By: Paul Langdon
The Mineral Springs Hotel is an unassuming building from a street view, just another structure from a bygone era adding to the City of Alton’s rustic charm. But nestled inside this historic hotel is a collection unlike any other. Troy Taylor’s American Oddities Museum houses everything from skeletons and side show souvenirs to Ouija Boards and haunted dolls.
“I took this place over from a friend of mine who had an interest in odd things, but not the kind of interest in odd things that I had. I am an author so I write about ghosts and haunted history, true crime, and the unexplained. But I also have a background in carnivals and side show history. So, when I had a chance to take over a museum, that is something I wanted to do my entire life. I started moving my collection in and it is eclectic,” says Taylor.
This museum has undergone several evolutions throughout its history. Previously known as The Torture Museumand The Soul Asylum, it’s been a popular destination for those interested in eerie and esoteric history. But Troy Taylor’s revamping of the space adds new angles to this important local institution, including an expansion on sections examining humanity’s efforts to understand, control, and cope with life and death.
“We have a section dedicated to cult history, to witchcraft, wicca, and anything related to American folk magic. And then we have a large section that we’ve added to, and keep adding to, of funeral traditions in the United States, with mourning dresses and postmortem photographs,” Taylor explains. “People don’t realize those were never meant to be creepy. They see them and say oh my, why would anybody want to take pictures with dead people? Well, that was, for a lot of people, the only picture of that person they ever had. So, we have a collection of those too.”
Taylor’s additions to the Spiritualist movement section is another highlight from the museum. Along with various Ouija Boards and spirit devices, visitors can also see a variety of artifacts and memorabilia related to Harry Houdini, the most iconic magician to ever live. While Houdini was notoriously skeptical of Spiritualism, his spirit would be one of the most famous subjects of any séance. Following his death, his wife annually tried to communicate with him on the other side, and on display in the museum is an original ticket from the famous Final Houdini Séance of 1936.
There are hundreds of national and international subjects explored in the museum, but if visitors are looking for a bit more local flavor there is a free wing dedicated entirely to Alton history. Alton, Illinois is often called the most haunted small town in America, and many of the stories that have earned it this moniker are explored. There are also sections on historic local businesses, the fabled Piasa Bird, and Alton’s own Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man.
Troy Taylor’s American Oddities Museum is located inside the Mineral Springs Hotel at 301 E Broadway Alton, Illinois. For hours and ticket information please visit www.americanodditiesmuseum.com.
