ca. 1880. Henry Drum was elected mayor of Tacoma on May 1, 1888. Mayor Drum, a prominent banker and staunch Democrat, defeated A.C. Smith by a majority of 52 votes out of a total of 1,712. Mr. Drum had arrived in New Tacoma only five years before his mayoral election and had immediately immersed himself in the business and social functions of this growing city. He was a stockholder and director in many businesses including the Skagit Railway & Lumber Co., Fidelity Trust Co., and Tacoma Lumber & Manufacturing Co. as well as one of the organizers of the First Unitarian Society in Tacoma and was an active Mason. Mr. Drum served one term as mayor, choosing not to run for re-election. He became the only Democrat elected to the first state Senate and served several terms. This picture is from William F. Prosser's "A History of the Puget Sound Country" The Lewis Publishing Company, 1903. opp p.96 (North Pacific History Co.: History of the Pacific Northwest, p. 307-309) ALBUM 16. Also G1.1-055

ca. 1909. Delegates to the first annual convention of the Washington State Humane Society posed for a group portrait in 1909. The eleven women and twenty-two men were photographed outside the Lou Johnson Co. store, 940-42 South C (now Broadway), in downtown Tacoma.

Foundation Co., Yard #4, located on the Tacoma Tideflats - Rigger Storage and Water Tank, May 10, 1918. The Riggers Store House measured 32' x 27'6", 14' high, 880 sq. feet and built at a cost of $250. The water tank cost $1241 to build and consisted of a 25' diameter tank 16' high and a 26 x26 platform, 18' high. Due to the fact that most of the machinery was steam driven, an abundance of water was very important.

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

For many years, P. T. Barnum-type side shows were main features at carnivals and fairs. In 1921, at the Western Washington Fair, McGunning-Davis was presenting her "consolidated twin alive--one head and two bodies". Also, a "20th Century Enigma--Australia natives captured in the wilds of Western Australia--First time on exhibition in America".

ca. 1921. Brown and Haley delivery trucks picking up a shipment behind the factory around 1921. At this time, the company was still manufacturing its candy under the name "Oriole Chocolates." The trucks have both the name Oriole, and the company's logo of an oriole bird, as well as Brown and Haley on the sides. One truck has printing proclaiming that Oriole Honor chocolates are the "Best in the West." In the center of the picture is one of the famous "All roads lead to Rhodes" street signs. TPL-4408

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)

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)

ca. 1925. An unidentified Afifi Temple member stands besides a metal trunk painted with a design of Mount Tacoma (Rainier) and his temple's name. On the trunk rests a large drum. The Shriner is holding onto a pair of drumsticks. This Chapin Bowen photograph was taken circa 1925.

ca. 1925. ASARCO smokestack and NP tracks coming out of the Nelson Bennett Tunnel to the west of Point Defiance Park. Photograph was taken circa 1925. BU-13881

ca. 1925. Fire Chief Carl Emil Carlson looks on as two unidentified Tacoma firefighters help prepare toys for the Elks Club's annual holiday charity campaign. The Elks Stocking Fillers program supplied Christmas gifts for needy girls and boys - such as these hand assembled wooden boats. Carlson was chief of the fire department from 1916 to 1932.

ca. 1925. Movie posters listing coming attractions decorate the entrance to this unidentified theater in the mid-1920's. For a mere dime, customers could watch Ernst Lubitsch's "Kiss Me Again" or Joe Rock in "Aladdin." Arriving shortly were "No Man's Law" starring Bob Custer and on March 1-4, Lon Cheney's "Phantom of the Opera." Moviegoers could be assured of rapidly changing programs in the 1920's and 30's as most films only stayed in theaters for a few days before moving on. This particular theater apparently did not show matinees except on Sundays as the motion pictures started at 6:15 p.m. on week days.

ca. 1925. Two men flank placard announcing the upcoming arrival of Lon Cheney's "Phantom of the Opera" ca. 1925. They are standing outside the entrance of an unidentified theater that was currently showing Ernst Lubitsch's "Kiss Me Again" and "Aladdin" starring Joe Rock. The men appear proud to present a four-day showing of the advertised Universal masterpiece which featured a cast of 5000+. Price of a ticket was a mere 10 cents, a relative bargain. TPL-1427

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)

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)

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

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)

Aerial view taken in February of 1926 of the Northern Pacific shops in South Tacoma. Known as the "South Tacoma Shops," the plant was composed of 36 separate brick buildings, covering 15 acres. Craftsmen from 20 expert fields were employed to build, rebuild and service anything that travelled on wheels for Northern Pacific west of the Mississippi. The plant operated from 1890 until its closure in 1974. The body of water to the left was a wetlands area commonly called the "South Tacoma Swamp." It has since been filled in. (TNT 2/18/1927, pg. 2)

