This Is My South

We all know the year that Christopher Columbus landed in America and the year that Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth. But too few know that in 1619, a slave ship arrived in Hampton, Virginia carrying human cargo. While slavery had existed previously, this was the first time in the colonies. This week's episode is about the "Contraband Decision" at Fort Monroe that created a refuge for escaped slaves. Enjoying the podcast? Visit patreon.com/thisismysouth For more stories and show notes, visit thisismysouth.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/ThisIsMySouth Instagram: instagram.com/ThisIsMySouth

In the early days of America, the Shakers made their home in what is now Bourbon Country in Kentucky. Their radical ideas included the equality of all, allowing women leadership roles and freeing slaves. While the community no longer exists, the buildings interpret the time period with demonstrations. Enjoying the podcast? Visit patreon.com/thisismysouth For more stories and show notes, visit thisismysouth.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/ThisIsMySouth Instagram: instagram.com/ThisIsMySouth

The King lives! In Tupelo, Mississippi, the King of Rock and Roll exist in the form of the Elvis Presley Tribute Artist Competition held here every year. Men from all over the globe come every year to show off their versions of his hit songs and hip-swiveling moves. Enjoying the podcast? Visit patreon.com/thisismysouth For more stories and show notes, visit thisismysouth.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/ThisIsMySouth Instagram: instagram.com/ThisIsMySouth

Who says you can't be two places at once? The name Flora Bama is synonymous with the classic Southern dive bar, originally built to span the state line between Florida and Alabama. But not even a hurricane could keep this place down. It always rebuilds and is equal parts live music venue, restaurant, bachelorette haven, and even a church on Sundays. Enjoying the podcast? Visit patreon.com/thisismysouth For more stories and show notes, visit thisismysouth.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/ThisIsMySouth Instagram: instagram.com/ThisIsMySouth

Driving the back roads between Charleston and Beaufort, you never know what you might see. But would you believe there's an African village that's been featured on the Oprah show? It all started with a man from Detroit who became a king. Enjoying the podcast? Visit patreon.com/thisismysouth For more stories and show notes, visit thisismysouth.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/ThisIsMySouth Instagram: instagram.com/ThisIsMySouth

We're all taught about the First Thanksgiving between the English colonists and the Native Americans. But there's much more to the story. In Georgia, the Cherokees lived in a modern society at New Echota. But their time was cut short because of the Trail of Tears. If it weren't for one man, things might have turned out differently. Enjoying the podcast? Visit patreon.com/thisismysouth For more stories and show notes, visit thisismysouth.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/ThisIsMySouth Instagram: twitter.com/ThisIsMySouth

Along the Mississippi River lies a place with a dark past, a prison that has its origins in slavery. A museum was established on its campus in the 1990s to educate visitors on the shocking and surprising stories to come from behind the bars. This includes an annual inmate rodeo and a funeral services ministry. For more information, visit thisismysouth.com/podcast.

World War II was an intense time in American history, especially for the town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Few knew it at the time, but this small town was one of three included in the Manhattan Project, working towards the creation of the atomic bombs that would be dropped on Japan. Nicknamed the "Secret City," this area was inhabited by over 75,000 people all working on small pieces of the puzzle.

Pirates are a massive part of popular culture thanks to movies. But did you know that Blackbeard and men like him once trolled the coastline between Virginia and South Carolina? In fact, the infamous privateer settled down for a time in North Carolina, near the modern-day Outer Banks. While no one has ever found his "buried treasure," these destinations do have something valuable. 

When you think of names like Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, and Lucky Luciano, you probably think of Chicago or New York. But these mob bosses spent time in the mountains of Arkansas, visiting the speakeasies and brothels, betting on horses, and soaking in the natural hot springs. Today, visitors can get a look into what the gangster's paradise was like in the 1920s.

Did you know that there's a town in Florida inhabited by mediums? Where visitors can connect with the spirits of loved ones through readings and seances? Cassadaga was settled in the 1800s as the summer home for the Spiritualist faith. While a short drive from Orlando, it feels worlds away. 

A quick look into what to expect from This Is My South, a podcast sharing tales from the Southern United States, its people, and places.