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!

Wicked Strange New England 09/04/2025

Wicked Strange New England In Episode 412 Ray Auger sits down to chat with Jeff Belanger and photographer Frank Grace about their brand-new book, Wicked Strange: Your Guide to Ghosts, Monsters, Oddities, and Urban Legends from New England. Filled with over 100 stories from the six New England states the book features Frank’s full color photos and many of the stories you love from the New England Legends podcast. The book is out now wherever books and ebooks are sold! See more here: Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: Buy the book online: Amazon: Books-a-Million: Barnes & Noble: Bookshop.org: Amazon Canada: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/38084635

FtV – Goody Hallett: the Witch of Wellfleet 09/01/2025

FtV – Goody Hallett: the Witch of Wellfleet Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 130 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger walk the beaches of Wellfleet on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in search of the ghost of Goody Hallett. In 1717, the pirate ship Whydah sank in a rough storm off the coast of Wellfleet. Some say the ship was sunk as a result of a curse aimed toward the captain, Black Sam Bellamy, by the Witch Goody Hallett. This episode first aired March 26, 2020 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37983025

The Giant Pumpkin Regatta 08/28/2025

The Giant Pumpkin Regatta In Episode 411 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger travel to Goffstown, New Hampshire, to witness the Giant Pumpkin Regatta boat race on the Piscataquog River. Now in its 25th year, this hilarious fall festival has become legendary. We travel back in time to witness the beginning. 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/37982535

FtV – Lincoln’s Heartbreak House 08/25/2025

FtV – Lincoln’s Heartbreak House Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 129 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger stroll up to Hearthside House in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Though many call this 1814 mansion the “house that love built,” it also has another nickname: Heartbreak House. After winning the lottery in 1810, Quaker Stephen Smith built this mansion for a girl he loved. The only problem? She didn’t want to live here. This episode first aired March 19, 2020 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37902685

The Old Crone of the Quequechan 08/21/2025

The Old Crone of the Quequechan In Episode 410 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger explore the hills above the Quequechan in Fall River, Massachusetts, searching for a location that was once home to a dilapidated hut and a witchy woman who frightened the region’s mill workers in the mid-19th century. From strange lights and sounds emanating from the shack, to an old crone who threatened those who wanted to do her harm, this legend is creepy. 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/37902355

FtV – When Winter Kills 08/18/2025

FtV – When Winter Kills Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 128 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger face a brutal winter snow storm in Peacham, Vermont, in search of a story from March of 1869 when a blizzard took the lives of three wayward travelers: Esther Emmons, her daughter Mary David, and her grandson Willie. Three travelers whose lives could have been spared if a stranger would have offered some shelter. The lack of human decency in an emergency has haunted the small town of Peacham ever since. This episode first aired February 27, 2020 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37815460

The Ghost Town of Ricker Basin 08/14/2025

The Ghost Town of Ricker Basin In Episode 409 Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger explore the ruins of Ricker Basin, a Waterbury, Vermont, ghost town that survived just over a century before a massive 1927 storm ravaged the region, killing over 50 people and leaving behind a village that was no longer viable. Today the cellar holes, cemetery, and a dilapidated structure is all that stands as a testament that someone was once here. 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/37815045

FtV - Where Shute Fell 08/11/2025

FtV - Where Shute Fell Welcome to New England Legends From the Vault – FtV Episode 126 – Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger row out to Great Island on Spot Pond in Stoneham, Massachusetts, in search of a headstone that reads three words: Where Shute Fell. We know it’s been here since at least 1884, but who was Shute? What does the stone mean? The theories are wild, but not as crazy as the truth! This episode first aired February 13, 2020 Listen ad-free plus get early access and bonus episodes at: /episode/index/show/newenglandlegends/id/37718235

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

New England Legends

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