It's Christmas Eve, 1926. New York City was adorned with the sparkle of snow and a festive glow. Families gathered in their homes, and the streets were bright with carols and holiday cheer. But in the corridors of Bellevue Hospital, a nightmare was unfolding. ‌A man stumbled through the doors, his face flushed, eyes wide with an unexplainable terror. He claimed that Santa Claus… not jolly and kind, but a sinister version wielding a baseball bat… was chasing him through the streets of New York. He rambled on about the terrifying figure, unable to escape his alcohol-induced hallucination. Visit us online at itshometownhistory.com Join us on Facebook or Instagram.

We all know the classic American story about the evil capitalist – like Citizen Kane. He bullies his way to the top, crushes his rivals and loses all human decency along the way. This story is the opposite of that story. This is the story of the good capitalist, Milton S. Hershey, of Hershey candy bar fame, who looked out for his employees and founded two thriving company towns, one in Pennsylvania and the other on the island of Cuba. You can find more about the MS Hershey Foundation here. Plan your visit to The Hershey Story Museum here. A special thank you to Amy Zeigler for her time and knowledge. Amy is the Senior Director of Eduction, Programs and Operations at the MS Hershey Foundation. Visit us online at itshometownhistory.com

How would you feel about pulling up a lawn chair to watch a nearby explosion of an atomic bomb? Believe it or not, this used to be common. When the US government chose a nuclear testing site about 60 miles outside of Las Vegas, the city did what it did with just about everything else – it turned it into a marketing campaign. It used the proximity of these massive, radioactive disasters to get more people to come to Vegas. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online at : Hometown History Join us on Facebook or Instagram.

I have to admit, I didn't really think of Las Vegas as a hometown either, until my recent visit. I had always thought of Vegas as a destination, a place you fly in and fly out of. Of course, the two weeks I spent there forever changed that perception, so I wanted to invite Mark Hall-Patton on to learn more about the history of Las Vegas, the hometown. You may recognize Mark's voice from the History Channel's Pawn Stars, on which he regularly appeared as a visiting expert. Mark has recently retired, but for many years was the Museum Administrator for the Clark County Museum system, where he oversaw the Clark County Museum, the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum, and the Searchlight History Museum. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online at : Hometown History Join us on Facebook or Instagram.

After our conversation with Jeff Lane at the West Baden Hotel, we went over to the French Lick Hotel to meet Dan Frotscher for a tour of both campuses. Because we've already covered the general history of this resort in our interview with Jeff, we’ll be focusing on some of the quirkier or more detailed parts of the West Baden story on this episode. Episode Sponsor: Go to HelloFresh.com/Hometown50 and use code hometown50 for 50% off plus free shipping! Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online at : Hometown History Join us on Facebook or Instagram.

When it was built in 1902 with the biggest free span dome in the world, the West Baden Springs Hotel in southern Indiana was known as the 8th Wonder of the World. About a month ago, in February of 2023, the travel site TripAdvisor named it one of the top five hotels in America. The West Baden resort, and the equally impressive French Lick Resort next door, were founded on the site of an ancient sulfur spring, which drew wealthy travelers from all over the country to take of its quote, "healing powers." Episode Sponsor: Go to HelloFresh.com/Hometown50 and use code hometown50 for 50% off plus free shipping! Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online at : Hometown History Join us on Facebook or Instagram.

The first man to walk on the moon died two years before he ever got there. Or at least the man who was supposed to be the first. His name was Gus Grissom, and he’s remembered today as one of the most skilled and yet unluckiest astronauts in the history of space travel. As a member of the Mercury 7, also known as Astronaut Group 1, Gus was among the elite of the elite. Episode Sponsor: Go to Hellofresh.com/hometown50 and use code hometown50 for 50% off plus free shipping! Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online at : Hometown History Join us on Facebook or Instagram.

You may remember Joe Lee from our conversation on the life and legacy of Eva Kor, whose story Joe told in a graphic biography I picked up at the Holocaust museum. The book is called, Forgiveness: The Story of Eva Kor, Survivor of the Auschwitz Experiments, and I can honestly say that it's one of the most memorable and engaging things I've ever read. I learned at that time that Joe was also a professionally trained clown, and while that wouldn't have been an appropriate part of our first conversation, I wanted to circle back at some point and learn more about that part of Joe's life. And that is what I'm doing today. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online at : Hometown History Join us on Facebook or Instagram. Episode Sponsor: Get a 4 week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at Stamps.com/hometown. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

After leaving the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute, Indiana, I mentioned our trip to a photographer friend of mine named Rodney Margison, from nearby Bloomington. I was telling Rodney about a book I had purchased at the museum that was unlike anything I'd ever read. It was a biography of Eva Kor, the founder of the CANDLES museum, but it was illustrated in a way that reminded me of a black and white comic book. As soon as I described this biography, Rodney said he knew exactly the book I was referring to, and through that connection I had the pleasure of meeting another friend of Eva's and the man who wrote her life story. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online at Hometown History

