Diving on Narrows Bridge Project. Picture of the diving barge with the rigging for deep sea diver Johnny Bacon. Roy Shannon, tender for Bacon, with headphones, is pictured third from left. Diver Bacon is currently working about 90 feet under the surface, placing a cable around a broken anchor brick for the east caisson. He communicates with Shannon through the headphone, although speaking is difficult and tiring due to the pressure on his body and suit. Although the diver calls all the shots, even while underwater; his life is in the tender's hands. The tender controls the air hose. (T. Times, 5/12/1939, p. 1).

Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Skin diving--1930-1940; Shannon, Roy; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);

The community of Dash Point viewed from the water, circa 1939. Dock and pier are right foreground, just out of camera range. The homes are built up the hillside with sound views. The Dash Point water fountain is located at right center, up from the beach and left of the dock building. (Argentum) (T. Times 5/26/1939, pg. 1)

Neighborhoods--Dash Point; Piers & wharves--Dash Point;

The community of Dash Point viewed from the water, circa 1939. In the right foreground of the picture is the Dash Point water fountain. At this time, water for the community was supplied by two wells located near the beach, today the site of the park and its parking lot. (Argentum) (T. Times 5/26/1939, pg. 1)

Neighborhoods--Dash Point;

Hylebos Bridge Territory. View of bridge in raised position, most likely from the northwest corner. The new steel and concrete bridge was built at a cost of $380,000; $171,000 of that in the form of a WPA grant. It was 1,060 feet long. The double leaf bascule center span had a vertical lift of 135 feet and a horizontal clearance of 150 feet to permit passage of boats. The roadway deck was 24 feet wide with a sidewalk 5 feet wide. It replaced a single leaf bascule bridge with an 80 foot horizontal clearance. (T. Times 5/27/1939, pg. 5)

Hylebos Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1930-1940; Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Hylebos Bridge Territory. General view of north side of bridge from water level looking east. The new bridge would provide direct access to Tacoma for residents of Browns Point, Dash Point, and Caledonia Beach, as well as other northeast areas. It was the end of many years of struggle that took the project from the original condemned drawbridge, to a single bascule bridge in 1925, to this 1939 double bascule with 150 feet of horizontal clearance for the passage of ships. (T. Times 5/27/1939, pg. 5)

Hylebos Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1930-1940; Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Visit of actress Joan Leslie and actors Adolphe Menjou and Walter Pidgeon with Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain to Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. Miss Leslie smilingly adjusts her hat as Mr. Menjou courteously waits. Mayor Cain is just behind the pair as is Walter Pidgeon. A veteran of many films, Mr. Menjou was perhaps best known for his Oscar nominated role in The Front Page (1931). Mr. Pidgeon, a stalwart in MGM productions, co-starred with Greer Garson in seven films, including the Oscar-winning Mrs. Miniver. He also appeared in 1941's Best Picture, How Green Was My Valley, for 20th Century Fox. The three thespians were in town to headline the Labor Day show at the dedication of Tacoma's war activity outdoor theater at the Liberty Center. Thousands were able to see them at the Tacoma-Seattle Shipyards as the trio briefly stopped for a war bonds promotional ceremony. (TNT 9-7-42, p. 1, TNT 9-8-42, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Leslie, Joan; Pidgeon, Walter; Menjou, Adolphe; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actresses; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds;

A massive crowd of Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard workers and Navy personnel gathered to surround the stage to view Hollywood actors Joan Leslie, Adolphe Menjou and Walter Pidgeon on September 7, 1942. The actors had arrived at the shipyards in the morning to present a brief program on behalf of the film industry's September billion dollar bond drive. Several stars had already visited Tacoma during the summer to promote the purchase of war bonds to aid the government including Johnny Sheffield, Linda Darnell and Lana Turner. (TNT 9-7-42, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actresses; Menjou, Adolphe; Pidgeon, Walter; Leslie, Joan; War bonds & funds;

