Oral history interview with Gary Emmons by Karin Crelling conducted 05/17/2017. Gary Emmons was in a unique position in the 1960s, working for the Northern Pacific Railway as a telegrapher. He was witness to the change from manpower to computers. The telegraph station at McCarver Street in Tacoma, Washington was one of the most important stations in the area. Trains would not leave Tacoma, unless they had received their instructions from this station. This paper will provide a brief history of not just the McCarver Street station, and how it operated, but also other institutions, that were intricately connected to the Northern Pacific Railway here in Tacoma; institutions such as McKinley Hill Hospital, the Great Tacoma Shops, Union Station and, very briefly, the decline and the revival of downtown Tacoma and the restoration of Union Station, as well as the present campus of the University of Washington, Tacoma. This research will cover a span from approximately 1910 to 2000 and follows loosely the interview conducted with Col. Gary Emmons, USAF, Ret.

Oral history interview with Eudoro Estrada by Deborah D. Boyd conducted 05/03/1991. The interview discusses Eudoro Estrada's life in Mexico, his struggles when he first arrived in the United States, and his efforts to start and maintain what became a successful reforestation business. Estrada also describes his family life and briefly touches upon the discrimination he encountered as a Mexican American businessman in Washington State.

Oral history interview with Merwin Peters by Shawn Boyd conducted 05/06/2011. World War II veteran Merwin Peters shares the history of the USS Mason and describes his experiences as an African-American sailor serving just prior to military desegregation. Frequent references are made to Mary Pat Kelly, whose 1995 book ""Proudly We Served: The Men of the USS Mason"" brought the story of the Mason and her crew to public attention.

Oral history interview with Maxine Mimms by Robin Eisenbacher conducted 05/07/2014. Maxine Mimms discusses her educational experiences as well as efforts to develop educational opportunities for the African-American community in the Hilltop area of Tacoma, Washington. Mimms is the founder of the Evergreen State College Tacoma branch as well as the Maxine Mimms Academy, an educational outreach program.

Oral history interview with Theresa Power-Drutis by Justin Cudney conducted 05/07/2011. Theresa Power-Drutis discusses her involvement with Guadalupe House and other G Street Community projects. A carpenter and lifelong activist, Power-Drutis recounts her arrival in Tacoma in 1979 and describes the sense of social justice and community pride that has driven Hilltops recent revival. Father Bill Bichsel, social activist and co-founder of the G Street Community, is also discussed at length.

Oral history interview with Joseph Kosai by Arlene Mihara conducted 04/19/1991. The interview recounts Joseph Kosai's personal experiences as a Japanese American citizen forced to evacuate his Tacoma, Washington residence on May 18, 1942 in response to the issuing of Executive Order 9066. Joseph, who was eight at the time, was transported with family members, first, to an assembly center in Pinedale, California, then to Tule Lake, where Kosai's extended family was dispersed and sent to different camps. Joseph, his mother, and younger sister were sent to the Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho, where they would remain until May 17, 1945. In the interview, Kosai recalls his impressions of life in the internment camp. He also describes his readjustment after being released from Minidoka, as well as the impact of discrimination upon his subsequent educational and career opportunities. He also discusses his involvement in the national redress movement and other civil rights issues.

Oral history interview with Luke Joinette by Cyndi Pierce conducted 05/04/1991. Luke Joinette, former Executive Board member and secretary-treasurer for the Tacoma chapter of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees and Bartenders International League, discusses his work with the Local 61 labor union. Recounting the events surrounding the unions 1969 strike, Joinette reflects on the confrontations between picketers and employers and between the local chapter and its national affiliate. He concludes with some thoughts on the current state of the Local 8, the newest incarnation of the Local 61, and on the unions sharp decline in membership since the 1970s.