The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Explore the rich history of Locke, California, a remarkable town founded by Chinese immigrants after a devastating fire in 1915. Discover how this unique community became a self-sustaining haven, showcasing the crucial role of Chinese labor in agriculture. Hear personal stories of early entrepreneurs and the vibrant culture during Locke's peak, featuring social clubs and entertainment. Learn about the challenges faced, from legal barriers to economic decline, and see how Locke's legacy remains relevant today as it transforms into a tourist destination.

Michelle Cassidy, the Places editor for Atlas Obscura, shares captivating insights about unique university traditions. She reveals the intriguing history of Gallaudet University's rat funeral, a whimsical rite of passage for first-year students. Transitioning to Cornell University, listeners discover the charm of its apple vending machine—a quirky tradition that connects students to local orchards and supports the Society of Horticulture. Both stories highlight the rich tapestry of college life and its delightful oddities.

Explore the unique bond between Indiana and basketball, where the sport is celebrated like a religion. Discover how it took root through early tournaments and iconic figures. Journey through the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, established in 1962, which showcases Hoosier pride. Visitors can engage with interactive exhibits, from shooting games to historical memorabilia. Experience the poignant atmosphere of the museum as it honors the community's rich basketball heritage.

Colin Dickey, a writer and cultural historian specializing in the paranormal, delves into the eerie legend of the Tommyknockers, mysterious beings linked to mining folklore. He reveals their origins in Cornish lore and discusses their evolution from helpful spirits to sinister figures over time. Colin also explores how these quaint trickster figures reflect cultural anxieties and the peculiar geological sounds that haunt the mines. Plus, learn how these tales transformed with the arrival of miners in the U.S. and continue to captivate visitors today.

Discover the intriguing legacy of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the founder of Czechoslovakia, as his final words were sealed for decades in a mysterious envelope. Explore the gripping journey of that envelope, transitioning from family hands to the National Archives. Unravel the enigma surrounding Jan Masaryk's suspicious death and the subsequent reopening of the investigation. Delve into public speculation about the letter's contents, which turned out to be both personal and politically charged, sparking conversations on secrecy and historical expectations.

Discover how a small Missouri town became the world's zither capital and the rise of its 'zither king.' Meet Tommy Temerson, a passionate musician whose family tradition inspired him. Learn about the zither's unique playing style, where melody, rhythm, and bass come together. Explore the origins of this instrument in southern Germany, and follow the incredible journey of Franz Schwarzer, who transformed furniture making into zither production. Despite its decline, the local zither community thrives, continuing to celebrate this unique musical legacy.

A girl and her father take a walk in the woods. This essay was written by Emily Lowe and edited by Tusshara Nalakumar Srilatha, and originally appeared in Off Assignment.Plus: Off Assignment is offering a writing course, called The Practice of Imagination. It begins November 4, and you can use code ATLAS20 for 20% off: https://www.offassignment.com/practice-of-imagination   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A small Texas town boasts America's only alien gravesite, sparked by a bizarre 1897 airship crash. Eyewitness reports describe a strange, disfigured pilot, capturing the imagination of UFO enthusiasts decades later. Investigative journalists uncovered lingering mysteries, including a stolen headstone and local resistance to alien hunters. Was the original story a hoax to revive the town's fortunes? Today, Aurora embraces its quirky legend, complete with memorials and kitschy alien-themed attractions.

Caitlin Doughty, a mortician and death historian, dives into the eerie world of the H.L. Hunley, the first combat submarine from the Civil War. She shares the fascinating story of its design and tragic fate, including the chilling details of its maiden voyage that resulted in multiple fatalities. As they discuss eerie archaeological discoveries, Caitlin reveals how she uncovered the Hunley while researching the Titanic. Listeners will be captivated by the strange, claustrophobic experiences of the crew and the mysteries surrounding the submarine's disappearance.

Explore the enigmatic life of Thomas Paine, the revolutionary thinker whose pamphlet, Common Sense, fueled American independence. Discover his remarkable rise and subsequent fall, leading to a pauper's grave and the bizarre grave robbing that scattered his remains globally. Delve into the controversy surrounding his writings, the public backlash for his critiques, and a skull that resurfaced in an Australian antiques market. Contemplate Paine's complex legacy and ongoing efforts to reunite his fragmented remains.