ca. 1925. Prohibition came early to Washington State, being enacted in 1916, three years before the nation ratified the 18th Amendment forbidding the manufacture, transportation, sale and possession of alcoholic beverages . Here the "Dry Squad" displays a still from a big raid in Auburn about 1925. The unpopular law was difficult to enforce before repeal came in 1933.

ca. 1913. This photograph from July, 1913 shows the Engine Company No. 1 fire station at 209-211 Saint Helens Avenue. The bunting and other decorations on the station appear to be for the Montamara Festo which was held in Tacoma over the 4th of July holiday every year from 1912 to 1922. The highlight of the festival was a series of automobile races held at a race track close to the present Clover Park Vocational Center. The two fire trucks framed by the open station doors are a Seagrave combination hose and chemical wagon on the left, and a 1907 Seagrave, 75 foot aerial truck, Tacoma's first motorized fire truck, on the right. Above the doors can be seen a model Fiat racing car being driven by "Tige", the mascot of the Tacoma Tigers. "Tige" was created by cartoonist Edward "Tige" Reynolds when he worked as an editorial cartoonist for the Tacoma Daily Ledger.

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Murals--Tacoma;

ca. 1907. Engine & Truck Co. No. 2. This sepia photograph is dated approximately 1907. The men of Engine & Truck Co. No. 2 stand proudly with their new Continental steam fire engine, 2nd size, 700 gpm. 1907 also saw Truck Co. No. 2 obtain the 1889 Hayes 65' aerial formerly belonging to Truck Co. No. 1, who had purchased a 75' Seagrave aerial. The firefighting apparatus was still pulled by sturdy horses. Engine Co. No. 2 and Truck Co. No. 2 were in new quarters that year with a station built at 2701 Tacoma Avenue South. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 42)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

The Foss #12 caught in the act of fighting a waterfront fire. In 1914, the #12 was the first vessel designed and built for Foss exclusively for towing. The 43 foot #12 was used primarily as a steamer assist; it helped the large vessels turn about in the narrow City Waterway by tying up to their bow and pulling them to face the other way. The #12 achieved fame, however, as the City of Tacoma's fireboat. The city entered into an agreement to hire the vessel for $8.20 a day to be on call to fight fires. The ship was fitted with a pump that could throw 1200 - 1300 gallons of water per minute at a waterfront blaze. In 1929 Tacoma had a full-fledged fireboat built, the Fireboat #1; but for a number of years Foss #12 faithfully provided that service for the city. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case Collection) ("Foss: A Living Legend" by Bruce Johnson and Mike Skalley)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Fireboats;

Mayor John W. Linck was photographed at his desk in the mayor's office in Old City Hall in June of 1909. As Mayor of Tacoma he was invited to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition held on the campus of the University of Washington that year. He had won election to the mayor's office in April of 1908, defeating Democratic incumbent George P. Wright. Prior to serving as the city's mayor, he had extensive legal and political experience in the Midwest. John Linck served one term as mayor after which he spent several years as a justice of the peace.

Linck, John W.; Mayors--Tacoma--1900-1910; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

ca. 1903. This large Victorian style home with veranda at 107 South G Street was the residence of Col. Marshall K. Snell, prominent Tacoma attorney, who practiced in the State of Washington for more than fifty years. Another view of the house can be seen at TPL 1021 with a few landscaping differences. Col. Snell, an Iowa native who was educated at the University of Wisconsin, came to Tacoma in 1888. He was involved in criminal defense and later corporate law. His second wife Bertha was the first woman to be admitted to practice in Washington and became her husband's law partner throughout the rest of his life. Col. Snell made time for a variety of interests besides law including breeding and showing horses, farming problems and solutions and developing good roads to make marketing farmers products easier and more beneficial to the growers. School, church and community center sites were donated by Col. Snell for the betterment of others. Col. Snell would pass away in Tacoma on April 19, 1939, at the age of 79. (Downs, Winfield, Encyclopedia of Northwest Biography, p. 109-110-article)

