There are hundreds of different museums scattered far and wide across Washington state. Many of them are focused on the history of their particular city, county, or region. Others feature arguably some of the most interesting, thought-provoking, and unique art and sculpture in the world. And a few have captured more of a niche area, showcasing things like robots, quilts, and puppets. But the thing that binds these varied institutionsRead More

There are hundreds of different museums scattered far and wide across Washington state. Many of them are focused on the history of their particular city, county, or region. Others feature arguably some of the most interesting, thought-provoking, and unique art and sculpture in the world. And a few have captured more of a niche area, showcasing things like robots, quilts, and puppets. But the thing that binds these varied institutions <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/the-washington-museum-association/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The Washington Museum Association

Located in Pierce County, western Washington, in the City of Lakewood are the remnants of a once critical military instillation known as Fort Steilacoom. It occupies the same piece of land where today’s Western State Hospital exists – another historic topic for a future podcast episode, to be sure. But Fort Steilacoom, by its own right, has firmly entrenched itself in the history of Washington State. Built in 1849 toRead More

Located in Pierce County, western Washington, in the City of Lakewood are the remnants of a once critical military instillation known as Fort Steilacoom. It occupies the same piece of land where today’s Western State Hospital exists – another historic topic for a future podcast episode, to be sure. But Fort Steilacoom, by its own right, has firmly entrenched itself in the history of Washington State. Built in 1849 to <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/historic-fort-steilacoom/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Historic Fort Steilacoom

Feeling a slight bump up in the cockpit, the pilots of Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 looked at each other nervously as rain pelted against their windshield at around 200 miles per hour…a relatively slow speed for a Boeing 727. They didn't yet know that that bump meant their ordeal of the past several hours was just about over; that they, along with their flight engineer and flight attendant, would live to see another day—because the man known only as Dan Cooper had just exited the plane by leaping from the rear staircase in mid-flight, with a parachute and 200-thousand dollars strapped to his body, never to be seen again.

The Daring Heist of D.B. Cooper

Two weeks after Valentine’s Day, 2001, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the south sound region of Washington state near where the Nisqually River empties into Puget Sound. It was nearly 11 a.m. on a Wednesday, and the state legislature was in full swing. The violent tremors lasted nearly a minute, rocking the state capital of Olympia and the nearby cities of Lacey, Tumwater, Nisqually, DuPont, and Shelton. The shocks registeredRead More

Two weeks after Valentine’s Day, 2001, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the south sound region of Washington state near where the Nisqually River empties into Puget Sound. It was nearly 11 a.m. on a Wednesday, and the state legislature was in full swing. The violent tremors lasted nearly a minute, rocking the state capital of Olympia and the nearby cities of Lacey, Tumwater, Nisqually, DuPont, and Shelton. The shocks registered <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/earthquakes-in-the-pacific-northwest/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest

Mother Joseph

Born Esther Pariseau in 1823, the third of 12 children, in a farmhouse three miles from Saint-Martin, Laval, Quebec, this Canadian Religious Sister grew up to lead members of her congregation to the Pacific Northwestern United States where they established a network of schools and healthcare facilities to serve the American settlers in that new and remote part of the country. She was the first female architect in British Columbia,Read More

Born Esther Pariseau in 1823, the third of 12 children, in a farmhouse three miles from Saint-Martin, Laval, Quebec, this Canadian Religious Sister grew up to lead members of her congregation to the Pacific Northwestern United States where they established a network of schools and healthcare facilities to serve the American settlers in that new and remote part of the country. She was the first female architect in British Columbia, <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/who-was-mother-joseph/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Who was Mother Joseph?

Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were Christian missionaries who left their homes in upstate New York and traveled with another missionary couple, Henry and Eliza Spalding, to what was then called Oregon Country in 1836. Their mission? To “Christianize” Indians. In fact, Oregon wasn’t even a territory yet. The United States government didn’t have any programs in Oregon Country, which at the time consisted of the present-day states of Washington, Oregon,Read More

Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were Christian missionaries who left their homes in upstate New York and traveled with another missionary couple, Henry and Eliza Spalding, to what was then called Oregon Country in 1836. Their mission? To “Christianize” Indians. In fact, Oregon wasn’t even a territory yet. The United States government didn’t have any programs in Oregon Country, which at the time consisted of the present-day states of Washington, Oregon, <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/the-whitman-massacre/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The Whitman Massacre

Slade Gorton

Slade Gorton was an esteemed intellectual, an accomplished attorney, a shrewd political opponent, an Air Force colonel, a baseball nut…and one of the greatest public servants Washington State has ever known. After 92 years of working on behalf of others, the nonagenarian solon died last month, on August 19th. If you’ve never heard of Slade Gorton, you’ll get a great idea of who the man was by reading his obituaryRead More

Slade Gorton was an esteemed intellectual, an accomplished attorney, a shrewd political opponent, an Air Force colonel, a baseball nut…and one of the greatest public servants Washington State has ever known. After 92 years of working on behalf of others, the nonagenarian solon died last month, on August 19th. If you’ve never heard of Slade Gorton, you’ll get a great idea of who the man was by reading his obituary <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/the-life-of-senator-slade-gorton/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The Life of Senator Slade Gorton

In 1854, the Medicine Creek Treaty between regional Native American tribes and Washington’s territorial government kicked off a years-long conflict that forever changed the story of the Pacific Northwest. Sixty-eight years later, in 1922, the Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a bronze plaque commemorating the momentous treaty, upon the single remaining Douglas Fir that remained at the place where the treaty was signed. It becameRead More

In 1854, the Medicine Creek Treaty between regional Native American tribes and Washington’s territorial government kicked off a years-long conflict that forever changed the story of the Pacific Northwest. Sixty-eight years later, in 1922, the Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a bronze plaque commemorating the momentous treaty, upon the single remaining Douglas Fir that remained at the place where the treaty was signed. It became <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/medicine-creek-in-search-of-treaty-tree/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Medicine Creek: In Search of Treaty Tree

I’ve spent a lot of time in Ocean Shores, Washington, over the years…hiking around Damon Point, rock-hopping at the north jetty and exploring the Coastal Interpretive Center (which is absolutely worth seeing, if you ever get the chance). But one of the more memorable moments in my Ocean Shores experience was getting to “discover” a shipwreck as the tempestuous weather began shifting the dunes and slowly exposing its hull atRead More

I’ve spent a lot of time in Ocean Shores, Washington, over the years…hiking around Damon Point, rock-hopping at the north jetty and exploring the Coastal Interpretive Center (which is absolutely worth seeing, if you ever get the chance). But one of the more memorable moments in my Ocean Shores experience was getting to “discover” a shipwreck as the tempestuous weather began shifting the dunes and slowly exposing its hull at <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/the-wreck-of-the-s-s-catala/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The Wreck of the S.S. Catala

There are 281 official cities and towns in the State of Washington, according to the Washington State Association of Cities, and every one of them has a unique story to tell. Some of them have hundreds of stories…others, perhaps just one major story. All of them have their own character, vibe, ambiance, and backstory, and many of them have weird, interesting or unusual ways they got their names. Why isRead More

There are 281 official cities and towns in the State of Washington, according to the Washington State Association of Cities, and every one of them has a unique story to tell. Some of them have hundreds of stories…others, perhaps just one major story. All of them have their own character, vibe, ambiance, and backstory, and many of them have weird, interesting or unusual ways they got their names. Why is <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/say-wa-how-to-pronounce-washingtons-city-names/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Say WA! Part II: How to Pronounce Washington’s City Names

Washington Our Home’s fearless field guide Erich Ebel educates and entertains listeners about fascinating and little-known aspects of Washington state history, heritage and culture. Whether it’s interviews with eyewitnesses to a Sasquatch sighting or a timeline of events that led to a long-forgotten local massacre, the Washington Our Home podcast both expands and enriches the experience of the listener in a way that helps them better connect with the greatest state in the lower 48. Learn more at www.washingtonourhome.com.

