From mid-December, 1929 to mid-January, 1930 the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington used its enormous generators to provide electricity for the city of Tacoma. It took four powerful navy tugboats assisted by three Foss tugs to push the 33,000 ton vessel into position at the Baker Dock. A severe drought had greatly reduced the amount of electricity available to Tacoma from the city's hydro-electric dams. During its month long stay the Lexington generated enough power to furnish 25% of the city's power needs. (T.Times, 12-16-29, p. 1)
The funeral for Thea Christiansen (Mrs. Andrew) Foss, founder of Foss Maritime and community leader. Mrs. Foss was so widely admired in the community for her compassion and charity that her funeral was the largest that Tacoma had seen to date. All of the trademark green and white flags of the Foss Co. flew at half mass in honor of "Mother Foss." Immigrants from Norway, Andrew and Thea Foss arrived in Tacoma the spring of 1889. While Andrew took what work he could find, Thea started the family business with the purchase of 1 rowboat for $5, all the money that she had. With shrewd business moves and hard work, the Foss family parlayed that one rowboat into the one of the largest maritime companies in the country. Thea Foss never forgot her origins and continued to aid Scandinavian immigrants offering them food, lodging, work and the family they so sorely missed. Mrs. Foss was never idle, running the company's office, store and boarding house for its workers. She also found time to nurse the sick, help the needy and fulfill her purpose in life- to be of service to others. TPL-8662, BGN 589
Lt. Commander Richard E. Byrd, left, the first man to fly over the North Pole in an airplane, poses with Tacoma capitalist and explorer Gen. James M. Ashton. Comm. Byrd was in Tacoma on February 5, 1927 to speak at the First Baptist Church about his flight on May 9, 1926 over the North Pole. The two men had much in common. Both men had a military background, Byrd was a Naval officer and Ashton founded Washington's calvary (later known as Troop B, Wa. National Guard.) Both were arctic explorers. In 1922, Ashton at the age of 63 embarked on a 7 month trip on the schooner Iskum to areas of Siberia never seen by a white man. Gen. Ashton published his adventures in 1928 in a book called "Ice Bound." The pair drove about the city and paid a visit to Ashton's home, "Ashtonhill," at 403 No. 11th St. (Ledger 2/6/1927, pg. 1)
On December 3, 1926, a bevy of beautiful Rhodes sales girls swooped down on the annual Tacoma Poultry Show, selected their favorite prize winning poultry and literally took them for a ride. The ride was in a new Buick, provided by Mueller- Harkins Motor Co.; proving that the Buick's smooth ride would not ruffle the feathers of the favored fowl. Pictured left to right are Christine and Sallie Jean Collier (not associated with Rhodes), Zelma Metzker, Neva Reed, Evangeline (Vangie) Harrod, Sybil Lea, Grace Moore, Isabel Kearns, Irene Ratcliffe, Lucille Vosberg, Gladys Rodside and Florence Oberg. (TNT 12/5/1926, pg. G-3)
On December 3, 1926, a quartet of salesgirls from the Rhodes Brothers department store departed from their usual duties to pose with four of the prize winning chickens from the 29th Annual Tacoma Poultry Show. The girls are, left to right, Isabel Kearns with a Rhode Island Red Cockerel, Irene (Iva) Ratcliffe with a Buff Orpington Cockerel, Evangeline (Vangie) Harrod with a white Wyandotte hen and Grace Rutchoe (identified as Grace Moore in same paper) with a Buff Plymouth pullet. The photographs from this publicity stunt were to be shown around the country to promote Tacoma. The 29th Annual Tacoma Poulty Show was held at South 10th Street and A from November 30th through December 5th. (TNT 12/5/1926, pg. G-8; group picture pg. G-3; TDL 12/5/1926, pg. G8- similar picture)
In March of 1926, three employees at the Washington Co-Operative Egg & Poultry Association Headquarters, (left to right) Mary Zack, Sarah Gruno and Esther Christoferson, demonstrate how to decorate Easter eggs. Sarah Gruno, in the center, is dyeing eggs with natural dyes made from vegetables, such as beets, spinach and coffee. Mary Zack is cutting out transfers to decorate her eggs, and Esther Christoferson is using a pen and ink to draw faces on her's. The Washington Co-Op packed transfer pictures with every carton of eggs sold around the holidays. (TNT 3/30/1926, pg. 1)
