Join us on a journey through the shadowed woods and misty paths of the Pacific Northwest, where the picturesque landscape belies a history tinged with darkness. We explore the haunting allure of the region's expansive forests and the unsettling reputation it has earned as a haven for sinister deeds. From serial killers lurking on secluded roads to the eerie tales of hauntings, this episode paints a chilling picture of a place that's as captivating as it is creepy.
Our conversation turns to the poignant history of the Washington State Fairgrounds, once known as Camp Harmony, and the ironic euphemism that belies the suffering of Japanese Americans interned there during World War II. Reflecting on this dark chapter, we acknowledge the transformation of these grounds from a site of historical trauma to one of celebration, delving into the broader themes of racism and nationalism that persist in the Pacific Northwest's past. In this chapter, the power of art and the importance of historical memorials are brought to the forefront, as we lament the disappearance of George Tsutakawa's Memorial Gates and consider the implications of such losses.
As we wrap up this episode, we tackle the unresolved mysteries that continue to haunt Puyallup, including the disappearance of Misty Copsey and the shadow of unsolved crimes in the area.
We won't shy away from the darkest parts of the past but we also strive to share what makes the Pacific Northwest beautiful. šø
Keywords for the Blog Post & Episode:
Japanese Art, Asian culture, Internment camp, cherry blossoms, McMenamin's Kennedy School, immigrants, Nakamura family, Minidoka, WWII, World War 2, Camp Harmony, Puyallup, Washington State Fair, Puyallup, PNW, True Crime, Misty Copsey, MMIW, Native, The Green River Killer, serial killer, unsolved, disappearance, Pacific Northwest, Dark History, Executive Order 9066, war crimes.
