History Detectives
Season 4
TV-PG
A group of researchers help people to find answers to various historical questions they have, usually centering around a family heirloom, an old house or other historic object or structure. It devotes itself "to exploring the complexities of historical mysteries, searching out the facts, myths and conundrums that connect local folklore, family legends and interesting objects."
Where to Watch Season 4
11 Episodes
- The Chisholm Trail; Harry Houdini Poster; McKinley Casket FlagE1
The Chisholm Trail; Harry Houdini Poster; McKinley Casket FlagPuzzles involving the Chisholm Trail, Houdini posters and a flag that may have draped the coffin of President William McKinley, assassinated in 1901. Included: determining how far south the Chisholm Trail extended; checking the authenticity of Harry Houdini posters for a Chicago magic show; learning if a flag handed down to the great-grandson of McKinley's bodyguard actually adorned the 25th president's casket. - Wartime Baseball; Confederate Eyeglass; Howard Hughes' InventionE2
Wartime Baseball; Confederate Eyeglass; Howard Hughes' InventionQuestions surrounding a baseball autographed by Dizzy Dean, a brass eyeglass containing an image of Jefferson Davis, and a question on credit for an oil-drilling device. Included: investigation of a 1944 baseball game in which the players supposedly included Dean, Satchel Paige and an Air Force staff sergeant; whether an eyeglass belonged to a Confederate supporter; whether a twin-cone roller-rock bit was invented by Howard Hughes or a San Jose resident's grandfather. - Coca-Cola Trade Card; Vicksburg Map; Lawrence StrikeE3
Coca-Cola Trade Card; Vicksburg Map; Lawrence StrikePuzzles involve an 1886 Coca-Cola trade card, a map connected to a Civil War battle and a billy club from a 1912 textile-factory strike in Lawrence, Mass. Included: a trip to Coca-Cola headquarters in Atlanta to try to verify the trade card info; digging up details pertaining to the 1863 siege of Vicksburg, Miss.; a journey to Lawrence to investigate the Bread and Roses strike. - Alternative Service Certificates; Carolina Mystery Books; Mickey Mouse’s OriginE4
Alternative Service Certificates; Carolina Mystery Books; Mickey Mouse’s OriginPuzzles pertaining to 1943 certificates labeled “alternate service to war”; a set of books that may have belonged to 19th-century politician John C. Calhoun; and a toy mouse named Micky that bears a patent date of 1926 (two years before Walt Disney created Mickey). - U.S.S. Indianapolis; Highlander Badge; Spirit of St. LouisE5
U.S.S. Indianapolis; Highlander Badge; Spirit of St. LouisPuzzles concerning items believed to have come from a WWII kamikaze attack; a badge that may have belonged to a British soldier in the Revolutionary War; and two New Jersey brothers who suspect that their uncle built the Spirit of St. Louis's Wright Whirlwind J-5C engine. - Orphan Film Reel; Chinese Opium Scale; Hermann Goering’s ShotgunE6
Orphan Film Reel; Chinese Opium Scale; Hermann Goering’s ShotgunPuzzles involve a film reel of 1920s stuntman Eddie Polo; scales used by Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century; and a shotgun that belonged to Nazi henchman Hermann Goering. - Survivor Camera; Alcoholics Anonymous Letter; Tallahassee Mystery CrossE7
Survivor Camera; Alcoholics Anonymous Letter; Tallahassee Mystery CrossPuzzles involve a camera that belonged to a Holocaust survivor; the link between a 1942 letter and the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous; and a cross found at a Tallahassee excavation of a 17th-century mission. - Calf Creek Arrow; Doc Holliday’s Watch; Black Star Line Stock CertificatesE8
Calf Creek Arrow; Doc Holliday’s Watch; Black Star Line Stock CertificatesPuzzles include a bison skull that may date to 3000 B.C.; a watch that may have belonged to gambler-gunman Doc Holliday; and stock certificates possibly signed by black nationalist Marcus Garvey. - Grace Kelly Automobile; Illicit P.O.W. Photos; Mystery MotorcycleE9
Grace Kelly Automobile; Illicit P.O.W. Photos; Mystery MotorcyclePuzzles involve a car that may be the one driven by Grace Kelly in “To Catch a Thief”; possible Civil War POW photographs; and a 1914 motorcycle that might have been used in WWI France. - Lou Gehrig Autograph; Cleveland Electric Car; Philadelphia Freedom PaperE10
Lou Gehrig Autograph; Cleveland Electric Car; Philadelphia Freedom PaperA baseball ticket possibly signed by Lou Gehrig on the day of his farewell speech; an electric streetcar from Cleveland; and a document that may have granted freedom to a slave. - Superman Sketch; Lost Musical Treasure; Rebel Whiskey FlaskE11
Superman Sketch; Lost Musical Treasure; Rebel Whiskey FlaskA Superman sketch apparently signed by the comic strip's creators; a metal master used to press records in the 1920s and '30s; and a whiskey flask that may date to the time of George Washington.