One of the special attractions of the 20th annual Western Washington Fair in Puyallup was the arrival on October 2nd, 1919 of a two seater, passenger carrying airplane from Victoria, B.C. Canadian ace pilot Lt. W.H. Brown made the flight in a miraculous 1 hour and 15 minutes, dropping 100 season passes and leaflets on the way. On October 4th, fare paying passengers donned goggles and a fur trimmed cap to take to the air for 15 minute flights; swooping, circling and passing as low as 75 feet over the grandstands. Here spectators stare open mouthed as the plane (out of the picture frame) buzzes the grandstand. Pilot Brown flew lower than any aviator in the West. The 1919 fair ran from September 30- October 5th and was an outstanding success. (TDL 10/5/1919, pg. A-12) G74.1-087, TPL-6346

Fairs--Puyallup--1910-1920; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Spectators--Puyallup; Grandstands--Puyallup;

Parade marching north on Broadway. Group of U. S. Army soldiers, in uniform, are at the corner of 9th and Broadway. They are being followed by group of men from the U. S. Navy in their dress whites. Buildings include: Pantages Theater, Illington Hotel. Sign hangs from corner building for Malstom's Drugs. TPL-7060

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pantages Theater (Tacoma)

Young band members sit in a long truck that is decorated with bunting and an American flag. There is a streetcar next to the truck. Photograph was taken on Pacific Ave. Shaw Supply Co. sign in background. TPL-7061

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930;

When the Olympic Ice Cream Co. scheduled the Grand Opening of their new plant on May 26, 1924 with "everybody welcome," they didn't expect everybody to show up. The May 27, 1924 News Tribune carried an apology to the "thousands" who were unable to get into the building and the "thousands" admitted to the plant at 613-17 E. 25th St. who were unable to tour the modern sanitary plant due to the crowds. The plant would be jointly occupied by Olympic and the Velvet Kind Ice Cream Co. The Grand Opening promised souvenirs and refreshments. The building has since been demolished. (TNT 5/27/1924, pg. 4) G34.1-139

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Olympic Ice Cream Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Copy of customer print. A parade of trucks filled with alder products paused on an unidentified street in this Marvin D. Boland photograph. They participated in the American Legion patriotic parade in 1920. "Save Alder Timber" signs were prominently displayed on top of the trucks and cars. Buffelen Lumber & Mfg. Co., established in Tacoma in the early 20th century, wanted to demonstrate how valuable alder timber was and how many ways the wood could be used. Rather than buying hardwood out-of-state, it would benefit companies to purchase the useful alder within the state's borders, thereby helping out the local economy. Buffelen announced plans in July of 1920 to build a $100,000 plant on the Hylebos for the purpose of making hardwood finish from alder logs. Photograph ordered by Paxport Mills on March 8, 1979. ( D169349-1) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-11-20, B-6)

Parades--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Exterior of two barns located at the Western Washington Fair in September of 1921. They received their annual coat of white paint in earlier in July. Fair dates in 1921 were October 3-9th. Tacoma Day was held on Friday, October 7th. G74.1-076, TPL-6344

Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Barns--Puyallup;

This was the Keystone Printing Co.'s booth at the 1922 Western Washington Fair. A large piece of machinery used in the printing business was on exhibit as well as samples of Keystone's products including cards and stationery. In addition, a desk was located on the left side of the booth, perhaps to take orders from inquiring customers. Keystone Printing was located at 1009 1/2 Pacific Avenue, per the 1922 City Directory.

Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Machinery; Desks; Keystone Printing Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

In 1922 a day at the Western Washington Fair meant that adults dressed up in suits, ties, and hats for the men and women wore somber long-length suits and small hats. Enjoying respite from the excitement of the Fair are many elderly people who are pictured at the Peoples Store "Rest Room." Comfortable wicker and wooden chairs were provided in the outdoor pavilion and even postage-paid postcards were available. The store also indulged in a bit of advertising with several signs promoting the "Household Club" payment plan. G74.1-064 (Photographer Boland's notes indicated that the picture was listed as B6708 although B6707 is written on the print)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Lounges--Puyallup;

On October 2, 1923, a group of Pierce County mothers, and several fathers, patiently posed with their unclothed babies, while waiting to have their children examined by a health specialist as part of the 1923 Better Baby Contest at the Western Washington Fair. An annual event, the 1923 contest brought forth a bumper crop of over 700 contestants, between the ages of 6 and 48 months. Forty doctors and nurses, all child specialists, conducted exams and scored the infants. Sixty one received medals and certificates. Alice Rose McKinnon of Enumclaw, who turned one year old a week after the contest, was selected the winner with the only perfect score of 100. (TNT 10/3/1923, pg. 9- picture, TDL 10/4/23 and 10/5/23, pg. 1) TPL-5711 & 9392; G27.1-126

