Episodes

Nov. 20, 2024

159: The Vanishing of Judge Crater: New York’s Greatest Mystery

In this episode of Hometown History, we uncover the mysterious disappearance of Judge Joseph Force Crater, an event that captured the nation’s attention in 1930 and coined the phrase “to pull a Crater.” Judge Crater’s sudden…
Nov. 5, 2024

158: How a Telegraph Cable Launched Tiffany & Co. to Fame

In this episode of Hometown History, we dive into the surprising story of how a monumental achievement in telecommunications catapulted Tiffany & Co. to fame. In 1858, Charles Tiffany seized on the success of the first trans…
Oct. 21, 2024

157: The Vanishing of Ambrose Bierce: A Literary Mystery

In this episode of Hometown History, we delve into one of the most fascinating literary mysteries of the 20th century: the disappearance of Ambrose Bierce. A celebrated writer, Civil War veteran, and the sharp wit behind The…
Oct. 10, 2024

156: Beneath the Greenbrier: America’s Cold War Bunker Exposed

In this episode of Hometown History, Shane reveals the secret story of the Greenbrier Resort's hidden underground bunker, built during the Cold War to house Congress in case of a nuclear attack, and how the local town kept t…
Sept. 19, 2024

155: The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872

In this intriguing episode of Hometown History , we unravel the tale of one of America’s most audacious cons: The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872. What began as a whispered rumor of hidden diamonds in the vast American wilderness…
Sept. 4, 2024

154: Secrets in Stone: The Mystery of Coral Castle

In this episode of Hometown History , we delve into the enigma of Coral Castle, a mysterious structure hidden in the sunny shores of Florida. Built single-handedly by Edward Leedskalnin, a man of modest stature, this archite…
Aug. 19, 2024

153: Crafting a Revolution: The Legacy of Paul Revere

In this episode of Hometown History , we journey into the life of Paul Revere, not just as the legendary rider who warned of the British invasion, but as the Founding Father of Propaganda. Through his craftsmanship and power…
Aug. 14, 2024

152: The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run

In this chilling episode of Hometown History , we journey back to the fog-laden streets of 1930s Cleveland, where the shadow of the infamous Cleveland Torso Murderer loomed large over the city. From the grim discovery of the…
Aug. 8, 2024

151: Beyond the Myths: The Real Secret Societies of America

Welcome back to Hometown History. In today’s intriguing episode, we delve into the shadowy world of secret societies. Often shrouded in mystery and conspiracy, these organizations evoke images of clandestine meetings and sin…
July 31, 2024

150: Shadow of Pearl Harbor: The Internment of Japanese Americans

Welcome back to Hometown History. In this episode, we delve into one of America's most troubling chapters: the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, over 120,000 Japanese…
July 22, 2024

149: America's Youngest Serial Killer: The Crimes of Jesse Pomeroy

In this chilling episode of Hometown History, we delve into the dark tale of Jesse Pomeroy, America's youngest serial killer. Born in 1859 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Jesse's early life was marked by accusations of animal…
July 15, 2024

148: The Dark Side of Paradise: Inside the Rat Utopia Experiment

In this episode of Hometown History, we explore the Rat Utopia Experiment by John Calhoun in the 1970s, which examined the effects of overpopulation in a controlled environment. Known as Universe 25, this study provided mice…
July 8, 2024

147: A Century-Old Naval Mystery: The U.S.S. Cyclops

Today, we're diving into the enigmatic disappearance of the U.S.S. Cyclops, a naval mystery that has baffled sailors, historians, and explorers for over a century. This colossal ship, launched in 1910, had a distinguished ca…
June 25, 2024

146: Haunted Beginnings: The Rise of the Fox Sisters

In today's episode, we delve into the fascinating story of the Fox Sisters, whose playful pranks in the mid-19th century inadvertently ignited the Spiritualist movement. From a small cabin in Hydesville, New York, Kate and M…
June 13, 2024

145: Forgotten Wholesome Stories from America's Past

Welcome back, friends, to Hometown History. Today, we're sharing three heartwarming tales that highlight the kindness, creativity, and community spirit in America's history. First, we explore the story of Mildred and Patty H…
June 3, 2024

144: The Night Doctors

In this episode of Hometown History, we delve into the unsettling legend of the Night Doctors. Far from mere folklore, the Night Doctors were a terrifying reality for African-American communities in the 18th and 19th centuri…
May 27, 2024

143: The Hollywood Blacklist

In this Hometown History episode, we explore the chilling era of the Hollywood Blacklist, a time when fear and suspicion dominated the American entertainment industry. Initiated during the Cold War, this blacklist barred cou…
May 20, 2024

142: Lewis Howard Latimer

In today's episode of Hometown History, we delve into the life of Lewis Howard Latimer, an unsung hero whose inventions and technical skills significantly influenced the development of electric lighting and telecommunication…
May 13, 2024

141: The Truth about Movie Censorships

In this Hometown History episode, we explore the transformative Fatty Arbuckle scandal of the 1920s, which led to a critical examination of movie censorship. Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle's rise from adversity to comedy stardom an…
May 6, 2024

140: The First Light: Charles Brush's Lighting System

In this episode of Hometown History, we explore the legacy of Charles Brush, a pioneering inventor whose contributions predate even Edison's lightbulb. Brush's work with arc lighting and dynamos in the late 19th century brou…
April 29, 2024

139: The Truth About May Day

In today's Hometown History episode, we explore the true essence of May Day, an emblem of workers' rights and social justice, born from the strife of the late 19th-century Industrial Revolution. Workers faced daunting challe…
April 22, 2024

138: America's Greatest Conspiracy Theory: The Disappearing Ship

In this episode of Hometown History, we unravel the enigma of The Philadelphia Experiment, a story shrouded in mystery and conspiracy against the backdrop of World War II. At the center is the USS Eldridge, alleged to posses…
April 15, 2024

137: Battle of Alcatraz

In today's episode of Hometown History, we dive deep into the turbulent waters surrounding Alcatraz Island, unearthing the harrowing saga of the Battle of Alcatraz. This tale, far removed from its Hollywood depictions and vi…
April 8, 2024

136: The Female Pirates of the Caribbean

Welcome to another episode of Hometown History, where we dive deep into the lesser-known corridors of our past, bringing to light the stories that shaped our world in ways we seldom acknowledge. Today, we're setting sail on …