Cody Polston

Cody Polston is an author, historian and ghost investigator. He is the author of multiple books on history and paranormal topics. He was the host and producer of the popular podcast Ecto Radio and a writer for Ghosthunter X magazine. He is one of the founders of the Southwest Ghost Hunter's Association and has been investigating paranormal claims since 1985. In the 1990's several other ghost hunting groups gave him the moniker the "Hitman" due to his involvement in "debunking" several well known haunted locations in Texas. Although the nickname was intended to be a negative insult, Cody adopted the nickname and began using in on his podcasts and other media venues.

Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (Analysis of the ghost story and paranormal claims)

One of the most important considerations that have to be determined is the longevity of the haunting. However, the actual history conflicts with back-story and elements of the reported phenomenon cannot be verified or have no record of occurrence. However, the historical accounts are relatively constant. The 1910 and 1920 census shows Mills living at 921 … Read morePlaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (Analysis of the ghost story and paranormal claims)

Double Eagle Restaurant, Mesilla, NM (Issues with the ghost story)

The basic back story goes like this; In the 1850s, the restaurant was the home of a wealthy Mexican family named Maese. One day the family hired a maid named Ines. The family had a teenage son named Armando, who fell in love with the maid, much to his mother’s distress. Love continued, however, and … Read moreDouble Eagle Restaurant, Mesilla, NM (Issues with the ghost story)

Mine Shaft Tavern, Madrid, NM (Bucket List Video)

Established in the late 1800s the original burned down on Christmas day in 1944 or 1945, depending on who you ask. The current bar was rebuilt in stages from 1946 to 1947 and has become a staple to bikers, travelers and others in its lifetime. The bar–both the original and this one–were built to quench … Read moreMine Shaft Tavern, Madrid, NM (Bucket List Video)

New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (More Witness Accounts and Ghost Stories)

One of the popular ghost stories that have come out of the prison involves a member of one of the film crews who reported seeing the dark-garbed figure while he was alone in the prison. The figure went into a bathroom. When the crew member followed, the bathroom was empty. An article published in the Santa … Read moreNew Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (More Witness Accounts and Ghost Stories)

How to analyze ghost videos using critical thinking in 5 easy steps

The ever-present video camera is creating a new form of “paranormal” news. Anytime anything even slightly strange occurs on a video surveillance camera someone is likely to cry “ghost.” The local news media will swarm all over it and before you can say “WTF” they have chosen the most sensational nonsense to air. The video … Read moreHow to analyze ghost videos using critical thinking in 5 easy steps

Valhalla Collection Thor Whisky

Are you still searching for that perfect whisky? Or maybe you’re just looking to add to your fine collection of specialty alcohols? Either way, this Valhalla Collection Thor Whisky needs to be on your list. From Highland Park, this single malt scotch whiskey is the first of four in the Valhalla Collection, all of which will take inspiration … Read moreValhalla Collection Thor Whisky

The Enemy Within: How ghost hunters fail due to their own psyche

Investigating ghostly phenomena is actually a daunting challenge. The rational investigator must weed through bias, myth building, and historical facts. Yet they must maintain the ability to think critically through an assortment of possible natural explanations and follow a scientific methodology. Many, however, are defeated before they even get out of the gate. What mysterious … Read moreThe Enemy Within: How ghost hunters fail due to their own psyche

Why it is easy to FAIL with Full Spectrum cameras.

As Inigo Montoya (of The Princess Bride, for you non-movie-geeks) might say, “Full Spectrum? You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” So, I will explain it. Full-spectrum photography is a subset of full spectral imaging, defined currently among photography enthusiasts as imaging with consumer cameras the … Read moreWhy it is easy to FAIL with Full Spectrum cameras.

Battery Drainage Phenomena…..BULLSHIT!!!!

The concept of Battery Drain phenomena comes from  a belief that is based solely in anecdotal statements by investigators in  the paranormal community. It is thought that equipment such as audio recorders, flashlights and other electronics will exhibit  a rapid drain in battery strength prior to the onset of paranormal activity. Although it has also … Read moreBattery Drainage Phenomena…..BULLSHIT!!!!

Los Luceros, what is there and how to get there.

Los Luceros is located north of Española off NM 68 in Rio Arriba County. An historic marker along the highway at the intersection of NM 68 and Los Luceros (County Route 48) is all that indicates this special property to passers-by. Turning left from the highway, drivers travel down a narrow residential road with small … Read moreLos Luceros, what is there and how to get there.

The Lodge at Cloudcroft, my opinions

The Lodge

The legend of Rebecca is built upon a foundation that is no more solid than the apparition that supposedly haunts the hotel. The biggest problem is the inability to link the supposed ghost to an actual person. Several years have been spent searching genealogical records, law enforcement records, and missing persons reports in an attempt to … Read moreThe Lodge at Cloudcroft, my opinions

Kelly Ghost Town, Analysis of Paranormal Claims

I, along with SGHA, conducted several investigation in the ghost town of Kelly. The major excursions were in 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2011. 2001/2003. The purpose of the investigations in 2001 and 2003 was to investigate the reports of “shadow figures” that were seen around the remnants of the mine. Observation teams were stationed around … Read moreKelly Ghost Town, Analysis of Paranormal Claims

Applied Science: Laws of Thermodynamics

The majority of paranormal investigators would readily agree that ghosts must be some form of energy. As such, it is important to understand many of the laws that govern energy. Energy exists in many forms, such as heat, light, chemical energy, and electrical energy. Energy is the ability to bring about change or to do … Read moreApplied Science: Laws of Thermodynamics

Applied Science: Occam’s Razor (also spelled Ockham’s Razor)

The most important thing for a scientific ghost hunter to know is the science behind what he or she is doing. Anyone who has studied physics knows how daunting it is to learn the philosophical and mathematical formulas needed to fully comprehend, express, and apply natural laws. Occam’s razor is a principle attributed to the 14th-century … Read moreApplied Science: Occam’s Razor (also spelled Ockham’s Razor)

Witness Accounts of paranormal encounters at the St. James Hotel

Reported Phenomena in room 5 May 22, 1993 My girlfriend (Jenny) and I visited the St. James during a road trip to Colorado. We were staying in room 5, at the end of the hall on the first floor. I was awakened by Jenny around 1:00am. She claims that she had woken up and saw … Read moreWitness Accounts of paranormal encounters at the St. James Hotel

Wool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (Skeptical conclusion of the haunting)

The first paranormal claim we decided to address was the apparition of a man in a cream-colored double-breasted suit. We had a hypothesis that this apparition was actually a customer that went backstage through the south curtain that covers the hallway next to the stage. Without having an employee watching the south curtain, it is … Read moreWool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (Skeptical conclusion of the haunting)

Wool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (Witness Accounts)

The story behind the paranormal phenomena at the theater appears to be highly exaggerated. It seems that there are many witnesses to several different kinds of ghostly phenomena. However, during six separate investigations, conducted between April 1993 and May of 1999, we were only able to find seven witnesses that have claimed to have had … Read moreWool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (Witness Accounts)