Tag Archives: history

Congress Plaza Hotel, Ep. 187

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Chicago’s Congress Plaza Hotel is said to be the city’s most haunted hotel. Chicago hosted the World’s Fair in 1893 and the hotel was built to help provide more accommodations, so it has been around for more than a century. World leaders, US Presidents and the rich and famous have all stayed here. There are rumors that the hotel was used during Prohibition by Al Capone. And similar to the inspiration The Stanley Hotel provided to Stephen King when writing The Shining, the Congress Plaza Hotel inspired him when writing his short story 1408, which eventually became the movie of the same name starring John Cusack. There seems to be many spirits at the hotel to help provide haunting inspiration. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Congress Plaza Hotel! The Moment in Oddity features the Moon Mausoleum and This Month in History features Julius Caesar assassinated. Our location was suggested by listeners Matthew Hirons and Kristin Swintek.

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The Life and Afterlife of Patsy Cline, Ep.186

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Patsy Cline grew to become one of country music’s biggest stars and although she died young at the age of thirty, her influence has continued to our present day. She had a cowgirl image, but she was one of the first country stars to cross over to the pop charts. She also paved the way for women to be headliners at shows and she became the first female solo performer inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She survived two horrible car accidents, but the third crash she would be involved in aboard a plane would finally take her life. Her spirit reputedly has continued on in the afterlife. From the field where she died to some of the music venues she performed at, the spirit of Cline has been making appearances. We are joined by author Matt Swayne to share the life and afterlife of Patsy Cline! We also discuss the connection between hauntings and music. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by listener Sasha Wolfe and features the Court of Mysteries and This Month in History features the Day the Music Died.

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Bobby Mackey’s Music World, Ep. 185

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Bobby Mackey’s Music World is northern Kentucky’s longest running live music nightclub. For nearly forty years, this honky-tonk has hosted singing, dancing and drinking. But before the bar was opened up on this spot, a slaughterhouse was run here. A pit in the basement leads to the nearby Licking River and the blood and other waste from the slaughterhouse was dumped down this pit into the river. The building has been connected to murders, occult rituals and hauntings for years. Some claim that the pit itself leads straight to Hell. Join us and the hosts of Hillbilly Horror Stories Podcast, Jerry and Tracy Paulley, as we explore the history and hauntings of Bobby Mackey’s Music World. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by listener Emily Margaret and features the Strowger Telephone Switch and This Month in History features President Ford issuing a Proclamation against EO 9066.

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Delta Bessborough Hotel, Ep. 184

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The castle-like Delta Bessborough Hotel is a four star, ten-story hotel located in downtown Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Today it is owned by Marriott, but this historic hotel dates back to 1928 when it was built by the Canadian National Railway. Railway hotels were built all across Canada with many of them sharing the same architecture. Many locals refer to the Bessborough as “The Bess” and many of them have tales of hauntings that take place in the hotel. There seems to be several spirits hanging around The Bess in the afterlife. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Delta Bessborough Hotel. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by listener Lisa Lauren Schmidt and features Jean Hilliard frozen alive and lives and This Month in History features the outlaw Belle Starr killed in Oklahoma. Our location was suggested by listener Corianne Wilson.

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Point Lookout Lighthouse, Ep. 183

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Point Lookout is a peninsula formed by the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. Maryland’s first governor claimed the point as his plot and he built his manor there in 1634. In the early 1800s, the government chose the point as a place to install a lighthouse. During the Civil War, Point Lookout became a prison for Confederate soldiers. Today, the lighthouse has been decommissioned, but still stands and the area is now Point Lookout State Park. The history and deaths that happened here have left Point Lookout and the lighthouse reputedly haunted by several spirits. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Point Lookout Lighthouse. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Kelly Helter and features the Legend of Goatman’s Bridge and This Month in History features Richard Hauptmann found guilty in Lindbergh Baby kidnapping. Our location was suggested by Bob Sherfield.

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Denton, Texas Universities, Ep. 182

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Denton, Texas is home to two universities that date back for decades. Both universities have undergone several name changes over the years. Today, they are known as the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. The former had its start as a private teacher’s college and the latter as a girls industrial school. Over the years, suicides and tragic circumstances have led to hauntings in several buildings on both campuses. Join us and our listener Ellen Girdwood as we share the history and hauntings of UNT and TWU! The Moment in Oddity features Hobo Marks and This Month in History features a FDR Assassination Attempt.

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Loftus Hall, Ep. 181

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County Wexford has a long history in Ireland and is home to the Loftus Hall Township. The area is a rugged and beautiful land and the Hook peninsula is home to a place famously known as Ireland’s most haunted house: Loftus Hall. Last year, 2016, marked the homes 666th year in existence. Legends about the Devil and reports of hauntings are a part of the history of this mansion that has also served as a covent and a hotel. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Loftus Hall. The Moment in Oddity features Vesna Vulovic’s Fall and This Month in History features the adoption of the Mexican Constitution. Also, the 11th installment in the third series of Tim Prasil’s Spectral Edition. Our location was suggested by Jjcbw.

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Imbolc, Ep. 180

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There are a variety of Pagan holidays, many of which, other religions have borrowed from to establish their own holidays. Christmas and Easter being good examples of this meshing of customs. One Pagan holiday that is not as well known in Imbolc. This is a holiday with a variety of names, depending on culture and location. The customs associated with it, date back centuries. It falls on February 2nd, timing it between the deep darkness of the Winter Solstice and the coming of rebirth with the Spring Equinox. Our listener and Executive Producer Roxy joins us to share the history and legends behind the holiday of Imbolc. The Moment in Oddity features the Hypogeum of Hal Salflieni and in honor of Black History Month, This Month in History features ratification of the 15th Amendment.

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UC Berkeley, Ep. 179

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The University of California, Berkeley is a research university at its heart. Many discoveries and innovations have their origins at this university. From earthquake detection devices to nutrition to deep sea diving chemicals to prevent the bends to the Atomic Bomb to biotech and biofuels, all of these inventions were developed at UC Berkeley. The university was founded back in the 1800s and has played witness to decades of history. It is one of the top schools in America and in the world. The university has known its share of controversy and although the university most certainly does not embrace this, it is quite haunted as well. Join us as we discuss the history and hauntings of UC Berkeley. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Teresa Slaven and features Centralia and This Month in History features Galileo discovering the moons of Jupiter. Our location was suggested by and we had research assistance from Kat.

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Coco Palms Resort and Kauai Legends

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The original Coco Palms Resort on the island of Kauai stands no more. It was demolished in 2016 and Hyatt is rebuilding a new resort in the footprint. For decades, the Coco Palms was a tropical island getaway for celebrities and people seeking a tropical location for their wedding. It also served as the setting for Elvis Presley’s movie, Blue Hawaii. But long before a resort was built here, a coconut tree grove was planted and even before that, this was the seat of the island’s royal family for over 600 years. The legends told in Hawaii, date back centuries and this area is rich with them because of the former royal past and burial grounds nearby. Coco Palms was believed to be haunted by spirits, maybe even ancient ones, and these hauntings will more than likely continue at the new resort. Join us as we look at the history and legends of the island of Kauai and the history and hauntings of the Coco Palms Resort! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Michael Rogers and features The Grand Grimoire and This Month in History features Ireland joining the United Kingdom. Our location was suggested by Tracy Martin.

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