Poplar Wisconsin produced one of the best fighter pilots in U.S. History. Richard Bong became known as the Ace of All Aces after he shot down 40 Japanese airplanes. While he cemented his place in history as an American hero, his life came to a tragic end shortly before the end of the war. Tune in to learn more about the history of Richard Bong. Let…

The Shipwreck of the Trinidad was discovered by the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association last year and was recently placed on the Historic Register by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Today we are going to discuss the history Wisconsin's recently discovered shipwrecks. Make sure to let us know your favorite Great Lakes shipwreck! Check us …

Mildred Fish-Harnack was the only American women to be executed on Hitler's direct orders. She was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin and was a professor at UW-Madison before moving to Germany with her husband Arvid Harnack. When the Nazis rose to power Mildred, Arvid and their friends began to work against the authoritarian government even though it woul…

Today's episode discusses the German-American identity of the Pabst Family. I am joined by Grace Mager as we discuss how the beer baron's family navigated both their German heritage as immigrants, as well as their love of their new home in Milwaukee. Check out the Pabst Mansion website here Let us know what you think of our podcast on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠,…

The state of Wisconsin has a large variety of geographic features. Much of the land has been influenced by the glaciers when they melted over 17,000 years ago. Today's podcast will cover some of the most well-known features such as the driftless area, the Kettle Moraine, the Niagara escarpment, ancient coral reefs, and the sub-continental divide. A…

One of my fellow graduate students Jesse Marshall took some time out of his busy schedule at St. Augustine Prep here in Milwaukee to join the episode today. His research focuses largely on the experience of German Americans in the United States. Much of his research looks at Milwaukee Wisconsin because of its high German-American population. We dis…

Today Dr. Christopher Cantwell of Loyola University Chicago joins us to discuss his project Gathering Places which looks at the history of religious places in Milwaukee. He talks about how the project was started when he was teaching at UW-Milwaukee. In addition, we discuss the significance of the project and what the future holds for this digital …

Dr. Michael Oberg of SUNY Geneseo the Author of Professional Indian: The American Odyssey of Eleazer Williams was kind enough to join the podcast and discuss his book. He has spent hours understanding the mind of Williams and has intriguing insights into the complex man. We discuss Williams's faith, his flaws, and his legacy in both Wisconsin and N…

Special guests Steve Schaffer and Michael Barera, archivists at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, join us today to discuss the history of breweries in Milwaukee. We discuss everything beer from the early history of breweries, beer gardens, tide houses, and prohibition. Let us know if there are any specific breweries you want us to cover in f…

The first large shipping vessel to sail the Great Lakes disappeared in 1679 and was never heard or seen from again. The Griffon was built by explorer Rene Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle in order to help expand the fur trade in North America. Its maiden voyage was from New York to what is modern-day Wisconsin. After waiting out a storm, it depart…

Have you ever wondered why the Upper Peninsula is not a part of Wisconsin? Did you know that Chicago, Duluth, and St. Paul were all originally part of Wisconsin's intended state borders? Today's episode discusses the formation of Wisconsin's borders and its eventual statehood. Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota were all par…

In this episode, we have a special guest, Dant'e Cottingham, a community organizer for EXPO (Ex-incarcerated People Organizing) Wisconsin. We will discuss a bit about the prison history in Wisconsin however it will not be our normal format. The majority of the podcast is dedicated to more current issues as Dant'e talks about his own experience with…

Samuel Stritch was born in Nashville Tennessee in 1887. He was an influential figure in the Catholic history of the Midwest, including serving as the Archbishop of Milwaukee. Our guest, Fr. Steven Avella, joins us today to discuss the life of Stritch, his passion for education, and his reaction to major events in U.S. history, such as the Great Dep…

J.R.R. Tolkien is the author of popular works such as The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. He has a huge fan base that spans the world and while he never set foot in the United States, a large chunk of his manuscript collection resides at Marquette University in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Our guest is Dr. Bill Fliss who is the archivist in charge of the Tol…

Teddy Roosevelt in 1912 decided to run for a third term as president after being disappointed in his hand-picked successor William Howard Taft's administration. After losing the Republican nomination, Roosevelt ran as a third-party candidate, and the campaign became extremely heated. Toward the end of the campaign, he visited Milwaukee Wisconsin wh…

January 1854 in Washington D.C. a senator from Illinois introduced a bill to congress. Slavery had become a hotly contested issue within the United States and this bill seeks to resolve the issue of free versus slave states. Little did the man who introduced the bill know that once passed this bill will lead to the downfall of a major political par…

When we left off in part 1 Eleazer Williams had begun to push the Oneida to move from New York to Wisconsin. Nothing about this endeavor would be easy, as the Oneida and his benefactors began to question his reliability. As Williams's influence waned, he struggled to stay relevant in Wisconsin and New York. He would eventually adopt a new angle, on…

We are changing things up on Badgerland Journal because our story today starts in France during the French Revolution. The King and Queen have been beheaded and there is a mystery surrounding the final days of the prince who is the heir to the French throne. Some believe he escaped death and survived outside of France... One man Eleazer Williams wi…

