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!!!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Sponsored By:

• Die Cut Stickers: Use the code GRITCITY15 at checkout and get 15% off your entire order! · Insanely custom stickers crafted to survive the PNW and beyond! Promo Code: GRITCITY15

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• 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.

03:30 – Steve shares where fans can find him online, Justin gives a shout out to PSP, and talks on the karaoke night the previous night at his house. He gives props to Steve on his karaoke performance, Steve talks about starting the Drunken History tour of Tacoma, and the events he does in the retirement community. He shares the plan for him to expand to doing tours at the Airport Tavern, the drive of his shows, and the plans to make a movie on the story of Jake Bird. Steve mentions how Tacoma was the furniture capital of the world at one point in time and the growth of manufacturing in Tacoma.

18:32 – Steve tells the guys the backstory on the cooling towers towards Aberdeen, he talks on why he chugged a can of clam chowder during his show, and Justin shares the plans for Trapper’s Sushi to return in Tacoma at their previous location. He talks on the plans of new apartments in Old City Hall in Tacoma, Steve shares his wish that the city of Tacoma would allow a return of apartments over Main Street level stores, and Scott and Justin gives props to the Las Tamales Restaurant on 72nd.

37:39 – Justin talks about him and his wife adopting their local roundabout, Steve talks about what his brother did with remaking his local round about, and things Justin is looking into for improving. Scott suggests GCP adopts a roundabout, Steve talks on the Spanish flu of 1918 in light of the Coronavirus, and the amount of people that were killed by the flu during that time. He shares how the working theory of the flu was that it started in America, Justin talks on not wanting to go on a cruise, and Steve talks on the diversity that he likes to put in his stories.

56:32 – Steve drops the haps on the Pythian Temple, his recent DJing at the temple’s Masquerade Party, and other things he has going on in the community. He talks on the history of fraternal lodges, the classes he taught on the making of sock gnomes, and the number of secret societies he’s a part of. Justin turns to coaster questions, Steve shares how he feels the people in Tacoma today would get along well with the people from the early Tacoma days, and they talk on the plan for the Flatstick Pub that will be hitting Tacoma hopefully soon!

Thanks Steve for stopping in and dropping some history on the guys, it’s always a great conversation!!!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Sponsored By:

• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Steve's Drunk History: Tacoma Edition - About — Drunken, yet educational, shenanigans about Tacoma.
• Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) — Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS)
• Urban Business Support Episode — The GCP teams conversation on Urban Business Support.
• Los Tamales Restaurant on FB — Family Mexican restaurant in Tacoma.
• Rhein Haus Restaurant
• Flatstick Pub — Local Craft Beer, Mini Golf & Old School Fun

2:38 – Steve shares the tie he was wearing that day, the number of ties that he owns, and his 30 food related ties. Justin shares how listeners can find other shows they have done with Steve, Steve talks about the next project he is working on, and the group he’s working with to clean up the old pioneer headstones at the Tacoma cemetery. He talks about what got him started in cleaning up headstones, the solutions they use to do so, and the amount of people that help with this event. He talks about findagrave.com, the stories behind the headstones, and on the beginning history of the educational system in Tacoma.

20:54 – Steve talks about how ancient Native Americans generally lived 9 years longer than their European counter parts, Jeff talks on the importance for people to know how to search the web, and Steve shares an interesting experience he had with someone on Facebook around cursive writing. Justin talks about the use of Heinz Ketchup in the 1800’s for medicine, asks Steve on how the modern 1800’s society coming to Tacoma impacted education in the area, and Steve talks on what drove people to the PNW in the 1840’s and 50’s.

44:02 – Steve shares info on his Swiss Army knife and the features it has, the books he has written, and the location of the Pythian Temple. Justin talks on how astounded he was when touring the temple, how people can become members, and Steve provides info on his upcoming October Drunk History. He talks on his belief of ghosts, Justin discusses his belief, and Jeff shares how deep he goes with ghosts and his want to harness ghost energy.

61:18 – Steve brings the conversation back to education and gives a shout out to Clara McCarty, Pierce County’s first superintendent in 1880 and first graduate of the University of Washington. He talks on the inflation of educational costs and Justin talks taking college classes in Lakewood. They discuss the strip clubs in the area, how the clubs cannot server alcohol in Pierce County, and what they’re selling to get around the rule. Steve finishes out the show talking on the history behind Pierce County School District.

Thanks Steve for another great conversation!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Sponsored By:

• The Great Washington Shake Out!: Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:17 a.m. on October 17* during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills! Washingtonians can join them today by registering for the 2019 Great Washington ShakeOut. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes– wherever you live, work, or travel.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• McNeil Island
• Legendary Locals of Lakewood
• Lakewood
• The Great Washington ShakeOut - Get Ready!

1:30 – Justin shares information on their Patreon account, talks about the upcoming Boot to Boot event on the 29th, and Jeff explains the rules behind Das Boot. Scott gives props to The Camp Bar, Justin discourages people from buying after market/trunk meet, and Steve shares where people can find him online. Steve then dives into PNW military history, he explains that the first 4th of July celebration happened on the west coast in 1841, and him and Scott debate why the celebration was on the 4th instead of the 5th.

