1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast

Episode 2 — Peg Entwistle & the Ghost of the Hollywood Sign
⭐ EPISODE SUMMARY  PEG ENTWHISTLE AND THE GHOST OF THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN
In 1932, a young actress named Peg Entwistle climbed the ladder behind the Hollywood Sign and jumped to her death. Her tragic story became one of Hollywood's most enduring legends — and for nearly a century, hikers, rangers, and tourists have reported seeing her ghost wandering the hills, smelling her gardenia perfume, or hearing her footsteps near the "H."
This episode explores Peg's early success, her heartbreaking decline, the pressures of the studio system, and the cascading disappointments that pushed her toward despair. We also dive deep into the ghost sightings — from 1930s newspaper reports to modern‑day ranger encounters — and examine why Peg's spirit seems unable to leave the hills she chose as her final stage. 
🧭 TRAVEL GUIDE — VISIT THE LOCATIONS
Brush Canyon Trail  Best for ghost sightings Park at Canyon Drive
Hollyridge Trail Known for gardenia scent reports
Beachwood Village  Peg's last residence
Hollywood Sign Overlook  Best view of the "H"
📚 SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Los Angeles Times archives (1932–present)
Hollywood Sign Trust historical documents
Hollywoodland Homeowners Association history
LAist: "The Ghost of Peg Entwistle"
Atlas Obscura – Hollywood Sign legends
KCET: "The Tragedy of Peg Entwistle"
Haunted Los Angeles blog archives

This is the true story of the only man who suvived two atomic bombs, one in Nagasaki, and the the other in Hiroshima,, His name wqas Tsotumo Yamaguchi. 
-Found In The Footnotes  JH
 
website: www.bestof1001stories.com

⭐ EPISODE SUMMARY  THE CURSE OF GRIFFITH PARK (CALI LEGENDS #1)
Griffith Park is one of Los Angeles' most beloved landmarks — 4,300 acres of hiking trails, wildlife, and postcard views. But beneath the sunshine lies a darker history: a land dispute soaked in betrayal, a dying woman's curse, a string of mysterious deaths, killer trees, decapitated remains, rampaging ostriches, and unsolved murders beneath the Hollywood Sign.
In this episode, Jon explores the chilling legend of Dona Petronilla's curse, the violent downfall of Griffith J. Griffith, the catastrophic 1933 fire, the eerie mysteries of Grizzly Flats, and the strange, often forgotten stories that have earned Griffith Park its reputation as one of California's most haunted landscapes.
Whether you believe in curses or not, Griffith Park's long chain of tragedies and bizarre coincidences makes one thing clear:
Some places remember. 
🧭 PARANORMAL EXPLORER TRAVEL GUIDE — VISIT THE LOCATIONS
1. The Old Zoo Ruins
Parking: Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round Lot
What to see: Abandoned cages, stone enclosures, eerie tunnels
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon
2. Griffith Observatory Overlook
Parking: Observatory lot or DASH Observatory bus
What to see: Suicide Rock, panoramic views of the cursed hills
3. Fern Dell & Trails Café Area
Parking: Fern Dell Drive
What to see: Historic trails tied to the original rancho
4. Mineral Wells Area (1933 Fire Site)
Parking: Near the golf course
What to see: Quiet, reflective area honoring the fire victims
5. Hollywood Sign Trails
Access: Brush Canyon Trail or Hollyridge Trail
What to see: Locations tied to multiple unsolved murders
📚 SOURCES & FURTHER READING
(All publicly accessible, reputable references.)
Historical Background & Rancho Los Feliz
Los Angeles Public Library – Rancho Los Feliz history
KCET: "The Curse of Griffith Park"
Los Angeles Times archives on the Feliz family
Griffith J. Griffith
California State Archives – Griffith J. Griffith papers
Los Angeles Times (1903–1905) coverage of the Arcadia Hotel shooting
LA Parks Department historical timeline
1933 Griffith Park Fire
Los Angeles Times (1933) fire coverage
LA Fire Department Historical Society
LAist: "Remembering the Griffith Park Fire"
Killer Trees & Park Accidents
LA Weekly: "The Widowmaker Trees of Griffith Park"
Los Angeles Daily News reporting on falling‑limb fatalities
Grizzly Flats & Decapitated Remains
LAPD public case summaries
Los Angeles Times reporting (1920s–1970s)
LAist: "The Darkest Corners of Griffith Park"
Ostrich Farm History
Cawston Ostrich Farm Museum archives
Pasadena Museum of History
KCET: "The Ostrich Wars of Early Los Angeles"
Murders Beneath the Hollywood Sign
LAPD case files (public summaries)
Los Angeles Times coverage of 1940, 1976, and 2012 cases
LA Weekly: "The Dark History Beneath the Hollywood Sign"
Ghosts & Folklore
Atlas Obscura – Griffith Park legends
Haunted Los Angeles blog archives
GHULA (Ghost Hunters of Urban LA) field notes
❤️ SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you enjoy 1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries, please consider:
Leaving a rating or review
Sharing the episode with a friend
Supporting the show on Patreon
Subscribing for future episodes, including our upcoming California Legends and Weird Florida arcs

