01:16 – Justin talks about what Jeff is up to, welcomes Derek as a special co-host, and introduces Brandon. Brandon talks about the page being locked out of FB, what he did during his month off, and the inception of Tacompton Files. He talks about blocking people on FB, they review the app Next Door, and Justin talks about things he deals with in his Safe Streets neighborhood group.

18:10 – Scott talks about the drone footage Brandon posted in the past, Brandon reflects on listening to the scanner as a kid, and Derek talks about tuning into Tacompton Files when he hears police activity in his area. Justin talks about Tacompton Files bingo card, the coffee mugs that came out of the bingo cards idea, and Brandon tells a story of being jumped while out camping.

37:56 – Justin thanks Brandon for bringing beer from McMenamins, shares his hate of IPA’s, and Scott talks about his love of juicy IPA’s. Justin talks about the food from Puget Sound Pizza they’re enjoying while recording, the Gin 101 event he attended, and discusses the Everclear cherries he serves at his parties. Justin then jumps into Is It Tacoma.

53:29 – Each of the guys' guesses which of the articles is from Tacoma, Scott talks about missing the Lime scooters, Justin talks about why Lime is out, and Razor is in with scooters in Tacoma. Brandon talks about his first scooter adventure, Justin shares where the other stories were from, and Brandon talks about the 50-mile backpacking trip he went on in Montana. Brandon shares his love of camping, how it resets him, and they close out talking about the catalytic converters craze that has hit the nation.

Thanks to Brandon for dropping in to talk about Tacompton files!

Special Guests: Derek G and Tacompton Files.

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:

• Tacompton Files on Facebook — This page was created to share crime info for the Tacoma area.
• Broadcastify Mobile Apps — Full access to the Broadcastify network of over 5,600+ audio streams
• Tacompton Files Bingo Card — Someone made and sent me these bingo cards. I think we can add a few other categories and one night we'll play scanner Bingo.
• Union Club Tacoma
• McMenamins Elks Temple
• Kids on bikes and scooters track Gig Harbor bike thief — Posse of kids on bikes and scooters track down a guy who stole child’s bicycle.

01:54 – Scott turns on Jeff’s picture as they all express how they’re missing him, Justin talks about what’s been happening with Brogans businesses in the last three years, and Chis talks about how’s he’s been since he last joined the podcast. He talks about the virtual tours he’s done during Covid, his touring of Tacoma’s old City Hall, and Justin talks about how The Union Club in Tacoma is haunted. He talks about how they’ve expanded there, the historical significance of the McMenamins building in Tacoma, and the secret bar there. Chris talks about being related to Patrick Swayze, Pretty Gritty Virtual Tours, and how they’ve been able to re-start their walking tours.

17:42 – Chris talks about the haunting he experienced at Stadium High School, the candy history in Tacoma, and the recent things he’s done with The Historic Preservation Office of Tacoma. He talks about the award they won during the pandemic, explains what started the Interactive Murder Mystery “Tacoma Noir”, and Scott talks about the group that put together live scavenger hunts. Chris talks about how he prepares for ghost tours, Scott reflects on the post ghost hunt at Brandy’s Attic, and Chris recommends that the guys tour the attic at The Union Club before the remodel.

35:03 – Justin tells Chris about GPC’s past Boot to Boot, Scott talks about his elegant fall during the event, and Chris recommends that they visit The Black Fleet Brewery during GCP’s next Boot To Boot. He talks about becoming a blacksmith, his love of making knives, and Justin gives Chris suggestions of things he could make for his bar. He talks about his plans to mark noon with cannons from his yard, Chris offers to make Justin a brass kraken for his bar, and explains how he tests each of his knives. Scott talks about what it takes to be a master bladesmith, his love of railroad spike knives, and Chris shares his love of KPOP music.

52:43 – Justin kicks off Is It Tacoma, they talk about how murderous racoons are, and Justin reflects on their past guest StreetBall Supe. Scott expresses what story he fells is from Tacoma, Chris asks if the story is actually from Tacoma, and Justin reveals what story it is. Justin shares the locations the two other stories are from, Chris talks about past interactions with a racoon, and Justin talks about a past argument he got in with a racoon. Scott stands by being right on his guess, they talk about squatter’s rights, and Justin shares where people can find Pretty Gritty Tours online.

Thanks Chris for joining the guys again for an update on what’s been happening since you last joined the podcast!!

Special Guest: Chris Staudinger.

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:

• The Grit City Podcast: Pretty Gritty Tours - Chris Staudinger
• Union Club Tacoma in Tacoma
• Pretty Gritty Tours on YouTube
• Pretty Gritty Tours on Facebook
• Historic Preservation - City of Tacoma
• Celebrate 2021 Historic Preservation Awards - City of Tacoma — Pretty Gritty Tours for partnering with heritage organizations to transition to virtual programming
• The Spar Diner in Tacoma
• Tacoma Noir — "Tacoma Noir" is an interactive historic-fiction murder mystery based on Dashiell Hammett's time in Tacoma in the 1920s. 
• FALCON COAST FORGE — Born in flame. Bound for glory. Whatever you need, we can make it.
• Vulcan Knife
• StreetBall Supe
• The Grit City Podcast: Streetball Supe
• Squatters Rights Washington - Everything you Need to Know — Are you a property owner? Did you notice a squatter in your Cheney, Liberty Valley or other Washington property?

