PODCAST · history
Wrangell History Unlocked
by 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.
Episodes
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An Interview with Marcia Biederman, Author of "Attic Wife"
Marcia Biederman is the author of Attic Wife, the true story Agnes McAlpin Young, a Haida woman who married into a well-to-do Pennsylvania family during the Klondike Gold Rush. When her husband and in-laws turn against her, she's forced to fight for her life and those of her children. Learn more...
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Inside the Strangest Story Ever Sold
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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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 http://www.wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/strangecustoms
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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...
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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 http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/president
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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:...
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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...
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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:...
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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
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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:...
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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: http://wrangellhistoryunlocked.com/star contact: [email protected]
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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. In today's episode, we'll look at the...
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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. 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...
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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. See photos, read a transcript, and learn more at...
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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...
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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. In Part II of The Christmas Bombardment, we'll look at the...
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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. 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...
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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...
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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...
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King Lear of Wrangell
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. See photos, read a transcript, and...
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Coming Soon: Wrangell History Unlocked
There 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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Wrangell History Unlocked
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Wrangell History Unlocked have?
Wrangell History Unlocked currently has 28 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Wrangell History Unlocked about?
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...
How often does Wrangell History Unlocked release new episodes?
Wrangell History Unlocked has 28 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Wrangell History Unlocked?
You can listen to Wrangell History Unlocked on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Wrangell History Unlocked?
Wrangell History Unlocked is created and hosted by Wrangell History Unlocked.
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