One of Cheney Lumber Company's planes is flying east on the south side of Mount Rainier in front of Kautz Glacier. The rainfall had been the lowest in 30 years in 1952 and lower than usual in 1951 making the snowpack much smaller than usual. Cheney Lumber Company used airplanes to facilitate management of mills in Washington, Oregon and California.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Glaciers; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Airplanes;

The group of bricklayers and hod carriers who donated their labor to lay the stones for the Living War Memorial, Memorial Park, are enjoying a break with Olympia beer. The approach to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge can be seen behind them. TPL-8405

Parks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Memorial Park (Tacoma); Bricklayers--Tacoma;

A six-foot square piece of Wilkeson sandstone, natural to Washington state, was used for the plaque which was installed at the site of the Living War Memorial. The plaque is the center of the 20-foot stone monument at the Living War Memorial, Memorial Park, located at the south end of the east approach of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Checking the details of the plans before sand blasting the lettering are Don Wahlstrom, kneeling, and George M. Robinson and his father, Earl M. Robinson. (TNT, 11/2/1952, p.A-15)

Parks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Memorial Park (Tacoma); Monuments & memorials--Tacoma; Wahlstrom, Don; Robinson, George M.; Robinson, Earl M.;

Mountain View Memorial Park was one of the largest funeral facilities in the area. They were able to offer complete services in one convenient location--combining the cemetery, funeral home, chapel, mausoleum, and crematorium on large acreage in Lakewood. View of office building located on the grounds of Mountain View Memorial Park; it resembles a luxurious brick home rather than a mortuary. Photograph ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising Agency.

Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Cemeteries--Lakewood;

In August of 1955, two unidentified young girls were photographed as they gazed up at Northern Pacific Engine No. 1364 at Point Defiance Park. The 4-6-0 type engine was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1902, and for the first 25 years of its service it was used to assist the North Coast Limited over the Cascades. It was retired in 1953 and donated by the Northern Pacific Railroad to the Metropolitan Park Board. It was on display on a specially installed section of track just south of Funland at Point Defiance from 1954 to the mid-1970s. The Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Association is refurbishing the antique engine in Toppenish. (TNT 1/27/1954, pg. 11 & Toppenish Review 8/8/2001)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Railroad locomotives;

Cyclone fence surrounding Engine # 1364 on display at Point Defiance Park. In 1868, the US government claimed Point Defiance as a military reservation. The land laid unused for 20 years until 1888, when Congress allowed the land to be turned into a park. In 1905, Tacoma gained full control of the park with the military only reserving the right to repossess in a national emergency. From the beginning, the park was developed in a manner that would preserve its natural state while accommodating the public. The park saw an influx of federal funds and work force through the projects of the 30's. Point Defiance received this 1902 series locomotive from the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Railroad locomotives;

Exterior of Western Monumental Works building and grounds. The marble works business was located at 1114-16 Center St. and was the authorized dealer of Rock of Ages memorials. Samples of the company's products are scattered on the lawn and also under cover on the long porch. Howard A. Wilham was listed as the owner in the 1955 City Directory. Photograph ordered by Western Monumental Works.

Monuments & memorials--Tacoma; Monument builders--Tacoma; Western Monumental Works (Tacoma);

Aerial view of Tacoma, downtown buildings and Eleventh street bridge with waterways and Tideflats beyond the city and Mt. Rainier in the background. The view is looking Northeast from approximately 8th and Tacoma Ave. S. TPL-5875

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Cityscapes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma looking Northeast from the Medical Arts building with waterways and Tideflats beyond the city and Mt. Rainier in the background.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Cityscapes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1953. Logs are in the process of being loaded onto a Ludtke Company truck during a logging operation on Mount Rainier. Branches have already been removed from the trees and logs previously cut into manageable sections. One man stands on the truck's bed to maneuver the massive logs into place in this 1953 photograph.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Lumber industry; Logs;

The dedication of Tacoma's War Memorial Park, located at the south end of the east approach of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, took place on Armistice Day 1952. The 2 1/2 - acre park was built with volunteer labor from materials donated by the businesses, clubs, and citizens of Tacoma/Pierce County. Among those who generously donated to the creation of the park were Puyallup valley farmers who donated 15,000 flower bulbs; the Cascade Pole Company which donated an 80 ft. flagpole; and the Tacoma Bricklayers and Hod Carriers' Union that built the 20 ft. stone monument on their own time. A plaque on the wall stated: "Dedicated in honored memory of those who gave their lives for our country". In February of 2003 the park was demolished to make way for the new Narrows Bridge.