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

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

This episode kicks off with Chris telling the guys about growing up in around eastern Washington, including Leavenworth. He tells them what brought him over to this side of the state, explains what Pretty Gritty Tours is and what made him decide to start doing the tours. They talk about Tacoma being ‘The Boston of the Westcoast’, Yakima being the ‘Palm Springs’ of the west, and the Miners Burger in Yakima that gives free burgers to people that can do a free standing split in their door frame.

14:40 – Chris talks about his reasoning for avoiding the majority of Patrick Swayze films, they discuss the movie ‘Next of Kin’, and Wesley Snipes movies back in the 80’s and 90’s. Conversation then goes back to Chris telling the guys about his travels around the world and what sparked him to create the business in Tacoma. He talks about deciding to move to Pohang, South Korea and what made him decide to live there for 2 years instead of his initial plan of staying for 6 months.

29:38 – Chris talks about how he and his wife became travel bloggers, them being on TLS, his wife writing for National Geographic, and how they met while traveling abroad in college. They talk about John Lithgow’s understated acting career, the sale of Top of Tacoma, and the history around East Tacoma. He then tells the guys of one of his favorite stories of Tacoma.

45:41 – Talk goes to how the building Golden Dragon is in was originally where The Real Art Theater was, built by Radnor Pratsch who built three theaters on South Tacoma Way in the early 1900’s, and the classic dive bars in the South Tacoma area. They talk about Tacoma’s changes over the years since the 1870’s, how Seattle jumped ahead of Tacoma early on, and Pretty Gritty Tours being involved in the Link and Drink.

As this great episode comes to an end, the guys talk about their favorite parts of Tacoma, including Wapato Park, the Tacoma waterfront, Rustin Way, Hilltop, and the old City Hall building. Chris tells about working with the historic preservation office and where people can find him online.

Thanks Chris for a great conversation and information about Pretty Gritty Tours.

Special Guest: Chris Staudinger.

Sponsored By:

• Wizard's Keep Games: Building Community Through The Power Of Games. Stop by and check out the weekly events. Commander, D&D, Friday Night Magic, It all happens at Wizard's Keep Games in Renton. 17148 116th Ave SE Renton WA, 98058
• The Lindsay Jackman Group: We understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why our team of highly-seasoned real estate professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of our clients. We take great pride in the relationships we build and always work relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. Lindsay Jackman, Broker 253.857.3366 RE/MAX EXCLUSIVE 7201 Pioneer Way Ste A 101, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• PRETTYGRITTYTOURS.COM - The ultimate Tacoma Tour company — Pretty Gritty Tours - Home

(Guest writer Steve Dunkelberger)

The strange story of Jake Bird is as good as it gets if you are looking for a creepy story about the Gritty City. It is often referred to in serial killer circles as the most famous serial killer story you have never heard.

Sit back, sip a beverage or blaze one up. Sit back and prepare for a great tale. This is that story, one of murder in many states, and a curse … that came true.

I’ll start in the very beginning. Jake Bird was born in Louisiana in 1901 and had a relatively troubled life from the start. He left home at the age of 19 to seek his fortune by riding the rails of America.
He was a hobo, day laborer … traveling the nation and trading a day’s work for a night’s sleep and a warm meal wherever he stopped. He would reportedly kill with savage swings of an ax or knife before hopping on the rail on his way to another town. But I’ll get to that later.

He was otherwise unremarkable wherever he went, just one face in the growing crowd of “Gandy Dancers,” as rail-hopping day workers were called in those days. But that would change when he reached “the end of the line” in Tacoma. The City of Destiny, after all was the terminus of the transcontinental railroad, a fact that coined the term.

It was October 30th, 1947. Bird was 45. He was looking for work and can across the home of Bertha Kludt and her daughter Beverly June. The house still stands at 1007 South 21st Street. He hacked them to death with an axe. They screamed during the attack, screams so loud that neighbors called police. Two officers arrived to the scene only to find Bird covered in blood, still holding a knife as he ran from the scene. They cornered him. So he attacked, one officer was slashed in the hand while the other was stabbed in the shoulder. But they managed to still tackle him and handcuff him with all the gentility expected when an African American man kills two white women before then attacking two police officers in the 1940s. He was taken to the hospital for his injuries and then taken in shackles to the Old City Hall jail cells. It was called Siberia because it was so isolated from the rest of the world. It had no window or light, other than a bare blub hanging from the vaulted ceiling. It was hot all the time since it was located on the opposite side of the massive furnace that heated the entire building.