I’m back with Troy Fears, Executive director at Candles Holocaust Museum and Education Center, in Terre Haute, Indiana. Twenty years ago, this museum was fire bombed by a domestic terrorist. Today, it’s stronger than ever, hosting thousands of visitors each year, including school groups and educational workshops. Episode Sponsors: Get 16 free meals plus free shipping by going to Hellofresh.com/hometown16 and use code HOMETOWN16 Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at Stamps.com/hometown. Use code HOMETOWN at checkout! Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! Visit us online at itshometownhistory.com

Just after midnight, on the morning of November 16, 2003, a fire bomb tore through the center of the Holocaust education center in Terre Haute, Indiana. Much of the building’s interior was incinerated in the blaze. Unknown quantities of historical memorabilia, including the personal belongings of holocaust survivors, were destroyed. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok

[Part 2] This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows.  It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: Foul Play: Crime SeriesMusic City 911 Crimes from the East  Cults, Crimes, Cabernet  A Nefarious Nightmare  Crimelines The Asian Madness Podcast  Part 2: Once Upon A Crime PNW Haunts & Homicides The Trail Went Cold Coffee & Cases Already Gone  Twisted and Uncorked  Mystery Inc  If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: Deceptions & Resurrections, Bloody Valentine, and A Nightmare before Halloween . Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows.  It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: Foul Play: Crime SeriesMusic City 911 Crimes from the East  Cults, Crimes, Cabernet  A Nefarious Nightmare  Crimelines The Asian Madness Podcast  Part 2: Once Upon A Crime PNW Haunts & Homicides The Trail Went Cold Coffee & Cases Already Gone  Twisted and Uncorked  Mystery Inc  If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: Deceptions & Resurrections, Bloody Valentine, and A Nightmare before Halloween . Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

Jinkies! Welcome to the Mystery Inc podcast, where we unmask the truth behind the spookiest mysteries!  In this episode, we're tackling the mystery at Airtight Bridge in Illinois. It's a place with a dark past, where strange things have been happening for decades. People have reported seeing ghostly figures walking along the bridge, strange noises, and even unexplainable accidents. Taking us on this spooky adventure are brother hosts, Shane and Josh Waters. They're experts in all things mystery, and they're not afraid of a little paranormal.  So grab your Scooby Snacks, turn off the lights, and join us on the Mystery Inc podcast. Who knows what we might find? Zoinks! You can find Mystery Inc here: Website, Apple, Spotify

To my knowledge only one Native American tribe in history has never surrendered or capitulated to the US Government – the Seminole tribe of Florida. Most specifically, one Seminole tribe - the Miccosukee Indians, settled in the Everglades and held out until 1962, until they were legally acknowledged as a sovereign, domestic dependent nation by the United States Government. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Last month I was driving through a small downtown in northeastern Tennessee and realized that my two left tires were directly on top of the state line. On my right side was still Tennessee, but on my left side, was the state of Virginia. The yellow line was the border line. It occurred to me that these shop owners on opposite sides of the street were not only in two different states, but subject to different laws and taxation. Learn more about The Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

The turning point in the history of most hometowns is economic. A factory moves in, or an industry moves in and then thousands or millions of people follow. This episode is the story of a county in southern Indiana that was changed not through industry, but through art. To learn more about T.C. Steele and his Indiana Home visit the Indiana Museum site. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

This Easter, join Shane Waters on a whimsical adventure featuring 13 podcasters as they share true stories of con artists and fake deaths. Delve into the magical world of the Enchanted Easterlands, where you’ll encounter peculiar characters and captivating true crime tales. Discover the history and origins of Easter, and experience a journey like no other.   It’s an extra special, two part, more than two-hour, Easter event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: CrimelinesRotten to the CoreFrightfulMind over MurderThe Trail Went ColdThe Hidden StaircaseHometown History Part 2: Wicked DeedsObscura: A True Crime PodcastHillbilly Horror Stories History Goes BumpJudgy Crime GirlsFoul Play: Crime Series If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: My Bloody Valentine and A Nightmare before Halloween. Stay tuned for upcoming holiday collaborations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

This Easter, join Shane Waters on a whimsical adventure featuring 13 podcasters as they share true stories of con artists and fake deaths. Delve into the magical world of the Enchanted Easterlands, where you’ll encounter peculiar characters and captivating true crime tales. Discover the history and origins of Easter, and experience a journey like no other.  It’s an extra special, two part, more than two-hour, Easter event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: CrimelinesRotten to the CoreFrightfulMind over MurderThe Trail Went ColdThe Hidden StaircaseHometown History Part 2: Wicked DeedsObscura: A True Crime PodcastHillbilly Horror Stories History Goes BumpJudgy Crime GirlsFoul Play: Crime Series If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: My Bloody Valentine and A Nightmare before Halloween. Stay tuned for upcoming holiday collaborations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

Today I’m with Brent and Nick and we’re going to be trying something a little different. After our national parks series, it occurred to me that we had not yet discussed one of my favorite parts of that trip – the day we went gold panning in a cold Washington river. On trips like the one we took, it’s easy to get comfortable hearing about history. This was a memorable way to experience it first-hand – to do something people did a hundred and fifty years ago, and to feel a little bit of what they felt. I figured the best way to have that conversation, as we remember that experience, would be to record it here in the studio and share it with you. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Visit us online. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.