In 1913, the Washington State legislature enacted a series of laws unofficially known as the "Lazy Husband's Act." Men convicted of family desertion were forced to work for the county on municipal projects such as building roads, while their abandoned wives and children received their wages. The detention facility where they lived was known as the "Lazy Husband's Farm" or the Stockade, which was located between Bothell and Woodinville, then moved to the Willows property.  

Elke Hautala and Cari Simson, hosts of the podcast Invisible Histories, bring you the history of the people living and working at the Stockade, and King County's evolving strategies to house and care for its impoverished citizens. Learn all about the twists and turns that King County and the State of Washington went through to try and provide people with basic financial support and meaningful work. 

Elke Hautala and Cari Simson formed their podcast Invisible Histories  in 2024 to viscerally connect the public to historical research with an emphasis on individual experiences. Their podcast unearths diverse local stories and forgotten places in the Pacific Northwest. 

Short: The hosts of Invisible Histories podcast bring you the history of Bothell's "Lazy Husband's Farm" and other workhouses.  

Enjoy 15% off your hotel stay on History Pub nights! Show your ticket at check-in.

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