Minnesota State University, Mankato Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato

All Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects Projects

2020

Dark in the Midwest

Rachel Walden Minnesota State University, Mankato

Follow this and additional works at: https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds

Part of the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, and the Tourism Commons

Recommended Citation Walden, R. (2020). Dark tourism in the Midwest [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1005/

This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects at Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. Dark Tourism in the Midwest

By

Rachel Walden

A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Degree of

Master of Science

In

Applied Anthropology

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Mankato, Minnesota

May 2020 i

May 8, 2020

Dark Tourism in the Midwest

Rachel Walden

This thesis has been examined and approved by the following members of the student’s committee.

Dr. Kathryn Elliott Advisor

Dr. Rhonda Dass Committee Member

Brian Frink, M.F.A. Committee Member ii

For Carla Walden, Steven Buschow, and Vernard Walden, whose support was beyond anything I could have asked for. And for Dani Walden, the best traveling companion anyone could have. iii

Acknowledgements

This thesis could not have been possible without the help of some wonderful people. First, I would like to thank my mother, Carla Walden. Your continued encouragement over the years was a driving force for me to pursue higher education. My grandfather, the late Vernard Walden, pushed harder than anyone for me to finish my thesis. A special thank you to my partner, Steven Buschow, for allowing me to take the time necessary to and pursue my research. Times were tough for a while, but you continued to support us so that I could reach a higher goal and I will be forever grateful for that sacrifice. Driving long hours could not have been done as easily without the companionship of my sister, Dani Walden. I will always cherish our time together. Finally, thank you to my friends for pushing me forward when I wanted to give up, for spending countless hours with me at the campus library, and for going on this journey with me, all the while listening to my ideas, research findings, and complaints. Your ears are tired, I am sure.

I would be nowhere without those gracious enough to have participated in my research. A special thanks to all of those who allowed me to interview them. My thanks to Saloon No. 10, the Villisca Axe House, Oakland , Glensheen Mansion, the State Reformatory, and Stark Parks. This project would not exist without your cooperation and I am grateful for being allowed the opportunity to experience these sites.

Funding was done in part not only through family members but also through the generosity of those who donated to my Go Fund Me campaign. To each person who donated, thank you for your contribution. This project would have been a dead end without you.

A very special thank you to Deanna Almquist, whose knowledge, companionship, and experienc