Discover how Battle Ground, WA got its unusual name from a tense 1855 standoff between settlers, soldiers, and the Klickitat tribe — a “battle” that never actually happened. Explore the fascinating local history behind one of Southwest Washington’s most curious place names.
McNeil Island Penitentiary: Washington’s Prison Island
Explore McNeil Island Penitentiary, Washington’s infamous prison island—its dark history, notorious inmates, and why America’s last island prison closed in 2011.
D.B. Cooper Didn’t Jump from the Plane
In November 1971, a man known only as D.B. Cooper pulled off one of the most daring hijackings in American history. After commandeering a commercial jet, he extorted $200,000 in ransom, then…
How to Make a Bluetooth Adapter for your Vintage Tube Radio
Parts list KRC-86B v4.0 Bluetooth ModuleTP4056 1A Battery Charger Module18650 Battery Holder18650 BatteryPanel mount micro-USB female connectorAdafruit 16mm Illuminated Pushbutton Switch2x 15K resistors1/4″ mono jack plugproject box I love vintage tube radios….
Joseph “Bunco” Kelly: Portland’s Notorious Shanghaiier
Discover Joseph “Bunco” Kelly, Portland’s most notorious shanghaiier—his ruthless tactics, Shanghai Tunnels ties, and role in the city’s dark waterfront past.
1922 RCA Radiola Senior Radio
Discover the 1922 RCA Radiola Senior radio, one of America’s earliest home receivers—its history, design, and role in the rise of radio broadcasting.
Washington Joins the Union: Map of Washington and Oregon from 1889 Lett’s Atlas
Explore an 1889 map of Washington and Oregon from Letts’s Atlas, capturing statehood history, shifting borders, and detailed Pacific Northwest geography.
Vancouver’s Hanging Holiday
Step back into Vancouver’s hanging holiday of 1890, when a public execution of Edward Gallagher drew crowds, tickets, and one of the city’s darkest moments.
Vancouver and the Great Flood of 1894
As the Columbia River continued to rise, so did the destruction of Vancouver, Washington. At first no-one noticed the water rising in town, or didn’t care much, as they weren’t expecting a…
Exploring Lava Canyon
FINALLY, a nice sunny Saturday in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve literally been dreaming about this day. This Spring it seemed like it was going to rain forever. It rained for seemingly days…