The Strange History Podcast

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The Casket Girls of New Orleans: Vampire Legend or Dark Colonial History? May 28, 2026

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In 1728, a group of young women arrived in New Orleans carrying small wooden chests known as cassettes—but over time, their story evolved into one of the city’s most chilling legends. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the real history behind the Casket Girls of New Orleans and how it became tied to vampire lore.
Sent from France to stabilize the early colony, these women were housed at the historic Ursuline Convent, one of the oldest buildings in the Mississippi Valley. Historical records confirm their arrival, their role in colonial society, and the structured marriages that followed.
But over time, language shifted—cassettes became “caskets”—and the story took on a darker tone. Local legend claims the convent’s third-floor windows were sealed to contain something brought over with the girls. While historians attribute the closed shutters to preservation and architecture, visitors continue to report eerie sensations, shadowy movement, and unexplained sounds near the upper levels.
Is it just folklore built on misunderstood history… or something more?
This episode blends documented colonial records, linguistic evolution, and modern accounts to explore one of New Orleans’ most fascinating and mysterious legends.
Because sometimes history changes…
and sometimes it transforms into something else entirely.
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Axeman of New Orleans: The Unsolved Murders That Terrorized a City May 27, 2026

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Between 1918 and 1919, New Orleans was terrorized by a mysterious and never-identified killer known as the Axeman of New Orleans murders. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the true story behind one of America’s most bizarre and chilling unsolved crime sprees. The Axeman targeted primarily Italian-American families, entering homes at night and using axes—often found inside the victims’ own residences—to carry out brutal attacks. Despite multiple investigations, no suspect was ever definitively identified. The case took a surreal turn in March 1919 when a letter, allegedly written by the killer, was published in local newspapers. In it, the Axeman claimed he would spare any home playing jazz music. On March 19, 1919, the city responded—homes, bars, and streets filled with jazz, creating one of the strangest nights in American history. No murders were reported that night. Soon after, the killings stopped entirely. To this day, the identity of the Axeman remains unknown, and theories range from a single serial killer to copycat crimes—or even a hoax letter manipulating public fear. Modern reports add another layer, with people describing unexplained sounds, footsteps, and even faint jazz music in quiet homes tied to the era. While skeptics point to coincidence and suggestion, the legend continues to grow. This episode blends documented true crime, historical newspaper accounts, and lingering mystery to explore a case that has never been solved. Because sometimes the most dangerous thing isn’t what you see… It’s what disappears without explanation.
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The Sultan’s Palace Mystery: New Orleans’ Unsolved Mass Death & Haunted Legend May 26, 2026

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Step into one of New Orleans’ most mysterious and debated legends—The Sultan's Palace—where an alleged 19th-century mass death still has no clear explanation. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the story of a wealthy “Sultan” who reportedly occupied the residence on Dauphine Street before an entire household was found dead under violent and unexplained circumstances.
While historical documentation remains limited and debated, the legend has persisted for generations, becoming one of the most chilling stories in New Orleans folklore. The lack of clear records, suspects, or resolution has only deepened the mystery.
Modern accounts add another layer. Residents and visitors have reported hearing unexplained music late at night—often described as rhythmic or ceremonial—coming from the direction of the building, even when it is completely empty. Some say the sound appears suddenly and stops just as abruptly, with no visible source.
Other reports include shadowy figures on balconies, voices in otherwise silent streets, and an overwhelming sense of unease near the property. While skeptics point to environmental and acoustic explanations, the consistency of these experiences keeps the legend alive.
This episode blends historical context, urban legend, and repeated firsthand-style accounts to explore one of New Orleans’ most enduring mysteries.
Because some stories don’t have endings…
They just keep repeating.
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Mercer-Williams House Haunting: The True Story Behind Savannah’s Most Infamous Mansion May 25, 2026

