Tag Archives: history

Battle of Passchendaele, Ep. 296

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

The Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium during World War I would be one of the bloodiest of the war, killing half a million men. The weather and mud at the field would contribute to dealing that heavy blow. Battlefields of all kinds seem to be epicenters for the paranormal. The blood becomes a part of the earth and seems to cry out from the afterlife. This area of ground would come to be known as Flanders Fields and there are spirits here. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Jennifer White and features Myrtle Corbin and This Month in History features the death of Howard Hughes. Our location was suggested by listener Brian Morse.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Haunted Derby Street in Salem, Massachusetts, Ep. 295

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Long before America was America, there was Salem. The town was a successful and busy port city, but it would become an infamous location that still causes a chill to run down our spines at the mere mention of its name. Based on my research, I would say that Salem has two main streets in its historic district that are the most haunted in the city. One is Essex Street and the other is Derby Street. On this episode, we are going to focus on the history and hauntings of Derby Street. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by John Michaels and features Fredric Baur buried in a Pringles can and This Month in History features Levi Weeks acquitted in Manhattan Well Mystery.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dover Castle, Ep. 294

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Dover Castle stands on the White Cliffs of Dover in Britain. This castle was originally not much to behold, but during the reign of King Henry II, it would become a grand structure. Tunnels lie beneath the castle and are built into a cliff, making it unique among castles. This is the largest castle in the country and has been around since the 12th century. The castle was a key defense and saw wars that were revolutionary, civil, Napoleonic and great. Today, it is a tourist destination with a reputation for being haunted. Join me for the history and hauntings of Dover Castle! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by John Michaels and features Rasputin connection to movie disclaimer and This Month in History features the premiere of My Fair Lady on Broadway.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Kentucky Caves and the Trickster

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

The state of Kentucky is not only a place full of caves, these voids seem to exist under the entire state with the largest cave system in the world being located here. Add to the limitless possibilities of what could exist within caves, the fact that these caves are carved mostly out of limestone and you have the perfect makings for strange supernatural activity. I’ve been in two of these cave systems, Mega Cavern and Mammoth Cave. They are a wonder to behold. But there are stories of other things here that cannot be as easily explained as natural wonders and formations. Join me as I explore the history and hauntings of Kentucky’s caves and the Trickster who may be playing within them. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Kayla Buss and features the Giant Penguin in Clearwater and This Month in History features Churchill talking about the Iron Curtain.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Aradale Asylum in Australia, Ep. 292

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

The Aradale Asylum would be home for the mentally ill for over a century and would feature conditions and treatments similar to other asylums around the world, most of which were not good. This misunderstanding and mistreatment of the mentally ill lends itself to the negative energy that sometimes feeds paranormal activity. The fact that the criminally insane were kept in J Ward only heightens that energy. Join me as I explore the history and hauntings of the Aradale Asylum! The Moment in Oddity features Moonshiners using cow shows to hide footprints and This Month in History features the first photo of an American President.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jackson Square in New Orleans, Ep. 291

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .

Jackson Square is a magnet for visitors to New Orleans. Centuries of history are represented in the square and this history includes shipping, trade, artists colony, pirates, war and executions. The beautiful St. Louis Cathedral is a popular subject for photographers and Cafe du Monde is a must stop for some world famous beignets. New Orleans is considered one of the most haunted cities in the world, so it should come as no surprise that this iconic area of this historic city is home to many ghosts stories. Join me as I explore the history and hauntings of Jackson Square! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Jim Featherstone and features Times Beach, Missouri and This Month in History features Alan Shepard golfing on the moon.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Return to Queen Mary, Ep. 290

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

We first featured The Queen Mary all the way back on episode 13 in November of 2014. I had the opportunity to visit this magnificent ship recently (January 2019) and so on this episode, we revisit the history and hauntings and share our own experiences from visiting the ship. Construction on the liner began in 1930 under John Brown & Company and was named for King George V’s wife Queen Mary. It would serve under various capacities over the decades and find its final home in Long Beach, California where it now serves as a hotel. Historical tours are offered as well as ghost tours and investigations. Join us as we board the Queen Mary and seek out her elusive spirits! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by John Michaels and features the Humpty Dumpty Cannon and This Month in History features the Frisbee entering the toy market.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Colosseum, Ep. 289

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Rome is a city that is believed to have had some kind of human existence within it for at least 10,000 years. This city would rise from a place of little stature to one of the greatest empires ever to exist. Amazing structures would be built under that empire. The Colosseum in Rome, Italy was an architectural marvel, but also a place of immense human and animal suffering. People would come from all over to witness amazing feats by human gladiators and to witness the tearing apart of other humans at the hands of wild animals. This was considered sport at that time and the remnants of this activity and the residue left behind has imprinted spiritually on The Colosseum. Tales of hauntings are rampant and this structure is said to be one of the most haunted locations in all of Italy. Join me as I explore the history and hauntings of The Colosseum!Moment in Oddity was suggested by Breanne Sanford and features the SS Warrimoo at International Date Line and This Month in History features Robert Clifton Weaver as first Black Cabinet member. Our location was suggested by Anthony Ortiz.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Tutwiler Hotel, Ep. 288

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

The Hampton Inn and Suites in Birmingham is an upscale hotel with a long history. This is the former Tutwiler Hotel and the former Ridgely Apartments. This was not the original Tutwiler Hotel. That one was built in 1914 on a different spot and eventually demolished in 1974. The Tutwiler was built in a grandiose style to attract the steel industry to come to town for conventions. This worked and Birmingham soon became a convention destination. The city felt the loss of the hotel when it was demolished and so it was decided to renovate the historic luxury Ridgely Apartments and reopen it as the new Tutwiler Hotel. And it is this location where the namesake for the hotel is reputedly still hanging around in the afterlife. Join me as we explore the history and hauntings of the Tutwiler Hotel. We also have three listener stories to share! Moment in Oddity was suggested by John Michaels and features Alien Hand Syndrome and This Month in History features Zulu War Begins. Our location was suggested by Jonathan Geisel.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

House of the Seven Gables, Ep. 287

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Most of my adult listeners have probably read something written by classic author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Nearly all schools require a reading of “The Scarlet Letter.” Hawthorne also wrote other classic stories and one of those books is “The House of the Seven Gables.” Within the pages of this volume is a ghost story. Hawthorne himself claimed to be a skeptic, but even he had some experiences. And the house he wrote about was not a fiction. It is a real home that can be found in Salem, Massachuesetts. Apparently, it’s not just the novel that claims that the location is haunted. Visitors and staff to the now museum, claim to have had experiences they cannot explain. Join me as we explore the beliefs of Nathaniel Hawthorne and the history and hauntings of The House of the Seven Gables! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Kim Gasiorowski and features three cages on St. Lamberti Church spire and This Month in History features Unabomber killing first victim. Our location was suggested by Nicole Cardarelli.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download