In July of 1931, passengers on the Washington Navigation Company ferry "Skansonia" could climb onto a stool and order a fried ham sandwich for 15 cents as they commuted between Gig Harbor and Point Defiance. The "Skansonia" was built in 1929 at the Skansie Brothers Shipyard in Gig Harbor. The curved lunch counter on the ferry offered a fried egg for 15 cents; or a Swiss cheese sandwich, hamburger or hotdog for 10 cents. You could top off your breakfast or lunch with a slice of homemade pie for a dime and wash it down with coffee, cold milk or pop. On hot days, the kiddies could enjoy a frozen Popsicle or a malted milk shake. (Neal & Janus "Puget Sound Ferries.") TPL-9261; G66.1-090

Ferries--1930-1940; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

The "K" Street hill climb, from Center Street heading north, was a popular place for testing both the skill of drivers and the strength of new automobiles. The steep, rugged road, impassable in wet weather, often refused to be conquered. An open car is pictured above in October of 1919 with its occupants contemplating the challenging climb while scattered spectators watch. The hill was closed and traffic was diverted to South J Street about 1960. G60.1-081, TPL-6156

Dirt roads--Tacoma; Automobile driving--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey (at left) posed with Allen Motor Co. president Harold A. Allen (center) and Mr. Dempsey's manager, Leonard Sacks, on September 10, 1931, at the Union Station, 1717 Pacific Avenue. A new Studebaker President eight brougham, courtesy of Allen Motors, is ready for Mr. Dempsey, per his request. The boxer customarily drove a Studebaker at home and asked to be transported in one while in Tacoma. He was in town for the Junior League Milk Fund Benefit which would earmark proceeds towards the purchase of milk for undernourished children at Tacoma Public Schools. Mr. Dempsey was the star attraction for the September 10th event which was held outdoors at Stadium Bowl. Photograph ordered by Allen Motor Co. TPL-678 (TNT 8-28-31, p. 1-article; T. Times 9-12-31, p. 9)

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports); Allen, Harold A.; Studebaker automobile; Sacks, Leonard;

Streetcar #374 pulls into the car barn at So. 13th & A Streets. To the right rear of the photo is the powerhouse for the Tacoma Railway Co. at 1301 A St.; to the left is the Northern Motors Ford dealer at 1217 A St. Fire gutted the powerhouse on February 16, 1950. TPL-6570; G66.2-005 ("To Tacoma By Trolley" by Warren W. Wing; "Tacoma by Trolley" trolley schedule by McCormack Bros. Inc.)

Mass transit--Tacoma--1930-1940; Street railroads--Tacoma--1930-1940; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma);

Lincoln High School presented its annual Christmas program on December 22, 1931. The 60-piece orchestra and 100-member chorus posed together with director, Margaret Goheen (far left, first row). Handel's "Messiah, " Lincoln High School's oratorio was so much in demand that a repeat performance was held the following Sunday at Mason Methodist Church. 2600 people wanted free admission to the school performance but the school auditorium only had 1500 seats. The News Tribune reported that the students gave a fine performance with a pleasing appearance by the singers, dressed in black and white surplices for the chorus and white for the soloists. G47.1-001 (TNT 12-22-31, p. 1-article; TNT 12-23-31, p. 14-article)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Goheen, Margaret;

Crowds, described in a Daily Ledger ad as being the "greatest in the history of Tacoma's home owned and operated popular department store," lined up outside the big McCormack Bros. department store, 1148 Broadway, on February 7, 1932. The store had just reopened two days before, refinanced and reorganized. The new name was McCormack's, Inc., but it was still run by James McCormack and his family. Creditors had settled for 20 cents on the dollar and there were new goods added to every department. Men's suits were as low as $9.75, electric toasters for only 98 cents, spring dresses at $4.79 and even a Limonges dinnerware set for $5.95. In 1936, this building would be remodeled for the Sears, Roebuck & Co. store. (TDL 2-4-32, p. 3-article; TDL Ad, 2-7-32, A-5)

McCormack Bros. Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shopping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This was the newly built Fort Lewis Hospital as viewed on February 9, 1932. TPL-644; G70.1-037

Hospitals--Fort Lewis; Fort Lewis Hospital (Fort Lewis);

An impressive floral gazebo was one of the outstanding displays at the FTD Floral Show held on April 11, 1932, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The public had been invited to attend the flower show presented at the ninth annual convention of the Northwest Florists Association and the Northwest Bulb Growers Association. Thousands accepted the invitation to view daffodils and other bulbs in full bloom. G26.1-101 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-10-32, A-1-article; TDL 4-11-32, p. 1-article)

Flower shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Scottish Rite Cathedral (Tacoma); Gazebos--Tacoma;

This elevated view within the Scottish Rite Cathedral shows a wide variety of blossoms in the FTD Floral Show held on April 11, 1932. Thousands of flowers, potted and cut from the greenhouses of member florists, decorated the large auditorium. A floral gazebo takes center stage. The flower show was part of the ninth annual convention of the Northwest Florists Association and the Northwest Bulb Growers Association. G26.1-102 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-10-32, A-1-article; TDL 4-11-32, p. 1-article)

