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;

In 1905, Sarsaparilla, the pampered pooch of the Tacoma police force, was famous for using his ugly mug to "sweat" a confession out of suspects. "Sas," as he was known, had been left at the police station when only a few days old and was raised on a bottle. The bull dog was soon known as the ugliest dog in Tacoma. When a suspect was brought into Police Chief Malony's office for questioning, "Sas" only had to be called from his blanket in the Chief's office, fix his slanted eyes on the criminal and the information began to flow. (TDN 10/28/1905, pg. 17)

Bulldogs; Dogs--Tacoma--1900-1910; Police dogs;

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. 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;

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;

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);

The first Thursday in April, 1926, was a busy day for telephone number Main 4515. All day the phone rang for "Mr. Towser," "Mr. Barking," and "Mr. K.Nine." Lee Kane took messages for the missing Messrs. advising callers that they would call back shortly. Mr. Kane was a Tacoma police officer stationed at the dog pound. And the missing Messrs.? They were all one entity: a regal pooch named Mr. Barker. The first Thursday in April, 1926? April Fools Day. Here a patient Mr. Barker "speaks" to a bewildered caller. (TNT 4-1-26, p. 1) (Bowen 26224)

Two young boys stand next to a dog that is harnessed to a model circus wagon in this April, 1929, photograph. There is a pup (maybe two) in the wagon. Note on original negative sleeve says, "Newman builds circus wagon for boy & dog parade. Made at Kuehn residence near Lakeview." Bowen # 290-091

W.L. Feeney, the manager of the RKO Pantages Theater, organized a very special "real old fashioned mutts" dog show on April 19, 1930 to welcome the Weaver Brothers comedy team to Tacoma. The winners of the show were: (l to r) Earl Robinson with his two month old puppy Spot, second place; Dickie Dale Simmons with first place winner Bud; and Harold Hilderman with his $1.00 cash prize winning pooch Jiggs. Four year old Dickie made sure that no one could run off with his prize winning pet; Bud was tied to his arms with a thick rope. The dog show was followed by a blackberry pie eating contest and a parade down Broadway. The Weaver Brothers, Charlie, Abner and Cicero, were most famous for introducing the musical handsaw to vaudeville as a musical instrument. They were appearing in Tacoma on a bill with the Richard Dix all talking comedy "Lovin' the Ladies." Seats were 25 cents before 1p.m. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4/20/1930, pg. A-7)

Robinson, Earl; Simmons, Dickie Dale; Hilderman, Harold; Dogs; Dog shows--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Along with daffodils and April showers, children and their pets have been a sure sign of spring in the Puget Sound area for generations. Photographer Chapin Bowen captured young Bobby David with his beloved dog, "Rags," seated in front of the Rialto Theater in 1931. Bob and Rags attended Tacoma's pet parade, held April 9, 1931.

Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; David, Bobby;

Along with daffodils and April showers, children and their pets have been a sure sign of spring in the Puget Sound area for generations. Photographer Chapin Bowen captured young Bobby David with his beloved dog, "Rags," seated in front of the Rialto Theater in 1931. Bob and Rags attended Tacoma's pet parade, held April 9, 1931.

ca. 1934. A team of Budweiser Clydesdales delivers cases of beer to Tacoma Hotel in this circa 1934 photograph. The Clydesdales, in harness, have paused outside the entrance to the elegant hotel, one of Tacoma's most famous landmarks. Back then the Budweiser Clydesdales were a new sight, introduced to the public in April of 1933 to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. The Clydesdale horses were used for promotions by the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co. They were hitched to red, white and gold beer wagons. Each horse was selected with certain characteristics and temperaments and each had to be a gelding. The Budweiser Clydesdales are still being used for commercials and promotions nearly eighty years after this photograph was taken. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Clydesdales -article)

Andy Anderson (Andreson) with a Cocker Spaniel puppy on his lap.

Animals - Domestic Animals - DogsPeople - Men

Young Mary Hooker, the daughter of Ellen and Albert H. Hooker, Jr., curled-up in a chair with her pet dog.

Dogs; Girls--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hooker, Albert H.--Family; Hooker, Mary;

In June of 1935, Champion Bulldog Sir Bolivar Buckshot poses steadfastly with his many trophies. Bred and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Bjorklund of Spanaway, Sir Bolivar Buckshot was an English Bull, with a champion rating. He was declared both International and Pacific Coast Champion Bulldog. At four years of age, he was ranked second to none in this country or Canada. The famed champion died in 1942 at the age of 14, having sired many offspring around the country. (T. Times 6/22/1935, pg. 11; TNT 2/5/1942, pg. 16-memorial article)

Bulldogs--1930-1940; Awards;

A young woman in a tweed coat reaches to pet her dog's head. The dog rests its front paws on her coat and stands at full length on his hind legs. Photograph ordered by the Bremerton Sun.