I am dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones I knew before... Merry Christmas everyone! This episode is going back in time to Wisconsin's Christmas past as we discuss some of the earliest recorded Christmases along with a few traditions that are not specific to Wisconsin but are celebrated in different regions of the state. What is your f…

When settlers first began arriving in Wisconsin they discovered large mounds formed in the shape of people and animals. These mounds were left by an earlier indigenous civilization. However, this was not the only intriguing discovery to be found in Wisconsin. Tune in to learn more about the purpose of these mounds, and the work that has gone into p…

On November 10th, 1975 the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was caught in one of the worst storms imaginable. Before the evening was out the Edmund Fitzgerald lay at the bottom of Lake Superior in two pieces. Afterward, there were many questions about what caused this ship to sink. Tune in to find out the different theories! Let us know your favorite on Facebo…

Between 1890-1910 Black River Falls fell on hard times, due to the lumber industry and mines failing. People were out of work, and many succumbed to alcoholism, mental health issues, or other sinister means. In 1973 Michael Lesy wrote a book using photographs and newspaper articles from the time to show how grisly and morbid life was during this ti…

Whitewater Wisconsin is known as the Second Salem. There are plenty of ghost stories to back up its name, but this episode dives into not only the legend and lore surrounding this city, but the historical roots of these stories. Plus we threw in a little bit of historical murder and mayhem. It is after all spooky season. Be sure to let me know what…

This episode is a little different than our normal episode. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with David Hanneken and talk about his historical fiction book The Home Front. The book takes place in Wisconsin during WWII and specifically discusses the POWs housed in Wisconsin during the war. David shares his research and process for writing…

Door County takes its name from the passage between the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. The French, drawing on native stories, named the passage Cap a la Mort or Death's Door. How it gained this name is shrouded in legend, but Death's Door has claimed multiple ships throughout the year. Tune in to find out more about this legendary passage. Che…

Prohibition during the 1920s made for great business within the Chicago Mob, but what did these outlaws do when the police got too close? They took a vacation to Wisconsin of course! Mobsters and Gangsters Like Al Capone, Jimmy Hoffa, Baby Face Nelson, and John Dillinger all used Wisconsin as a hideout to take a break from their criminal ways... so…

Harley Davidson is one of the most well-known businesses to come out of Wisconsin, but did you know it all started with four men in a small yard shed? Tune in to find out how Harley-Davidson became the best-known Motorcycle company in the world. We love feedback! Let us know what you think on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email badgerlandjournal@…

Did you know that an Eagle lived in the Wisconsin State Capital for 15 years? Old Abe became the mascot for the Wisconsin 8th infantry during the Civil War and saw thirty-seven battles and skirmishes during the war. He became a legendary eagle known throughout the country. Tune in to find out more about Old Abe. Don't forget to keep in touch on Fac…

Roaring Dan Seavey was as colorful of a character as they come. He had connections to the Pabst family and the Chicago Mob. Adventure followed him where ever he went, but he was most well known for being the only man charged with Piracy on the Great Lakes. Tune in to listen to the life of Dan Seavey. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or send an …

What in the World is a Hodag? It's a demon, water panther and mascot all rolled into one. Tune in to find out how this mythical creature became synonymous Rhinelander Wisconsin. Keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email badgerlandjournal@gmail.com Sources: Emily Bright, Emily. “The Legend of the Hodag.” Wisconsin Life, January 19, 2018…

We have had our first listeners request! Today we are diving into how Fish Fries became so popular in Wisconsin. Leave episode suggestions on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email badgerlandjournal@gmail.com Source: “Fish Fry Fridays, 1997-2010.” Wisconsin Historical Society, August 7, 2013. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS3968. …

Lake Michigan has taken countless ships throughout it's history. Despite this, ships would attempt journeys from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Chicago in the early winter months in order to bring Christmas trees to the city. One captain became so well known for this journey, he was given the nickname Captain Santa. However, his last journey en…

Old Fashioneds and fish fries are a staple at any supper club in Wisconsin. Have you ever wondered where Wisconsin got its unique spin on the Old Fashioned? Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email badgerlandjournal@gmail.com If you are in search of a muddler check out Silverwood Arts Sources: “The History of Brandy.” The Brandy Bar + …

Have you ever wondered why Wisconsin is the Badger State? It isn't because of the abundance of badgers... Join Badgerland Journal as we discuss how we became the Badger State. Let us know what you think on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email badgerlandjournal@gmail.com

Did you know 39 communities throughout Wisconsin housed German prisoners of war during WWII? Tune in to learn about these POWs and the relationships they had with different Wisconsin communities. Keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email badgerlandjournal@gmail.com

Did you know 39 communities throughout Wisconsin housed German prisoners of war during WWII? Tune in to learn about how they got here and how they played an important role they played in filling the labor shortage caused by the war. Let us know what you think on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email badgerlandjournal@gmail.com…

Please take a listen to my very first podcast! It is the story of Joshua Glover and the State of Wisconsin taking on the Federal Government over the refusal to return a former slave to Missouri. Please feel free to comment suggestions for future episodes on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email badgerlandjournal@gmail.com…