Ohio Mysteries

Hello and Welcome to another episode of Ohio Mysteries: Backroads. Welcome to "Iron Roots," where we delve into the rich history and impact of iron and brick production in Southern Ohio. Join us as we explore the region's pivotal role in America's industrial revolution and contribution to the war effort, uncovering the stories of the people, the processes, and the communities that thrived around t...

During World War II and again at the start of the Cold War, the military called on civilians to staff thousands of posts to help keep a watch out for enemy aircraft. The program was called the Ground Observer Corps, and by 1952, Ohio had nearly 200 community stations, manned 24/7 by retirees, housewives, teenagers and other patriotic Americans. Not surprisingly, having so many trained eyes on the...

Hello and Welcome to another episode of Ohio Mysteries: Backroads. In this special episode we explore more Ohio urban legends including the Hoed of Lake St Mary, the legend of postboy hollow, the warlock's grave of New Philadelphia and the witch's grave of West Branch State Park These urban legends continue to fascinate people and mix humor and fright Tune in and learn all about these spooky and s...

A fatality is such a rare event at a theme park or fair, we could only find 17 deaths in Ohio over the course of 150 years. But when tragedy strikes, it is often made all the more chilling because it always comes when people are in the midst of having carefree fun. In this episode, we revisit the worst days at Kings Island, Cedar Point, the Ohio State Fair and local county fairs. www.ohiomysteries...

Hello and Welcome to another episode of Ohio Mysteries: Backroads. Just a quick note before we begin. There was a problem with the original audio file and it has been corrected. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you enjoy the episode. In this episode we announce the departure of Mike from Ohio Mysteries Backroads. We thank Mike for his contributions and the fantastic stories he has share...

In 1884 during the Hocking Valley Coal Strike, a small group of miners shoved blazing carts into several mine shafts. Left undiscovered for several days, it grew into a fire that would not be stopped, fed by unlimited fuel and thousands of oxygen-rich fissures in the bedrock. The fire still burns today, seen as puffs of smoke through the floor of Wayne National Forest. This is the story of how tha...

Ohio state and local authorities identified Thomas Collier Jordan as the man who raped Michelle Puett and murdered Janice Christensen in 1987. But they noted it might only be the start of learning the breadth and depth of his violent past. Sure enough, a couple of days after their announcement, Vicki Faranucci stepped forward to identify Jordan as the man who had raped her. This is the last instal...

Thomas Collier Jordan was a drifter from Cleveland who's rap sheet was filled with various theft offenses scattered over several states. There was one violent assault against a woman on a criminal resume that spanned five decades - but now authorities are learning he was a serial rapist and a killer. This is the second of a three-day series, done in collaboration with the Akron Beacon Journal. Ohi...

Michelle Puett was 17 when a man pulled her into the woods of a park and raped her repeatedly over a couple of hours. And afterward, she had to brave the painful and terrifying hospital examination. What she could never imagine is that not only would authorities learn who attacked her 37 years ago, but her rape kit would solve a murder. This is the first of a three-day series, done in collaboratio...

Ohio Mysteries and the Akron Beacon Journal launched their collaborative "UNRESOLVED" series on unsolved crimes in 2021. The first episode featured the 1987 murder of Janice Christensen in Hudson. Last month, law enforcement identified Janice's killer. Coming this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, a 3-part series about Janice's case was solved using the rape kit from another woman --- and how the a...

Hello and Welcome to another episode of Ohio Mysteries: Backroads. Join us as we delve into one of the most captivating and controversial criminal cases of the 20th century—The Dr. Sam Sheppard Murder Case. This riveting podcast explores the 1954 murder of Marilyn Sheppard, the subsequent arrest of her husband, Dr. Sam Sheppard, and the sensational trial that followed. We’ll examine the evidence,...

A century ago, Niagara Falls tourists enjoyed a winter attraction - ice forming a bridge over the river beneath the falls. When the ice broke free in 1912, a Cleveland youth turned from safety to help a struggling couple. Crowds were helpless to stop the ice floe from sailing them into crushing rapids. But where did the river hide their bodies? www.ohiomysteries.com feedback@ohiomysteries.com www....

Hello and Welcome to another episode of Ohio Mysteries: Backroads. Join us as we delve into one of the most captivating and controversial criminal cases of the 20th century—The Dr. Sam Sheppard Murder Case. This riveting podcast explores the 1954 murder of Marilyn Sheppard, the subsequent arrest of her husband, Dr. Sam Sheppard, and the sensational trial that followed. We’ll examine the evidence,...

