1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast

Jon Hagadorn Podcast Host
  • 4.5 (1.7K)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Where History Comes Alive! A fast-paced, well-researched weekly podcast covering a wide range of historical events, persons, places, legends, and mysteries, Hosted by Jon Hagadorn, the selection of stories and interviews includes 'Found In The Footnotes" 5-10 minutes history shorts, lost treasure, unsolved mysteries, unexplained phenomenon, WWII stories, biographies, disasters, legends of the Old West, American Revolutionary history, urban legends, movie backstories, author interviews and much more. Available wherever podcasts are found, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Comcast, & others. Episodes air Sundays at 12pm ET and Thursdays at 6am ET. Follow us at www.Facebook.com/1001Heroes and Twitter @1001podcast. All archives available and categorized at www.bestof1001stories.com

  1. 5H AGO

    "THE SWOOSE"- THE WWII FLYING FORTRESS THAT WOULDN'T DIE AMERICA 250 REMEMBERED

    🎙️ SHOW NOTES — AMERICA 250 SPECIAL PRESENTATION THE SWOOSE: The Plane That Refused to Die Narrated by Jon Hagadorn 1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast In this America 250 special presentation, host Jon Hagadorn brings listeners the extraordinary true story of The Swoose — the oldest surviving B‑17 Flying Fortress and the only B‑17D to serve from the opening days of World War II all the way to the end. Told through the voice of an older veteran standing before the aircraft now located at the National Air Force Museum near Dayton Ohio, this immersive, five‑chapter narrative explores how a patched‑together, battle‑scarred bomber became one of the most remarkable survivors of the Pacific war. From the fiery skies over the Philippines to the desperate retreat to Australia, from makeshift repairs to high‑stakes missions, The Swoose emerges as a symbol of American ingenuity, grit, and determination. Listeners will learn: How The Swoose escaped destruction during the Japanese attack on the Philippines Why she became known as the "patchwork fortress" How her resilience earned the respect of legendary aviator Colonel Frank Kurtz Why she is the last surviving B‑17D in the world What her story reveals about the young men who flew and maintained these iconic aircraft This episode honors the legacy of the B‑17 crews — many of them barely out of high school — who faced staggering losses and unimaginable danger. It also reminds younger generations just how important these aircraft were, how many were sacrificed, and why the few that remain deserve to be remembered. A powerful tribute to courage, survival, and the spirit of a nation at war, THE SWOOSE stands as a fitting story for America's 250th anniversary — a reminder that even in the darkest moments, some legends refuse to die. Freedom never comes cheap. Enjoy over 2,000 stories at our website at www.bestof1001stories.com today! Support us monthly at Patreon.com/1001storiesNetwork-Thahks!

    32 min

  2. 2D AGO

    BOB HOOVER AND THE HEROES OF FLIGHT AMERICA 250

    THE STORY OF LEGENDARY AMERICAN PILOT BOB HOOVER- FOR AMERICA 250  The 20th century brought a tremendous amount of innovation but none so tremendous and awe-inspiring as flight. By the 1920's "barnstormers" were putting on death-defying airshows all across rural America, and by the 30's these shows, like the National Air Races in Cleveland, were moving to major cities, where they became a very risky venture for not only the flyers but the spectators as well. Many men and women fliers became international celebrities. Todays story surrounds the incredible career of early barnstormer turned test pilot, WWII hero, and stunt flyer Bob Hoover and is based in part on his autobiography "Forever Flying".  Get all of our shows at one website: WWW.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM  REVIEWS NEEDED . My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! https://.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    51 min

  3. 4D AGO

    WAITING FOR HOUDINI

    The incredible story of America's greatest magician Harry Houdini, who came over from Hungary with his family as a young boy, saw his share of poverty, and decided to make it on his own, using his brain and his God-given talents. He learned magic, married a woman named Bess who became his partner, and worked his way up through stage shows and vaudeville doing hand cuff escapes and card tricks- until an agent suggested that he do escape acts. By 1908 he had toured the US and Europe and was making the equivalent of $9,000 US per week. As a professional magician he railed against imposters, especially mediums who performed seances which promised to connect with lost relatives. He became good friends with author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, (who believed in Spiritualism- the ability to connect with the dead) until their differences became too great. We discuss his life and his legacy, and prepare you for next weeks episode on Spiritualism and the mysterious origins of the Ouija board.   Get all of our shows at one website: www.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM REVIEWS NEEDED . My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW...     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    50 min

  4. MAY 3

    THE SURPRISING ORIGINS OF SOME OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE FOOD & DRINKS

    In this special episode of 1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries, we explore the surprising, often accidental, and always fascinating origins of America's most iconic foods and drinks. Only in the United States — the great melting pot of the world — could so many cultures, traditions, and chance discoveries collide to create the dishes we now consider classics. From the potato chip born out of a chef's frustration… to the pizza that crossed an ocean and reinvented itself… to nachos improvised after closing time… to the TV dinner created because of a frozen‑turkey disaster… this is the story of how America built its table, one invention at a time. Along the way, we uncover: The accidental birth of the potato chip How pizza became an American obsession The spring‑break stunt that created Sex on the Beach The two competing origin stories of the Long Island Iced Tea Why popcorn became Hollywood's favorite snack The many claimants to the first hamburger How a man named Nacho invented nachos Why French fries aren't French How a Thanksgiving mistake created the TV dinner The dentist who helped invent cotton candy The Virginia legacy behind the ice cream cone The late‑night creation of Buffalo wings And many more~   reviews appreciated!!!!

