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Episode Summary

In this episode of Cryptid Hauntings, Mike, Chris, Pam, and Mark explore the history and reported hauntings of the McCune Mansion in Salt Lake City. They begin with the fascinating background of Alfred W. McCune—a railroad builder, mine operator, and politician—and his wife Elizabeth, a prominent suffragist and church leader, before diving into the mansion’s extravagant $1 million construction in 1901. The home later served as a music school, a BYU extension center, a dance academy, and eventually became a private event venue after restoration from tornado damage in 1999. Listeners hear chilling reports of a young girl seen dancing in the third-floor ballroom, footprints appearing mysteriously, mirrors acting as portals, and spirits moving objects throughout the house. The episode closes by questioning whether tragedy, renovation, natural disaster, or echoes of the past may have awakened the mansion’s lingering spirits.

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Credits

Host: Michael, Chris, Mark, and Pam Gardner

Writer: Chris Gardner

Editor: Pam Gardner

Special Thanks: Thank you Tonya for letting us take over the basement of your home.

SORCES:

Elizabeth McCune – Utah Women's Walk

Alfred McCune Home - Wikipedia

Rachel's SLC History: The McCune Mansion's Haunted History

Alfred McCune Home Facts for Kids

McCune Mansion | Utah Historical Markers

Virginia Tanner, Led Children's Dance Group - The New York Times

The Haunting at McCune Mansion - Salt Lake City, Utah

https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/utahs-most-haunted-the-ghosts-of-mccune-mansion/amp/

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/utah/most-haunted-place-on-earth-ut

Want to dig deeper into the history and legends discussed in this episode? Here are some accessible sources and starting points:

🐺 Werewolf History & Lore

Encyclopaedia Britannica – “Lycanthropy”

A clear overview of where the word and belief come from, including mythological and historical context.

“Werewolf” – Wikipedia

A broad, easy-to-navigate summary of global werewolf folklore and how the legend evolved across cultures.

“Werewolf Trials” – Wikipedia

Covers real historical cases where people were accused and executed for allegedly being werewolves in medieval Europe.

American Werewolf-Type Legends

Michigan Dogman – Wikipedia

An overview of reported sightings, legend history, and how the Dogman became part of modern American folklore.

Beast of Bray Road – Wikipedia

Details the Wisconsin sightings from the late 20th century and journalist Linda Godfrey’s investigations.

HowStuffWorks – “Is the Dogman Real?”

A balanced look at Dogman reports, cultural influence, and skeptical explanations.

Regional Traditions

Rougarou – Wikipedia

Explores the Cajun and Creole werewolf tradition in Louisiana and its role as a cultural cautionary tale.

The Converse, Texas Werewolf

KSAT (San Antonio) – “The Tale of the Converse Werewolf”

A local news feature covering the legend, its origins, and why it still circulates in South Texas folklore.

WerewolfPage – Converse Werewolf Legend

A classic cryptid retelling that preserves one of the most complete versions of the story.

MySanAntonio.com – Haunted Stories & Urban Legends

A regional collection that includes the Converse Werewolf alongside other South Texas legends.

Books & Deep Dives

Linda S. Godfrey – The Beast of Bray Road

One of the most influential books on American werewolf-type cryptids, written by the journalist who helped popularize the legend.

Barry Jean Ancelet – Cajun and Creole Folktales

Explores Louisiana folklore, including Rougarou traditions, from a cultural and historical perspective.

A Note on Folklore

Many of the stories discussed in this episode come from oral tradition, regional legend, and eyewitness accounts. While some historical context is documented, others persist because they are experienced, shared, and remembered — not because they were ever meant to be proven.

Share Your Story

Have an encounter or story you’ve never told anyone?

📧 cryptidhauntings@gmail.com

📱 Instagram & TikTok: @cryptid.huntings

Mike Gardner and his family hosts explore the chilling phenomenon known as the Hat Man, a shadowy figure reported by many people during sleep paralysis and other altered states. The episode explains how sleep paralysis works and why it often produces terrifying hallucinations, including shadow figures and feelings of dread. They highlight the eerie consistency of Hat Man sightings across different cultures, mental states, and even psychedelic experiences. The hosts discuss possible explanations ranging from neurological misfires to interdimensional or supernatural theories. The episode closes by inviting listeners to question why so many people report seeing the exact same silent figure watching them in the dark.