From late 1978 to late 1979, central Ohio was rocked by 10 murders that defied explanation - men and women shot dead randomly in their homes and doing everyday things. But a mistake with a credit card finally identified the killers as a pair of Columbus brothers, Gary and Thaddeus Lewingdon. Because all their victims were shot in the head with the same gun, they came to be called the .22 Caliber K...

In episode 1, 18-year-old freshman Christine Rothschild was found brutally murdered outside Sterling Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968. We are introduced to her classmate, Linda, who reflects on their friendship and campus life amidst the 1960s counterculture. Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild: Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great...

Ohio has been a major player in ufology since the modern era of UFOs began in 1947. But is it possible that the Buckeye state's involvement with flying saucers and aliens goes back even further, all the way back to the 1930s? Does Ohio have ties to another crashed UFO and aliens that happened long before the famous UFO crash at Roswell, New Mexico? Join Dan and Mike, along with a special guest, as...

We bet you don't pronounce "pajamas" the way the rest of America does. We can pretty much guess whether you drink "pop" or "soda." And depending on whether you have "fireflies" or "lightning bugs" living in your backyard, we can make a good bet on whether you belong to Team Ohio. Join the four Ohio Mysteries hosts (Paula, Steve, Mike and Dan) in exploring the quirks in our dialect and play along w...

In the early 1800s, Ashtabula shipbuilders lost nearly a dozen vessels in about 15 years, leading the superstitious industry to wonder if there was a curse on the port. We tell the stories behind five of those lost ships, including the Superior, which met a diabolical end, and the Elisha Whittlesey, upended in a terrible gale. The other three - the Tempest, the Elizabeth and the LaFayette Packet -...

Dive into the fascinating world of Ohio's connections to the RMS Titanic in this eye-opening podcast. "Titanic Ties" unravels the untold stories of Ohioans who played pivotal roles in the Titanic saga, from passengers and crew to the far-reaching impacts on families and communities. Discover the remarkable tales of courage, tragedy, and intrigue as we explore how this iconic maritime disaster reve...

In 1998, 17-year-old Danny Violette ended an argument with his parents by storming from his home. He was discovered dead in a cornfield 11 days later. Also, the recent announcement that DNA has revealed the identity of a John Doe found in Stark County in 2020. www.ohiomysteries.com feedback@ohiomysteries.com www.patreon.com/ohiomysteries www.twitter.com/mysteriesohio www.facebook.com/ohiomysteries...

Dive into the fascinating world of Ohio's connections to the RMS Titanic in this eye-opening podcast. "Titanic Ties" unravels the untold stories of Ohioans who played pivotal roles in the Titanic saga, from passengers and crew to the far-reaching impacts on families and communities. Discover the remarkable tales of courage, tragedy, and intrigue as we explore how this iconic maritime disaster reve...

In 1792, the 5-year-old daughter of a Virginia pioneer family was kidnapped from her home. Nearly 60 years later, a brother found her living with a Wyandot Indian tribe that had been relocated from Upper Sandusky, Ohio to Kansas. Through an Interpreter, Caty Sage shared the story of her life in Ohio as a blonde-haired Indian princess. www.ohiomysteries.com feedback@ohiomysteries.com www.patreon.co...

Join us on a journey through the life and music of the legendary Screamin' Jay Hawkins, a trailblazing figure whose impact on rock 'n' roll and the blues reverberates to this day. Known for his wild stage presence, trademark growl, and flamboyant persona, Hawkins defied conventions and created a musical style uniquely his own. Born Jalacy Hawkins in the turbulent 1920s, his career took an unexpect...

In 1864, a Tennessee slave named Jordan Anderson was freed when Union troops camped on the plantation of his master during the Civil War, and Jordan and his wife and children moved to Dayton, Ohio to start their lives as free people. A year later, Jordan heard from his former master, Col. PH Anderson, who asked him to come back to the plantation because the farm was failing and he was desperately...

What's your favorite Twilight Zone episode? Perhaps it's "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" or "The Invaders" or "A Game of Pool." Maybe it's "Eye of the Beholder" or "Time Enough at Last." Join us as we discuss the many Ohio born actors who starred in these classic episodes, as well as several historical facts that connect the Twilight Zone and its creator Rod Serling to the great state of Oh...