Tag Archives: history

Milton Schoolhouse, Ep. 90

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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.

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Buffalo Trace Distillery, Ep. 89

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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!

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Homestead Sanatorium, Ep. 88

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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.

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Pentridge Prison, Ep. 86

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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.

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Legend of Indian Corn and Windigo

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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!!

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Carleton County Gaol, Ep. 84

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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.

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Emily Morgan Hotel, Ep. 83

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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.

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Lizzie Borden House, Ep. 82

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Growing up, many of us sung a rhyme about the crime attributed to Lizzie Borden that began, “Lizzie Borden took an axe.” But did this young woman actually commit the crime for which she was accused and aquitted? What was going on in this home with this family that people actually thought it was possible? What happened to the Borden family is not in dispute, nor are the facts unclear. It was August 4, 1892. Andrew Borden’s body was found, shortly before noon, in his Fall River, Massachusetts parlor room. He had suffered many blows to the head, specifically to his face, with a blunt object. His wife, Abby, was found that same day in an upstairs boudoir with the back of her head bashed in. This violent crime remains unsolved and perhaps that is why the spirits are at unrest in this home. Come with us as we explore the home, the family, the crime and the hauntings connected to the Lizzie Borden House. Moment in Oddity features the Watseka Wonder and This Day in History features the publication of Moby Dick.

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The Biltmore Estate

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Many people have heard of the Vanderbilt family. They are a family of Dutch origin that amassed a huge fortune in transportation through both shipping and the railroad. Their prominence lasted through to the mid 20th century and then the “Fall of the House of Vanderbilt” occurred. Many of their mansions and other properties were torn down, but one survives today and is considered the largest home in America, the Biltmore Estate. It is a beautiful home that housed George Vanderbilt II’s family at one time. And it just may still house the family in the afterlife. Could it be that this impressive mansion is haunted? Come with us as we explore the history and hauntings of the Biltmore Estate. Moment in Oddity features the Little Woodcutter and This Day in History features Napoleon becoming Dictator.

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Legend of the Jersey Devil, Ep. 80

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Many people, particularly those that live in New England, have heard the story about the Jersey Devil. The tale about a mother giving birth to a devil baby is not totally unique in history. Even in our modern era, we have had movies like Rosemary’s Baby. Is this just another urban legend or is there some real history behind this tale of the Jersey Devil? Was this really more of a religious dispute that spawned a story to destroy a family name? We’ll explore the superstitions that existed in the area around the idea that devil babies could be born and cover the various sightings that have continued far past what would be a reasonable life span. Come with us as we look at the legend of the Jersey Devil. The Moment in Oddity features Black Blizzards and This Day in History features the patenting of the cash register.

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