The Mizpah Hotel has been voted the number one haunted hotel by a couple of publications. Not surprising for a hotel that has stood for 120 years. And it’s been able to stand this long because this is one strong hotel. This building was formed from concrete, stone and brick in the Nevada town of Tonopah near the height of its mining boom. The lighted sign that sits on the roof can be seen from miles away. We wonder if that sign not only attracts travelers to come and stay the night, but does it get the attention of spirits as well? There are several spirits here, including a Lady in Red. Oh, and did you know that the Clown Motel is in Tonopah too. We’ll talk about that as well. Join us for the history and hauntings of the Mizpah Hotel. This Month in History features National Hagfish Day.
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Author Archives: History Goes Bump
There are two main Spiritualist Camps in America dating back to the Victorian Era: Lilydale in New York and Cassadaga in Florida. We’ve visited Cassadaga several times, which is known as the Psychic Capital of the World. Almost as often as St. Augustine, and like St. Augustine, Cassadaga oozes spiritual energy. While some people might think that Spiritualism was just a craze during the Victorian Era, it is a real religion that still exists today and is recognized by the military as a standard religion. There are around 13 million practicing Spiritualists in the world today. Many of them still live in Cassadaga and there seems to be many spirits in this small town, not only of the Spiritualists who have already transitioned, but perhaps of the many spirits called to the town. Join us for the history and hauntings of the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp. The Moment in Oddity features the Lung Tree.
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Pianist and singer Liberace was one-of-a-kind with big dimples, pompadour hair, huge rings on his fingers and expensive and flamboyant suits and capes. No one had his flair or style and he had a great dynamic with his audience, proclaiming often that he agreed with Mae West when she said, “Too much of a good thing, is wonderful.” He was once the highest paid entertainer in the world. When one thinks of Liberace, the first thing that comes to mind are the costumes. Oh, those costumes! He grew up at a time when being openly gay was frowned upon and even dangerous and thus he denied his homosexuality all the way to his death from AIDS. So much talent and style couldn’t possibly just go away with death. His spirit still watches over his collections. Join us for the life and afterlife of Liberace! This Month in History features Bobbies hitting the streets.
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Thirty minutes north of Kansas City is Excelsior Springs, Missouri. This town was formed around natural springs that attracted Native American populations for centuries. Europeans eventually discovered them, settled here and marketed the waters for what they believed were their curative effects. The Elms Hotel was one of several lodgings offered in the city. The location burned down twice before this third version that stands today was built. There have been deaths here and that has led to hauntings. Join us for the history and hauntings of The Elms Hotel! The Moment in Oddity features The Tombstone House. Our location was suggested by Jared Spangler.
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The visually stunning Margam Castle is located in Margam, Wales and while the 269,000 square foot structure resembles a castle, it really is technically just a country house. A very large country house. The reason it is referred to as a castle though is because it was made to look like a castle complete with an octagonal tower, turrets and battlements. While this was never a fortification, there are hill forts that dot the landscape, as do burial cairns. And what really makes this site remarkable is the nearby Margam Abbey, which lies in partial ruins. There are several spirits that call the castle home. Join us for the history and hauntings of Margam Castle. This Month in History features The Battle of Sedan. Our location was suggested by listener Lyn Beasley.
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The town of Crystal River in Florida is the home of the manatee. This is where they can be found in the winter, congregating in the natural springs found in the area. Those springs attracted indigenous people as well and some of them left behind their mounds. These not only have cultural and historic interest, but they have paranormal activity as well, which we discovered for ourselves. There are other locations with ghost stories too, one which also has a connection to Elvis Presley and his film “Follow That Dream.” And we found a wonderful small historic cemetery that not only had some sad stories to share, but the activity we experienced there, brought us back for a second trip. Join us as we share the history and hauntings of Crystal River! The Moment in Oddity features Bishop Castle.
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Our listener Celia hails from South Africa and she wrote us about an experience she had at a historic museum located in the capital city of Pretoria. It’s an awesome ghost story and we wondered if there were other haunted locations in Pretoria and sure enough, we found some! South Africa has only come up on the podcast one other time in all these years, so it was definitely time to revisit this country that has a history marked with turmoil because of apartheid and the ensuing massacres and uprisings and the struggle to transition to independence and Democracy. Ongoing challenges continue, but this is also a country of natural beauty in the landscape and its varied wildlife. The architecture is also diverse, represented with indigenous styles and contemporary styles, but also the historic styles of Victorian and Colonial. Join us for the history and hauntings of Pretoria, South Africa!
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The plan was named Operation Cone of Power. Sounds militaristic. Possibly some kind of intelligence operation. Certainly had to be official. It was the summer of 1940 and Britain was bracing itself for a full-on invasion from German forces. A team of witches came together, lead by the Father of Witchcraft, Gerald Gardner, and worked their magick to push back against the Nazis. And as history documented, the Nazis never were able to invade Britain. Some may say it was the Luftwaffe’s failure to defeat the Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain that kept the Germans from taking Britain, but one really has to wonder, was it the witches? And what in the world did James Bond creator Ian Fleming have to do with all of this? Join us for this fascinating journey into a little known piece of World War II history!
Oswego, New York was a bustling port in the 1800s, but long before that, there was Fort Ontario. The Fort represents over 260 years of history from its beginnings as an earthworks fort to a brick and mortar one and it has had a significant role in several conflicts. The structure was destroyed and rebuilt four times. There was a time that it was a huge general hospital as well as a safe haven for refugee Jews fleeing Europe during World War II. Today, the Fort is a living museum with costumed guides that lead all varieties of tours, including the ghost ones because there are several spirits here. Join us for the history and hauntings of Fort Ontario! The Moment in Oddity features Megaflash and This Month in History features the Double Eagle II Balloon. Our location was suggested by Katherine McManus.
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The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa is an iconic landmark in Downtown Denver. The hotel has stood for over 130 years and was one of the first atrium-style hotels ever built and was fire-proof. She was affectionately nicknamed The Grand Dame of Denver and she has stood as a sentinel in the downtown area, watching over the history that has unfolded here. The Brown hosted celebrities, Molly Brown, several Presidents and even the Beatles. And rumors claim that she hosts spirits as well. Several of them. Join us for the history and hauntings of the Brown Palace Hotel. The Moment in Oddity features Diesel the Donkey and This Month in History features the storming of the Bastille. Our location was suggested by David Law, Vicki Luther and Tim Kemble.
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