Tag Archives: history

Bran Castle, Ep. 73

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Bran Castle is more famously known as Dracula Castle. Originally, the Teutonic Knights claimed this spot and had a wooden fortress on the site in the 1200s, but eventually a new castle would be built and it possibly might have been a place where Vlad the Impaler passed through. Queen Maria would take possession in the 1920s and turn the fortress into a fairytale castle. Bram Stoker chose this location as the setting for part of his novel “Dracula.” Stoker never visited the castle and thus his description does not match reality. Count Dracula never lived here either being that he is fictious. But the history connected to the castle gives it an ominous mystique, one that would lead many to believe the castle is haunted. But is it? And what of the lore about vampires? Are they real? Join us as we examine the history and hauntings of Bran Castle. The Moment in Oddity features the Vetala and This Day in History features the Women’s March on Versailles.

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The Life and Afterlife of Bruce Lee, Ep. 72

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Just the mere mention of the name Bruce Lee conjures visions of martial arts fighting and movies. Bruce Lee fought discrimination to become the most famous American of Asian descent. He is considered the most influencial martial artist of all time. Fame was elusive and once found, it perhaps was not what Bruce Lee had dreamed it would be. His candle did not burn long as he died at the young age of 32. Some say it was a curse that took his life. A curse that carried over and took the life of his actor son Brandon Lee as well. Could it be the early deaths of these two young men that has led to their spirits being at unrest? Was it a curse that plagued the Lees? Come with us as we explore the life and afterlife of Bruce Lee. Moment in Oddity features strange German rules of the past and This Day in History features the Navy ending its use of flogging.

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The Flamingo & Bally’s Casinos, Ep 71

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Las Vegas has always been considered “Sin City” because of the permissiveness of what most people consider to be sin like gambling, sex, drinking, prostitution and much more. Las Vegas was a warm retreat for gangsters at one time and some of those gangsters helped Vegas to become the city it is today. People driving towards Las Vegas witness the glow on the horizon from all the neon lights that sparks the imagination. What child hasn’t sat stunned in the car watching all the blinking lights? This place is the capital of entertainment and a good time. Las Vegas plays host to more than just the living though. A city caught up in this much emotion is the perfect setting for ghostly activity. Today we explore just two of the places that are reportedly haunted. The Flamingo and Bally’s have interesting histories that have led them to be rumored to be haunted. Get out your tokens and loosen up that arm for some one on one with a one armed bandit as we venture into the casinos of Vegas. Moment in Oddity features the Case of Dr. Lemberger and This Day in History features John Jay as first Chief Justice.

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Haunted Tombstone, Ep. 70

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We are joined on today’s episode by author and medium Janice Carlson to discuss her experiences in Tombstone, Arizona. Tombstone calls itself “The West’s Most Famous Town” and it probably is just that. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of Tombstone! The Moment in Oddity features the Backward Imposter Body and This Day in History features the publications of the Hobbit.

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Landers Theater, Ep. 69

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What is it about theaters that causes them to so often have tales of haunting experiences? Is it the emotions that are displayed on the stage and evoked in the audience? Are they just more prone to accidents and death? Landers Theater in Springfield, Missouri is one such theater. This theater has stood for decades and seen much history. Famous performers took to the stage, including Lillian Russell and Lon Chaney. When motion pictures became the thing, the theater adapted. But there is more than just a rich history to this place. Something else seems to have carried over through the decades. Spirit activity is reportedly high inside this elegant theater. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Landers Theater. Moment in Oddity features the Skeleton Under the Tree and This Day in History features Harriet Tubman and her Flight to Freedom.

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Maitland Gaol, Ep. 68

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Maitland Gaol is considered Australia’s hardest jail. For nearly twenty years the gaol has stood empty, but for 150 years this jail housed some of Australia’s worst criminals. Behind the sandstone and razor-wire of this modern day tourist attraction, some of the worst brutality occurred from murders to rape and of course, suicides. Inmates claim that the cells were concrete coffins. This kind of energy and emotion usually feeds unexplained activity. Rumors of hauntings permeate the stories about the gaol. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Maitland Gaol! Moment in History features the Fertility Chair and This Day in History features Francis Scott Key being inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner.

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Raynham Hall, Ep. 67

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Raynham Hall in New York has seen much history in its time. The homestead survived the Revolutionary War and occupation by a British regiment. It was part of a spy ring as well. It has survived years of additions being added to the building and the changing of hands. Something else has survived from the past as well. It would seem the spirits of the former occupants have decided to stay as well. Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of Raynham Hall. Moment in Oddity features a strange creature found in Russia and This Day in History features the patent of the sewing machine.

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Ohio State Reformatory, Ep. 66

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Sometimes a place is needed to help with reforming young people when they wander down the wrong road in life. That is what the Ohio State Reformatory was originally meant to do: help wayward young men get back on the right road. The beautiful Gothic reformatory built of iron and limestone is so picturesque that it was used as a location in the movie, “The Shawshank Redemption.” But what happened to many of the residents of this building was anything, but beautiful and certainly was not about truly reforming young men. Stories that include torture, beatings and other misdeeds are numerous. And wherever strong emotions are built up, we usually find some kind of unexplained phenomenon. Come with us as we venture inside the Ohio State Reformatory! The Moment in Oddity features the Hammersmith Ghost and This Day in History features a pretender claiming the throne as King Richard IV.

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The Legend of the Rougarou, Ep. 65

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Deep in the Bayou, originates the legend of a mysterious creature. There are more than gators, Cottonmouths, snapping turtles and the giant rat-like Nutria in the swamps. Haunting howls in the middle of the night indicate that something large, wild and scary roams about the mangroves. Tales about this creature have been passed down through the generations. Were these stories created just to scare the children and keep them from wandering into the swamp or to get them to behave? Are these tales just simply made up to explain the disappearance of domestic animals? Join us as we delve into the legend of the Rougarou. Moment in Oddity features burial pods and This Day in History features Frederick Douglass’ escape from slavery.

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Pittsburgh’s Federal Courthouse, Ep. 64

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Pittsburgh is the original “Gateway to the West” and began as a Frontier Fort. In the 1900s, the Federal Courthouse was built in a design that leaves much to be desired particularly compared to the more interesting Allegheny County Courthouse. But the Federal Courthouse is quite interesting when considering the rumors that it is haunted. Pittsburgh is a very haunted city and this location is just one of the many spots harboring those still here in the afterlife. Join us as we explore the history and hauntings of Pittsburgh’s Federal Courthouse! Moment in Oddity features Surgeon Barbers and This Day in History features the patent of the Kinetoscope. We also discuss an interesting study on how hauntings might make people more honest.

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