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Author Biography
Al Hunter writes a front page story about historical figures and happenings with a ghostly twist...
Alan E. Hunter has researched, scripted and lead the Irvington Ghost Walks for the past 20 years. The tours are roughly 75 percent history and 25 percent ghost stories and folklore. These non-profit tours raise funds for the Eastside Irvington community and related charities.
Al Hunter is the author of the “Haunted Indianapolis” and co-author of the “Haunted Irvington” and “Indiana National Road” book series. His newest books are “Bumps in the Night. Stories from the Weekly View,” “Irvington Haunts. The Tour Guide,” and “The Mystery of the H.H. Holmes Collection.” Contact Al directly at Huntvault@aol.com or become a friend on Facebook.
Al Hunter’s Story Archive
Mammoth Cave’s Dinkey Train: The Indianapolis Connection
Recently, Rhonda and I stepped into a Cave City, Kentucky antique store to stretch our legs and hunt for treasures. You never know what you might find in these circumstances but you know it will always be interesting. My “find” of the adventure was a 1906 cabinet photo of a … Read More
Santa Claus Indiana’s Pat Koch: The Elf Coordinator, Part 4
Holiday World and Santa Claus Indiana’s own Pat Koch has a secret. Not only is she one of the founders of the amusement park town, but she is also the only one of Santa’s elves that met President John F. Kennedy. In 1962, Bill and Pat Koch were at the … Read More
Santa Claus Indiana’s Pat Koch: The Elf Coordinator, Part 3
Just steps from Pat Koch’s Santa Claus museum is the town’s first post office (built in 1856) and mere yards from that, the town’s first Catholic Church (1880 building: 1853 incorporation date), both saved and preserved through Pat’s efforts. All three buildings stand nearby the original 1935 Santa Claus statue, … Read More
Santa Claus Indiana’s Pat Koch: The Elf Coordinator, Part 2
At 90 1/2 years old (her own calculation) Pat Koch (pronounced “Cook”) is still a dreamer. As the longtime television face of Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, Pat’s smiling face is familiar to generations of Hoosiers. “Free Sunscreen. Free Soda. Free Parking” is a slogan that still resonates in … Read More
Santa Claus Indiana’s Pat Koch: The Elf Coordinator, Part 1
Every Hoosier knows about Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Southern Indiana. Free drinks. Free Sunscreen. Free Parking. During its 78-year history, the amusement park has received just about every national award possible: Friendliest Park, #1 Outdoor Waterpark, Best Overall Waterpark Ride, #1 Wooden Roller Coaster on the Planet: (“The … Read More