Star of Bengal Bonus: The Taylors' Version
Wrangell History Unlocked
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
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Strange Customs, Part III: With Justice for All
Wrangell History Unlocked
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
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Strange Customs, Part II: Fools Rush In
Wrangell History Unlocked
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.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/strangecustoms
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Strange Customs, Part I: The Ring of Corruption
Wrangell History Unlocked
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.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/strangecustoms
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Strange Customs: Sneak Peek
Wrangell History Unlocked
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
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Star of Bengal Bonus: The James Kennedy Tapes
Wrangell History Unlocked
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 harrowing, deadly night. Transcript and more available at Have a piece of the Star of Bengal story to share? Get in touch! [email protected]
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Wrangell Votes for President
Wrangell History Unlocked
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
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The Illuminating Life of Private Palmer
Wrangell History Unlocked
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 transcript here: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/palmer
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Guest Episode: "The Other Routes to the Klondike" (Klondike Gold Rush History Podcast)
Wrangell History Unlocked
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.
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The Mystery of Deadmans Island
Wrangell History Unlocked
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: contact us: [email protected]
info_outlineThere are many histories of Alaska, and I’ve always wanted Wrangell to have its own. I want to focus the lens a little longer, and look a little more deeply, to find the forgotten stories.
Join us on Wrangell History Unlocked. Each episode, we’ll dive into a different piece of Wrangell’s distant past. We’ll weave together stories from newspapers, archives, first-hand accounts, and more.
Join me, Ronan Rooney, as we go to the past in Wrangell History Unlocked.
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If you have questions, contact [email protected]