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)
Passing on the tradition of honoring the dead, patriotic instructor of Custer post No. 6 Charles "C.A." Cavender and post chaplain Francis F. Thompson allow Tilford Gribble to place roses at the G.A.R. plot in Oakwood Cemetery prior to Memorial Day, 1926. Tilford is the great-grandson of Mr. Cavender. Chaplain Thompson doffs his hat while saying a prayer over the gravesite of a fallen soldier. As the ranks of those veterans of the Civil War diminished, it was important that younger generations remember the sacrifices of their ancestors and continue to honor them. (TNT 5-31-26, p. 1)
Tacoma was overflowing with Elks for three days in June, 1926, as the Washington State Elks Association held its annual convention. Clemens "C.W" Van Rooy (l) and George Moore (r), exalted leaders of the Tacoma and Puyallup lodges respectively, were official hosts of the convention. 8000 Elks were expected from 22 lodges statewide. The convention was returning to Tacoma for the third time in 22 years, after an eight year absence. Delegates to the convention were greeted by Tacoma mayor, and fellow Elk, Melvin G. Tennent, and urged to enjoy themselves during their stay. (TNT 6-24-26, p. 1)
A crowd of several hundred people celebrated the arrival of the Pacific Air Transport Co.'s mail carrier plane at the municipal airport on April 15, 1928. It was the inauguration of the new American Railway Express Co. air service provided for Tacoma in conjunction with Pacific Air Transport's mail carriers. Tacoma Chamber of Commerce president John Dower took his first plane ride during the event as pilot J. Barton Story took him to greet the incoming express plane from the air. (TNT 4-16-28, p. 7, TDL 4-15-28, 8-A)
Early in January of 1926, Tacoma voters were flooding into the Registrar's office on the third floor of City Hall to qualify to vote in the upcoming city primary and general elections. The throng included three new voters, pictured center of the counter. The trio was composed of Ingeborg Ekberg, Alice Raymond and Vera Landers, all students at the College of Puget Sound and all having just turned 21. According to city clerk Genevieve Martin almost 9,000 voters had registered in the first five days for the elections, which included another run for the Mayor's office by four time incumbent Angelo Vance Fawcett. TPL-3209 (TNT 1/11/1926, pg. 17- cropped picture, TNT 1/9/26, pg. 14-article on registration)
Ruth DuCharme and Orville Fuller posed in January of 1926 surrounded by Bill Winder (extreme left) and his Hotel Winthrop Orchestra. The pair was taking part in the Southwest Washington Championship Ho-down Ballroom Charleston competition which kicked off on January 23, 1926. The contest was sponsored by the Rialto Theater and the Hotel Winthrop and took place over 4 weeks. It featured dancers from Tacoma, Aberdeen, Chehalis, Centralia and Olympia. Winners were decided by popular applause. When all the shouting was over, Mrs. DuCharme and Mr. Fuller were the Tacoma champions. This was the first big ballroom Charleston contest to be held locally. (TNT 1/22/1926, pg. 8) TPL-466
Shortly after midnight on June 11, 1926, the one and a half million dollar bonfire of World War I era warships was at its height. During WWI Seaborn Shipbuilding Co., Wright Shipbuilding Co. and Tacoma Ship Building Co. on the Tacoma tideflats had a contract to build 20 3,000-ton five-mast auxiliary schooners for France. When the war ended in 1918 thirteen partially completed ships still rested in the ways of the shipyard. Unfinished, they were towed to Seattle and moored in Lake Union until years later when they were sold for salvage. They were towed to the mouth of Minter Creek which feeds into Henderson Bay and set on fire. From midnight to dawn, a red glow from the fires lit up Tacoma's northwestern sky. When the fire had burned itself out, iron and other metals were collected from the ruins. (TNT 6/11/1926, pg. 1) TPL-126 Information provided by patron: The first few wrecks were burnt at Richmond Beach starting sometime after 1923, some wreckers including Nieman & Marcus continued working there up until the 1930s, while the one in Minter River was used at least twice, 13 ships were burnt in Jun 1926 and 5 ships were burnt in Aug. 1927. As late as 1930, residents complainined about the burning at Henderson Bay, preferring them to revert to Richmond Beach. I believe that the author of the Victoria Daily Times clipping (Victoria Colonist, Victoria B.C. 5/31/1926 p.8) with the ships names has gotten the location wrong, but they all are named as being laid up at Lake Union in 1921. Articles mentioned can be found in the clipping file TACOMA - INDUSTRIES - SHIPBUILDING
