Shows
Hey Ghost HeySpring Bonus: ReflectionsSpring is springing in the Pacific Northwest! Time for a bonus episode!As Charles works on season 2, he shares one of his core beliefs, that hauntings are reflective. He also cleaned up all of the newly collected EVPs from season 1 and plays enhanced versions of them!Find tickets for the Spirits of Sehome event at bellinghistory.com Support season 2 by coming on a ghost tour if you are in Bellingham, or you can always book a reading with Charles. bellinghamghosttours.comcharlescrooks.com2025-04-1825 min
BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastHotel High Life - History of the Leopold (Part 2)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!
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 l...2024-11-261h 31BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastLeopold's Ghost: The History of the Hotel Leo (Part 1)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.
The hotel has a long history so this is Part 1! Tune in nex...2024-10-171h 07BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBellinghairstory - Beauty and the B-hamIn 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 reall...2024-09-191h 14BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastHistory of the Terminal Building (aka Tony's Coffee Shop)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.
Show notes and more at https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2024-08-151h 10BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastUrsula Unfug - Poor Unfortunate SoulIn 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.
Show notes and more at...2024-07-181h 12BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBellinghistory Inked - Tattoo TalesIn 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!
Show notes and more at https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2024-06-201h 00BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastSea Monsters (Part 1) Bellinghamsters v. GlobstersIn this episode we dive in (pun intended) to the seemingly bottomless pool of sea monster stories. Whether they be myth, lore or just a really big fish, “monsters of the deep” have inspired many a whopper of a tale here in Bellingham, Washington and the PNW over the years. Release the Kraken!
Show notes and more at https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2024-05-1651 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastStuffed Bellinghaminals: Taxidermy TalesIn 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
2024-05-161h 01BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBellinghamsters and Other TailsIt's the first real episode of season 2: Bellinghamsters and other Tails - Animal Stories with the Good Time Girls! Oooorrrr… “firefighters are a brave, unruly and maybe a little bit bored, bunch.” We pulled out some of our favorite furry history for this one with wild tales of Bellinghaminals, from Bellingh-hamsters to Belling.... ant bears. This one was based on a live talk we gave at the Whatcom Museum for their Free First Friday program, and coinciding with the recent exhibit “The Pet Show.”
Show notes and more at https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2024-04-181h 02BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastS2 Season Two IntroSpring has sprung and Season 2 is here! Well, almost…
This is just a teaser, a little intro to what is coming your way for season 2. For this season, in order to save our sanity and precious time, we are going to release monthly on the THIRD THURSDAY. This will give us more time to do all the researching and scripting and editing to bring you fun content for your ears. Have a listen to hear what else we’ve got coming your way!
Show notes and more at https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2024-04-0407 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad Reputation Town (Re-release)In this episode we get into the “vintage” era of the 1970s and 1980s and Bellingham’s dive-y waterfront scene with a discussion of our legendary “Serial Killer Bar” as well as an unsolved mystery concerning a body found in the boiler plant at the former Georgia Pacific mill complex.
The last of our re-released episodes from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina, and guest hosted by Kolby and Wren and Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath.
CONTENT WARNING - DISCUSSIONS OF VIOLENCE AND MURDER AND...2024-03-2138 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad Murder Farm Town (Rerelease)This episode features the story of the Maple Falls Murder Farm! We discuss the creepy murderer who local papers blamed for the death of Frederick Dames (see previous episode: Bad Butchered Town) … and while this creepy murderer was perhaps Whatcom County’s first serial killer… did he really butcher the butcher? You be the judge!
This episode is a re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina and yours truly along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath. BUT with updates!
Content warning: murder, de...2024-03-0747 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad Butchered Town (Re-release)In this week’s episode, we revisit one of our favorite Bellingham true-crime stories, the murder of a local butcher, Frederick Dames, in 1905. Though declared “solved” a few years later, doubts remain as to whether the supposed perpetrator was actually responsible for this particular crime. (More on him in next week’s episode!)
This episode is a re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasperina and yours truly along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath.
