Author Archives: History Goes Bump

Weems-Botts House, Ep. 441

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The Weems-Botts House is located in Dumfries, Virginia. This town used to have a big reputation, rivaling towns like Philadephia and Boston, but today it’s just a little knockabout place. The house is a museum that is considered one of the most haunted locations in the state. The Merchant Family were the last private owners of the house and they still seem to be here. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Weems-Botts House! Moment in Oddity features the Laos Plain of Jars and This Month in History features the Penny Postcard approved by Congress. Our location was suggested by Katelyn Curry.

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Haunted Puerto Rico, Ep. 440

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Being located at the tip of one point of the Bermuda Triangle, it’s not surprising that Puerto Rico has some strange legends, disappearances and hauntings. The island is today a United States territory, but for years it was under Spanish rule. This is a place with a vibrant culture mixing Afro-Caribbean, Spanish and American influences. On this episode we explore the history of the island and several of the haunted locations on Puerto Rico. The Moment in Oddity features talking mushrooms and This Month in History features James Smithson establishing the Smithsonian Institute. Our location was suggested by Kelly Crews.

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Historic Scott County Jail, Ep. 439

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The Historic Scott County Jail is located in Huntsville, Tennessee. The jail is nearly 120 years old and housed inmates until 2008. Huntsville is a small town and the jail isn’t very substantial, but the stories about this place are big. On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kristy Sumner, founder of Soul Sisters Paranormal and History, Highways and Haunts, LLC. She and her business partner – Miranda Young aka Ghost Biker – run tours, events and ghost hunts at the jail and Kristy shares the history and many of the unexplained things that have happened in the jail! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Chelsea Flowers and features sculptures with human teeth and This Month in History features the first sustained untethered flight.

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Glore Psychiatric Museum, Ep. 438

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The term asylum means refuge and that is what lunatic asylums were meant to be, places of safety for those experiencing various forms of mental illness. But as we have found, very few asylums did more than house the mentally ill and use them as guinea pigs for various forms of torture. That is why so many of them have spiritual residue. The Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri is a location that documents both in words and visual recreations, what life in an asylum was like for many people. Objects from many former asylums have become part of the collection and possibly have brought along attachments. Join us as we discuss the history of the former asylum that was here, the history of asylum treatments and the hauntings involved! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Jannae McCabe and features the Wheel Bug and This Month in History features Edison patenting the Electrographic Vote Recorder.

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Pfister Hotel, Ep. 437

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The Pfister Hotel sits three blocks from Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and once advertised itself as the only fireproof hotel in the city. The hotel was built to be the “Grand Hotel of the West” and it really was a gorgeous hotel with Victorian artwork, beautiful chandeliers and gold trim that still exist. This started as the dream of one man and was completed by his children. Today, guests can experience a lavish stay and perhaps even a few bumps and creaks in the night. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Pfister Hotel! The Moment in Oddity features Lady Wonder the Psychic Horse and This Moment in History features The Ra II Expedition. Our locations was suggested by listener Brad Brancel.

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Belvoir Winery, Ep. 436

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There are three historic buildings that still stand on the property that is now home to the Belvoir Winery in Liberty, Missouri. The buildings were originally built as the Odd Fellows Home and served as an orphanage, a nursing home, a hospital and now the winery. Claims of unexplained activity started in the 1950s and the paranormal activity has only ramped up over the years. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Belvoir Winery! The Moment in Oddity features The Armageddon Highway and This Month in History features the Battle of the Coral Sea. Our location was suggested by listener Seth Ackerley.

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Rapid City and Hotel Alex Johnson, Ep. 435

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Rapid City, South Dakota is full of great eats, history and culture. The Hotel Alex Johnson has been opened for nearly 100 years and is located in downtown Rapid City. The hotel has hosted celebrities, presidents and even a couple of ghosts. Today, the hotel is run as a part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, so the interior has been modernized, but that hasn’t chased away the spirits of the past. And this city has a couple of other haunted spots as well. Join us for the history and hauntings of Rapid City and the Hotel Alex Johnson. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Karen Miller and features the Kailasa Temple and This Month in History features Calamity Jane born.

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Old Hospital on College Hill, Ep. 434

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The Williamson Memorial Hospital was named for the town of Williamson in West Virginia. Most people know this location as the Old Hospital on College Hill. People were born here and they died here and remnants from the past are everywhere inside the dilapidated buildings. The property is set deep in the mystical West Virginian Appalachian Mountains overlooking the town. Entities of all sorts have been experienced here. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Old Hospital on College Hill! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by John Michaels and features The Belchen Tunnel White Lady and This Month in History features Katharine Hepburn born. Our location was suggested by MaryAnn Farley.

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Waverley Plantation House, Ep. 433

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The Waverley Plantation Home is located near West Point, Mississippi and is not only one of the most photographed antebellum homes in the South, but is very uniquely designed with an octagonal shaped cupola. The Robert Snow family took what had become a rundown and abandoned home and over a period of 25 years returned it to its former glory. It’s a registered historic landmark that you can visit today. Be sure to bring your paranormal senses because this place reputedly has several spirits! Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Waverley Plantation House! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Chelsea Flowers and features The Lost City of Derinkuyu and This Month in History features “Annie Hall” winning Best Picture. Our location was suggested by Bailey O’Brian.

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Haunted Harvard, Ep. 432

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Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is America’s oldest university and was established in 1636. This was meant for the education of clerics, but moved on to becoming an Ivy League College of higher learning. Presidents, esteemed authors and pioneers in medicine and engineering have all been educated here. This is a place of science. And yet, many students and staff have come away with tales of ghostly experiences. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Harvard University! The Moment in Oddity features a refrigerator-sized asteroid being only the fifth one detected in history and This Month in History features an oxygen tank exploding on Apollo 13.

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