Tag Archives: ghosts

Maitland Gaol, Ep. 68

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Maitland Gaol is considered Australia’s hardest jail. For nearly twenty years the gaol has stood empty, but for 150 years this jail housed some of Australia’s worst criminals. Behind the sandstone and razor-wire of this modern day tourist attraction, some of the worst brutality occurred from murders to rape and of course, suicides. Inmates claim that the cells were concrete coffins. This kind of energy and emotion usually feeds unexplained activity. Rumors of hauntings permeate the stories about the gaol. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Maitland Gaol! Moment in History features the Fertility Chair and This Day in History features Francis Scott Key being inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner.

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Raynham Hall, Ep. 67

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Raynham Hall in New York has seen much history in its time. The homestead survived the Revolutionary War and occupation by a British regiment. It was part of a spy ring as well. It has survived years of additions being added to the building and the changing of hands. Something else has survived from the past as well. It would seem the spirits of the former occupants have decided to stay as well. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of Raynham Hall. Moment in Oddity features a strange creature found in Russia and This Day in History features the patent of the sewing machine.

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Ohio State Reformatory, Ep. 66

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Sometimes a place is needed to help with reforming young people when they wander down the wrong road in life. That is what the Ohio State Reformatory was originally meant to do: help wayward young men get back on the right road. The beautiful Gothic reformatory built of iron and limestone is so picturesque that it was used as a location in the movie, “The Shawshank Redemption.” But what happened to many of the residents of this building was anything, but beautiful and certainly was not about truly reforming young men. Stories that include torture, beatings and other misdeeds are numerous. And wherever strong emotions are built up, we usually find some kind of unexplained phenomenon. Come with us as we venture inside the Ohio State Reformatory! The Moment in Oddity features the Hammersmith Ghost and This Day in History features a pretender claiming the throne as King Richard IV.

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Pittsburgh’s Federal Courthouse, Ep. 64

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Pittsburgh is the original “Gateway to the West” and began as a Frontier Fort. In the 1900s, the Federal Courthouse was built in a design that leaves much to be desired particularly compared to the more interesting Allegheny County Courthouse. But the Federal Courthouse is quite interesting when considering the rumors that it is haunted. Pittsburgh is a very haunted city and this location is just one of the many spots harboring those still here in the afterlife. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Pittsburgh’s Federal Courthouse! Moment in Oddity features Surgeon Barbers and This Day in History features the patent of the Kinetoscope. We also discuss an interesting study on how hauntings might make people more honest.

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The Life and Afterlife of Elvis, Ep. 63

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Being born into poverty does not usually relegate someone into a life of opulence and superstardom; a fame so great that everyone knows the person by just one name. Such was the life of Elvis Presley. It was a life cut short 38 years ago this month, but the legacy of Elvis lives on whether it be his influence on music, style or entertainment. After his death, it was popular for there to be sightings of Elvis. Some thought he faked his death so he could live a normal life. While many sightings have been of fully alive people who happened to look like the man dubbed “The King of Rock and Roll,” other sightings have been of a ghostly image of Elvis. On this episode, we explore the life and afterlife of Elvis Presley. The Moment in Oddity features La Pascualita (a life-like mannequin) and This Day in History features the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

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Moses Cone Manor, Ep. 62

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Moses Cone Manor is also known as Flat Top Manor and is located in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in North Carolina. It is a beautiful mansion built by Moses Cone at the turn of the last century. Cone loved the home and some wonder if perhaps he is still there in the afterlife. The tales that surround the manor include tales of moving furniture, ominous noises, strange happenings and even grave robbing. Our listener and North Carolina resident Steven Pappas joins us as a special guest host as we share the history and hauntings of the Moses Cone Manor. The Moment in Oddity features an underwater river and This Day in History features the first air mail in America.

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Salem Witch Trials, Ep. 61

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Some of the most infamous trials in American history revolve around a small town in Massachusetts named Salem. Salem and witches have become intertwined through the years and a study in human psychology surrounding the events of the Salem Witch Trials reveals a very heinous side to humanity. The use of the terminology “witch hunt” was inspired by the Salem Witch Trials. Today, we explore not only the historic events themselves, but what led several communities to turn on their neighbors leading to deadly results. We also will look at the tales of curses and hauntings that spawned from the Salem Witch Trials. Moment in Oddity features the Palm Sunday Case and This Day in History features the first time prize fighting rules were put to paper.

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Danvers State Hospital, Ep. 60

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Danvers State Hospital sits on land that once was inhabited by Native Americans. Through the years the area was settled by Europeans and became known as the town of Salem. Later, the town of Salem would be broken into smaller towns and the city of Danvers was established. A state hospital was built here that became home to not only the terminally or drastically ill, but also the mentally ill. As is the case with so many hospitals and sanatoriums that we have researched, this was not necessarily a good home for people. Years of abuse and deaths have led what used to be Danvers State Hospital to be considered one of the most haunted places in Massachusetts. Reports of hauntings continue today despite the fact that it has now been converted into apartments. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of Danvers State Hospital. Moment in Oddity features the lady in black and This Day in History features the founding of the Firestone Tire Company.

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Haunted Plymouth, Massachusetts, Ep. 59

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The history of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts is unique in that most Americans are familiar with the start of this settlement and that is why it is known as “America’s Hometown.” After all, we have a national holiday inspired by events that took place in Plymouth: Thanksgiving. There are some misconceptions about the history of the Pilgrims and Plymouth and many people may not think about the history that has continued on into the afterlife. In this episode, we will bring you the history and the hauntings of Plymouth.

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Queen’s Park, Ep. 57

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We go north to Canada in Episode 57 today! Queen’s Park in Toronto is a beautiful picturesque park that was a part of the early park movement in Canada. Within it’s borders, it holds the magnificent legislative building. The park is encircled by the city that grew up around it and enjoyed by many. Some of those that enjoy the park are doing so in the afterlife. There are at least five spirits that have been encountered at the Legislative Building. There was another building here before the government structure, an asylum. Do the ghosts of the past haunt the marble hallways of this place? Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of Queen’s Park. The Moment in Oddity features Janus Cats and This Day in History features the hanging of five women in the Salem Witch Trials.

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