River Ghosts episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 17, 2026 · 25 MIN

River Ghosts

from The Hot Dish · host Erin Maroney & Britt Bowling

Is the historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing, Minnesota really haunted? Or are the stories simply part of the rich folklore that surrounds one of Minnesota's most iconic river towns?In this episode of The Hot Dish Podcast, we travel along the mighty Mississippi River to uncover the legends, ghost stories, and mysterious encounters connected to the historic St. James Hotel. From reports of unexplained footsteps and shadowy figures to tales passed down through generations, we explore why this beautiful hotel has become one of Minnesota's most talked-about haunted locations.But we're not tackling the paranormal alone.This week, we're joined by one of our young guests yet, who brings a fresh perspective, asks the questions we might overlook, and helps us investigate whether these spooky stories hold any truth. Along the way, we discuss:The history of the St. James Hotel Famous ghost stories and paranormal claims associated with the hotelThe rivers and waterways that appear so often in ghost lore and folklore (including in Shakopee, MN)What our young guest thinks about ghosts, hauntings, and mysterious experiencesWhether skepticism and curiosity can coexistNow, full disclosure: we're not entirely convinced that ghosts are real. While we love a good ghost story and enjoy exploring local legends, we're approaching this conversation with healthy skepticism, and a sense of fun. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and join us as we explore one of Minnesota's most famous haunted landmarks. Are the spirits of the St. James Hotel still lingering in the halls, or are these stories simply echoes of the past?Listen now and decide for yourself.

Is the historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing, Minnesota really haunted? Or are the stories simply part of the rich folklore that surrounds one of Minnesota's most iconic river towns?In this episode of The Hot Dish Podcast, we travel along the mighty Mississippi River to uncover the legends, ghost stories, and mysterious encounters connected to the historic St. James Hotel. From reports of unexplained footsteps and shadowy figures to tales passed down through generations, we explore why this beautiful hotel has become one of Minnesota's most talked-about haunted locations.But we're not tackling the paranormal alone.This week, we're joined by one of our young guests yet, who brings a fresh perspective, asks the questions we might overlook, and helps us investigate whether these spooky stories hold any truth. Along the way, we discuss:The history of the St. James Hotel Famous ghost stories and paranormal claims associated with the hotelThe rivers and waterways that appear so often in ghost lore and folklore (including in Shakopee, MN)What our young guest thinks about ghosts, hauntings, and mysterious experiencesWhether skepticism and curiosity can coexistNow, full disclosure: we're not entirely convinced that ghosts are real. While we love a good ghost story and enjoy exploring local legends, we're approaching this conversation with healthy skepticism, and a sense of fun. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and join us as we explore one of Minnesota's most famous haunted landmarks. Are the spirits of the St. James Hotel still lingering in the halls, or are these stories simply echoes of the past?Listen now and decide for yourself.

NOW PLAYING

River Ghosts

0:00 25:38

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Hot Dish?

This episode is 25 minutes long.

When was this The Hot Dish episode published?

This episode was published on June 17, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Is the historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing, Minnesota really haunted? Or are the stories simply part of the rich folklore that surrounds one of Minnesota's most iconic river towns?In this episode of The Hot Dish Podcast, we travel along the mighty...

Can I download this The Hot Dish episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!