Ok, I’ll admit it - history was never my favorite subject. Since I moved to, and fell in love with, Washington State I found myself curious about all the little towns and ghost towns, and the explorers and settlers that trekked all the way to the farthest northwest corner of this beautiful country. The history I read in books was too much like the standard dry history from my school days, until....”Washington Our Home“!  My “Fearless Field Guide”, Erich, is funny, entertaining, and knows his Washington State History. You can tell that he loves this state, and shares his interest with anyone who will listen. And listen you should. You won’t be disappointed, and you may just learn something new without going back to school!

History Made Entertaining!

Washington Our Home’s fearless field guide Erich Ebel educates and entertains listeners about fascinating and little-known aspects of Washington state history, heritage and culture. Whether it’s interviews with eyewitnesses to a Sasquatch sighting or a timeline of events that led to a long-forgotten local massacre, the Washington Our Home podcast both expands and enriches the experience of the listener in a way that helps them better connect with the greatest state in the lower 48. Learn more at <a href="http://www.washingtonourhome.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.washingtonourhome.com</a>.

Washington Our Home

In the 1930’s, a husband and wife team of conservationists purchased over 400 acres of desolate, charred land in south Pierce County, Washington. Fast forward 80 years (and factor in the meticulous planning, fastidious nurturing, generous donating, and fortuitous timing), and today, people of all ages can visit Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. In this episode, your fearless field guide Erich Ebel takes you on a tour of the park that’sRead More

In the 1930’s, a husband and wife team of conservationists purchased over 400 acres of desolate, charred land in south Pierce County, Washington. Fast forward 80 years (and factor in the meticulous planning, fastidious nurturing, generous donating, and fortuitous timing), and today, people of all ages can visit Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. In this episode, your fearless field guide Erich Ebel takes you on a tour of the park that’s <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/discovering-the-creatures-of-the-northwest-trek-trails-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Discovering the Creatures of the Northwest Trek Trails

On this episode of the Washington Our Home podcast, we’ll be trekking deep into the forests of western Washington looking for a killer and a victim – who many say are one and the same. And he’s certainly one of the finest woodsmen Washington State has ever produced. We’re hunting a man named John Tornow – otherwise known as the Wild Man of the Wynoochee. In 1911, the misunderstood misanthropeRead More

On this episode of the Washington Our Home podcast, we’ll be trekking deep into the forests of western Washington looking for a killer and a victim – who many say are one and the same. And he’s certainly one of the finest woodsmen Washington State has ever produced. We’re hunting a man named John Tornow – otherwise known as the Wild Man of the Wynoochee. In 1911, the misunderstood misanthrope <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/hunting-the-wild-man-of-the-wynoochee/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Hunting the Wild Man of the Wynoochee

Today, we’re beginning the creation of THE definitive pronunciation guide for Washington State. This will be part one of a three-part series looking at Washington’s notoriously difficult county, city and geographic names, so you’d better favorite these episodes if you want to sound like you’re from here. For this episode, we’ll stick to the tricky county names. Of course, we’ll also have our monthly trivia quiz, and we’ll pepper inRead More

Today, we’re beginning the creation of THE definitive pronunciation guide for Washington State. This will be part one of a three-part series looking at Washington’s notoriously difficult county, city and geographic names, so you’d better favorite these episodes if you want to sound like you’re from here. For this episode, we’ll stick to the tricky county names. Of course, we’ll also have our monthly trivia quiz, and we’ll pepper in <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/say-wa-how-to-pronounce-washingtons-county-names/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Say WA! Part I: How to Pronounce Washington’s County Names

At the very end of Washington State Route 506 lies a tiny, well-kept community that bills itself as the town with two histories. And both of those histories are pretty darned amazing. Heard of Ryderwood, Washington? Neither had I until I was approached by a representative of their historical society. And the story she told me had me fascinated…I decided I had to visit to learn more. The Ryderwood CollectionRead More

At the very end of Washington State Route 506 lies a tiny, well-kept community that bills itself as the town with two histories. And both of those histories are pretty darned amazing. Heard of Ryderwood, Washington? Neither had I until I was approached by a representative of their historical society. And the story she told me had me fascinated…I decided I had to visit to learn more. The Ryderwood Collection <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/ryderwood-the-town-with-two-histories/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Ryderwood: The Town with Two Histories

