American Hauntings Podcast

There isn’t a lot that I can say about this film that you don’t already know – it’s a classic, there’s no two ways about that. It’s not only one of the greatest horror films of the 1980s but one of the great horror films of all time. But if you’re not old enough to have seen it in 1982 when it came out, you might be wondering why it was so scary to those of us who were.  And for those who already...

In 1986, the town of Southington, Connecticut, was in an uproar. Normally, a place known for its perfect small-town charm, it had been thrown into a frenzy of media chaos, thanks to a family that was reporting that their new house was haunted. A check of real estate records in town revealed that the house was indeed the former Hallahan Funeral Home. The idea of living in what was once a funeral ho...

In 1981, a young man in Connecticut took the idea of the insanity plea to the next level. He claimed that he was innocent of the murder he’d committed – he’d only done it because he was possessed by a demon. While the previous two Conjuring films took the intrepid duo, Ed and Lorraine Warren, to haunted houses, this was a new kind of horror story for the pair. And while the film takes the demon pl...

“It was chaos, things started flying around, people were screaming.”  In 1977, hot on the heels of the publicity they received after the Amityville Horror case – which is show in the cold open of the film – the Warrens claimed that they investigated the happenings in Enfield, undoubtedly drawn there by all the press the case was getting at the time. Before they even arrived at the Hodgson home, se...

This is, of course, based on a true story. But how true is this story? Well, as you’re just about to hear, NOT VERY. Truth, as they say, is often much stranger than fiction, but in some cases, you actually have to FIND the truth first. And when it comes to THE CONJURING – and with Ed and Lorraine Warren themselves – the truth is a very, very elusive thing. Have a question or comment? Text us on th...

Maybe what gets called a DEMON isn’t what the variations of Christian churches thinks it is. Their narrow definition leaves out an awful lot of other faiths around the world and since people believed in spirits that attacked and even possessed people long before Christianity became a thing, then they might be something else... We can call them whatever we want but whatever they really are, one thi...

Charles Raymond Starkweather was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 24, 1938. He was the third of seven children born to Guy and Helen Starkweather. They were an ordinary, working-class family, and there was nothing about them to suggest that one of the Starkweather children would grow up to be a natural born killer.  New Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/troytayloroddities Check out ou...

On October 16, 1992, one of the greatest horror films of the 1990s -- CANDYMAN -- opened across the country. But it’s the reality that the film is inspired by – racial terror, poverty, drugs, police indifference, and the disturbing murder of a Chicago woman – that is even more frightening than the movie itself.  New Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/troytayloroddities Check out our updated...

On May 2, 1962, a Haitian man named Clairvius Narcisse died of a mysterious illness – or so it seemed at the time.  Then, a little over 18 years later, his sister, Angelina, was shopping in a local market and saw a terrifying, vacant-eyed man lurching toward her on the street. Angelina screamed, although not because the poor man in the ragged, threadbare clothing was so frightening on his own. She...

LIVE from Dead of Winter 2025! We ended up having to rely on our third audio backup, so, it sounds like a live show. Would you expect anything different from us? Enjoy! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

"The Phillip Experiment" has become known as one of the most famous paranormal studies of all time, so it’s not really that surprising that someone decided to use it as inspiration for a film. In 1972, a group of researchers in Canada were not only convinced that something or someone could actually be created by the power of thought alone and that it was absolutely possible to think someth...

In this season, we’ll be bringing you real-life horror stories -- of ghosts, demons, hauntings, crime, murder, and the supernatural – and introduce you to 24+ films that were made based on those stories while separating fact from fiction, and keeping you up at night while you tell yourself: "It's only a movie..." Don't miss all things American Hauntings! Main Website: Books, Tours,...

Special Christmas Eve Episode of the Podcast! In centuries past, our ancestors had a much different idea of the holiday season than we do today. In those days, the winter nights were long and dark. It was a time of snow, cold, and ice and days and weeks huddled around the fire waiting for warmer weather to return. Oil lamps, candles, and fireplaces were the only sources of light to keep back the e...

