Feliks Banel

Feliks Banel

Feliks Banel is a producer, host, and historian for KIRO Newsradio, and is editor of "Columbia," the quarterly magazine of the Washington State Historical Society.

Supporters of historic Sumner Ryan House get legal boost

A grassroots group working to save the historic Ryan House on Main Street in Sumner scored a legal victory Wednesday.
4 days ago

‘Seattle Vintage’ Facebook page taken over by hackers

A Facebook group run by local volunteers and meant for sharing images and stories about Seattle area history has been taken over by hackers.
4 days ago

Pacific Science Center making temporary changes to historic reflecting pool

When Science Center staff made their presentation to the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB), they said the shallow pools are leaking badly and need a minimum investment of $17 million to repair.
5 days ago

When Washington and Oregon used vinyl records to attract tourists

In March 1966, Pacific Northwest Bell issued something called a “Tourist Trapper Kit” with maps and brochures and a 7-inch vinyl record replete with audio enticements for visiting the Northwest.
10 days ago

‘Garbage Goat,’ ‘Governor Evidence’ mark 50 years post-Spokane Expo ’74

The 50th anniversary of Expo '74 will be celebrated in Spokane with a series of events throughout the spring and summer.
12 days ago

Everett official dodges key question about gazebo-saving compromise

An Everett spokesperson dodged KIRO Newsradio's question about whether Mayor Cassie Franklin is willing to accept the gazebo compromise.
17 days ago

History hidden within NOAA’s ‘Inland Water Wind Reports’

The handful of spots along the shores of the Puget Sound, for which NOAA often gives windspeed reports, have their own history and charm.
17 days ago

Will Everett mayor accept compromise to save Clark Park gazebo?

The Everett Historical Commission discussed the city’s request to tear down the Clark Park gazebo and offered a strategic compromise instead.
19 days ago

Everett residents iced out of demolition plans: ‘Don’t blame the gazebo’

Mayor Cassie Franklin of Everett has decided to demolish the historic 1921 gazebo at Clark Park. Not everyone is happy about the decision.
24 days ago

The thousand-year-old origins of the name ‘Washington’

Here's a refresher on how the Pacific Northwest state came to be called "Washington," and the meaning of the famous of American surname.
26 days ago

Good news and bad news for two popular drive-in theatres

This week, we have a Double Feature of Pacific Northwest cinema history, with good news for one drive-in theatre and bad news for another.
1 month ago

Young aviator’s rediscovered photo albums are full of history, mystery

A Seattle family recently re-discovered a collection of photo albums that belonged to a great uncle who was a Navy flyer at Sand Point nearly 100 years ago.
1 month ago

Feliks Banel: Fifty years of ‘Wheedle on the Needle’

It was 50 years ago when one of Seattle’s most enduring literary characters – who also became the Sonics’ original big-head mascot – was born. On February 14, 1974, the book “Wheedle on the Needle” was published, and quickly became a Northwest favorite that’s still in print.
1 month ago

The windstorm that sank the Hood Canal Bridge in 1979

Total cost of the 1.3 mile span was $25 million in 1961, or the equivalent of about $210 million in 2019 dollars.
1 month ago

Ryan House in Sumner named “Most Endangered”

The grassroots effort to save the historic Ryan House in the Pierce County community of Sumner just got a boost from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. The statewide advocacy group has added the threatened structure to its list of “Most Endangered Places” in Washington.
1 month ago

Remembering how Boeing helped bring The Beatles to America for their first-ever visit

When The Beatles came to America for the first time 58 years ago today, it was a Boeing plane that brought them stateside.
1 month ago

All Over The Map: Forgotten original ‘Unity’ name still inspires Ilwaco

Much of the documented history of Ilwaco is featured in a book by historian Lucille McDonald and published by Binfords & Mort in Portland in 1966.
2 months ago

Man deserves gold medal for rescuing UW crew boat ‘The Conny’

The book and film “Boys in the Boat” has brought worldwide attention to 1936 gold medal-winning crew from the University of Washington. A vintage custom powerboat that was key to that team’s success – and that once almost went to the dump – has been restored and will be on display this weekend at the 2024 Seattle Boat Show.
2 months ago

All Over The Map: Meet me in … West Edge?

Here at "All Over The Map," we obsess over official names for places, and even more over the unofficial nicknames that stick – or don’t stick.
2 months ago

Boeing’s aviation history in Renton: From World War II to the 737 Max

In spite of the troubles with the 737 Max, it’s a safe bet that Boeing isn’t done making aviation history at its old Renton plant.
2 months ago

The origins of the only photo ever taken of Chief Seattle

Northwest historians agree about some basic facts about the photo, which was taken in 1865. How the photo came to be is sometimes a little more murky.
2 months ago

Seeking clues to the mystery cottage at Kirkland’s newest park

An iconic and mysterious roadside cottage in Kirkland now it has become part of the Eastside city’s newest public park.
2 months ago

‘National park on wheels’ seeks volunteers for Trails & Rails

A partnership between the National Park Service and Amtrak has placed volunteer interpretive guides on some routes for many years.
2 months ago

All Over The Map: Few clues in mysterious disappearance of ‘Wheeler & Murdoch’

The story of Seattle’s image influencing distant people through pop culture like film, literature, music and TV is an unfinished history.
2 months ago