Content warning for gruesome descriptions of this particularly...2024-02-2247 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastThe Worst Bad Town: The KlanIn this episode we discuss the history of the Ku Klux Klan, aka the KKK, here in Bellingham, Whatcom County and the PNW.
Listen with care.
This episode is a re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina and yours truly along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath.
Show notes and more at https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2024-02-0850 min
Magical Destinations By Steve PodcastKolby LaBreeEpisode 3 is Kolby LaBree is co-owner and operator of BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls in Bellingham, Washington. Founded in 2011, the Good Time Girls are known for their entertaining history tours and events led by costumed guides. Kolby is a native “Belling-hamster” and has a degree in anthropology from WWU and a background in cultural resource management and historic preservation.2024-01-2724 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad Booze Town (Re-release)In this episode we get into prohibition era Bad-Town, complete with rum running, bootlegging and speak-easies (aka Blind Pigs). AND a story straight from the LaBree family vaults.
This episode is a re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina and yours truly along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath.
Show notes and more at https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2024-01-2542 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad (Lady) Barber Town (Re-release)In this week’s episode we discuss the case of Lorena Upper, a so-called "lady barber" accused of violating the “red light statute” here in Bellingham, Washington in 1922 and what it meant to work as a woman in a traditionally male occupation at the time.
This episode is a re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina and yours truly along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath.
We have updates on this episode at the end!
Show notes and more at https...2024-01-1149 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad Lady Town (Re-release)This episode features stories of women who ran afoul of the law, as well as the women charged with policing them! There are murder plots, madams, police matrons and the “high priestess of anarchy.” Plus bonus content questions an updates.
Content warning on this one for topics of domestic violence and other disturbing situations.
This episode is a re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina and yours truly along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath.
Show notes and more at https...2023-12-281h 19BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad Trial Town (Re-release)Bad Trial Town, aka “For the Love of Moses” is about a sensational murder that occurred on Forest Street, near the Majestic Hall in Bellingham, Washington. It’s about a man who shot his wife and his son-in-law, who was also his wife’s lover. It’s about fancy-talking lawyers with pink toupees. It’s about an acquittal based on patriarchal biblical law. And lastly, it’s about the flaws in our justice system then and NOW.
Content warning on this one for topics of domestic violence and other disturbing situations.
This episode is a re-release fro...2023-12-1449 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad Arson Town Kolby and Marissa take a deeper dive into the life of Frank “Spider” Biles, arrested for a string of arsons in the summer of 1892. “Spider Biles, The Fire Bug” is memorialized on a cement marker in the cobblestone alley next to Skylark’s Café in Fairhaven, now a quaint historic shopping district in Bellingham, Washington. This episode is a re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina and yours truly along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath.
Read our show-notes and more at bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2023-11-2936 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBad Bud Town (Re-release)This week’s story is about notorious Bad Bud Cox, an original Bad Town Bad Boy. We take a deeper look into the life of “Bud Cox” who gained local infamy after robbing a saloon in Fairhaven in the early 1900s, and who spent his life addicted and incarcerated.
This episode is a re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina and US along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath.
Read our show-notes and more at bellinghistory.com/the-podcast2023-11-1646 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The Podcast(Return to) Bad Cursed TownAnother re-release from the 2020 season of “Bad Town” on the City of Subdued Podcast, hosted by Annika Fleming, Maria Dalla Gasparina and US along with Good Time Girls founder Marissa McGrath. In this episode Marissa and Kolby discuss the so-called “Chines Curse” on the town of Bellingham, and the story behind the urban legend. We’ve included some additional discussion on this one. Also see our original show notes, references, resources and ephemera HERE.
(Apologies for being late on this one! Crazy October and Sickness! )2023-11-0232 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastHalloween Special (2020 Re-release)It’s a re-release of our 2020 BAD TOWN Halloween special! This one features some spooky seasonal favorites from our Fairhaven Gore and Lore Tours! We discuss why Fairhaven is called Bellingham’s “Haunted Hot-Spot” - hint, maybe it’s the disturbed burial grounds known as Dead Man’s Point? Also we’ll pop into Sycamore Square and discuss the famous Green Lady Ghost and listen to some Electronic Voice Phenomenon recordings believed to be from the spirit realm therein.
