"Tacoma was literally staggering under a boom of the boomiest," wrote Rudyard Kipling while visiting the "City of Destiny" in 1889. Tycoons of industry, such as Rust, Weyerhauser, Thorne, and Wright, found their fortunes in land speculation and commerce. Yet some industrialists gained their riches by less-than-legal means. Many of these magnates stayed rich, while others lost everything in an era defined by extreme wealth disparity. Join us to hear their larger-than-life stories and the lessons they teach us today. 
 
Steve Dunkelberger is a published author who has co-written two books on Lakewood, Washington and one about McNeil Island. He has a background in journalism and editing and is currently an instructor at Pierce College. Steve is a member of several local historical societies, as well as the Knights of Pythias, South Tacoma Eagles, and the Muscovites. You can follow "Steve's Drunk/Local History: Tacoma Edition" on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

Stay the night, mention History Pub at check-in for 15% off your room.

These events are open to everyone interested in Pacific Northwest history, and beyond! Often co-sponsored by local or state historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers, historians and documentaries expounding on topics from indigenous history to the birth of Portland, early explorers to hop growing, and on and on! It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp