Dunkelberger Returns with More Tacoma History

GCP is back recording in person!! Their first live guest is the great friend of the podcast, Steve Dunkelberger. Steve has been a working journalist for more than 20 years at various publications around the Puget Sound. In addition to being a journalist, he is also a judge for the Society of Professional Journalists National Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Awards. He has also has given lectures in the area on issues facing journalists, is a member of the Knights of the Pythias, and offers Drunken History tours of Tacoma. Steve has written two history books on the city of Lakewood and has just published his newest book on McNeil Island, and is currently working on two more. He has also had several of his historical articles published on Historylink.org and in Columbia magazine. His past GCP episodes are Episode 10, a Best Of on Jake Bird, Episode 17 where the guys get to tour The Knights of Pythias’s Commencement Lodge #7, Episode 44 where they discuss The Maury Island Incident, Episode 61 where they talk Drunk History, Episode 73: JBLM, Episode 88, and Episode 109.

00:00 – Robo Brogan kicks off the show, Steve shares how what he’s been doing during Covid, and his plans for returning to do Steve’s Drunken History Tacoma in person. Scott expresses his appreciation for Steve’s moccasins, they discuss reasons for US to return to the moon, and Justin gives an update on the haps at the Union Club. Steve talks about what’s been going on at the Pythian temple, projects that they’re working on there, and what his favorite artifact is.

20:53 – Steve tells the George Janovich story including George’s involvement in The Enterprise, how they got caught for burning down The Top of Ocean restaurant, and the books he’s working on, one around Fort Steilacoom, the other on the History of Medical Care in Pierce County. He talks other pandemics throughout history, plans for publishing the books, and the different things he does around the community.

45:30 – They question why there isn’t a beer in a box like wine, Scott reflects on the importance of a tap when throwing a party, and Justin tlks about plans for a kegerator for the home bar. Justin gives an update on the home studio, shifts to coaster question, and Steve talks about his go to drink during the pandemic. They jump into Is It Tacoma, Steve, Jeff, and Scott break out their pocketknives, and Scott shares things he considers before he buys a knife.

60:03 – Steve talks about his trip to Ohio, the food culture that’s missing in Toledo, and shares the three things about Ohio that he doesn’t understand. Justin talks about the fireworks in Tacoma, how the cops in Tacoma feel about people shooting off fireworks, and Steve dives into an article around the Unsolved Mysteries in Tacoma. He talks about the native American legend stories behind Bigfoot, the number of sightings of Bigfoot in Washington, and they close out sharing with listeners how they can find more information about Steve online.

Thanks Steve for joining GCP for another great conversation!!!

• Steve's Drunk History: Tacoma Edition — Just a dude with a microphone who talks about history and the quirks of things that made the area what it is today.
• Union Club Tacoma — Tacoma's premier creative community for coworking and events!
• George Janovich jailed for corruption, dead at 77 — Former Pierce County sheriff, jailed for corruption, dead at 77
• Federal grand jury indicts 15 men in Pierce County for racketeering on December 8, 1978.
• Top of the Ocean Restaurant, a Tacoma landmark, is destroyed by arson on April 3, 1977.