In April of 1939, a worker was photographed as he climbed up the ladder leading to the top of the west caisson for the Narrows Bridge. The workers climbed to the top because the caisson was built from the top down. As the caisson was built, its weight caused it to sink into the water. Two derricks were located on the top. The derricks worked 24 hours a day hauling up concrete buckets, steel and timber, as well as tightening the cables that held the caisson in place. (Argentum) (T. Times 4/20/1939, pg. 1)

Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridge construction--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In April of 1939, the ferry City of Tacoma glided past equipment being used in the construction of the Narrows Bridge. The equipment was probably located on the movable floating equipment barge used during the construction. The bridge was completed and opened to the public on July 1, 1940. It eliminated the need for the ferry, that is until the bridge's collapse on November 7, 1940. It would be ten years before the bridge was replaced. (Argentum) (T. Times 4/20/1939, pg. 4)

Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridge construction--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In April of 1939, work was underway on the west pier caisson of the Narrows Bridge. This view of the west shore mixing plant was taken from the top of the west caisson. The mixing plant was preparing the 111,000 cubic yards of concrete used in the caisson. The concrete was loaded into buckets and hauled to the caisson by barge. (For a view from the shore of the plant, see G15.1 image 063)

Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridge construction--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Massed Band Concert on Broadway Square during Pacific Northwest Shriner Council and Joint Ceremonial at Tacoma. Night view of many people gathered in front of Music Box Theater, Rialto Theater in distance. A neon Shrine symbol glows atop a pyramid on the left. (Argentum)

Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Rialto Theatre (Tacoma); Crowds;

Bremerton Chapter DeMolay. Photograph taken during the 11th annual state convention, held in Tacoma in August of 1935. The Bremerton group won third honors in competition among the state's drill teams. Members of the team are- front row, left to right- Ron Davis, Keith Saucerman, Bill Josephson, Bill Mahan, Max Josephson, Carl Asberg, Dick Feek, Ed Coutts, Fred Smith. Second row-Loren Thompson, Jack Scott, Fritz Sandmeyer, Bill Eldridge, Vernon Dunlap, Robert Davidson, Robert Goss, John Sandmeyer, Charles F. Floyd. Pictured in the rear of the group is Hal Gorman. The Order of Demolay was a young male youth group (ages 14-21) sponsored by the Freemasons. (WSHS) for more pictures of the same event, see D1702 (Bremerton Sun 09-04-1935, pg. 1)

Order of DeMolay (Bremerton);

Tacoma Chapter Mother's Club, associated with the Order of DeMolay. Photograph taken during the 11th annual state convention, held in Tacoma in 1935. The Order of Demolay was a young male youth group (ages 14-21) sponsored by the Freemasons. (WSHS) for more pictures of the same event, see D1702

Order of DeMolay, Mothers' Club (Tacoma);

Interior of First Baptist Church showing choir members in gowns.

First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music);

Scofield graduating class of the Independent Bible Church, Tacoma. The banner behind the group reads "Search the Scriptures Daily." The pastor of the church was the Rev. Roy T. Brumbaugh. This new church was created when Rev. Brumbaugh split from the First Presbyterian Church. Four hundred and sixty-five members signed up with Dr. Brumbaugh to join the Independent Church. He typified his members as "fundamentalists" who opposed the organization of the Presbyterian Church. The Bible Church met at the Scottish Rite Temple, 5 So. G St., which it purchased in 1937. In 1943, the church dropped the Independent and became the Tacoma Bible Church. (T. Times 8/22/1935, pg. 1)

Independent Bible Church (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

North Pacific Saengerfest held in Tacoma, July 31st - August 2nd of 1936. "Spokane Arion - Tacoma 1936." Four men and two women on street holding a flag marked with "Arion, 6th October, Spokane Wash " and a caption in German. They are members of the Arion chorus from Spokane. Tacoma was the host to singers from Seattle, Portland, Spokane and other parts of Eastern Washington gathered for the 14th annual Saengerfest. Several thousand visitors and over 400 singers participated in the festival dedicated to choral music. (T. Times 7/31/1936, pg. 1)

German Americans (Tacoma); North Pacific Saengerfest--Tacoma; Music festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940;

South Tacoma Motor Company kick-off breakfast at Scotty's Tavern. Large group of men and three women around two tables in this photograph dated November 7, 1936. Man with glasses at center under framed picture is general manager Guy K. Sheehan.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Scotty's Tavern (Tacoma); Sheehan, Guy K.; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Central Lutheran Church choir. What appears to be the youth choir poses in front of the massive pipes for the pipe organ in November of 1936. The Central Lutheran Church was demolished in 1955 to make way for the County-City Building.

