When Major Edward J. Bowes, of the Amateur Hour fame, and some monied cronies toured Tacoma looking for an investment opportunity, they came to the conclusion that the populace would spread west. In 1907, they formed the Narrows Land Development Co. and purchased 200 woodland acres bordered on three sides by Tacoma and one by farmland, intending to build the area's first suburb, Regents Park. They poured $350,000 into improvements- roads, sewers and a water system- and built an artificial lake as the town's recreational and social center. The natural spring fed lake was named "Spring Lake." The area was a 20 minute ride on the electric railway from Tacoma's business district. Lots sold for $5 down, $2 a month for a total of $300 with a house thrown in for $10. The area soared until World War I and the following Depression stopped the investment in land. The area incorporated as Fircrest in 1925. The lake dried up and its location is now the site of Fircrest Park. The area has gone through bursts of development through the years, but has kept the original policy of no industry and its feeling of community intact. (Tac. Rev. 11/27/1972, pg. C-2; "Of Lions & Dreams, of Men & Realities" a history of Fircrest, Richard D. Osness) Boland B1980

Real estate development--Fircrest; Lakes & ponds--Fircrest; Regents Park (Fircrest);

ca. 1918. Puget Mill Co. New England style "Saltbox" houses for company employees in Port Gamble, circa. 1918. Company officials insisted on a hierarchy in housing; managers had the best homes on the highest ground, skilled workers and their families came next, immigrant workers (Scandinavian, German, Swiss, Slovaks and Greeks) arriving in the 1880's were housed on the other side of the second growth forest west and south of the town in areas known as "New England" and "Murphy's Row," unmarried men lived in bunk houses and cabins on the spit near the mill and Chinese workers lived separately out of town, as did native Americans workers. The worker housing was surrounded by picket fences and had fireplaces, electric lights, bathrooms and a water closet. Rent for a three bedroom was about $7.00 a month. (Historylink.org) Boland #21

Lumber industry--Port Gamble; Puget Mill Co. (Port Gamble);

ca. 1918. The Puget Hotel was constructed in 1907 by the Puget Mill Co. in their company owned and run town Port Gamble. It was designed by Seattle's most prominent architecture firm, Bebb & Mendel. It was a luxury hotel for visitors and company officials, later furnished with massive antique pieces of furniture made in Dresden, Germany and brought to the Puget Sound by sailing ship for the home of Cyrus Walker, first manager of the Puget Mill. Although part of the town, it was run as a concession. So although the town was dry, drinking and gambling were available at the hotel. It also housed the town's only restaurant. The hotel was damaged in the 1962 Columbus Day wind storm and was closed on December 22, 1962, a victim of that damage and declining use. It was later demolished. (Seattle Times 12/23/1962) Boland #10

Puget Hotel (Port Gamble); Lumber industry--Port Gamble; Puget Mill Co. (Port Gamble);

Supply Co., 5th Ga. INF. U.S.N.G. at Camp "COTTON"; El Paso, TX; 1st Sgt. C.R. Smith, R.P. Wright, W.A. Waldrop, W.G. Garrett, R.J. Faulk, H.W.Crabb, D.A. Reagen, C.H. Fitchett, W.L. Howell, J.L. Brooks, Sgt.C.H. Hood, B.C. Bibbs, G.D. Burtchaell, A.M. Pierson, J. Mcclure, G.R. Brook, C.R. Herrin, L.A. Gary, W.H. Duren, Leroy Bentine, H.H. Jamison, John Bannister, L.H. Strickland, Corp.J.B. Beck, Col.A.M. Davis, Capt. S.P. Cronheim, Lt.M.M. Burns, A.J. Manning, R.F. Calloway, G.L. Howell, Reg. Supply Sargents

Groups; Military personnel--1910-1920; Mules; Wagons; Tents; National Guard

Identified in photographer Marvin Boland's notes only as "Mr. Peterson's residence," this classic two story wood framed home was photographed on June 8, 1918. The man standing on the steps leading to the home is presumably the owner, Mr. Peterson. Tall wildflowers and at least four trees form the landscape of the front yard.

