How One Man Drowned San Diego.

What if someone promised to make it rain—and you believed them?

In the early 1900s, Charles Hatfield went from selling sewing machines door to door to pitching American cities on an impossible idea: that he could manufacture rainfall using a secret chemical process. Farmers hired him. Towns paid him. And rain seemed to follow wherever he went.

Then San Diego made a deal.

Facing an extreme drought and mounting pressure as it prepared for a major world exposition, city leaders took a gamble on Hatfield’s “no rain, no pay” promise. What followed was not relief—but chaos. Rain fell. Then more rain. Then flooding, collapsing infrastructure, and a disaster that would permanently change the city.

In this episode, Jody walks Shea through:

• How Hatfield built his reputation as The Rainmaker
• Why early 20th-century America was primed to believe him
• The thin line between innovation, coincidence, and catastrophe
• And the legal and moral fallout that lasted more than 20 years

Did Hatfield actually make it rain?

Or was he simply very good at predicting when nature was already about to unleash itself?

The answer isn’t as simple—or as comforting—as you might think.

Today we have a huge announcement! Rainy Day Rabbit Holes has joined the MSW Media Network! We are so excited for this new partnership. We will continue to bring you all of the juicy and unhinged history that you have grown to love, but now with 25% more politicians behaving badly!

Also, if you haven't heard about it yet, we cover the story of the Columbia outdoor wear company offering its assets to anyone who can provide a photo of the edge of the earth. #expeditionimpossible

https://youtu.be/JxJOAsTMC6w

Go check out our website at www.rainydayrabbitholes.com, and check out the other great podcasts at MSW Media! www.mswmedia.com

History is messy. It’s weird, wild, and anything but boring.

Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is a history podcast about unhinged stories that make you stop and ask, wait… is this real life?

From crazy disasters and tasty scandals to enlightening and surprisingly heartwarming tales, the show explores moments where people behaved badly—and sometimes beautifully. Expect naughty politicians, cultural chaos, and a deep love for the Pacific Northwest… including Bigfoot.

It’s thoughtful, irreverent, occasionally serious, and always entertaining.

Go listen now and fall down the rabbit hole.

Find Rainy Day Rabbit Holes at rainydayrabbitholes.com or wherever you get your podcasts.