ca. 1905. An unidentified man calmed a rearing horse near the offices of the Commercial Truck Co. in the early 1900's. The Commercial Truck Co. first appeared in the 1903 Tacoma City Directory. S.J. Pollard was listed as president with J.W. Garvin as Secretary-Treasurer and A.W. Tuel as Manager. They listed offices at 717-719 South C and 718-720 Commerce St. (in TPL building index as 717-19 Broadway). The company moved into this building on its completion in 1902. They listed their services as transfer, drayage, piano moving, livery and feed stables. The company sold in 1929 to AA Star Transfer of Aberdeen and became Star Commercial Moving & Storage, a predecessor of today's Star Moving Co. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell)

Commercial Truck Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1900-1910; Horses;

ca. 1910. An unidentified logger stands in front of a logging shed, circa 1913. The shed is labelled "Grays Harbor Logging Co., Camp #2." The Grays Harbor Logging Company was located on the East Fork of the Wishkah River, outside of Aberdeen in Grays Harbor County, where they maintained three logging dams. The head of the company was Calvin Herbert "Bert" Shutt, who drowned in one of his own logging ponds on the river November 18, 1915. The company was in operation from around 1909-1920. By 1913, the company also maintained offices in Aberdeen, located on "Skidroad," near the corner of Hume and F St. The secretary/treasurer of the company was F.E. Burrows. ("They Tried to Cut It All" by Edwin Van Syckle) (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell) TPL-9835

Grays Harbor Logging Co. (Aberdeen); Lumber industry--Grays Harbor;

ca. 1935. Photograph taken of the ruined Tacoma Hotel after the disastrous fire on October 17, 1935. The hotel was totally destroyed by a fire that started out in the north end of the basement in the early morning hours. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

ca. 1887. This street scene of Pacific Avenue looking north from the corner of 11th and Pacific was taken by an unknown photographer in 1887. The brick building at the far left is the Merchant's National Bank Building. Several doors down is the Kaufman & Berliner dry goods store, 948 Pacific. Across the street, at the far right, is Mrs. Mary Fowler's millinery store. The Northern Pacific Headquarters Building is under construction at the far end of the block. The Tacoma Old City Hall will not be built for another four years.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1880-1890; Business districts--Tacoma--1880-1890; Merchant's National Bank (Tacoma); Fowler Millinery (Tacoma)

ca. 1887. Tacoma Street Railway car # 1 as it appeared circa 1887. Behind the street car is a line of Northern Pacific coal cars.

Street railroads--Tacoma--1880-1890; Tacoma Street Railway (Tacoma)

West Side Grocery (now the Tides Tavern), 2925 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor . Docked beside it is the "Florence K," a passenger steamer built in Tacoma by Crawford & Reid in 1903. The "Florence K" would end her service career as a ferry called the "Beeline." Buildings to the right in this undated photograph are part of the Skansie Brothers shipyard. TPL-191, BU-12833 (Doecher Collection DOE- N001)

West Side Grocery (Gig Harbor); Grocery stores--Gig Harbor; Skansie's Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Steamboats--Gig Harbor;

ca. 1890. John N. Conna, wealthy real estate agent and head of first Black family in Tacoma. John Newington Conna had accomplished much in his 85 years before his death in Alaska in 1921. Born of a mixed marriage in San Augustine, Texas in 1836, Mr. Conna fought in the Civil War as part of the famed 1st Louisiana Native Guards before migrating north to Hartford, Connecticut and then west to Kansas City, Kansas. In 1883 Mr. Conna journeyed to the "City of Destiny," Tacoma, and became a leading seller of real estate. The father of 14 children, he was married to Mary (Davis) Conna. Mr. and Mrs. Conna would donate to the City of Tacoma some 40 acres of land as a Christmas gift in 1889. He held numerous offices including president of the John Brown Republican Club and president of the Washington State Protective League. He was, in a sense, the titular leader of Tacoma's black community and highly influential in the city's black social and political activities. Mr. Conna was also an attorney authorized to practice before the Treasury Department; Conna family lore suggests that he was also an attorney for railroad magnate James J. Hill. John Conna was appointed as Asst. Sergeant At Arms for the Senate in 1889, Washington's first Territorial Legislature. He was the first black political appointee in the history of Washington Territory. Mr. Conna was also a delegate to the 1896 National Republican Convention. At the age of 64 and not ready for retirement, Mr. Conna traveled to Alaska on the S.S. Seattle with Federal Judge and close friend, James Wickersham. Mr. Conna, like thousands of others, had been attracted by the huge gold rush and opportunities in Alaska. Mrs. Conna and family remained behind while Mr. Conna set up his own real estate, mines and mining property company a few years later. John Conna, age 85, stricken with diabetes, a heart condition, and the loss of a leg, died on October 21, 1921. He is buried in Fairbanks. (Tacoma Morning Globe Annual Review, 1-1-1891; www.historylink.org) (Additional information provided by Douglas Q. Barnett, grandson of John N. Conna)

