In this episode, we dive into the complex and surprisingly dramatic origins of Central Park. We're exploring the lesser-known figures who lobbied for the park, especially Robert Bowne Minturn, and how his family’s wealth, travels, and social circles helped ignite the dream of a "Grand Park" in New York City. We also touch on the political, social, and economic climate of the time—and yes, there's even a detour into one of the most unfortunate names in history: Preserved Fish.

👉 Was Central Park almost built in a completely different place?

👉 Who was Senator James Beekman and what did he have to gain?

👉 How did rich landowners try to manipulate the system—and how did the courts stop them?

This episode dives deep into:

✅ The Jones Wood vs. Central Park location war

✅ Senator Beekman's shady land interests

✅ Why Mayor Ambrose Kingsland got involved

✅ The political scandal around general taxation vs. special assessments

✅ The court battles that stopped the park from being built on private land

✅ The first use of the name “Central Park” and how it finally became a reality

🧑‍💼 Key People & Families Mentioned:

• Robert Bowne Minturn: Shipping magnate, philanthropist, and key advocate for Central Park.

• Anna Mary Wendell Minturn: Possibly the real inspiration behind the park movement.

• William Minturn & Sarah Bowne: Robert’s parents. Sarah descends from John Bowne, a religious freedom pioneer.

• Preserved Fish: Merchant and early Wall Street figure, whose name sparked a hilarious musical tribute.

• Grinnell Family: Partners in Minturn’s shipping empire; Henry Grinnell was married to Robert’s sister.

• Hamilton Fish: Preserved Fish’s relative and an influential politician, named after Alexander Hamilton.

• Ambrose Kingsland: NYC mayor who formally proposed the creation of the park in 1851.

🪙 Class & Control:

• The Minturns and their peers viewed parks as cultural accomplishments and social tools.

• Philanthropy was conditional—relief was given with strings attached, and often came with judgment.

• The Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor aimed to "reform" the poor, not just help them.

🧭 Fun Facts & Sidebars:

• Preserved Fish (yes, that was his real name): Captain at 21, rich merchant, and part of Minturn's business lineage.

  • 🔗 Song Tribute by Ken Ficara — Note: Flash Player required, lyrics linked on our website.

  • 🎶 Favorite lyric: “Preserved Fish, did you ever wish… that your name didn’t bring to mind sardines?”

• John Bowne: Early advocate for religious liberty.

  • Shoutout to listeners in Queens! 💙

    • Check out: John Bowne High School, PS20, Bowne Street, Bowne Park

All of this leads to a darker chapter we'll explore in Part 2: the destruction of Seneca Village, a thriving Black and immigrant community removed for the sake of a "public good."

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part 2, where we reveal what happened to the people already living on Central Park’s land.

💬 Listener Notes:

• Love quirky history? Hit subscribe and leave a review!

• Do you have NYC history tidbits or weird facts? Send them in! You might be featured.

📲 FOLLOW US:

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Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website & sources: www.nydarksidepodcast.com

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

👍 Like this episode? Drop a comment below and tell us—should the park have gone to Jones Wood?

https://www.nydarksidepodcast.com/episodes-6-10/episode-6-9-dark-history-of-central-park/episode-6-transcript

The complete resource list can be found at https://www.nydarksidepodcast.com/episode-6-9-dark-history-of-central-park

The intro theme for this podcast are sections of Nightmare Machine by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

New York's Dark Side is a newer podcast covering dark history, true crime, paranormal activity, and other content from all around New York State. It's currently available in audio only format but I am working to also bring a video version to the show. This is the trailer for the video version, where I talk about the first five episodes that are already published on multiple platforms.

🔎 Episode Summary:

In this captivating deep dive, Amanda unravels one of New York’s most infamous unsolved mysteries — the 1930 disappearance of Judge Joseph Force Crater. What began as a routine day in Manhattan turned into one of the most baffling vanishing acts in U.S. history, sending shockwaves through political circles, law enforcement, and the media for decades.

From suspicious political dealings, potential mob ties, and secret vaults to bizarre sightings as far away as Nova Scotia and California, Amanda walks us through the tangled web of conspiracies and cover-ups surrounding Crater's case. And yes — we talk about Stella: his enigmatic wife whose actions raised as many questions as the disappearance itself.