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Mothers & children; Infants; Contests--Puyallup--1920-1930;

The Republican Party hosted a booth at the 1923 Western Washington Fair to promote voter registration and remembrance of the importance of the party in American politics. The booth is festooned with flags and portraits of famous members of the Republican Party, including Presidents Lincoln and Harding. The current President was also a Republican, Calvin Coolidge, who succeeded to the office upon the untimely death of President Harding just two months prior. President Coolidge's framed portrait is on the center pillar. Copies of the National Republican were also stacked for distribution to fairgoers. This is the same photograph as Boland B8703 without the four women manning the booth. G74.1-067

Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Political parties--Puyallup; Flags--United States; Portrait photographs;

Ezra Meeker, with long white beard and cane, at the Western Washington Fair on September 17, 1926. Mr. Meeker was taking part in the celebration of Pioneer Day at the Western Washington Fairgrounds. Earlier that day, a bronze statue was dedicated in his honor at Pioneer Park in Puyallup. The Northwest pioneer had platted Puyallup in 1877 and established hop fields that would bring the hops trade to world prominence. TPL-7086

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Meeker, Ezra, 1830-1928; Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930;

The American Barred Plymouth Rock Club held a banquet at the Tacoma Hotel, 913 A Street, on December 5, 1925. Barred Plymouth Rocks were excellent producers of eggs and meat. The breed was generally known as good general farm chickens and their owners, like those pictured above, could be assured of docility, hardiness and broodiness in their flocks. Members of the club had participated in the annual Tacoma poultry show put on by the Tacoma Poultry Association and held December 1-6, 1925, the same time as the national Barred Plymouth Rock exhibition. This was the first time that the national meet had been staged west of Omaha. Attendance at the poultry show had broken previous local records with the News Tribune reporting daily on activities and awards. Cleve Stout of Anglum, Missouri, was elected president of the American Barred Plymouth Rock Assn. in a business meeting held after the banquet. G6.1-097; G31.1-001 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-18-25, G-10-article; TNT 12-5-25, p. 5-article; TNT 12-7-25, p. 4-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; American Barred Plymouth Rock Club (Tacoma); Poultry industry--Tacoma;

1926 Western Washington Fair. The Washington Egg & Poultry Co-operative Assn. sponsored a large exhibit at the 1926 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Staffed by association members, the booth was filed with information charts and posters, pamplets and even boxes of eggs. G6.1-098

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma);

This view of the grandstand at the Western Washington Fair was taken from across the track on September 19, 1926. The stands are packed with spectators including those lucky enough to have track-side seating. The Puyallup Fair in 1926 ran from September 13-19th. G74.1-074

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Grandstands--Puyallup; Spectators--Puyallup;

Minstrels on stage. On February 9, 1928, local poultry co-ops entertained its members with a minstrel show at American Lake. Entitled "Good Will Minstrels," most of the group wore the traditional blackened faces and colorful clothing. Entertainers were equipped with guitars, mandolins, while the non-costumed band supplied the brass. Identified on stage were President C.C. Davis and Secretary McDrum of the American Lake Poultry Local (on left) and Mrs. E.W. Rau, secretary, and President A.F. Visell of the Parkland Poultry Local (on far right). G64.1-049

Minstrel shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

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;

Keystone Printing Co. exhibit. Their booth at the Western Washington Fair in 1922 provided fairgoers with samples of the printing company's products including cards and stationery and a large piece of machinery. The placard on display stated that although Keystone was not the oldest printing company in town, it did have modern facilities allowing the company to produce "high class printing at popular prices." The two men in the exhibit booth were not identified; however, they may have been E. I. Richardson and L.D. Waters, owners of the firm. Keystone Printing, according to the 1922 City Directory, was located at 1009 1/2 Pacific Avenue. G74.1-053

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Machinery; Keystone Printing Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

The Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. sponsored an outdoor exhibit of horsepower at the Western Washington Fair in 1922. A GMC two-ton truck, using a two-range transmission, is shown climbing to the top of a frame while hauling a 5,250-lb. load. C.A. Flanary, mechanic at the GMC truck service department of Mueller-Harkins, demonstrated the traction power of the truck as it easily managed the 90 degree incline. G32.1-001 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-22-22, C-5)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Puyallup--1920-1930; Flanary, C.A.;