Snell, Marshall K.--Homes & haunts;

ca. 1885. Photograph of "The Tacoma" (Hotel) shortly after it was built - before any of the later additions were added. The massive hotel, focus of much civic pride, opened on August 8, 1884. It had cost more than $250,000 to build, an enormous sum at the time, and was the design of architect Stanford White in 1881 who, according to Murray Morgan's South on the Sound, had been commissioned by the Northern Pacific Railroad and Tacoma Land Co. In subsequent years, several additions and renovations were made to further extend the hotel's reputation as "the finest west of the Mississippi and north of San Francisco." The Tacoma Hotel even boasted of having for a time a tame bear named Jack who spent time in the hotel lobby and was a drinker of beer. The elegant hostelry attracted many prominent visitors who enjoyed breathtaking views and luxurious furnishings. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935 and never rebuilt.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1880-1890;

ca. 1884. The Tacoma Hotel, 913 A street, with its commanding view of the Tacoma tideflats, was one of the best hotels north of San Francisco. Designed by the famous architect Stanford White, it had its official opening in August of 1884. The scaffolding at the north end of the building suggests that it was still under construction when this photograph was taken. Note the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks crossing the almost completely barren tideflats; mills and manufacturing structures had yet to be fully built. The body of water at the left is the Puyallup River as it flows unfettered into Commencement Bay. The massive Tacoma Hotel was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935, and was never rebuilt; its annex would be remodeled and called the "new" Tacoma Hotel in January, 1936.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

ca. 1890. The Arlington Hotel was an impressive sight on Pacific Avenue for forty years before its demolition in 1930. Built by Jim Dorsey with architectural plans by C. Langlois in 1889, the hotel was first listed as 2023 Pacific Avenue before its address was later changed to 1955 Pacific Avenue. The 3+ story structure was built primarily of wood and contained multiple windows. A sample room was installed for the benefit of traveling salesmen to show their wares. Imported and domestic wines, liquors and cigars were available for purchase. Some of the hotel's staff, including the bartender in long apron, and the hotel watchdog, posed at the front entrance in this circa 1890 photograph. (copy of original) Bi-Centennial Project # 75346-2; BU-11870

Arlington Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1948. Building #5 at 12th & L St., Tacoma Medical Center, 1206 So. 11th St. Built in 1947, the Tacoma Medical Center was composed of several brick buildings on South 11th Street; each unit contained one or more medical personnel. Photograph taken for Paul A. Hungate, builder. The Center eventually grew to 40 buildings, with the site including 1202-24 So. 11th, 1102-24 So. L and 1101-25 So. M St.

Tacoma Medical Center (Tacoma);

ca. 1934. Two couples enjoy a tender dance within the Tacoma Hotel while a young lady provides the music on a piano in this circa 1934 photograph. Others enjoy dining at small tables placed nearby. The Tacoma Hotel, Tacoma's showpiece, opened in August of 1884 and underwent several renovations before being destroyed by fire in October of 1935. TPL-346

Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pianos;

ca. 1906. A small crowd scattered on the sidewalk pauses to admire a fleet of new Fords lined up outside the Washington Automobile Co., 710-12 Pacific Ave., circa 1906. The Washington Automobile Co. was the first car dealership in Tacoma. It was operated by car enthusiast and entrepreneur W.W. Pickerill. The brick building housing the dealership had previously been home to the Chas. W. Langert Liquor Co. and the Tacoma Athletic Club and later became the Odd Fellows Lodge. The Washington Automobile Co. was in business there from 1905-1909.

Ford automobile; Washington Automobile Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1906. Interior showroom of the Washington Automobile Co., 710-12 Pacific Avenue, circa 1906. It was the first automobile dealership in Tacoma and remained at this location until from approximately 1905-1909. Most of the gleaming cars shown were roofless although those on the left side had softcover tops that could be attached in case of rain.

Washington Automobile Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1900-1910; Ford automobile;

ca. 1911. The Ford Automobile Agency was apparently only at 1210-16 Tacoma Ave. So. for one year, 1911, with Egbert M. Streeter as proprietor. It is not certain which, if any, of the above photographed men, was Mr. Streeter. He would pass away on May 21, 1939. The 1912 City Directory shows the Ford Automobile Agency had relocated to 223 So. "K" (Martin Luther King Jr. Way), a newly built facility. W. C. Baldwin was listed as manager.

Ford Automobile Agency (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1910-1920; Ford Automobile Agency (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1930. Two City Refuse Department trucks, and their drivers, parked in front of a Refuse Department garage. Probably the garage that was at 2801 So. A Street

Refuse disposal--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dump trucks; City Refuse Department (Tacoma)

ca. 1930. City Refuse Department dump truck unloads refuse in a Tacoma city dump in South Tacoma. The tall building at the right in the background is Kenworthy Grain & Milling Co. To the left are the Northern Pacific Shops.

