Author Archives: History Goes Bump

French Lick and West Baden Springs Resorts, Ep. 337

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When it comes to gorgeous hotels, the French Lick Springs Resort is at the top of the list and is one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Indiana. Just a mile away is an even more impressive resort, the West Baden Springs Resort. This hotel was once considered one of the eighth wonders of the world. Both of these resorts shared mineral springs that were believed to have healing qualities and they both are considered two of the most haunted locations in Indiana. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the French Lick and West Baden Springs Resorts! Moment in Oddity was suggested by Darren Koch and features a fake hero dog and This Month in History features the crash of American Airlines Flight 191. Our locations were suggested by Danielle Daniels.

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Haunted Manitou Springs, Ep. 336

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Manitou Springs is a touristy town found south of Denver in Colorado that became popular in the 1890s as a health resort, with its clean mountain air and mineral springs. This was a sacred area to the Native American tribes there. Many of them believed this was a gateway to the other side. There are so many interesting legends and ghost stories connected to this town that it’s hard not to believe that they might have been right. Join us as we explore the history and haunts of Manitou Springs, Colorado! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Mike Streibel and features Fernand Arbelot’s gravesite and This Month in History features Adolf Eichmann captured. Our location as suggested by listener Stacy Skelton.

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St. Albans Sanatorium, Ep. 335

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St. Albans Sanatorium, in Virginia, started out as a Lutheran Boys School before becoming a psychiatric infirmary. As was the case with so many hospitals for the mentally ill, this one started out with promising expectations that unraveled into crowded conditions and abusive treatments. There were deaths and suicides. There is so much paranormal activity at this location, that many refer to this as one of the most haunted places on the East Coast. Join us, and our listener Whitney Zahar, as we delve into the history and haunts of the St. Albans Sanatorium! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Mike Streibel and features Oran Asa Pruitt falling out of a plane and into a cemetery and This Month in History features the issuing of The Penny Black Stamp.

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The Murder and Hauntings of Helene Knabe, Ep. 334

Posted on by Posted in Haunted True Crime .

Helene Knabe was ahead of her time. She was murdered and to this day, the identity of her killer is a mystery. And that may be why her spirit is at unrest. Join us as we share about the history of the Delaware Flats, the Anthaneum and the life of this amazing woman and her tragic murder. The Moment in Oddity features aliens turning Soviet soldiers to stone and This Month in History features The 1974 Super Outbreak. Topic suggested by Michelle Rooney.

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Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Ep. 333

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Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was a place of immense sadness that was for many years home to the mentally ill and other unfortunate souls. The name would change later to Weston State Hospital. The hospital closed in 1994, but the building reopened as a historic site offering tours. And as is the case with so many of these places, one can investigate the paranormal here and there are so many stories of unexplained experiences coming out of this place, that it is hard not to believe that this is one of the most haunted places in the world. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The Moment in Oddity features The Mystery of Skeleton Lake and This Month in History features Hank Aaron beating Babe Ruth’s home run record.

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Spirits of the Spanish Flu, Ep. 332

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Pandemics and plagues have been a part of our human history. No matter how developed the world becomes, a very microscopic bug can cause society to fall into collapse and kill millions of people. We are now living through an unprecedented moment in history with the Covid-19 Pandemic. There have been many of these pandemics in recent human history and one of the worst was the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918. This form of influenza was believed to have infected a third of the world’s population at the time and lead to the deaths of 50 million people. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Quoylette and features railworkers discovering a 14th Century cave and This Month in History features the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 passing. Our topic was suggested by allnew1995 and Carlston from Instagram.

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HGB Haunted Circus Mini-Series, Ep. 4 – Ringlings in Florida

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Florida would become the final home for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. John Ringling would be the final surviving brother of the five who built the circus. He would build his mansion in Sarasota and call it Ca’d’Zan. John would also build a museum for his art collection. This whole complex would eventually house the Circus Museum as well. Several buildings here and other locations connected to the Ringlings are rumored to be haunted. Join us on our final episode of the Haunted Circus Mini-Series as we talk about the Ringlings in Florida.

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

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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.

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

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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!

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

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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.

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