New England Legends

Twice each week, legend hunter, author, and historian Jeff Belanger and radio host Ray Auger explore the ghosts, monsters, aliens, folklore, history, roadside oddities, true crime, and legends of New England in this award-winning podcast. If you give us about twenty minutes, we’ll give you something strange to talk about today. The bizarre is closer than you think!

Climbing Regicide Trail to Judges Cave 08/07/2025

Climbing Regicide Trail to Judges Cave In Episode 408 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger hike up Regicide Trail to Judges Cave in the woods of New Haven, Connecticut. Back in 1661, two judges on the lam from the King of England, hid inside these small caves. William Goffe and his father-in-law Edward Whalley were found guilty of signing the death warrant of King Charles I. King Charles II took that personally. Today the cave is a unique landmark. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! Pre-order the new book by Jeff Belanger and photographer Frank Grace: Wicked Strange: Your Guide to Ghosts, Monsters, Oddities, and Urban Legends from New England - /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37716570

FtV - Dr. John Wilson’s Dark Secrets 08/04/2025

FtV - Dr. John Wilson’s Dark Secrets Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 126 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger go back to school when they search for the Round Schoolhouse in Brookline, Vermont. The school building was designed in 1821 by Dr. John Wilson who wanted the building round so he could look out the windows in all directions in case someone comes looking for him… because Dr. Wilson is a man with secrets. Dark secrets that he took almost to his grave. This episode first aired December 2, 2021 /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37620415

All Tomatoes are Poisonous in Rhode Island 07/31/2025

All Tomatoes are Poisonous in Rhode Island In Episode 407 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger travel to Newport, Rhode Island, to meet artist Michele Felice Cornè, the man who introduced the tomato to the diets of Newport in the early 1800s. Before Cornè, everyone knew the tomato was poisonous… right?! His former home still stands in town. We explore the story! See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! Pre-order the new book by Jeff Belanger and photographer Frank Grace: Wicked Strange: Your Guide to Ghosts, Monsters, Oddities, and Urban Legends from New England - /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37618980

FtV – The Haunting of Highgate Manor 07/28/2025

FtV – The Haunting of Highgate Manor Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 125 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger explore the haunting of Highgate Manor in Highgate, Vermont. Once the home of Dr. Henry Baxter, some believe the doctor performed strange experiments on his children sending them to an early grave. Later, the house was turned into an inn where notorious mobster Al Capone once stayed. Today the stately home sits empty, save for the ghosts and legends still lurking inside. This episode first aired September 2, 2021 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37531605

Shooting Up a Millinocket Haunt 07/24/2025

Shooting Up a Millinocket Haunt In Episode 406 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger investigate an old Central Street house in Millinocket, Maine, which was the seen of a literal ghost hunt back in 1907, complete with locals allegedly shooting up the room while searching for ghosts. What followed made the newspapers and started quite the paranormal buzz in town. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37531520

FtV – The Weather Prophet of Beartown Mountain 07/21/2025

FtV – The Weather Prophet of Beartown Mountain Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 124 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger explore the folk legend of Levi Beebe, the Weather Prophet of Beartown Mountain in Lee, Massachusetts, who predicted the devastating Blizzard of 1888 that claimed 400 lives in March of that year. How did he make this and his many other weather predictions? Listen to find out! This episode first aired January 25, 2018 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37440765

The Pine Tree Riot 07/17/2025

The Pine Tree Riot In Episode 405 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger head to Weare, New Hampshire, to witness the Pine Tree Riot of 1772. Though few have heard of it, this unique act of violent revolt in the woods of New Hampshire led to the Boston Tea Party and eventually the American Revolution. We explore how it all went down. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37439935

FtV – The Strange Legends of Mt. Moosilauke 07/14/2025

FtV – The Strange Legends of Mt. Moosilauke Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 123 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger hike the Appalachian Trail up to Mt. Moosilauke near Benton in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, in search of three hikers who went missing in a ravine long ago, and an immortal mad doctor who abducts the unsuspecting to perform ungodly experiments. This episode first aired May 27, 2021 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37359675

The Haunted and Cursed Ruins of Ashintully 07/10/2025

The Haunted and Cursed Ruins of Ashintully In Episode 404 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger explore the ruins of Ashintully, a former mansion in the Berkshire Mountains in the town of Tyringham, Massachusetts. Built in 1910, Ashintully was a massive home built by Robb Tytus, a wealthy archeologist and explorer who may have brought a curse back from his exploration of tombs and palaces in Egypt. A string of misfortune struck his family, and the home was said to be haunted. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37358950

FtV – The Lake Winnipesaukee Mystery Stone 07/07/2025

FtV – The Lake Winnipesaukee Mystery Stone Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 122 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger stroll the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, New Hampshire, searching for a mysterious stone unearthed back in 1872. This fist-sized, egg-shaped artifact has several images carved on it, including a face, corn, and other geometric shapes. It appears to be Native American in origin, but matches nothing seen by tribes local to this region. This rock raises so many questions that some have speculated it could be a Thunderstone–a rock forged in the sky by some deity and then dropped to the earth. The mystery stone has perplexed archaeologists ever since it was discovered. This episode first aired August 26, 2021 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37271750

