This episode features a surprising story of a roller-skating marathon that took place in 1935, from border to border: Blaine, Washington to San Diego, California, down newly created highways.  The race featured a fascinating cast of characters, including contestants from right here in Bellingham.  We believe this crazy stunt born of the endurance contest craze inspired what many consider the birth of “Roller Derby” that same year in Chicago. The things people did for fun before the internet!  Listen and learn. Show notes and more ⁠⁠⁠HERE!⁠⁠NOTE we do not receive any money or sponsorships, all endorsements of businesses or products herein are given of our own volition. We just like to recommend things we love. All opinions are our own!

It’s part two of our Billy Sunday saga! In this episode Kolby and Good Time founder Marissa McGrath continue our discussion of the former major-league baseball player turned evangelical traveling preacher, who had a big influence on the city of Bellingham, Washington at the time of his visit in 1910. We get into the details on what happened upon Billy’s arrival in Bellingham and what the papers reported on during his six week stint, as well as Billy’s troubled family life and his complicated legacy.

Show notes and more ⁠⁠HERE!⁠⁠

NOTE we do not receive any money or sponsorships, all endorsements of businesses or products herein are given of our own volition. We just like to recommend things we love. All opinions are our own!

Before he was setting the nation ablaze with his sermons, Billy Sunday was setting outfield records for the Chicago White Stockings. In part 1 of this two-part series, we’ll trace his wild transformation from small-town Iowa orphan into the most famous evangelist in America. We’ll dig into his crusade against drink, his sketchy-at-best statistics, and how his special brand of “muscular Christianity” built a religious and political movement that would change the course of history in Bellingham and beyond.

Show notes and more ⁠HERE!⁠

NOTE we do not receive any money or sponsorships, all endorsements of businesses or products herein are given of our own volition. We just like to recommend things we love. All opinions are our own!

In this episode we cover the REST of the history of the fabulous Hotel Leopold in Bellingham, Washington! Beginning with the roaring 20s, we cover famous and infamous guests, the rival hotels, the new additions and tear-downs, and much more. It’s extra long, so buckle up!

This is part 2, be sure to give part 1 a listen if you haven’t already.

Show notes and more HERE!

In this episode we discuss the early history of Bellingham’s historic Hotel Leo, aka the Leopold Hotel.  From its earliest days as the Byron House through its take-over and expansion under beer baron Leopold Schmidt.  And since it’s spooky season, we include stories about some “potential ghosts” that might be wandering the halls, including Leo himself, as well as a mysterious count building hydroplanes on Lake Whatcom at the dawn of World War 1.

CONTENT WARNING: TOPICS OF DEATH AND SUICIDE. Listen with care.

In this episode we get into the history of the professional beauty industry in Bellingham, Washington, focusing on hair, mostly… and also mostly women’s hair.  We take a look at who was doing hair for a living, and how they were doing it, why they were doing it, and how the profession evolved from the wild west days through the progressive era. We have combed the archives for hair-raising stories to share with you from the bygone days of beauty culture here on Bellingham Bay.    

Content warning for mentions of domestic violence and suicide as well as really painful sounding hair styles and swear words.

In this episode we explore the history of Bellingham’s beloved Terminal Building, also known as Tony’s Coffee and many other names. The oldest building in the Fairhaven Historic District suffered a tragic fire in December of 2023 that included a loss of life. We take a look at the 130+ years of the history of the building including the saloon years, the Busy Corner store, and beloved coffee shop. 

In this episode we discuss the story of Ursula Unfug, a sex worker who spent time in brothels around the PNW during the 1890s.  Ursula gained notoriety in the 1892 shooting of Thomas Henderson Boyd, editor of the Morning Olympian newspaper and her “secret husband.”  We examine how Ursula was first vilified by the local press, then reluctantly pitied, as a tragic tale of exploitation and abuse emerged during the trial.  Starring special co-host Marissa McGrath.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains the topics of domestic violence, miscarriage and suicidal ideation. Listen with care.

In this episode we discuss the history of tattoos and tattooing in Bellingham and beyond. Find out what the newspapers were reporting about tattoos, who was getting them, who was giving them and who was getting arrested for showing them off!

In this episode we explore the history of taxidermy in Bellingham, tracing the legacy of various practitioners thereof from "curio collectors" to the founders of our modern museum.

Content warning for dead critters y'all.

Show notes and more at ⁠https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast