Tag Archives: history

Haunted Virginia City, Ep. 177

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The Virginia City National Landmark is one of the nation’s largest historic districts and includes over five hundred buildings dating to the time of the great bonanzas, from 1859 to 1880. John Mackay was an industrialist who formed a partnership with three other Irishmen and operated silver mines on the Comstock Lode. They hit it big in 1873 when they discovered the “Big Bonanza.” That find built Virginia City and kept it on the map for the next two centuries. On this episode we are joined by three listeners: Tara Williams-Case, paranormal investigator with P.R.O.O.F. Paranormal Anna Frias and case manager for Pacific Coast Watch Pam Ennis. We discuss the history and hauntings of the Suicide Table, Silver Queen, Bucket of Blood Saloon, St. Mary’s Art and Retreat Center and the Mackay Mansion. The Moment in Oddity features the Tootsie Roll Tale and This Month in History features the launching of the Submarine NAUTILUS. Our location was suggested by Tara Williams-Case, Jeni Justine, Pamela Ennis and Anna Frias.

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German Castle at Castle Pines, Ep. 176

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Western Michigan was once an area of vast dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan. Mature forests attracted the timber industry in the early 1800s and during the Victorian era, the beauty attracted people to come live. One of those people was a German immigrant and he brought his love and inspiration of German castles to an area outside of Holland, Michigan, along Lake Michigan. He built a small replica of a German castle for his family. Castle Park developed around the castle as cottages were built for vacationers. The Castle became an Inn and now serves as a community center. And it would seem that one of the original family members chooses to hang out here in the afterlife. There are also some interesting legends related to this area of Lake Michigan. Join us for the history and hauntings of the German Castle at Castle Park. The Moment in Oddity features the Pedro Mountains Mummy and This Month in History features the discovery and naming of Rio de Janeiro. We also have the ninth installment in the third series of Tim Prasil’s Spectral Edition. Our location was suggested by Becki Sturgeon.

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Santa Maria Inn, Ep. 175

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Santa Maria is a town that lies strategically halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. This makes it an attractive stop over point for travelers. The Santa Maria Inn is a central coastal historical landmark that has provided accommodation for business people, tourists and celebrities for nearly one hundred years. Those celebrities include Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino and Jean Harlow. Other guests that have stayed here, have never left and remain after death. The hotel is reputedly haunted by several spirits and gives enough creeps that some people never want to stay again. One of those people is Elliot Gladstone of the Entwined Podcast and he joins us to talk about the history, hauntings and his experiences at the Santa Maria Inn. The Moment in Oddity features little people of America in the past and This Month in History features the overthrow of Pol Pot.

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Haunted Deadwood, Ep. 174

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Deadwood, South Dakota was a rough and tumble mining camp at its beginnings, but it soon became a bustling city built on the wealth of the gold found nearby. Western luminaries visited and are buried here. Natural disasters and destructive fires ravaged the city on several occasions, but like the little city that could, Deadwood always bounced back. Prohibition and outlawing gambling did not stop some of the illegal activities and opium dens, gambling halls, saloons and brothels thrived. Despite the city moving forward into the modern world, Deadwood is forever a permanent fixture in the lore of the American West. Many historic buildings still exist and Mt. Moriah Cemetery holds the remains of many famous western legends. The buildings and cemetery hold more than just history, spirits reputedly haunt many locations in Deadwood. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Deadwood, South Dakota! The Moment in Oddity features the Curse of Tamerlane’s Tomb. Our location was suggested by listeners Lindsay Heisel and Karri Roling. Cover photo by Tammie McCarroll-Burroughs.