Odziozo of Lake Champlain 07/03/2025

Odziozo of Lake Champlain In Episode 403 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger boat out near Shelburne Point on Lake Champlain in South Burlington, Vermont, to search for an ancient creature the Abenaki people called Odziozo, who was said to have created the lake, nearby hills, and river. Champ isn’t the only mysterious creature to dwell in this massive lake. The difference is there have been far more Odziozo sightings than Champ. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37271205

FtV – The Ghost Ship Dash of Casco Bay 06/30/2025

FtV – The Ghost Ship Dash of Casco Bay Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 121 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger sail out from Freeport, Maine, in search of the ghost ship Dash, a merchant brig and privateer made famous during the War of 1812. In January of 1815, Dash sailed into a storm and into legend when she vanished. But that wasn’t the last of her. They say for years to come the ghost ship Dash would sail into Casco Bay when some loved one from the lost crew was ready to pass on. This episode first aired November 12, 2020 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37161535

The Lost Pirate Treasure of Salmon Brook 06/26/2025

The Lost Pirate Treasure of Salmon Brook In Episode 402 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger explore the woods of East Granby, Connecticut, searching for the lost pirate treasure of Captain David Marteen. In the 1660s, Marteen sailed his ship up the Connecticut River, set up a small community, hid what would be over $300 million in treasure in today’s money, then vanished. Is the gold still out there? We have an idea of where to dig. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37160260

FtV - General Ethan Allen’s Missing Corpse 06/23/2025

FtV - General Ethan Allen’s Missing Corpse Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 120 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger stroll the grounds of Green Mount Cemetery in Burlington, Vermont, searching for the mortal remains of war hero General Ethan Allen. A 42-foot-tall monument to Allen stands as the tallest structure in the cemetery, however, his bones are NOT buried there. So where IS the body of Ethan Allen today? This episode first aired November 5, 2020 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37060395

The Nation’s Longest Running Food Truck 06/19/2025

The Nation’s Longest Running Food Truck In Episode 401 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger stumble up to Haven Bros. Diner in downtown Providence, Rhode Island to explore the storied history of not just Rhode Island’s, but the nation’s longest running food truck. This Providence icon has been rolling through town in one form or another since 1893. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37059840

FtV – A Haunted House in Portsmouth 06/16/2025

FtV – A Haunted House in Portsmouth Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 119 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger head to Union Street in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, to search for the long-lost location of a haunted farmhouse that made the newspapers back in 1887. Though it was reported to be haunted before a tragic event left a final scar, after a child was lost inside, the building rotted away to nothing except a spooky story almost lost to the ages. This episode first aired May 6, 2021 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36969925

The Ghost Dog of Great Wass Island 06/12/2025

The Ghost Dog of Great Wass Island In Episode 400 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger sail off the coast of Great Wass Island, Maine, searching for a ghostly dog who barks and howls warnings at passing ships. This dog was said to be the lone survivor of a tragic shipwreck in the mid-1800s. But this was not the first, nor the last ship to founder in these dangerous waters. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36968880

FtV - The Wreck of the Royal Tar 06/09/2025

FtV - The Wreck of the Royal Tar Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 118 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger stroll the beaches of Maine’s Vinalhaven Island in Penobscot Bay reminiscing about the circus, and exploring the history and wreck of the Royal Tar—one of New England’s worst maritime disasters. In October of 1836, 32 people perished along with a menagerie of animals from the Burgess and Dexter’s Zoological Institute in an event that still haunts the coast of Maine. Joining us for After the Legend is author Jane Parks Gardner, who just released her latest book, The Wreck of the Circus Ship Royal Tar: Tragedy in Penobscot Bay. This episode first aired May 28, 2020. Check out the new book by Jane Parks Gardner, The Wreck of the Circus Ship Royal Tar: Tragedy in Penobscot Bay. Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36861125

America’s First Professional Magician 06/05/2025

America’s First Professional Magician In Episode 399 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger visit Potter Place in Andover, New Hampshire, to see the final resting place of America’s first professional magician. Richard Potter died in 1835, but not before he grew rich and famous from his magic act. He sold out shows in both the north and south, which was all the more impressive considering he was also a Black man. For his final trick… Potter isn’t buried where he was originally placed in the ground. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36860450

FtV - The Demon Vampire of Manchester 06/02/2025

FtV - The Demon Vampire of Manchester Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 117 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger lurk the streets of downtown Manchester, Vermont, searching for a demon vampire. In 1793, the body of Consumption victim Rachel Harris Burton was exhumed after three years in the ground. Her vital organs were cut from her chest and burned in a nearby forge. Those ashes were then fed to Isaac Burton’s second wife, Hulda, in an effort to break the vampire’s spell. When there’s a plague, monsters are never far behind. This episode first aired March 11, 2021 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36769630

