
50 States of Folklore - New Jersey: 657 Boulevard
02/17/25 • 30 min
1 Listener
Westfield, New Jersey, holds the chilling true story of 657 Boulevard. The terrifying ordeal of the Broaddus family (originally referred to as the Bradford family), whose dream home became a source of relentless paranoia after receiving disturbing letters from an anonymous stalker known only as 'The Watcher,' is investigated.
What were the contents of the eerie letters, filled with cryptic messages, intimate details about the family, and unsettling claims of guardianship over the house? The police investigation, the numerous theories about The Watcher's identity, and the psychological toll this campaign of terror took on the family are explored. Was it a disgruntled neighbor, a former resident, or something more sinister? The unsettling events that transformed a suburban idyll into a real-life nightmare reveal one of New Jersey's most infamous modern mysteries.
00:00 Welcome to Midnight Signals
01:18 The Dream Home at 657 Boulevard
03:25 The First Letter from The Watcher
04:50 Escalation and Fear
07:50 Community Suspicion and Media Frenzy
15:39 Unsolved Mystery and Lingering Tension
19:25 The Bradfords' Decision and Aftermath
23:50 The Watcher's Legacy
27:48 Closing Thoughts
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Visit https://midnightsignals.net for more.
Subscribe to the podcast on any of your favorite apps at https://midnightsignals.net/subscribe.
Westfield, New Jersey, holds the chilling true story of 657 Boulevard. The terrifying ordeal of the Broaddus family (originally referred to as the Bradford family), whose dream home became a source of relentless paranoia after receiving disturbing letters from an anonymous stalker known only as 'The Watcher,' is investigated.
What were the contents of the eerie letters, filled with cryptic messages, intimate details about the family, and unsettling claims of guardianship over the house? The police investigation, the numerous theories about The Watcher's identity, and the psychological toll this campaign of terror took on the family are explored. Was it a disgruntled neighbor, a former resident, or something more sinister? The unsettling events that transformed a suburban idyll into a real-life nightmare reveal one of New Jersey's most infamous modern mysteries.
00:00 Welcome to Midnight Signals
01:18 The Dream Home at 657 Boulevard
03:25 The First Letter from The Watcher
04:50 Escalation and Fear
07:50 Community Suspicion and Media Frenzy
15:39 Unsolved Mystery and Lingering Tension
19:25 The Bradfords' Decision and Aftermath
23:50 The Watcher's Legacy
27:48 Closing Thoughts
---
Visit https://midnightsignals.net for more.
Subscribe to the podcast on any of your favorite apps at https://midnightsignals.net/subscribe.
Previous Episode

The Devil's Footprints
In this eerie tale, delve into the chilling legend of The Devil's Footprints. Discovered in the snow of Devon, England in 1855, these mysterious cloven prints sparked fear and fascination that endure into the 21st century. Recount the harrowing winter night when villagers awoke to find hoof-like tracks that defied natural explanation—scaling walls, crossing rooftops, and spanning miles without a trace of their origin.Explore various eyewitness accounts, the profound impact on the local community, and examine whether the simplest, darkest explanation—that the devil himself had walked among them—holds any truth. This story immerses listeners in Devon's haunted winter, blending folklore, religious fervor, and chilling evidence into a tale of supernatural dread that continues to mystify.
00:00 Introduction to Midnight Signals
00:11 The Devil's Footprints: A Chilling Mystery
01:10 The Uncanny Discovery in Devon
02:38 Devon's Historical and Cultural Context
04:02 The Night of the Footprints
04:35 The Morning After: Shock and Fear
06:23 Widespread Sightings and Theories
09:06 Religious Interpretations and Reactions
19:12 Personal Accounts and Emotional Impact
26:16 The Aftermath and Lingering Questions
27:43 Conclusion: Reflecting on the Unexplained
Next Episode

50 States of Folklore - Tennessee: The Bell Witch
Adams, Tennessee, is the setting for one of America's most infamous ghost stories. The terrifying legend of the Bell Witch haunting tormented the family of John Bell Sr. in the early 19th century. What unexplained phenomena did the Bell family endure: disembodied voices, phantom knocks, mysterious creatures sighted on the property, and violent physical assaults, particularly against young Betsy Bell?
Accounts from witnesses, including purported encounters by future president Andrew Jackson, who allegedly fled the farm in terror, paint a chilling picture. The theories surrounding the entity known as "Kate," its motivations, and its alleged responsibility for John Bell Sr.'s death are examined. Is the Bell Witch haunting a documented case of poltergeist activity, a local legend spun from tragedy, or something else entirely? The enduring mystery continues to haunt Tennessee lore.
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Visit https://midnightsignals.net for more.
Subscribe to the podcast on any of your favorite apps at https://midnightsignals.net/subscribe.
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