Hoosier Myths and Legends

The Fouke Monster, sometimes called the Southern Sasquatch or the Boggy Creek Monster, is one of the most famous Bigfoot-like creatures in the country, and it has terrified people in and around the town of Fouke, Arkansas for over a century. So sit back, relax, and grab a cup of coffee as we dive into one of America's creepiest cryptid legends.

Deep in the rural heart of Clay County, Indiana, nestled among cornfields, winding roads, and whispering woods, lies a small church and an old cemetery with a reputation far larger than its size. The Zion United Church of Christ Cemetery in Poland, Indiana, is known not only for its peaceful setting but also for unexplained lights, ghostly voices, and a shadowy figure engulfed in fire. 

Located right off Route 66, the Museum Club has been a part of Flagstaff's landscape since 1931. But this isn't just any old building. It's a log cabin with an incredible history that still lingers in the form of unexplained events and ghostly sightings. From an owner who never left to music that still lingers long after the last note was played, this place has witnessed nearly a century of history, tragedy, and spirits. Welcome to the Haunted Museum Club.

The Indianapolis Athletic Club was once a gathering place for Indianapolis's most influential figures. But over the years, its legacy has taken a darker turn, shaped by tragedy and a fire so devastating it helped transform how high-rise emergencies are handled across the United States. So grab your cup of coffee and join us as we uncover the ghostly encounters and chilling legacy tied to one of downtown Indianapolis's most storied landmarks.

On this “On the Road” episode of Hoosier Myths and Legends, we head to the town of Portlock, Alaska, which was abandoned after terrifying encounters with a mysterious creature known as the Nantiinaq. Was it Bigfoot, something darker, or just the dangers of the Alaskan wilderness?

Built in 1893, the Roads Hotel in Atlanta, Indiana is one of the state's most haunted locations. Once a bustling railroad stop, the hotel is now known for ghostly sightings, eerie voices, and paranormal encounters. In this episode, we explore its past, haunted legends, and the spirits roaming its halls.

In this bonus episode of Hoosier Myths and Legends, we're hitting the road to explore haunted spots beyond Indiana—starting with Huntsville, Alabama. The Dead Children's Playground, next to Maple Hill Cemetery, is said to be haunted by the spirits of children lost to the 1918 Spanish Flu. With reports of laughter, moving swings, and eerie EVPs, is it truly paranormal or just eerie surroundings? Let's dive into the history and hauntings of this infamous site.

The Fowler Theatre in Fowler, Indiana, isn't just a beautifully restored Art Deco cinema—it's a hotspot for the paranormal. Visitors and staff have reported shadowy figures, disembodied voices, and eerie cold spots in the auditorium. Some say the ghost of the theater's original owner is still watching over this beloved building, while others whisper about a former manager who never truly left. Grab your cup of coffee, sit back, and relax as we uncover the eerie past and supernatural secrets of one of Indiana's most haunted theaters. 

As the new year begins, many celebrate with unique superstitions for good luck and a fresh start. In this episode, we explore New Year's traditions from around the world — from eating grapes in Spain to the famous kiss at midnight. Join us as we uncover the origins of these quirky rituals and how they shape the start of the year. 

Shadowwood Estate is a large two-and-a-half-story, five-bay Colonial Revival-style brick dwelling built for Colonel Eugene C. Wharf in 1917. This house and its land are known for their Civil War legends and unsettling encounters. The home has long been rumored to be haunted. So sit back, relax, and get comfortable as we unravel Shadowwood's haunted past and explore its ghostly lore.

In August of 1955, Naomi Johnson, her friend Louise Lample, and Naomi's three children went to the Ohio River near Evansville, Indiana to go swimming. However, while swimming that day, Naomi had a terrifying experience when she was suddenly grabbed and dragged underwater by a strange creature with a rough, claw-like hand. So turn down the lights and settle in as we bring you a mystery that baffles many to this day…The Green Clawed Beast.  

We're revisiting one of our favorite episodes today—Episode 1.4. This is the legend of Silas Shimmerhorn, a Confederate soldier and one of Morgan's Raiders, who came through Indiana in 1863. After deserting, Shimmerhorn hid out in the woods of Versailles and partnered with a wolf pack for survival, which earned him the nickname, "The Wolfman of Versailles."

Belle Gunness was a notorious Norwegian-American serial killer who buried her many victims on her farm in La Porte, Indiana. The farm has long been rumored to be haunted due to its dark history. So turn the lights down and relax as we bring you the tale of “The La Porte Ghoul.”

"Crybaby Bridge" is a term used to describe several bridges across the United States that are steeped in urban legends and ghost stories, particularly involving the eerie sounds of a baby crying. These stories often feature tragic backstories, such as infanticide, accidents, or other sorrowful events that are said to have taken place at or near the bridges. This phenomenon is not confined to a single location but reflects a type of folklore deeply woven into the cultural fabric of various regions, each adapting the legend to their own local history or landscape.  So turn the lights down, get comfortable, and relax as we bring you several tales of Hoosier crybaby bridges. 

In November of 2011, Latoya Ammons, along with her mother, Rosa Campbell, and her three children moved into a house located at 3860 Carolina Street in Gary, Indiana. Immediately after arriving, paranormal activity began to happen. What followed was a series of events that would become one of the most documented and terrifying hauntings in Indiana history. 

In this episode, we chat with authors Christopher and Christina Hunt as they share their book with us, "Ghosts & Legends of Crawfordsville, Indiana." We delve into some of the mysteries that Crawfordsville and Montgomery County have to offer.  

In 1848 the Indiana Hospital for the Insane, later known as Indiana Central State Hospital, opened its doors on the west side of Indianapolis.  The hospital treated patients who suffered from schizophrenia, dementia, depression, hysteria, alcoholism, and epilepsy.  However, over the years, stories began circulating about patient abuse, and the hospital was closed in 1994 due to concerns about patient care.  Since before the hospital's closing, stories about spirits, voices from beyond, and other paranormal occurrences were common on the grounds and in the old pathology building, which remains standing today. Join us as we discuss Indiana's Hospital for the Insane. 

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and relax as we delve into the ghostly legends surrounding three Hoosier libraries that many believe to be haunted -  Willard Library in Evansville, Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus, and the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis.

The idea of people being able to glimpse into the future has intrigued many of us for centuries. One of the earliest accounts of premonitions can be found in the bible in the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. In this episode, we have gathered a few premonition stories that have happened to fellow Hoosiers. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and relax as we explore the extraordinary phenomena of premonitions.  

In this episode, we bring you the legend of one of Indiana's most famous Cryptids - Elkhart's Cable Line Monster.  

Visitors to the Arlington East Hill Cemetery in Rushville, Indiana love to gaze into the windows of an antique dollhouse that represents the final resting place of little Lova Cline. Over the years, many visitors have also reported seeing the windows glow even though there is no electricity connected. So sit back and relax, as we bring you the legend of Lova Cline's Dollhouse.

Since the early 1950's, tales of a Hatchet Man have made their rounds across the country. The best-known version of the legend didn't become popular until the late 1960's and early 1970's. This version takes place on a college campus, where two unsuspecting girls encounter the hatchet man while alone in their dorm on a holiday break. Sit back, relax, turn the lights down low, and get comfortable as we bring you the tale of the Hatchet Man of Bloomington. 

Since the early 1990s, the Mount Zion Cemetery in Henryville, Indiana is thought to be haunted by the spirit of a murder victim. Turn the lights low, sit back, and get comfortable as we bring you the chilling tale of the murder of Daniel Guthrie, and his cries for help from beyond the grave. 

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe is by far, one of the most popular and well-known creepy stories of all time. The story depicts the tale of an unnamed narrator who murders an old man. The narrator attempts to prove his sanity while describing being haunted by the dead man's beating heart. So turn the lights low, sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy this creepy tale.

In the Irvington neighborhood of Indianapolis sits a home known as the Indianapolis Death House. In this episode, we explore the history of this house and its ties to H.H. Holmes, America's first serial killer.

The Water Ghost of Harroby Hall by John Kendrick Bangs was first published in 1894. It tells the story of an ancestral mansion haunted by a water ghost which appears only on Christmas Eve and how the owner of the mansion devises a plan to get rid of it.

Sightings of unidentified flying objects have been around for centuries. In today's episode, we discuss a few of the most popular UFO sightings in Indiana.

