By the end of 1920 the Matthaei Bread Company located at 703 South Sprague Avenue had five White trucks and five "Dodge Brothers motor cars" in its fleet of delivery vehicles. The Matthaei Bread Company opened their bakery on South Sprague in April of 1913. Their building was known as "the plant of 150 windows". The Continental Baking Company moved into the building in 1930, and for over 70 years it was the home of Wonder Bread in Tacoma. BU-12471,

Matthaei Bread Co. (Tacoma); White trucks; Dodge automobile; Bakeries--Tacoma;

ca. 1920. Enclosed Ford delivery van, belonging to the Washington Hand Laundry, parked in front of the Valhalla Temple at 1216 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. J.P. Bernard, owner of the laundry, bought one of the first enclosed Ford delivery vans in the city. He was very loyal to the Ford brand; in 1913, he bought one of the first Ford delivery trucks in the city. It was still supplying his company with continuous service. Mr. Bernard was a well known member of the "K" Street Boosters, a group of local merchants located on "K," now Martin Luther King Jr. Way. (TDL 5/2/1920, pg. C-10) BU-13811 G35.1-157 TPL-10093

Washington Hand Laundry (Tacoma); Valhalla Temple (Tacoma); Ford trucks;

On April 1, 1933, the flagship of the Imperial Japanese fleet and another Japanese naval training ship arrived in Tacoma for a three day visit. The flagship Yakumo and the Iwate were moored at the Port of Tacoma Piers. The ships were open for tours on Saturday and Sunday drawing large crowds. Over 1500 officers and men were on the two ships and were released for leave in Tacoma. Just eight years later, with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7,1941, Japan and the United States were at war. TPL-9080. Boland A11023. (TNT 4/1/1933, pg. 1; 4/3/1933, pg. 1)

Battleships--Japan; Sailors--Japan;

ca. 1916. Around 1916, the exhibition prison ship "Success," from Melbourne, Australia, was docked at the Tacoma Municipal Dock Landing and open for tours. Between 1895 and 1942, the ship was seen by millions on three continents. She was also considered a bit of a hoax, since she was exhibited as a convict ship, when in fact she had been used not to transport convicts but as a floating prison. Built in 1840, she was sold to a London company in 1842 and was used to carry emigrants from England to Australia. After being abandoned by her crew in 1852 during the Australian gold rush, she was purchased by the Victorian government to serve as a floating prison. Ordered to be destroyed in 1885, the "Success" escaped this fate, and was purchased by Alexander Phillips who saw her potential as a money making floating museum. She toured Australia, the British Isles (1895-1912) and the U.S. (1912-1943.) After 106 years, she burned to the waterline on Lake Erie on July 4, 1946. (http://home.gci.net; www.nla.gov.au) Ships-071, TPL-1787

Sailing ships--Australia;

In September of 1928 the Tacoma News Tribune in partnership with the Colonial and Rialto Theaters sponsored a promotional contest in conjunction with the release of Bebe Daniels newest movie, "Hot News." Nine pretty young Tacoma misses posed with a new Durant-Star coupe, one of the contest prizes, in front of the Central Motors building at 605 Saint Helens Avenue. Prizes in the contest totaled $2,600, a tidy sum in 1928. The girl standing in the rumble-seat of the new car (third from the left) has her hand on the crank of a newsreel movie camera. As a side note, a new 2-door Durant Star could be purchased in 1928 from Central Motors, a Star and La Salle dealership, for $628 with delivery in Tacoma.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Contests--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1915. Firestone tire service truck at Tacoma Speedway circa 1915. The location was the Tacoma Speedway, about seven miles from Tacoma. The occasion was probably the three auto races which composed a great part of the summer Montamara Festo. The Firestone service vehicle was there in all likelihood to supply replacement tires to the cars which raced 100, 200, and 250 miles respectively. A new "lattice" track was in use. It had replaced the old dirt track in 1914 but racers still had to deal with unexpected difficulties such as splinters. Two million feet of lumber, board measure, consisting of Washington fir, were used for the new track. Speedway construction was a relatively new process at that time. (speedway construction information: Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)

Firestone Tire; Trucks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920;

Undated photograph of a ship docked at the Port of Tacoma.

Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

In 1931, the Foss Launch & Tug Company operated the largest fleet of tugs on the Puget Sound out of their waterfront office building at 400 Dock Street. This photograph from July of 1931 shows twelve Foss tugs (and a small service boat) lined up by size next to the company's office building. The largest tug, at the far left, is the Andrew Foss, 97 feet long, built in 1905. The smallest tug, at the far right next to the service boat, is the Peggy Foss, 32 feet long, built in 1912. On Monday November 23, 1931 a fire destroyed the Foss company offices. They rebuilt at the same site, but in 1943 they moved to the Middle Waterway. TPL-7092

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1930-1940

Line of Foss tugboats, from big to small, next to dock. TPL-7093, TPL-9073

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Crew from Japanese cruiser, probably either the Idzumo (sp) or the Iwate, meet with a delegation from the local Japanese community on the deck of their ship in Tacoma. Photograph taken on September 6, 1932. TPL-7101

Cruisers (Warships)--Japan--1930-1940; Japanese Americans--Tacoma; Japanese--Tacoma;

Japanese cruiser, probably either the Idzumo (sp) or the Iwate, at dock in Tacoma. Crowds gather to board the ship. Photograph was taken on September 6, 1932. TPL-7102

Cruisers (Warships)--Japan--1930-1940; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Parked on a gravel roadway on May 6, 1924, is a Dodge sedan with two women and an infant inside. The industrial Tideflats are in the background. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co., Dodge dealership. G11.1-023

Dodge automobile;

Elmer J. Bergstrom is pictured standing next to his brand new special four-passenger Dodge coupe on May 13, 1924. The vehicle is parked on rough gravel on a site overlooking the Tacoma industrial Tideflats. Mr. Bergstrom, who resided at 424 South 38th St., had his new coupe delivered to him by Griffith Motor Co. It was his second Dodge Bros. car and much more luxurious than his first, a 1920 model. G11.1-062 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-8-24, 4-G)

Dodge automobile; Bergstrom, Elmer J.;

The passenger vessel "Chickawana" is dockside while passengers wait to depart on May 24, 1924. She was used to transport people from Dash Point to Tacoma and back again while mustering a speed of 10.5 mph. 75 passengers could fit on board and enjoy the fresh air and marine views. The passengers on this date consisted of the nine salesmen of the Younglove Grocery Co. (standing in left foreground on float) and store and factory employees of the firm. The salesmen were being honored with a cruise to Delano Beach where a chicken picnic lunch, games, buffet dinner and dancing in the lodge took place. The wholesale store and factory were closed all day so that all employees could attend this special event. The "Chickawana" traveled home in moonlight to cap a fun-filled day. G50.1-070 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-25-24, 8-E)

Passengers; Boats; Younglove Grocery Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

In June of 1924, this Puget Sound Electric Railway bus, that traveled between Tacoma and Olympia, provided every comfort that a discriminating rider could demand. Quality features in the new bus included a hot water heating system that provided odorless heat (and eliminated the chance of burned shoes and clothing), extra lighting, ventilation, safety signals for the driver, and high back seats that could be tilted for extra comfort. The body, mounted on a White 50 chassis, was built by the Modern Auto Body Works at 2357 Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma. The bus, with its sleek lines and multiple passenger doors, sported a distinctive gray and green exterior with a crimson stripe. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-15-24, 12-G) G66.1-021

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Electric Railway (Tacoma);

The vessel "Lewis Luckenbach" of the Luckenbach Line was berthed at the Port of Tacoma on June 20, 1924, to take on a shipment of lumber. Cargo is being hoisted from a Foss barge while other barges loaded with lumber wait their turn. The big carrier would be in town for eight days while its eight hatches were filled with a little more than seven million feet of lumber. The "Lewis Luckenbach" was the largest vessel of the entire Luckenbach Line. G49.1-097 (TNT 6-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 6-19-24, p. 5-alternate photograph)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

The "Commercial Guide" is in port on June 20, 1924, awaiting a shipment of lumber to be hoisted aboard by crane. To the rear is the "Lewis Luckenbach " from the Luckenbach Line. Both cargo ships were docked at the Port of Tacoma. The "Commercial Guide" left Tacoma on June 22, 1924, under the command of Captain Jack Wright. She was part of the Moore & McCormick's regular intercoastal service. G49.1-105 (TNT 6-23-24, p. 15-small article on the "Commercial Guide")

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

Piles of lumber wait to be loaded onto the ship "West Nimrod" on June 24, 1924, at Tidewater Mill. The vast size of the "West Nimrod" can be compared to the much smaller tugboat nearby. A barge filled with cargo is directly next to the ship. The "West Nimrod," of the Admiral-Oriental line, arrived in Tacoma late Sunday, June 22nd. She was to stow lumber for Hong Kong and other Asian ports. G49.1-099 (TDL 6-23-24, p. 10-article)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tugboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This ship may be the "Lewis Luckenbach" from the Luckenbach Line which had previously been taking on lumber at the Port of Tacoma dock on June 24, 1924. It has now have moved onto the St. Paul & Tacoma dock for more shipments. The "Lewis Luckenbach," largest vessel of the entire Luckenbach Line, had already loaded 5,780,000 feet of lumber at the Port piers. Another 1,300,000 feet would be taken on board at the St. Paul & Tacoma dock. The lumber would be carried to the Atlantic coast by Captain Read, master of the ship for the last 15 years. G49.1-095 (TNT 6-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 6-19-24, p. 5-alternate photograph)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Elevated view on June 30, 1924, of a cargo ship from the Luckenbach Line and others berthed at the St. Paul & Tacoma dock. The vessels were taking on shipments of lumber and other cargo. G50.1-001

