In 1903, something strange descended on Van Meter, Iowa—a winged creature, part bat, part machine, with a blinding light on its head.

It terrorized the town for five nights… and then disappeared.

In this episode, Robert Barber unravels one of America’s most chilling and little-known paranormal stories—a case where folklore, fear, and eyewitness accounts collide.

🎧 Was it a cryptid, mass panic, or something we still can’t name?

Support State of the Unknown

If you enjoy the show and would like to help support it, you can become a Sasquatch Supporter for $3 a month. Your support helps cover the costs of researching and producing the show, website hosting, distribution, and helping more people discover State of the Unknown.

Membership is completely optional, and the show remains free for everyone.

Become a Sasquatch Supporter on Patreon

🔍 New episodes every Tuesday
🌐 Visit stateoftheunknown.com for show notes and to submit your own story.
📬 Questions, theories, or story ideas? Reach out at contact@stateoftheunknown.com or @stateoftheunknownpodcast.

Some stories don’t stay buried.
We go looking anyway.

The Van Meter Visitor: Iowa’s Winged Terror That Vanished Without a Trace — Ep. 4