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Step inside one of Savannah’s most infamous and mysterious homes—Mercer-Williams House—where documented history and unexplained phenomena collide. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the real story behind this Italianate mansion, originally commissioned in 1860 by Hugh Weedon Mercer before construction was halted by the American Civil War.
Restored in 1969 by preservationist Jim Williams, the home became a symbol of Savannah’s historic revival—until a shocking event changed everything. In 1981, Williams shot and killed Danny Hansford inside the house, leading to four dramatic trials before his eventual acquittal in 1989. Just months later, Williams died suddenly, adding another layer of mystery to an already chilling story.
The case gained national attention through Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, cementing the Mercer-Williams House as a cornerstone of Southern Gothic history.
Today, visitors report eerie footsteps, shifting doors, strange reflections, and an overwhelming sense of presence—especially near the staircase and the exact location of the shooting. Is it residual energy tied to a violent moment? Or something more?
Blending verified historical facts with consistent firsthand accounts, this episode explores a place where the past is not just remembered—it may still be unfolding.
Because some houses don’t forget.
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The Pirates’ House Savannah: Shanghaiing, Secret Tunnels & a Haunted Past May 25, 2026

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Step inside one of the oldest and most mysterious buildings in Savannah—The Pirates' House—where colonial history and chilling legend collide. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the real origins of this iconic tavern, dating back to 1734 and the nearby Trustees' Garden, one of Georgia’s earliest colonial experiments.
As Savannah grew into a major port city, its waterfront became a hub for sailors, trade, and darker practices. Historical evidence confirms that “crimping,” or forced recruitment of sailors—also known as shanghaiing—was common in port cities, and many believe The Pirates’ House played a role in these disappearances. According to legend, unsuspecting men were drugged, taken through underground tunnels, and forced onto ships bound for unknown destinations.
Adding to the intrigue are the building’s connections to maritime history and the Golden Age of Piracy, with cultural ties to figures like Blackbeard and literary inspiration linked to Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Today, visitors and staff report unexplained footsteps, moving shadows, disembodied voices, and the unsettling feeling of being watched—especially in the lower levels where tunnels are believed to exist. Is it just legend… or did something from Savannah’s maritime past refuse to leave?
Blending real colonial history, documented maritime practices, and eerie firsthand accounts, this episode uncovers one of Savannah’s most enduring and sinister mysteries.
Because in some places… people didn’t just leave.
They disappeared.
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LaLaurie Mansion Horror: The True Story Behind New Orleans’ Most Infamous Haunted House May 24, 2026

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Step inside one of the most infamous and disturbing locations in America—LaLaurie Mansion—where documented history and chilling accounts collide. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we uncover the true story of Delphine LaLaurie, a wealthy socialite in New Orleans whose elegant façade hid something far darker.
In 1834, a fire at the mansion exposed shocking conditions inside, reported in contemporary newspapers like The New Orleans Bee, where enslaved individuals were found in extreme distress. The discovery led to public outrage, a mob attack on the home, and LaLaurie’s sudden escape from the city—never facing justice for what occurred.
Since then, the mansion has changed hands many times, but reports have remained consistent. Visitors and nearby residents describe hearing voices late at night, footsteps in empty spaces, and unexplained sounds coming from within the building. Some accounts detail recurring patterns of noise—muffled conversations and distress-like sounds—heard when no one is inside.
Unlike many haunted locations, the LaLaurie Mansion is grounded in documented historical events, making its reputation even more unsettling. Is what people experience today psychological, environmental, or something tied to the unresolved past?
This episode blends verified history, firsthand-style accounts, and one of the darkest chapters in American history.
Because some stories don’t fade…
They stay where they happened.
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Underground Nightmares: True Cave Disasters, Lost Explorers, and the Psychology of Darkness May 23, 2026

