On March 12, 1924, Maj. General Edwin Burr Babbitt and his new bride, the former Miss Maud Ainsworth of Portland, returned from their two week honeymoon in Southern California to their newly remodeled home at Camp Lewis. Gen. Babbitt was Camp Commander and during his absence for his wedding and honeymoon, his grim and neglected bachelor quarters had been transformed into this neat, if unpretentious, home. The crowning glory was the bulb garden in front, planned by Gen. Babbitt for his new bride. (TNT 3/13/1924, pg. 11) G69.1-160 TPL-10313
Camp Lewis (Wash.); Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930; Babbitt, Edwin Burr--Homes & haunts;
On February 24, 1922, ten Army personnel stood in front of a large truck which contained a wireless telephone and radio system with Magnavox speakers. A sign on the truck indicates that it belongs to the "Rock of the Marne Division," a nickname for the famed 3rd Infantry Division. The men and vehicle were at Camp Lewis. Army officers had planned back in November of 1921 to obtain a receiver and amplifier for radio concerts and were testing this process through Magnavox. By early February of 1922 Camp Lewis was able to hear music and daily news from San Francisco and weather reports from ships far out at sea. Arrangements would be made to transmit the music of the Camp Lewis military bands through space to areas far away. G69.1-164 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-31-21, A-12-article; TNT 2-1-22, p. 1-article) TPL-10311
Military personnel--Camp Lewis; Trucks--Camp Lewis; Signs (Notices);
Arsenal at Camp Murray. The Arsenal was built on the grounds of Camp Murray in 1915 and nearly a hundred years later, is now the museum of the Washington National Guard. Here historical artifacts are collected and preserved to inspire and educate past and present Guardsmen and citizens alike. TPL-6467; G77.1-010
Unidentified building at Camp Murray as photographed in June of 1921. Railroad tracks located close by would make transporting men and equipment easier. Camp Murray was the home of the Washington National Guard and was located near American Lake. TPL-6466; G77.1-012
On February 5, 1921, soldiers at Camp Lewis enjoy reading at the Liberty Library located near the camp's Hostess House. Books, magazines and newspapers were supplied without charge. The Liberty Library opened in November of 1917 with 6000 donated books. The collection had grown to roughly 50,000 volumes a mere six months later. Books were supplied through the auspices of the American Library Association. Camp librarian Arthur Beardsley later indicated that the library had circulated 62,682 volumes in a camp with approximate population of 7094 in 1921. An 40-foot square addition to the original one-story library was made about 1918 as the library needed more space for materials and for patron usage. This addition was a periodical reading room, perhaps shown above, which was attached to the center of the original building. Racks for 150 periodicals and about 50 newspapers were provided and good chairs and tables furnished by the Army and its friends. (www.historylink.org; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-29-22, 10E) TPL-10309
Mounted artillery in semi-circle, probably at Camp Lewis. The Great War was over but this shining array of military might provided a reassuring sight for soldiers and civilians alike. G69.1-166
Non-commissioned Officers Club. This one-story building with extended covered wraparound porch served as the Non-commissioned Officers Club at Camp Lewis circa 1920. The commissioned officers had their own separate building. G69.1-152 TPL-10307
A copy was made by photographer Marvin Boland on May 18, 1934, of this picture of a tank running over a man-made wood-and-dirt obstacle during maneuvers at Fort Lewis. Date of original photograph is not known. G70.1-018
In November of 1919, the battle scarred World War I tank Ermentrude was in Tacoma for a recruitment drive. Posing with her in front of the offices of the Tribune Publishing Co. (711-13 St. Helens Ave.) were her travelling corps, left to right, Pvt. James G. Hall, Sergeant Joseph Appleby and Capt. Edgar Dade Gunning. Gunning was in charge of the tank and Hall was the pilot. Appleby had served overseas with the tank, which was a veteran of 18 fierce battles fought in St. Mihiel and Argonne. (TDL 11/20/1919, pg. 10) G70.1-005 TPL-10065
Tanks (Military science)--1910-1920; Armored vehicles--1910-1920; Hall, James G.; Appleby, Joseph; Gunning, Edgar Dade; World War, 1914-1918--Veterans--Tacoma ; World War, 1914-1918--Recruiting & Enlistment; Tribune Publishing Co. (Tacoma);
Exterior view of the Fort Lewis Hospital as seen on February 9, 1932. This is the same photograph as Boland B24470 except for the addition of Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma by locals). New permanent brick buildings like this hospital continued to be built in the early 1930s at Fort Lewis to replace the WWl-era wooden structures.
This photograph of the 6th Engineers, 1st Battalion barracks at Fort Lewis is nearly the same as Boland B24356 with the added entry of Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma) and woods. The original photograph was taken on December 29, 1931; this photograph, taken slightly closer to the barracks, was snapped on January 23, 1932.