Dogs; Pets--Bremerton--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Five Scottish Terrier puppies in a box on a high-back, winged, over-stuffed leather chair. The black pups are peering over the edge of the cardboard box in this circa 1936 photograph. (Studio stock negative).

Dogs; Chairs;

Dr. Nickelsen with a caged lynx that he captured. (T. Times)

Animals - Lynx

ca. 1937. Ed Griffin's champion English Mastiff "Broomcourt Nell" and her litter of puppies. The puppies were born in September of 1936, 7 females and 3 males. The puppies and their sires were the only English Mastiffs in the NorthWest.

Dogs;

ca. 1937. The puppies of Ed Griffin's champion English Mastiff "Broomcourt Nell." In the beginning of September of 1936, there was only one mastiff in the Northwest. By Sept. 9, 1936, there were 11 with the addition of 10 puppies. The father was Roxbury Boy. Seven of the pups were female and 3 were male.

Dogs;

ca. 1937. Three black bears at Point Defiance Park. Zoo keeper George R. Jones reaches into steel bar cage while four young people watch. Cage is outdoors in open area with fenced area on back slope. In April of 1937, the zoo had no grizzly bears after the death of "Juliet," long time zoo resident. Her partner "Romeo" died the winter before. The zoo was expected a delivery of a pair of grizzly cubs in May from Yellowstone.

Bears; Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Zoo keepers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Jones, George R.;

ca. 1937. Three black bears at the Point Defiance Zoo appear just as curious about their four teenage visitors as the visitors are about the bears in this circa 1937 photograph. Zoo keeper George R. Jones seems to be reaching into the outdoor barred steel cage with a small item, perhaps food, in his hand.

Bears; Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Zoo keepers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Jones, George R.;

The Tacoma Spaniel Club held their field trials for 1937 in the prairie lands west of the Northern Pacific car shops in South Tacoma on March 21st. The "prairie lands" were just south of the South Tacoma Swamp. "High class" cocker and springer spaniels, including Pepper the defending champion, a red male cocker owned by Robert Wadsworth (center), competed for the prize trophy. Club members, with their dogs, are: (l to r) Crist Keffler, Ralph Lougheed, C.J. O'Connor, Robert Wadsworth, William J. Lonergan, Everett Metzger and Robert Sloat of Puyallup. (T. Times 3/21/1937, pg. 12)

Dogs; Hunting dogs; Tacoma Spaniel Club (Tacoma);

Governor's Review of troops--Fort Lewis. Soldiers watering horses in concrete trough. Mules and horses were part of the giant U.S. Army demonstration of its military prowess during the three hour military review held on August 21, 1937. Passing before the governors of Washington, Oregon and Montana were 14,000 regular army and national guard troops. Planes from the 91st and 116th observtion squadrons flew in formation before government and military officials. (T. Times, 8-21-37, p. 1, 8-23-37, p. 1)

Horses--Fort Lewis; Watering troughs--Fort Lewis;

In September of 1937, Vivian Sherman was pictured having a talk with her "lucky dog" Sport. The three year old setter was lucky to be alive. The year before in the winter, he caught his right front paw in a trap. He was stuck for eight days in the frozen trap until he broke the chain and crawled over a mile home. The Shermans had the leg operated on and Sport made a full recovery. He was an excellent hunting dog, despite the fact that he was left with only one toe on the damaged foot. Mrs. Sherman and her husband Frank were the owners of Tapps Fishing Tackle on South Tacoma Way. (T. Times 4/6/1937, pg. 13)

Dogs; Hunting dogs; Sherman, Vivian;

In September of 1937 the Tacoma Humane Society was able to purchase a new ambulance with donations by a number of generous Tacoma animal lovers including Mrs. Norton Clapp and the estate of Sarah J. Mink. Harold A. Dennison, the caretaker at the society's shelter, gave the first ride in the new truck to a little white dog that had been found beaten and tied in a gunny sack lying in a ditch. The truck was equipped with four metal cages of various sizes and a monoxide chamber that could be used to put badly injured animals to sleep. (T.Times, 9/22/1937 p.4)

Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dogcatching--Tacoma; Animal shelters--Tacoma; Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dennison, Harold A.;