Conna, John N.; African Americans--Tacoma--1890-1900; Pioneers--Tacoma; Real estate development--Tacoma;

Undated photograph of John J. Lemon on Day Island. (Wheelock - Lemon collection) Mr. Lemon, after whom Lemon's Beach just south of Day Island was named, was a well-known pioneer who had resided here for 25 years. A native of Ohio, he was a retired printer and newspaper publisher. Mr. Lemon was a Civil War veteran who passed away on May 8, 1913, at the age of 70. He was survived by his wife Mary Ann, three daughters and one son. The Anna Lemon Wheelock Branch Library of the Tacoma Public Library system was named in honor of Mr. Lemon's daughter, Anna.

Lemon, John J.; Pioneers;

William L. (Bill) Case showing off his long skis while enjoying some Spring skiing at Cayuse Pass in May of 1938. Cayuse Pass is at the 4,675 foot level on Mount Rainier, at the junction of the Mather Memorial Highway and the road to Ohanapecosh Hot Springs. It was once used in winter months as a ski area. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection)

Case, William L.; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940 ; Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Winter sports--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940;

ca. 1935. It's break time outside the floating office of the Foss Launch & Tug Co. at 400 Dock St. On the left is William T. (Bill) Case, company dispatcher, and on the right skipper Thomas Sadler. In November of 1932, the company's original floating office at this location was destroyed in an early morning fire. Due to the quick actions of Mr. Case, the twenty people inside were saved, but the building was a total loss. It was replaced by a floating airplane hangar converted into offices (seen in the background.) The building is emblazoned with the green and white Foss logo with the slogan "Always ready." The second floor window on the left leads to the rooms of company accountant Oscar Iverson. Living quarters for the Case family were also on the second floor. (photograph courtesy of the special collection of William T. Case)

Case, William T.; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

President Franklin D. Roosevelt celebrates his first birthday in the White House with a "toga, toga" party. Copy of photograph donated to Tacoma Public Library by Leon Sides. In 1934, critics of Roosevelt's New Deal reforms categorized him as a "prickly Julius Caesar." For his 52nd birthday, his buddies donned togas and attended a party costumed Roman style. Gathered for the party were members of Roosevelt's Cuff Links Club and their spouses. The Club was composed of people to whom he had presented cufflinks in 1920 when he was a vice presidential candidate. Roosevelt's first lady, Eleanor, is pictured second from left in the standing row as the Delphic Oracle. Also pictured is daughter Anna, to the right of the President, as a vestal virgin. Mrs. Anna Dall on January 18, 1935 married John Boettiger, Seattle newspaperman. (TNT 11/5/1978)

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor, 1884-1962; Costumes--Roman; Presidents--United States; Presidents' spouses--United States; Birthday parties--1930-1940;

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, second row center, celebrates his first birthday in the White House with a "toga, toga" party. Copy of photograph donated to Tacoma Public Library by Leon Sides. The pictures were given to Sides by Pulitzer prize winner Kirke L. Simpson (front row center in photo.) FDR, called by his detractors a "prickly Julius Caesar," took the insult to heart and costumed in a toga for his 52nd birthday. He is surrounded by the members of his Cuff Links Club, people to whom he presented cuff links in 1920 when he was a vice presidential candidate. The party, which evolved into an all night poker spree, was kept under wraps for many years until the January 28, 1973 issue of the TNT ran the picture. (TNT 11/5/1978)

