Wild Quincy

We've spent a few season picking random numbers and telling you about the folklore from our forefathers and foremothers of Adams County, but what about the man behind the book? In this episode learn about Harry Middleton Hyatt, a man who wrote a unique book that about folklore and a very unique volume of books on hoodoo with former mayor Chuck Scholz. —— Support Wild Quincy  and you can unlock add...

For the first time we jump the river and head to Hannibal, Missouri; America's Hometown, to discuss one of the strangest cases of that walks the line between crazy and genious. If you have ever been on a tour of Mark Twain Cave or a Ghost Tour in Hannibal, you have surely heard of this guy, Dr. Joseph McDowell. On this episode we look beyond the brief footnote and dig deeper into the whole story o...

It's something we've alluded to numerous times throughout the seasons here on Wild Quincy, now we take the 10,000 foot overhead view of what exactly the world of brothels looked like in Quincy over 100 years ago with special guest Iris Nelson.

Could your house be located on top of an old cemetery? Well, according to historical records, there are a few locations in Quincy where cemeteries that were once there are now homes and even parks! In this episode we dig deep....no pun intended... and look for those lost and abandoned cemeteries in the Quincy, Illinois and Adams County area. --------------------------------------------------------...

Everyone in Quincy is probably aware of the Villa Katherine, but far less is known about Quincy's man of mystery, George Metz, who's world travels helped inspire his creation of the Villa Katherine. If Dos Equis was advertising back then locally, George would easily fit the bill for "most interesting man in the world" Learn about George's travels and the mysteries he left behind on this episode of...

This week in Wild Quincy we dive into a Quincy area urban legend about a murdered family that might just have some validity to it!  Find out about the folklore and reality of a place located on the Adams/Hancock County line as we discuss the legend of Peyton' Place on this episode. Support Wild Quincy  and you can unlock additional bonus content. Email us at wildquincy@gmail.com or call/text our l...

It seems like there has always been some sort of major crime activity going on in Quincy. Back in the early 1900's and up to even the 70's it was prostitution, illegal slot machines were a hot button item in the 1940's and 50's, and anyone living in the 90's remembers the drug issues. The question is this, what is the big problem in Quincy today. To find that answer we head straight to the person...

Surely you've done a little bowling at Casino lanes, but did you know you're taking part in an entertainment epicenter of Quincy dating back 150 years. While Bowling was always an option for fun, we talk about the previous name of the area, Highland Park and tell you about all the amazing details of where Quincians used to go for a good time in Quincy. Enjoy the episode as we kick off Season 5 of...

Join us as we wrap up this edition of listener Wild Files. We provide some follow up regarding celebrities connection to the Quincy Airport, as well as last episode's potential Levee Walker Origin Story. We then dive into a first hand experience of their time on Ghost Hollow Road. Then we recount a mysterious haunting tale that allegedly took place in Quincy's past. We may be wrapping up this edit...

We're back with out second collection of Wild Files. We cover a lot of ground including Stephen Spielberg being in Quincy and helping rescue a former Quincian. We then share a spooky ghost story and then wind things down with a super interesting alternate Levee Walker origin story we've never heard before. Do you have a story for a future Wild File? Email us at wildquincy@gmail.com!  -------- Supp...

Chris and Travis are excited to kick off our listener submitted Wild Files episodes. We hear from Nancy B. about some spooky encounters at the Quincy Museum as well as Katie S. who spoke of some creepy experiences at the former Backwaters/Johnny Bang Bangs/Native Wings building. Travis and Chris add our thoughts about the encounters. Do you have a local ghost story, creepy story, cool family heirl...

She spent 30 years behind the camera and behind the scenes at KHQA. Hear about her career in Quincy broadcasting and what she's up to now in the final episode of Season 4! Thank you for your continued support throughout the season and be looking next week for the season finale episode for you Wild Things! Support Wild Quincy  and you can unlock additional bonus content. Email us at wildquincy@gmai...