Honey display. Cans and jars of honey were neatly displayed at the Superb Apiaries booth located at the 1923 Western Washington Fair. The company was based in Elma and the unidentified man standing next to the rows of honey was perhaps its owner. G74.1-046

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Honey;

Wool Native American blankets, wall coverings and clothing were on display at the 1923 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. All items shown above were produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills. The Oregon firm is still in business to this day. G74.1-054

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Blankets; Wool industry;

The Federated Improvement Clubs were "United for a Bigger and Better Tacoma" according to their entry in the 1925 Fourth of July parade. These clubs sought to not only improve their own neighborhoods but to boost the city as a whole. Clubs included the Union & 6th Ave. Club, Clement Ave. Club, Portland Ave. Club, and others throughout the city. Their vehicle, accompanied by a large wheel listing 32 clubs, was parked outside the Tacoma Hotel Annex.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Federated Improvement Clubs (Tacoma);

Gig Harbor Fair. An exhibit of caged poultry is highlighted by a painting or drawing of a chicken ranch set on grassy lawns with neighboring pond. These chickens were on display at the Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair) held from September 11-13, 1925. The poultry division attracted great attention as poultry raising was one of the largest industries in the peninsula. Signs placed nearby advertise the upcoming Western Washington Fair starting on September 21st. TPL-689; G72.1-128; G72.1-160 (TNT 9-10-25, p. 26-article)

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Chickens--Gig Harbor; Poultry--Gig Harbor;

ca. 1922. Western Washington Fair. Buckley girls holding flags. B---22, TPL-6338

Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Flags--United States;

A huge, predominantly male crowd on the Point Defiance deck and boat launch watches intently at the parade of beauties in the Tacoma Yacht Club Bathing Girl Revue on the 4th of July, 1924. Two intrepid young men have even climbed onto the rooftop of the Point Defiance Pavilion in order to get a better look. A day at the park back then still meant that gentlemen wore jackets, ties, straw hats or caps and women in dresses and hats. A policeman is in the foreground, presumably to keep order, but his attention appears focused on the lovely ladies on parade below. TPL-1454

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Point Defiance Pavilion (Tacoma);

The first real "egg machine" ever displayed on the Pacific Coast drew lines of interested Western Washington fairgoers on October 2, 1924, Egg Day at the fair. Visitors were encouraged to take a free peek at the "most wonderful mechanism in all the world." No one appeared disappointed in discovering the secret behind the enclosed stand: the remarkable "egg machine" was a Leghorn hen on her nest. The "egg machine" was on display at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup from September 29 to October 5, 1924. G74.1-079 (print has been damaged) (TNT 10-3-24, p. 15)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Puyallup--1920-1930;

Smoker - K.C. Bldg. Cushman Hospital This large hall in the "K.C.Bldg." was used for multiple events including dances and on this day in July of 1921, wrestling or boxing matches. A large crowd has gathered for this "smoker." They may have been employees or patients of the Cushman Hospital, a hospital for veterans located on the site of the former Puyallup Indian School, 2002 E. 28th St. If the two men in the ring are going to box, they will do so sans gloves. G53.1-128

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sports spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The staff of the Tacoma Hotel stood ready to serve the 348 hungry diners at the P.C.A.C.A. annual banquet held on July 7, 1921 on the grounds of the famous hotel. Waitresses were prepared to hoist large round trays filled with plates of chicken and vegetables which had been kept warm by steam tables. Diners were able to admire the 11th Street (now Murray Morgan) Bridge and the hotel's gardens. The Pacific Coast Advertising Clubs Association held their annual convention in Tacoma from July 3-10, 1921. Delegates were headquartered at the Tacoma Hotel and were treated to rounds of business meetings, excursions and picnics. The annual banquet was followed by a dance. (TDL 7-7-21, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-10-21, A-12-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On May 2, 1922, a group of entertainers identified as the Hick Minstrels posed on stage during dress rehearsal before Mrs. D.E. Fleming, musician, and G.H. Wallace, director, at the piano. The men's club of St. Mark's Episcopal Church was presenting its annual minstrel show on May 3rd and 4th at the church's community house. An Abe Lincoln look-alike is in the center of the photograph in front of the American flag. The introduction of live chickens, ducks and geese on stage during the show emphasized the bucolic setting and theme. Six "vaudeville" acts followed the minstrel show. Names of the men's club participants were listed in the News Tribune article dated 5-3-1922. (TDL 5-1-22, p. 7; TNT 5-3-22, p. 6) G64.1-037

Minstrel shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hick Minstrels (Tacoma); Fleming, D.E.--Family; Wallace, G.H.; St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Tacoma);