15:01 – Steve talks about the 1854 war with the Native Americans, Pierce County voters in 1917 voting to float $2,000,000 bonds to buy land in Pierce County and gift it to the government, and the condition behind the vote. He talks about how the base was officially opened 9 months later, the patriotism parade oopsie, and then discusses the Spanish flu epidemic.

30:05 – He discusses the history behind McChord Air Force Base that started out as Tacoma Fields, it becoming the air force base in 1947, and the first official Air Force casualties being at McChord. Steve talks about how influential the military was on the PNW growth, Tacoma almost going bankrupt in 1898, and Fort Lewis being a WWII POW facility.

43:40 – Steve talks about the Stars and Stripes newspaper, the liberation edition, and he talks about his newest book on McNeil Island. He discusses Roy Gardner the king of prison escapes, farming that happened on the island, and where people can find his book. He talks about what’s new with the Knights of Pythias, this History Happy Hour at The Swiss on July 18th, and Steve lets listeners know how they can pass story ideas to him.

Thanks Steve for another great episode!!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Sponsored By:

• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Steve Dunkelberger, Author at SouthSoundTalk
• Steve's Drunk History: Tacoma Edition - Home on Facebook

1:33 – Brogan kicks off the show greeting Steve with an impromptu jingle, the team shares how people can find them online, and converse about friends they know that still use AOL. Brogan talks about his upcoming trip to Reno, Steve mentions his travel musts being a fanny pack and a bran muffin, and the different types of pens he carries. The groups discusses their opinions on girls allowed in Boy Scouts and Steve talks about his Drunk History tours around Tacoma.

14:20 – Steve shares his recent bookings of talks at retirement homes around PNW, the legendary musicians that have come from Tacoma, and the reason behind why most songs are 3 – 4 minutes long. Steve shares when his next book will be released, gives a thumbnail sketch of the history behind McNeal Island, and what the state currently uses it for. Brogan preps steak tacos, Steve talks about spending the night in Charles Mansion’s old cell at McNeal Island during the time Steve did prison ministry, and they cover the recent 35th anniversary show of the band Girl Trouble.

38:34 – Steve talks about what’s been going on at the Knights of the Pythias, what they’re doing on St Patrick’s Day, and they talk about the Hunt A Killer Subscription box. Steve discusses Pythia’s social knights, Brogan describes the steak taco’s he’s cooking up, and Scott talks about Tacoma’s Manuscript Museum. Steve explains how historical documents are preserved, hidden gems in the area of that people may not now about, and chat’s about how Fort Nisqually was moved during the Great Depression from Du Point to Point Defiance.

58:40 – Steve tells the guys about his recent first time as a substitute teacher, how Tacoma is the city of destiny just as much as it’s the city of tragedy, and dives into the famous ranger shooting that happened September 23rd, 1989. They talk about ‘Safe Streets’ being formed right after that happened, housing disparity going on in Tacoma, and Scott mentions the web series show ‘Hot Ones’. The show ends with Steve sharing where people can find him online.

Thank you again Steve for joining the guys again and sharing, new, amazing history!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Sponsored By:

• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Karpeles Manuscript Library
• Steve Dunkelberger, Author at SouthSoundTalk
• Steve's Drunk History: the Candy Chronicles

1:45 – Steve gives the guys on update on where he’s been since the last episode, what’s been going on with the Drunken History, and a recent UFO person that attended his history tour. Steve then dives into the Maury Island Incident that happened on June 21st, 1947. He explains how Harold Dahl was out on his boat gathering wayward wood at Commencement Bay and the collection of donut shaped UFO’s Harold saw.

12:58 – Steve continues the story, talking of the molten debris from the space ship that hit Harold’s boat which killed his dog, and hit his kid on the shoulder. He explains how Harold called his boss, Fred Crisman, and told him about the damage to his boat. Fred then deciding to go out to Maury Island where he saw 20 tons of debris on the beach, also seeing space ships, and how Fred and Harold then reached out to Ray Palmer from Fate Magazine to tell the story. He then talks about the other person, Kenneth Arnold, a business man from Idaho who also spotted the UFO’s and how everything we know from UFO’s theories and conspiracies came from the Maury Island Incident.

25:59 – Steve talks about how to the military in WWI didn’t use the term UFO, instead they used the term FOU and how the phrase UFO happened in Tacoma because the term FOU didn’t apply to what had been reported. Jeff then explains how one theory of Maury Island was that the incident was setup by the government to find moles, the other version of how Harold may not have been who he said he was, and when Kenneth Arnold was actually involved with this incident.

31:12 – Steve’s story comes to an end with discussion of the State’s Legislature celebration of Mauri Incident Day on June 27th, the Mauri Island Incident movie on YouTube, and how three short weeks later, The Roswell incident happened. Steve explains that 46% of people believe that aliens have visited the US, 86-89% of people believe that aliens exist in the universe, what he has coming up, nd how people can find him online.

Thanks Steve for joining the guys for another great PNW history lesson, we’re looking forward to having you on again soon!
In the meantime, don't forget to pick up a copy of Steve's Books on Amazon!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Sponsored By:

• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast