🏰 The Castle on theHill: Inside Eugene’s Shelton McMurphey Johnson House

Perched above downtown Eugene, Oregon, the Shelton McMurpheyJohnson House has watched the city change for nearly 140 years. But behind thedoors of Eugene’s iconic green Victorian mansion are stories of arson,family weddings, two devastating fires, eccentric residents, hidden history—andeven a few ghost stories. 👻

This week on The Cozy Hollow, we step inside thehistoric “Castle on the Hill” after visiting it ourselves and explore thefascinating lives of the Shelton, McMurphey, and Johnson families.

We’re talking about the disgruntled worker who reportedly burnedthe original house down, the family who once owned Skinner Butte,children sleeping on a porch during chilly Oregon winters with hot bricks attheir feet, a doctor who had to cut his way out of the turret, thesurprising connection to Ya-Po-Ah Terrace, and how this remarkable homesurvived to become one of Eugene’s most recognizable historic landmarks.

And, of course, we have to ask…

Is the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House haunted? 👀

Come wander through the rooms with us as we mix Oregonhistory, local legends, Victorian life, and our own experience exploring thehouse.

🌲 Grab something cozy andjoin us for another Oregon adventure inside The Cozy Hollow.

Listener question: Have you ever visited the SheltonMcMurphey Johnson House—or experienced something unexplained in a historichome?

Current Cozy Hollow book club book:

⁠Salty⁠by Kate Meyers

Kathryn Gau’s ⁠Originalsongs⁠ - including Come On Down to the Cozy Hollow

Kathryn Gau ⁠YouTube⁠Channel

🏰 The Castle on the Hill: Inside Eugene’s Shelton McMurphey Johnson House

Perched above downtown Eugene, Oregon, the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House has watched the city change for nearly 140 years. But behind the doors of Eugene’s iconic green Victorian mansion are stories of arson, family weddings, two devastating fires, eccentric residents, hidden history—and even a few ghost stories. 👻

This week on The Cozy Hollow, we step inside the historic “Castle on the Hill” after visiting it ourselves and explore the fascinating lives of the Shelton, McMurphey, and Johnson families.

We’re talking about the disgruntled worker who reportedly burned the original house down, the family who once owned Skinner Butte, children sleeping on a porch during chilly Oregon winters with hot bricks at their feet, a doctor who had to cut his way out of the turret, the surprising connection to Ya-Po-Ah Terrace, and how this remarkable home survived to become one of Eugene’s most recognizable historic landmarks.

And, of course, we have to ask…

Is the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House haunted? 👀

Come wander through the rooms with us as we mix Oregon history, local legends, Victorian life, and our own experience exploring the house.

🌲 Grab something cozy and join us for another Oregon adventure inside The Cozy Hollow.

Listener question: Have you ever visited the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House—or experienced something unexplained in a historic home?

Current Cozy Hollow book club book:

Salty by Kate Meyers

Kathryn Gau’s Original songs - including Come On Down to the Cozy Hollow

Kathryn Gau YouTube Channel

There’s just something about back-to-school season—the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, a brand-new box of crayons, picking out the perfect first-day outfit, and wondering if your best friend will be in your class.

This week on The Cozy Hollow, we’re heading back to school and taking a nostalgic trip through the decades! 🎒📚

From metal lunchboxes and mimeograph worksheets of the ’70s to Trapper Keepers and Care Bears in the ’80s, Lisa Frank and gel pens in the ’90s, and Chromebooks, Stanley cups, and Google Classroom today, we’re looking at how the back-to-school experience has changed—and the things that somehow still feel exactly the same.

We’re talking school supply shopping, first-day jitters, childhood fashion, packed lunches, technology, pop culture, and some of our own favorite school memories along the way.

Whether your school days included a metal lunchbox, a Trapper Keeper, a Lisa Frank folder, or a Chromebook, come get cozy with us for a little trip back to the classroom. 🍎✏️

We want to hear from you: What decade did you go to school, and what was the one back-to-school item you absolutely HAD to have?