ca. 1924. One golfer is attempting to blast out of a bunker at the Fircrest Golf Course while his two companions remain safely out of the way. This photograph was believed to have been taken not long after the private golf course's opening in 1924. This site has been identified as the original hole design and bunker configuration of the 17th green at the Fircrest Golf Course. The course designer, Arthur V. Macan, created the hole to mirror the glaciers of Mount Rainier. Golfers soon called it "The Volcano Hole." (Additional information provided by a reader)
ca. 1927. Portico on Legislative Building. This is believed to be at the south entrance. Most of the ornamental carvings on stonework was done after the stone was in place. The columns were positioned first in a raw state prior to stone carvers shaping them into elaborate designs. Stone carving was such a specialized profession that crews were assembled drawn from all parts of the nation, including many Scotsmen. A combination of hand tools and sandblasting equipment was used by the craftsmen who had to carve the capitals from high scaffolding. (Johnston: Washington's Audacious State Capitol and Its Builders)
ca. 1927. This handtinted photograph of the Tacoma Hotel was taken circa 1927. Built in 1884, and considered by many Tacoma's showcase, the elegant hotel had welcomed many distinguished guests over the decades including Presidents of the United States, actors and sports idols. Magnificent views of The Mountain, Commencement Bay and the City Waterway greeted these visitors. The massive modified Tudor structure occupied an entire block in downtown Tacoma. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935 and not rebuilt. The Tacoma Hotel Annex at 904-06 A St. was remodeled after the fire to serve as the new Tacoma Hotel but never reached the acclaim of the original.
ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington at Baker Dock. This photograph is undated but was probably taken in the winter, mid-December to mid-January, of 1929-30 when the Lexington steamed into Commencement Bay and tied up at Baker Dock. The aircraft carrier was summoned to help Tacoma in their power shortage; it was the first time that a ship was used in this capacity. She would generate over 4 million kilowatt hours of electrical power. Bowen # 310-129
ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington in Puget Sound. This photograph is undated but may have been taken roughly in the winter of 1929-30 when the Lexington streamed into Commencement Bay and tied up at Baker Dock. The small dory alongside the ship possibly carried the mayor of Tacoma, James Newbegin, and other dignitaries. The aircraft carrier was summoned to help Tacoma in their power shortage; it was the first time that a ship was used in this capacity. She would generate over 4 million kilowatt hours of electrical power. The Lexington, known as the "Queen of the Flattops," was launched in 1925 and was armed with twelve five-inch .25 calibre anti-aircraft guns, 4 six-pounder saluting guns and eight three-inch .55 calibre breechloading rifles. She performed humanitarian relief efforts during the Nicaraguan earthquake of 1931 and also made a futile search for Amelia Earhart when the aviatrix disappeared in 1937. The ship was sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. (Marine Digest, 6-9-73, p. 11-16) TPL-009
The Modern Beauty Academy at 1153 Broadway, Tacoma, trained students in the latest hair styles and beauty secrets for nearly 40 years. A group of graduates are shown here with academy manager, Daniel J. Spellman, center. Founded in 1933, the school closed in 1962.