He first almost convinced the officers that he was innocent, but the fact that he still had brain matter spattered on his shirt finally convinced the officers that they had their man. He then confessed to the killings, stating it was a burglary gone bad. His trial came a month later. It lasted three days. He was convicted of Murder in the First Degree and giving the sentence of death by hanging.

This is where the case gets weird.

As he was being sentenced, Bird declared, "I’m putting the hex of Jake Bird on all of you who had anything to do with my being punished. Mark my words. You will die before I do.”

Taken as just another idle threat by a murderer. The “hex didn’t get much notice. That is. Until people started dying.

First the judge died of a heart attack. Then Bird’s defense lawyer died of a heart attack. Then the police officer who recorded his confession died of a heart attack. Then another police officer who wrote an official report on Bird passed of a heart attack. Then one of Bird’s prison guards died of a heart attack. And finally the court’s clerk died, but not of a heart attack. He died of pneumonia.

While still alive on Walla Walla’s death row, Bird continued to confess to crimes during his years on the rails. He tallied 44 murders to his butcher’s bill. He provided enough details about 11 of those, that the cases were officially closed.

His first kills were reportedly those of two women in Evanston, Illinois in 1942. Other victims were confirmed in Louisville, Kentucky, Omaha, Nebraska, Kansas City, Kansas, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cleveland, Ohio, Orlando, Florida, and Portage, Wisconsin. Police in Houston, Texas, suspected he murdered a woman there as well.

His story would end on July 15th, 1949, almost two years after his last crime, at the age of 48. He was hanged on the gallows. He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Prison Cemetery at Walla Walla Correctional Center. His grave is marked with his prison number, 21520.

The only two that Jake's hex didn't affect were officer Pat Steele and Dr. Larson medical examiner.

In his practice throughout the years, Larson has helped convict about 100 people of murder. A number of these men had threatened to kill him in reprisal, so Bird was no different. He actually hadn’t heard about the hex until Steele told him about it as it came true. But it still didn’t faze him.

"The desire for revenge is a very immature reaction," he said at the time, "and whereas your average murderer is seldom a very mature, well-rounded character, he is nevertheless subject to the cooling process-the changes that come with the passage of time. Come to think of it, that's what our penal system is all about, isn't it-to put people on the shelf until they cool off? I like the thought, anyway."

After a great reading, they discuss the research behind the story and upcoming stories for future shows. They also discuss other things going on in the community, including The Eye of the Totem and the project to restore the movie. They discuss a previous Kickstarter out so local residents can help in remaking the movie.

Don'f forget to pick up Steve's Books at Amazon!

Special Guests: Donaven B. and Steve Dunkelberger.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Original Episode 44

The show kicks off with Steve discussing Tacoma’s Pythian Temple being established in 1881, before Washington even became a state. He talks about how he got involved with The Knights of Pythias, presentations he gives on Tacoma history, and Tacoma’s corruption in as late as the 70’s and 80’s with its beautification process in the 90’s.

17:20 – Conversation goes to The Tacoma Speedway and it operation from 1913 to 1923, it’s popularity during the first world war when the Indianapolis 500 was shut down, and other events that were held there. He brings up how knowing the history of an area explains the present of an area, giving the example of Pierce county being the most unchurched county in WA and how that came to be.

30:25 – Steve gives the guys a tour of the Pythias Temple, starting at the front of the building where he explains additional history of Tacoma, including the way Tacoma was laid out in superblocks and the story of George Francis Train’s trip around the world trip in 67 days that began at the front of their building. They then explore the inside of the temple, first stop at the club room followed by the sister’s hall and the Pythians’ collection of shields.

43:36 – Steve shows the guys the amazing dining area of the temple, talks about renting a portion of their building to Tacoma Youth Theater, the cost of becoming a Pythian, and the Pyth Pole. They discuss the secret password people have to give if late for the meeting and then explore the WOW, Castle Hall, room. Steve explains that it was designed by Frederick Heath, the paintings in the hall and the pipe organ on the second stage in the room that goes up to the ceiling.

This episode comes to and end with discussion on magical lanterns, Tacoma construction, and how each of their chairs have hat holders. Steve let the guys know how people can find him or Pythians online. Thanks Steve for an awesome conversation on the Pythian History of Tacoma!!! We look forward to chatting with you again soon!

Pick up Steve's Books at Amazon!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Sponsored By:

• Wizard's Keep Games: Building Community Through The Power Of Games. Stop by and check out the weekly events. Commander, D&D, Friday Night Magic, It all happens at Wizard's Keep Games in Renton. 17148 116th Ave SE Renton WA, 98058
• The Lindsay Jackman Group: We understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why our team of highly-seasoned real estate professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of our clients. We take great pride in the relationships we build and always work relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. Lindsay Jackman, Broker 253.857.3366 RE/MAX EXCLUSIVE 7201 Pioneer Way Ste A 101, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Support The Grit City Podcast