Refuse disposal--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dump trucks; City Refuse Department (Tacoma)

ca. 1916. Gersix truck manufacturing plant at 3011 South Fife in Tacoma. View of 6-cyclinder, structural steel framed trucks. The Gerlinger Motor Car Co. was the manufacturer of Gersix trucks; the firm was managed by Edward E. Gerlinger. The company was later sold to Edgar Worthington and Cpt. Frederick Kent who renamed it the Gersix Motor Co. After reincorporation in 1923, Ken-Worth (named after the two principal shareholders, Worthington and Frederick Kent's son, Harry) was created. Kenworth Motor Truck Co. established its headquarters in Seattle and became known for their custom trucks. Photograph provided by Robert (Bob) Hahn, whose father, J.E. (Ed) Hahn, worked for many years at Gerlinger Motor Car Co. and later Kenworth. (www.kenworth.com/7100_ken.asp)

Gerlinger Motor Car Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1931. Tacoma City Steam Plant No. 2, 1171 Taylor Way, also known as the Tideflats Steam Plant. The plant was built in 1930 and began operation in 1932. It closed in 1973. After being refitted to burn coal, wood and garbage, it reopened 1991-98. It reopened again 2000-01. It was dismantled and sold for scrap recovery in 2007.

Steam plants--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1931. Copy of the architect's watercolor rendering for the remodeling of the building at 105-07 E. 26th St., Tacoma for the Northwest Brewing Company. The watercolor is labeled - R.H. Ullrich, Brewery Engineer

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northwest Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1931. Tacoma Grain Company, Pyramid Flour plant taken from a boat on Puget Sound.

Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Grain industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Grain Co. (Tacoma); Pyramid Flour (Tacoma)

ca. 1931. Testing bakery at the Tacoma Grain Company. A woman hold a fresh loaf of bread as she stands next to a testing oven. There is a line of seven loaves of bread on the shelf behind her. A bag of Centennial Silk-Sifted Flour is prominently displayed on the shelf next to the oven.

Tacoma Grain Co. (Tacoma); Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Grain industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bread--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The first Laundrymen's Ball was held at Germania Hall, 1308-10 Fawcett Ave., on February 24, 1900. The ballroom is filled with men, women and children dressed in their best. There are many mustaches in evidence along with men's hairstyles parted in the middle. Many women wore long black dresses with white collars, dark skirts with white blouses, or long white gowns. There appear to be two bundles of folded laundry on the two chairs at the foreground, perhaps denoting the occupation of the dancers. On the stage in the back is a grand piano and painted backdrop. Germania Hall was later occupied by the Moose Lodge and was called the Tahoma Hall when destroyed by fire in 1921.

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1900-1910; Germania Hall (Tacoma); Laundresses--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1900-1910; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1883. coal bunkers and NP terminus at New Tacoma, W.T. from "West Shore" magazine January 1883 p.10

ca. 1884. coal bunkers at New Tacoma, W.T. from "West Shore" magazine March 1884 p.83

Cameras focus on a passerby placing money in a beggarwoman's, played by Wanda Hawley, tin cup as the motion picture "Totem Pole Beggar" is filmed on busy A Street in downtown Tacoma in March of 1926. The Mason Hotel and signage is to the left of the begging woman seated on the bench; it was built as part of the Mason Block in 1887. A loaded newspaper cart is parked outside of the hotel. "Totem Pole Beggar" was the second motion picture filmed by the H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc., which was based near Titlow Beach. The film, directed by W.S. Van Dyke, had its name changed to "Eyes of the Totem" in April, 1926. It would open at the Broadway Theatre on June 10, 1927.

Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Actresses; Beggars--Tacoma; Tin cups; Motion pictures; Mason Hotel (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma);

Early Logging in Mineral. Murray Logging and Timber Co.

Logging industry--Mineral;

ca. 1930. View of Tacoma on a cloudy day looking across the Hylebos Waterway and the Tacoma Tideflats. Hooker Electrochemical Co. can be seen to the right. St. Paul & Tacoma lumber mill, with its dark burner, can be seen on the left.

Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1889. Tacoma smelter BU-13875

ca. 1893. Tacoma smelter. This photograph of the Tacoma Smelting & Refining Co. (previously named the Ryan Smelter) was taken for the New England Magazine and published in their February, 1893, issue. The smelter was owned by prominent businessman William R. Rust who had purchased it four years before. The smelter was originally built to produce lead but in a few short years, would become a major supplier of copper. A comparison of an earlier view of the smelter, taken circa 1888, now shows a completed pier on the right and an additional large building on the property. In 1905 the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) bought the company and it remained an important part of Tacoma's economy until its closure in 1985. (New England Magazine - February, 1893 p.800) (Scan of original print - no negative or print on file)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

ca. 1906. Tacoma smelter smokestack. At the time of its completion in 1905, this was the largest concrete chimney in the world. It was located on the grounds of the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) plant in Ruston. It would be superceded by the 571-foot smokestack completed in 1917. (Tacoma New Herald Annual NWR 917.97 T119N 1906)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Smokestacks--Tacoma;