Southern Gothic

Walking through the doors of the Old Aquia Church is like stepping back in time. Built back in the 1750’s, the Aquia Church once counted American founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson and George Mason among its members, boasting a rich history; but that history is frequently overshadowed by some of the tragedies along the way– one of which seems to be the source for a local legend that claims the...

The Constant is a History of Getting Things Wrong. Every other Tuesday they look at the accidents, mistakes and bad ideas that helped misshape our world. Like the breakfast cereal magnate who spent his fortune dynamiting the sky, or Marie Antoinette’s hypnotist, or the mobster who tried to escape prison through resurrection. Follow The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong on your favorite p...

On August 23, 1912, four-year-old Bobby Dunbar went missing while his family was on a fishing trip at Swayze Lake in Louisiana. An eight-month search ensued, but the boy was eventually found in Mississippi– at least that’s what the Dunbars believed. Join us as we dive into one of the most well-known missing person cases in the history of the American South. Connect with Southern Gothic Media: Beco...

The ballad "Railroad Bill" dates back to the 19th century and has been performed and recorded by a number of artists over the years. The song is based on the exploits of Morris Slater, the real-life Railroad Bill-- a Black outlaw in the post-Reconstruction South who purportedly stole from the railroad and gave to the poor-- a "real-life" Robin Hood. Check out our Spotify Playlist of Railroad Songs...

In the early hours of April 30, 1900, railroad engineer Casey Jones made a quick decision to sacrifice his own life in an attempt to save those of the passengers on his train-- a decision that has cemented his legacy as one of the most iconic figures in American folklore. Connect with Southern Gothic Media: Become a Patreon Supporter Join our New Facebook Group! Website: SouthernGothicMedia.com Me...

This week we introduce you to One Strange Thing, a podcast that brings you some of the oddest stories from America's regional newspaper archives. And these tales all have something in common: they are entirely true, and feature elements that can't be explained by logic alone. In this preview, they explore how a mannequin with human hair became a doll, and lifelong companion and/or scapegoat, for a...

Ethel Allen was last seen alive at Jack’s Tavern in Rockledge, Florida on the night of November 17, 1934. Her body was discovered only several days later in an utterly horrific state, dumped in the Indian River Lagoon. Unfortunately, her killer was never brought to justice, but some say that her spirit still continues to haunt the establishment where she was last seen in life. Thanks HelloFresh! G...

Last week we returned to the Mammoth Cave National Park to discuss the tragedy of Floyd Collins, but the death of the infamous explorer is far from the only dark tale in the cave. This week's minisode explores one of those tales, one in which a man named Dr. John Croghan attempted to use part of Mammoth as a sanitarium for people with tuberculosis. Y'all looking for bonus content? Head on over to...

In 1925, cave explorer Floyd Collins discovered Sand Cave, not far from what would one day become Mammoth Cave National Park. Floyd, like many others in Kentucky cave country, had hoped to discover a cave of his own that he could profit from as a tourist attraction. Unfortunately, while attempting to uncover the secrets of his new found cave, Floyd Collins became trapped. The resulting rescue atte...

Kathryn Tucker Windham was an American storyteller, author, photographer, folklorist, and journalist born and raised in Alabama. Of course if you've been listening to Southern Gothic you've probably heard us mention her before, after all, she's one of the most prolific Southern ghost story collectors we know of! Join us on this week's special episode as we talk to Kelly Gates Elmore, the curator o...

A beautiful oak tree stands by the Church Street Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama. According to legend, the tree has been there for almost two hundred years, and it is growing from the grave of a man who was hanged for murder-- a man who claimed he was innocent and that this tree would serve as evidence. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/gothic50 and use code gothic50 for 50% off plus free shippi...

Just outside of Bath, North Carolina is a unique landmark that has puzzled folks for over two centuries-- a series of small depressions in the ground, known as the Hoofprints of Bath. According to legend, not only have these depressions been around for over two centuries but they are also the product of a legendary horse race with the devil. Connect with Southern Gothic Media: Become a Patreon Sup...