Tacoma greets movie stars at the Union Depot. A hearty greeting from the City of Tacoma was offered to the actresses and actors appearing in the H.C. Weaver Productions studio film, "Totem Pole Beggar," on March 5, 1926. Shaking hands with star Wanda Hawley, wearing a voluminous fur coat, is believed to be A.D. Bjornstad. Mr. Bjornstad had attended school with Miss Hawley ten years previously and was currently employed as auditor at the Weaver Studios. The couple is flanked by two city policemen on motorcycles; the police officers are dressed for the cold weather with leather boots, gauntlets with long gloves and thick coats. "Totem Pole Beggar," whose title would later be changed to "Eyes of the Totem," would be the second film produced by the H.C. Weaver Productions studio. It would begin filming on March 8, 1926, and open at the Broadway Theatre on June 10, 1927. (TDL 3-6-26, p. 1)

In early March of 1926, Albert C.C. Gamer was being loaded down with Tacoma tourist information as he prepared to depart for Paris for the International Hotelmen's Convention. Mr. Gamer, the manager of the Olympus Hotel at 815 Pacific, was approached by area civic organizations as the proper person to carry Tacoma's invitation to Europe. Surrounding Mr. Gamer, left to right, are Joseph Erpelding, carrying Mr. Gamer's bag; Gladys Mase of the City Light Department, giving him facts and pictures of the Cushman power project; Mrs. R.N. Bergen of the Hotel Winthrop; Ruth Edwards (standing) representing the Rainier National Park Co. and Agnes Hansen, representing the Civic Development Bureau of the Tacoma News Tribune. The International Hotelmen met once every three years and the meeting was attending by hosts from all around the world. (TNT 3/11/1926, pg. 1) TPL-6331; Bowen #26141

On March 9, 1926, Tacomans voted a new "tennent" into the Mayor's office when M.G. Tennent defeated four time Mayor Angelo G. Fawcett by a wide margin of 5,235 votes. At that time, the election had the heaviest vote ever cast in Tacoma with Tennent elected by the largest vote ever given a candidate for the office of Tacoma Mayor. The newly elected Mayor Tennent was photographed on the front steps of his home with his dog. Elderly Mayor Fawcett could not compete with the younger, more progressive Tennent. Mayor Tennent would serve two consecutive terms before being defeated himself by Harry P. Cain. TPL-1493 (TNT 3/10/1926, PG. 1)

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)

On April 1, 1926, the Manitou Auto Camp in Manitou Park opened for the 1926 season. The camp provided free campsites, water, tables, picnic stoves, fuel and comfort stations. The first visitor to sign the register was Harold Riley, a traveling businessman from Santa Monica, California. Mr. Riley also happened to be at the Auto Camp on the last day of the season last year. Pictured left to right are other early visitors Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Conlon and their son George H. Thomas from Cleveland, Mr. Riley and E.M. Benjamin, camp caretaker. The Camp, located 1/2 mile west of the Pacific Hwy. at South Tacoma, provided overnight sites for visiting travelers. In 1925, over 3,400 cars had entered the park, 2,400 of them from out of state, carrying some 10,500 happy campers. The 1926 season would run from April 1st to November 1st. Around 100 cars a night were anticipated during the heavy use summer months of June- August. (TNT 4/1/1926, pg. 13; TDL 7/18/1920, pg. 1C) Bowen # 26223

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)

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.

Francis F. Thompson, post chaplain of the Grand Army of the Republic, Custer Post, shares a moment of prayer over the Oakwood Cemetery gravesite of an Army veteran with Custer Post patriotic instructor Charles "C.A." Cavender and Cavender's great-grandson, Tilford Gribble to commemorate Memorial Day, 1926. The young Tilford Gribble is solemnly placing an arrangement of roses at one of the headstones while Chaplain Thompson doffs his hat. The men felt it important that the younger generations remember the sacrifices that were made in the name of freedom. TPL-539 (TNT 5-31-26, p.1)

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)

On the morning of June 7, 1926, Tacoma saw a change in city government from "business as usual." The March 1926 election had brought defeat to all City Council incumbents up for re-election. Photographer Chapin Bowen captured the moment as the old Council stepped out and the new took their seats for their first meeting. Pictured around the table, left to right, are Jesse W. Silver- Public Works, newly elected A.S. Walters - Finance, newly elected Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, Ira Davisson- Light & Water and newly elected H. Dyer Dyment- Public Safety. Seated to the right is City Clerk Genevieve Martin. (TNT 6-7-26, p. 1-photograph is flipped in newspaper) Bowen 26375, TPL-9549

Four-time Tacoma mayor Angelo Vance Fawcett, right, turns over the reins of city government to new mayor Melvin G. Tennent on June 7, 1926. A. V. "Fighting" Fawcett was defeated by M. G. "Smilin'" Tennent in the election of March, 1926. By June, there was a new "Tennent" in City Hall. Fawcett was preparing to retire to his home at Greene Park after over 30 years of nearly continuous service and activity in city and county politics, including terms as Mayor 1896-97, 1910-11, 1914-19 and 1922-26. He introduced Tennent at the first meeting of the new city council by stating that he hoped and believed that Tennent would make a good mayor. Tennent, in response, extolled the retiring mayor and said that he would always be welcome to come back to the city council and give his advice. (TNT 6-7-26, p. 1) Bowen 26376 TPL-6320,