    25 min

  5. MAY 1

    URBAN LEGENDS #10 HAUNTED DOLLS & LONELY DUMMIES

    (Not For Kids or Doll Lovers) Our 10th Urban Legend episode highlights the stories of some of the more famous "haunted" dolls. including Robert, Chuckie, and Annabelle, among others. The notion that an inanimate object such as a toy, a stuffed animal, a doll, or a ventriloquists dummy can incorporate a human soul or take on human characteristics has been with us for eons. There are people who collect replicas of "famous" haunted dolls, and moviemakers have done very well bringing them to life. The second half of this episode covers the career of radio and TV's famous ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his wooden alter ego Charlie MacArthy, who managed to land a nice inheritance when Bergen died, leaving Bergen's daughter Candice with nothing.   Get all of our shows at one website: www.bestof1001stories.com REVIEWS NEEDED . My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! https://.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    38 min

  6. APR 29

    REMEMBERING LEGENDARY TEXAS RANGER FRANK HAMER: AMERICA 250 FAMOUS LAWMEN

    🎙️ SHOW NOTES — 1001 Heroes, Legends, History & Mysteries Remembering Legendary Texas Ranger Frank Hamer America 250: Famous Lawmen In this episode, Jon takes listeners deep into the life and legacy of Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, one of the most formidable and complex lawmen in American history. Long before he became known nationwide for tracking down Bonnie and Clyde, Hamer spent decades walking the razor's edge between frontier justice and the rapidly modernizing world of the early 20th century. Jon explores Hamer's early years as a cowboy and ranch hand, his rise through the ranks of the Texas Rangers, and the fearless reputation he earned confronting bootleggers, bank robbers, political corruption, and organized crime. Listeners will hear how Hamer's sense of duty, his unshakable calm under fire, and his deep belief in personal justice shaped a career that spanned more than 50 gunfights and countless investigations. The story also examines the complicated legacy of the Bonnie and Clyde manhunt, separating Hollywood myth from historical reality. Jon highlights Hamer's strategic brilliance, his relentless pursuit across multiple states, and the toll the case took on him personally. Along the way, he shares anecdotes, lesser‑known episodes, and the moral dilemmas Hamer faced as the world around him changed. This is a portrait of a man who embodied the final chapter of the Old West — a lawman whose courage, contradictions, and unwavering resolve still echo through American history. For many more stories like this follow 1001 Heroes, legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast and see our website at www.bestof1001stories.com   📚 Sources & Further Reading These sources were used to support the historical details in this episode: Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum – Official biography of Frank Hamer "I'm Frank Hamer" by H. Gordon Frost & John H. Jenkins (Jenkins Publishing, 1968) "Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde" by Jeff Guinn (Simon & Schuster, 2009) Handbook of Texas Online – Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) FBI and contemporary newspaper archives documenting the Bonnie & Clyde investigation Library of Congress

    23 min

  7. APR 26

    TRAIN SONGS AND PAIN SONGS: RIP DON SCHLITZ

    🎙️ PODCAST SUMMARY — "Train Songs and Pain Songs" In this nostalgic, first‑person reflection, Jon looks back on 50 years of loving country music and the two currents that have always run deepest for him — the train songs and the pain songs. Borrowing Mickey Newbury's unforgettable line from "Luckenbach, Texas," Jon explores the roots of the great American train song tradition, from "Wabash Cannonball" to "City of New Orleans," and the way those rolling rhythms shaped the sound of a nation. From there, he turns to the heartbreak side of country music — the "pain songs" — with a tribute to Hank Williams, whose timeless classic "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" still stands as one of the most haunting expressions of loneliness ever recorded. The episode then shifts to honor the recent passing of legendary songwriter Don Schlitz, whose humble beginnings in Nashville led to some of the most enduring songs in country history. Jon revisits the unlikely journey of "The Gambler," the hit everyone turned down until Kenny Rogers turned it into a cultural landmark, and highlights several of Schlitz's other masterpieces — from "Forever and Ever, Amen" to "When You Say Nothing at All." Along the way, listeners will hear stories, insights, and the lasting impact Schlitz had on the artists he helped launch. It's a heartfelt remembrance of the songs that shaped a lifetime — and a final thank‑you to Don Schlitz for the stories, the wisdom, and the music that will live on forever.

    10 min

  8. APR 24

    THE GHOSTS OF THE ALAMO (PT 2) THE FALL, REVENGE AT SAN JACINTO, THE GHOSTS

    In part two we tell the true story of the fall of the Alamo, the revenge at San Jacinto, and the ghosts that still occupy San Antonio

    57 min
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About

Where History Comes Alive! A fast-paced, well-researched weekly podcast covering a wide range of historical events, persons, places, legends, and mysteries, Hosted by Jon Hagadorn, the selection of stories and interviews includes 'Found In The Footnotes" 5-10 minutes history shorts, lost treasure, unsolved mysteries, unexplained phenomenon, WWII stories, biographies, disasters, legends of the Old West, American Revolutionary history, urban legends, movie backstories, author interviews and much more. Available wherever podcasts are found, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Comcast, & others. Episodes air Sundays at 12pm ET and Thursdays at 6am ET. Follow us at www.Facebook.com/1001Heroes and Twitter @1001podcast. All archives available and categorized at www.bestof1001stories.com

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