It’s History

It’s History

By Ryan SocashHistory
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It’s History episodes

  • Why This Castle Has 99 Towers (We Explored Them)

    Step back in time as we uncover the fascinating history of Morszna Castle, one of Poland’s most intriguing architectural wonders. Built-in the 17th century, this stunning fortress is known for its legendary 99 towers, each steeped in myth and lore. Once a stronghold for nobility, Morszna Castle has stood as a silent witness to centuries of political upheaval, royal intrigue, and cultural evolution.

    In this episode, we explore the castle’s origins, its role in Poland’s rich history, and the stories that have shaped its legacy. From its towering spires to its mysterious basement, every stone in Morszna Castle tells a tale. Join us as we dive into the legends, architectural brilliance, and historical significance of this remarkable landmark.
    If you’re a history enthusiast or simply love exploring hidden gems, this journey through Morszna Castle is one you won’t want to miss!

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    25 min
  • New York's Lost Admiral's Row | ABANDONED

    Admiral's Row, located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, was a historic row of 19th-century officers' homes built between 1864 and 1901 to house high-ranking naval personnel. These grand residences were emblematic of the Navy Yard's prominence during its peak as a vital hub of American shipbuilding and defense. However, with the Navy Yard's decommissioning in 1966, Admiral's Row fell into neglect, succumbing to decades of abandonment, structural decay, and overgrowth. The site became a symbol of urban blight, despite its historic significance and periodic efforts to preserve it. In 2016, most of the remaining buildings were demolished to make way for redevelopment, including a Wegmans supermarket and other commercial ventures, leaving behind only the timber shed and one house as relics of its storied past. The loss of Admiral's Row remains a poignant reminder of New York City's struggles to balance historic preservation with modern urban needs.

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    15 min
  • America’s Prison For The Rich and Famous Explained


    Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Butner, located in North Carolina, is often dubbed "America's prison for the rich and famous" due to its high-profile inmate roster and relatively accommodating conditions compared to other federal prisons. Part of the Butner Federal Correctional Complex, this medium-security facility houses individuals convicted of white-collar crimes, including financiers, celebrities, and public figures, alongside other offenders. Known for its extensive medical care facilities, including specialized treatment for aging and terminally ill inmates, FCI Butner has gained a reputation as a "country club" prison. However, critics argue that its humane conditions highlight disparities in how the U.S. justice system treats wealthy offenders compared to the broader prison population.

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    13 min
  • What Happened to Sears Catalog Houses?

    Sears Catalog Homes, sold between 1908 and 1940, were revolutionary in American homebuilding. These kit homes were ordered from the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog and shipped by train to buyers across the U.S., complete with pre-cut materials and instructions. Offering over 400 designs at affordable prices, they allowed middle-class families to achieve homeownership during a time of rapid urbanization and economic growth. However, the Great Depression and World War II eventually led to their decline, as Sears exited the home-building business. Today, these homes are nostalgic symbols of early 20th-century innovation, though many have deteriorated or disappeared over time.

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    20 min
  • Nevada's Pyramid Lake Problem Explained

    Pyramid Lake, located in Nevada and a key feature of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe's ancestral land, has been at the center of environmental and cultural challenges for decades. The lake, part of the Great Basin, relies on the Truckee River for its water supply, but upstream diversions to support agriculture and urban areas have dramatically reduced its water levels. Beginning in the early 20th century, the construction of the Derby Dam redirected much of the Truckee River's flow to nearby Lahontan Reservoir, leading to ecological imbalances. This caused a significant decline in the population of native species like the Lahontan cutthroat trout and cui-ui sucker fish, both critical to the Paiute Tribe's culture and subsistence. Legal battles over water rights have ensued for decades, with the tribe fighting to restore flows to the lake and protect its ecological health. Pyramid Lake's story highlights the broader challenges of balancing water use for agriculture, urban growth, and environmental preservation in the arid American West.

