Offbeat Oregon History podcast

Latest Episodes:

Oregon’s tiger pimp went on the lam, became big problem for Idaho (2 of 2) Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

“The ‘zoo,’ it turned out, was little more than a maze of chicken wire, random sheets of metal, and haphazard boards nailed together in ways that didn’t make structural sense,” writes Idaho Falls Post Register reporter Sally Krutzig in a 2020 article about the events of that night. “Animal feces were piled five feet high in some places, and bones covered nearly every square foot.” Also, three of the lions that had escaped from their pens had climbed up onto the roof, and were now watching the rescue operators as they moved through the compound. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/23-10.oregons-tiger-king-626.html)

Oregon had its own 'Tiger King,' only ours was worse (Part 1 of 2) Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

By 1984, Robert Fieber had more than 75 animals, including several dozen lions, tigers, jaguars, and wolves. He also had changed the name of his operation to Siletz Game Ranch — most likely “Oregon Coast Safari” was too similar to the name of West Coast Game Park Safari, the walk-through petting zoo near Bandon. But then, in September of that year, law enforcement agencies and members of the Humane Society raided the compound. Police seized several of Fieber’s animals and charged him with several counts of animal neglect (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/23-10.oregons-tiger-king-626.html)

Iconic movies filmed in Oregon, Part 3: 1975-1989 Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

As a filming location, Oregon really started to come into its own in the 1980s, and many locals can point to key cultural touchstones that played out right in their home towns. (Deschutes, Clackamas, Lane, Clatsop, and Multnomah County) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1403e.part3.iconic-movies-shot-in-oregon.html)

Iconic movies filmed in Oregon, Part 2: 1965-1975 Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

By the early 1960s, word started getting out in Hollywood about Oregon's virtues as a place to shoot on location. Productions made here during these eventful years follow changes in popular culture in an almost spooky way. (Lane, Baker, Lincoln, Marion, Deschutes, and Jackson County) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1403d.part2.iconic-movies-shot-in-oregon.html)

Iconic movies shot in Oregon, part 1: 1908-1952 Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

As a place to go shoot pictures on location, Oregon has become pretty popular in the last few dozen years. But the Beaver State's contribution to early cinema, though more sparse, was surprisingly influential. (Clatsop, Lane, Deschutes, Hood River County) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1403c.iconic-movies-shot-in-oregon-part1.html)

Scenic highway was pitched as a 'park to park' experience (Part 2 of 2) Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

IF MULTNOMAH FALLS has any competition for the title of “crown jewel of the highway,” it would have to be Crown Point Vista House, which you could think of as America’s first rest area. It perches on the brow of a bluff just outside Corbett, overlooking the most spectacular part of the gorge’s big-picture scenery. It was designed by a German architect, built with cut sandstone, and features bathrooms with marble and polished mahogany walls. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/2407c-1012b.sam-lancaster-columbia-river-highway-101.659.html)

Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway set the tone for Oregon roadbuilding for decades (Part 1 of 2) Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Engineers make stuff that gets a job done. Paying extra money to make it prettier usually just doesn’t make sense. But every now and then you run into an engineer with a vision that marries great aesthetics with top-tier engineering and figures out how to make it all make better financial sense than a plain, cheap job. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/2407c-1012b.sam-lancaster-columbia-river-highway-101.659.html)

Getting trapped in ship’s wreckage saved mariner Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

George May was in an impossible situation, trapped in the upside-down hull of his ship, waiting for death. But then the ship washed ashore, the tide receded, and he lived to tell the story of the wreck of the M/V Oshkosh. (Columbia River Bar, Clatsop County; 1910s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1204a-mariner-survives-shipwreck-by-being-trapped-inside.html)

For ex-spy Claire Phillips, fame was fleeting but her PTSD was not (Part 2 of 2) Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

AFTER THE WAR, Claire Phillips was hailed as a hero. Even before she was back in North America, her hometown newspaper was singing her praises. Soon afterward, Reader’s Digest picked up the story and spread it nationwide. She wrote a memoir of her war activities, Manila Espionage, and it was published in 1947. The following year, at Fort Lewis, Gen. Mark Clark presented her with the Medal of Freedom, America’s highest award for a civilian. The accolades kept coming... until suddenly, one day, they didn't. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/23-09.high-pockets-the-spymaster-625.html)

Portland woman ran U.S. spy ring in World War II (Part 1 of 2) Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

'High Pockets' was the nom de guerre of Claire Phillips, a gorgeous brunette Vaudeville girl from the faraway American town of Portland, Oregon ... a dancer of sultry dances, a singer of torchy cabaret songs, and a stage actress of unusual ability. In the Philippines, in the early years of the Second World War, she was playing the role of a lifetime: Madame Tsubaki, Italian nightclub owner. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/23-09.high-pockets-the-spymaster-625.html)

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Offbeat Oregon History podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected