TwistedPhilly

Episode 127 In 1892, architect Willis G. Hale began construction on a lavish apartment building on Broad Street in north Philadelphia. What began as a turn of the century residential multi family structure evolved over the last 120 years into something so much more – the Divine Lorraine. This is the story of that evolution, … Continue reading "The Divine Lorraine"

Episode 126 Ona Maria Judge – better known as Oney – was born into slavery in 1774 at a familiar location in Virginia: Mount Vernon. Oney’s mother Betty was brought to Mount Vernon after George Washington married Martha in 1759. Betty, and her descendants, were considered the “property” of Martha Washington’s first husband, Daniel Custis, … Continue reading "The Story of Oney Judge"

Episode 102 On Friday night, November 11, 1994, 16 year old Eddie Polec and his younger brother Billy planned on spending a typical evening with their friends in the Fox Chase neighborhood in Philadelphia; hanging out at a local park, hopping between the nearby McDonald’s and Pizza hut, and getting home in time for their … Continue reading "Little Eddie Polec"

Recently I realized it’s been quite a while since I’ve told any Pennsylvania ghost stories – I think it’s been since Haunted Hill which was the third episode?And there are so many from around Philadelphia and all over Pennsylvania.  I’ve told you  I believe in ghosts – or maybe spirits is the right word.  That … Continue reading "Episode 28: I Put a Spell On You"

Actually, it’s my most favorite thing, my most favorite building in Philadelphia: City Hall. This is my self-indulgent episode, the 6 month special episode for me, because it’s the story of the largest municipal building in the country and what was destined to be the largest building in the world when it was constructed, but … Continue reading "Episode 27: These are a Few of My Favorite Things"

I cannot believe I’ve been doing this for 6 months already, and at the same time I cannot believe it’s only been 6 months.When I launched TwistedPhilly I wanted to share stories that meant something to me, stories that I loved or stories that scared me, stories that made me consider another perspective, sometimes stories … Continue reading "Epsode 26: Heidnik’s House of Horrors"

(If you haven’t listened to part one, go back and listen to that first.) The good doctor is the story of Doctor Lois Farquharson. Lois was a psychiatrist at Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry in 1971 when her girlfriend, Gloria Burnette, murdered their neighbor, Dr. Leon Weingrad who was also a colleague of Lois’ at … Continue reading "Episode 25: The Good Doctor – Part 2"

In some ways Philadelphia in 1971 wasn’t all that different from Philadelphia today. Well, the Flyers were totally different in the 70s than they are today. You could find kids playing kickball in the streets, streets littered with trash and abandoned cars.  Depending on which neighborhood you visit, those streets don’t look much different in … Continue reading "Episode 24: The Good Doctor – Part 1"

Pull yourselves out of your tryptophan coma and listen up, twisters!  Today, November 24, isn’t just Thanksgiving.  It’s the 3-month anniversary of TwistedPhilly!  This is a special anniversary episode for me, an opportunity to say thank you to each and every one of you for joining me on this twisted journey.  And since the winter … Continue reading "Episode 16: TwistedPhilly Holiday Happenings"

To recap part one, Sylvia Seegrist was a resident of Springfield, Pennsylvania, a suburb about 10 miles outside the city of Philadelphia.  On Wednesday, October 30, 1985, Sylvia brought an automatic rifle to the Springfield mall and in a span of less than 15 minutes killed 3 people, and seriously wounded 7 others.  Sylvia had … Continue reading "Episode 15: PART 2 – Ms. Rambo"