Welcome to Muscatine, where for teens: there are not many nearby age-appropriate activities. So what better to do than looking to the beyond for supernatural fun?
Jackson Kilburn, '23
Muscatine doesn’t have many local legends, but what we do have is the Blue Angel. This cemetery monument lies within the vast Greenwood Cemetery, which you can find on Lucas Street.
The Blue Angel legend goes something like this: If walking through the cemetery, if you see a rose dropped in front of you, you’re cursed to meet your end shortly after.
The name is gained from the blue hue that she adorns when light is shining through the window of her mausoleum. The hand which would hold the rose was cut off of her statue, but many say that it will reappear at night, as she waits for her next victim.
Other witnesses of the angel say that they’ve heard screaming from her humble abode, or that when approaching her cement home the sky will turn red.
With this kind of story, you would think that many would be too afraid to even step foot in the cemetery she resides in. However, this didn’t scare away MHS superstar, Gabe Salazar. This senior is loud and proud, and that doesn’t change when he’s getting ready for some spooky fun.
“I’m passionate about history and I was interested in testing to see if the urban legend was all that it was made out to be. I also figured that I’d be able to utilize it for a Muskie Minutes episode, as it was around Halloween when I had gone.”
He’s dedicated to his work, especially when it comes to the school news broadcast “Muskie Minutes”. So much so that he’s willing to have a spine-chilling experience to help, which is what happened when he went to see the angel.
“I was in the area, walking up to the plot of the Blue Angel, and then all of the sudden the sounds of nature just stopped. Everything went silent and it felt still. As I was approaching the angel herself, I felt a chill down my spine and I found myself stuck in place, feeling more and more drawn to it,” he said.
But this was no normal coincidence of natural phenomena, and Gabe recognizes that himself.
“My inability to look away made me realize that there was something off about it,” He started, recounting the bone-shaking encounter.
“I was drawn to it as if a moth to flame. And when I was able to step away from the angel, things immediately went back to the way they were before I went into her realm. The wind started blowing again, the sounds of nature returned, and I could feel the warmth of the sun hit me. It was like I was in a different atmosphere entirely,” he said.
But this terrifying experience didn't scare this brave Muskie away.
“I’d actually love to see the angel again, but maybe the next time with a few friends. I’m still interested in finding out the explanation behind everything that happened that would be described as “paranormal,” as well as just learning about more of the history.”
When taking pictures for the article, I can definitely say that there is something… a bit off about that spot. Whether you’re a fan of the supernatural, or would rather go trick-or-treating with a younger sibling, it’s definitely a place to check out this Halloween.
Read more stories from Jackson here!