Hometown History
Forgotten stories from America's small towns.
Hosted by Shane Waters
About Hometown History
Discover forgotten stories from small-town America that never made it into history books. Hometown History is the podcast uncovering hidden American history—overlooked events, local mysteries, and untold tragedies from communities across the nation. Every week, meticulous research brings pre-2000 small-town stories to life in 20-minute episodes. From forgotten disasters to local legends, hidden chapters to pivotal moments, each episode explores a different town's overlooked history. Perfect for history enthusiasts seeking forgotten American stories, small-town history, and local history that shaped our nation. Respectful storytelling meets educational depth—history podcast content for curious minds who want to learn about America's hidden past without hour-long episodes.
What Listeners Are Saying
“Shane brings forgotten American stories back to life. Every episode teaches me something new.”
SmallTownLover · Apple Podcasts
“Perfect for long drives. The storytelling is warm, engaging, and deeply researched.”
RetiredTeacher62 · Apple Podcasts
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Recent Episodes
Hometown History
Globe, Arizona: The Curse of Room 18—Two Miners, One Deadly Room
Hometown History
Taos, New Mexico: The Headless Body in the Fortress Mansion
Hometown History
East Montpelier, Vermont: The 14-Hour Marriage That Ended in Murder
Hometown History
Turtle Lake, North Dakota: The Wolf Family Murders of 1920
Hometown History
Boise City, Oklahoma: The Night America Bombed Its Own Town
Hometown History
Opelousas, Louisiana: The Boy Two Mothers Claimed—A 92-Year DNA Mystery
Hometown History
Opelousas, Louisiana: The Boy Two Mothers Claimed—A 92-Year DNA Mystery
Hometown History
Edgefield, South Carolina: The Devil's Bargain Murder Trial of 1850
Hometown History
Hagerstown, Indiana: The Blind Engineer Who Invented Cruise Control
Hometown History
Gay Head, Massachusetts: 103 Souls Lost Half a Mile from Shore
Hometown History
Gauley Bridge, West Virginia: America's Deadliest Industrial Cover-Up
Hometown History
Wheeling, West Virginia: When Steel Workers Became Radio Stars
Showing 12 of 190 episodes
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Meet the Host
Shane Waters
Founder & Host
Investigative crime journalist who pioneered crime podcasting in 2008. Shane brings nearly two decades of storytelling experience and a deep commitment to giving victims' stories the rigor and respect they deserve.
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