🕵️‍♀️ In This Episode:

• The connection between Crater’s disappearance and George F. Ewald, a former city magistrate accused of paying $10,000 for his position.

• Investigators search the Craters’ summer home in Belgrade Lakes, Maine, and run into odd resistance from Stella Crater.

• Reports of Crater fleeing to Nova Scotia, allegedly telling a clerk he’d bought a home “far away from telegraph and telephone.”

• The 1930 grand jury investigation yields scandalous testimony but few answers — and Stella’s refusal to testifyraises suspicions.

• A web of theories involving:

• Showgirl June Brice and a possible blackmail scheme

• Mobster connections to Frank Costello, Legs Diamond, and Arnold Rothstein

• Crater’s ties to Vivian Gordon, a murdered NYC prostitute

• Fleeing to avoid prosecution or dying in a brothel

• The 1931 discovery of hidden life insurance policies and a goodbye letter signed “Am very weary, love, Joe.”

• A 2005 bombshell letter discovered by Stella Ferrucci-Good claims Crater was murdered and buried under the site of the current New York Aquarium.

• Cultural impact and Crater’s continued presence in pop culture — from Golden Girls and Star Trek to Stephen King and CSI: NY.

• Amanda reflects on the romantic and tragic elements of the case and why it continues to haunt the American imagination.

💬 Notable Quotes:

“Good luck, Joe, wherever you are.” – Stella Crater, every April 6th, at a Greenwich Village bar

“That’s why I don’t understand... why isn’t she letting them into the vaults? They’re trying to find your husband!” – Amanda

🎧 About the Podcast:

New York’s Dark Side explores the lesser-known and darker corners of New York’s history — from mysterious disappearances and unsolved murders to political intrigue and urban legends. Hosted by Amanda, a curious mind drawn to the shadows of the city that never sleeps.

⭐ If you enjoyed this episode:

• Leave a review or rating — it helps more curious minds find us!

• Share with a friend who loves history, mystery, and New York lore.

• Stay curious… and don’t go pulling a Crater.

Episode Transcript⁠⁠

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📚 Sources & Further Reading: For all episode sources and additional information about this case, please check out our episode page following this⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINK⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Don't forget you can also follow the show on the following Social Media Platforms

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Have feedback or want to get in contact with Amanda? Reach out via email at [email protected]

The intro and outdo theme for this podcast are sections of Nightmare Machine by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Episode Description: Welcome back to New York’s Dark Side for Part Two of our chilling deep dive into the Double Initial Murders of Rochester, NY. In this episode, Amanda delves into several major suspects tied to the still-unsolved murders of Carmen Colon, Wanda Walkowicz, and Michelle Maenza—three young girls from Rochester, NY, each with matching initials. The discussion includes known serial killers Kenneth Bianchi and Joseph Naso, as well as a shocking family connection to Carmen’s case. She also shares profiling insights and modern claims linked to the mystery.

🧠 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Early Suspect Leads:

• Witness composite sketches and multiple car sightings linked to Michelle Maenza's abduction.

• A promising lead involving a man with a light-colored car and buckled boots—details that echoed across cases.

• The Case of Dennis Termini:

• A city firefighter and serial rapist, Termini was suspected after a terrifying New Year’s Day incident in 1974.

• He died by suicide before he could be fully questioned.

• In 2007, DNA testing ruled him out as Wanda’s killer; DNA from Carmen and Michelle’s cases was no longer available.

• The Theodore Given Jr. Incident:

• In August 1974, two girls were abducted and assaulted in Lyons Park. Witness tips led to Given, who had ties to suspicious locations near the victims’ homes.

• Although charged and convicted, his confession was controversial and surrounded by claims of police brutality.

• He resembled the suspect sketch from Michelle Maenza’s case and was living near key crime scene locations at the time.

• The 1976 Murder of Michelle “Shelley” McMurray:

• Another young girl with double initials was murdered—this time abducted from her home.

• Although initially not linked to the previous murders, her killer, James Pressler, was finally identified through DNA in 2007.

• This case, however, remains separate from the original double initial cases.

⚖️ Key Takeaways:

• Several compelling suspects emerged, but none were definitively linked to the original three murders.

