The Houdini Walking Tour
2026 Anniversary Series Additions

Hometown

Houdini remained deeply attached to Appleton throughout his career, returning several times and speaking often of the city with affection.

I may make it a point to come down for a day and just get that homesick feeling rested. — Letter to Edna Ferber

In a few days I am going with my wife and mother to Appleton to see the old landmarks… — Appleton Crescent, May 4, 1912

My mother would always say her happiest days were spent in Appleton when we were all together… and in all my interviews I mention Appleton with pride, and think I have ‘boosted’ that little place as no other has done. — Letter to Gustave Keller, 1916

“Houdinize”

Few entertainers have lent their names to the English language.

Houdini persuaded the editors of Funk & Wagnalls to have the verb "Houdinize"—to release or extricate oneself, as by wriggling out— included in the first edition of Funk & Wagnalls' 1912 Standard Encyclopedia. That distinction led to a friendship with editor Frank H. Vizetelly, who paid this tribute after Houdini's death.

Houdini was one of the most lovable men I have known… Greathearted and distinguished by the sweetness of his disposition, he was generous to a fault; gave of himself freely to every worthy cause; hated all false pretense and deceit; and went about doing good, interesting himself in everything that was noble and kind… by his passing the world lost a great and good man, and I a loyal and staunch friend.

— Frank H. Vizetelly, 1926

Dream Letter

Following Houdini's death in 1926, his widow, Bess, held an annual séance each Halloween in hopes of receiving a promised message from her husband. After ten years without success, she declared the experiment over, saying that ten years was long enough to wait for any man.

Sixty years after Houdini's death, magicians and admirers from around the world gathered on this site for the Official Houdini Séance® on Halloween night, 1986. The commemorative attempt to contact the world's greatest escape artist drew worldwide attention.

Like Bess before them, those assembled received no message from Houdini. Yet many participants later recalled that his presence was profoundly felt. The anniversary séance reaffirmed Houdini's enduring place as one of the most influential figures in the history of magic.