Flower shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Scottish Rite Cathedral (Tacoma); Gazebos--Tacoma;

The First Annual Liberty Party Picnic was held at Spanaway Park in June of 1932. Party members from Tacoma and other communities turned out in full force for the picnic as can be seen in the lower portion of the montage of photographs. The Liberty Party was an American political party in the early 1930's. It was founded on the economic theories of W.H. "Coin" Harvey. Harvey, at the age of 80, was its presidential candidate in 1932 and received 53,000 votes. Harvey was a wealthy, influential businessman and ran on the platform of monetary reform. There were 140 Liberty Party clubs organized in Washington State. Other views included Mount Rainier (called Mount Tacoma by locals), members with the American flag and participants of a Liberty Party float in a parade. G42.1-070

Liberty Party (Tacoma); Political parties--United States; Banners; Picnics--Spanaway--1930-1940; Montages;

This unidentified man participated in a regional shoot at Fort Lewis on September 5, 1932. He is cradling a rifle and wears a jacket with a patch indicating that he is a life member of the NRA. More than 250 marksmen entered the three-day Northwest Regional Rifle and Pistol competition at Fort Lewis held during Fleet Week. Current members of the US military plus civilians vied for thirteen trophies in various contests. (TNT 9-5-32, p. 1, 6-articles)

Rifles; Sharpshooting--Fort Lewis;

This was the Main Building of the Pierce County Sanatorium in 1934. The sanatorium for county tuberculosis patients was designed by architects Lundberg & Mahon and opened in January of 1915. It was later renamed Mount View Sanitarium and was also known as Lakeview Sanitarium. It would close in 1952 and would be replaced by a new facility at 215 So. 36th St. in Tacoma. TPL-4466; G30.1-022

Pierce County Sanatorium (Lakewood); Sanatoriums--Lakewood; Tuberculosis;

These large buildings were for residential living at the Pierce County Sanatorium in 1934. The sprawling complex had opened in 1915 and would remain open until 1952. County tuberculosis patients received treatment at the sanatorium located at 1 Command Circle in Lakewood. TPL-4467; G30.1-020

Pierce County Sanatorium (Lakewood); Sanatoriums--Lakewood; Tuberculosis;

Maids quarters at Pierce County Sanatorium. A large one-story house was set aside at the Pierce County Sanatorium in 1934 for live-in maids to help in housekeeping duties. The sanatorium treated county residents who were afflicted with tuberculosis. G30.1-021

Pierce County Sanatorium (Lakewood); Sanatoriums--Lakewood; Tuberculosis;

The Gig Harbor Band congregated outdoors on September 2, 1934, with their instruments and including one small child. TPL-685; G72.1-132

Gig Harbor Band (Gig Harbor); Musicians--Gig Harbor;

This is S.A. Andrews' Seattle store featuring women's apparel as viewed on February 26, 1935. Mr. Andrews had a Tacoma store at 9th & Broadway at the same time. Both locations had similar facades with uncluttered windows of hats, suits and coats. G56.1-090

Andrews Women's Apparel (Seattle); Clothing stores--Seattle; Facades--Seattle; Window displays--Seattle;

Mr. S.A. Andrews is seated at the rear of his Seattle Women's Apparel store on February 26, 1935. Both his Tacoma store, located for years at 9th & Broadway, and his Seattle location had very similar exteriors as well as interior layouts. This extended interior view notes the muted wall-to-wall carpet and air of spaciousness with the high ceilings and open floor plan. Chairs are handily placed for waiting customers and hats and clothing are side-by-side. G56.1-089

Andrews Women's Apparel (Seattle); Clothing stores--Seattle; Merchandise displays--Seattle--1930-1940; Hats--1930-1940; Andrews, Samuel A.;

Two photographs were artfully combined in this March, 1936, work by photographer Marvin Boland. Large logs are pictured aboard an open railroad car on tracks while in the background are three unidentified men posed at the base of an enormous old-growth tree. TPL-2117; G75.1-081

Logs; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Trees;

This is a view of St. Regis logging operations in May of 1936. The forest location was not given. Here a worker is driving an earthmover of some sort. He is possibly clearing the way for a makeshift road so that trucks could access the area.

Lumber industry--1930-1940; St. Regis Paper Co.; Machinery;

Logging equipment at a Peterman logging site, location at or near Morton, in June of 1936. Equipment is a "donkey" used to move logs. These early diesel yarders were designed to yard logs to a landing using a spar tree. The "donkeys" were mounted on sleds made out of two logs which allowed them to be moved on trucks or railcars. It was possible for them to pull themselves over rough grounds to where they needed to be set up. This diesel yarder is possibly one of the first "Berger" brand yarders with the first V8 Caterpillar engine power plant. TPL-9855; G75.1-046 (Additional information provided by a reader)

Lumber industry--1930-1940; Donkey engines; Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