John A. "Jack" Bolton operated Jack's Lunch, "Home of the World's Largest Hot Dog" in Tacoma's Proctor District. Judging from the crowd, it was a popular local gathering place. Jack and his wife Ethel lived in an upstairs apartment. In 1938, he opened Jack's Tavern next door at 2622 No. Proctor. Soon after, it became known as the North End Tavern under new owners. Subsequent owners operated the Steak House restaurant at the 2624 Proctor location for many years.
German sailor Carl Lischke died in Tacoma on March 17, 1934, during the visit of his ship, the "Karlsruhe." Sadly, the package lovingly sent to him by his fiance so far away contained tainted fish. Lischke died of food poisoning. His funeral was at Mountain View Cemetery where he was interred. Members of Tacoma's Disabled American Veterans, Post No. 1, pledged to care for his grave.
Dennison's Chili, found in markets today, was first made in a Tacoma plant located in Fern Hill. The factory opened in 1925, when they moved to Fern Hill. Belle Dennison started canning chicken in her kitchen in 1915. Friends raved about the product and soon her husband Lee was selling it to local stores. When this photograph was taken in 1931, 15 women from the Fern Hill neighborhood worked at Dennison & Company. Meat from 45,000 chickens, purchased at nearby ranches and packed in glass jars, was sold in stores from Alaska to the border of Mexico. The product line was expanded in the 1930s and sold about 1938 when the company moved to Seattle. (TDL, 3/29/1931, p. 4A).
First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 524 So. I St., Tacoma. Photograph taken for Rev. S. G. Svenson in April of 1931. Construction began on this Gothic structure in 1925 and it was dedicated in 1929. The church was designed by Heath, Gove & Bell, architects, and was built of tapestry brick with Tenino stone trim.
This was how Tacoma Field, the Pierce County airport, located south of the city near Lakeview (now Lakewood), looked in May of 1931. View of a flat expanse of land with a hanger, some small outbuildings and several planes. Photograph taken for the Tacoma News Tribune on the first day of a three day dedication program. Bowen # 310-209
This photograph, taken in July of 1931, shows one of the many fruit and vegetable stands that were scattered through South Tacoma. The photograph was taken for Wilton Kean, who owned the Center Street Market at 901 Center, but this is not that stand. The Drive In Market was probably further south - around the corner of 48th and South Tacoma Way. Bowen # 310-255
In July of 1931, the Veterans of Foreign Wars drum & bugle corps posed in front of the RKO Orpheum Theater (now the Pantages,) 901 Broadway. Behind the group was a sign stating "March with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to the RKO Orpheum to see RKO Vaudeville Larry Rich and Marion Sunshine." A ticket at the Orpheum got you into to see a movie, Richard Dix in the "Public Defender," and a vaudeville show, with headliner Larry Rich and his Oompahs. Larry Rich was a comic bandleader who toured the vaudeville circuit with his own show, featuring his band the 14 Oompahs and singer Marion Sunshine. Ms. Sunshine would impersonate Maurice Chevalier and Ruth Etting and then sing her own songs, including the one for which she penned the English lyrics, "The Peanut Vendor." Larry Rich was the father of jazz drummer and bandleader Buddy Rich. A crowd had gathered between the VFW and the theater. Bowen #310-26 ?
Cars and trucks line both sides of the 1300 block of Broadway in this photograph from July of 1931. All the buildings on the west side of the street including the Goodwill Store at 1320 Broadway, the Hotel Victoria at 1316 1/2 and the Brenden Hotel at 304 South 13th Street have been demolished. This whole block is currently occupied by the Sheraton Hotel, 1320 Broadway, which opened in 1984. Photograph taken for W.H. Opie & Co. Bowen # 310-266