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music); Organs;

Children's Benevolent League Banquet in basement of Olympus Hotel. Serving staff are standing around long tables set for a banquet. A decorative tile floor and distinctive light fixtures are also shown.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children's Benevolent League (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Safety Show presented by Tacoma Safety Council at the Armory, Mar.1-6, 1937. Tacoma General Hospital exhibit. Man with leg in cast on bed, nurse stands beside. (Argentum)

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Medical equipment & supplies; Health care--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Safety Show presented by Tacoma Safety Council at the Armory, Mar.1-6, 1937. Tacoma Policeman stand by driving simulators. Sign on booth: "R.E. Anderson and Co. Inc., General Agents, presents Aetna Highway Safety Demonstration." (Argentum)

Police--Tacoma--1930-1940; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

When the retail clerks at the Tacoma Peoples Department Store went out on strike during the summer of 1937, the other department stores took the unprecedented step of locking out their employees in an attempt to crush the union. The Tacoma clerks received strong support from many local businesses and unions. A "soup kitchen" was set up in the Olympus Hotel, 815 Pacific Avenue, to help feed union pickets. In September, a satisfactory agreement was reached which included a 40 hour work week with time and one-half for overtime and an increase in wages for unclassified saleswomen from $15 per week to $17.25.

Labor Unions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing industry strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940;Hotels--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma--1930-1940; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Swiss wrestlers at the 1935 competion, "Schwingfest." A crowd gathers around the wrestlers in a wooded area believed to be Lonely Acres Park at Renton Junction. Two flags hang from the trees; an ornamental one decorated with two wrestlers and a US flag. Judges appear to be gathered behind a wooden table.

Wrestling--Tacoma--1930-1940; Swiss Americans--Tacoma; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Tacoma Schwinger Club (Tacoma);

This photograph from 1935 shows the triangle shaped block on the west side of Pacific Avenue that is bounded by South 17th and Jefferson. The General Petroleum Corporation had recently purchased the Depot Service Station that had occupied the block since 1919. They remodeled the building, and put in new pumps - but they kept the name. The Depot Station went through the hands of a number of owners over the years, but it remained standing from 1919 until 2002. This photograph also shows the Carlton and Massasoit Hotels on Jefferson.

Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Two trucks marked "Younglove Grocery Co. Wholesale Grocers" parked at loading dock of warehouse. For Issacson Iron Works, Seattle.

Younglove Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--1930-1940; Warehouses; Loading docks;

ca. 1935. Rowen's Lake City Store, Lakewood, interior view of self service market with many advertising displays. Photograph taken for Younglove Grocery Company. (Argentum)

Rowen's Lake City Store (Lakewood); Grocery stores--Lakewood--1930-1940;

ca. 1935. Cook stoves and heaters by Montag Stove and Furnace Works, Tacoma, located at 1003 Pacific Ave. Montag manufactured warm air heating systems, air conditioning units and oil burners as well. Photograph ordered by "Dawson." Many kitchen ranges and heating units on display.

Montag Stove and Furnace Works (Tacoma); Appliances; Stoves; Stove industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Remodeled interior of Klopfenstein's Men's department with suits on racks and a double hanging rack of suits on the wall and hats on display. The new store featured a less cluttered look with more natural lighting. Shirts and sweaters are displayed in glass cabinets. (T. Times 3/13/1936, pg. 7) (Argentum)

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Clothing stores--Tacoma;

Remodeled interior of Klopfenstein's Men's department with suits on racks and a double hanging rack of suits on the wall and hats on display. The new store featured a less cluttered look with more natural lighting. (T. Times 3/13/1936, pg. 7)

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Clothing stores--Tacoma;