Ricky's Historical Tidbits Podcast

Listen, Watch, or Read. I got you covered. Hey everybody in this episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits I am going to do something a little different. A Tidbits Blitz, What that is, is a handful of tidbits in one episode. These tidbits are short but worth telling so instead of posting a super short episode for each one I'm going to do a bunch in one episode. Ready? Okay, let's get started. Hank Mon...

Have you ever heard of the Orson Welles Controversy concerning the War of the Worlds Broadcast he did one day? Well if you haven't or even if you have but haven't heard the full broadcast for yourself, you are in luck. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymortensen.substack.com

"Regal? Overrated? Captain of men? Friend and benefactor? Bellicose firebrand? Robert Stockton was many things to many people, but in two things he was constant: he was unwavering in his dedication to his state and to his country, and he never failed to strive for glory. Regardless of what history makes of his achievements, and there were inarguably many, and of his mistakes and blunders, whi...

You have likely had one of the Ghirardelli squares before, have you ever wondered about the history not of the company exactly but the man that started it? Well I have and I did the research and MANNNNN did this guy have a tough time in business yet he persevered along with his family.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ricky-mortensen/support This is a public episo...

I tell you a brief explanation of 4 kinds of gold and then the stories of 3 gold nuggets This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymortensen.substack.com

The Jenny Lind Steamboat Disaster claimed 32 lives in the bay area back in 1853. In this episode, I'll tell you all about it.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymortensen.substack.com

According to E. Clampus Vitus legend, St. Vitus devoted 37 years of study and unbiblical contemplation to seek out the fundamental truths bound up in the mystic title of the order. He began writing a cabalistic treatise on the subject in 83 volumes. Still, so far as anyone has been able to discover, he got no further than the first 3 words: Credo Quia Absurdum. Which means I believe it because it...

Many moons ago there was a big lake in the western territory of the United States. Native American tribes called it dá’aw which translates basically to “lake”. Some say there is a 60-foot monster like the loch ness monster that lives in the deep known today as Tahoe Tessie, some say there are hundreds of bodies at the bottom perfectly preserved from the freezing cold deep dark waters and if your f...

In this episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits, I share with you the story of my favorite criminal, Charley Boles also known as Black Bart. He robbed 28 stagecoaches in his bandit career and was eventually caught and sent to San Quentin. I'm really excited about this episode. Books Recommended Black Bart - George Hoeper Black Bart: Search is over - Robert Jernigan Case of Summerfield Museum Address...

In this episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits, I share with you the story of a man who made his mark everywhere he went. Whether it was mining for gold, building a telegraph line across the country, constructing railroads, potentially inventing the pony express, and most notably Consul for the Chinese people in the United States. His name? Frederick A. Bee. Link to the diary of Albert Bee  This is...

In this episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits, I share with you the story of a lady named Lucy Ann Stoddard Wakefield Batterman, who was known to most for her pies but there’s something else she’s known for. She is part of the Miners on Main series which is a scavenger hunt coming soon to Main Street in Placerville highlighting local people of history that had some kind of impact on the city of Pl...

This short episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits is about a lady named Eliza Mckinstry. She is part of the Miners on Main series which is a scavenger hunt coming soon to Main Street in Placerville highlighting local people of history that had some kind of impact on the city of Placerville. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

In this short episode of Ricky's historical tidbits, I share with you a little bit about a man who will be featured in the city of Placerville's “Miners on Main” scavenger hunt on Main Street. Known to history for a few things but is mostly known as Judge Blanchard. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymorten...

This is a short episode about Dorothea Zeisz, a woman who had 10 kids then her husband left the country for "business" This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymortensen.substack.com

“One of the best detectives on the Pacific Coast; prompt, vigilant, and firm; always sober, reticent in his business affairs; knew no fear of danger; confided into the fullest extent of his employers, and generally esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.” that is a description of a man known today as the Sherlock Holmes of the wild west that man was James Hume. In this episode o...

You may have heard of Studebakers in terms of cars or old wagons but do you know the full story of the man behind it all, it is quite the story and you will enjoy every second of this episode all about it.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymortensen.substack.com

Robbers Roost is a place where the notorious Gassaway Gang hung out and robbed an unknown amount of people until they finally got caught and were sent to jail. Though short, this is their story.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymortensen.substack.com

It was 1979, a man named Ed Duffy, a carpenter, had bought an old home in Sacramento and was working on fixing it up. under the staircase, he happened upon an old trunk and when he opened it he was astonished at what he found. In this episode I will be sharing with you the story of May Woolsey and the trunk under those stairs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

The very interesting history and demise of a family-run brewery in Placerville, CA. "The proper beer to drink and the purest and best is the beer from the Giebenhain brewery in Placerville California. Our staff of physicians have found that this beer yields the greatest tonic strength so much desired to assist digestion and that it it keeps down the temperature thus preventing sunstroke, and estab...

Preston Castle is 45 minutes East of Sacramento now known for its haunts and for simply being spooky looking In this episode you will learn all you need to know about Preston Castle, the old juvenile detention center meant for reforming and teaching the trades.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymortensen....

Snowshoe Thompson was a mailman who delivered mail on skis from Placerville around South lake Tahoe and up to Carson city and back. His story is one that cannot be ignored, it is simply too fascinating.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickymortensen.substack.com

Most people have never heard his name before, most don't know his story. A man who came to America in the 1830s and made his way to becoming the first millionaire of California before the gold rush. Had he not died so young who knows what riches he would have accumulated.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rick...