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    12 min
  • Why Canada Paid For America's Most Important Canal

    The St. Lawrence Seaway, often called one of North America’s greatest infrastructure achievements, was a joint venture between Canada and the United States completed in 1959. The waterway connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing large ships to bypass natural obstacles like rapids and waterfalls, including Niagara Falls. Despite its shared benefits, Canada paid for about 75% of the project, largely because political opposition in the U.S. delayed American funding. Many U.S. interest groups, such as railroads and port cities, feared the canal would hurt their businesses, leaving Canada to shoulder the bulk of the financial burden to push the project forward. The Seaway includes 15 locks and stretches over 2,300 miles, revolutionizing trade by creating a direct maritime route to the industrial heartland of both countries. Today, the St. Lawrence Seaway is a critical artery for global trade, cementing its role as one of the most significant engineering marvels of the 20th century.

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    16 min
  • New York's Lost Link to City Island

    The history of New York City’s lost City Island monorail is a fascinating chapter in urban planning that illustrates both ambition and failure. In the early 20th century, City Island—located in the Bronx—was a vibrant maritime community with limited transportation connections to the rest of New York. To address this, a bold plan was conceived in the early 1910s to link City Island to the mainland via a monorail. The project, officially called the *Pelham Park and City Island Railroad*, was envisioned as a cutting-edge transportation solution using elevated rail technology. The system was designed to stretch over the wetlands of Pelham Bay Park, reducing the need for more invasive infrastructure.
    Construction began in 1910, and by 1914, a prototype was operational. However, it was short-lived. The monorail faced significant technical issues, including mechanical failures and derailments. Public skepticism and political opposition grew, and with World War I diverting resources and attention, the project was abandoned. City Island residents continued to rely on other modes of transportation, such as streetcars and ferries. Today, the remnants of the monorail are long gone, but its story remains a curious reminder of New York’s ambitious—yet sometimes impractical—transportation experiments.

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    8 min
  • Electric Cars Were Huge in the 1900s… So What Went Wrong?

    The history of electric cars dates back to the early 19th century, well before the dominance of gasoline-powered vehicles. In the 1820s and 1830s, innovators in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States began experimenting with small-scale electric-powered carriages. By the late 19th century, electric vehicles (EVs) had become practical with the development of better batteries. Notably, in 1889, William Morrison built one of the first successful electric cars in the United States, capable of a top speed of 14 mph. By the early 1900s, electric cars were extremely popular, especially among urban elites, due to their quiet operation, lack of emissions, and ease of use compared to gasoline cars, which required hand cranking. In fact, around 1900, electric vehicles accounted for about a third of all vehicles on U.S. roads.
    However, the rise of mass production techniques, pioneered by Henry Ford with the Model T, made gasoline cars far more affordable, while improvements in internal combustion engines and the availability of cheap oil further marginalized electric vehicles. By the 1930s, electric cars had largely disappeared from the mainstream. It wasn’t until the late 20th and early 21st centuries, driven by concerns over climate change, pollution, and oil dependency, that EVs saw a major resurgence. Companies like Tesla revolutionized the modern electric car industry, while advancements in battery technology and government incentives have positioned EVs as a critical component of a sustainable future.

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    10 min
  • Abandoned Ghost Towns of the First State

    Delve into the hauntingly fascinating stories of Delaware's ghost towns, including the enigmatic Lana Del and the forgotten settlement on Cheese and Bread Island. Explore the remnants of these lost communities, their histories, and the mysteries that caused them to vanish. Discover what lies abandoned in America’s First State.

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    16 min
  • The Rise and Fall of Wabash Railroad

    The Wabash Railroad played a significant role in the expansion of America’s transportation network during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for its iconic routes and its importance in connecting the Midwest to key markets, the Wabash was a symbol of progress and innovation. However, financial struggles, shifting transportation trends, and competition led to its eventual decline and absorption into other railway systems. This video explores the fascinating history of the Wabash Railroad, from its inception and growth to the challenges that led to its demise. Join us as we uncover the story of one of America’s historic railroads.

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    18 min

About It’s History

From the publisher's feed

IT’S HISTORY is a ride through history – join us in discovering the world’s most important eras, the minds that changed everything, and the most important inventions of our time through weekly tales of Urban Decay.