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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
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
The Gus Grissom Memorial at Spring Mill State Park, Part 2
The Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom Museum at Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell, Indiana honors its most famous son and one of America’s greatest space heroes. The museum was dedicated in July 1971, ten years after Gus’s first flight, and four years after his death. The exhibits cover every phase … Read More
The Gus Grissom Memorial at Spring Mill State Park, Part 1
Last week I headed south to Indiana’s Lincolnland for book research (and a few future articles). On the way back home I stopped at Spring Mill State Park to visit a museum dedicated to the hero of many Hoosier Baby Boomers (myself included): NASA astronaut Gus Grissom. Lieutenant Colonel Virgil … Read More
The Indianapolis Bicycle Path Tollhouse
While thumbing through a pre-World War I guidebook of Indianapolis this week, I ran across a photo of a man standing beside an Indiana tollhouse. Oh sure, I’ve seen tollhouse photos and images of tollhouse keepers before, after all, I have a love affair with roads. I served on the … Read More