Tag Archives: history

Peoria State Hospital, Ep. 94

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

On today’s episode we are joined by author and paranormal investigator Sylvia Shults. The Peoria State Hospital opened in 1901 in the village of Bartonville in Illinois. The asylum was home for the mentally ill for seventy-two years and it provided some of the state of the art care at the time, but it was also the scene of some very tragic circumstances. Many people died here, both patients and staff. These tragedies combined with the fact that Bartonville was once Native American land and it is an area surrounded by water and limestone have quite possibly led to the Peoria State Hospital being rumored to be haunted. There seems to be many fractured spirits here at the Peoria State Hospital. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Peoria State Hospital with Sylvia Shults. Moment in Oddity features Nosferatu’s Director’s Skull Stolen and This Day in History features the discovery of Messier 80.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Eloise Asylum, Ep. 93

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

We are joined on today’s episode by freelance writer Bill Clayton. The term asylum brings about many images and most of them are not pleasant. Particularly the asylums of years ago. Today, we know more about mental illness and have better plans for caring for people, but in the past, mentally ill people were treated as cast offs and it was permissable to do horrid things to these people. One of the most notorious asylums in America was Eloise Asylum. Conditions were overcrowded and care was subpar at times. The asylum grew from the origins of a poorhouse to a schoolhouse and post office to a series of buildings built over the years to house the large amount of sick and mentally ill people brought here. Eloise is reputed to be one of the most haunted locations in the Detroit area for good reason. There is also a cemetery nearby named Butler Cemetery that has a reputation for being haunted. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Eloise Asylum. Moment in Oddity features a cleaning lady that thwarted a Nazi spy ring and This Day in History features the First Ball Drop on New Years Eve.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Magnolia Hotel, Ep. 92

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

The historic Magnolia Hotel is located in Seguin, Texas. Its history includes use as a fort and was built by a man rooted in Texas history as a colonist. The property has existed for 150 years and passed through the hands of many owners and is currently under restoration. Its current state is nothing like the grand hotel it had been once upon a time. Hotels tell many stories and this one has stories that include murder and prostitution. Spirits are at unrest here. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Magnolia Hotel. Moment in Oddity features a mummified mascot and This Day in History features the opening of Radio City Music Hall.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Milton Schoolhouse, Ep. 90

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Alton, Illinois is considered one of the most haunted small towns in America. The former Milton Schoolhouse is one of the reasons for this reputation. Many legends surround the school from murdered students to suicide to other deaths that lead people to claim that the currently bustling center of small business is haunted. There are others who believe that the school’s reputation for hauntings is just that, a reputation. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Milton Schoolhouse. Moment in Oddity features the White Screamer and This Day in History features Washigton’s troops entering Valley Forge.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Buffalo Trace Distillery, Ep. 89

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Buffalo Trace Distillery is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. Herds of buffalo once thundered across this area of Kentucky where the distillery stands and they carved a path, which is called a trace. This particular trace is called the “Great Buffalo Trace” and it led to the banks of the Kentucky River and gave the distillery its name. Some of the finest Kentucky Bourbon is made here. But there are more than just the drinkable spirits at this location. The kind of spirits that lead to tales of ghosts can be found here as well. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Moment in Oddity features beer made from elephant dung and This Day in History features the birth of Quantum Theory. Thanks to Jade Lewis for research help!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Homestead Sanatorium, Ep. 88

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Many people mistakenly refer to the Homestead Sanatorium as an asylum, but it was never an asylum. Although abandoned and derelict, the building still stands grandiose and beautiful and it would be a shame to see it torn down. The benefactor of the property, Horace Carpentier would not want to see that happen either. For decades, those with TB called Homestead home and many of them died here. Is that why the place is rumored to be haunted? Or is it just because it is a large abandoned building with a history? Join us as we look at the history and hauntings of the Saratoga County Homestead Sanatorium. The Moment in Oddity features an underwater fake skeleton tea party and This Day in History features the Christmas Seals.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Pentridge Prison, Ep. 86

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

Coburg, Victoria, Australia didn’t always have that name. It was originally known as Pentridge and it was infamous for being home to the Pentridge Prison. This prison was one of the most notorious in Australia, housing some of the worst of the worst and was open for 146 years. Today, it is the setting for fashion shows, parties, conferences and even weddings. As is the case with many old jails, this one is restless behind the scenes…or should we say, behind the veil. Spirits roam the cell blocks. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of Australia’s Pentridge Prison! Moment in Oddity features sheep farts downing a plane and This Day in History features Thomas Edison inventing the phonograph.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Legend of Indian Corn and Windigo

Posted on by Posted in Urban Legend .

Happy Thanksgiving! We are so very thankful for all of our listeners and…according to Denise…ghosts! We thought we would throw up a special extra episode featuring some legends from the Ojibwa Native American tribe: the legend of Indian Corn and the cryptozoological creature known as the Windigo, a fearsome nasty cannabilistic type creature. Today would be an excellent day to check out our Plymouth episode as well! The Moment in Oddity features the Phantom of Flatwoods and This Day in History features the Great Storm of 1703.

We so appreciate the support you all have given us whether it is listening, reviewing, sharing, joining us on air or at meet-ups, suggesting locations, helping with research or financially backing the show! Thank you!!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Carleton County Gaol, Ep. 84

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

We are joined on the show today by Jim Dean, Creative Director of Haunted Walks, Inc. Our research assistant Carbon Lilies helped with the research and shares their experience at the jail. Ottawa in Ontario is the capital of Canada. This city has a high standard of living, low unemployment and a rich history being the historic home of the founding fathers of Canada. Within this city is located the historic jail known in previous years as the Carleton County Gaol. Like so many older jails, treatment here for prisoners was not always humane and men, women and children were housed together. The jail is now a hostel known as the Ottawa Jail Hostel, but something from the past still remains. Spirits still seem to roam the hallways and many of these entities are not happy. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Carleton County Gaol. Moment in Oddity features the Versailles Time Slip and This Day in History features the hijacking and disappearance related to DB Cooper.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Emily Morgan Hotel, Ep. 83

Posted on by Posted in Haunted Location .

The city of San Antonio is beautiful. It is home to the infamous Alamo. And right next to the Alamo sits the Emily Morgan Hotel. The hotel is considered the official hotel of the Alamo. It was once a state of the art medical facility. Today it is a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel that offers luxurious accommodations in a beautiful historic building. Those accommodations offer more than just luxuries. There are reportedly ghosts in this building. Some believe that the hotel is far more haunted than even the Alamo, where so many more people died. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Emily Morgan Hotel. Moment in Oddity features the kidnapping of Charlie Chaplin’s body and This Day in History features the conviction of Boss Tweed.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download