The Great Wall of Spite 05/29/2025

The Great Wall of Spite In Episode 398 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger stroll past the Spite Wall in Westminster, Massachusetts. Constructed in 1852 by Edmund Proctor, the giant colonial wall was made to block the view from Proctor’s neighbor, Farwell Morse, a religious zealot who didn’t approve of his neighbor working on the sabbath day. The wall still stands today as a testament to spite. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36767640

FtV - The Haunted Hartness House 05/26/2025

FtV - The Haunted Hartness House Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 116 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger explore the haunted Hartness House Inn in Springfield, Vermont. Built in 1904 by inventor, captain of industry, and one-time Vermont governor, James Hartness, this mansion holds many mysteries. From secret underground tunnels, to objects moving in the guest rooms, to a ghostly presence roaming the tunnels and halls of the old stately house, it’s no wonder this house is haunted. This episode first aired January 13, 2022 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36673270

Dr. Bull’s Giant Space Cannon 05/22/2025

Dr. Bull’s Giant Space Cannon In Episode 397 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger explore the woods of North Jay, Vermont, searching for the ruins of Space Research Corporation. In the 1970s and 80s, Dr. Gerald Bull was attempting to build a cannon that could launch satellites into space much cheaper and more efficiently than rockets. The only problem was his funding came from various militaries who only saw the cannon’s use as a weapon. Once international dictators got involved… things turned deadly. Today we’re left wondering what could have been. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36668605

FtV – The Deerfield Booms 05/19/2025

FtV – The Deerfield Booms Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 115 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger head to Deerfield, New Hampshire, in search of a 175-year-old mystery thundering from below ground. Between 1834 and 1846, a series of explosions emanating from below ground were reported in the southern part of town. The sounds were as loud as cannon fire, and the concussion could knock over a stone wall. The only problem is no source was ever found, and earthquakes don’t behave this way. The events made the local papers for years. Scared locals pleaded with the scientific community for answers, but none could be found. Some speculate it could be secret underground mines, trolls, or even an underground UFO base. This episode first aired March 4, 2021 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36579375

The Haunting of Hell Hollow 05/15/2025

The Haunting of Hell Hollow In Episode 396 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger drive down Hell Hollow Road in Voluntown, Connecticut, searching for the Witch of Hell Hollow and a solitary grave deep in the woods. There’s talk of disembodied shrieks in the woods, plus a curse from Little Maude who died in 1886. How did it happen? We talk to a direct decedent of Maude to get the answers. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36577120

FtV - The Curse of Brunswick Springs 05/12/2025

FtV - The Curse of Brunswick Springs Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 114 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger visit the cursed Brunswick Springs in northeastern Vermont in search of the ghosts of the Abenaki Indians who protect this land from all who try to exploit it. For centuries, these springs were considered sacred, until Europeans came here to try and sell the medicinal water. The history of this land is full of fights, fires, death, and now a curse. This episode first aired February 22, 2018 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36485315

Hunting a Two-Ton Monster in Rhode Island 05/08/2025

Hunting a Two-Ton Monster in Rhode Island In Episode 395 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger drive down I-95 just south of Providence, Rhode Island, searching for a huge monster who lurks near the highway. This giant creature has been stalking the region for 45 years now. Have you seen it? See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36483535

FtV - The Pitcher Man of Goose River Bridge 05/05/2025

FtV - The Pitcher Man of Goose River Bridge Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 113 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger travel to Rockport, Maine, to explore the haunting of the Goose River Bridge. The ghost of William Richardson is said to offer passers by a sip of ale from his pitchers. If you believe the stories, he’s been out there celebrating for over 200 years. This episode first aired October 24, 2019 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36386435

America’s First Documented Haunting 05/01/2025

America’s First Documented Haunting In Episode 394 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger head to Sullivan, Maine, to explore the sad and tragic tale of Nelly Butler. She died young in 1797… but less than three years later her spirit returned in the basement of Captain Abner Blaisdell with a mysterious mission. Dozens of people witnessed the haunted over the span of eight months. Their testimony was captured by a preacher eager to share the miracle with others. See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Check out Jeff's new underground publication Shadow Zine! Listen to Ray's Local Raydio! /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36386285

FtV - The Nuclear Secrets of Vampire House 04/28/2025

FtV - The Nuclear Secrets of Vampire House Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 112 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger stroll through the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone, Maine, in search of the Vampire House, a Cold War relic leftover from the time when nuclear weapons were stored here at Loring Air Force Base. The Vamp House is a building with secrets: there’s legends of an accident that may have left monsters trapped inside. On this adventure we bring along a former military police officer who was there in the 1980s. It turns out with this legend, when there’s smoke, there’s also fire. This episode first aired August 20, 2020 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/36294170

New England Legends

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