Climb into the history of Washington State as we talk with Art Thiel about what makes the mountains so special. We'll explore the legacy of legendary climbers like Jim Whittaker and Fred Beckey, and discover how this region became a hub for outdoor innovation, giving rise to iconic brands like REI.

This episode is hosted by Tony Williams and features guest Art Thiel.

Curated HistoryLInk article set for this episode includes:

• The Northwest's Influence on the Growth of Wilderness Recreation by Peter LeSourd
• Becky, Fred (1923-2017) by Peter Blecha
• Whittaker, James W. (b. 1929) by Glenn Drosendahl

Additional HistoryLink resources for this episode:

• REI — Part 1 (1938-1970) by Rita Cipalla
• REI — Part 2 (1971-2025) by Rita Cipalla

For more from Art Thiel, visit:

• SportsPressNW.com

For more Field Notes episodes and other HistoryLink podcasts visit the:

• HistoryLink.org Podcast Page

In this episode, dive into the rich history of the Yakima Valley. We'll uncover how the Valley's landscape was shaped not just by agriculture, but by distinct waves of immigration from diverse communities, and how it has become a powerful hub of political and cultural activism.

This episode is hosted by Tony Williams and features guest Gonzalo Guzmán.

Resource Library

Curated HistoryLInk article set for this episode includes:

• Wapato - It's History and Hispanic Heritage by Gonzalo Guzmán
• Chicano Movement in Washington: Political Activism in the Puget Sound and Yakima Valley Regions, 1960s-1980s by Oscar Rosales Castaneda
• Thousands march streets of Seattle and Yakima in support of immigrants' rights on May 1, 2006 by Oscar Rosales Castaneda

For further reading, check out:

• Granger - Thumbnail History by Alan J. Stein
• Yakima County - Thumbnail History by Paula Becker
• Bracero Program: Crossing the Border to a New Life by History Day Award Winner Cameron Holt
• Radio KDNA goes on the air in the Yakima Valley in December 1979 by Oscar Rosales Castaneda

Find the full collection of HistoryLink articles written by Gonzalo Guzmán here.

For more Field Notes episodes and other HistoryLink podcasts visit the:

• HistoryLink.org Podcast Page

Explore the story of the mighty Douglas Fir 🌲—from its mouse-tail cone legend and 7,000-year history in the Puget Lowland to its key, and sometimes controversial, role in shaping the landscape and lumber boom of Washington state.

This episode is hosted by Tony Williams and features guest David B. Williams.

Curated HistoryLInk article set for this episode includes:

• Washington Icon: The Douglas Fir by David B. Williams
• The Mineral Tree, a 393-foot Douglas fir in Lewis County, falls in 1930 by David B. Williams
• Modern plant communities in the Puget lowland begin to thrive around 7,000 years ago by David B. Williams

Additional HistoryLink resources for this episode:

• David Douglas arrives at Fort Vancouver to begin two years of botanical exploration on April 20, 1825 by Kit Oldham
• Tyee Creek Fire burns 135,000 acres for 33 days north of Wenatchee, beginning on July 24, 1994 by David Wilma
• Northgate Center lights the world's tallest Christmas tree — a 212-foot Douglas fir — on November 24, 1950 by Phil Dougherty

For more from David B. Williams check out:

• www.GeologyWriter.com
• The Street Smart Naturalist podcast
• Articles written for HistoryLink

For more Field Notes episodes and other HistoryLink podcasts visit the:

• HistoryLink.org Podcast Page

Dig into the disturbing history of how Snohomish Pioneer, Seattle (Denny Park), and Duwamish Cemeteries were exhumed and their thousands of bodies moved or cremated to accommodate modern development.

This episode is hosted by Tony Williams and features guest Taylor Russell.

Curated HistoryLInk article set for this episode includes:

• Mary Low Sinclair arrives in Cadyville on May 1, 1865 by Warner Blake
• Seattle Cemetery by Laura Angotti
• Duwamish Cemetery by Phil Dougherty

Additional HistoryLink resources for this episode:

• Seattle establishes its first public park, Denny Park, on site of the city's first municipal cemetery on July 10, 1884 by Walt Crowley
• Seattle's Denny Hotel Cemetery by Laura Angotti

For more from Taylor Russell check out:

• www.snohomishwalks.com
• Articles written for HistoryLink

For more Field Notes episodes and other HistoryLink podcasts visit the:

• HistoryLink.org Podcast Page

Uncover the history of wildfire management in Washington State, from the tragic 1902 Yakult Burn to the massive 2015 Carlton Complex Fire and learn how these catastrophic events spurred the creation of the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA), a pioneering effort in organized firefighting and resource protection.

This episode is hosted by Tony Williams and features guest Russell Holter.

Curated HistoryLInk article set for this episode includes:

• Yacolt Burn, largest forest fire in recorded Washington history to that point, rages for three days beginning on September 11, 1902 by David Wilma
• Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA): Policy Actions 1908-2008 by Phil Dougherty
• Carlton Complex Fire by Jim Kershner

Additional HistoryLink resources for this episode:

• Forest Fire in Washington State by David Wilma
• Fire burns more than 35 square miles on and east of the Sammamish Plateau in King County starting on April 16, 1939 by Phil Doughtery
• Native Americans set a huge forest fire in about 1800 by David Wilma
• Timber companies organize Washington Forest Fire Association on April 6, 1908 by David Wilma
• Two Forest Service fire guards become the first smokejumpers to parachute into a forest fire in Washington on August 10, 1940 by Fred Poyner IV
• Fire Lookouts in Washington by David Wilma
• McBain solo staffs the Skykomish Lookout Station in summer 1918 by Melinda Van Wingen
• Forest fires sweep eastern King County on May 31, 1922 by David Wilma
• And more!

For more from Russell Holter check out:

• Articles written for HistoryLink

To visit Pack Forest check out:

• https://www.packforest.org/

For more Field Notes episodes and other HistoryLink podcasts visit the:

• HistoryLink.org Podcast Page

The season one finale of Field Notes explores the life and legacy of Seattle music producer Gary Mula and the musical castle he built at The Dutchman Studios. The podcast features archival interview recordings with Mula where he recalls how The Dutchman became a diverse, welcoming mecca for various genres, from grunge to early hip-hop. Ultimately, this episode celebrates Mula's unwavering, community-driven spirit as reflected in his final project, The Rabbit Box, which continues his commitment to providing uncompromising artistic space.

This episode is hosted by Tony Williams and features guest Shin Yu Pai.

Curated HistoryLInk article set for this episode includes:

• The Dutchman (Seattle) by Shin Yu Pai
• Rock Music - Seattle by Clark Humphrey
• Women of Northwest Rock: The First 50 Years (1957-2007) by Peter Blecha

Additional HistoryLink resources for this episode:

• Crocodile Cafe: Seattle's Icon of the Grunge Rock Era by Peter Blecha
• Cobain, Kurt (1967-1994) by Peter Blecha
• Kurt Cobain posts a "Drummer Wanted" classified advertisement in Seattle's The Rocket on May 1, 1988. by Peter Blecha
• Nirvana debuts brand-new grunge-rock anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at Seattle's OK Hotel all-ages club on April 17, 1991 by Peter Blecha
• Central Tavern and Saloon (Seattle) by Peter Blecha
• Seattle's "underground" hip-hop scene breaks out with big Exhibition Hall gig on August 17, 1984 by Peter Blecha
• KJR Radio (Seattle) by Peter Blecha

For more from Shin Yu Pai check out:

• https://shinyupai.com/
• Ten Thousand Things Podcast

Track List for This Episode

• Gary Mula – Maraca’s CL (2002?)
• Gary Mula – Don’t Mind (2002)
• Thrust – What Do I Have To Do (1978)
• Thrust – Bombs Away (1978)
• Dumb Thumbs – Nothing Ever Lasts (2020)
• Nirvana – Blew (1989)
• Common Language –