In 1892, a quiet town in Rhode Island made headlines across the world when villagers exhumed a young woman’s body, convinced she was rising from the grave to prey on the living. Her name was Mercy Lena Brown—and she became the final chapter in America’s vampire panic. In this episode, we unearth the tragic story of the Brown family, explore how fear turned into ritual, and trace the folklore that inspired Dracula himself. It’s a chilling tale of grief, superstition, and the line between myth and medicine.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 workplace-safety law. Join host Shane Waters as Hometown History uncovers how the Radium Girls’ courage still lights the path toward corporate accountability.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 promised exotic animals, brass‑band parades, and wonder turned to chaos in a heartbeat—claiming two lives, shaking a frontier town, and forging a bond between locals and traveling showfolk that still echoes through the granite “tent‑pole” monument overlooking the prairie cemetery today.More than a tale of disaster, this episode explores community resilience, the origins of the circus credo “the show must go on,” and the timeless reminder that every hometown holds a story waiting to be unearthed. Perfect for fans of forgotten Americana, circus lore, and true‑history twists, “When Lightning Struck the Big Top” brings 19th‑century North Dakota vividly—and thunderously—to life.Ready to step inside the tent?Listen now and follow Hometown History wherever you get your podcastsLeave us a review to help fellow history‑lovers discover the showShare this episode with a friend who loves astonishing true tales—because every hometown has a storyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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. In just 54 hours, volunteers built a full-scale emergency hospital from scratch—offering cutting-edge treatment, compassionate care, and hope to hundreds of young patients. In this episode, we tell the true story of the “Miracle of Hickory,” where carpenters, nurses, teachers, and even prisoners came together to battle a deadly disease—and won.Explore more at itsHometownHistory.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 zooms in on Wabash, Indiana as a living lab that shows what’s possible anywhere. You’ll hear the origin of the National Main Street Center’s “Four-Point Approach,” meet the people who tested it on the ground, and pick up practical lessons you can apply whether you’re in Vermont, Texas, or Alaska.Featured Cities & Towns- Wabash, IN- Madison, IN- Kansas City, MO- Fort Wayne, IN- Richmond, IN- Indianapolis, IN- Minneapolis, MNIf you are intersted in learning more about Wabash County, Indiana check out the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast.Voices & ContributorsKathy La Plante – Vice President of Coordinating Programs, Main Street AmericaSteve Downs – Former Executive Director and current Board Member, Downtown Wabash, Inc.Kellie Brace – Artist; former downtown business & building owner; co-founder, Wabash First FridayScott Long – Mayor, City of Wabash, IndianaChristine Flohr – Executive Director, Visit Wabash CountyTyler Karst – Former Project Coordinator, Downtown Wabash, Inc.Amanda Lopez – President, Transform Consulting Group; Chair, Board of Directors, Downtown Wabash, Inc.Kelly Bever – Owner, Downtown NutritionKelly Thompson – Manager, Modoc’s MarketLinks & ResourcesMain Street America: https://www.mainstreet.orgDowntown Wabash, Inc.: https://downtownwabash.orgCall to Action- Show Some Main-Street Love: Share your own downtown comeback (or cautionary tale) on Facebook or Instagram with #HometownHistory and tag @itshometownhistory so we can highlight your story- Spread the Word: Enjoyed the show? Leave a quick rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your 60 seconds helps other history lovers find the podcast.- Support the Mission: Unlock ad-free episodes, bonus interviews, and behind-the-scenes research by joining Apple Podcasts Premium or PatreonAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 Lillian Wald turned wartime chaos into blueprints for public-health nursing; how state licensure and the GI Bill vaulted nursing into universities; and why WWII flight nurses boasted a survival rate above 96 percent Nursing Through The Age…. Along the way, you’ll hear echoes of Indiana classrooms and the professors whose lessons inspired this very series.What You’ll LearnWhy Henry Street Settlement became the model for every mobile clinic you’ve ever seenHow WWI clearing stations invented the “golden hour” trauma concept decades earlyThe legislative milestones that protected the title Registered Nurse beginning in 1903How WWII flight nurses evacuated 1.2 million soldiers with minimal loss of lifeThe post-war surge of nursing degrees funded by the GI Bill and why it still matters todayEnjoying Hometown History?Follow/Subscribe so the next season lands automatically in your queue.Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts—each 5-star note keeps us independent.Share this episode with a friend who loves untold medical history—word of mouth is our lifeblood.Every hometown has a story—sometimes it flies 10,000 feet above a battlefield with a stethoscope in hand.Visit me online at https://www.blacklabelpodcasting.com/show/hometownhistory/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 reforms—and the parallel heroics of Jamaican-Scottish healer Mary Seacole—drove mortality at Scutari Barracks from 42 percent to just 2 percent, igniting the global movement for professional nursing. You’ll hear midnight whispers among wounded soldiers, discover the first infographic that rocked Britain’s Parliament, and learn how these breakthroughs shaped Indiana’s earliest nurse-training schools.What You’ll LearnWhy Nightingale’s coxcomb diagram changed military medicine foreverThe untold story of “Mother Seacole” and her British Hotel on the front linesHow Victorian sanitation principles reached Wabash County Hospital in 1911The data-driven secret behind slashing infection rates—still used todayLove Local History?Follow/Subscribe so part 3 lands automatically next week.Rate & Review on Apple PodcastsJoin the Newsletter to stay up to date on episode releases and history stories itshometownhistory.comShare the episode link with one friend who geeks out over medical history—word-of-mouth is our lifeblood!Have a nursing hero in your hometown? Leave Shane a note: Shane@itshometownhistory.comEvery hometown has a story—sometimes it walks the night shift with a lamp.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 were once “death houses,” how nurses faced infection rates four times higher than other women, and what drove unlikely heroines like Mary Seacole and Clara Barton to defy stigma and save lives. What You’ll LearnHow religious charity turned into secular hospitals—yet conditions grew worse before they got betterWhy London’s population boom (1801–1841) poured fuel on deadly outbreaksThe grim statistic that early nurses were four times more likely to die from contagious disease than their peersThe unsung trailblazers who paved the way for Florence Nightingale—long before the famous lamp appearedEnjoying Hometown History?Follow/Subscribe so Part 2 lands in your feed automatically next week.Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts—each 5-star note keeps independent history storytelling alive.Share this episode with a friend who thinks hospitals have always been sanitary—let’s surprise them together!Every hometown has a story; sometimes it starts in the shadows of a crowded ward.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 remains were ever found, and a series of strange events both before and after the fire have led to decades of speculation. Were the children victims of a tragic accident, or was there something more sinister at play? Join me as we unravel the clues behind this haunting case that has puzzled investigators for over 75 years.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 quickly turned into bitter enemies. What started as a competitive pursuit for fossil discoveries spiraled into sabotage, betrayal, and public scandals. Their relentless feud led to the discovery of over 130 new species of dinosaurs, but at the cost of their careers and reputations. Join us as we explore how personal ambition fueled remarkable advancements in paleontology while leaving a legacy of rivalry that still fascinates history lovers today. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com Contact me at Shane@itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 than its performances—it’s also linked to a string of untimely deaths. From James Dean’s fatal car crash to Natalie Wood’s mysterious drowning, and Sal Mineo’s shocking murder, those involved in the movie seemed to face an ill fate. Was it all a tragic coincidence, or could there be something more sinister at play? Join us as we dive into the chilling curse that looms over Rebel Without a Cause, a story as intriguing as the film itself. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com Contact me at Shane@itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 promised its followers the power to communicate directly with God and harness divine energy through the power of affirmation. This mail-order religion flourished during the Great Depression, offering hope to people during a time of economic despair. But as the movement grew, so did opposition and controversy, leading to Robinson’s deportation and eventual demise. Join us as we explore how Psychiana captured the hearts of thousands and left a lasting impact on America’s religious landscape. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com Join my Patreon at Patreon.com/friendsofShane Contact me at Shane@itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 a dinner in New York City sparked one of the most baffling investigations in American history. Was it foul play, a voluntary escape, or something more sinister? Decades of speculation, false leads, and conspiracy theories have kept the case alive. Join us as we explore the life, career, and disappearance of the man once dubbed “the Missingest Man in New York,” and how his case remains an unsolved enigma to this day. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com Join me on Patreon at Patreon.com/friendsofShane. Contact me at Shane@itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 telegraph cable by selling pieces of the cable as souvenirs. What started as a technological milestone turned into a brilliant marketing opportunity that made Tiffany a household name. Join us as we explore how this simple yet strategic move by Tiffany & Co. forever changed the luxury brand’s legacy, proving that innovation and timing can shape the course of history. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com Join my Patreon community at Patreon.com/friendsofShane Contact me at Shane@itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 Dictionary, Bierce vanished without a trace in 1913 while journeying through Mexico during the revolution. Was it a suicide, an execution, or something far more mysterious? With no definitive answer, we explore the life of this complex figure, the theories surrounding his final days, and the enduring enigma that continues to captivate historians and mystery lovers alike. Join us as we uncover the strange disappearance of one of America's most intriguing figures. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com Contact me at Shane@itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 this massive secret for over 30 years. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 escalated into a full-blown frenzy, drawing in some of the country’s wealthiest and most powerful individuals. Led by two cunning prospectors, this elaborate scam convinced even seasoned investors that they were on the brink of unimaginable riches. But as the truth came to light, the story took a darker turn, revealing the dangers of greed and the timeless lesson that not everything that glitters is gold—or diamonds. Join us as we explore the fascinating details of this colossal fraud and the men behind it. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 composed of massive coral blocks, some weighing as much as thirty tons. How did one man, using only homemade tools, achieve such a feat? Was it a mastery of ancient techniques, magnetic forces, or something more mystical? Join us as we explore the captivating story behind Coral Castle, uncovering the man, the myths, and the unanswered questions that make this site one of the world’s most intriguing wonders. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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, Revere ignited the revolutionary spirit and unified the colonies against British rule. From his early days as a talented silversmith to his critical role in spreading revolutionary messages, Paul Revere’s contributions went far beyond his famous Midnight Ride. Join me as we explore how Revere’s artistry and vision played a pivotal role in shaping the American Revolution and left an indelible mark on history. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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 the shores of Lake Erie to the relentless hunt for a killer that left the police baffled and the public in fear, we delve into the gruesome details of a case that remains unsolved to this day. With each horrifying find, the mystery deepens, leaving us to ponder whether the true identity of the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run will ever be uncovered. Tune in as we explore one of the most perplexing and terrifying chapters in Cleveland’s history. Visit me online at itshometownhistory.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
J G
great episode
Babycatcher_Jen
I really enjoyed this podcast, are there any more episodes?