"Who Killed Superman?" is a gripping investigation into the tragic end of George Reeves, the actor who became a 1950s icon as the Man of Steel but found himself trapped in a real-life noir drama. 
The Incident: Time, Place, and Date
Date: June 16, 1959.
Time: Between 1:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m..
Place: The upstairs bedroom of his home at 1579 Benedict Canyon Drive, Los Angeles.
The Scene: Reeves was found naked, sprawled across his bed, dead from a single gunshot wound to his right temple from a .30 caliber Luger pistol found at his feet. 
Rise to Fame & Sudden Fall Reeves began with promise, appearing in Gone with the Wind (1939), but his career truly skyrocketed with the "Adventures of Superman" (1952–1958). Ironically, his greatest success became his greatest burden; he was so heavily typecast that he struggled to find serious roles once the show ended. At the time of his death, he was reportedly depressed about his career, though friends noted he had recently received promising news about the show resuming production. 
The Primary Suspects
While the LAPD officially ruled his death a suicide, three figures are central to the murder theories: 
Leonore Lemmon (The Fiancée): She was hosting a small gathering downstairs at the time of the shooting. Her volatile relationship with Reeves and her strange behavior—allegedly blurting out that he was going to "shoot himself" before the shot even rang out—made her a top suspect.
Toni Mannix (The Ex-Mistress): A wealthy woman who had supported Reeves for years during their long-term affair. She was reportedly devastated when Reeves ended the relationship to marry Lemmon.
Eddie Mannix (The "Fixer"): Toni's husband and a high-ranking MGM executive with alleged mob ties. Many believe he ordered a hit on Reeves either to avenge his wife's heartbreak or at her direct request. 
New Evidence & Testimonies
Recent investigations and historical retrospectives highlight glaring inconsistencies in the original suicide ruling: 
Physical Evidence Gaps: The Luger had no fingerprints, and there was no gunpowder residue on Reeves' hands, which is highly unusual for a self-inflicted shot.
Extra Bullet Holes: Detectives found two additional bullet holes in the bedroom floor, yet guests only reported hearing one shot.
Mystery Bruises: A second autopsy revealed unexplained bruises on Reeves' head and body that were never investigated.
The Deathbed Confession: Years later, publicist Edward Lozzi claimed he was present when Toni Mannix confessed to a priest that she was responsible for Reeves' death.
The Early Phone Call: Phyllis Coates (the original Lois Lane) alleged that Toni Mannix called her at 4:30 a.m. to tell her "the boy is dead" and had been "murdered"—before the news had been made public. 
This story investigate the controversial death of George Reeves, detailing the suspects, evidence, and recent testimonies surrounding his supposed suicide:
 
Please share- and reviews are appreciated!  See www.bestof1001stories.com for more stories like this one

This story was inspired by by sharing 'The Count of Monte Cristo' in its entirety recently at 1001 Stories For The Road Podcast. If you want a great cllassic romance/adventure story- this is it!
THE BATTLE OF THE BUNNIES
It sounds like a tall tale, but this actually happened! In July 1807, after signing the Treaties of Tilsit, Napoleon Bonaparte decided to celebrate with a grand imperial rabbit hunt. 
The event didn't go exactly as planned:
The Setup: Napoleon's chief of staff, Alexandre Berthier, was in charge of the festivities. To ensure a "successful" hunt, he didn't trap wild hares; instead, he reportedly bought roughly 3,000 domesticated rabbits from local farmers.
The Ambush: When the cages were opened, the rabbits didn't hop away in fear. Because they were farm-raised, they saw Napoleon and his men as providers of food. Instead of fleeing, the massive swarm charged toward Napoleon in a fluffy wave.
The Retreat: Thousands of rabbits swarmed the Emperor's legs, climbed his silk jacket, and reportedly even hopped into his imperial carriage. The "Greatest Military Mind in History" was forced to beat a hasty retreat, using his riding crop and coat to shoo away the persistent bunnies.
 
Join us at our new website at www.bestof1001stories.com and browse all 12 1001 podcasts for stories and old time radio.