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Caves are some of the most dangerous and psychologically intense environments on Earth. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore true historical caving disasters, including the Mossdale Caverns tragedy in 1967, the Nutty Putty Cave incident in 2009, and real cases of explorers getting lost underground in places like the Paris Catacombs.
Learn how cave flooding, tight passages, collapses, and total darkness have led to deadly situations for even experienced cavers. We also dive into the science of sensory deprivation, explaining how isolation, silence, and lack of light can affect the human brain, causing disorientation, fear, and even hallucinations.
This episode blends real survival stories, cave exploration history, and psychological science to reveal why spelunking is one of the most extreme and dangerous activities in the world. Perfect for fans of dark history, true survival stories, and strange real-life events.
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Wright Square Savannah: The Hanging Square Curse & Tomochichi’s Restless Spirit May 22, 2026

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Step into one of Savannah’s oldest and most unsettling locations—Wright Square—a place where history, justice, and legend collide. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we uncover the chilling past of what locals once called “Hanging Square,” a site used for public executions during the early colonial days of Georgia.
Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, Savannah was designed with order and structure—but Wright Square quickly became a place where punishment was carried out in full view of the public. Executions here left a lasting imprint, creating a legacy of fear and fascination that still lingers today.
At the center of the square stands a monument to Tomochichi, a Native American leader who helped establish peace between settlers and indigenous people. Though honored in life, legend claims his burial site was later disturbed—sparking rumors of a curse that still haunts the square.
Visitors report eerie whispers, shadowy figures, sudden drops in temperature, and an overwhelming sense of being watched. Is Wright Square haunted by those who were executed there? Or is something deeper tied to the disturbed resting place of Tomochichi?
Blending real colonial history, documented events, and chilling firsthand accounts, this episode explores one of Savannah’s darkest and most mysterious locations. If you’re drawn to haunted history, Southern folklore, and true paranormal stories, Wright Square may be one place you’ll never see the same way again.
Because in Savannah… some ground never forgets.
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The Marshall House Haunting: The Ghost Girl of Savannah’s Civil War Hospital May 22, 2026

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Step inside one of the most haunted locations in the United States—The Marshall House—where history didn’t just happen… it stayed. In this chilling episode of The Strange History Podcast, we uncover the true story behind Savannah’s iconic Civil War-era hotel that was transformed into a wartime hospital during American Civil War. As Union General William Tecumseh Sherman captured the city and presented it to Abraham Lincoln, the building was spared—but the suffering inside it was not.
From brutal amputations and primitive surgeries to the discovery of human remains hidden beneath the floorboards, the Marshall House holds a past soaked in pain, disease, and unanswered questions. Guests and staff alike report unexplained footsteps, faucets turning on by themselves, eerie mirror reflections, and most disturbingly… the repeated appearance of a silent little girl standing at the foot of the bed.
Is she a forgotten victim of war? A child lost to Savannah’s deadly yellow fever outbreaks? Or something far stranger—a residual echo of trauma imprinted into the building itself?
This episode blends real historical facts with chilling firsthand accounts to explore one of Savannah’s most enduring paranormal mysteries. If you love haunted history, ghost stories, and unexplained phenomena rooted in real events, this is one story you won’t forget.
Because in Savannah… history doesn’t stay buried.
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Salt: How a Simple Mineral Built Empires and Controlled the World and Shaped Civilization May 21, 2026

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Salt is one of the most common ingredients today—but in ancient and early modern history, it was one of the most powerful resources on Earth. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the deep and fascinating history of salt, from ancient Roman trade routes like the Via Salaria to massive salt mining operations in Hallstatt and China’s early salt monopolies.
Discover how salt shaped empires, funded governments, and influenced global trade networks, including the trans-Saharan salt caravans in Mali where salt was traded for gold. Learn about the infamous French salt tax (gabelle), which caused widespread unrest and smuggling in the 1600s, and how salt played a critical role in food preservation, military logistics, and survival.
This episode uncovers the strange, powerful, and often overlooked history of salt, revealing how a simple mineral became a cornerstone of civilization and economic control. Perfect for fans of food history, strange facts, dark history, and true stories that shaped the modern world.
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