Curious Cousins OK Podcast

Two of Oklahoma’s most notable and earliest theaters are The Constantine Theater and The Poncan Theatre. Both were early halls for entertainment in Oklahoma. As we return from our 2 weeks off, Tiff dives right into the spooky tales of these historic theaters.  

The Constantine is found in Pawhuska, and is the second oldest theater in Oklahoma. It traces its history to pre-statehood, as well as, participated in many events such as p...

The Battle of Honey Springs, fought on July 17, 1863, was a significant event during the American Civil War in Indian Territory, now present-day Oklahoma. Jess takes a look at this historic battle in this week’s history episode. The battle took place on a rural countryside near Checotah and was the largest and most decisive conflict in the region during the war. It marked a key moment in the conflict between Union and Confederate f...

This week Tiff wraps up the gruesome and horrific life of crime of one Franklin Delano Floyd. Last week, we left off where Franklin was awaiting trial on a burglary and assault case out of OKC. But what Franklin does while released is the true stuff of nightmares. September 12, 1994 would be a day many students at Indian Meridian Elementary School in Choctaw remember to this day. That is the day that Floyd waltzed into the school a...

If you’ve watched Netflix's documentary “Girl in the Picture” (2022), you will be familiar with this week’s true crime dive. But do you really know the Oklahoma connections to this story? Franklin Delano Floyd may have a presidential sounding name, but he certainly didn’t have the charm and qualities to go with it. Stemming from a ROUGH childhood, Floyd made multiple life choices that were, well, bad. In part 1, Tiff dives into...

This season seems to be all about the school spooks! Jess jumps back into looking for ghosts and haunting tales, but this time, she stops in at the University of Oklahoma. From dog burials in the football field, to a rolling skating spirit in the old infirmary, OU doesn’t disappoint when it comes to keeping it kooky and spooky! As one of the three universities necessary for statehood (UCO, OSU, and OU), its rich tradition is due to...

With the recent tragedy in Baltimore, Maryland involving the Francis Scott Key Bridge, it reminded Tiff of a similar tragedy here in Oklahoma back in 2002…

The morning of Sunday, May 26, 2002, started as a normal day for many, until a tragic bridge collapse on the i40 bridge over the Arkansas River in Webbers Falls, OK shocked everyone. The accident resulted in 14 fatalities, 5 injuries, and extensive damage, with an estimated...

Most 21st birthdays are celebrated with fun filled evenings of pub crawls and fun times. At 21, most of us were more worried about where everyone was going Thursday night. No one plans for their 21st birthday to be their last birthday. But for one coed, that’s exactly what it was. Tracey Diane Neilson, born on January 5, 1960, was a woman known for her vibrant personality. She excelled in academics and sports, and exhibited a passi...

Are you a fan of mysterious creatures that may or may not exist? I’m talking, one in the company of wendigos, Moth Man, and BigFoot? Then Tiff has a story for you! The mysterious Pale Crawlers are mystifying entities that emerge at night. These humanoid creatures are thin, pale, and possess sharp claws, long limbs, and large black eyes, appearing fast, stealthy, and smart. They are commonly found in dark and eerie places, especiall...

It is a bold statement to say that one woman changed the course of rodeo history in Oklahoma, but if anyone fits that description, it is Lucille Mulhall.

Lucille Mulhall, born in 1885, grew up on a ranch in Oklahoma, showing remarkable talent in riding horses and roping at a very young age. Despite her desire to focus on ranch work, her mother insisted she attend school. Lucille's skills with horses and roping led to her b...

On May 6, 1984, Eddie Cash, a kind-hearted man from Broken Arrow, was tragically murdered by Gary Alan Walker, a spree killer with a troubled history of abuse and criminal behavior. Walker's background was marked by a childhood filled with abuse, hospitalizations for his behavior, and a string of criminal activities leading up to his murderous spree. His crimes involved robbery, assault, rape, and murder, leaving a trail of vic...

This week, Jess take us to one of Oklahoma’s oldest Native American sites. Spiro Mounds is a significant prehistoric Native American site, evolved from a small village to a key center during the Mississippian Culture era. The site consisted of twelve mounds, ceremonial spaces, and a support city for Caddoan-speaking leaders. Notable for its wealth and artifacts, especially from the burial mound Craig Mound, Spiro Mounds attracted i...

As we close Black History Month, Tiff gives the story of Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, born in Chickasaw on Feb 8, 1924. Dr. Fisher was a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement in Oklahoma. Her parents, survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, played a significant role in the Black community. Despite Oklahoma's segregated laws, Ada aspired to become a lawyer and challenged the system by applying to the University of Oklaho...

Since 1907, the annual State Fair of Oklahoma has attracted visitors from near and far. But in 1981 two 13-year-old friends, Cinda Pallett and Charlotte Kinsey, went missing from the fairgrounds. They were last seen accepting a job offer to help a male carnival worker unload stuffed animals from a truck. Despite extensive search efforts, including eyewitness reports and suspect descriptions, the girls were never found. The prime su...

The Oklahoma State University System consists of six educational institutions in Oklahoma, including the flagship institute, Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. OSU, founded in 1890 under the Morrill Act, is a public land-grant research university. While known for its academic and athletic achievements, OSU is also known for its spooky tales and rumored hauntings. Various locations on campus, including fraternity and sorority hou...

This week, Jess recounts a tragic event that occurred on September 28, 1917. A passenger train collided with an empty troop train near Kellyville, resulting in the death of 32 people and injuries to over 50 others. The majority of the fatalities occurred in the Jim Crow car, which was designated for African Americans due to segregation laws. The collision was attributed to a misunderstanding of orders and the running of the troop t...

Tiff likes to call this week’s episode an oldie but a goodie. So jump into the way-back machine, and strap in for a true roller coaster of a case. Eugene Monroe was born in 1931 in Tulsa and had a troubled childhood, being placed in an institution at a young age. Throughout his life he seemed to run on the wrong side of the law. By the time he was finally put away at the Big Mac in 1951, Eugene was suspected of 3 murders, numerous ...

This week, Jess takes us to her alma mater for the spooky and kooky. 

The University of Central Oklahoma has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s, and with that history comes some spooky tales and ghostly encounters. From the haunted Mitchell Hall Theatre to the eerie occurrences in Old North, there are plenty of ghost stories to keep you on edge. The University House, Murdaugh Hall, and even the Y-Chapel of Song all have t...

Hey cousins! This week, Tiff tackles a topic that was “news” to her; Native Freedmen. A freedman is a term used to refer to African-American men and women who were former slaves. This included enslaved people of the Native American tribes, in Oklahoma, before and after the American Civil War. The Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole nations all held enslaved Africans and were required to emancipate their slaves and off...

This week, Jess wraps up the senseless and tragic case of Logan Tucker. Unfortunately, this case doesn’t have that nice, pretty wrap-up we like to see. Jess dives into the trial of Kathrine Rutan, reporting on witness testimony, forensics, and speculation…remember…there was, and still is, no body. Despite everything, a family was dramatically changed that day in late June of 2002. And today, that family, as well as the community of...