This unidentified elderly lady and her parrot appeared in an article in the Tacoma Daily Ledger in February of 1922. The pair resided at the Ladies of the Grand Army (of the Republic) Home in Puyallup, 321 Pioneer Avenue East, the former mansion of Ezra Meeker. Twenty older women, several of them in their nineties, lived in the G.A.R. Widows Home. The home had opened in 1915 and was a refuge for the wives, daughters, nieces or sisters of any Grand Army veteran where the women could live out their twilight years in dignity. It was one of 27 social welfare institutions eligible for Community Chest assistance. A drive to raise funds for the Community Chest was staged March 18-28. In 1948 the association sold the home to the first of a series of doctors who used the building for a nursing home. In 1970, the old mansion was donated to the Meeker Historical Society. (TDL 2/11/22, pg. 7)

Ladies of the Grand Army Home (Puyallup); Older people; Parrots;

ca. 1950. Val Fawcett, Tacoma mayor from 1946-50 and acting mayor during Harry P. Cain's military service in the mid-forties, is pictured with friends circa 1950. They may be at a sporting event, possibly a baseball game. Mr. Fawcett is seated second from the left; next to him is believed to be Howard R. Smith who was the Tacoma Athletic Commission president for several years. Frank Gillihan, school board member and active Tacoma Athletic Commission member, is seated at the far right. ALBUM 16

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gillihan, Frank J.;

Ezra Meeker at Western Washington Fair. Ezra Meeker is pictured on September 14, 1926, riding in a covered wagon on Pioneer Day at the Western Washington Fairgrounds. Earlier that day, a bronze statue was dedicated in his honor at Pioneer Park in Puyallup. The white-bearded Northwest pioneer was 95-years-old at the time. He had platted Puyallup in 1877 and had established hop fields that would bring the hops trade to world prominence. TPL-335A (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 66) TPL-9811 Boland A8285;

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

September 14,1926 was Pioneer Day at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. The guest of honor for the day was 95-year-old Ezra Meeker, the only survivor of the 103 men who registered donation land claims in Pierce County in the 1850s. He had been honored that morning in ceremonies that marked the unveiling of a bronze statue at Pioneer Park in Puyallup. The statue, by Alonzo Victor Lewis, was a likeness of the white-bearded pioneer; a crowd of 5,000 gathered to pay tribute to Mr. Meeker at the site of his first home in the Puyallup Valley. TPL-336A (TNT 9-14-26, p. 1) Boland A8286

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

The foreman and crew of "erectors" for the Scandinavian-American Bank being built at 1019 Pacific Avenue were photographed during a pause in work in November of 1920. The erectors were responsible for raising the 32-ton beams and 60-foot steel columns into position. The 12 men were handpicked for their steady nerves, even tempers and ability to work as team players. The first two floors alone contained over 1,000 tons of steel. The planned 16 story building rose beam by beam until January of 1921 when the bank failed and construction was shut down. The building was eventually completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. and named the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU-10760, Boland B 3244, TPL-9548

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

One of the "erectors" dangles high in the air in this November 1920 photograph, attaching chains and wires that will pull the 60 foot column into position at the Scandinavian-American Bank (now the Washington Building) construction site. The skeleton of the building was put together by the erectors, who were followed by the riveters. As designed, the building would ascend to 16 stories. Over 1,000 tons of steel were used in the first 2 floors alone. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 756, Boland B 3212

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This photograph from November 1920 shows one of the huge 32 ton beams of the framework for the Scandinavian -American Bank nearing its resting place. The erectors stand on top of the beam, ready to secure it in position. The design for the bank called for 16 stories with 22 rooms per floor with 5,000 feet of rentable space. The 11th Street entrance would open on a 26 foot wide court with a huge colored glass dome forming the ceiling for the massive banking room below. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction was halted. The building, after a re-design, was completed in 1925 and was renamed the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 759, Boland B 3235

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Automobile dealers of the 1920s built palaces of prestige to showcase their latest models. Architect C.F. W. Lundberg designed the Mutual Motors Building for pioneer Tacoma automobile dealer Edward P. Leonard. The Lincoln dealership opened in June 1925. Later, a giant milk bottle was installed on the building's roof to identify it as the Olympic Dairy Products plant. As of 2000, Washington Tent & Awning, Inc. occupies this building on Martin Luther King Way. B12455, BU-10023, TPL-5683

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mutual Motors (Tacoma); Building construction;

Boy Scouts salute. Organized labor flexed its muscles as nearly 20,000 marchers participated in Tacoma's Labor Day parade on September 2, 1918. These young boys pictured above had plenty of opportunity to salute the American flag as nearly every group carried the Stars and Stripes. Every trade was represented in the parade including ironworkers, boilermakers, machinists and shipyard workers. Twelve bands and occasional floats were interspersed among the double lines of marchers. (TNT 9-2-18, p. 1) Boland B1324 TPL-9632 (photograph was marred with black marks)