The "Infallible," an 86-foot diesel cannery tender, was launched on June 19, 1936 at Western Boat. An unidentified woman, in a long floral -patterned gown and dark hat, was the sponsor of the event. She is pictured holding a bouquet of assorted blossoms as she reaches to officially launch the vessel. G37.1-133

Launchings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Boats--Tacoma; Canneries; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This internal view of St. Regis was taken in December of 1936. The location was not specified but it is believed to be the big paper mill at 801 Portland Ave., the former location of Union Bag & Paper Co. This particular view shows wet floors, drains, and machinery on both sides. It is possible that a washer had broken causing the wetness. TPL-6802; G37.1-013

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;

Lumber operations at St. Regis. Although photographer Boland's notes do not mention the location of this particular St. Regis Kraft Co. plant, it is probably the large concern in Tacoma as photographed in December of 1936. The Tacoma plant had been transformed into a modern facility for the production of 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. The company had spent a million dollars for new machinery and reconstruction. The pulp plant was operating by the end of November, 1936, with a crew of 250. The bleaching unit would open about three months later. (T.Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Two St. Regis employees, wearing white uniforms, are pictured at the Tacoma Kraft pulp plant on February 5, 1937. Steam is rising from some of the large unidentified machinery. St. Regis had undergone a $1,000,000 remodeling project to expand into the bleached pulp field. St. Regis was one of two pulp mills (Shaffer Pulp was the other) who manufactured high grade bleached and unbleached craft pulp for domestic and export markets. The plant was able to produce 150 tons of pulp daily. TPL-6804; G37.1-023 (T.Times 1-27-37, p.1, 5-articles on St. Regis)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;

This photograph of the Sixth Avenue ferry landing was taken on April 9, 1937, for court evidence. A railroad crossing runs before the "6th Ave. Boat House" and an unidentified restaurant. See Boland B26248 for another view of ferry slip. The ferry landing had been closed for about 15 days from March 20, 1937, while repairs (details not provided) were being made. Only foot passengers were allowed for that time and automobile traffic re-routed via Point Defiance. Later in April, a judgment was rendered against Pierce County, Washington Navigation Co., and Skansie Ferry in the amount of $7,711.22 for the death of a driver whose car plunged off the ferry slip in August of the previous year. TPL-1736; G66.1-110 (T. Times 3-20-37, p. 5-article; T. Times 4-12-37, p. 7-article; T. Times 4-22-37, p. 1-article; T. Times 4-23-37, p. 1-article)

Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Railroad crossings--Tacoma--1930-1940; 6th Ave. Boat House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The large Stewart clan gathered for a outdoor group portrait on the last day of July in 1937. Family members ranged from babies to the elderly. Nearly 90 of the Stewart clan were present. G2.1-029

Families--1930-1940;

Nine little "sailors" and one "Gallant Lady" are at hand on November 7, 1937. The "Gallant Lady" was a Sea Scouts vessel. The little children, dressed in sailor suits, are listening to a man who is explaining charts to them. According to photographer Boland's notes, these children were dancers. G23.1-115

Boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This is Truck Co. No. 2 with their 1913 Seagrave 75-foot aerial in front of Engine House No. 2. The driver was Harry Ketler and tillerman Jim Turner. Others were not identified. The hose tower is in view. Note the planked roadway that is Tacoma Avenue South. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is next door to the fire station. (Talbot & Decker: 100 Years of Firefighting, Tacoma, Washington, p. 53)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1910-1920; St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, Engine #10254. On an official test trip in March of 1920, a brand new Bi-polar engine pauses for some publicity shots. The class EP2 engine was manufactured by Alco-GE. The bi-polars were unique in design because the bi-polar fields for each motor were carried on the truck frame. The huge 265 ton, 3,240 hp bi-polars were designed specifically for passenger service in the Cascades and were an immediate success when put into service in 1920. Their top speed was rated at 70 mph and they could pull 1, 120 tons (14 cars) up a 2% grade at 25 mph. The electric locomotives were also unique in appearance, riding low on 44" drivers, and in sound, their trademark a distinctive high pitched shrill from their air whistles. (Charles and Dorothy Wood "Milwaukee Road West") G44.1-079, TPL-2379

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

Exhibit of Tacoma manufacturers. A small display of photographs, featuring Anne V. McRae as the "Petticoat Girl," discretely advertises the fitted petticoats manufactured by McRae's Petticoat Manufacturing Co. in 1920. The design was so revolutionary that it was patented. Since modesty prevailed, only sheets of sateens and silks were draped across the exhibit to indicate the fineness of materials used to manufacture superior quality merchandise. McRae's was located at 732-34 Market St., next to the Y.M.C.A. It was owned by Mrs. Estella M. McRae, believed to be pictured above in December, 1920. Her daughter Anne served as secretary in addition to modeling. McRae's Petticoats may have been selected to participate in the Tacoma Commercial Club's trade excursion to the Orient in January, 1921. The steamer Wenatchee was to carry businessmen and their wives to the ports of Yokohama, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Manila in order to boost export of local products. G33.1-179 (TDL 10/10/1920 pg. B-6- article only)

Exhibit booths--Tacoma; McRae's Petticoat Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);