Southern Gothic

This week, we’re taking a brief detour from our usual haunted history to explore the deeper symbolism behind the stories we so often tell. Brandon sits down with artist and folklorist Stacey Williams-Ng, creator of The Southern Gothic Oracle, a richly illustrated divination deck that draws upon the archetypes, landscapes, and traditions of the American South. In this conversation, Stacey shares th...

Hidden among the pines of Hilton Head Island, the skeletal remains of the Leamington Lighthouse stand as a relic of the past—and a vessel for something far more haunting. Local legend tells of Caroline Fripp, a dutiful daughter who braved a deadly storm to save her father, the lighthouse keeper, only to lose her life in the process. But did she ever exist? And why do locals still see a woman in bl...

In the quiet town of Franklin, Tennessee, one woman’s loyalty to the Confederacy earned her a place in history—and perhaps something more permanent. Sally Carter was just a young woman when the Civil War arrived at her doorstep. Defiant and devoted, she made her allegiance known by raising the first Confederate flag over Franklin’s square, a bold act that would define her wartime role as a spy. Bu...

Perched high on Church Hill above the James River once stood one of Richmond’s grandest homes—a mansion of wealth, refinement, and Southern prestige. But behind its stately white columns and sweeping staircases, something far more dangerous was unfolding. For it was here, in the heart of the Confederate capital, that Elizabeth Van Lew—an elite Southern woman raised among Virginia’s most powerful f...

Along the western shore of Matanzas Bay stands the Castillo de San Marcos. Constructed from rough, seashell-laced coquina stone, this star-shaped fortress has loomed over St. Augustine for more than three centuries—an enduring symbol of Spanish colonial ambition in what would become the oldest city in the continental United States. Built in the wake of a violent pirate raid, the Castillo was desig...

Along the northwestern edge of Tennessee sits Reelfoot Lake. The only natural lake in the state, it's a flooded cypress forest that has more in common with the bayous of the deep south than other more open and expansive lakes of the surrounding area. Yet this lake dates back only two centuries and owes its creation to the massive New Madrid earthquakes that rocked the area in 1811-1812 and caused...

This episode of Southern Gothic originally aired in April 2023. According to Gullah folklore, the swamps of the Lowcountry are home to a mythical creature who is said to sneak into the homes of its victims while they sleep and then suck the life force from their breath. The creature, known as the Boo Hag, is described as a large, hideous creature with no skin and glowing red eyes. It is said to be...

On the night of September 8, 1935, Senator Huey P. Long was gunned down inside the Louisiana State Capitol. Officially, the shooter was Dr. Carl Weiss, the son-in-law of a judge Long had politically targeted. But from the moment the Kingfish fell, questions have lingered about what really happened in that marble corridor. In Part Two, we examine the chaotic shooting, the immediate aftermath, and t...

Hometown Ghost Stories dives into the history of haunted locations and investigates why and how these places earned their terrifying reputation. Rob, Dave and Jesse go live every Tuesday night, after a 15-20 minute uninterrupted, documentary-style breakdown on the case. You can even join the show - as many do, during the live broadcasts on YouTube, Tuesday nights at 9pm EST, as we talk ghosts, dem...

Huey P. Long was one of the most powerful and polarizing figures in Louisiana’s history—a fiery populist whose ambition and influence reshaped the state. In this first installment of our very first two-parter here on Southern Gothic, we trace Long’s meteoric rise from a small-town lawyer to Louisiana’s governor and U.S. senator, exploring how his bold policies and ruthless political tactics earned...

On September 30, 1915, a vicious hurricane made its way through Southeastern Louisiana leaving almost 375 people dead and entire communities destroyed. One such town was the small farming community of Frenier, where a legend has since entered local lore with the claim that this particularly gruesome storm was brought on by the curse of a local Voodoo priestess named Julia Brown. This episode of So...

On November 11, 1831, Nat Turner was hanged for his role in leading the bloodiest slave rebellion in United States history; however, his story did not end there. In the aftermath of his execution, Turner’s body was taken by local doctors, dissected, and his remains scattered, fueling centuries of speculation about their whereabouts-- particularly, the fate of his skull. Want to Listen to Southern...

In August 1831, Nat Turner, an enslaved preacher from Southampton County, Virginia, led one of the most infamous rebellions in American history. Guided by what he claimed were divine visions, Turner and his followers unleashed a violent uprising that sent shockwaves through the South, challenging the very foundation of slavery. But while the revolt lasted only two days, its consequences would echo...

This episode of Southern Gothic originally aired on October 18, 2021. When construction began on the Williamsburg Gaol it was never intended to house those who were deemed as significantly dangerous, like murderers or pirates. Instead, it was meant for largely non-violent offenders, such as debtors, thieves, the mentally ill and enslaved people who were caught after fleeing their captors... but go...

Introducing I Talk to Ghosts, a podcast that combines the spooky and the spiritual; featuring ghost stories, in-studio medium readings, and personal accounts of Jennifer's path to mediumship and the unknown! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mired in the mud bottom of a small tributary of the Ohio River is the abandoned and decaying hulk of a ship named the SS Sachem, a century-old vessel with deep roots in United States maritime history. Want to Listen to Southern Gothic Ad-Free? Patreon: Ad-Free Episodes, Premium Releases, Bonus Content & More  Southern Gothic Premium on Spotify Southern Gothic Premium on Apple Podcasts Into History...

Buried beneath a solemn marble statue in Pikeville Cemetery lies Octavia Hatcher, a young mother who endured an unimaginable heartbreak before meeting a fate more horrifying than most can comprehend. Over a century later, her tragic story still haunts the town—both figuratively and, some say, literally. But what really happened to Octavia, and why does her name continue to echo through the shadows...

In 1982, a backhoe operator preparing sturdy land for a suburban development near Titusville, Florida discovered a skull in the murky waters of Windover Pond. The county coroner was called, and the human remains were deemed to be old, but the question was how old? The shocking series of events that followed this discovery led archaeologists to uncover one of the most important archaeological sites...

This episode of Southern Gothic originally aired on August 7, 2020. It is said that on warm summer and autumn nights, those standing on the banks of the Pascagoula river may hear the sound of a melodic humming emanating from beneath the river’s dark waters. The origin of the sound is unknown, but numerous legends have been told to explain the mystery of this Mississippi waterway. Want to Listen to...

On the morning on February 9, 1960, a milkman pulled up to a small bridge over Turkey Creek, near Morrison, Colorado and quickly grew agitated by what sat in front of him. The bridge was blocked by an idling station wagon. The man honked his truck’s horn several times, hoping to alert the car’s driver of his presence and get him to clear the way, but after continued attempts, it was to no avail. F...

Perched on a hill overlooking the Atlantic, the Cavalier Hotel has been a beacon of opulence for nearly a century, attracting celebrities, presidents, and the elite of high society. Yet, behind its stately red-brick façade lies a darker legacy of tragedy and restless spirits. From the mysterious and untimely death of beer mogul Adolph Coors to ghostly echoes of a little girl searching for her lost...

On the west side of Kingsport, Tennessee is Rotherwood, an old antebellum mansion overlooking the spot where the two forks of the Holston river come together. Today this red brick structure is privately owned, but according to local lore, it is home to more than just the living. For the last half a century, stories have placed at least two spirits on the ground of Rotherwood Mansion. First is the...

Fortnightly narratives on the unsolved and the unexplained, mysteries, historical true crime, touches of the paranormal and cultural peculiarities... The Dark Histories Podcast tells the stories of some of history's darkest moments, deepest mysteries, and strangest happenings, from large cultural events to smaller, localized legends. Host Ben Cutmore aims to present entertaining tales, whilst main...

Happy Holidays to all of our listeners! This year we are sharing a classic ghost story written by the king of spooky Victorian Era Christmas tales-- Charles Dickens. Join us as Brandon narrates "The Signal-Man" by Charles Dickens. Want to Listen to Southern Gothic Ad-Free? Patreon: Ad-Free Episodes, Premium Releases, Bonus Content & More  Southern Gothic Premium on Spotify Southern Gothic Premium...

This episode of Southern Gothic originally aired March 26, 2023. The Baynard Mausoleum is the oldest surviving structure on Hilton Head Island, but eerily, the family once interred inside are no longer there. Now, after a century of vandalism and treasure hunters has taken its toll, we attempt to explore the local lore that has sprung up to give this unique tomb a romantic origin story. Want to Li...