DES MOINES, Iowa (KTIV) -
If you're looking for a good haunt, and don't mind a bit of a jaunt, check out one of Des Moines, Iowa's legendary haunted houses at Linn's Supermarket.
This time of year, the basement of the seemingly simple grocery store is filled with the screams of ill fated visitors. But they give rave reviews.
"Linn's is like the classic spot, you know. It's been around forever," said one haunted house enthusiast.
"They're notorious as far as the fright factor," said another.
"Just about everything, to scare just about anyone," said haunted house creator Merlyn Linn.
Linn says he started this ghoulish grocery for his four kids, in his garage. But they grew up.
"My youngest daughter turned 16, and I went out in the garage and saw all the things that we had. I thought, 'Well I'm getting older. I'm going to build one in the basement of the store'," said Linn.
That was 28 years ago, making Linn's Supermarket one of the oldest haunted houses in the area, maybe even the state.
With the help of guys like Dick Ristau, Linn's group has put a lot of effort into the basement.
"You could probably build 2 1/2 to 3 homes out of the lumber and stuff we have in there," said Linn.
For guests, it all starts with an unnerving entrance into an old shaft used for pop bottles. Inside, on their 18 minute journey, folks are greeted by monstrous monkeys, murderous marauders, and much more.
Around every corner there are surprises, made better with technology, like infrared beams. When stepped into, any number of things can happen.
But, this hallowed haunt is not about guts and gore. It's about having a good time. Just ask its care taker.
"When people come here, they go through and they forget about their problems. When they go through, you can see when they come out they're laughing. When people are laughing and having fun, that's the main thing," said Linn.
An undead Des Moines tradition, still alive.
Linn's got more than twenty people working at his haunted house. He says some of the proceeds go back to charity.
The haunted house at Linn's Supermarket has been open for 28 years, making it one of the oldest in the area, maybe even the state.
