56. Free Love, Fraud & Sawmills: The Wild Life of Henry Yesler

Pacific Northwest History & Humor: Rainy Day Rabbit Holes

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Discover the outrageous life of Henry Yesler, one of Seattle’s founding fathers! From his free-love lifestyle to wild business schemes, Yesler's story is packed with scandal and surprises. Join Shea and guest Bryon Kershaw (Spirits & Monsters of Old Seattle podcast) for a hilarious and jaw-dropping dive into Seattle history.

What You’ll Learn:

• The origins of "Skid Row" and how Yesler reshaped Seattle’s landscape.
• Yesler’s scandalous lottery and other audacious business ventures.
• The shocking details of Yesler’s personal life, including his marriage to his cousin.

Timestamps: 0:36 – Who was Henry Yesler? 5:35 – Seattle’s real seasons—a hilarious breakdown. 22:57 – Yesler’s lottery scheme—and its messy aftermath. 42:14 – Yesler’s eyebrow-raising marriage scandal.
Don’t miss this deep dive into Seattle’s wild history! Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.
https://www.spiritsandmonsters.com/
Sources include Sons of the Profits by Bill Speidel and History Link.org, as always! Big thanks to the historians at historylink.org
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