Category Archives: West

Bill Peterson: My favorite history site

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Tim

Bill Peterson is the Northern Division Director of the Arizona Historical Society based in Flagstaff, Arizona. He is responsible for all operations and management of that division. 1) If you had to choose one or two favorite historic sites, which ones are … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, Native American, Our favorite sites, transportation, West | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Paradise, an historic inn

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Tim

“You must book a room at the Paradise Inn!” said my friend Jay when I told him I was going to Mt. Rainier National Park. For years I had wanted to visit the park and every calendar I saw that … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, national park, tourism, West | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japanese American history in Washington

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Tim

Bainbridge Island sits in Puget Sound, a 35 minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. The lush island has been named among the best places to live in the United States. I visited to attend a three-day symposium for museum folks … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, civil rights, International, West | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

History high in the Rockies

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Tim

High up in the Rocky Mountains at 11,481ft, outside of Breckenridge, Colorado, sits a ghost town of  long abandoned buildings. They stand astride the Continental Divide at the Boreas Pass. They’re a tribute to the railroad days of this mining area. Today … Continue reading →

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My new book: First Flight Around the World

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Tim

I’m proud to announce my new book, First Flight Around the World:The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race. It was just published by Abrams Books for Young Readers. While targeted to ages 10-14, the book works for … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, city/town, national park, West | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A whalebone sidewalk and more

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Tim

While perhaps best known for its spectacular aquarium, its otters and Cannery Row, Monterey, California has a fascinating history that illustrates the turmoil of shifting power over many years. Monterey was the capital of the region of Alta California under both … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, city/town, International, religion, West | 4 Comments

California’s Independence Hall

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Tim

“It is not an edifice that would attract any attention among public buildings in the United States; but in California it is without a rival.” — Rev.Walter Colton, alcade of Monterey (chief magistrate), 1849 Is it misleading to call Colton Hall … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, city/town, military, West | 1 Comment

Crissy Field in San Francisco

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Tim

I’m a planner, so when I travel I’m usually intentional about seeing places that relate to my professional history interests. But every now and then I stumble upon a place that was somehow off my radar. Such was the case recently when I visited a … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, city/town, national park, West | 2 Comments

A Lewis and Clark anniversary

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Tim

Two hundred ten years ago tomorrow, May 14, at 4 p.m. three boats loaded with enough supplies to fill three modern semi trailers and about forty-eight men, crossed the Mississippi River into the mouth of the Missouri River beginning a … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, cemetery/grave, city/town, exploration, West | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The view from Lemhi Pass

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Tim

Lemhi Pass ranks as one of my favorite history places. It’s a mountain pass over the continental divide at the Montana/Idaho state line high in the Bitterroot Mountains. Here Meriwether Lewis, scouting ahead of the rest of his expedition on … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, exploration, Native American, West | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments