Author Archives: History Goes Bump

Andersonville Prison, Ep. 104

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Ep. 104 is a suggestion from listener John Beaverhauson: Andersonville Prison! Denise is out of town, so Diane is joined by special co-host Mom (Ann Student) on this episode! During February 1864, Camp Sumter was opened in Macon County, Georgia. Camp Sumter came to be known as Andersonville, and that is what it is still referred to as of today. Of all the prisons we have featured on the podcast, Andersonville Prison seems to be the worst thus far. This prison was opened to house Union prisoners during the Civil War and to say that it was overcrowded would be an understatement. The amount of prisoners who lost their lives at this prison reaches into the several thousands. And the prison was not open for very long. These kinds of conditions and numbers of death usually lead to paranormal activity and there seems to be quite a bit of it going on here. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Andersonville Prison. Moment in Oddity was suggested by listener Laurette Vinson and features the cliff burials of the Igorot People and This Day in History is by Jessica Bell and features the visions of Bernadette Soubirous. Research Assistants: Jessie Harms and Ann Student.

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Glamis Castle, Ep. 103

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Ep. 103 is listener driven with all three segments suggested by listeners! Glamis Castle is considered the most beautiful castle in Scotland. It won the prestigious Best Attraction Award UK 2015. This castle dates back to the 14th century and has remained in the hands of one family for centuries. That family is the Bowes-Lyon Family, now known as the Earls of Strathmore. Members that have lived here include members of the Royal Family. Not only is there a deep history to the land, but legends and lore abound here as well. Glamis Castle is also considered one of the most haunted castles in the United Kingdom. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Glamis Castle. Moment in Oddity was suggested by listener Toby Hessenauer and features the Roman Legion in York and This Day in History features the Suffrage Mud March researched by Jessica Bell. Thanks to listener Heather Williams for suggesting this location!

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Skirvin Hotel, Ep. 102

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Ep. 102 features The Skirvin Hotel as suggested by listener Samantha Wilson with Research Assistants April Rogers-Krick and Jessica Bell. Westward expansion was pulling people from the east into the wild west. Oklahoma City was a boom town from 1898 to 1909 and many people flocked there. William Skirvin was one of those people who came to Oklahoma City and he built a hotel that has survived into today. The Skirvin Hotel was meant to be the most grandiose and fancy hotel in the area. And it was, hosting some of the luminaries of the day. For a time it was abandoned, but today, it is a property of Hilton and still hosting guests from around the world. But the Skirvin Hotel seems to be hosting more than just the living. This hotel is considered by some as the most haunted location in Oklahoma. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Skirvin Hotel. Moment in Oddity features the Phantom Time hypothesis and This Day in History features Prince Mutsuhito becoming Emperor Meiji of Japan.

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Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, Ep. 101

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The Miller Brothers 101 Ranch was a 110,000 acre cattle ranch in the Indian territory of Oklahoma before statehood. It is located near Ponca (Pong kuh) City in the Northern part of Oklahoma. Colonel George W. Miller was a larger than life man who founded the Fabulous 101 Ranch in 1893. The 101 Ranch was the birthplace of the 101 Ranch Wild West Show and one of the early focal points of the oil rush in northeastern Oklahoma. It was the largest diversified farm and ranch in America in its day and is now a National Historic Landmark. Today, very little is left of the ranch, but it would seem that several spirits still call the property home. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the 101 Ranch. Research Assistant April Rogers-Krick helped us with this one. Moment in Oddity features Elmer McCurdy’s stuffed body and This Day in History features the first chimp in space.