Houses--1910-1920;

Visiting Elks. The Everett Elks Band pose on the famous Spanish Steps next to the Elks Lodge, 565 Broadway, on August 16, 1918. A service flag with "In God We Trust" is lofted up high in the background. There was one gold star included which signified the loss of an Elks member in war. The Everett band was one of several in town for the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention which had opened on August 15th. The highlight of the convention was the massive downtown parade in which the bands and thousands of Elks marched. ( TNT 8-16-18, p. 1-article; TNT 8-17-18, p.2-article)

Stairways--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Marching bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Officers Training School Banquet at Commercial Club. The young officers may have been celebrating the conclusion of their training at this banquet held in August of 1918 at the Tacoma Commercial Club. 243 had graduated from the 4th officers training camp on August 24th at Camp Lewis. The officers had come from nearly every western state, with California having the largest number of graduates. G70.1-011 (TNT 8-24-18, p. 3-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1910-1920; Military officers--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Candy shop at the Donnelly Hotel. Customers browsing in the candy shop at the Donnelly Hotel in 1919 had their choice of good chocolates, reading material, and a place to rest weary feet. Small tables with "ice cream parlor" chairs were placed close to racks of magazines such as "Sunset," "Photoplay," "Collier's" and "Modern Priscilla." A fine candy selection of Oriole, Mars, Imperial's and Sweet's could be purchased. John Donnelly had leased the Fife Hotel and transformed it into the Donnelly Hotel in 1898. The hotel would be demolished 27 years later to make way for the Motoramp Garage. G56.1-046

Hotel Donnelly (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1910-1920; Confectioneries--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Interior of a section of the Tacoma Smelter taken in March of 1919. This was the copper refinery. Copper anodes from the smelter were inserted between copper cathodes in a copper-sulfuric acid bath. Copper was transferred from the anode to the cathode. The two raised frameworks in the photograph's middle were stands for "slapping copper starter sheets" before they were inserted into the bath as cathodes. The American Smelting & Refining Co., better known by its acronym, ASARCO, was a major employer in Ruston for nearly a hundred years. G32.1-023 (Additional information provided by a reader)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

Jacona at dock. The 7,600-ton freighter "Jacona" had been launched on November 20, 1918 by Todd Dry Dock & Construction Co. and delivered to her owners on May 9, 1919. Later in 1930 she was converted into a floating power generation station. TPL-1677

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1910-1920;

June 23, 1919, "Rose Show at Base Hospital." This room at the Camp Lewis hospital is decorated with greenery and displays of roses. Convalescing soldiers and guests enjoy the bloom-filled setting. Roses of all kinds were sent to the hospital after the 8th annual Rose Show held at the Armory. This ensured that the wounded and recovering soldiers would still be able to enjoy the sight and beautiful scents of the flowers. G70.1-013 (TNT 6-21-19, p. 9-article)

Roses--Camp Lewis; Sick persons; Soldiers--Camp Lewis; Hospitals--Camp Lewis;

This large, substantial home was located in Regents Park (now Fircrest) in 1919. Regents Park was one of the area's first suburbs, developed west of Tacoma in 1907 by investors including Major Edward J. Bowes. Streets were paved, sewers constructed, and the community had its own water system . Residents could travel by streetcar to downtown Tacoma in only 20 minutes. This big two story house with attic and possible basement was located on a corner lot with young trees; its owner at the time was not identified.

Real estate development--Fircrest; Houses--Fircrest--1910-1920; Regents Park (Fircrest);

ca. 1919. Driver Louis Chevrolet and his "mechanician" aboard his Frontenac race car circa 1919. The car is parked on a brick roadway. Louis Chevrolet, affectionately known as "Grandpa" due to his senior status in the racing world, would come to Tacoma to compete in the special five-car, one-day-only set of three races at the Tacoma Speedway on July 4th of 1919. Well known racers Dario Resta, Eddie Hearne, Cliff Durant, Ralph Mulford and Louis Chevrolet were in the mix for the $15,000 purse and championship points. The Frontenacs driven by Ralph Mulford and Mr. Chevrolet took first place in all three races, the 40, 60 and 80 mile events. Louis Chevrolet won the 60 and 80 mile races with average mph of 98.5 and 97.2 respectively. TPL-102; G51.1-124

Chevrolet, Louis; Frontenac automobile; Automobile racing drivers;

A visitor to Tacoma in 1919 could stand downtown on Pacific Avenue near 8th St., looking south and view this bustling scene. Pedestrians present a blurred image through the camera as they hustle across Pacific, pictured with its streetcar tracks running down the center of the street. Some automobiles maneuver down the street, while others wait parked for their drivers to return. On the left, front to back, are the Hotel Olympus (815-17 Pacific Ave.), an office building at 819 containing the offices of the Tacoma Times and the Hippodrome (821-23.) On the right, front to back, are the Havana Inn storefront and its delivery vehicle in front, Hotel Waldorf (a rooming house at 728 Pacific), Bowie and Love (electric supplies at 732), Hotel Revere (rooms to let above 732), Moose Candy & Confectionary and the Hotel Donnelly and Donnelly Cafe. G61.1-024, TPL-5769

