History & Travel
Exploring American folklore, local legends, and “fringe” (the strange, oft-unknown) history.
The American Civil War stretched far beyond the battlefields, where massive armies slugged it out. In fact, the war also played out in family homes, at balls, and in the halls of government. In these distinct and oftentimes discreet arenas, politicians and even spies played very important roles. One such character was a woman named…
There exists a macabre fascination with gangsters and mobsters in American culture and perhaps nobody captures people’s interest more than that of John Dillinger. Not only have most people heard of him, but he remains relevant in pop culture with movies still being made about his exploits, such as the 2009 film Public Enemies. Of…
Recently I was able to visit the gravesite of Morgan Earp, who was a brother to western lawman, Wyatt Earp.Alongside Doc Holliday and his brothers, Virgil and Wyatt, Morgan participated in the famous gun fight at the O.K. Corral in the mining town of Tombstone, Arizona Territory. Unlike how many movies portray it, the gun…
Savannah’s Colonial Park Cemetery is one of the most historic burial grounds in the United States of America and its drooping Spanish moss and well-built brick vaults make it one of the most scenic too! Although it is no longer active today, Colonial Park Cemetery remains one of the most popular destinations for locals and…
The town of Princeton, New Jersey is known for a multitude of reasons, to include its ivy league university and the famous battle that took place there during the Revolutionary War; however, it is also home to a cemetery that has been referred to as the “Westminster Abbey of the United States.” From a U.S….
Since 1789, the United States has voted in 45 different individuals (and counting) into the office of the President of the United States (while there have been 46 presidencies, Grover Cleveland served as both the 22nd and 24th President). Currently, there are six living Presidents and the other 39 are buried in various places around…
Norwich, Connecticut was founded in 1659 by Reverend James Fitch and Major John Mason, who brought along settlers from nearby Saybrook. The town’s population grew and throughout the colonial period and early Republic, Norwich produced some of America’s brightest minds, strongest leaders, soldiers, druggists, industrialists, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and one particularly…
Nestled amidst historic Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut is a pastoral burial ground, where some of America’s most prominent minds and leaders lie at rest. From poets, military officers, inventors, educators, Yale alumni, and politicians, Grove Street Cemetery has attracted many to its quaint grounds. If you are ever in New Haven or even…
The North Burial Ground in Providence, Rhode Island, was established in 1700 and is one of the most historic cemeteries in New England. It serves as the final resting place for many women and men prominent in Rhode Island and American history (to include Rhode Island governors, entrepreneurs, famed abolitionists, and veterans of the American…
The Continental Army experienced a wide range of leadership throughout the American Revolutionary War and all too often, its officers argued, complained, and jockeyed for rank. But there were also many officers, including generals, that embodied steady and competent leadership throughout the conflict. Many of these men, including some Europeans who volunteered to serve the…
The Granary Burying Ground in Boston, Massachusetts is one of the most historic cemeteries in the United States. It serves as the final resting place for some of America’s brightest political and philosophic minds, to include early leaders of Boston and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Today, this renowned cemetery is one of the most popular…
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts is one of the most beautiful and historic cemeteries in New England. Amidst its ancient trees and rolling hills are countless souls that include Concord natives and Civil War veterans; however, the cemetery is best known for “Author’s Ridge,” where some of America’s most iconic authors and poets are…
Although it ceased operations as a mental hospital in 1989, the historic Traverse City State Hospital continues to serve the local community. Since being saved from demolition, the old hospital and grounds have been transformed into a series of shops, restaurants, and apartments. Of course, legends and stories of paranormal encounters surround the old asylum,…
Newport, Rhode Island is known for its history- from its vast collection of colonial homes to its role in early America, it has no shortage of historic sites. One of the more mysterious and intriguing historic structures in town is the Newport Tower (also known as the Touro Tower and the Old Stone Mill). The…
Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” holds a special place in mainstream American fiction and folklore. Irving managed to capture the quintessential 18th-century American experience while providing children and adults alike with a spooky local legend that has since grown to international fame (thanks in part to Walt Disney’s 1949 animated…