Saluting--Tacoma; Boys--Tacoma--1910-1920; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920;

On June 15, 1926, Tacomans gathered at Union Station to see T.A. (Tom) Swayze, Tacoma's Golden Rule representative to the Near East, and his wife off on a goodwill tour of several months abroad. On one Sunday a year, Americans were asked to forgo their usual Sunday dinner and contribute the money saved to the Near East Relief. By virtue of its donations, Tacoma had earned the title "Golden Rule City of America." Mr. Swayze had been chosen as Tacoma's official representative based on his participation in and the city's outpouring of support for "Golden Rule Sunday." Pictured standing on the train's platform are: (L-R) unidentified, Dr. Edward Todd of CPS, Mrs. Swayze, Tom Swayze, Rabbi Montague Cohen (Temple Beth Israel), Rev. Herbert B. Rhodes (First Methodist Church) and Mayor M.G. Tennent. In the crowd were representatives from all denominations, as well as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA Boy Pioneers and Girl Reserves, and Campfire Girls. (TNT 6/16/1926, p.4) Boland # A7996 TPL-10212

Swayze, Tom; Todd, Edward H., 1863-1951; Cohen, Montague; Rhodes, Herbert B.; Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Near East Relief (Tacoma); Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Crowds;

The Castle Hall at the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. Members of the fraternal organization are posed wearing Romanesque regalia. The robes illustrate the story of Damon and Pythias, on which the beliefs of the order are based. The order was founded on the principles of friendship, charity and benevolence. Built in 1906-1907 and carefully preserved, the Pythian Lodge is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Lodge is currently on the city and national historical registry. TPL-1682, BU-12215, Boland #B3765

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Photo-collage by Marvin Boland of photographs that he took at the First Annual Rotary Fair held on October 31, 1919. This industrial fair for Rotary Club members and friends featured 150 exhibits promoting local professions and businesses. It was held in Stadium High School's gymnasium where the slogan of the fair was "Rotarians, Buy at Home." Because the fair was so successful, mention was made that a larger exhibition might be held later for the general public. Dr. H. J. Whitacre was the Rotary president at that time. (TDL 10-17-19, p. 3-article; TDL 10-31-19, p. 1-article)

Rotary Fair (Tacoma); Exhibits--Tacoma--1910-1920;

The newly formed Browns Point volunteer fire department tried out their new equipment on one of the Point cottages on March 15, 1925. Their equipment included two portable hose reels, 1,000 feet of 2 1/2 inch double-jacketed hose, two portable chemical tanks and a motor driven siren. Water was available through six hydrants placed at convenient locations in the city. The volunteer fire department included Chief Oscar Brown, Allie Hoska, Fred Schenck, Ed McClure, Jerry Meeker, Will Burrows, Vic Bjorklund, Rolla Gilman, Clint Hull, Bill Wharton, Fred Allstrum, Bob Gleason Jr., Andy Wingard and Bob Gleason Sr. (TNT 3/17/1925, pg. 22) Boland-A7134, TPL-705

Fire fighters--Browns Point; Firefighting equipment--Browns Point;

By March 1st, 1924, Tacoma's old Chamber of Commerce Building at 773 Broadway had been demolished and work had begun on the foundation of the future Hotel Winthrop. The eleven story hotel, built by the Citizen's Hotel Corporation, was dedicated in May of 1925. With the chamber building gone, and the new hotel not yet built, this photograph provides an excellent view of the Bostwick Block, 755-71 Saint Helens, as it looked in March of 1924. At that time it was undergoing extensive remodeling; in July the exterior was covered with Duralite.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On November 14, 1925, circus performer Jack Nerbuda performed the startling feat of pulling a loaded Chandler automobile up the hill from South 13th Street and Broadway to the Richardson Motor Co., at 734 Broadway, with his teeth. Nerbuda, famous for stunts of this kind, pulled the vehicle with its five passengers up 2 1/2 blocks without losing a single tooth. The publicity stunt was staged to advertise the new 20th Century, four door sedan Chandler 1765 available at Richardsons. The Chandler Motor Co. produced cars from 1913-1928. The company, headquartered in Cleveland Ohio, built a good quality motor car within the price range of the middle class. Their peak production year was 1927, when they sold 20,000 autos. The Chandler automobiles had a metal skin over a wooden frame, which tended to disintegrate over the years; therefore surviving to today in smaller numbers than other autos of the same vintage. (TDL 11/15/1925, PG. G-5, wikipedia.org) TPL-3699, BU-12457

Nerbuda, Jack; Richardson Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chandler Motor Co.; automobiles--1920-1930; Circus performers; Daredevils; Stunt performers; Publicity;

On August 17, 1918, Mrs. M. Ristig was photographed while repairing tires at the M.K. Martin Company, 750 Broadway. She was one of thousands of women worldwide, as the photo's headline in the Tacoma Daily Ledger stated, "Taking the Places of Those Over There." World War I, 1914-1918, proved to be a turning point for women's employment. With the men away at war, women were called upon to fill non traditional jobs, providing them the opportunity to prove that women could fill jobs outside the office or the home. The women performed admirably in many jobs previously denied to them, many of them physically demanding or dangerous. As Mrs. Ristig's employer, Mr. Martin, stated "She can do every bit as much work as a man and do it just as well." TPL-1656, Boland B1306 (TDL 8/25/1918, pg. C-1)

Tires; Women--Working class--1910-1920; M.K. Martin Co. (Tacoma); World War, 1914-1918--Women--Tacoma;

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;

H.C. Weaver Productions motion picture studio under construction on December 4, 1924. One car is parked on the grounds of the construction site; studio was located on 5.5 acres near Titlow Beach. The formal dedication of the first motion picture studio in the Northwest was scheduled for December 14th, ten days after this photograph was taken. The $50,000 studio, constructed by the firm of Albertson, Cornell Bros. & Walsh, was not yet completed. Scaffolding is still in place on the walls of the main building which would be built sans windows. The lower structure in front of the main building would be the administration unit, containing executive offices, projection room, dressing rooms for the stars and extras. The studio would be 105 ft by 180 ft with a 52 foot ceiling. It would have the largest floor in the Northwest without supporting pillars. Only two larger floors were available, both in Hollywood. Weaver was one of a handful of independent studios capable of handling all aspects of film production, including developing and titling. The studio closed after only four years of operation in 1928; the building was converted into a dance hall in 1932 but was destroyed by fire on August 24, 1932. (TDL 11-9-24, E-8, 12-14-24, B-1) Boland-B11465, BU-13758, TPL-8181

H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma); Motion picture studios--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Serious motion picture production came to Tacoma- Pierce County near the end of 1924. The administration building, in front, and main building of the H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. motion picture studio were nearing completion on December 4, 1924. Located on 5.5 acres at the end of Sixth Avenue near Titlow Beach, the H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc., studio had the northwest's largest floor space without supporting pillars. Construction began in early October, 1924, and was completed in late December of that year at a cost of $50,000. The administration bldg. contained executive offices, a projection room, 15 star dressing rooms and dressing rooms for extras. Furnace rooms were built at each end of the main building to make the stage evenly heated. There were no windows in the main building; the studio decided to make use of artificial lightning when filming inside. An elaborate formal dedication, open to the public, was held on December 14, 1924. (TDL 11-9-24, E-8, 12-14-24, B-1) Boland B11464

H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma); Motion picture studios--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On August 21, 1926, H.T. Moore of the Moore Amusement Company, owner of the Rialto and Colonial Theaters, joined forces with the new Pacific Northwest Theaters Inc. Moore, left, is shown shaking hands with Harry C. Arthur of Los Angeles, president of the new organization, in front of H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc., movie studio at Titlow Beach. H.C. Weaver, head of the studio, stands with his hands in pocket, on far right in this sepia photograph. Left to right, the group includes J.F. Douglas, Moore, G. C. Kirley, Arthur, L.S. Hamm and Weaver. The group, which was organized to consolidate motion picture distribution in the Pacific Northwest, was touring the studio. The studio was built in 1924. Weaver Productions hoped to lure Hollywood to film extensively in the Northwest; however, the studio apparently only made three motion pictures in their four-year existence. It closed in 1928 and was later converted into a dance hall in 1932 before being destroyed by fire that same year. Boland B15513, BU-13759, TPL-8182 (TNT 8/23/1926, pg. 6)

Motion picture studios--Tacoma; Weaver, H.C.; Shaking hands--Tacoma; H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma);

In November of 1926, the workmen at Skansie Shipbuilding Company posed with the two ferries that they were building in their ways in Gig Harbor. The smaller ferry boat at the left, the "City of Steilacoom", was nearing completion. The larger boat was being built for the Tacoma-Gig Harbor run and would carry up to 75 cars. A larger ways had been built to accommodate the increased size of the ferry. It was scheduled to be launched between February 15 and March 15 and to be completed by April 15. The "City of Steilacoom" was the 12th boat finished by Skansie's since the first of the year. In 1926, the Skansie yard employed 36 workmen. (TNT 11/19/1926, pg. 10) BU 13893, Boland # B15944;