For show notes and other fun stuff see https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast2023-10-1948 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastWelcome (Back) to Bad TownWelcome (back) to Bad Town! Enjoy some re-released episodes of season 2 of the City of Subdued Podcast featuring us as co-hosts while we take a break! Recorded back in ye olden pandemic days of 2020, these episodes feature some of our BADDEST Belling-History. Enjoy, re-listen, and let us know what you’d like to hear about in future episodes.
https://bellinghistory.com/podcast
2023-10-1931 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastGettin' Wrecked (Part 2) The Wreck of the Steamer Buckeye, 1895In this episode we regale you with the saga of the wreck of the Steamer Buckeye, a little steamship of the Mosquito Fleet, that capsized in Bellingham Bay in 1895 between Eliza Island and today’s Larrabee State park with a small crew and several passengers including Will D. Jenkins, local editor and Mayor of the town of Whatcom. This episode features one human casualty, and a number of unfortunate livestock. It’s a buck-wild story!
See our show notes for ephemera and references at: https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast2023-09-211h 09BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastGettin' Wrecked (Part 1) The Bark Union, 1875In this episode we explore the wreck of the bark "Union" of 1875 near Lummi Island and Bellingham Bay in the Pacific Northwest, and take a deep dive (pun intended) into deep dives, that is the history of diving and salvage operations both in general and specific to this shipwreck. This is part one of two (and probably more later) episodes about shipwrecks that occurred in the vicinity of our hamlet.
For those so inclined, you could make it a drinking game - one for every bad maritime pun or new vocabulary word - beware, you just might get shipfaced...2023-09-071h 04BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastSea Monsters (Part 2) Bellinghamsters V. GlobstersIn this episode we continue our exploration of monsters of the deep. We’ll dish on the sea-monster stars of the 20th century, creepy carcasses and cryptids sighted in and around Bellingham Bay and the waters of the Salish Sea. And yes, we finally get to the globsters!
Show notes, ephemera etcetera at:
https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2023-08-2440 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBathing Beaches of B-ham (Part 2): Put a "B" on ItIn this episode we explore bathing beaches at Squalicum Beach and Fort Bellingham, as part two of a two-part series on historical beach resorts of Bellingham, Washington. It’s hard to imagine thousands of Bellinghamsters spending a day at the seaside at these locations today, but around the 1920s these bathing resorts really picked up where the White City left off, with dancing pavilions, natatoriums and amusement parks. Of course there is some weird drama and old-time goss thrown in for good measure.
Show notes and more goodies at: https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2023-07-2748 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBathing Beaches of B-Ham (Part 1): White City, Silver BeachIn this episode we visit the White City resort built at Silver Beach, Lake Whatcom in Bellingham in the early 1900s, as part one of a two-part series exploring historical “bathing beaches” of Bellingham, Washington. Show notes and more goodies at: https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2023-07-1337 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBellingQueerstorySince June is Pride month and it has an extra week, we made an extra special episode. Well it’s extra long that’s for sure! We tried to cram in as much BellingQueerstory as we could into one hour plus a few. This is a big gay overview of queer Bellingham history as we know it. A companion to our new Queer History Tours. Cheers and Happy Pride!
Show Notes and More: https://bellinghistory.com/podcast
2023-06-291h 06BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastSanitarium Insanity Part 2In Part 2 of “Sanitarium Insanity” our two-part series on sanitariums in Bellingham, Washington, we discuss the “Yoghurt Sanitarium” in Fairhaven, Bellingham's historic south side neighborhood. More wacky electrical devices, dubious doctors and YOGURT, or as they spelled it, “yoghurt.” Buckle up your bacilli, it’s a wild ride! Show notes and more at: https://bellinghistory.com/the-podcast
2023-06-1545 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastSanitarium Insanity Part 1: Bellingham Bathes in LightIn part one of our two-part series on sanitariums in Bellingham, we introduce the local branch of the Kellogg’s Battle Creek Sanitarium, later known straightforwardly as the “Sanitarium Baths.” We get into the whys and wherefore of sanitariums and discuss many of the interesting treatments they offered. We trace the Sanitarium baths over forty years of business offering various treatments, including sweatin’ out the toxins in lightbulb-filled cabinets.
