Haunted Hangout

36. Athens Asylum

Originally opened in 1874, the Athens Asylum was built to care for those deemed mentally ill. But over time, the institution became known for overcrowding, controversial treatments, and tragedy. Once home to thousands of patients, the buildings of the Athens Asylum are now used by Ohio University. Over the years, countless stories of paranormal activity have emerged, turning the former asylum into one of Ohio’s most infamous haunted locations. In this episode, we explore the disturbing history of the Athens Asylum, the mysterious disappearance of a patient, and the chilling paranormal encounters that continue to be reported today. From ghostly apparitions and unexplained noises to the infamous body-shaped stain that won’t disappear, the stories surrounding the asylum are difficult to forget. Join us as we uncover the history, hauntings, and chilling legends surrounding the Athens Asylum.  Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com [hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com]—we might feature it in a future episode! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hauntedhangoutpodcast] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@hauntedhangoutpodcast]!  This episode was written and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.  Episode Sources: ⁠RETRO REPORT: The Fascinating (and Dark) Story of the Athens Lunatic Asylum by Ethan Gallatin⁠ [https://www.thenewpolitical.com/article/edzmn2xs0vj5eetdkkx97h8830lkbt-20250122] ⁠Haunted Athens Asylum for the Insane, Ohio by Kathy Alexander⁠ [https://www.legendsofamerica.com/oh-athensasylum/] The True Story of Billy Milligan, the First Ever Defendant Found Not Guilty Due to Multiple Personalities by Lauren Kranc [https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a37693537/billy-milligan-true-story-netflix-24-faces/] The Athens Lunatic Asylum | usghostadventures.com [https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-places/americas-most-haunted-hospitals-and-asylums/the-athens-lunatic-asylum/] The Athens Lunatic Asylum “The Ridges”  | thelittlehouseofhorrors.com [https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/the-athens-lunatic-asylum-the-ridges/] The Kirkbride Plan | 99percentinvisible.org [https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-kirkbride-plan/] The Dark Story of Margaret Schilling | medium.com [https://medium.com/@orionmantra/the-dark-story-of-margaret-schilling-ff02628b7594] "Athens Lunatic Asylum". Paranormal Deep Dive. Podcast audio, October 14, 2024.

35. Mackenzie House

Tucked away in downtown Toronto stands a historic home with a past that refuses to stay quiet. Mackenzie House, once the residence of William Lyon Mackenzie—Toronto’s first mayor and a key figure in the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion—is now known for more than just its history. In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Mackenzie and how his home became a place of lingering mystery. Staff and visitors alike have reported strange occurrences over the years, some of which include unexplained footsteps, a piano playing on its own, and the unsettling feeling that someone is watching from the shadows.  Is it simply the creaks of an old house… or could something from the past still be holding on? Join us as we uncover the history and hauntings of the Mackenzie House… where the line between past and present may not be as clear as it seems. Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com [hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com]—we might feature it in a future episode! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hauntedhangoutpodcast] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@hauntedhangoutpodcast]!  This episode was written by Chelsea Smith and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.  Episode Sources:  William Lyon Mackenzie by Victor L. Russell [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mackenzie-william-lyon] Mackenzie House: Could this be Toronto’s most haunted home? By Melanie Zettler [https://globalnews.ca/news/4613378/mackenzie-house-toronto/] Mackenzie House a spooky gem by Rod Charles [https://vacay.ca/2014/10/mackenzie-house-a-spooky-gem/] Mackenzie House — The Haunted Home of Toronto's Rebel Mayor by Denise Marie [https://www.torontojourney416.com/mackenzie-house/] Mackenzie House | toronto.ca [https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/mackenzie-house/] Haunted History – Mackenzie House and Other Spooky Locations for Halloween in Toronto | pantageshotel.com [https://pantageshotel.com/2019/10/haunted-history-mackenzie-house-and-other-spooky-locations/] Long-Faced Woman of Mackenzie House | Toronto | ghostwalks.com [https://ghostwalks.com/articles/ghost-woman-mackenzie-house-toronto] Woodside National Historic Site - Parks Canada | parks.canada.ca [https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/woodside/culture/histoire-history]

34. Blue Ghost Tunnel

Hidden in the quiet town of Thorold, Ontario lies an old railway tunnel with a history as dark as the stories that surround it. Known as the Blue Ghost Tunnel, this 19th-century passageway once carried trains beneath the Welland Canal. Today, it sits abandoned but many believe it’s far from empty. In this episode, we explore the history of the tunnel and the deadly incidents that occurred around it. But the story doesn’t end there. Over the years, the tunnel has gained a chilling reputation, with visitors reporting strange sounds, shadowy figures, and the presence of something they can’t quite explain. Is the Blue Ghost Tunnel truly haunted, or have decades of tragedy and urban legend shaped what people think they experience? Join us as we step into the darkness and uncover the history, mystery, and hauntings of one of Ontario’s most infamous abandoned sites. Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com [hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com]—we might feature it in a future episode! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hauntedhangoutpodcast] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@hauntedhangoutpodcast]! This episode was written and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.  Episode Sources:  Haunted Globetrotting: The Blue Ghost Tunnel And What Remains Of The Third Welland Canal, Ontario, Canada by Lucia [https://theghostinmymachine.com/2020/02/03/haunted-globetrotting-the-blue-ghost-tunnel-merritton-tunnel-grand-trunk-railway-and-what-remains-of-the-third-welland-canal-ontario-niagara-falls-canada/] The Merritt Tunnel (The Blue Ghost Tunnel) by Randy Barnes [https://www.thoroldmuseum.ca/post/the-merritt-tunnel-the-blue-ghost-tunnel] A Farewell to The Blue Ghost Tunnel | hamiltonparanormal.com [https://hamiltonparanormal.com/bgt1.html]  “Blue Tunnel.” Creepy Canada, created by William P. Burke, season 2, episode 9, OLN, 2004. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmry6Q6-T2A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmry6Q6-T2A]

33. Spiritualism and the Fox Sisters

In the mid-1800s, a series of mysterious knocks inside a small New York home would spark a movement that swept across North America and beyond. At the center of it all were the Fox sisters, who claimed they could communicate with the dead. In this episode, we explore the rise of Spiritualism, a movement that captivated millions and blurred the line between belief and deception. We’ll dive into the story of the Fox sisters, the eerie events that made them famous, and the séances that followed as people became desperate to connect with loved ones beyond the grave. But as their fame grew, so did the skepticism. Were the Fox sisters truly speaking to spirits… or was something else at play? Join us as we uncover the history, controversy, and lasting impact of one of the most influential paranormal movements of all time. Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com [hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com]—we might feature it in a future episode! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hauntedhangoutpodcast] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@hauntedhangoutpodcast]!  This episode was written by Chelsea Smith and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.  Episode Sources: The Fox Sisters and the Rap on Spiritualism by Abbott Kahler [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-fox-sisters-and-the-rap-on-spiritualism-99663697/] Spiritualism by Joan Townsend [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/spiritualism] Swedenborg Foundation | swedenborg.com [https://swedenborg.com/]

32. Leap Castle

Often referred to as the most haunted castle in Ireland, Leap Castle has a history filled with betrayal, violence, and chilling legends. In this episode, we explore the dark past of the castle: from brutal clan rivalries and the infamous Bloody Chapel, to the discovery of a hidden oubliette filled with human remains. We also dive into the paranormal side of Leap Castle, including the spirits said to roam its halls and the terrifying legend of the Elemental, a sinister entity that many believe still lurks within the castle’s walls. With centuries of tragedy tied to the land, it’s no surprise that Leap Castle has earned a reputation as one of the most terrifying locations in Ireland. Got a spooky story of your own? Send it to hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com [hauntedhangoutpodcast13@gmail.com]—we might feature it in a future episode! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hauntedhangoutpodcast] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@hauntedhangoutpodcast]!  This episode was written and edited by Liz Silva. Theme song by High Street Music.  Episode Sources:  The Violent, Bloody History of Ireland’s Leap Castle by Shannon Raphael [https://the-line-up.com/leap-castle] Leap Castle | leapcastle.net [https://leapcastle.net/] Leap Castle | thelittlehouseofhorrors.com [https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/leap-castle/]