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100th Meridian and Dodge City , Ep. 100

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On today’s show, we celebrate our 100th official episode! And we’re having a rootin’ tootin’ good time heading to the Wild West town of Dodge City. We were looking for something special about the number 100 and came across this line that bisects the USA nearly in the middle vertically and low and behold, we found Dodge City sitting smack dab on top of it. The state of Kansas entered the Union in 1865 as a free state. The Civil War ended four years later and thousands migrated to Kansas, many of them veterans of the war. And then there were the outlaws and other famous names we know from the Old West, like Bat Masterson and Doc Holliday, and nearly all of them spent some time in Dodge City. Put on yer cowboy hat and boots and come with us as we look at the history and hauntings of Dodge City. Moment in History features the odd showdowns in Palisades, Nevada and This Day in History features the first run of the Panama Railway.

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Fort Edmonton, Ep. 99

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Fort Edmonton is a settlement that dates back to the true beginnings of Canada becoming an official country and to Alberta becoming a province. It moved many times and witnessed much history. It played a key role in history with both European settlers and the natives that lived on the land. Is this why its current location at Fort Edmonton Park seems to have unexplained activity? Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Fort Edmonton. Moment in Oddity features Legos washing up in Cornwall and This Day in History features Nellie Bly’s historic trip around the world! Also included is a brief interview with Julie Rathsack of Ghosts of Grand Rapids about her personal true ghost experiences and more information on the Ada Witch. We announce our Design Contest as well and share listener mail and comments!

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St. Cecilia Music Center and Ada Witch

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Ep. 98 features St. Cecilia Music Center and the Legend of the Ada Witch with research help from Sharon Spungen! Grand Rapids, Michigan has been known as Furniture City because of the industry upon which the city was built. People might be surprised to find that this city is considered the world leader in the production of office furniture. Grand Rapids is a city awash in history, murder, mayhem and urban legends. And these factors tend to lend themselves to tales of hauntings. There are a couple of fairly well-known “urban legends” concerning Grand Rapids and its haunted history. The first comes from the St. Cecilia Music Center and the second is known as the legend of the”Ada Witch.” Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of these. Moment in Oddity features a court declaring a house haunted and This Day in History features the beginning of Prohibition.

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Pythian Castle, Ep. 97

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Ep. 97 features the Pythian Castle with help from research assistant Amy Connor! One would not expect to find a castle in a Missouri city like Springfield, but indeed there is a structure here that is very castle-like and thus it has been given the name Pythian Castle. It is a massive structure that has found itself under the supervision of various owners in the past with very different uses for the building. It has served as an orphanage and retirement home and also as a place to rehabilitate injured service members. And POWs even found themselves incarcerated in the basement. The building has not been a place of tragedy, but emotions could have been high for military members and orphans alike. Or is there some other reason for supernatural activity in the building because there is definitely something unexplained going on within the walls? Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Pythian Castle. Moment in Oddity features the true story behind the Phantom of the Opera and This Day in History features the final launch of Space Shuttle Columbia.

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Oystermouth Castle, Ep. 96

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Our research assistant and listener favorite Freya Porter joins us on this episode to share the history and hauntings of a location near to where she grew up. Her family is very familiar with the Oystermouth Castle and she shares their personal experiences about this old and wonderful castle. Mumbles is a small resort town that is a headland overlooking Swansea Bay. It has a pier there that was the end point for the Mumbles Railway, which was the oldest passenger railway in the world at the end of the 1800s. Mumbles is also home to an old castle known as Oystermouth. It was fought over by the Welsh and the Normans for years and today is under restoration. As is the case with so many other castles, this one has some unexplained and haunting activity taking place within its stone walls. Moment in Oddity features the legend of Kashima Reiko and This Day in History features the first X-ray photo.

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Griffith Park, Ep. 95

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The Santa Monica Mountains are one of the most visited natural areas in California and Griffith Park is a favorite location. The most familiar attribute of the park is the famous “Hollywood” sign. The park has been the scene to more than just fun outdoor activities. There is a belief that a curse is tied to the land here and that is why Griffith Park has been tied to urban legends, deaths and hauntings. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Griffith Park. Moment in Oddity features the Dark Watchers and This Day in History features Elvis receiving his first guitar.

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