theegiantratThe Hotel That Lit Up the World
A focused story about the former Bush House hotel and its place in Bellefonte’s Gilded Age identity.
Watch the Bellefonte story ↗Michael Murphy · Central Pennsylvania
Good places.
Human stories.
I’m Michael, the creator behind theegiantrat. I explore the history, character, and shared experiences that make a place worth getting to know.
Theme parks and regional attractions. Historic towns and overlooked corners. A curious traveler’s perspective, with a personal story to bring home.
The story behind the place
Local curiosity. A wider view.
My work ranges from Walt Disney World, Hersheypark, and Knoebels to Bellefonte’s history and the communities around central Pennsylvania. I create conversational, on-location videos that give viewers a reason to look closer—and a place to start exploring.
Destination storytellingRegional heritageTheme parks & attractionsCommunity experiences
Audience snapshot
A growing creator presence.
446YouTube subscribers ↗Latest synced November 2, 2026
3,000TikTok followers ↗Latest synced October 28, 2026
365Instagram followers ↗Latest synced October 31, 2026
Source: connected Metricool account. Counts are dated snapshots, reported separately because audiences may overlap.
Selected work
Stories from close to home.
Three introductions to my regional storytelling. Each link opens the full video on YouTube.
An American Gathering
Big Boy’s arrival in Lewistown becomes a story about community, shared experiences, and railroad history.
Watch the Big Boy story ↗The Story of Tow Hill
An on-location exploration of a lesser-known Black settlement near State College and its regional heritage.
Watch the Tow Hill story ↗More to explore: theegiantrat on YouTube · theegiantrat Americana
Partnerships & business inquiries
Have a place or story in mind?
I’m interested in working with destinations, downtown organizations, attractions, and relevant travel brands on thoughtful, place-based content.
- Long-form YouTube destination features
- Vertical videos for Shorts, TikTok, and Reels
- On-location photography and video content
- Regional heritage and community stories
Deliverables, fees, travel expenses, and content usage rights are agreed for each project.
theegiantrat@gmail.com ↗