Author Archives: History Goes Bump

Emily Morgan Hotel, Ep. 83

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The city of San Antonio is beautiful. It is home to the infamous Alamo. And right next to the Alamo sits the Emily Morgan Hotel. The hotel is considered the official hotel of the Alamo. It was once a state of the art medical facility. Today it is a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel that offers luxurious accommodations in a beautiful historic building. Those accommodations offer more than just luxuries. There are reportedly ghosts in this building. Some believe that the hotel is far more haunted than even the Alamo, where so many more people died. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Emily Morgan Hotel. Moment in Oddity features the kidnapping of Charlie Chaplin’s body and This Day in History features the conviction of Boss Tweed.

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Lizzie Borden House, Ep. 82

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Growing up, many of us sung a rhyme about the crime attributed to Lizzie Borden that began, “Lizzie Borden took an axe.” But did this young woman actually commit the crime for which she was accused and aquitted? What was going on in this home with this family that people actually thought it was possible? What happened to the Borden family is not in dispute, nor are the facts unclear. It was August 4, 1892. Andrew Borden’s body was found, shortly before noon, in his Fall River, Massachusetts parlor room. He had suffered many blows to the head, specifically to his face, with a blunt object. His wife, Abby, was found that same day in an upstairs boudoir with the back of her head bashed in. This violent crime remains unsolved and perhaps that is why the spirits are at unrest in this home. Come with us as we explore the home, the family, the crime and the hauntings connected to the Lizzie Borden House. Moment in Oddity features the Watseka Wonder and This Day in History features the publication of Moby Dick.

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The Biltmore Estate

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Many people have heard of the Vanderbilt family. They are a family of Dutch origin that amassed a huge fortune in transportation through both shipping and the railroad. Their prominence lasted through to the mid 20th century and then the “Fall of the House of Vanderbilt” occurred. Many of their mansions and other properties were torn down, but one survives today and is considered the largest home in America, the Biltmore Estate. It is a beautiful home that housed George Vanderbilt II’s family at one time. And it just may still house the family in the afterlife. Could it be that this impressive mansion is haunted? Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Biltmore Estate. Moment in Oddity features the Little Woodcutter and This Day in History features Napoleon becoming Dictator.

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Legend of the Jersey Devil, Ep. 80

Posted on by Posted in Urban Legend .

Many people, particularly those that live in New England, have heard the story about the Jersey Devil. The tale about a mother giving birth to a devil baby is not totally unique in history. Even in our modern era, we have had movies like Rosemary’s Baby. Is this just another urban legend or is there some real history behind this tale of the Jersey Devil? Was this really more of a religious dispute that spawned a story to destroy a family name? We’ll explore the superstitions that existed in the area around the idea that devil babies could be born and cover the various sightings that have continued far past what would be a reasonable life span. Come with us as we look at the legend of the Jersey Devil. The Moment in Oddity features Black Blizzards and This Day in History features the patenting of the cash register.

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History Goes Bump Halloween Special 2

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This is the History Goes Bump Podcast’s second annual Halloween Special. We bring you the history of bobbing for apples, cauldrons and black cats. Plus, your haunted true experiences. This is truly a show for the listeners by the listeners. Even the research was conducted by Carbon Lilies, Sharon Spungeon and April Rogers-Krick. We just read stuff, recorded and edited. So gather round the fire in your favorite Halloween costume and with your favorite beverage and let’s get spooky together! Happy Halloween everybody!

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Maltby Cemetery, Ep. 79

Posted on by Posted in Urban Legend .

Cemeteries have always carried a mystique about them and many people expect them to be haunted. For the most part, cemeteries are very peaceful places. After all, why would the dead want to hang out with the dead? Most haunted cemetery stories consist of an apparition returning to their plot or a hitchhiking ghost being dropped off outside of a cemetery. But Maltby Cemetery is different. Rumors of Satanism and thirteen steps to Hell have given this cemetery quite the reputation. Is it just a place where teenagers go to hang out and drink and act stupid or is there truth to the legends? Join us as we explore Maltby Cemetery! The Moment in Oddity features Crying Mary and This Day in History features the escape of Winnie Ruth Judd!

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The Legend of Mercy Brown, Ep. 78

Posted on by Posted in Urban Legend .

Most people assume the lore of vampires that originated in Europe, stayed in that area, but there was a time when America was embroiled in the middle of a vampire craze in New England. It was the 1800s and the dreaded consumption was wreaking havoc. Many families lost several of their members. One of those families was the Brown family. It was the death of one of their daughters that started the Legend of Mercy Brown. Were there really vampires in America and was Mercy one of them? Join us as we investigate the history of this craze and a young woman named Mercy Brown. The Moment in Oddity features the Legend of Catherine’s Hill and This Day in History features the Charge of the Light Brigade.

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Cachtice Castle and Elizabeth Bathory

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The Cachtice Castle was once home to Baroness Elizabeth Bathory. She came from a family known for their cruelty to the peasontry and she possibly witnessed incredible violence from the time she was a child. Is this what led her to be called the “Blood Countess?” Was she truly the most prolific female serial killer of all time? Or was she given a bad rap, so that others could have her power and possessions? The Castle is a magnificient structure that may house the energy of intense emotions and pain. Has the energy led this structure to become haunted? Does Madame Bathory still walk its halls? Come with us as we look at the history and hauntings of Cachtice Castle and Madame Bathory. Moment in Oddity features a French Calvary capturing a Dutch fleet and This Day in History features the birth of Alfred Nobel. We also included what appears to be nearly a Class A EVP from our visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse that listener Shawn heard while listening to Episode 76.

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St. Augustine Light Station, Ep. 76

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We take you on the tour with us in episode 76! The St. Augustine Lighthouse is actually a Light Station, meaning that the lighthouse is accompanied by several outbuildings. This is one of the tallest and oldest lighthouses in America. We visited with several History Goes Bump listeners to experience the Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour. While many families lived here without incident, there were a couple that suffered tragedy. And it is through those tragedies that spiritual energy seems to have continued on, even after all these years. We had what seemed to be an experience of our own. Come with us as we share that and the history and hauntings of the St. Augustine Light Station. The Moment in Oddity features the Eillean Mor Lighthouse Mystery and This Day in History features the Battle of Neville’s Cross.

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Marie Laveau and Voodoo, Ep. 75

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New Orleans is a city that seems to ooze the paranormal and the occult. The wrought iron balconies and cobble stone streets remind people that this is a city with a deep history. Every corner seems to reveal a new delight for the history lover and foodie alike. Whether it’s the jazz streaming from the windows of the French Quarter to the beignets at shops like Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans is an amazing city. The legend around New Orleans’ Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is larger than life, as large as the mystique of New Orleans itself. She captivated the city for decades and her grave still draws people from around the world. It would seem that the spirits are very active here. Come with us as we discover the history and the hauntings of Marie Laveau. The Moment in Oddity features Princess Olga of Kiev and This Day in History features Emperor Claudius’s Death.

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