Wrangell History Unlocked

Each episode, we dive into the history of Wrangell, Alaska. One of Alaska's earliest settlements, Wrangell plays an important role in Alaska Native history and the development of the state of Alaska. Drawing on information from the historical record, we piece together long-lost stories from Wrangell's past.

Star of Bengal Bonus: The Taylors' Version 07/30/2024

Star of Bengal Bonus: The Taylors' Version 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/32339502

Strange Customs, Part III: With Justice for All 02/29/2024

Strange Customs, Part III: With Justice for All 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/29744013

Strange Customs, Part II: Fools Rush In 02/22/2024

Strange Customs, Part II: Fools Rush In 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/29743983

Strange Customs, Part I: The Ring of Corruption 02/15/2024

Strange Customs, Part I: The Ring of Corruption 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/29943428

Strange Customs: Sneak Peek 02/09/2024

Strange Customs: Sneak Peek 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/29867863

Star of Bengal Bonus: The James Kennedy Tapes 01/29/2024

Star of Bengal Bonus: The James Kennedy Tapes 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] /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/29701173

Wrangell Votes for President 11/05/2023

Wrangell Votes for President 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/28520354

The Illuminating Life of Private Palmer 05/26/2023

The Illuminating Life of Private Palmer 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/26951076

Guest Episode: "The Other Routes to the Klondike" (Klondike Gold Rush History Podcast) 02/24/2023

Guest Episode: "The Other Routes to the Klondike" (Klondike Gold Rush History Podcast) 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. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/26025477

The Mystery of Deadmans Island 01/16/2023

The Mystery of Deadmans Island 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] /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/25618275

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal V: The Captain's Daughter 08/18/2022

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal V: The Captain's Daughter 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/24098607

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal IV: Accusations 08/18/2022

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal IV: Accusations 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/24098538

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal III: Survival 08/18/2022

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal III: Survival 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/24098490

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal II: Farewell 08/18/2022

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal II: Farewell 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/24098187

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal I: A Star is Born 08/18/2022

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal I: A Star is Born 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 /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/24098163

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal: Coming Soon 08/22/2022

Rise & Fall of the Star of Bengal: Coming Soon 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: contact: /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/24125034

John Muir and the Fire on the Mountain 08/28/2021

John Muir and the Fire on the Mountain 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. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/20231972

The Trial of John Boyd for the Murder of Thomas O'Brien 05/13/2021

The Trial of John Boyd for the Murder of Thomas O'Brien In December 1878, Fort Wrangel, Alaska is a lawless place. No one is in charge. Chaos reigns. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/19089839

Reading Wrangell Historians 03/10/2021

Reading Wrangell Historians 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. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/18264734

Reverend Corser's Rebellion 02/06/2021

Reverend Corser's Rebellion 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. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/17844566

The Christmas Bombardment: Part II 12/21/2020

The Christmas Bombardment: Part II 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. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/17283920

The Christmas Bombardment: Part I 12/19/2020

The Christmas Bombardment: Part I 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. Tamaree’s story forces us to rethink what we know about the event known as The Bombardment of Wrangel. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/17261216

Tillie Paul Tamaree & The Right to Vote 10/24/2020

Tillie Paul Tamaree & The Right to Vote 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 Day, and after. The arrest of Charlie Jones and Tillie Paul-Tamaree wasn’t just about politics. It was about family. See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/16530383

The Murder of Harry Nakamoto 09/26/2020

The Murder of Harry Nakamoto 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. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/16168214

King Lear of Wrangell 09/02/2020

King Lear of Wrangell The man who owned Fort Wrangel -- until he lost it all. In our first episode, we look at the life of William King Lear (1832 - 1915). He is best known as the man who owned Fort Wrangel during a gold rush. He defended his claim to own Fort Wrangel for decades, during which time he shaped the Wrangell we know today. /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/15854783

Coming Soon: Wrangell History Unlocked 07/28/2020

Coming Soon: Wrangell History Unlocked A podcast about the history of Wrangell, Alaska /episode/index/show/wrangell-history-unlocked/id/15391427

Wrangell History Unlocked

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