Author Archives: History Goes Bump

HGB Haunted Circus Mini-Series, Ep. 3: Ringlings in Wisconsin

Posted on by Posted in Special .

Baraboo, Wisconsin was home for the Ringling family and it would become the winter quarters for the circus that the Ringling brothers would found. The Ringling Bros. Circus would start as a basic dog-and-pony show and grow into the most famous circus in the world. The eldest brother that lead the family down this path was Albert and he built his gorgeous mansion in Baraboo that is now a museum, bed & breakfast and brewery. The mansion is not only home to some former members of the circus, but there are reputedly several ghosts here. Join us as we explore the remnants of the circus still in Baraboo and the Al Ringling Mansion as we are joined by the current owners of the mansion, Joe and Carmen Colossa and Don Horowitz.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

HGB Haunted Circus Mini-Series, Ep. 2 – The Performers

Posted on by Posted in Special .

On this second episode in our series on the Haunted Circus, we are going to feature the circus family, the performers. We’ll talk about the lives of some of the more popular circus performers and the different acts that became world famous. As you learned in episode 1, the traveling circus relied heavily on trains and there were two tragic train wrecks we will share. These were the Hallenbeck-Wallace Train Wreck and 1915 Circus Train Disaster. And they may have left behind spirits!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

HGB Haunted Circus Mini-Series, Ep. 1 – History of the Circus

Posted on by Posted in Special .

This is our first episode of a four episode mini-series on the Haunted Circus. The circus was loud and colorful, but most of all, it was magical. The circus was for everyone, regardless of class or race, whether it was as a performer, worker or guest. The circus was a beautiful show, full of energy, and some of that energy continues on in the afterlife. Join us on this first episode in the Haunted Circus Mini-series as we cover an overview of the history of the circus and discuss one of the biggest tragedies in circus history, the Hartford Circus Fire, and share the haunts connected to that event.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Greenwich Village, Ep. 331

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Greenwich Village is on the island of Manhattan in New York City. After European settlement, this area would become a place for carriage houses, black servant quarters and row homes. The area would industrialize and become home to slums. Eventually, the avant-garde would come and soon beatniks, hippies, artists and homosexuals called The Village home. Upscale stores moved in and New York University bought up historic buildings and gutted them. Residents have not embraced these changes, nor does it seem, have the ghosts. Join us as we share the history and hauntings of Greenwich Village. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Jannae McCabe and features the Dracula Parrot and This Month in History features the end of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Our tour was through NY Ghosts.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Starvation Heights, Ep. 330

Posted on by Posted in Haunted True Crime .

This episode is a haunted true crime! The desire to be thin and healthy has been with us since the dawn of human existence. The only sure thing for losing weight is starvation. And that is just what Dr. Linda Hazzard was offering the desperate people who came to see her. Imagine a serial killer who is paid to do their killing. Join us as we discuss the history and haunts of Starvation Heights. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Lori Aceto Garcia and features the chainsaw invented to help with childbirth and This Month in History was suggested by Shadow Hunter and features Milicent Patrick and the Creature From the Black Lagoon.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Pittock Mansion Museum, Ep. 329

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Portland would start as a pioneer town in the state of Oregon and grow into an industrialized modern city. One of the early families to make a mark on the city were the Pittocks. They were one of the wealthiest families in Portland society and they would use some of that wealth to build their retirement in the form of a chateau up on a hill overlooking the city. Today, it is a museum and reputedly haunted. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Pittock Mansion! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Krystal Vines and features the Monte Ne Ruins and This Month in History features the Napier Earthquake. Our location was suggested by Michele Vaughn.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Victor, Colorado, Ep. 328

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Victor is an old mining town founded during the Victorian era in the Pikes Peak area of Colorado. This was a town founded by a couple of brothers and home for miners working the nearly 500 gold fields located in the nearby mountains. This was a typical mining town full of saloons, brothels and streets paved with gold. Today, Victor is a historic mining district where one can still find a room in a historic hotel and do a little gambling in a nearby town. And just like so many mining towns, there are reputedly ghosts here as well. Diane’s mom, Annette Student, will be joining us as we share the history and haunts of Victor, Colorado! Moment in Oddity was suggested by Chelsea Flowers and features the real reason Lilac bushes were planted and This Month in History features Parentalia. Our location was suggested by Melissa Potter.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Yellowstone National Park, Ep. 327

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Yellowstone National Park has some real bragging rights. This was the first ever American National Park. The park stretches over three states and two million acres. There are geothermal wonders, wild animals that can readily be seen, rustic architecture and hundreds of ghost stories. Yellowstone is probably the most haunted national park in America. Join us as we share the history and haunts of Yellowstone National Park! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Kim Gasiorowski and features the Wooldridge Monuments and This Month in History features the arrival of the Diphtheria Serum to Nome via sled dog. Our location was suggested by Carren Sanders.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Legends of India, Ep. 326

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

The country of India is a place with beautiful structures and gorgeous mountain settings, but also caste systems and abject poverty. India is an ancient city that has been ruled and controlled by many other countries and still finds some of its areas in political upheaval and struggles with its neighbors, Pakistan and China, continue today. This is a place of mystique and enlightened religious beliefs and many people living here harbor superstitions and beliefs about possession and spirits. The Himalayas are as rife with magical beliefs as our Appalachian Mountains in America. In this episode, we will touch on a brief history of India and then delve into her many ghost stories and legends! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by John Michaels and features Coga the Sheep and This Month in History features the launch of the G.I. Joe Action Figure.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Roswell, Georgia, Ep. 325

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

In October of 2019, we met up with some listeners in the town of Roswell, Georgia and took a ghost tour. This is a charming Southern town. The spiritual residue is thick not only from battles, but Roswell sits alongside a deep gorge and fault line. Does the electromagnetic energy of the area attract spirits? Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Roswell, Georgia! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Chelcie Williams and features The Great Emu War and This Month in History features Idi Amin becoming Dictator.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download