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "Lewis Luckenbach" of the Luckenbach Line is in the process of loading lumber at the Port of Tacoma dock when this photograph was taken on a cloudy July 2, 1924. Several hundred board feet have already been transported onto the ship. G49.1-050

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Standard Oil Co. service barge. The service station barge was in handy proximity to the Tacoma Yacht Club on this July day in 1924. Sailboat is close by. G49.1-013

Barges--Tacoma; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Sailboats--Tacoma;

Rowboat on display. This is believed to be a product of the Babare Mfg. Co., 3517 E. 11th St., as viewed on July 11, 1924. The Babare Bros. had moved their shipbuilding facilities to a site on along the Hylebos Waterway about 1920. G37.1-114

Rowboats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Christening of the SS Bienville. Dorothy Maxson is pictured on July 16, 1924, in the act of christening the SS Bienville at Todd Dry Dock & Construction facilities. She is the daughter of Captain and Mrs. C.P. Maxson; Captain Maxson would become the ship's new master. The Bienville was built for the Atlantic Steamship line of Southern Pacific at a cost of over a million dollars for the purpose of travel between New York and New Orleans. She was named after an old Louisiana family. Thousands of cheering spectators were present at the launching of the steamer which was the first Atlantic liner built on the Pacific Coast. After being in service less than five months, the Bienville caught on fire while being overhauled in New Orleans in mid-March of 1925. Only the crew was aboard and all escaped. G37.1-108 (TNT 6-21-21, p. 1,9-articles; TDL 7-17-24, p. 1-article; TNT 3-19-25, p. 1-fire on ship article; TDL 3-28-25, p. 1-fire on ship article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Maxson, Dorothy;

Engine room of the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. The 110-feet long ferry, dubbed "City of Steilacoom," was completed at the Skansie yards in Gig Harbor. She was designed to replace a ferry operating between Long Branch and Steilacoom and took her maiden voyage on April 13, 1924. The ferry was propelled by a Fairbanks-Morse semi-diesel type engine putting out 200 horsepower. Her engine room had auxiliary pumps, lighting plant and hot water heating plant. G66.1-094 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, A-11-article)

Boat engines; Ferries;

Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this is the "waiting room" for the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. Long wooden benches are positioned below windows and there appears to be a drinking fountain against one wall. Staircase leads below. G66.1-093

Ferries; Waiting rooms; Benches;

Aboard the "City of Steilacoom" ferry. This is believed to be the car holding area of the new ferry as pictured above on July 21, 1924. She had a 30-car capacity. The "City of Steilacoom" was designed to replace the present ferry operating between Long Branch and Steilacoom. She was 110-feet long with a 34-foot beam and could travel at 14 mph. G66.1-095 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, A-11-article)

Ferries;

Several barely visible small children, huddled in shrubbery, appeared fascinated by the upside down Joe Lyons Bus Company vehicle involved in an accident at 7:30 a.m. on July 21, 1924. The bus was bound from Dash Point to Tacoma, a scenic half-hour ride, when it plunged off the highway, overturned twice, and came to rest approximately 100 feet below the road. Four men were injured in the accident, none seriously. The bus made regular stops at several points of interest including the Milwaukee shops, the Todd Shipyards and Browns Point. (TNT 7-21-24, p. 1) G66.1-023

Buses--Dash Point; Traffic accidents--Dash Point;

Several small boys and an an adult pause at the site of an early morning bus accident that occurred on July 21, 1924. A Joe Lyons Bus Co. vehicle had left the Dash Point Rd. at the scene above, flipping over twice, and landing upside down in woods about 100 feet below the road surface. The bus was making one of its usual runs from Dash Point to Tacoma where it let off workers at the Milwaukee Shops, Todd Shipyards and Port Commission docks as well as other points. Fortunately all injuries were relatively minor. G25.1-019

Buses--Dash Point; Traffic accidents--Dash Point; Children--Dash Point;

Two Whitworth Transfer & Storage Co. trucks are spilling over with bundles of used clothing collected during a one-day relief drive in July of 1924. Local residents were asked to contribute whatever clothing they could spare to send toward needy recipients in the "Near East." The clothing was then bagged in preparation for transport. Whitworth Transfer was one of many Tacoma firms who donated their services for the drive to collect clothing for Armenian refugees. A record shipment of 16,000 pounds was collected and departed on August 1, 1924, via the freighter Virginia V for Seattle where the clothing would be reloaded and shipped overseas on U.S. transports. The four workers next to the truck in the foreground were not identified. On the right of the photograph were William Worthington, in charge of relief efforts in Tacoma, and general manager of Whitworth Transfer, C. McA Logan. G66.2-117 (TDL 8-2-24, p. 4)

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clothing relief--Tacoma; Worthington, William; Logan, C. McA;