Wrangell History Unlocked

Bigfoot! Kushtaka! And an alien! For generations, The Strangest Story Ever Told has delighted—and frightened—audiences. Today, we get to the truth and shed new light on one of Alaska's most enduring myths. learn more and read a transcript at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/strangest-story contact us: wrangellpod@gmail.com

When Bill Taylor was a young boy, he accompanied his father on board the steamship Hattie Gage, as it towed the Star of Bengal to sea. Thanks to advances in AI audio restoration, for the first time ever, you can now hear the story in his own words. Learn more, and read a transcript, at http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/blog/taylors-version

The Army has its man, but the Courts have the final say. A gruesome death threatens to rekindle a bloody conflict between the Army the Tlingit. And Senator John Hipple Mitchell flexes his political muscle to shut down the Army's case against his henchman, John Carr. Learn more and read a transcript at http://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/strangecustoms

The Cassiar Gold Rush floods Fort Wrangel with miners, merchants, and people hoping to make it rich. Deputy Collector John Carr makes his stake on smuggling, extortion, and fraud. While he makes friends with the local merchants, he finds an enemy in a man called King Lear. As the gears of government turn, Army has surprises in store. Learn more and read a transcript at http://www.wrangellhistoryun...

It's a true story of crime in the Alaskan frontier. Our story kicks off with the many lives of John Carr, a career criminal on the run from justice. When he finds his calling in Portland's criminal underground, the doors of political power open for him — including one in far away Fort Wrangel, at the peak of the Cassiar Gold Rush. Learn more and read a transcript at http://www.wrangellhistoryunloc...

Strange Customs is a three-part series debuting Thursday, February 15, 2024 and each week after! Subscribe to Wrangell History Unlocked on your favorite podcast app, or visit  http://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/strangecustoms

James Kennedy was the Chief Engineer aboard the steamship Kayak the night the Star of Bengal was lost forever. Today, you'll hear the story in James Kennedy's own words. Thanks to his grandson, Bob Kennedy, we'll play a tape recording of him from 1947. And thanks to his great-great-grandson John Schenk, we'll hear his testimony read aloud from 1908. Taken together, it's one man's story of a harrow...

Election results help historians to track change over time. Today's episode covers votes for president from Wrangell 1960 - 2020. If you'd like to follow along with charts, visit us at http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/president

When Merlin Elmer Palmer joined the Marines, he sealed his legacy. He lives on as the namesake of two American Legion Posts today. But who was he? Today, we chart his incredible life story, from his roots in Nebraska, through adventures in Alaska, to his service in World War 1. Battle sequences are reconstructed using artillery and ammo sound effects. Pictures, news clippings, and episode transcri...

Today, we're honored to feature a guest episode from the incredible podcast series, Klondike Gold Rush History Podcast . In this installment, hosts Pascale and Keith Halliday explain the routes to the gold fields, and why those who came through Wrangell were described as "unfortunate dupes." Find Klondike Gold Rush History Podcast online at www.klondikegoldrush.org.

There's an old Wrangell legend that dead Chinese cannery workers were left in barrels on Deadmans Island. This legend has been printed, quoted, and repeated. But there are reasons to doubt it's true. To find some answers, we dig into the burial traditions of Chinese, European, and Tlingit residents of southeast Alaska. learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/deadmansisland contact us: wrang...

It's the the Roaring 20s. This is the true story of Joan Lowell, a beautiful young woman with a story to tell – including one about her father's shipwreck, the Star of Bengal. This is a tale of Hollywood, Broadway, a best-selling book, and the invention of a great American hoax. Learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

The steamship captains are once again in a fight for their lives, this time to clear their names. The investigation into the wreck of the Star of Bengal takes unexpected twists and turns, as a Wrangell witness drops a bombshell. We deconstruct the chief inspector's report, and show what he got wrong. Learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

The only hope of rescue for the Star of Bengal lies with the two steamships Hattie Gage and Kayak, but both of them are in a race for their lives. We'll use eyewitness statements to reconstruct the ship's final moments and the accusations of cowardice against the steamship captains. Learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

It's the summer of 1908, and the Star of Bengal bids farewell to San Francisco. After a long, hard season of fishing and canning salmon, the 138 men throw a farewell party before sailing home. But a dark fate lays ahead. Learn more: wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

There are many stories about the Star of Bengal. In our first episode, we introduce you to some of its best-known legends. We'll take you back to 1874 when Irish shipbuilders Harland & Wolff launched the Star of Bengal, through its decades at sea, up to Alaska. Learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star

Announcing a new series from Wrangell History Unlocked, Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal. This preview features the 60-second trailer, a brief introduction from the author, and a 3m 30sec clip from Episode 1. learn more: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star contact: wrangellpod@gmail.com

On a stormy night in 1879, John Muir climbed the mountain behind Fort Wrangel, Alaska and built a fire so large it lit up the sky. The reaction of the surprised Tlingit villagers below has gone down in legend, misunderstood and maligned for over a century. In today's episode, we'll look at the conflicts at play in John Muir's life to understand why he built the fire. We'll dive into the people and...

In December 1878, Fort Wrangel, Alaska is a lawless place. No one is in charge. Chaos reigns. When a gold miner is shot dead inside a saloon, the people in Fort Wrangel are forced to bring the murderer to justice. See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/john-boyd

This week, we recognize some of the outstanding authors in Wrangell history. Authors featured include: Patricia A. Neal, Bonnie Demerjian, Pat Roppel, Frances Lackey Paul, Debra Komar, and Dr. Emily L. Moore. See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/reading-wrangell-historians

In 1899, amidst the chaos of the Klondike Gold Rush, a new minister arrived in Fort Wrangel to serve to a congregation split along racial lines. The Reverend H.P. Corser became an advocate for his Alaska Native congregation and challenged his superiors in the church. The conflict set Reverend Corser, and his congregation, on a path of exodus. See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https:...

After Christmas Day 1869 turned into a bloody mess, the United States Army opened fire on the Tlingit village of Ḵaachx̱ an.áakʼw. The bombardment lasted two days, and ended with the first murder trial held by the United States in Alaska. In Part II of The Christmas Bombardment, we'll look at the days, months, and years that followed. See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at https://www.wr...

When William Tamaree was six years old, the US Army fired cannons on his village, Ḵaachx̱ an.áakʼw, kicked off by a drunken party on Christmas Day 1869. He revealed a new version of the story, that unraveled a massive coverup and days of violence. Tamaree's story forces us to rethink what we know about the event known as The Bombardment of Wrangel. In Part I, we'll set the stage, by looking at the...

In 1923, two respected Tlingit elders in Wrangell were arrested. Charlie Jones was charged with illegal voting and perjury for voting in the 1922 general election. And Tillie Paul Tamaree was accused of inducing him to do it. The arrests were the latest escalation in a long, simmering battle over Alaska Native rights. This is the story of what happened in Wrangell, before Election Day, on Election...

A member of a prominent Wrangell family is arrested for murder after an encounter on Cow Alley leaves one man dead. The year is 1921. The trial of Charles Lynch for the murder of Harry Nakamoto features some of Alaska's biggest names. It paints a picture of what life was like in a politically-charged time in Wrangell history, and it offers a glimpse into to lives of Asian immigrants to Alaska. ---...