We’re kicking off a massive three-part deep dive into one of the most infamous figures in true crime history—H.H. Holmes. But before we get lost in the halls of his so-called “Murder Castle,” we’re easing into things with a look at the world he was born into. What was America like in the late 1800s? How did young Herman Webster Mudgett become the man we now know as H.H. Holmes? In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of history, setting the stage for the horrors to come.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore his move to Chicago and the construction of his twisted masterpiece, and Part 3, where we finally dig into his grisly crimes. Buckle up, folks—this one’s going to be a wild ride.