Founded in Tacoma in 1924, the Pacific Match Company produced over 80 million wood stick matches per day at its peak production. White pine from Eastern Washington and Idaho was turned into brand name matches such as Sunset, Fire Chief, Lite King and Red Head in the factory at 3223 So. Union Avenue. Pacific Match closed in 1964, largely due to competition from the Diamond Match Company of Ohio. Bowen 2647.

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

On July 19, 1929, Harold Bromley arrived at Tacoma Field after a flight of 8 hours 17 minutes from Los Angeles in his new bright orange Lockheed Vega monoplane named the City of Tacoma. Bromley and his plane had captured the attention and newspaper headlines of Tacoma. He was planning, with the backing of Tacoma businessmen, to make the first transPacific flight, a distance of 4,762 miles. The planned flight on July 28th ended in disaster when spewing gasoline blinded Bromley in take off and the plane crashed nose down just off the runway, with Bromley's tail cockpit nine feet off the ground. Three more planes were built over the next 2 years, but Bromley never reached his goal of a record flight.

On July 25, 1929 at Tacoma Field, nine year old Clasina Buffelen broke a be-ribboned bottle of Puget Sound water across the nose of Harold Bromley's bright orange Lockheed Vega, christening it the "City of Tacoma." Assisting her in the ceremony was seven year old Evelyn R. Miyazaki, dressed in a kimono. Clasina was the daughter of John Buffelen, one of Bromley's backers. Evelyn was the daughter of C.S. Miyazaki, secretary of the Japanese Association of Tacoma. The plane that Bromley was planning to fly from Tacoma to "Tokio" had the flags of the United States and Japan on her wings. She was covered with floral tributes from fans, including a replica of the plane formed of flowers. The attempted flight on July 28th was a failure, when gasoline from the overfilled tanks blinded Bromley and he crashed on takeoff. (TDL 7/26/1929, pg. 1-article & alt. photographs)

At approximately 5:30a.m. on July 28, 1929, a figure turns the propeller on Harold Bromley's plane "City of Tacoma," as Bromley prepares to take off on a 4,762 mile solo flight from Tacoma to Tokyo, Japan. A crowd of 25,000 had been gathering since 2 a.m. to watch Bromley fly into the history books. At 4 a.m., the long process of filling the plane with over 900 gallons of gasoline began. The take off was pushed back to after 6 a.m. As the day grew warmer, the gas expanded; and as the plane roared down the 100 foot ramp at dawn, gasoline began to spew from the now overfull tanks onto the windshield. As Bromley leaned to the side to get a clearer view, the gas splashed onto his goggles and as he pushed them up his head, the gas splashed into his eyes. The plane careened off the runway, crashing nose down in a pool of gasoline. Although Bromley was unhurt the crash ended this attempt to fly to Tokyo. BGN-310N

View from ground level, looking up at Harold Bromley's Lockheed monoplane, the "City of Tacoma," poised at the top of a 100 foot ramp prior to sweeping down the ramp on takeoff. The momentum gained in the descent down the ramp was the equivalent to an extra 1,000 feet of runway. Bromley makes a dashing figure in the open cockpit near the tail, in his aviators coat, helmet and goggles. He was attempting to be the first pilot to make a solo, nonstop trans-Pacific flight. His attempts ended in disaster as gasoline from the overfilled tanks blinded him and he crashed the plane. The feat would not be accomplished until October of 1931 by barnstormer Clyde Pangborn and wealthy financier Hugh Herndon, who landed in Wenatchee after departing from Japan. BGN-310B

Harold Bromley's plane "City of Tacoma" after its crash taking off on a proposed nonstop flight Tacoma to Tokyo. The year was 1929 and America was aviation crazy. In 1927, Lindbergh had flown solo over the Atlantic and returned to a hero's welcome. A nonstop Pacific flight was the grand prize to all ambitious pilots. Twenty eight year old Harold Bromley was backed by Tacoma money in his quest to fly Tacoma to Tokyo. On July 28, 1929, his wooden Lockheed Vega monoplane roared down the specially constructed 100 foot wooden ramp designed to give it more lift. Its tanks had been filled early in the morning, as departure time grew nearer, the day grew warmer and the gasoline expanded. As the plane attempted to take off, the gasoline spewed back onto the windshield. As Bromley leaned to one side for a clearer view, the gasoline hit his goggles and then his eyes. The plane careened off the runway to the left and crashed, its right wing crushed and the fuselage cracked in several places. Bromley was unhurt. BGN-724