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Commissariat Store in Brisbane, Ep. 173

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The Commissariat Store in Brisbane is the second oldest building in the city and dates back to the early years when Brisbane was a penal colony. The penal settlement in Brisbane was the most violent and toughest on the continent. Convict laborers were used to build many of the early buildings in the settlement, which included the store. A violent confrontation during that construction seems to have led to at least one haunting at the store, but there could be more spirits hanging around this building that now houses a museum that includes some morbid artifacts among its displays. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Commissariat Store. The Moment in Oddity features Posthumorous Executions and This Day in History features Florence Lawrence Committing Suicide. We also have the eighth installment in the third series of Tim Prasil’s Spectral Edition! Our location was suggested by listener Danika Ehlers

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Haunted Waynesville, Ep. 172

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Waynesville, Ohio is known as the “Antique Capital of the Midwest.” At the town’s beginnings though, it was an important Quaker settlement. The Quaker meeting established here in 1803 was the first in southwestern Ohio. A stagecoach line connected Waynesville to the rest of the state and eventually the village would serve as a stop along the Underground Railroad. Despite having a pretty peaceful beginning, Waynesville has become known as one of, if not THE most haunted city in Ohio. With thirty-six reputed haunted places, that is no wonder. In this episode, we are going to visit several historic locations that also have ghostly activity. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Waynesville! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Michael Rogers and features the White River Monster and This Day in History features Van Gogh chopping off his ear. Our location was suggested by Amanda Turk and she helped with research as well.

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Casey Moore’s Oyster House, Ep. 171

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Tempe, Arizona is the seventh largest city in the state of Arizona. The town was built on an agricultural base and grew out of the combining of two distinct pioneer towns. Many of the original historical structures built in Tempe have survived and its one of the town’s greatest attributes. One of these buildings was originally a family home that is now a restaurant named Casey Moore’s Oyster House. Locals love to gather for a beer and seafood. Patrons and employees all claim that the restaurant is haunted by several spirits. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Casey Moore’s Oyster House. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Michael Rogers and features killer exploding lakes and This Day in History features Thomas Paine writing the essay beginning, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Our location was suggested by Alicia Taylor.

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Whidbey Island, Ep. 170

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Whidbey Island sits along Puget Sound and has a long history dating back to the 1800s. The island is the largest of all the islands making up Island County in Washington. It is a picturesque location that stretches for 55 miles making it the fourth longest and largest island in the contiguous United States. It is home to the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The island also is home to Fort Casey, Ebey’s Landing, Admiralty Head Lighthouse and a few legends and stories of hauntings, that include The Lurker. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Whidbey Island. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Ronda Borgen and features killer clothing and This Day in History features the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Our location was suggested by Marjorie Sneed.

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U.S.S. Hornet, Ep. 169

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The USS Hornet is an aircraft carrier located in Alameda, California. It is named for a previous aircraft carrier that sank in October 1942. This new Hornet joined the rest of the United States fleet in November 1943 and fought in many battles during World War II. She later served during the Vietnam War and then went on to help with the Apollo Program. She was decommissioned in 1970 and has gone on to receive historical designation and to become a museum. There is another designation that the Hornet is known by and that is the most haunted warship in the U.S. Naval Fleet. Join us and our listener Pamela Ennis, who is a docent for the warship, as we explore the history and hauntings of the USS Hornet! The Moment in Oddity was suggested by Michael Rogers and features Port Chatham and This Day in History features a man who died from eating too much cheese. Our location was suggested by listeners Angie Reynoso Akbarzad and Pamela Ennis.

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Ep. 168 – Sallie House

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Atchison, Kansas is famously known as the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. It was home to the Kansa tribe before settlement began when the territory opened in the mid 1850s. The Finney family were some early settlers to the town and prominent members of the family would live there all their lives. They built several homes and one of those came to be known as the Sallie House. It gained notoriety in the the 1990s when a couple named Debra and Tony Pickman lived in the house. Hauntings were documented in the house at that time and it has become a well known haunted location to paranormal investigators. The stories that the Pickmans have shared about their former home are horrific and terrifying. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Sallie House. The Moment in Oddity features the mystery of Fort Mountain and This Day in History features the attack on Pearl Harbor. Our location was suggested by listener Mitch Guidry.

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