26 soldiers pose at Fort Lewis on July 22, 1930. They may have been part of Field Artillery or Cavalry. Each apparently has the crossed rifle or saber insignia worn on the collar. G69.1-141
Twelve non-commissioned officers from the 146th F.A., E Battery, pose in the grassy fields of Camp Dent, the 1930 Washington National Guard encampment on the grounds of Camp Murray. All are in uniform with several wearing whistles and chains. They were participating in the annual summer maneuvers which occurred in the last two weeks of June. G69.1-146
Washington National Guard, Battery E, 146th F.A. (Tacoma); Military personnel; Uniforms; Camp Murray (Wash.);
These are non-commissioned officers from the Washington National Guard's 146th F.A., B Battery, as pictured at Camp Dent on June 28, 1930. Camp Dent was the 1930 encampment held on the grounds of Camp Murray. For two weeks 2600 officers and men including nearly 400 Tacoma-area residents participated in the annual summer maneuvers. G69.1-145 (TNT 6-13-30, p. 1-article on encampment)
Washington National Guard, Battery B, 146th F.A. (Tacoma); Military personnel; Uniforms; Camp Murray (Wash.);
These are the non-commissioned officers of the 146th F.A. at Camp Dent, the 1930 encampment of the Washington National Guard held at Camp Murray in June of that year. G69.1-144
Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. (Tacoma); Military personnel; Military uniforms;
The 1930 Washington National Guard encampment, held on the grounds of Camp Murray, was called "Camp Dent." The Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 161st Infantry posed in front of their building on June 23, 1930. G69.1-136
Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 161st Infantry, (Wash.); Military personnel;
This group of buglers were from the 161st Infantry who were participating in the Washington National Guard 1930 encampment at Camp Murray. Each encampment was given a different name; in 1930, it was called "Camp Dent." G77.1-042
Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry (Wash.); Bugles; Military uniforms; Military personnel;
These are non-commissioned officers from the 161st Infantry, I Co., posing between tents at Camp Murray on June 18, 1930. They were part of the two-week encampment of the Washington National Guard participating in the annual summer maneuvers. 2600 officers and men from around the state would be on hand. G69.1-143 (TNT 6-13-30, p. 1-article on encampment) TPL-10318
Camp Murray (Wash.); Tents--Camp Murray; Military personnel; Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry, Company I (Wash.);
This photograph taken in December, 1929, is of the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Lexington, who came to Tacoma's rescue in an acute power crisis due to severe drought conditions. Power cables run from the ship's generator to a transformer on Baker Dock. About this time rain finally started to fill the lakes necessary for the operation of power plants; with the addition of the Lexington's auxiliary power, Tacoma was able to once again function normally. The Lexington stopped power deliveries to Tacoma on January 16, 1930, and departed for San Francisco the following day. TPL-1857; G71.1-118
U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;
U.S.S. Lexington tied up at old Baker Dock below Stadium Bowl, December, 1929. Power cables are attached to her side. Tacoma received an early Christmas present as the large aircraft carrier was used as an auxiliary power plant to lend a helping hand to the City suffering from severe drought conditions. During its one month stay, it provided over four million kilowatt hours of electricity to a city whose residents had been utilizing candles, kerosene lamps, and living with dim streetlights and smaller night shifts. The Lexington made its last power deliveries to Tacoma on January 16, 1930, and departed for San Francisco the following day. TPL-1936; G71.1-117.
U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma;
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)
In May of 1918, World War I soldiers in two trucks with "War Camp Community Service" banners pulled up in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Clubhouse. The Clubhouse was located in the Kaufmann-Wolff Building at 714-16 Pacific Ave. The building was designed by Farrell and Darmer, Architects, and also included 713-15 Commerce St. It was formally opened April 5, 1918 by the War Camp Community Service. The opening ceremony included speeches and a dance, but this was the last time the club was open to women or officers. It was strictly for the use of enlisted men. The address was later home to the Rhodes Post of the American Legion and the World War II USO Club for Servicemen of Color. The War Camp was created in 1917 to provide social activities in areas where servicemen spent their off duty time. BU 13,189, G68.1-108 (TDN 4/6/1918, pg.2) TPL-1675
Soldiers & Sailors Clubhouse (Tacoma); War Camp Community Service (Tacoma);
Once Camp Lewis became officially designated as a Fort in September of 1927, money was appropriated to build permanent structures including new barracks. The exteriors of these new living quarters look nearly complete although landscaping is non-existent.
Barracks--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis--1920-1930;
Close-up view of recessed entryway of newly constructed building located at Camp Murray in January of 1928. See B17968 for general view of concrete building. G77.1-004
Newly constructed building at Camp Murray. This one-story concrete structure was located near railroad tracks at Camp Murray in January of 1928. Camp Murray is the home of the Washington National Guard. G77.1-005
Main gates of Fort Lewis. The gates were built in 1917 using field stone and squared logs and paid for by a subscription fund set up by the employees who constructed the main buildings of (then) Camp Lewis. The cost was $4000. Camp Lewis was designated as a permanent Army post and officially became Fort Lewis in September of 1927. G69.1-159 TPL-10315
Gates--Fort Lewis; Military facilities--Wash.; Fort Lewis (Wash.);
On September 14, 1927 Colonel Charles Lindbergh circled his famous craft, "The Spirit of St. Louis," over the Fort Lewis parade grounds as a 12-gun salute was fired in his honor on the orders of Brig. Gen. Richmond P. Davis. In May of 1927, Col. Lindbergh had made the first successful solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Prior to his arrival at Fort Lewis, Col. Lindbergh made an unexpected pass over Cushman Hospital and performed stunts for the benefit of the disabled veterans. His flight to Tacoma was part of a round-the country tour to promote aviation. (TDL 9-14-27, p. 1, 9-15-27, p. 3) TPL-953; G67.1-124 (see also G69.1-129)
