Cemetery (The Devil's Chair)

Guthrie Center, IA

Union Cemetery, east of Guthrie Center in Guthrie County, Iowa, was established as a private burial ground in 1885. It contains a cement-cast chair-shaped headstone, set between two graves and unmarked as belonging to either, which has become the focus of a regional 'Devil's Chair' legend.

$ All Ages Family: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Graceland Park Cemetery family-friendly?
A historic cemetery appropriate for respectful daytime visits. The legends are mild and presented as unverified folklore. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Graceland Park Cemetery?
Free public cemetery; daytime visits only. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Graceland Park Cemetery wheelchair accessible?
Graceland Park Cemetery has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Cemetery grounds with paved drives and some grassy sections..