ca. 1907. As early as 1907, Commercial Truck Company was in business in Tacoma, filling the need for moving and storage. A young man posed with a wagon used for transport, pulled by two horses, in front of the concrete building at 2302-12 East E St. that the company took over in October of 1907. The reinforced concrete warehouse was two stories, 75 x 140 feet and provided fireproof storage. It was built at a cost of $30,000. The Commercial Truck Co. was a forerunner of Tacoma's Star Moving Co. of today. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell)

Commercial Truck Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1900-1910; Storage facilities--Tacoma; Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1900-1910; Horse teams--Tacoma;

ca. 1907. Horse and wagon teams in front of the new concrete storage warehouse at 2302-12 East E St., circa 1907. The two story warehouse was built at a cost of $30,000 for developer W.P. Reynolds. The building, designed by architect and structural engineer I. Jay Knapp, was 75 x 140 feet at the foundation and was fireproof. On its completion, the Commercial Truck Co. moved into the building. They were a moving and storage company. They were sold in 1929 to the group owning AA Star Transfer of Aberdeen and became Star Commercial Moving and Storage. In 1941, Star dropped their storage business and became solely a moving company. The building was taken over by Terminal Warehouses, Inc. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell) TPL-9834

Commercial Truck Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1900-1910; Storage facilities--Tacoma; Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1900-1910; Horse teams--Tacoma;

ca. 1905. Six unidentified men pose with their horses in front of the offices of the Commercial Truck Co. in the early 1900's. The Commercial Truck Co. first appears in the City Directory in 1903. The company occupied 717-19 Broadway after its construction in 1902. They listed their business as transfer, drayage, piano movers, livery and feed stables. The company was a predecessor of Tacoma's Star Moving Co. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell)

Commercial Truck Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1900-1910; Horses;

ca. 1905. An unidentified man calmed a rearing horse near the offices of the Commercial Truck Co. in the early 1900's. The Commercial Truck Co. first appeared in the 1903 Tacoma City Directory. S.J. Pollard was listed as president with J.W. Garvin as Secretary-Treasurer and A.W. Tuel as Manager. They listed offices at 717-719 South C and 718-720 Commerce St. (in TPL building index as 717-19 Broadway). The company moved into this building on its completion in 1902. They listed their services as transfer, drayage, piano moving, livery and feed stables. The company sold in 1929 to AA Star Transfer of Aberdeen and became Star Commercial Moving & Storage, a predecessor of today's Star Moving Co. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell)

Commercial Truck Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1900-1910; Horses;

ca. 1909. Herd of Roosevelt elk in the Olympic Mountains. The Roosevelt elk, largest of North American elk and named after Theodore Roosevelt, had powerful bodies that allowed them to break through snowdrifts, flourish in high altitudes, and also swim. The dark coated elk were photographed amidst the snow and barren trees by Grant W. Humes circa 1909.

Elk--Washington; Olympic Mountains (Wash.); Mountains--Washington--1900-1910;

A man in overalls and horse are plowing a crop in this August of 1922 photograph. Another man, in a suit and tie, stands with one arm raised before the horse. Neither man nor the property was identified. Photograph has been damaged at left.

Plows; Plowing; Horses; Men--1920-1930;

Several days of winter storms in mid-February of 1923 brought 15 - 18 inches of accumulated snow to the streets of downtown Tacoma. Ray C. Smith, proprietor of the pony stables on Puyallup Ave, brought one of his antique cutters out of mothballs and was photographed on South 10th Street with the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific behind him. His well bundled guests enjoying the one horse sleigh ride were D.A. LaJose and Charles McManus. Dexter the horse arched his neck proudly to show off his jingle bell collar. With up to 24 inches of snow on the ground in the outlying areas, schools shut down and street car service was suspended for a time. Buses ran in the more highly populated areas but could only handle a portion of those wishing to ride. Complaints were received by the police department from riders who indicated that some bus drivers were overcharging for the rides, demanding as much as 25 cents for what should have been a nickel ride. (TNT 2-14-1923, p.1, TDL 2-15-1923, p. 1) G66.1-130; TPL-9658