Ferries--1920-1930; Skansies Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor;

On March 1, 1933 at around noon, a convoy of unemployed demonstrators, under the banner of the "United Front," passed through Tacoma on their way to Olympia. The Seattle leaders of the group planned the march to Olympia to present the problems of the unemployed to the State Legislature. The groups of marchers, in trucks and automobiles, were met at the Tacoma city limits by motorcycle officers who escorted them through the city. Once in Olympia the group, estimated to contain 2,000 persons, was denied entrance to the city. They camped in the rain at Priest Point Park on the outskirts of Olympia. They were denied the permit for a demonstration at the Capital, but a group of 20 was allowed to meet with Governor Clarence D. Martin and present their demands for jobless insurance and a cash dole. Governor Martin gave them an audience but declined their demands. The group peacefully returned to their homes. (TNT 3/1/33, pg. 1; 3/2/33, pg.1; 3/3/33, pg. 5; TDL 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 1)

Demonstrations--1930-1940; Activists; Protest movements--1930-1940; Unemployment--Wash.--1930-1940; Unemployed--Wash.--1930-1940; Depressions--1929;

On March 1, 1933 at around 12 noon, a convoy of trucks and automobiles carried unemployed demonstrators through Tacoma on their way to Olympia. Here they are pictured passing on Tacoma Ave. South in front of the Tacoma Public Library (now known as the TPL Carnegie Building.) The Seattle planners of the march planned to descend on the Capital and present their demands for jobless insurance and a cash dole to the State Legislature. The main section of around 150 vehicles passed through Tacoma without trouble or disturbance, but they were met outside Olympia by police and state patrol and denied access to the city. The protestors, estimated at 2,000, camped at Priest Point Park on the outskirts of Olympia. They were denied a permit for a demonstration at the Capital. A committee of 20 met with Governor Clarence D. Martin who declined their demands. They were then asked to return home, which they did peacefully. (TNT 3/1/33, pg.1; 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 5; TDL 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 1)

Demonstrations--1930-1940; Activists; Protest movements--1930-1940; Unemployment--Wash.--1930-1940; Unemployed--Wash.--1930-1940; Depressions--1929;

Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 won union recognition and an increase in wages to 50 cents an hour in the Northwest lumber strike of 1935. The bitter battle in the spring and summer of 1935 led to confrontations between striking mill workers and National Guard troops in the streets of Tacoma. Union members, family and friends gathered in May 1936 to celebrate the first anniversary of the victory. The First Anniversary Revue & Dance was held in the Coliseum Building at Thirteenth and Market streets. TPL-2443

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Dance parties--Tacoma--1930-1940; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Coliseum Building (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In June of 1936, members of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union collected food for their striking brothers in Omak, Wa. The first load of food was being loaded into a truck and shipped from the District Council's headquarters at 748 Market St. It would be followed by two more truck loads dispatched on June 27th. The local union had emerged from their own bitter and extended battle in 1935 victorious. The workers in Omak had been on strike since early May. The strike was dangerous with the plant heavily guarded and guards and strike breakers armed. The plant had the support of Omak area merchants and the strikers were suffering greatly. TPL-2452 (Tacoma Labor Advocate 6/12/1936, pg 4; 6/26/1936, pg. 1- picture & pg. 2 story)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In June of 1925, Mike Marush posed in front of his store, the Marush Fish Co., with the King Salmon believed to be the largest ever caught in local waters on hook and line. The huge fish, weighing in at 47 lbs. dressed, was caught by G.C. Crawford of Gig Harbor at a point known as the "mouth of Gig Harbor," not far from the Narrows. The salmon fought for an hour, almost capsizing the boat. TNT 6/23/1925, pg. 16 (BU12230, Boland #B12818)

Marush, Mike; Marush Fish & Oyster Co. (Tacoma); Salmon; Seafood stores--Tacoma;

1922 photograph of Mahoney's Red Hot Peppers on stage at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Mrs. Ada Mahoney was the leader of the band; her sons were also involved, playing the drums and other instruments. John Peters is believed to be second from the left. The Fair was in its 23rd year and ran from October 3-9th. Boland Tacoma

Mahoney's Red Hot Peppers (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Drums; Violins; Brass instruments;

ca. 1928. Unidentified man with his 1928 Buick in front of Seymour Conservatory at Wright Park. Vehicle has Pennsylvania plates and also displays California and Oregon non-resident windshield stickers. Blossoms and other foliage are visible through the conservatory's large windows. The Victorian style glass conservatory, opened in 1908, was a gift to the people of Tacoma from Tacoma businessman William W. Seymour. TPL-5720, BU-12737

Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma); Greenhouses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Wright Park (Tacoma); Buick automobile;