Hometown History
Discover the untold stories hidden in your own backyard with Hometown History. We bring to life the forgotten events and local legends that never made it into the textbooks. Each episode uncovers the mysteries and pivotal moments that shaped small towns across the nation. Join us as we delve deep into the past to reveal the history you didn't know existed. Let's explore the hidden chapters of history, one hometown at a time.
Episodes
170: Radium Girls of Ottawa: Shining Women, Deadly Glow
In 1920s Ottawa, Illinois, hundreds of young “shining women” painted watch dials with radium-laced paint they were told was harmless. Their luminous craft soon became a lethal sentence—and their fight for justice helped forge modern workpla…
169: When Lightning Struck the Big Top
Step beneath the canvas and into a summer storm as host Shane Waters unearths the electrifying true story of June 10, 1897, when a bolt of lightning shattered the Ringling Brothers’ Big Top in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Hear how a day that pro…
168: The Miracle of Hickory: A Hospital in 54 Hours
In the summer of 1944, as a devastating polio outbreak swept across North Carolina, hospitals were overwhelmed and children were dying. But in Hickory, a small city already stretched thin by World War II, something extraordinary happened. I…
167: How America’s Main Streets Are Fighting Back—The Wabash Playbook
Nearly every American town has the same heart-in-crisis story: a once-bustling Main Street hollowed out by big-box stores, sprawl, and online shopping. In this episode, Shane zooms out to look at the nationwide Main Street movement—then zoo…
166: Nursing Through the Ages, Part 3 – The Rise of Modern Nursing
World War trenches, inflatable splints, and airborne operating rooms—this finale races from post-Nightingale training schools to the helicopter pads of today. Host Shane Waters uncovers how pioneers like Mary Seacole, Clara Barton, and Lill…
165: Nursing Through the Ages, Part 2 – Florence Nightingale and the War on Death
When war-torn wards near the Bosphorus Strait reeked of sewage and despair, Florence Nightingale arrived with 38 nurses, a ledger, and one stubborn oil-lamp. In today’s Hometown History, Shane Waters traces how Nightingale’s evidence-based …
164: Nursing Through the Ages, Part 1: The Dark Origins of Nursing
Before “nurse” meant respect, it meant desperation. In this opening chapter of our three-part series, host Shane Waters drags us into the overcrowded 19th-century wards where poverty, prejudice, and cholera reigned. Discover why hospitals w…
163: The Mysterious Disappearance of the Sodder Children: A Christmas Eve Tragedy
In this episode of Hometown History, we explore the chilling and unsolved mystery of the Sodder children, who vanished on Christmas Eve, 1945, after a fire destroyed their home in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Despite the devastation, no rem…
162: The Bone Wars: Paleontology’s Greatest Rivalry
In this episode of Hometown History, we dive into one of the most intense scientific rivalries of the 19th century—the infamous "Bone Wars." Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, two leading paleontologists, began as colleagues but…
161: The Curse of Rebel Without a Cause: Hollywood’s Tragic Tale
In this episode of Hometown History, we explore the eerie and tragic events surrounding one of Hollywood’s most iconic films, Rebel Without a Cause. While celebrated for its portrayal of youthful rebellion, the film is remembered for more t…
160: Psychiana: The Mail-Order Religion That Swept America
In this episode of Hometown History, we uncover the rise and fall of the Psychiana Movement, one of the most unusual religious movements in American history. Founded in 1929 by Frank Bruce Robinson, a man with a troubled past, Psychiana pro…
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 vanishing after…
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 transatlantic telegra…
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 Devil’s Diction…
156: Beneath the Greenbrier: America’s Cold War Bunker Exposed
In this episode of Hometown History, we uncover the incredible story of a secret hidden beneath one of America's most luxurious resorts—the Greenbrier. Nestled in the hills of West Virginia, the Greenbrier has long been a haven for the elit…
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 quickly escalate…
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 architectural marvel is …
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 powerful engravings, R…
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 first victim on …
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 sinister agendas. H…
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 Americans were …
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 cruelty and pec…
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 with ideal livi…
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 career providing v…
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 Maggie Fox's inno…
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 Hill from Louisvi…
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 centuries. Often likene…
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 countless artists f…
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 telecommunications. Despite his c…
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 and his subsequent…
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 brought electric lig…
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 challenges: grueling h…
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 possess invisibility a…
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 video game incarna…
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 the turbulent wa…
135: The Whiskey Ring of 1875
In the shadowy corridors of post-Civil War America, the Whiskey Ring scandal of 1875 emerges as a riveting saga of corruption, intrigue, and the battle for justice. This episode of Hometown History transports listeners to St. Louis, a city …
134: The Real Stories of Project Blue Book
In today's episode of Hometown History, we pull back the curtain on the secretive Project Blue Book, an effort by the United States Air Force to explore the unknown: unidentified flying objects (UFOs), from 1952 to 1969. Tucked away at Wrig…
133: The Winchester Mystery House
In this episode we delve into the enigmatic world of the Winchester Mystery House, a sprawling Victorian mansion in San Jose, California, shrouded in intrigue and lore. Constructed by Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Wirt …
Illuminating the Past: A Time Travel Tour of Downtown Wabash, Indiana
Welcome to a special bonus episode of Hometown History, where I'm doing something a bit different. Join me for a historical guided audio tour, an immersive journey through the heart of a city that shines bright with tales of innovation, ins…
132: The Underground Railroad
In this episode of Hometown History, we dive into the heart of The Underground Railroad, revealing the struggle for freedom by those enslaved in the United States. Through stories of harrowing escapes and the individuals who risked everythi…