We’re all familiar with the historic events that led to the American Revolution, when the American Colonies seceded from rule by Great Britain. Somewhat less well known are the reasons behind the second war between England and the U.S…the War of 1812. But it’s unlikely you can find very many people who can tell you about the third war between these two superpowers, which took place – or, more accurately,Read More

We’re all familiar with the historic events that led to the American Revolution, when the American Colonies seceded from rule by Great Britain. Somewhat less well known are the reasons behind the second war between England and the U.S…the War of 1812. But it’s unlikely you can find very many people who can tell you about the third war between these two superpowers, which took place – or, more accurately, <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/of-pork-and-politics-washington-in-the-pig-war-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Of Pork and Politics: Washington in the Pig War

The term “ghost town” in today’s time has evolved from its more literal interpretation to describe any small town that has been abandoned or vacated. In fact, there’s a whole culture of folks dedicated to discovering and exploring ghost towns and their history. Most of the time, however, towns devoid of inhabitants have nowhere to grow but older. Not so for old Alder. Join your fearless field guide Erich EbelRead More

The term “ghost town” in today’s time has evolved from its more literal interpretation to describe any small town that has been abandoned or vacated. In fact, there’s a whole culture of folks dedicated to discovering and exploring ghost towns and their history. Most of the time, however, towns devoid of inhabitants have nowhere to grow but older. Not so for old Alder. Join your fearless field guide Erich Ebel <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/visit-old-alder-before-it-vanishes-again/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Visit Old Alder Before it Vanishes…Again

On June 24, 1994, Bud Holland crashed one of the biggest, most powerful aircraft ever built in the history of mankind, sending up a fireball that darkened the sky, leaving his kids fatherless and his wife a widow…and taking three members of his flight crew with him. Some people call it a tragic culmination of circumstances that took the life of one of our country’s bravest. Many others call itRead More

On June 24, 1994, Bud Holland crashed one of the biggest, most powerful aircraft ever built in the history of mankind, sending up a fireball that darkened the sky, leaving his kids fatherless and his wife a widow…and taking three members of his flight crew with him. Some people call it a tragic culmination of circumstances that took the life of one of our country’s bravest. Many others call it <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/the-life-and-death-of-arthur-bud-holland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The Life and Death of Arthur “Bud” Holland

There are dozens of things to see and do on the Lewis and Clark Trail Highway in southwest Washington (see here and here for just a few examples), but surely one of the most unique lies just outside a tiny berg called Knappton on the bank of the Columbia River. If you head west from Knappton Cove you might spot a rusty barge parked in a shallow bay called Hungry Harbor. There isRead More

There are dozens of things to see and do on the Lewis and Clark Trail Highway in southwest Washington (see here and here for just a few examples), but surely one of the most unique lies just outside a tiny berg called Knappton on the bank of the Columbia River. If you head west from Knappton Cove you might spot a rusty barge parked in a shallow bay called Hungry Harbor. There is <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/uss-plainview-the-ship-that-flew/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

USS Plainview: The ship that flew

On Wednesday, January 3rd, 1923, Cowlitz County Commissioner-elect Benjamin Barr sat in the back seat of his vehicle, when his driver – Arleigh Millard – felt an unsettling shudder through the springs in his seat. Miller glanced nervously at Barr through the rear-view mirror, unable to move the vehicle forward. The pair were stuck atop the Allen Street Bridge here in Kelso, Washington, when seconds later it all came crashingRead More

On Wednesday, January 3rd, 1923, Cowlitz County Commissioner-elect Benjamin Barr sat in the back seat of his vehicle, when his driver – Arleigh Millard – felt an unsettling shudder through the springs in his seat. Miller glanced nervously at Barr through the rear-view mirror, unable to move the vehicle forward. The pair were stuck atop the Allen Street Bridge here in Kelso, Washington, when seconds later it all came crashing <a href="https://washingtonourhome.com/the-deadliest-bridge-collapse-in-washington-state-history-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The Deadliest Bridge Collapse in Washington State History

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