Skip to main content
Ricky's Historical Tidbits Podcast

Ricky's Historical Tidbits Podcast

By Ricky Mortensen

NorCal History show that does not bog you down with dates and names and focus' on stories. Hosted by Ricky Mortensen
Listen on Spotify
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

ep. 2 - Snowshoe Thompson - The Viking Mailman of the Sierra

Ricky's Historical Tidbits PodcastAug 09, 2022

00:00
19:08
ep. 21 - The War of the Worlds - Full Broadcast with Brief History Introduction by Ricky Mortensen

ep. 21 - The War of the Worlds - Full Broadcast with Brief History Introduction by Ricky Mortensen

Have you ever heard of the Orson Welles Controversy concerning the War of the Worlds Broadcast he did one day? Well if you haven't or even if you have but haven't heard the full broadcast for yourself, you are in luck.

Mar 29, 202359:07
ep. 20 Robert F. Stockton "Fighting Bob"

ep. 20 Robert F. Stockton "Fighting Bob"

"Regal? Overrated? Captain of men? Friend and benefactor? Bellicose firebrand? Robert Stockton was many things to many people, but in two things he was constant: he was unwavering in his dedication to his state and to his country, and he never failed to strive for glory. Regardless of what history makes of his achievements, and there were inarguably many, and of his mistakes and blunders, which were also numerous, he ought always to be remembered as a man of position and principle, ever ready to throw down the gauntlet in the passionate defense of what he believed." - R. John Brockman

Mar 23, 202318:32
ep. 19 Ghirardelli - The Candy Man

ep. 19 Ghirardelli - The Candy Man

You have likely had one of the Ghirardelli squares before, have you ever wondered about the history not of the company exactly but the man that started it? Well I have and I did the research and MANNNNN did this guy have a tough time in business yet he persevered along with his family. 

Mar 14, 202310:52
ep. 18 The Largest Gold Nugget Ever Found in CA

ep. 18 The Largest Gold Nugget Ever Found in CA

I tell you a brief explanation of 4 kinds of gold and then the stories of 3 gold nuggets

Feb 16, 202303:58
ep. 17 The Jenny Lind Steamboat Disaster

ep. 17 The Jenny Lind Steamboat Disaster

The Jenny Lind Steamboat Disaster claimed 32 lives in the bay area back in 1853.
In this episode, I'll tell you all about it.
Feb 02, 202306:42
ep. 16 E. Clampus Vitus Exposed

ep. 16 E. Clampus Vitus Exposed

According to E. Clampus Vitus legend, St. Vitus devoted 37 years of study and unbiblical contemplation to seek out the fundamental truths bound up in the mystic title of the order. He began writing a cabalistic treatise on the subject in 83 volumes. Still, so far as anyone has been able to discover, he got no further than the first 3 words: Credo Quia Absurdum. Which means I believe it because it is absurd. In this episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits, I will attempt to share with you an expose' complete with the ancient history through the 3 main ages of Clamperdom.   

My website https://www.rickyshistoricaltidbits.com/ 

Sign up for my email - https://mailchi.mp/be61d53c2a9c/email-sign-up 

[SOCIAL MEDIA] 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/busy_ricky/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RickysHistoricaltidbits

Twitter - https://twitter.com/busy_ricky

Jan 24, 202314:53
ep. 15 Keep Bigler Blue - The Lake Tahoe Name Controversey

ep. 15 Keep Bigler Blue - The Lake Tahoe Name Controversey

Many moons ago there was a big lake in the western territory of the United States. Native American tribes called it dá’aw which translates basically to “lake”. Some say there is a 60-foot monster like the loch ness monster that lives in the deep known today as Tahoe Tessie, some say there are hundreds of bodies at the bottom perfectly preserved from the freezing cold deep dark waters and if your fishing line is long enough you might catch an ear or piece of skin. This lake is famous today known as Lake Tahoe, bumper stickers can be found all around that say Keep Tahoe Blue. But what if I told you the name of Lake Tahoe is controversial and I would argue should be reverted to its previous name in the name of history. In this episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits, I will share with you why we should instead see bumper stickers saying Keep Bigler Blue.

Jan 17, 202315:42
ep. 14 Black Bart - The Po8
Nov 30, 202228:50
ep. 13 Frederick Bee - Mandarin of the Blue Button
Nov 26, 202207:45
ep. 12 Lucy Batterman

ep. 12 Lucy Batterman

In this episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits, I share with you the story of a lady named Lucy Ann Stoddard Wakefield Batterman, who was known to most for her pies but there’s something else she’s known for.

