113. The Body the Barrel (Atherton Mansion)

In this episode, Matt tells the story of a rather standard haunted house. However, the tale of how the ghosts came to be there involves what amounts to sitcom tropes, a barrel of rum, and the specters of iconic eras in San Francisco’s history.

Full show notes: kmmamedia.com/podcasts/ghosthropology-podcast/

Facebook: facebook.com/ghosthroplogy

Instagram: instagram.com/ghosthropod

YouTube: youtube.com/@ghosthropology

Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/ghosthropology

Email: ghosthropology@gmail.com

Transcript here

This episode featured music by Matthew Armstrong and production assistance from Kaylia Metcalfe.

117. Ghostwatch Ghosthropology

 In this episode, Matt talks about an infamous TV movie – Ghostwatch – that allegedly tricked millions of Britons into believing that the BBC had inadvertently let a malevolent spirit loose on the country. The actual story is both more mundane and more interesting. Plus, Ghostwatch provides a snapshot of public paranormal beliefs of the early 1990s. Come learn about one of the best horror movies Matt has ever seen, and how it reflects paranormal beliefs, and how the movie and its aftermath are remembered. Full show notes: kmmamedia.com/podcasts/ghosthropology-podcast/ Facebook: facebook.com/ghosthroplogy Instagram: instagram.com/ghosthropod YouTube: youtube.com/@ghosthropology Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/c/ghosthropology Email: ghosthropology@gmail.com
  1. 117. Ghostwatch
  2. 116. The Fresno Nightcrawler
  3. 115 The Haunted London Underground
  4. 114. Deogen
  5. 113 Atherton Mansion

Sources:

Image in part by by Arthur Zim from Pixabay 

Found SF

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form

NOE Hill

Seeks Ghosts

San Francisco Preservation Bulletin 9

SFGate

SF Ghosts

Weird California

Paonessa, Laurie and Clio Admin. “Atherton House.” Clio: Your Guide to History. April 1, 2025. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://theclio.com/entry/190869

Richards, Rand. 2001. Historic Walks in San Francisco: 18 Trails Through the City’s Past. Heritage House Publishers, Victoria, BC. Accessed online 3/30/26 at https://books.google.com/books?id=SMuQi_WnKyQC&dq=faxon+atherton+house+san+francisco&pg=PA310#v=onepage&q=faxon%20atherton%20house%20san%20francisco&f=false

Waldhorn, Judith Lynch; Woodbridge, Sally Byrne. 1978. Victoria’s Legacy: Tours of San Francisco Bay Area Architecture. 101 Productions, New York. Accessed online 3/30/26 at https://archive.org/details/victoriaslegacy00wald/page/24/mode/1up?q=atherton

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Published by kayliametcalfe

Queer,loudmouth,skeptical-agnostic-pagan,book addict,coffee lover,wine drinker, SAHM,writer,editor,producer,podcaster. -She/her

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