Last minute fine tuning being done on Harold Bromley's all wood Lockheed Vega monoplane "City of Tacoma," in which he planned to fly solo and nonstop to Tokyo Japan. The plane was financed by a group of Tacoma businessmen headed up by lumber czar John Buffelen. The big orange low wing craft was built in California and designed by Los Angeles aircraft engineer Woody Deeds. It weighed 8,850 pounds including its load. It had an open cockpit near the tail, a 425 horsepower engine and carried 885 gallons of gasoline and 30 gallons of oil. A 5,400 foot runway was completed at "Tacoma Field," the new airport located at South Tacoma Way & Steilacoom Blvd., now a part of McChord Air Force Base. A 100 foot wooden ramp was erected at the beginning of the runway to give the heavy plane additional momentum. BGN-310C

Eddie Barry & H.C. Weaver on location of "The Patent Leather Kid," March 15, 1927. Mr. Barry was a visiting First National studio executive. Carrying a portfolio, he appears to be in deep conversation with H.C. Weaver, head of H.C. Weaver Productions, Tacoma's local motion picture studio. Later that summer, Mr. Weaver's third film, "Heart of the Yukon," would be opening at the Rialto Theater. BGN-104

Bursting of shrapnel during filming of "The Patent Leather Kid," on March 15, 1927, at Camp (Fort) Lewis. Trenches were dug and explosives laid before filming of the big battle scenes depicting the "Battle of the Argonne." 27,000 similar shrapnel shells were made and stored at Camp Lewis. Thousands of spectators had the opportunity to watch the filming until further into the war manuevers when it was decided that it was potentially too dangerous. Gravel and rocks were strewn over a wide area when the charges of powder exploded. An assistant powderman for First National studios, Walter Holt, was seriously injured in an explosion when a rock badly fractured his skull. He stayed on the job for half-an-hour to set off the complicated explosives before finally collapsing. (TNT 3-25-27, p. 1, TNT 3-16-27, p.1) BGN-103

Richard Barthelmess & Harry Dillon on set of "The Patent Leather Kid," Camp (Fort) Lewis, March 29, 1927. Harry Dillon was a real-life boxer from Canada who was in Tacoma to defend his light heavyweight crown against Eastern Washington's Fred Lenhart. He was on the set of the First National studio's motion picture, "The Patent Leather Kid," to meet a celluloid boxer, Richard Barthelmess, who is dressed in a doughboy 1917 service uniform with tin hat. Mr. Barthelmess was cordially invited to attend the boxing match on March 31, 1927, at the Greenwich Coliseum. (TNT 3-30-27, p. 10) BGN-118

Utilities Commissioner Ira S. Davisson is flanked by Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbegin and U.S.S. Lexington commander, Capt. Frank D. Berrien, on December 16, 1929, as they happily examine hook-up plans that will allow the aircraft carrier to provide much needed power to Tacoma. Severe drought conditions caused Tacoma to take an unprecedented step in requesting the aid of the powerful ship in generating supplemental electricity. (T.Times, 12-16-29, p. 1)

Sailors clean deck of U.S.S. Lexington while three young ladies watch, December 23, 1929. Tied up at Baker Dock, the Lexington's mission was to supply Tacoma with auxiliary power during the city's electrical crisis. Chores still had to be completed, however, even when guests were present. Ethel Haasarud, Freda Gardner and Naomi Dykeman appear amused at the switch in roles. They were aboard promoting the big Chamber of Commerce dance for enlisted Lexington personnel on December 26th; the women would act as judges in awarding prizes to the sailors chosen as the most handsome, most happy and best dancer. TPL-1776 (T.Times, 12-23-29, p. 1, TDL 12-24-1929 p.3)

January 1930 would have started off as a very dark year in Tacoma without the assistance of the U.S.S. Lexington, pictured here encircled by mist at Baker Dock. She arrived in Tacoma about December 17, 1929, and remained to mid-January, 1930, to provide electricity to the City of Tacoma. A severe drought in 1929 had left dams without sufficient water. After much negotiation, the fourth largest ship afloat (at that time) was ordered by the Navy to aid Tacoma; it was the first time in history that a ship had provided power for a city. The U.S.S. Lexington, badly damaged in the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea by Japanese fire, would be sunk by the American destroyer, U.S.S. Phelps. TPL-006.