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Costumes--Roman; Presidents--United States; Birthday parties--1930-1940; Simpson, Kirke L.;

ca. 1890. Charles Barstow Wright, 1822 - 1898, a builder of the Northern Pacific Railroad and of the city of Tacoma, Washington. He also founded Annie Wright Seminary, then a private school for girls, donated land which became Wright Park, donated time and money to build the old St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and started the first gas and water systems in Tacoma. Charles Wright Academy is named in his honor. (Image donated by Vic Kucera)

Wright, Charles Barstow, 1822-1898;

Siyum Hatorah Ceremony. From the collections at Temple Beth El

ca. 1920. Dip net as used on the Green River, King County, Washington. This differs somewhat from those used in other localities. There are two cross-arms not three and the network of strings is attached to and hangs from the cross-arms. A loop at the top held by the fisherman warns by a tremor of the approach of a salmon. The appliance when lifted enclosed the salmon. The net assumed a basket shape. (Caption from note typed on back of photo) (Donated by Arthur Ballard) TPL-8038

Fishing nets--Washington; Indigenous peoples--Washington;

Lake Steilacoom - from the north end looking south. This undated aerial view of Lake Steilacoom was taken by the Barnes Aviation Co. A bridge is visible on the upper right connecting Interlaaken Dr. S.W. to Bridge Road on the west side of the lake. The road on the lower right corner is probably Lake Steilacoom Dr.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Lake Steilacoom (Wash.);

View looking north on Saint Helens St. from the top of the Medical Arts Building on April 5, 1931. Buildings that are clearly visible include the Webster Apartments (629 Saint Helens) and the Elks Temple (565 Broadway- large white building lower right), followed by (right to left) an apartment building (553 Broadway) and the Union Club (539 Broadway.)

Aerial photographs--1930-1940; Cityscapes--1930-1940; Webster Apartments (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Union Club (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1948. Aerial view of ASARCO. Lying just beyond the smelter is the Tacoma Yacht Club, followed by the ferry dock. The residential area to the left top is Ruston and the wooded area beyond is Point Defiance Park. TPL-8656

Boathouses; Boats; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Mooring; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

ca. 1970. This is how South 38th St. looking west appeared circa 1970. Yakima Ave. is at the bottom of the photograph. Identified businesses (from left) on Yakima are the Brad Bannon Insurance Co. (3808 Yakima) and the Oroweat Bakers (3802 Yakima). The Arctic Circle Drive-In is nearby at 820 So. 38th St. Also facing 38th St. is the Hartman Furniture store at 803 So. 38th (across the street from Oroweat). On the same side of So. 38th St. as Hartman's but further west is Failor's Pharmacy. The area has had a thriving business district for several decades.

Streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Brad Bannon Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Oroweat Bakers (Tacoma); Arctic Circle Drive-In (Tacoma); Hartman Furniture (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1968. Interstate 5 was not yet five years old in 1968 when the Tacoma City Photographer shot this aerial view of the South 56th Street cloverleaf. The area has seen major growth in just over thirty years. Tacoma Mall Boulevard, formerly South Ferry Street, runs parallel to the freeway at the right. The undeveloped land at center is the area known as Wapato Hills.

Aerial photographs; Express highways--Tacoma--1960-1970; Interstate 5--Washington (State); Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1960-1970;

In 1905, Sarsaparilla, the pampered pooch of the Tacoma police force, was famous for using his ugly mug to "sweat" a confession out of suspects. "Sas," as he was known, had been left at the police station when only a few days old and was raised on a bottle. The bull dog was soon known as the ugliest dog in Tacoma. When a suspect was brought into Police Chief Malony's office for questioning, "Sas" only had to be called from his blanket in the Chief's office, fix his slanted eyes on the criminal and the information began to flow. (TDN 10/28/1905, pg. 17)