Since the late 1800s Ghost Hollow Road just south of Quincy, has gained a spooky reputation. Home to multiple urban legends and local folklore, this road manages to hold its secrets close. Many a local have spent late nights in search of disappearing houses, haunted cemeteries, and a ghostly lady in white. Travis and Chris untangle the fiction from the fact, discussing the origins of the road's na...

Levee's in the area were not fairing well against the mighty waters of the Mississippi River in 1993. Many of those levees either broke or were overtopping in a span of a month. But for the West Quincy Levee it wouldn't be the river breaking the levee, it would be done by a man. We talk about James Scott, the only person to ever be convicted of causing a catastrophe with special guest Rodney Hart....

It's been 30 years this year since the most historic natural disaster hit the Midwest. The flood of 1993 took thousands of homes, millions of acres of land, and even lives. Rediscover the timeline of events and listen as we catch up with a few of the people that were involved in this historic event Be sure and check out the show blog for more information pertaining to the episode. What are your st...

Welcome to the halfway point to the century mark of Wild Quincy! We bring back one of our favorite guests to co-host the episode with Chris and Travis as Chad Douglas takes the mic. With 49 episodes in the books the guys go through their own top 5 list of their favorite Wild Quincy episodes to date.

The unexplained flies high in this episode as we look at a large string of unknown aircraft that were visible across the United States in 1896 and 1897. We give an overview of the timeline and do a deep dive of the airship's appearance in the skies over Quincy Illinois in April of 1897. We take a look at the reports and try to figure out what was flying across the skies years before the first plan...

There are a few in Quincy throughout the years that would be given the title of "mobster" and in our latest crime episode we will explore one of those by the name of Ted Crowley. Over 50 years of being involved with various crimes but spending little time in jail, this guy knew how to work the courts to his favor. Some say he was the "muscle" but others say that he was a perfect gentlemen. We cast...

Natural disasters are on the plate once again as Chris deep dives in to earthquakes that shook Quincy throughout history. Will Quincy ever see a big one? Find out all the details on this episode! Check out the episode blog for some visuals referenced in the episode. Support Wild Quincy  and you can unlock additional bonus content. Email us at wildquincy@gmail.com or call/text our listener comment...

Few people in Quincy's past have endured more than Father Augustus Tolton. Entering into this world as a slave, now on the road to sainthood. We take a look at his amazing journey and the racial tensions he overcame, becoming the first Black Priest in America. We also look at his attempts to utilize his faith as a tool to help battle the persecution black Americans withstood. Get to know Father gu...

If Bigfoot does exists, what is the likelihood that it might be in our own backyard? We welcome WIU's Dr. Michael Lorenzen , professor and head of WIU archives. We talk about Bigfoot sightings in the area and discuss the likelihood of a Bigfoot in our area based on popular understanding and theories of where they may be. Find out how Quincy, Illinois and Adams county stacks up as Bigfoot country....

Our first crime episode of season 4 takes us back to the early 80's when Quincy was being terrorized by a man dubbed the name "Mummy Man." Find out about this scary story and all the wild details from returning guest and former Herald Whig reporter Rodney Hart.

Welcome back to a new season of your favorite new podcast! We kick off season 4 by exploring the mysterious world of Hoboes. What is a hobo? Were there hoboes in Quincy? How do you become a hobo? We will answer those questions and many more in this weeks episode ----- Support Wild Quincy  and you can unlock additional bonus content. Email us at wildquincy@gmail.com or call/text our listener commen...

We finish out season 3 with an interview with someone who has had a front row seat when it comes to Quincy media when we talk with none other than Bob Gough. From The Herald Whig to Muddy River News , Bob has seen all the ups and downs of the media world in town. Support Wild Quincy  and you can unlock additional bonus content. Email us at wildquincy@gmail.com or call/text our listener comment lin...

It's Armageddon time in Quincy, no we are not talking about Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck we are talking end of the world stuff on the latest episode and our last What if episode for the season. We are looking at SHTF scenarios but with a Quincy twist. ----------------- Support Wild Quincy  and you can unlock additional bonus content. Email us at wildquincy@gmail.com or call/text our listener comme...