Sleds & sleighs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Horses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Snow--Tacoma; Smith, Ray C.; LaJose, D.A.; McManus, Charles;

Wild Bill Shannon brought his famous Alaskan "wolf dogs" (huskies) to the Colonial Theater in March of 1925. Perhaps puzzled at the lack of snow, the team of sled dogs, with their master, stopped outside of the theater for a brief look around. Shannon was advertised as the man who saved Nome, Alaska, during the dreaded diphtheria plague. He had rushed antitoxin from Nenana to Nome. The Pantages would counter with the appearance of Soloman Basco, Alaska native, who mushed into Nome with his seven malamute dogs. Basco also delivered antitoxin and claimed the fastest time, 3 hr., 59 min., at temperatures 50 degrees below. (TDL 3-19-25, p. 8, TDL 3-23-25, p. 6) Photograph ordered by Moore Amusement Co. G66.1-001

Dogsledding; Dog teams; Shannon, Bill; Colonial Theater (Tacoma);

May 31, 1924, photograph of an unidentified woman kneeling on lawn with two dogs. Houses in background are draped with flowers, including climbing roses. Photograph ordered by Dr. Albert W. Bridge.

Dogs; Flowers;

A member, believed to be Harold Lent, of the Woodbrook Hunt Club holds onto the reins of his horse on October 10, 1954. He is wearing hunting habit with a long jacket and cap. Woodbrook was one of the few hunting clubs in the country that maintained its own pack of hounds. This photograph would have been taken prior to the first hunt of the season. Bob Seney, huntsman, would be leading the pack. Harold Lent, president of the club, will lead the field as field master. (TNT 10-9-54, p. 5)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Golden Jubilee Circus in Seattle with the Sea Fair Queen. Photo ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The Sea Fair Queen makes friends with a lion, tiger and giraffe, part of the plywood menagerie travelling with the "Fir Plywood Golden Jubilee Show." The free show had something for every member of the family. It featured a color film showing how plywood is manufactured and some new ideas for modern living. Part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of plywood production, the show would be touring West Coast regions where plywood is manufactured. (TNT 7/10/1955, pg. C-17)

Animal training--Seattle; Circus animals--Seattle; Circuses & shows--Seattle; Circus performers;

Golden Jubilee Circus in Seattle. Photo ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The young animal trainer in white fends off a friendly giraffe, hippopotamus, tiger and lion. The animals are part of the plywood menagerie touring with the "Fir Plywood Golden Jubilee Show." The free show also displayed a color movie on plywood production and "Fifty Golden Ideas" for modern living, first unveiled during the annual DFPA meeting in Portland. (TNT 7/10/1955, pg. C-17)

Animal training--Seattle; Circus animals--Seattle; Circuses & shows--Seattle; Circus performers;

ca. 1955. A woman in western style riding gear sits astride a horse and is being awarded a ribbon by a woman in formal English hunt attire. Photograph ordered by the Woodbrook Hunt Club. The Woodbrook Hunt Club's 1955 Spring Horse Show was held May 21-22, 1955 in the covered arena at the Woodbrook Stables. It featured exhibitions by the Pierce County Sheriff's Posse, square dancing on horseback by the Lariettes and a style show of what the best dressed horsewoman wears for Western riding, to an English hunt or square dancing. Also featured was competition in different horseback skills and on different breeds of horses. (TNT 5/15/1955, pg. D-1& D-2)

Horses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Horseback riding--Lakewood--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960; Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Woodbrook Stables (Lakewood);

To make work easier for those who raised chickens on a large scale, Washington Cooperative Farmers Association provided their members with new ideas to save time and effort. A bulk feed unit with automatic feeder would cut down the time necessary to feed a large flock of chickens. The grain would be deposited into the feeding unit probably through an opening in the roof. It then could be dispersed through the chute to the waiting chickens. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association.