Hotel Donnelly (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1910-1920; City & town life--Tacoma--1910-1920; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920;

The new home of the Model Bakery was nearing completion in the spring of 1919. The south end bakery had started as a one man shop less than 5 years earlier. Gus Westerdale had manned the oven at the small bakery at 760 So. 38th Street, while his wife Thora made the deliveries. Their new large two story brick structure at 3802 Yakima Ave. So. was designed by Mahon and Lundberg, architects, and furnished with all the latest in modern equipment. It employed a work force of 16 and had three delivery trucks. They could turn out 20,000 loaves of bread, 465 dozen donuts, 300 dozen rolls and 250 cakes in a week. The building has since been demolished. BU-11089 (TDL 10/19/1919, pg. B-5)

Model Bakery (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1910-1920; Building construction--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Although photographer Marvin Boland's notes stated that this was the United States "Marine" Band posed on the lawn of the Hotel Tacoma on July 24, 1919, it is believed that this was actually the United States Navy Recruiting Band or The Great Lakes Band. They were there to play for the Tacoma Rotary Club for a luncheon held at the ivy-covered south end of the porch. The United States Navy Recruiting Band would perform later that evening in the Stadium Bowl along with Metropolitan Opera's prima donna Marie Rappold. G71.1-034 (TDL 7-24-19, p. 3 (ad); TNT 7-24-19, p. 1-articles on concert)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Military bands--United States;

In July of 1919, horses were being used to excavate the foundation of the Western Rubber Company factory at 6200 South Tacoma Way. The foundation would be 260 x 80 feet and to save money, the sand and gravel from the excavation would be used in the concrete work. The building was designed by E.J. Bresemann, who was also serving as contractor. The plan was to finish the building and have it occupied in 90 days. It would be ready to turn out tires by the beginning of the year. The tire manufacturer would become one of Tacoma's biggest industries. It produced new tires and tubes. Abundant water and electricity at reasonable prices were factors in its location in Tacoma. (TDL 7/27/1919, pg. B-5-article & alt. photograph) TPL-1896, BU-12489

Western Rubber Co. (Tacoma); Excavation--Tacoma--1910-1920; Horses--Tacoma;

Unidentified sailing ship photographed on August 18, 1919. Sails are furled on this three-mast vessel. G50.1-113

Sailing ships--1910-1920;

View down a peaceful tree-lined road. There was no traffic of any kind in sight on this August, 1919, day. Wood framed houses behind picket fences on the right; wagon in tall grass outside fenced yard on left. Street may be either dirt or gravel. Sidewalk on the right is made of wood, not concrete. TPL-7169; G57.1-003

Residential streets; Trees; Fences; Houses--1910-1920;

Side view of logging equipment on wheels belonging to the Wilson Logging Co. Photograph taken at unidentified location on August 23, 1919. TPL-9852 ; G36.1-032

Lumber industry--1910-1920; Wilson Logging Co.;

In August of 1919, a steam donkey mounted on a sled was photographed loaded on a truck for ease in transport to a logging site. Only the sled itself, built from huge logs, is clearly visible. The cable and winch on the donkey could be used to help load and unload it from the truck. This photograph was ordered by the Wilson Logging Co. There was a C.C. (Chan) Wilson Lumber Co. located in Hudson, just west of Rainier, Oregon. G75.1-082

Lumber industry--1910-1920; Wilson Logging Co.;

1919 Labor Day parade. Five uniformed motorcycle policemen lead the 1919 Labor Day parade down Pacific Avenue before waiting crowds. Grand marshal of the parade, Charles Richmond, secretary of the Building Trades Council, rode on horseback. Bands and marching units follow. Streetcars move along adjacent to the parade activity. Businesses along this stretch of Pacific were thickly bundled together including banks, hotels, dentists, and drugstores. G38.1-019

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Business districts--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920;

