curiosities

25 Haunting Photos Of California City, The Desert Ghost Town That Was Supposed To Rival Los Angeles

Construction on California City started in 1958, and its developer hoped that it would one day be larger than L.A. or San Francisco — but more than 60 years later, its population has yet to break 15,000.

By Richard Stockton • Apr 24, 2023

25 Haunting Photos Of California City, The Desert Ghost Town That Was Supposed To Rival Los Angeles

Construction on California City started in 1958, and its developer hoped that it would one day be larger than L.A. or San Francisco — but more than 60 years later, its population has yet to break 15,000.

By Richard Stockton • April 24, 2023

Inside The Legend Of The Flatwoods Monster, The West Virginia Cryptid That Sparked An Air Force Inquiry

After seven Braxton County, West Virginia residents reported seeing the Flatwoods Monster while investigating what looked like a UFO crash, local authorities scoured the scene — but they found nothing and reportedly "laughed off the reports as hysteria."

By Gina Dimuro • Apr 23, 2023

Inside The Legend Of The Flatwoods Monster, The West Virginia Cryptid That Sparked An Air Force Inquiry

After seven Braxton County, West Virginia residents reported seeing the Flatwoods Monster while investigating what looked like a UFO crash, local authorities scoured the scene — but they found nothing and reportedly "laughed off the reports as hysteria."

By Gina Dimuro • April 23, 2023

Scold’s Bridle, The Torture Device Used To Silence Women In The Middle Ages

From the 16th until the 19th century, women accused of being scolds, shrews, or having "loose morals" were often fitted masks known as Scold's Bridles that held their tongues with an iron gag.

By Kaleena Fraga • Apr 22, 2023

Scold’s Bridle, The Torture Device Used To Silence Women In The Middle Ages

From the 16th until the 19th century, women accused of being scolds, shrews, or having "loose morals" were often fitted masks known as Scold's Bridles that held their tongues with an iron gag.

By Kaleena Fraga • April 22, 2023

The Baffling Story Of Ricky McCormick’s Unsolved Death And The Cryptic Notes He Left Behind

In 1999, Ricky McCormick's body was inexplicably found in a Missouri cornfield — along with two pages of coded notes that have never been deciphered to this day.

By Neil Patmore • Apr 19, 2023

The Baffling Story Of Ricky McCormick’s Unsolved Death And The Cryptic Notes He Left Behind

In 1999, Ricky McCormick's body was inexplicably found in a Missouri cornfield — along with two pages of coded notes that have never been deciphered to this day.

By Neil Patmore • April 19, 2023

A Scoreboard Used By The Maya During An Ancient Ball Game Was Just Discovered Among Mexican Ruins

The scoreboard, which features two figures standing near a ball as well as hieroglyphic writing, is thought to be 1,100 years old.

By Kaleena Fraga • Apr 19, 2023

News

A Scoreboard Used By The Maya During An Ancient Ball Game Was Just Discovered Among Mexican Ruins

The scoreboard, which features two figures standing near a ball as well as hieroglyphic writing, is thought to be 1,100 years old.

By Kaleena Fraga • April 19, 2023

Did Mary Reeser Spontaneously Combust — Or Is There Another Explanation For Her Bizarre Death?

In July 1951, Mary Reeser mysteriously burned into a pile of ashes in her Florida home, but the apartment around her suffered almost no damage, leading to theories that she had spontaneously combusted.

By Kara Goldfarb • Apr 19, 2023

Did Mary Reeser Spontaneously Combust — Or Is There Another Explanation For Her Bizarre Death?

In July 1951, Mary Reeser mysteriously burned into a pile of ashes in her Florida home, but the apartment around her suffered almost no damage, leading to theories that she had spontaneously combusted.

By Kara Goldfarb • April 19, 2023

The Baffling Case Of Natasha Ryan, The ‘Missing’ Australian Girl Who Hid In Her Boyfriend’s Cupboard

After 14-year-old Natasha Ryan vanished in 1998, authorities believed that she was the victim of a serial killer. But five years later, she turned up alive and well at his murder trial.

By Neil Patmore • Apr 13, 2023

The Baffling Case Of Natasha Ryan, The ‘Missing’ Australian Girl Who Hid In Her Boyfriend’s Cupboard

After 14-year-old Natasha Ryan vanished in 1998, authorities believed that she was the victim of a serial killer. But five years later, she turned up alive and well at his murder trial.

By Neil Patmore • April 13, 2023

Vladimir Lenin’s Body And The Secrets Of Its Astonishing Preservation

The embalmed body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin has been preserved inside a glass case at his mausoleum in Moscow since his death in 1924.

By Katie Serena • Apr 10, 2023

Vladimir Lenin’s Body And The Secrets Of Its Astonishing Preservation

The embalmed body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin has been preserved inside a glass case at his mausoleum in Moscow since his death in 1924.

By Katie Serena • April 10, 2023

How A Tragic Mistake On A Movie Set Led To The Death Of Brandon Lee

On March 31, 1993, Brandon Lee was accidentally shot with a dummy bullet on the set of "The Crow." Six hours later, the 28-year-old actor was dead.

By Marco Margaritoff • Apr 8, 2023

How A Tragic Mistake On A Movie Set Led To The Death Of Brandon Lee

On March 31, 1993, Brandon Lee was accidentally shot with a dummy bullet on the set of "The Crow." Six hours later, the 28-year-old actor was dead.

By Marco Margaritoff • April 8, 2023

The Astonishing Story Of Thomas Wadhouse, The Man With The World’s Longest Nose

Thomas Wadhouse, also known as Thomas Wedders, was an 18th-century circus performer who had the largest nose ever recorded at a whopping 7.5 inches long — but little else is known about his mysterious life.

By Kaleena Fraga • Apr 8, 2023

The Astonishing Story Of Thomas Wadhouse, The Man With The World’s Longest Nose

Thomas Wadhouse, also known as Thomas Wedders, was an 18th-century circus performer who had the largest nose ever recorded at a whopping 7.5 inches long — but little else is known about his mysterious life.

By Kaleena Fraga • April 8, 2023