• Theories involving symbolism and psychological profiling offered chilling possibilities.

1. Kenneth Bianchi (The Hillside Strangler)

• Born: May 22, 1951

• Lived in Rochester: 1971–1973 (Dutch Town & Gates suburbs)

• Known for: 12 murders (1977–1979), including 10 with cousin Angelo Buono in Los Angeles, and 2 solo in Washington

• Connections to Rochester:

• Applied to Monroe County Sheriff's Office twice

• Worked as a security guard and ambulance driver locally

• First mentioned as a suspect in the Double Initial case in 1979

• Cleared from: Wanda Walkowicz’s murder via DNA

• Not ruled out: Carmen Colon’s case (drove a similar car to the one seen at the crime scene)

• Current status: Serving two life sentences in Walla Walla, Washington

2. Joseph Naso

• Born: January 7, 1934, in New York State

• Moved to California: 1969

• Criminal History:

• Multiple sexual assault charges in Monroe County (1958, 1960)

• Later charged with murder in California

• Victims: Included women with double initials

• Evidence Found: Over 10,000 items, bondage photos, and a handwritten list possibly tied to victims

• Ties to Rochester: Visited family often despite moving

• Cleared from Rochester cases: DNA did not match samples from Rochester murders

• Considered a possible copycat

3. Miguel Colon

• Relation: Uncle and stepfather to Carmen Colon

• Incident: In 1991, shot Carmen’s mother and uncle in a domestic dispute before killing himself

• Remains a suspect in Carmen’s case by some investigators

• Family maintains his innocence

Episode Transcript⁠⁠

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For all episode sources and additional information about this case, please check out our episode page following this⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINK⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

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The intro theme for this podcast is a section of Nightmare Machine by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

⚠️ Trigger Warning:

This episode contains sensitive content involving crimes against children, including sexual assault and murder. Listener discretion is advised.

In this chilling and emotional episode, Amanda delves into the unsolved series of crimes known as the Alphabet Murders or Double Initial Murders that occurred in Rochester, NY, in the early 1970s. This episode focuses on the Carmen Colon, a 10-year-old girl whose abduction and murder shook the community and remains unresolved to this day. Our focus turns to Wanda Walkowicz, an 11-year-old girl who tragically became the second known victim in the terrifying Alphabet Murders. Like Carmen before her, Wanda’s life was marked by hardship — and her death would send shockwaves through the community. To close out this emotional episode, we examine the heartbreaking case of Michelle Maenza, the third known victim of the infamous Alphabet Murders. Michelle was abducted in broad daylight — and this time, someone saw it happen. Despite witness accounts and physical evidence, the case remains unsolved more than 50 years later.

Amanda walks listeners through:

• The early life and complex family background of each victim

• Disturbing witness accounts from the days the girls went missing

• The heartbreaking discovery of their bodies and the initial investigation

• Suspicions surrounding Carmen’s uncle, Miguel Colon, and his eventual polygraph clearance

• Societal reflections on crowd apathy and the impact of unreported sightings

• Community response and tips that flooded in, including potential suspects

• The severe bullying Michelle endured at school and the events leading up to her disappearance

• Crime scene details, forensic evidence, and similarities to the earlier murders

• How investigators began linking the Alphabet Murders together

• A chilling witness interaction with the suspected killer

• Victim Name: Carmen Colon

• Age: 10

• Date Missing: November 16, 1971

• Body Found: November 18, 1971, near Churchville, NY

• Cause of Death: Strangulation; signs of sexual assault

• Status: Unsolved

• Name: Wanda Walkowicz

• Age: 11

• Date of Disappearance: April 2, 1973

• Location Last Seen: Hillside Delicatessen on Conkey Avenue, Rochester, NY

• Date Found: April 3, 1973

• Cause of Death: Strangulation

• Notable Evidence: White cat hairs (not from her home), semen, pubic hairs, custard in stomach

• Vehicle of Interest: Light-colored Dodge Dart seen near both her last known location and the dump site

• Name: Michelle Maenza

• Age: 10

• Date of Disappearance: November 26, 1973

• Date Found: November 28, 1973

• Location Found: Ditch off Eddy Road, Macedon, NY

• Cause of Death: Strangulation

• Notable Evidence:

• White cat hairs (also found on Carmen and Wanda)

• Semen sample

• Cheeseburger remains in stomach

• Partial fingerprints

• Missing coat found ½ mile away

• Witness sketch of the suspect

• Light-colored 1966 Chevy seen near the crime scene

• Police remained cautious about linking the murders but did interview known sex offenders, welfare workers, and school employees

• Despite efforts and public attention, the case remains unsolved

If you have any information about the Alphabet Murders or the cases of Carmen Colon, Wanda Walkowicz, or Michelle Maenza, please call: New York State Police Troop E Headquarters: 585-398-4100

Episode Transcript⁠⁠

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For all episode sources and additional information about this case, please check out our episode page following this⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINK⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Don't forget you can also follow the show on the following Social Media Platforms

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The intro theme for this podcast is a section of Nightmare Machine by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Willowbrook State School... a now abandoned institution in Staten Island, New York for persons with mental and physical disabilities that NYS opened in 1942. We'll talk about the tragic circumstances that residents at Willowbrook lived in- including some being subjected to confirmed human experimentation. Dr. Saul Krugman, a pediatrician and professor at New York University and Dr. Robert W. McCollum a virologist and epidemiologist at Yale School of Medicine performed studies at Willowbrook on the residents from 1956-1971, intentionally giving children hepatitis to try to work on a vaccination. This case help lead to the regulations around human experimentation that we have today. Dr. Michael Wilkins, a physician who worked at Willowbrook had been advocating to parents of residents within his wards to demand better care and conditions for the residents within. He was let go from his position and reached out to news journalist Geraldo Rivera and a print journalist Jane Kurtin. In February of 1972, Geraldo Rivera with help from Jane Kurtin, would release an expose on Willowbrook, titled “Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace”. We'll tie in the urban legend of Cropsey, an urban legend in the Staten Island area that was turned into a documentary film released by Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio, two Staten Island filmmakers. This will segue into the topic of the second episode, where we'll be discussing the connection to Andre Rand, a convicted sex offender and suspected serial killers, also known as the 'Pied Piper of Staten Island'. Andre Rand worked for a time at Willowbrook and lived on the grounds after the school closed.

Episode Transcript

All resources used for this episode are available on my website which you can find following this LINK.

Check out our Patreon Page!

Don't forget you can also follow the show on the following Social Media Platforms

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Have feedback or want to get in contact with Amanda? Reach out via email at [email protected]

The intro theme for this podcast is a section of Nightmare Machine by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Andre Rand, born Frank Rostum Rushan is a convicted sex offender and suspected serial killer that drifted around Staten Island. He was convicted of first the 1987 kidnapping of Jennifer Schweiger, and then in 2004 the 1981 kidnapping of Holly Anne Hughes. Staten Island filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio who both grew up in Staten Island with the urban legend of Cropsey- the urban legend of an escaped mental patient who lived in the abandoned tunnels and buildings of Willowbrook State School felt that the legend became real to them with Jennifer's disappearance. The documentary Cropsey covers the case of Andre Rand and his conviction in both cases, but leaves the viewer with more questions than answers. 

This episode covers not only the disappearance of Jennifer Schweiger and Holly Anne Hughes, but also other cases linked to Rand including Alice Periera, Tiahease Jackson, Hank Gafforio, Sylvia Alice Lwowski, Audrey Lyn Nerenburg, Shin Lee, Ethel Louise Atwell, and Brenda Cecilia Crowley. 

Episode Transcript⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Patreon Page!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For all episode sources and additional information about this case, please check out our episode page following this⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINK⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Don't forget you can also follow the show on the following Social Media Platforms

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠New York's Dark Side⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Have feedback or want to get in contact with Amanda? Reach out via email at [email protected]

Theme music for this podcast comes from a portion of: Nightmare Machine Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

I'm Amanda Morgan, the host of a new podcast called New York's Dark Side. This podcast will take you all around New York exploring dark history, true crime, paranormal activity, unsolved mysteries and more. Please join me as I explore some truly wild stories. The first episodes launch March 17, 2023 at midnight. Thanks for checking out my show and I hope you stay curious.