Show notes
From fairground ghost houses to elaborate attractions, Halloween turned fear into an industry.
Episode 26 of The Depths of Halloween. Elias, Mara and the Archivist debate the history, folklore and modern claims behind Haunted Houses: Why We Pay to Be Scared. The production distinguishes documented history from folklore and later reinterpretation where the evidence is uncertain.
Estimated scripted runtime: about 15.2 minutes before performance pacing.
Topics in this episode
- Early attractions
- Controlled fear
- Community purpose
- Modern immersion
Sources and further reading
- Library of Congress: The Origins of Halloween Traditions
- Library of Congress: Halloween: Topics in Chronicling America
- Smithsonian Magazine: The Celtic Origins of Trick-or-Treating
- Smithsonian Magazine: When Halloween Was All Tricks and No Treats
- HISTORY: How Jack O’Lanterns Originated in Irish Myth
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