Ep. 177 - The Old Ozarks - The Brogues and Brogans of the Irish Wilderness (S1: E6)

Welcome to the Old Ozarks with Dr. Brooks Blevins... Every now and then, a name on a map leads you down a rabbit hole of forgotten history. That’s what happened when I stumbled across a curious spot in southeastern Missouri referred to as the Irish Wilderness. The phrase (something pulled from the pages of a ghost story) is a little-known, true-life tale of Irish immigrants, Catholic dreams, and Civil War disappearance deep in the Ozark hills. In this episode, I explore how an ambitious Irish priest tried to build a haven for his famine-fleeing countrymen in the untamed backwoods between the Current and 11 Point Rivers. This is the story of brogans, brogues, and one of the Ozarks’ most mysterious lost communities. What is The Old Ozarks? The Old Ozarks is your gateway to the forgotten history of the Ozarks. Hosted by renowned historian Dr. Brooks Blevins, the leading authority on the region’s history, this podcast explores the lives, legends, and landscapes that have shaped this unique region. Whether you’re a native Ozarker, a new resident, or a curious listener, join us as we share the stories that make the Ozarks special and connect us to our past.