Parks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Memorial Park (Tacoma); Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma; Monuments & memorials--Tacoma;

Snow plows have cleared one of the roads at Mount Rainier National Park, banking it higher than the roof of the Richards paneled station wagon at the side of the road. The surrounding trees appear to be dead, possibly from the Kautz Creek flood.

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Snow; Roads;

1956 Richards Studio stock footage. A man in a cowboy hat leans against a split rail fence dwarfed by the awesome bulk of Mt. Rainier in the background. The snow covered mountain looms over the pastureland, forming the perfect backdrop for this picture.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Fences;

Point Defiance PTA Carnival. Four committee members gathered around a wooden AV cart and examine 16mm film in preparation for the November 12, 1954 Point Defiance School carnival's entertainment. From left were: Mrs. Arnold Wentlandt, co-chairperson; William Skillings, PTA member; Mrs. Ned Krilich, co-chairperson; and Mrs. Charles Gray, PTA member. "Carnival Time" was the theme of the carnival to be held at Point Defiance School located at North 45th & Visscher. (TNT 11-8-1954, p. 6-alt. photograph)

Point Defiance School (Tacoma); Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Wentlandt, Arnold--Family; Skillings, William; Krilich, Ned--Family; Gray, Charles--Family; Projectors;

A lighted star guides visitors to the Nativity scene of Mary with baby Jesus in her arms at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. A simple statement of "Let Us Adore Him" rests among the holly before the figures. The plywood cutouts are flanked by two tall pillars of light in this December 31, 1954, photograph. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Plywood; Christmas decorations; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Christ's crucifixion in stone or marble appears to be on permanent display at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Two angels kneel in prayer on either side of the monument which is decorated in native greenery. Women are portrayed collapsed in grief while others stand and pray. The juxtaposition of plywood angels and stone sculpture apparently works; it is a pleasing blend of materials. The Calvary Catholic Cemetery was one of Tacoma's oldest, purchased in 1905 to be used as burial grounds for the area's Catholic community, and spanned 35 acres. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Monuments & memorials--Tacoma; Sculpture; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1969. 1969 Richards stock footage. Aerial photograph of boathouse and assorted buildings at Point Defiance Park, located on the northeast side of the 702-acre park. Boats and motors could be rented for a day's cruise on the calm waters of Commencement Bay or for fishing and crabbing. The boathouse shown above burned down in a 1984 fire and was rebuilt several years later. TPL-9306

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boathouses--Tacoma;

On Sunday, January 25, 1942, Jean Hudson, Tacoma Times ski writer, was pictured presenting the Tacoma Times trophy to Carl Neu. Carl had won the slalom race at the 11th annual Tacoma Winter Sports Carnival at Paradise Valley, Mount Rainier National Park. In Miss Hudson's other hand was the prize wrist watch. Mr. Neu also won the race two years prior, a future third win would retire the trophy. (T. Times 1/26/1942, pg. 11)

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Skiing--Washington--1940-1950; Hudson, Jean; Neu, Carl;

Mary Thomas (center) was queen of the 1942 Tacoma Chamber of Commerce Winter Sports Carnival held at Paradise Lodge on Mount Rainier, January 24th and 25th. Standing next to Mary are Rita Hume of Seattle, who won the Rhodes Brothers trophy for the women's slalom race, and Jack Horr, from the Stadium High School ski team, who won the junior downhill event. Held between Queen Mary and Jack is the "Grimstead" trophy (junior downhill.) (T. Times 1/26/1942 p.11)