The Man of Science by Jerome K. Jerome  tells the story of a scientist who believes a skeleton recently bought is that of his old enemy and is haunting him. So turn the lights low, sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy this creepy tale.  

Since the 1930's a legend has persisted about a mysterious woman in black who haunts the town of Boonville, Indiana.  So sit back, relax, and get comfortable as we bring you the legend of Black Annie.

The Red-Haired Girl was written by Sabine Baring-Gould and was part of a collection called, A Book of Ghosts, that was published in 1904. We hope you enjoy it!

In this episode, we bring you a special monster edition from Churubusco, in Whitley County, Indiana. Sit back, relax, and get comfortable as we bring you the legend and history of one of the most well-known Hoosier cryptids, The Beast of Busco.  

In this episode, we share a chapter from our book Haunted Dearborn County, Indiana, which was released today and is available wherever you buy books and at www.arcadiapublishing.com.  We hope you enjoy Chapter 10 - The Aurora Public Library Hauntings.  

Today we bring you the history and lore of Indianapolis' own Hannah House. Built in 1858, this two-story brick mansion has been nicknamed “the house that reeks of death.”  

We're back with our third creepy story. "The Terror by Night" was written by E. F. Benson and was part of a collection, The Room in the Tower, and Other Stories, published in 1912.

In this episode, we bring you a tale about what we believe may be the best-known haunted house in the Wabash Valley, The Dewees-Preston-Smith House.  

We're back with our second creepy story. This one is a favorite of ours by author Mark Twain. This story is part of a collection of short stories in a book called “Sketches New and Old” published in 1875. A Ghost Story starts as a very spooky tale and in true Twain fashion it ends with a humorous twist.  We hope you will enjoy his satire as much as we do.  

We bring you a special sneak peek at a project we have been working on. Toward the end of the year, we will be starting a second podcast called Hoosier Casefile, where we will discuss True Crime from the state of Indiana.  On Saturday, July 2, 1966, three young women went missing from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter Indiana. What happened to Patricia Blough, Ann Miller, and Renee Bruhl? 57 years later, there are more questions than answers to this mystery that still plagues Northwest Indiana. 

Today we bring you the first episode of "Creepy Stories," a new feature of our podcast. In between our regular episodes, we are going to share short stories from the public domain that we find creepy. So sit back, relax, and get prepared for our very first tale, "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs.  

In September of 1891, a strange creature was seen in the skies above the town of Crawfordsville, Indiana. Today we bring you another story about a Hoosier cryptid, the Crawfordsville Monster.

In today's episode, we bring you the mysterious tale of the ghost lady in black of I-74.

In this episode, we discuss the bone-chilling history behind the legendary curse of Captain McHarry's Vault.

In today's episode, we bring you some legends about haunted schools in Indiana. 

In today's episode, we bring you a few hitchhiking stories from all over the Hoosier state. These are sure to spook you the next time you find yourself driving alone on a dark night.  

In this episode, we share the last 5 of 10 haunted places in Indianapolis that we find fascinating. Some of these you may not be familiar with. So sit back and relax. If you are feeling brave, we have a lot of tales to share with you.

In this episode, we share the first 5 of 10 haunted places in Indianapolis that we find fascinating. Some of these you may not be familiar with. So sit back and relax. If you are feeling brave, we have a lot of tales to share with you.

Located in Rochester, Indiana is Lake Manitou. This mysterious lake and the surrounding area are supposedly cursed by a monster that holds supernatural powers. Settlers to the area hearing the legends in the 19th century called it “Devils Lake.”  In this episode, we tell you about the legend of the Lake Manitou Monster.  

Today's episode talks about tales of Hoosier premonitions, supernatural powers, and omens.

Today we are taking a trip back in time and revisiting our very first episode - The Cline Ave. Ghost. Listen carefully for an exciting announcement. Thank you to all of our supporters. We wouldn't be here without you. 

In today's episode, we are going to talk about two of the most haunted cemeteries in all of Indiana - The 100 Steps Cemetery in Clay County and Stepp Cemetery located in the Morgan Monroe State Forest.

In this episode, we discuss some popular legends about hellhounds in Indiana.  

In today's episode, we discuss the famous estate of Skiles Edward Test. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this house was full of mysteries. Did Mr. Test really keep his deceased wife in a glass coffin? Why was the home referred to as the House of Blue Lights?