She is part of the Miners on Main series which is a scavenger hunt coming soon to Main street in Placerville highlighting local people of history that had some kind of impact on the city of Placerville.

Nov 01, 202206:19
ep 11. Eliza McKinstry

ep 11. Eliza McKinstry

This short episode of Ricky's Historical Tidbits is about a lady named Eliza Mckinstry. She is part of the Miners on Main series which is a scavenger hunt coming soon to Main street in Placerville highlighting local people of history that had some kind of impact on the city of Placerville.

Oct 25, 202202:47
ep. 10 - George G. Blanchard - Judge of El Dorado County

ep. 10 - George G. Blanchard - Judge of El Dorado County

In this short episode of Ricky's historical tidbits, I share with you a little bit about a man who will be featured in the city of Placerville's “Miners on Main” scavenger hunt on Main Street. Known to history by a few things but is mostly known as Judge Blanchard.

https://www.rickyshistoricaltidbits.com/podcast/george-g-blanchard

Oct 18, 202204:04
ep. 9 - Dorothea Zeisz - The Pioneer Grandma

ep. 9 - Dorothea Zeisz - The Pioneer Grandma

This is a short episode about Dorothea Zeisz, a woman who had 10 kids then her husband left the country for "business" 


Dorothea Zeisz is a "miner" featured in the "Miners on Main" Scavenger Hunt coming soon to Placerville.

Oct 03, 202203:09
ep. 8 - Sheriff James Hume - The Sherlock Holmes of the Wild West

ep. 8 - Sheriff James Hume - The Sherlock Holmes of the Wild West

“One of the best detectives on the Pacific Coast; prompt, vigilant, and firm; always sober, reticent in his business affairs; knew no fear of danger; confided into the fullest extent of his employers, and generally esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.” that is a description of a man known today as the Sherlock Holmes of the wild west that man was James Hume. In this episode of Ricky's HIstorical Tidbits, I will tell you all about him.

Sep 27, 202209:56
ep. 7 - Wheelbarrow Johnny - The Story of John Studebaker

ep. 7 - Wheelbarrow Johnny - The Story of John Studebaker

You may have heard of Studebakers in terms of cars or old wagons but do you know the full story of the man behind it all, it is quite the story and you will enjoy every second of this episode all about it. 

Sep 20, 202220:22
ep. 6 - Robbers Roost - The Gassaway Gang

ep. 6 - Robbers Roost - The Gassaway Gang

Robbers roost is a place where the notorious Gassaway Gang hung out and robbed an unknown amount of people until they finally got caught and were sent to jail. Though short, this is their story. 

Sep 13, 202203:28
ep. 5 - May Woolsey - The Trunk Under the Stairs.

ep. 5 - May Woolsey - The Trunk Under the Stairs.

It was 1979, a man named Ed Duffy, a carpenter, had bought an old home in Sacramento and was working on fixing it up. under the staircase, he happened upon an old trunk and when he opened it he was astonished at what he found. In this episode I will be sharing with you the story of May Woolsey and the trunk under those stairs.

Sep 06, 202208:10
ep. 4 - The Mountain Brewery - A Victim of Prohibition

ep. 4 - The Mountain Brewery - A Victim of Prohibition

The very interesting history and demise of a family run brewery in Placerville, CA.

"The proper beer to drink and the purest and best is the beer from the Giebenhain brewery in Placerville California. Our staff of physicians have found that this beer yields the greatest tonic strength so much desired to assist digestion and that it it keeps down the temperature thus preventing sunstroke, and establishes proper perspiration which promotes mental and physical activity, thus counterbalancing the effect of summer heat.


Aug 30, 202204:42
ep. 3 - Preston Castle - Ancient home to Queen Calafia?
Aug 23, 202208:01
ep. 2 - Snowshoe Thompson - The Viking Mailman of the Sierra

ep. 2 - Snowshoe Thompson - The Viking Mailman of the Sierra

Snowshoe Thompson was a mailman who delivered mail on skis from Placerville around South lake Tahoe and up to Carson city and back. His story is one that cannot be ignored, it is simply too fascinating. 

Aug 09, 202219:08
ep. 1 - William Leidesdorff - The First Millionaire of California before the Gold Rush
Aug 02, 202221:26