Season Five our our alternative podcast for Patreon is coming soon! The new season will be called MONSTER and it chronicles the horrifying life and crimes of American serial killer, Albert Fish! This show is available ONLY for American Hauntings Patreon Supporters but it's easy to get signed up and enjoy discounts, the alternative podcast, and other perks! Sign up at https://patreon.com/americ...

Please check out Troy's GoFundMe page here! -  https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-troy-taylor-american-hauntings-recover-from-theft New Facebook page -  https://www.facebook.com/troytayloroddities Check out our updated website and sign up for our newsletter at  AmericanHauntingsPodcast.com Want an episode every week, plus other awesome perks and discounts? Check out our  Patreon page Find out mer...

To tell the story of this once very famous haunted house seems like it should be simple, oh, but it’s not. In fact, there’s nothing simple about this story at all.  But I’m not going to tell you what to believe. I get it – every story gets started for a reason, even if that reason is greed. But believe it or not, there is much about this story that has the potential to be the truth. What part of i...

John’s life took an abrupt turn in September 1964 when he met and subsequently married a co-worker named Marlynn Myers, whose parents owned a number of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Iowa. John’s new father-in-law offered him a position with the company and soon the newlyweds were moving to Waterloo, Iowa. Life seemed to hold great promise for the newlyweds with no foreshadowing of what was...

Join us for the haunting Thanksgiving story of the mysterious Kate Morgan, the lingering ghost of the Hotel Del Coronado -- and then help us spread the word about some upcoming events! HOLIDAY SALE! We’re offering 20% off all the books you buy if you use the promo code HOLIDAY when you check out. And also, if you spend $25 or more, you’ll get a free gift bag for your books. Order books at AMERICAN...

Carmel was a safe place, everyone thought so – well, until the middle 1990s, when the town was rocked to its core by the discovery of a mass burial ground at the home of a prominent local businessman.  It was only later that everyone learned the truth and Herb’s sinister side was revealed – along with the scores of bodies that were buried beneath the earth of Fox Hollow Farm. Don't forget to s...

If you ever happen to find yourself driving down West Linden Street in Boise, Idaho, you might notice the house that sits at number 805. Covered in a layer of dirt, boarded up, windows broken, and trash scattered all over the yard, the large, two-story Craftsman-style home looks like an abandoned set for a horror film – but in this case, the true story is much more terrifying than fiction. Check o...

Our annual Halloween Horror Films Episode! But this time, we dive into a lot of Stephen King. Enjoy! Don't forget to send in your nomination for the Podcast Listener Of The Year award! Check out our updated website and sign up for our newsletter at  AmericanHauntingsPodcast.com Want an episode every week, plus other awesome perks and discounts? Check out our  Patreon page Find out merch at  Am...

There is no single residence in America that seems to fit the description of HAUNTED HOUSE better than the Winchester Mansion in San Jose, California. And if there is a house that has a richer history, a more mysterious reputation, and a greater reputation for its connections to the spirit world, I can’t think of it. Don't forget to send in your nomination for the Podcast Listener Of The Year...

On November 29, 1895, the very first professional athlete in America history to receive a death sentence was executed for the murders- a bloody act that had shocked the Illinois town where he lived. The murders and the hanging that followed two months later left a black mark on the city’s history – and they also left two separate hauntings behind.  Don't forget to send in your nomination for t...

On the hot New York City afternoon of June 26, 1897, a handful of boys were swimming in the East River just south of an abandoned dock at the foot of East Eleventh Street. The boys soon noticed a package floating nearby. In the package were two human arms attached to a man’s torso.  So much for a fun afternoon…. Don't forget to send in your nomination for the Podcast Listener Of The Year award...

Violet Grimm knew something was wrong when Ruthie, her tenant, came to the door. She looked tired, and she seemed preoccupied and nervous. She was hoping that Violet’s husband, Howard, could help her with some luggage. H.J. Mapes was the baggageman on the train that night. He’d been with the Southern Pacific Railroad for 23 years and had managed thousands of bags, so he knew right away that someth...