Tag Archives: history

Haunted Manitou Springs, Ep. 336

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

St. Albans Sanatorium, Ep. 335

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Ep. 333

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Posted on by Posted in Special .

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Posted on by Posted in Special .

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Greenwich Village, Ep. 331

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Greenwich Village is on the island of Manhattan in New York City. After European settlement, this area would become a place for carriage houses, black servant quarters and row homes. The area would industrialize and become home to slums. Eventually, the avant-garde would come and soon beatniks, hippies, artists and homosexuals called The Village home. Upscale stores moved in and New York University bought up historic buildings and gutted them. Residents have not embraced these changes, nor does it seem, have the ghosts. Join us as we share the history and hauntings of Greenwich Village. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Jannae McCabe and features the Dracula Parrot and This Month in History features the end of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Our tour was through NY Ghosts.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Victor, Colorado, Ep. 328

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Victor is an old mining town founded during the Victorian era in the Pikes Peak area of Colorado. This was a town founded by a couple of brothers and home for miners working the nearly 500 gold fields located in the nearby mountains. This was a typical mining town full of saloons, brothels and streets paved with gold. Today, Victor is a historic mining district where one can still find a room in a historic hotel and do a little gambling in a nearby town. And just like so many mining towns, there are reputedly ghosts here as well. Diane’s mom, Annette Student, will be joining us as we share the history and haunts of Victor, Colorado! Moment in Oddity was suggested by Chelsea Flowers and features the real reason Lilac bushes were planted and This Month in History features Parentalia. Our location was suggested by Melissa Potter.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Legends of India, Ep. 326

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

The country of India is a place with beautiful structures and gorgeous mountain settings, but also caste systems and abject poverty. India is an ancient city that has been ruled and controlled by many other countries and still finds some of its areas in political upheaval and struggles with its neighbors, Pakistan and China, continue today. This is a place of mystique and enlightened religious beliefs and many people living here harbor superstitions and beliefs about possession and spirits. The Himalayas are as rife with magical beliefs as our Appalachian Mountains in America. In this episode, we will touch on a brief history of India and then delve into her many ghost stories and legends! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by John Michaels and features Coga the Sheep and This Month in History features the launch of the G.I. Joe Action Figure.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Hammond Castle, Ep. 324

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Hammond Castle is a medieval-style castle found in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This elaborate and whimsical structure was built by its eccentric namesake, John Hays Hammond, Jr. This was not just a home, but a laboratory because Hammond was an inventor who held over 800 patents. The interesting decor reflects the eclectic spirit of the man who lived here, but it may also still be holding on to that spirit. The ghost of Hammond is said to roam his former dwelling, but it may not just be his spirit here. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Hammond Castle! The Moment in Oddity features Prague’s Charles Bridge and This Month in History features Samuel Pepys starting his diary.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download