About Craig Owens
Historian • Author • Photographer • Researcher • Television Personality
Biography
Craig Owens is an American historian, author, fine-art photographer, researcher, and television personality whose work blends rigorous research with a deep curiosity about the past. He is best known as a lead historical researcher and property historian on the popular paranormal documentary series Haunted Discoveries and Haunted Discoveries: Family Spirits.
Craig’s passion for history and the stories that shape our understanding of places began early, inspired by historic sites and the legends that surround them. This lifelong interest eventually led him to research forgotten and overlooked histories, especially those tied to historic hotels and urban lore.
His award-winning book, Haunted by History Vol. I: Separating the Facts and Legends of Eight Historic Hotels and Inns in Southern California, showcases his talent for uncovering factual history while thoughtfully exploring the folklore around these sites.
As the creator of the long-running blog and research project, Bizarre Los Angeles, Craig has built a reputation for digging into archival material, challenging popular misconceptions, and presenting history in vivid, accessible ways. His photography often complements his research, bringing historic spaces to life through compelling, stylized imagery.
Craig’s work has been featured in media and publications, and, in addition to guest appearances on numerous podcasts, he has been invited to speak at libraries, preservation foundations, and cultural events. In everything he does, Craig aims to honor the truth of the past while inviting audiences to see history from fresh perspectives.
Experience & Expertise
Education
Craig holds a BFA in Communications from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas
Published Author
Haunted by History examines the documented facts and folklore of many of Southern California’s historic hotels
Public Speaking
Guest appearances on podcasts and speaking engagements at libraries, foundations, and cultural events
Television
Lead historical researcher on Haunted Discoveries and Haunted Discoveries: Family Spirits
Bizarre Los Angeles
Long-running blog and research project exploring overlooked urban histories and challenging misconceptions
Archival Research
Decades of experience with primary sources, public records, and genealogical documentation
What Craig Brings to Your Project
Genealogy with Context, Care, and Curiosity
Family history is more than names and dates. Genealogy is about understanding the lives people lived and the worlds they moved through. Craig excels at documenting these stories and presenting his findings clearly and thoughtfully, turning raw research into a narrative you can understand, preserve, and pass down.
Expert Research with a Historical Edge
Craig has decades of experience uncovering little-known facts in archives, public records, and cultural histories from early Hollywood landmarks to storied hotels with layers of legend and lore.
Clear, Evidence-Based Storytelling
Whether he’s writing a book, presenting on television, or preparing a research brief, Craig prioritizes facts while giving context to stories that matter, even when they’ve been obscured by myth.
Multidisciplinary Skills
Craig’s approach blends traditional historical research with photography, narrative writing, and media experience. This makes him especially valuable for projects that need engaging storytelling alongside documented facts.
Audience-Ready Deliverables
From polished written reports to consultative sessions, Craig knows how to tailor complex research into formats that you can use and share, whether that’s with family and friends or for the general public as part of the story of your historic place.
Passion + Professionalism
Craig’s curiosity drives his work, but his methods are grounded in professional research standards. You don’t just get enthusiasm from Craig about your project, but you also get thorough, well-documented insights with clear sources and thoughtful interpretation.
Examples of Craig's Work
You can see Craig on Tubi and YouTube doing what he does best: grounding stories in facts and historical context and presenting them in an understandable, shareable way to the people who care about them most. People like you.
Ready to Uncover Your History?
Whether you’re researching a historic property or solving a genealogical mystery, Craig brings careful attention, archival expertise, and clear documentation to every project.