The cargo ship "Tacoma" takes on lumber at the Defiance Mills dock in January of 1927

A pile of slot machines awaits the sledgehammer of Chief Deputy Sheriff John Piper on October 9, 1929 at the county courthouse. These were a sample of the 39 slots ordered destroyed following seizure by county officers from various places of businesses in Pierce County. A total of $244.85 in nickels, dimes and quarters was taken from the machines. This amount, less $10 for trucking, was turned over to the county school fund. The machines, minus their cash, were taken to the waterfront and dumped into Commencement Bay. (TNT 10-10-29, p. 17) TPL-8466;

Posed by the stage doors of the venerable Temple Theatre are the Maylon Players troupe in April, 1926. They were there to welcome a bowling team from Spokane. Tacoma was hosting the week-long North Western International Bowling Congress where a five-man team sponsored by Texaco Oil from Spokane would participate. The Maylon Players stock company would perform "Best People" written by Avery Hopwood at the Tacoma Theatre the following evening.

Cue wizard George H. Sutton visited Tacoma's Naubert & Manning billiard academy in October of 1925 where he defeated George Latshaw 250-78, running off 147 in a row. Nicknamed "Handless," Mr. Sutton toured the country and amazed spectators with his skills for almost 35 years. He had lost his arms below the elbows at age 8 in a sawmill accident. This did not prevent him from studying medicine and graduating from the University of Milwaukee. He learned to play billiards during his college years and later set a Balkline world record. Mr. Sutton would pass away in 1938, at the age of 68. (TDL 10-9-25, p. 7-article & alternate photograph; www.cuecare.com)

These solemn youngsters belong to the Daniel Boone schooner Boy Pioneers, a group made up of boys mostly from the Oakland Children's Industrial Home, 3000 So. Washington St. In January of 1926, they are posing at the Y.M.C.A. in Tacoma. The "Y" truck brings them every Saturday afternoon to participate in activities. Top row, left to right, Garnald Roney, Wesley Fellows, Floyd Wells, August Kross and Harold Rinker. Bottom row- Raymond McMann, Moriss Lawrence, Fred Martin, Edward Mitchell, Victor Cappa and Wally Streeter, Pioneer executive. The Boy Pioneers were organized by Dan Beard (1850-1941), American illustrator and naturalist, two years before the Boy Scouts started in England. The Children's Industrial Home was located in the former Harry M. Ball mansion at 3000 South Washington St. and housed children in distress, ages infant to 14. The original structure was damaged in a 1944 explosion and was replaced by a new ranch rambler in 1950. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 1/24/1926, pg. B-3)

John MacKessy, 13, smiled for the camera from his stretcher during the trial run on December 24, 1929 for his big Christmas Day outing. It would be his first Christmas Day out of bed in three years. He and 125 other children were guests at a Christmas party on the USS Lexington, which was tied up at Baker Dock helping to supply electricity to Tacoma. The trip was supplied by the Tacoma Sciots, a Masonic social group, that took care of the boy. Pictured, left to right, were Maurice Raymond (club sec.), John G. Thorstenson (pres.), Chief of Police M.D. Guy and officer Dick Rodius who drove the boy. He was transported in a police paddy wagon. Young MacKessy suffered from inflammation in the bones of his feet, legs and hips and his family needed assistance to care for him properly. (TNT 12/24/1929, pg. 3)

Showing off her freckled face and bobbed hair, Margaret Wheeler posed serenely with a Lady Craig rose at the Tacoma Rose Show, which was held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 5 South G Street, on June 17, 1927. The young miss looked off camera with her large dark eyes, possibly listening to directions from the photographer. The Lady Craig was being shown for the first time at the Rose Show. It was one of 1,000 entries in the 16th annual show, the largest display in years. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Rose Society. (TNT 6/17/1927, pg. 1)