Chickens--Washington; Chicken industry; Poultry houses--Washington; Storage facilities; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);

Baby chicks are kept warm under large heating units which can be raised or lowered by pulleys in a December 26, 1957, photograph. This may be a fairly large chicken farm since there are at least four heating units with many chickens peeking out from beneath, while others swallow feed or just roam. A little boy smilingly holds a chick gently in his clasped hands. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association.

Chicken industry; Chickens--Washington; Radiators;

Two large Saint Bernards stand guard on the concrete porch close to a little girl and her big brother. Even the smaller dog is nearly as tall as the mittened child on her scooter and may virtually outweigh her. The boy, bundled up in leather cap with ear flaps and warm corduroy-like coat, has one hand on the massive dog's collar. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association.

Dogs; Working dogs; Children & animals;

This proud hunting dog belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Charles McPhail stood at attention beside a large collection of trophies and ribbons on December 1, 1966. Many award winning ribbons were taped to the stone fireplace in the McPhail residence, 8301 Tucka Way S.W. There were a number of silver trays and other trophies next to the dog. His master's gun was leaning against a nearby chair. Photograph ordered by Charles McPhail.

Dogs--Lakewood--1960-1970; Hunting dogs; Awards; Fireplaces--Lakewood; Rifles; McPhail, Charles--Homes & haunts;

Nine Daffodil princesses pose with an Arabian horse and rider at the Villa Plaza on March 23, 1968. The beautiful stallion is adorned with tassels and flowered bridle and its rider is equally decorated. Photograph ordered by Clover Park Kiwanis Club.

Horses--Lakewood--1960-1970; Beauty contestants--Lakewood--1960-1970; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma);

A German shepherd looks alertly at the camera on April 19, 1971, as it rests on a comfortable rug. Between its protective paws is a coffee mug containing one very small puppy. The little fellow appears to be contemplating his escape from his tiny cage. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Bell, Seattle.

Dogs--Tacoma--1970-1980;

The photographer's notes for this image indicate that it is a photograph of "Aza Destiny." The black Arabian horse, Aza Destiny, was born in 1971, sired by Azraff ex Bint Bass Hisan. His progeny would later number over 60. On the lower part of this photograph is a signature, apparently "Johnny Johnston," perhaps the photographer. Photograph ordered by Glenn Ash, Spanaway.

Horses;

A sharp contrast in size can clearly be seen between this tiny poodle and the much heftier German shepherd mix. The two dogs were photographed on May 8, 1974, on behalf of Pacific Northwest Bell.

Dogs--Tacoma--1970-1980;

From September of 1942 until the end of March, 1947, 713-15 Commerce housed USO #2, a club reserved for the entertainment of servicemen and women of color. One of the unique activities in the club took place each year during "Be Kind to Animals" week. Servicemen assisted in the planning and production of a dog show with the pets of local children. Ribbons were presented to the best in each catagory. In this photograph dated September 16, 1945, unidentified children and servicemen pose with a variety of dogs at the club. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

A Halloween black cat stalks the path of a Tribune photographer in an east Tacoma neighborhood. (Photo by Harlan H. Chinn)

ca. 1908. Tacoma Steam Laundry wagon and driver. The wagon is piled full of bags of laundry. Even the driver's seat is packed, leaving no room for him to sit. From copy negative. Similar to BROWNING-073.

Hill Hardware Co. wagon & driver at east end of Wagon Bridge, Steilacoom Lake. Driver is C. L. Whitney. In 1908 the Hill Hardware Co. was at 2317-2319 Pacific Ave.

ca. 1908. Man standing next to Tacoma Steam Laundry wagon piled high with bags of laundry.

ca. 1910. Unidentified young man, holding a metal milk pitcher in each hand, stands next to a horse-drawn mik wagon among the trees. The wooden panels on the side of the wagon say "Jersey Milk."

ca. 1911. Al G. Barnes Wild Animal Circus wagon with a small brass band on top and African lions inside is pulled down a street in South Tacoma. Probably taken Sept. 13, 1911.

1908/08. Mr. Young with bull "Conqueror" Price $120.00 . A young man in a white shirt, wearing a hat, stands next to a large black and white bull in this August of 1908 photograph.