Tag Archives: haunted history

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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The Baker Hotel, Ep. 58

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Mineral Wells, Texas is most famous for the mineral springs that are there. In the early 1900s, the city became a place for those seeking healing from the curative effects of the mineral springs. To provide lodging for these guests, a hotel was built named for its builder, the Baker Hotel. There are more than just mineral spirits hanging around the Baker Hotel. There are allegedly ghosts in this hotel. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Baker Hotel. Moment in Oddity features the death of President Zachary Taylor and This Day in History features the Battle of Harlaw.

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Alcatraz, Ep. 53

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Let’s go to jail! About 1.5 miles off the shores of San Francisco, California lies a rocky island with the infamous name “Alcatraz.” Some of the most notorious criminals in American history were sent to a prison built on the island that bears the same name because of the impossibility of escape. But long before the likes of Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and Robert “Birdman” Stroud came to the island affectionately nicknamed “The Rock,” the island housed a light house and a military prison. Many desperate souls wiled away their lives on Alcatraz Island and many of those souls seemed to have stayed. Those souls include not only prisoners, but banished Native Americans. Some claim a portal exists on the island. Come with us across the cold waters of the San Francisco Bay as we explore the history and hauntings of Alcatraz. The Moment in Oddity features Dancing Mania and This Day in History features the St. Hilaire Train Disaster.

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The Cecil Hotel, Ep. 52

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The Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles is not a place where most people would want to rent a room.That might be why the Cecil Hotel was reported closed, but do not be fooled, the hotel just changed its name to Stay on Main and advertises itself as a hostel. Not only is it a budget hotel frequented by transients, but it has a creepy and murderous past that has caused it to be a source of numerous tales of haunting experiences. This infamous history includes suicides, disappearances, murders and serial killers. The hotel made news in 2013 when the funny tasting water coming out of the faucets was linked to a dead body in the water tower. A disturbing video related to this death has gone viral. You might want to turn on the lights for this episode as we explore the history and hauntings of the Cecil Hotel. The Moment in Oddity features the Dylatov Pass Incident and This Day in History features coffee planting in Hawaii.

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Gunter Hotel, Ep.47

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The Gunter Hotel is a historic hotel owned by Sheraton that is located in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. The hotel provides high end accommodations and amenities that include an old time barber shop. There is more than meets the eye at the Gunter Hotel though. A long history that includes a horrific murder mystery has led many to believe that the hotel is haunted. And based on people’s experiences, this hotel very well could be host to at least one restless spirit. The Moment in Oddity features Sailing Stones and This Day in History features Joan of Arc burned at the stake.

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Norwich State Hospital, Ep. 46

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Norwich State Hospital in Connecticut served as a home and place of treatment for the mentally ill for a hundred years. As is the case with many old insane asylums, treatment methods were arcane and in some cases torturous. Mental illness was not understood and people were mistreated years ago. Places that harbor pain and suffering seem to capture the energy for all eternity and that energy tends to lead to supernatural activity. Is it because spirits become trapped? Are evil beings attracted to the painful emotions and so they come and take up residence? Or is the bad energy trapped within the walls of the building itself? Today, we talk about the history and hauntings of the Norwich State Hospital for the Insane. The Moment in Oddity features Bog Bodies and This Day in History features the assassination of France’s King Henri IV.

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Haunted Disneyland, Ep. 44

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The Haunted Mansion at California’s Disneyland Resort is one of the park’s more famous and beloved attractions. What if that mansion were really haunted? Could it be? And what of the rest of the park? Could a park that was the heart and soul of Walt Disney go on without his spirit somehow sticking around? Disneyland was inspired by a dream to build a place where all the members of a family could have fun and this “Happiest Place on Earth” has been fulfilling that dream for sixty years. Come with us on a magical journey as we share the history and hauntings of Disneyland! The Moment in Oddity features famous people’s weird pets and This Day in History features the fire at Paris’ Rue Jean Goujon.

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Valley of the Kings, Ep. 43

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Egypt is a land of ancient treasures and wonders. Pharaohs were honored in death with immense public monuments that we know as pyramids. The Old Kingdom of Egypt built monuments in Giza and the Nile Delta. The New Kingdom pharaohs of Egypt wanted to be buried closer to their dynastic roots and they had their crypts built in the hills of Luxor. This area became known as the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings would end up housing the remains of at least sixty Egyptian nobles. Pharaohs from King Tut to Ramses II have tombs here. There are more than tombs here though. There are tales of curses and hauntings in the Valley of the Kings. How does Downton Abbey figure into this? Moment in Oddity features the Mothman and This Day in History features the first run of the Electromote.

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