Step beneath the canvas and into a summer storm as host Shane Waters unearths the electrifying true story of June 10, 1897, when a bolt of lightning shattered the Ringling Brothers’ Big Top in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Hear how a day that promised exotic animals, brass‑band parades, and wonder turned to chaos in a heartbeat—claiming two lives, shaking a frontier town, and forging a bond between locals and traveling showfolk that still echoes through the granite “tent‑pole” monument overlooking the prairie cemetery today.

More than a tale of disaster, this episode explores community resilience, the origins of the circus credo “the show must go on,” and the timeless reminder that every hometown holds a story waiting to be unearthed. Perfect for fans of forgotten Americana, circus lore, and true‑history twists, “When Lightning Struck the Big Top” brings 19th‑century North Dakota vividly—and thunderously—to life.

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In the summer of 1944, as a devastating polio outbreak swept across North Carolina, hospitals were overwhelmed and children were dying. But in Hickory, a small city already stretched thin by World War II, something extraordinary happened. In just 54 hours, volunteers built a full-scale emergency hospital from scratch—offering cutting-edge treatment, compassionate care, and hope to hundreds of young patients. In this episode, we tell the true story of the “Miracle of Hickory,” where carpenters, nurses, teachers, and even prisoners came together to battle a deadly disease—and won.

Explore more at itsHometownHistory.com

Nearly every American town has the same heart-in-crisis story: a once-bustling Main Street hollowed out by big-box stores, sprawl, and online shopping. In this episode, Shane zooms out to look at the nationwide Main Street movement—then zooms in on Wabash, Indiana as a living lab that shows what’s possible anywhere. You’ll hear the origin of the National Main Street Center’s “Four-Point Approach,” meet the people who tested it on the ground, and pick up practical lessons you can apply whether you’re in Vermont, Texas, or Alaska.

Featured Cities & Towns

- Wabash, IN

- Madison, IN

- Kansas City, MO

- Fort Wayne, IN

- Richmond, IN

- Indianapolis, IN

- Minneapolis, MN

If you are intersted in learning more about Wabash County, Indiana check out the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast.

Voices & Contributors

• Kathy La Plante – Vice President of Coordinating Programs, Main Street America
• Steve Downs – Former Executive Director and current Board Member, Downtown Wabash, Inc.
• Kellie Brace – Artist; former downtown business & building owner; co-founder, Wabash First Friday
• Scott Long – Mayor, City of Wabash, Indiana
• Christine Flohr – Executive Director, Visit Wabash County
• Tyler Karst – Former Project Coordinator, Downtown Wabash, Inc.
• Amanda Lopez – President, Transform Consulting Group; Chair, Board of Directors, Downtown Wabash, Inc.
• Kelly Bever – Owner, Downtown Nutrition
• Kelly Thompson – Manager, Modoc’s Market

Links & Resources

• Main Street America: https://www.mainstreet.org
• Downtown Wabash, Inc.: https://downtownwabash.org

Call to Action

- Show Some Main-Street Love: Share your own downtown comeback (or cautionary tale) on Facebook or Instagram with #HometownHistory and tag @‌itshometownhistory so we can highlight your story

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