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Skiing--Washington--1940-1950; Thomas, Mary; Hume, Rita; Horr, Jack; Awards;

Bremerton Day at Mount Rainier. Three skiers hold their trophies from the skiing competition. On March 22-23, 1941, the Bremerton Ski Cruisers took over the activities at Paradise for the annual Bremerton Winter Sports Carnival. Competitive races included a downhill and a slalom, with a skiing and jumping exhibition also planned. Photographs ordered by the Bremerton Sun. (T. Times 3/14/1941, pg. 15)

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Skiers--Bremerton--1940-1950; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1940-1950; Winter sports; Awards;

Man beside a 1934 Chevrolet Sedan in Fireman's Park on "A" Street beside the A.V. Fawcett Memorial Fountain. Photograph is labelled "shop negatives" and simply "Jim by his car."

Fireman's Park (Tacoma); Angelo Vance Fawcett Memorial Fountain (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

Dick Ross, left, and Jerry Geehan, right, flank a KMO microphone and an unidentified announcer at the 10th annual Tacoma Winter Sports Carnival. Brilliant sunshine and a thick coating of snow brought a huge crowd out for the winter fest. (T.Times, 1-27-41, p. 1)

National parks & reserves; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Tacoma Winter Carnival (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; De Soto automobiles; Geehan, Jerry;

Two young women take time out from bicycling at Point Defiance Park to have a picnic and do some reading. Spring layout. (T.Times)

Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--1940-1950; Reading--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mountain View Funeral Home and Memorial Park. An exterior shot of the Garden Chapel at Mountain View. This building was newly opened in 1942 when Mountain View was expanded.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

The Tacoma Athletic Grounds & Baseball Park at the intersection of So. Sprague Ave. & So. 15th Street. (T.Times 5/24/1946 p.13)

Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma);

Geiger, Mrs. A. H. exterior of Mountain View Burial. Mountain View Memorial Park was said to be one of the most modern examples of funeral homes in the United States. 1942 was a year of expansion as they became a Unit Memorial Service. Hearses in foreground and exterior view of mortuary in background. TPL-8672 ----- Additional information provided by a patron, The foreground car is a 1942 Chrysler bodied as a Gothic-panel hearse by the A.J. Miller Company of Bellefontaine, Ohio, which was also the likely builder of the adjacently-posed six-window "limousine style" 1942 Chrysler hearse. The two limousines parked next in line were factory-built Chrysler offerings from the same model year, while the rearmost vehicle is a 1942 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery that was likely used for funeral service "first calls" or the transportation of flowers and chairs to gravesite services. All-in-all this is a tremendously unusual and likely-unique funeral fleet given that most hearses built in this period were Cadillac or Packard-based.

Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Hearses--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Floral arrangement and casket at Mt. View, Mrs. Robert Haley. Cpl Keith W. Hanson, age 19, received a full military service. He was killed in an accident while serving with the army in Germany. He had served in the army 2 1/2 years. (T.Times, 4/26/1948, p.13

Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Hanson, Keith W.; Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Lakewood--1940-1950; Flowers--Lakewood--1940-1950; Military personnel--Lakewood--1940-1950;

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients 100 acres of beautiful peaceful resting grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery has been serving Tacoma families since 1932, they are under the administration of the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization. Exterior view of grounds, large trees and beautifully landscaped grounds offer peace and tranquility, sacred sanctuary in background.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

Mountain View Memorial Park. A restful, tree-lined road greets visitors to Mountain View Memorial Park.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Barbara Horjes poses in the snow at the Division Avenue entrance to Wright Park. The snow totaled over 18 inches after a three day storm hit Tacoma in Nov. 1946. The dancing maidens statuary, one of which is show here, were donated to the city by Clinton P. Ferry in 1891. (T.Times, 11/19/1946, p.2)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Horjes, Barbara; Snow--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sculpture--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trees--Tacoma--1940-1950;