More than 6,000 Tacoma union men took part in the Labor Day Parade down Pacific Ave. in September of 1919. The parade of Tacoma organized labor through downtown began at the City Hall, 625 Commerce, and proceeded south on Pacific Ave. Charles Richmond, a labor leader, led the parade as marshall mounted on a horse; he was followed by the Railway Brotherhood, policemen and firemen. Next came this float from the Teamsters, an old-time coach mounted on a horse drawn wagon. It was decorated with a banner reading, "Does the man who delivers your goods belong to the Teamsters Chauffeurs Union #313." Union 313 consisted of Tacoma drivers from many industries. Many union members followed the float carrying American flags. One of the goals of the Labor Day celebration was to reach the $30,000 goal set for the Labor Temple building fund. Labor Temple buttons were being sold to raise the funds. (T. Times 9/1/1919, pg. 1) G38.1-018 TPL-10094

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Labor unions; International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 313 (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Pre-launching of the vessel "Ambassador," as viewed in September of 1919. She was built for the Chichagof Mining Company of Alaska. The power tender "Ambassador" was launched at 5 p.m. on September 11th from the ways of Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. She would be used in connection with the Chichagof mines in southeastern Alaska. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. W.R. Rust whose husband was one of the principal owners of the mines. G37.1-120 (T.Times 9-13-19, p. 14-article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1910-1920; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. (Tacoma);

View of Market Blvd. in Chehalis, Washington, in September of 1919 which features the elegant Hotel St. Helens in the foreground. The four-story brick hotel was designed and/or built by Charles E. Troutman. Numerous cars are parked outside the hotel and adjacent businesses. G72.1-056

Hotel St. Helens (Chehalis); Hotels--Chehalis; Commercial streets--Chehalis; Business districts--Chehalis;

Extended view of St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. planing mill and "monorail" as pictured in November of 1919. This may be the aerial tramway constructed to transport lumber from dry kilns to various other parts of the plant, replacing the old horse-and-truck system. St. Paul & Tacoma were putting in improvements to their sawmill on the Tideflats totaling nearly half-a-million dollars. Two new dry kilns were being built as well as an aerial tramway. The improvements were expected to reduce the cost of plant operation. St. Paul & Tacoma employed about 800 men at the time including a considerable night shift. G36.1-155 (T.Times 8-22-19, p. 12-article; TDL 7-19-20, p. 6-article)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. yard as photographed on November 24, 1919. As reported in the August 22, 1919, Tacoma Times newspaper, St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber was spending nearly $500,000 in improvements to its sawmill on the Tideflats. An aerial tramway was constructed to carry lumber from dry kilns to other parts of the plant. This would facilitate handling of lumber in the mill. The company was established in 1888 and provided steady employment for many residents for decades. It would merge with St. Regis Paper Co. in 1957. G36.1-083 (T.Times 8-22-1919, p. 12-article)

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1910-1920;

The Columbia Brewing Company was started in 1900 by three men with a capitalization of $50,000. William Kiltz was sales manager and Emile Kliese was owner, president and brewmaster. Their facilities, typical of the era, were primitive, but they were determined to make the finest beer possible. During the early stages of beer making malted barley was milled and the malt grain was mixed with pure water in a large wooden tub called a "mash tun". This "malt mash" was stired by hand with a long wooden paddle and then channeled or piped into large copper brew kettles where the "wort" was boiled with hops. This view shows the laboratory and mixing room in the bottling department of Columbia Brewing Company. The brewery was located in a newly built facility at 2120-32 South C Street. Copy ordered by Columbia Breweries, Inc., in 1951. (This was a copy print made by the Richards Studio of a Marvin D. Boland photograph #B4391) Another copy of this photograph was ordered under number C87485-42. TPL-7956. Previously cataloged as WO58568-1.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People;

The early racking room at Columbia Brewing Company, where draft beer was barreled, was a matter of wooden barrels, cumbersome hand maneuvering methods and inexact controls. A thick layer of frost can be seen on the pipes above the workmen's heads. They are wearing heavy clothes to work in the chilled cellars. Ordered by Columbia Breweries in 1951. (TNT, 1/7/1952) (This was a copy print made by the Richards Studio of a Marvin D. Boland photograph #B4394). Previously cataloged as WO58568-3.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Barrels--Tacoma; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People;

ca. 1919. Park Lodge School's "Primary Grade" in 1919; copy of Cooke photograph made in April of 1923. Park Lodge School was located in Lakewood at 10020 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. These youngsters may have been in the kindergarten or first grade. TPL-4410

Park Lodge School (Lakewood); Public schools--Lakewood--1920-1930; School children--Lakewood--1920-1930;