Current Cozy Hollow book club book :

Salty by Kate Meyers

Kathryn Gau’s Original songs - including Come On Down to the Cozy Hollow

Kathryn Gau YouTube Channel

Step into the magic of Oregon as we explore some of the state’s most enchanting festivals. From the whimsical forests of the Oregon Country Fair to the unforgettable performances of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the cozy autumn charm of St. Helens’ famous Halloween Town, we’re wandering through the celebrations that make Oregon so unique.

Along the way, we also visit beloved traditions like the Portland Rose Festival, Pickathon, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, the Britt Festival, the Lebanon Strawberry Festival, Astoria’s movie celebrations, Cannon Beach’s Sandcastle Contest, and even Oregon’s unforgettable World Naked Bike Ride.

Whether you’re planning an Oregon road trip, looking for family-friendly adventures, or simply love cozy travel, local history, and hidden gems, this episode is filled with inspiration for your next Pacific Northwest adventure.

Grab your favorite warm drink, settle in, and wander Oregon with us.

✨ In this episode:

• ​The Oregon Country Fair
• ​Oregon Shakespeare Festival
• ​St. Helens Halloween Town
• ​Portland Rose Festival
• ​Lebanon Strawberry Festival
• ​Astoria celebrations
• ​Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest & Corgi Festival
• ​Plus more Oregon favorites!

Current Cozy Hollow book club book :

A Steep Price to Pay by B.I. Skinner

Kathryn Gau’s Original songs - including Come On Down to the Cozy Hollow

Kathryn Gau YouTube Channel

🌊 Summer Adventure Series – Heceta Head Lighthouse: Beauty, History & a Few Ghost Stories

What do a lonely lighthouse, a mysterious woman in a mirror, unexplained footsteps, and one of Oregon's most breathtaking coastal views have in common?

In this episode of The Cozy Hollow, we're heading to the iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. Join us as we explore the fascinating history of one of America's most photographed lighthouses, the charming keeper's house turned bed & breakfast, and the legends that have made it one of the state's most talked-about haunted destinations.

From stories tucked inside the guest notebook to our own overnight stay in the famous Victoria Room, we share the mystery, the laughter, and the moments that left us wondering if every old house has a story to tell.

Whether you're a history lover, a believer in the paranormal, or simply dreaming of your next Oregon Coast adventure, settle in for a cozy conversation filled with fascinating facts, local legends, and a touch of the unexplained.

✨ Grab your favorite warm drink, and let's explore Heceta Head together.

Current Cozy Hollow book club book :

A Steep Price to Pay by B.I. Skinner

Kathryn Gau’s Original songs - including Come On Down to the Cozy Hollow

Kathryn Gau YouTube Channel

What makes county fairs so magical? Is it the smell of kettle corn, the bright lights of the midway, the prize-winning animals, or the memories we make with family and friends?

In this episode of The Cozy Hollow, we’re taking a nostalgic stroll through one of summer’s most beloved traditions. We explore the fascinating history of county fairs—from their agricultural beginnings to the colorful carnivals we know today. Along the way, we uncover quirky traditions like butter cows, the origins of the midway, surprising World’s Fair oddities, and the stories behind the stereotypes that have followed traveling carnivals for generations.

Whether you’re a fair enthusiast or just love a good dose of summer nostalgia, grab your favorite fair treat and join us for an episode filled with history, laughter, fun facts, and cozy conversation.

🎡 In this episode:

* The surprising origins of county fairs

* The tradition of butter cows

* World’s Fair inventions and oddities

* The mystery and myths surrounding traveling carnivals

* Our favorite fair memories and traditions

Because sometimes the best summer memories are found under the glow of the Ferris wheel. 🌽🍿✨

Our Summer Adventure Series follows us as we explore unique destinations, local legends, and hidden gems—one adventure per episode.

Could an old bookstore on the Oregon Coast really have been home to a portal to the lost continent of Lemuria?