Bulldogs; Dogs--Tacoma--1900-1910; Police dogs;

Undated photograph of what appears to be a lacquered wood sculpture of a female oriental head by Allan Clark. Allan Clark was one of the most famous artists to be produced by the Northwest. Although he also was known as a painter, architect and a teacher, he is best remembered as a sculptor. His figures reflected his world travels, especially in the Orient where he studied from 1924-27, and his studies of Native Americans, observed during his 20 years as a resident of Santa Fe, NM. He was born in 1896 in Montana, but grew up in Tacoma, attending Stadium High School and Puget Sound College. He was killed in a car accident in 1950, at the age of 53, while driving from his New Mexico home to Tacoma to visit his ailing father. CLARK-004

Clark, Allan, 1896-1950--Associated objects; Sculpture--Tacoma;

Undated portrait of sculptor Allan Clark surrounded by several of his works. Although born in Missoula Mt. in 1896, Mr. Clark was raised in Tacoma from a young age and attended Stadium High School and Puget Sound College. His parents Harry and Bessie Clark continued to reside in Tacoma after Mr. Clark left to study and travel the world. Many of his works were influenced by his extensive travels through the Orient. He was killed in an auto accident in 1950, travelling from his home in Santa Fe, NM, to visit his ailing father in Tacoma. Allan Clark was one of the most acclaimed artists ever produced by the Northwest. CLARK-005

Clark, Allan, 1896-1950; Sculpture--Tacoma; Sculptors--Tacoma; Artists--Tacoma;

Undated photograph of a sculpture of a seated Oriental woman by Allan Clark. Born in Montana, Allan Clark travelled to Tacoma with his family and was raised here. He achieved fame as a sculptor at a young age. His art showed the influence of his years of travel and study in the Orient (1924-27) with his wife. He later settled in Santa Fe, NM, and produced figures modeled on Native Americans. He died in 1950 at the age of 53. CLARK-007

Clark, Allan, 1896-1950--Associated objects; Sculpture--Tacoma;

Unidentified man in a race car named "City of Tacoma," #33. Behind the car is another unidentified man and a gigantic bull.

City of Tacoma (Race car); Racing automobiles; Automobile racing--Tacoma;

Lynden's canned chicken and chicken with noodles were among the first Tacoma-made products carried in the inaugural air express service flight from Tacoma on March 1, 1930. Varney Air Lines, piloted by Al Davis, made a brief stop in his large cabin Boeing plane at Mueller-Harkins Airport, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., before he flew on to Portland and Pasco. R.E. Darling, manager of the Washington Cooperative Association, is pictured handing a can of Lynden Brand chicken to pilot Davis; it and the larger can of chicken and noodles were destined for New York. San Tex cigars for President Hoover, Brown & Haley chocolates for the First Lady, shipments from Rhodes Bros. bound for New York, and packages to Chicago (from Wheeler-Osgood) and to Utah (from the smelter), were just some of the express cargo on the first flight from Tacoma. The cargo was transferred upon arrival in Pasco to planes heading eastward via Salt Lake City. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-2-30, p. 1) TPL-5544

Varney Air Lines; Airline industry; Airplanes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Davis, Al; Darling, R.E.; Canned foods;

On September 7, 1927, direct airmail and passenger service was inaugurated at Tacoma's Mueller-Harkins airport. After the first bag of air mail arrived, Postmaster Clyde J. Backus, right, turned it over to department employee Alfred Bottiger, left, who carried it to the city by automobile. Pictured in the center is R. A. Mueller. Over 2500 people waited two hours at the airport to cheer the arrival of the first airmail plane of the Pacific Air Transport Co. (TDL 9/8/1927, pg. 1 & pg. 3- picture) (photograph courtesy of Ted Bottiger, Port of Tacoma Commissioner)

Backus, Clyde J.; Bottiger, Alfred; Mueller, Rudolph A.; Mueller-Harkins Airport (Lakewood); Air mail service--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1929. Navy bi-plane with identification number 1SD (or O)-P-1 sits in field with crowd in background. Photograph probably taken at Tacoma Field.

Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930;