Recently Southern Gothic took part in a special ghost story throwdown with a handful of other paranormal podcasters! Join us in this veritable grab bag of ghostly tales featuring these wonderful podcasts: Real Life Ghost Stories Haunted Happenstance They're Not Shadows You Can See Me In the Dark The Ghost Story Guys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Conspirators is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Nate Hale, an entirely fictional identity, as he likes to tell everyone. In each episode, Nate tells you the stories from history your teacher never told you. He’s done episodes on serial killers, strange disappearances, unsolved mysteries, survival stories, horrific disasters and much more. Nate brings you each story in a single-person narrative,...

The Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 400,000 United States service members and their eligible family members, and the most well-known and highly esteemed national cemetery in the country. Yet few know of how this esteemed burial ground came to be; a result of overcrowding cemeteries during the Civil War, in a place that was seemingly chosen out of spite-- the home of...

If you travel southwest on High Shoals Road from Broadway Lake, near Anderson, South Carolina, you’ll cross a modern concrete bridge over Rocky River that was built back in 1987. But as you cross its hard not to notice that just to the west of you is the rusted, century-old iron structure that it was built to replace– a now infamous landmark in Anderson county known simply as the Crybaby Bridge. ...

On a lonely gravel road in Mississippi, 12 miles southwest of Meridian, is a dilapidated old truss bridge, no longer open to cars or traffic. It spans 112 feet, giving travelers access across the Chunky River, a short tributary of the Chicksasawhy River. This bridge, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, had been built to replace one erected by early settlers of the...

On History Daily, we do history, daily. Every weekday, host Lindsay Graham (American Scandal, American History Tellers) takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history. Whether it’s to remember the tragedy of December 7th, 1941, the day “that will live in infamy,” or to celebrate that 20th day in July, 1969, when mankind reached the moon, History Daily is...

St. Catherine's Island sits off the coast of Georgia, just fifty miles south of Savannah. This beautiful barrier island has served as a wildlife refuge for several decades, but its history is far darker than what anyone who has visited the island's serene forests and peaceful beaches could ever imagine. In 1597, it was the site of a violent rebellion that left several Spanish friars dead. Accordin...

It was a chilly February morning in 1896 when Johnny Hewling, a young farm worker, made a grisly discovery on the land of his employer, John Locke, near Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. Hewling had stumbled upon the remains of a woman who had been decapitated, and her head was nowhere to be found. The police were called in to investigate, and they soon discovered the identity of the victim, a young woman nam...

In October 2022, Brandon took to the stage of the haunted Palace Theatre for a night of ghost stories. Join us this week as we preview several of the stories from that night in anticipation of his appearance at the upcoming Haunted America Conference on June 22, 2023 in Alton, Illinois. Get your tickets now at GhostConference.net! Connect with Southern Gothic Media: Become a Patreon Supporter Join...

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 able to change its shape, making it difficult to track or ident...

In 1932, a police officer encountered a woman frantically running down Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. She told him that she had just escaped from the home of a pair of brothers, who had attacked her, brought her home with them and tied her to a chair so that they could drink her blood. Their names were John and Wayne Carter. Join us as we explore the legend surrounding these Fr...

At the turn of the twentieth century, a mysterious man arrived in New Orleans from France. His name was Jacque Saint Germain, and he was both wealthy and handsome, exuding charm and intellect. He quickly became known amongst the high society in New Orleans for the elaborate parties he hosted at his home on Royal Street in the French Quarter. However, there was something peculiar about Saint Germai...

This week Southern Gothic is dark so we decided to share a recent episode of The Ghost Story Guys featuring Brandon! The podcast features true stories of the paranormal, told with humor, humanity, and just a pinch of skepticism and is hosted by Brennan Storr & Paul Bestall. If you enjoy the episode be sure to check them out and subscribe now! Help us out, by completing our listener survey: http://...