Guided Tour
Historic Home Tour
Guided tours of the 1844 Greek Revival home of Robert Lucas, Iowa's first territorial governor, who died at Plum Grove in 1853. The Iowa State Historical Society operates the site seasonally.
- Duration:
- 1 hr
No photograph
on file
Est. 1844on file
HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena — as catalogued
- 01Unexplained occurrences
- 02Presence attributed to Lucas family
Haunted House / Historic Home
Plum Grove Historic Home
Greek Revival home built in 1844 by Iowa's first territorial governor Robert Lucas, who died here in 1853 — now a state-operated historic site with reported paranormal activity.
1030 Carroll Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 4 sources
Research updated June 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$
Open seasonally as a state historic site; check Iowa History website for current season hours and any admission fee
Access
Wheelchair OK
Grounds with maintained paths; historic house interior
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1844 · Home of Iowa's First Territorial Governor · Greek Revival Architecture (1844) · Iowa Territorial Capital History · National Register of Historic Places
Robert Lucas arrived in Iowa Territory in 1838 as its first appointed governor, serving until 1841. After his tenure, Lucas settled in Iowa City — then the territorial capital — and in 1844 built Plum Grove, a Greek Revival home on 360 acres southwest of the city center. He named the property for the plum trees on the land.
Lucas spent the final years of his life at Plum Grove and died there in 1853 at age 68. His wife, Friendly Lucas, continued to reside at the property. The home changed hands several times after her death and eventually came under state preservation through the Iowa State Historical Society, which now operates it as a public historic site open seasonally.
The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered one of the most significant surviving structures associated with Iowa's earliest territorial government. The Iowa State Historical Society's official site confirms the property's public access and its interpretation as an early Iowa domestic and political history site.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plum_Grove_Historic_House
- https://history.iowa.gov/visit/historic-sites/plum-grove-historic-home
- https://www.letsroam.com/explorer/haunted-places-in-iowa/
- https://dailyiowan.com/2025/10/28/the-haunted-history-of-iowa-city/
Unexplained occurrencesPresence attributed to Lucas family
The ghost lore at Plum Grove is modest compared to the site's considerable documented history. Paranormal activity reported at the property is attributed generally to the Lucas family — Iowa Territory's first governor and those who shared the home with him — without specific named phenomena or documented incidents in the sources available during research.
The association of a prominent figure who died on the property with lingering presence is common in historic house interpretation, and Plum Grove's status as a state historic site means most visitors encounter it primarily through its historical significance. The paranormal dimension appears primarily in regional tourism aggregators rather than in any dedicated investigation or firsthand account.
The site's primary value for visitors interested in dark history is its status as the death site of a significant Iowa political figure, in a well-preserved setting that has changed little since the mid-19th century.
Notable Entities
Robert Lucas (first Governor of Iowa Territory, died at Plum Grove 1853)
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plum Grove Historic Home family-friendly?
State-operated historic house; appropriate for all ages. Ghost lore is incidental to the historical interpretation. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Plum Grove Historic Home?
Open seasonally as a state historic site; check Iowa History website for current season hours and any admission fee
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Plum Grove Historic Home wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Plum Grove Historic Home is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Grounds with maintained paths; historic house interior.