Tag Archives: history

Fairfield Hills State Hospital and Charles Island, Ep. 128

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Fairfield Hills State Hospital was a state run mental health facility in Connecticut that was opened to alleviate the overcrowding in other asylums. The facility was pleasing to the eyes from the outside, but within its walls unspeakable acts were taking place. This was not a place of rehabilitation, but more a place of experimentation. Just as we have found to be the case at other asylums during this time period, barbaric practices were followed and many “mysterious” deaths were the result. This has led to the typical result: hauntings. We also will share the curse of Charles Island, which is not far from Newtown, and it involves pirates! But is there only one curse on this island or could there be more? Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of these two Connecticut locations. The Moment in Oddity is by Bob Sherfield and features Mother Shipton and This Day in History is by Steven Pappas and features First American Space Walk. This location is suggested by listeners Paige Sherman and Michael Rogers and our Research Assistant is April Rogers-Krick.

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Ben Lomond Hotel, Ep. 127

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The Ben Lomond Hotel is located in the Historic Downtown of Ogden, Utah. This is one of the last three “Grand Hotels” in Utah that still operates as a hotel. Built in the latter part of the Victorian Era, the hotel has changed over time. The original five stories now rise to eleven. Ogden was a major railroad junction and brought people from all over. And while a hotel is meant to be a place of comfort, the Ben Lomond seems to be a place of death and this has lead to stories of strange happenings. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Ben Lomond Hotel. The Moment in Oddity is suggested by listener Lisa Nielsen and features Holger Danske and This Day in History is by April Rogers-Krick and features Women Fired Over Turkey Trot. Our location was suggested by listeners Jon Mueller and Dean Carrington and our Research Assistant is Kristin Swintek.

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The Driskill Hotel, Ep. 126

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The Driskill Hotel was built in Austin, Texas and it’s no surprise that this location was chosen as it is the terminus of the Southern most route of the Chisolm Trail. The hotel was built in the late 1800s and serves guests to this day. It emanates a timeless charm and the hotel claims that “every room tells a story.” There are stories here for more than just the living. Some consider this to be the most active paranormal location in Austin. There is a legend of suicidal brides and there are spirits of others who have died here. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Driskill Hotel. The Moment in Oddity was suggested by listener Anna Prado-Frias and features the Mannequins of the John Lawson House and This Day in History is by April Rogers-Krick and features a Peruvian Soccer Match Riot. Our location was suggested by and researched by Whitney Land.

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The Golden Lamb Inn, Ep. 125

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The Golden Lamb Inn is the state of Ohio’s oldest hotel. The hotel has been the gathering place for residents of Lebanon for over 200 years. Through the years, it has changed ownership and names and hosted a variety of presidents and famous people. But the one constant has been the symbol for which it is named: the Golden Lamb. The deep history of this inn includes a connection to war, stage coaches and much more, which has led to rumors of hauntings at the establishment. For some guests, more than just their signature’s remain at the inn. Their spirits seem to have remained. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Golden Lamb Inn. The Moment in Oddity is by Bob Sherfield and features Ruston Triangular Lodge and This Day in History is by April Rogers-Krick and features the beheading of Anne Boylen. Our location was suggested by listener Stefanie Martin and Research Assistants were Annette Student and Sharon Spungen.

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Battle of Antietam, Ep. 124

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The Battle of Antietam was a twelve-hour fight that would go down in Civil War history as the bloodiest day of the war. Many would say this was the bloodiest day in American history. The setting would be a cornfield that contained a lonely little white church near the Antietam River. General McClellan’s army would clash with General Lee’s, sending the Confederates away in a draw not worth continuing to fight. This had been General Lee’s first push into the North. The battle would leave President Abraham Lincoln the opening he needed to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. It stands to reason that such a violent day would lead to stories of hauntings on the battlefield and in the surrounding buildings, including many homes used as field hospitals. Join us as we explore the events and hauntings of the Battle of Antietam! The Moment in Oddity is by Bob Sherfield and features Royston Cave and This Day in History is by April Rogers-Krick and features the Lewis and Clark Expedition Start. This haunted event was suggested by listener Rebekah Johnson and our research Assistant was Steven Pappas.

