Highway to History Podcast

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33: Dynamite and Fire, The Buffalo Soldiers in North Idaho's Silver Valley - 1892 to 1910 Nov 02, 2023

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Buffalo Soldiers fought the tribes of The West, that's what they're known for, but they also fought in the Spanish American War, during the revolution in the Philippines and also in North Idaho during the Coeur d'Alene Mining Wars and the Big Burn in 1910. We compare the service of Buffalo Soldiers during both events and examine how the largely white inhabitants of North Idaho viewed the black soldiers in both instances.
Image: Buffalo Soldiers in Avery, Idaho in 1910 during the Big Burn - Museum of North Idaho

32: A Conversation with Nampa, Idaho's Haunted Crescent Brewery Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

One of my favorite breweries of all is Nampa, Idaho's Crescent Brewery for a number of reasons, chief among them is the history the lives in those that own the brewery, man the taps and brew the beer, and patronize the tasting room bar! Jerry Fergusson and family know beer and so do his employees and what's more, they are knowledgeable of the history of the first Crescent Brewery established in Nampa in 1906-1907. Additionally, most of the people that make the Crescent the great place it is today, have experienced what they believe to be supernatural activity. Recently, IdaHistory's Mark Iverson and Cathy Charlton sat down to chat with Mahlia Goldberg, the Brewery's Manager to talk about the Crescent's history and it's paranormal residents!

31: Mountain Home's Haunted Bengoechea Hotel Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

While I improve my editing skills, please enjoy this diamond in the rough...
Mountain Home, Idaho is an interesting place where many of the town's historic structures remain standing, including the Bengoechea Hotel. Bengoechea is a Basque name and the hotel was established by Jose "Joe" Bengoechea, a Basque sheepherder turned businessman turned millionaire in the 1910s. Like all old hotels, people lived and died within the confines of its sturdy brick walls; it is claimed by residents that some guests from days past still remain. I am joined by historian and resident of the haunted hotel, Calista Houdek to discuss Basque history and a handful of her supernatural experiences on the episode of this Idahistory Podcast.

30: The Nation Needed Idaho's Miners - WWII and the Stibnite Mines Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

This episode lacks it's usual intro and editing.
On this episode of The IdaHistory Podcast, Shane Plummer of the Boise Bubble Podcast sits down with Mark to discuss their trip up to the ghost town of Stibnite, Idaho, a mining community that supplied 40% of America's domestic antimony and tungsten supply during WWII. These metals were used to strengthen tank armor, produce more effective munitions, make fire retardant materials and much more. Everything from Sean Connery in a bikini to observances from a long abandoned mining site are discussed on this episode of The IdaHistory Podcast.
A note to listeners, Jeff and Mark have ended their partnership as co-hosts of the IdaHistory Podcast and the show is on hiatus until a new format and possibly name might be developed. Thanks for listening and supporting Jeff and I!

29: Jeff Standifer: The James Bond of the Confederacy Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Lion-Standifer-Knights-Golden/dp/B0BRZ7H365

28: She Turned the Tide of the Civil War: Jane Silcott, Elias Pierce, and Idaho Gold Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

Elias Pierce knew there was gold to be found on the Nez Perce Reservation, but it was too dangerous for him to find it. That's when a young maiden volunteered her services as a guide, and led Pierce to the first major gold find in Idaho. On this episode, we talk about Jane Silcott, her people, and how she helped usher in the first permanent settlement in Idaho.

27: After Tombstone: Wyatt Earp in Coeur d’Alene River Country Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

After the wild events in Arizona, including the shootout at the OK Corral, and his Vendetta ride, Wyatt Earp was looking for a slightly more peaceful life. So he packed up and headed to Idaho Territory to take part in the Coeur d’Alene gold rush.

26: Be Brave and Go: The Titanic's Idaho Bound Passengers Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

This week we bring you the tragic stories of the people who were aboard the RMS Titanic on her maiden voyage, whose ultimate destination was Idaho. We talk about their lives before they decided to travel across the Atlantic to the Gem State, their intentions in Idaho, and what became of them. Intro and outro music- Near My God to Thee, via Violin Online.

25: Boise's Chinese Tunnels: A Guy Who Knew A Guy Who Knew the Guy that Went in Them Told Me About Them! Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

Tunnels do not possess national identities as far as Jeff and I know, but there are tunnels and passageways, spaces really, under the buildings of Boise. However, if you're imagining tunnels with little doors behind which hundreds of "Chinamen" lived, smoked opium, and pet their Siamese Cats that ran from 8th and Idaho all the way to Julia Davis Park's lagoon, you have a vibrant imagination, but not much of an understanding of the facts behind why major systems don't exist.

24: Love in an Idaho Concentration Camp: An Interview with Maggie Tokuda-Hall Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

"Love in the Library" by Maggie Tokuda-Hall is the story of George and Tama, and how they met and fell in love in the Minidoka Relocation Center, a concentration camp for Japanese-Americans. Their story is one of heartbreak, sadness, joy and happiness. This week we talk about how American citizens came to be forced into concentration camps, and then Jeff interviews the granddaughter of George and Tama. We finish the conversation with a discussion on how book bans and the language we use can end up with our neighbors torn from their homes, and their entire lives ruined. Check out Maggie's website here https://www.prettyokmaggie.com/

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