In this episode of The Cozy Hollow, we take you on a real-life summer adventure through Lincoln City, Oregon, following one of the area’s strangest local legends. It all begins with a decades-old story from the original Bob’s Beach Books, where a mysterious couple allegedly asked about a portal to Lemuria—a mythical lost civilization said by some to be connected to the Pacific Ocean, Mount Shasta, and even the Oregon Coast.

We visit the original bookstore location, explore the current Bob’s Beach Books, wander the winding shelves of Robert’s Bookshop, and dive into the fascinating history behind the Lemuria legend. Along the way, we separate fact from folklore, laugh at some of the stranger myths, and soak in the magical atmosphere that makes the Oregon Coast feel like the perfect setting for a mystery.

Whether you love bookstores, local legends, paranormal stories, Pacific Northwest folklore, or simply enjoy cozy conversations, grab your favorite drink and join us for an unforgettable adventure.

Current Cozy Hollow book club book :

A Steep Price to Pay by B.I. Skinner

Kathryn Gau’s Original songs - including Come On Down to the Cozy Hollow

Kathryn Gau YouTube Channel

Summer has a way of slipping by before we know it. One minute we’re making plans, and the next it’s September, wondering where the season went.

In this episode of The Cozy Hollow, we’re creating a summer bucket list that’s all about slowing down, making memories, and finding joy in the little moments. Instead of chasing a picture-perfect summer, we’re sharing simple ideas that help you savor the season—whether that’s berry picking, reading on the porch, taking an evening walk, or enjoying dinner outside with the people you love.

We’ll also share what’s on our own summer bucket lists, favorite summertime traditions, and ways to make ordinary days feel a little more magical.

So pour yourself a glass of lemonade, settle into your favorite chair, and join us for a cozy conversation about making this your most meaningful summer yet.

🍓 In this episode:

* Why summer always seems to go by too fast

* Creating a realistic (and fun!) summer bucket list

* Simple ways to romanticize everyday life

* Our favorite summer traditions and activities

* Easy ideas for making lasting memories with family and friends

Cozy Step Out: Choose one simple summer adventure this week and share it with us!

Current Cozy Hollow book club book :

A Steep Price to Pay by B.I. Skinner

Kathryn Gau’s Original songs - including Come On Down to the Cozy Hollow

Kathryn Gau YouTube Channel

What makes humans LOVE being scared? In this cozy and spooky episode of The Cozy Hollow Podcast, Molly and Kathy dive into the strange thrill of fear — from haunted houses and scary movies to childhood fears, jump scares, creepy legends, and the science behind why our brains actually enjoy a good scare.

Why do we peek through our fingers during horror movies? Why are scary stories so bonding? And why does every person suddenly become a warrior armed with a laundry basket when they hear a strange noise at night?

Join us as we explore fear, curiosity, nostalgia, funny phobias, childhood imagination, and the surprisingly human need to “peek into the dark.”

So grab a cozy blanket, turn on a lamp… and maybe don’t say Bloody Mary three times.

In this cozy and funny episode of The Cozy Hollow Podcast, we start by talking about the beautiful and dreamlike book The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop before diving into one of life’s funniest shared experiences: thinking you saw a celebrity in public.

From mistaken celebrity sightings at grocery stores to moments where someone thought you looked famous, we explore why our brains are constantly searching for familiar faces. Why do humans crave fame and recognition so deeply? Why does seeing someone recognizable feel oddly comforting?

We also talk about the deeper psychology behind celebrity culture — how public figures become symbols for traits we admire. Beyoncé can represent power, Dolly Parton warmth, Keanu Reeves kindness, and Zendaya effortless cool. Sometimes we don’t really know celebrities at all — we connect with what they symbolize to us.

Together we unpack the ancient human desire to be seen, valued, remembered, and chosen. Maybe fame feels magical because, deep down, we all want connection and belonging.

This episode is thoughtful, playful, cozy, and full of funny stories, psychology, and late-night-style reflections about fame, identity, and the people we think we recognize everywhere.