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The Capitol Theater, Ep. 123

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Ep. 123 features the Capitol Theater in Salt Lake City! Theaters have always shared a special place in history. We crave to be entertained and many of us desire to entertain. Theaters are a place of strong emotions, both those played out by actors and those evoked in the audience. Paranormal activity feeds off of those kinds of emotions. The Capitol Theater was built in the center of Salt Lake City and has entertained Utahans for more than a hundred years. Tragedy has been a part of the Capitol Theater’s history as well and that has helped add to the theater’s reputation as being a haunted location. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Capitol Theater! The Moment in Oddity is by Bob Sherfield and features the Spruce Goose and This Day in History is by Jessica Bell and features the birth of Belle Boyd. This location was suggested by listener Sue Story and the Research Assistant was Ren Davenport.

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Whaley House, Ep. 122

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Ep. 122 features the Whaley House! When it comes to San Diego, few other homes carry the historical significance of the Whaley House. It was built in 1856 by Thomas Whaley, Jr., who had followed the call of the Gold Rush from New York. The home would become a social center in San Diego and over the years it would serve as a courthouse, theater, school and many other businesses. The spot Whaley chose to build his home upon seemed like a choice piece of land, but the history says otherwise. This was hanging ground. And one executed criminal by the name of Yankee Jim seems to have stayed right there on that land, even when a house was built on that spot. The Whaley House is considered by some to be THE most haunted house in America. There are several spirits that seem to be here, both of the human persuasion and animals. The house was thought to be cursed. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Whaley House! The Moment in Oddity features Mallows Bay and This Day in History is by April Rogers-Krick and features the San Francisco fire of 1851. Our location was suggested by listeners Michelle DePriest and Candice Nelson and reseacrh assistance was by April Rogers-Krick!

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Dumas Brothel, Ep. 120

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Butte, Montana has its roots in mining. The town came to be known as the “Richest Hill on Earth” and gold, silver and copper were all mined here. As was the case with so many mining towns, a successful red light district grew within the town. One of the most successful and high-class brothels in town was the Dumas Brothel. Rich clientele could have their fantasies met here, but there was also pleasure for the working class in the basement, which ran like a sex mill. The brothel passed through many hands and has the reputation of being the longest running brothel in the country. And it seems that clients and the girls are still hanging out here in the afterlife. Several entities are thought to haunt this building. Join us as we explore the history and ahuntings of the Dumas Brothel! The Moment in Oddity is by Bob Sherfield and features Pykrete and Ice Aircraft Carriers and This Day in History is by Jessica Bell and features Joshua Slocum Traveling Round the World Solo. Our location was suggested by listener Julie David and our Research Assistant was April Rogers-Krick.

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Folly Beach Island, Ep. 119

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The barrier island of Folly Beach, South Carolina appears picturesque with its images of waves lapping against the sand. Locals refer to it as the “Edge of America.” Below the surface of painted sunsets and beautiful beaches lies a dark history of mysterious and tragic losses. Folly Beach really has it all from shipwrecks to the Civil War to pirates. Blackbeard himself took cover at Folly Beach. A native tribe also died out here. Is it this colorful history that has led to rumors of hauntings? Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Folly Beach. Moment in Oddity features the Dr. Suess House as suggested by listener Ren Davenport and This Day in History features the Shot Heard Round the World. Location was suggested by listener Dee and Research Assistants were Sharon Spungen and April Rogers-Krick.

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Legends of Mexico, Ep. 118

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From the Aztec Sun Stone with the sunken eyes of Tonatiuh, the Aztec sun god, peering out from the center of the stone to the Alley of the Kiss to the Devil’s Alley, the country of Mexico is rich with legends and superstition. On this episode, we are joined by our Research Assistant Kristin Swintek who is going to share some of the legends of Mexico with us. There is La Llorona, the Ironed Lady and the Monster El Cucuy. Bring along a little salt, violet petals, sage, or ginseng to help keep unwanted ghosts away. Join us as we explore these Legends of Mexico. Moment in Oddity is by Bob Sherfield and features Highwayman Dick Turpin and This Day in History is by Jessica Bell and features the Titanic hitting an iceburg.

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