Show notes and bonus ephemera at: https://goodtimegirls.squarespace.com/blog/2023/5/30/the-podcast-sanitarium-insanity-part-1
2023-06-0133 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastGhost Whispering: Chattin' with Chuck
In this episode we deviate slightly from our usual programming to chat with Charles Crooks, aka “Chuck,” our friend and ghost-whisperer and honorary Good Time Guy. Last season it became apparent to us that people were in the mood for ghosts. Because we are historians, not ghost hunters, we reached out to Charles and said “people want ghosts!” Chuck is here to deliver. Chuck discusses his new Bellingham Ghost Tours, who he is and how and why he does what he does. Topics include: ghost cats, ghost tropes, ghost therapy, energy imprints, EVPs, Sycamore Square, reincarnation of Real Housewives, and other ra...2023-05-181h 00BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastSpring Festivals in Bellingham: Tulips and BeyondThis episode is about spring festivals in Bellingham, Washington. 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the annual Ski to Sea Race, which officially started in 1973 as part of Bellingham’s Blossomtime Festival. That festival traces its roots to Bellingham’s first spring fling - The Tulip Festival - born out of bulb cultivation in Whatcom County. Today we associate Tulips with our neighbors in Skagit, but Bellingham was the original “Tulip Town" of the PNW. Find out why the Tulip Festival died out, was resurrected as Blossomtime and then rebranded Ski to Sea. It’s a surprisingly wild ride.
Show notes an...2023-05-0459 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastExotic Birds of B-Ham: Parrot EditionIt's another episode about exotic birds - this time it's pet parrots. Our chatty feathered friends appear frequently in Belling-History, and we thought we'd string a few stories together for your entertainment. You’ll meet a number of Pollys plus Mildred, and hear the stories of beer-guzzling bar birds and contenders for Whatcom County’s oldest psittacine. Squawk!
2023-04-2043 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBig Birds of Bad Town: Hill's Ostrich FarmIn this episode we tell the story of Hill’s Ostrich Farm, operated by William E. Hill in 1911 in Bellingham, Washington. We delve into the history of ostrich farming and how there came to be such a feather-brained idea in the first place, the millinery ostrich plume craze, the fate of the farm and some more recent news from the world of ratite farming. Ostrich burger anyone?
2023-04-0649 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBellinghistory 101: Background and BasicsThis episode is a quick-and-dirty overview of the "Bellinghistory" background that might be useful to know while listening to the podcast. Our stories are largely based here in this Bellingham, Washington in the "fourth corner" of the U.S., aka the PNW. If you don’t need a quick refresher on US/Washington/PNW and the basics of how the town of B-ham came to be here, feel free to skip this one! If you just can't get enough we’ve got lots of resources and links for further exploring these topics in our show notes at bellinghistory.com/the-po...2023-04-0631 minBellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastOrigin Stories (mini-sode): The Good Time GirlsThis mini-sode, like all of our other episodes, is about history… only this is our history! The origin story of The Good Time Girls and this podcast. Where did we come from, what we do and who we are as business owners and guides. In this episode we give you the lowdown on what we are all about and why we decided to make this podcast. If you are already familiar with the Good Time Girls, we won’t be offended if you skip this one - but if you are new to the Good Time Girls and want some...2023-04-0612 min
BellingHistory with the Good Time Girls - The PodcastBellinghistory with the Good Time Girls - The Podcast Trailer!It's our trailer! Hosts Kolby and Wren, co-owners of Bellinghistory Tours with the Good Time Girls in Bellingham, Washington, introducing ourselves and our podcast! Woo! 2023-03-2001 min
The Atlas Obscura PodcastFairhaven Historic MarkersLike a lot of historic neighborhoods, the sidewalks of Fairhaven in Bellingham, WA, are studded with small plaques commemorating local history. But unlike other neighborhoods, the markers in Fairhaven are a little bit darker, and a little bit weirder.Thanks to Bellinghistory with the Good Time Girls. Learn more about their walking tours here: https://bellinghistory.com/ READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/harris-avenue-fairhaven
2022-09-0814 min