One Strange Thing: True Paranormal Mysteries

A catastrophic drought had turn-of-the-century San Diego desperate for solutions. In walked a sewing machine salesman with a plan — but was Hatfield the Rainmaker really responsible for what happened next?

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Hosted by Laurah Norton
Written by Maura Currie
Research by Maura Currie & Melissa Gold
Engineered & Produced by Maura Currie

This episode originally ran as a premium-only episode 83.
One Strange Thing: True Paranormal Mysteries explores the archives of the unexplained, blending rigorous historical research with a wry, skeptical wit to investigate true supernatural stories and baffling mysteries that made headlines.
Dive into our Episode Mystery Archive — a curated, topic-organized source for documented hauntings, UFO sightings, cryptids, folklore, and bizarre true mysteries. Check it out here! https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/episodes-by-topic-mystery-archive

Sources on our website: https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon for early release and ad-free episodes, exclusive stories, and bonus
episodes: https://www.patreon.com/OneStrangeThing
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Copyright 2026 The Fall Line Podcast LLC - One Strange Thing Podcast
We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.

Works Cited:
Bart Anderson, “The great rain…” the Daily Spectrum, 2005.
Tom Tiede, “Rainmaker’s success, lawsuits,” Contra Costa Times, 1978.
Amber Kanuckel, “Charles Hatfield: Rainmaker…” Farmers’ Almanac, 2024.
Thomas W. Patterson, “Hatfield the Rainmaker,” Journal of San Diego History via San Diego History Center, 1970.
Christopher Klein, “When San Diego Hired…” JSTOR Daily, 2015.
May Tjoa, “Exhibit at Chula…” NBC San Diego, 2016.
NA, “Charles Hatfield: The…” Hidden San Diego, ND.
David Emery, “Did San Diego Hire…” Snopes, 2018.
Xochitl Rojas-Rocha, “Scientists show ancient…” UC San Diego, 2024.
City of San Diego



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Across the United States, there are bridges—bridges usually located in small towns—and are reputed to be haunted. The legends center on desperate mothers, accidents, and even murder . . . and always include a ghostly baby whose cries can be heard by anyone who lingers too long on the bridge.

Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/STRANGE and use promo code STRANGE at checkout!

Hosted and Written by Laurah Norton
Research by Laurah Norton and Anna Luria
Engineered by Rachel Boyd/Southern Gothic media
One Strange Thing: True Paranormal Mysteries explores the archives of the unexplained, blending rigorous historical research with a wry, skeptical wit to investigate true supernatural stories and baffling mysteries that made headlines.
Dive into our Episode Mystery Archive — a curated, topic-organized source for documented hauntings, UFO sightings, cryptids, folklore, and bizarre true mysteries. Check it out here! https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/episodes-by-topic-mystery-archive

Sources on our website: https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon for early release and ad-free episodes, exclusive stories, and bonus
episodes: https://www.patreon.com/OneStrangeThing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onestrangethingpod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/One-Strange-Thing-114307627035607
Subscribe to our Substack: https://substack.com/@onestrangething

Copyright 2026 The Fall Line Podcast LLC - One Strange Thing Podcast
We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.


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On Labor Day of 1969, dozens of residents of Berkshire County, MA, experienced the extraordinary—wide spread UFO sightings—and a few even went further: to the off world.
Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/STRANGE and use promo code STRANGE at checkout!

Hosted and Written by Laurah Norton
Researched by Anna Luria and Laurah Norton
Produced by Maura Currie
Engineered by Brandon Schexnayder
This episode originally ran as main feed episode 83.
One Strange Thing: True Paranormal Mysteries explores the archives of the unexplained, blending rigorous historical research with a wry, skeptical wit to investigate true supernatural stories and baffling mysteries that made headlines.
Dive into our Episode Mystery Archive — a curated, topic-organized source for documented hauntings, UFO sightings, cryptids, folklore, and bizarre true mysteries. Check it out here! https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/episodes-by-topic-mystery-archive

Sources on our website: https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon for early release and ad-free episodes, exclusive stories, and bonus
episodes: https://www.patreon.com/OneStrangeThing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onestrangethingpod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/One-Strange-Thing-114307627035607
Subscribe to our Substack: https://substack.com/@onestrangething

Copyright 2026 The Fall Line Podcast LLC - One Strange Thing Podcast
We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.

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Perhaps the most famous building in the United States, the White House sits in Washington, DC, serving as both symbol, office, and residence . . . and, if the rumors are to be believed, as home to ghosts, too. From the seances of Mary Todd Lincoln to unusually aggressive attacks by a spectral George Washington and a consistently haunted attic, the White House spirits give us plenty of material for examination. Oh, we do love the spooky season!
Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/STRANGE and use promo code STRANGE at checkout!

Hosted and Written by Laurah Norton
Research by Laurah Norton and Anna Luria
Engineered by Rachel Boyd/Southern Gothic media
One Strange Thing: True Paranormal Mysteries explores the archives of the unexplained, blending rigorous historical research with a wry, skeptical wit to investigate true supernatural stories and baffling mysteries that made headlines.
Dive into our Episode Mystery Archive — a curated, topic-organized source for documented hauntings, UFO sightings, cryptids, folklore, and bizarre true mysteries. Check it out here! https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/episodes-by-topic-mystery-archive

Sources on our website: https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon for early release and ad-free episodes, exclusive stories, and bonus
episodes: https://www.patreon.com/OneStrangeThing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onestrangethingpod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/One-Strange-Thing-114307627035607
Subscribe to our Substack: https://substack.com/@onestrangething


Copyright 2026 The Fall Line Podcast LLC - One Strange Thing Podcast
We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.


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A group of Canadian paranormal enthusiasts came together in the ‘70s to make up a ghost story… and then try to bring it to life. And, in a twist that nobody really saw coming, it might’ve worked. But what was Philip, if not a ghost?
Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/STRANGE and use promo code STRANGE at checkout!

Hosted by Laurah Norton
Researched by Anna Luria and Maura Currie
Written, Produced and Engineered by Maura Currie

This episode originally ran as Premium Only episode 48.
One Strange Thing: True Paranormal Mysteries explores the archives of the unexplained, blending rigorous historical research with a wry, skeptical wit to investigate true supernatural stories and baffling mysteries that made headlines.
Dive into our Episode Mystery Archive — a curated, topic-organized source for documented hauntings, UFO sightings, cryptids, folklore, and bizarre true mysteries. Check it out here! https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/episodes-by-topic-mystery-archive

Sources on our website: https://www.onestrangethingpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon for early release and ad-free episodes, exclusive stories, and bonus
episodes: https://www.patreon.com/OneStrangeThing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onestrangethingpod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/One-Strange-Thing-114307627035607
Subscribe to our Substack: https://substack.com/@onestrangething

Copyright 2026 The Fall Line Podcast LLC - One Strange Thing Podcast
We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.

Works Cited
NA, NT, The Times Colonist, 1976.
Claire Huff, “How Philip the…” Philadelphia Inquirer, 1976.
Brian Silcock, “100 years of…” The Age, 1983.
Living Library
SRIC
NA, “Owen, Alan Robert George,” Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, ND.
The Philip Experiment



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