J.T. Swan, center, Bos'n First Class, introduces recruits D.R. Turk (left) and A.G. West to the art of knot tying. The trio were photographed aboard the battleship USS New Mexico on July 22, 1927. The New Mexico was in port in Tacoma until August 1st. Guests were invited to view the flagship of the Pacific fleet in the afternoon. Commissioned in 1918, the battleship served in both World War I & II before being sold for scrap in 1947. (TNT 7/22/1927 p.1)

On February 3, 1927, T.F. McGettigan, left, test engineer, and his helper E.R. "Red" Randolph, in doorway, pose with the great electric locomotive #5007 that they accompanied from Pittsburgh to Tacoma. The locomotive was constructed for the Great Northern Railroad by Baldwin Locomotive Works and Westinghouse Electric Co. working together. On completion, it was hitched to a through freight train, destination Everett, Wa. Although the engine was not working, it still needed care during the trip and McGettigan and Randolph were assigned that task. Freight trains make few stops and do not usually carry passengers, so the pair packed a ham and 13 dozen eggs and set up a small stove on the engine. They slept on planks suspended over the machinery and endured temperatures of 40 degrees below zero when crossing the Rockies. The behemoth locomotive was on display in Tacoma on February 2 (see G44.1-069) and then proceeded on to Portland, then Everett, where it was placed into service. (TNT 2/3/1927 p.14)

George A. Billings, the era's leading impersonator of Abraham Lincoln, posed in February of 1927 at the Narcissa Whitman memorial statue and drinking fountain in Wright Park. Mr. Billings, formerly of Tacoma, was best known for starring in the 1924 biopic "The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln." It was such a success that he continued to play Lincoln on vaudeville stages for the remainder of his career. The Whitman fountain commemorated the courage and devotion of the wife of missionary Marcus Whitman. The pair were massacred by the Cayuse Indians at their settlement near Walla Walla in 1847. As for the fountain, it disappeared from the park around the mid 1960's, the victim of vandals. (TNT 2/12/1927 p.1)

C.H. Ranschler, Superintendent of Elections, taught new voter Clara Hill how to use a voting machine in anticipation of the Primary Elections taking place in February of 1926. A record voter turnout, estimated to exceed 30,000, was expected at Tacoma's 101 polling places. At stake were the elections of the mayor and two City Councilmen. Five candidates had thrown their hats into the ring for the mayoral election and the two with the most votes in the February 23rd primary would run head-to-head in the March general election. Likely taken on the 2nd floor of the Old City Hall building.TPL-3206 (TNT 2/22/1926, pg. 16)

At dawn on June 11, 1926, blackened shells were all that remained of 13 wooden World War I warships anchored in an inlet of Henderson Bay. The ships, built by Seaborn Shipbuilding Co., Wright Shipbuilding Co. and Tacoma Ship Building Co. in Tacoma for the French and incomplete at the end of the war, had been moored in Lake Union in Seattle. After being sold for scrap, they were towed to the mouth of Minter Creek and floated out at high tide to an inlet on Henderson Bay. They were then broken up, doused with kerosene and set on fire. After the controlled blaze burned itself out, iron and other salvageable metals would be collected. TPL-127, Bowen 26393 (TNT 6/11/1926, pg. 1)

ca. 1920. Wright Park. People of all ages enjoy the beauty of Wright Park during the 1920's as they stroll among the many paths and gaze upon peaceful ponds. Feeding the geese seems to have been a popular activity. TPL-6353, Bowen 270-298A.

ca. 1920. Ship under construction or being repaired at Skansie Shipbuilding Co. yard at Gig Harbor, circa 1920. Skansie Brothers was founded in 1912 by four Yugoslavian brothers, Pete, Mitchell, Andrew and Joe Skansie. TPL-688, BU-13900

ca. 1928. The ship "President Jefferson" lies at dock next to the Sperry Mill probably in July or August of 1928

A stunning, 1937 Mill Studio model jukebox made by Mills Novelty Co., Chicago, is installed in front of star-studded drapery at Kipper's Korner, on U.S. Highway 99, seven miles south of Tacoma. Cafe patrons can "Dance to the world's best music". Sound adjustment dials and High Fidelity Color Expressors provide the highest quality "big band" sound for dancing. Each of the 12 - 78 rpm records inside the wood-grain cabinet is affixed to its own turntable by a ferris wheel mechanism which is activated by the push-button selection dial.