The band from the German warship Karlsruhe plays a funeral air as the casket of Machinist Mate Carl Lischke is being lowered into the ground at Mountain View Memorial Park on March 19, 1934. The young sailor had died of food poisoning on the 17th and was buried on American soil, 8000 miles from his homeland. Many ordinary citizens chose to attend the services as well as American and German military personnel. The Karlsruhe was in port for one week when Lischke became ill after eating fish that had just arrived from Germany. (T.Times 3-20-34, p. 1-article)
Cemeteries--Lakewood; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Lakewood; Military bands--German; Sailors--German;
Undated photograph of the Port of Tacoma. Various businesses labeled in background include: Coast Sash & Door Co., Pacific Foundry Co.; City Lumber and Walstad Machine Co. Tugs and rowboat in waterway.
ca. 1917. Seated in his Stutz race car #5 is driver Earl Cooper and his mechanic Reeves Dutton. Both men have uniforms with the Stutz brand in front. Earl Cooper won national championships in 1913, 1915 and 1917. A favorite of crowds at the Tacoma Speedway, Mr. Cooper won the 250-mile Montamarathon in both 1913 and 1914 but was thwarted in his attempt to retain the trophy for a third year when he finished second to Grover Ruckstell in 1915. TPL-8827. (Photograph donated by John & Pat Reisinger)
Cooper, Earl; Dutton, Reeves; Automobile racing drivers; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Stutz automobile;
ca. 1931. Copy negative of publicity photograph of Jack Dempsey. Photograph was used for advertising the Junior League milk fund benefit held on September 10, 1931 in Tacoma. Mr. Dempsey arrived via train on September 10, 1931, as the star attraction for the benefit. He fought four opponents in exhibition matches that evening at the Stadium Bowl before a crowd of about 6000. (TNT 8-28-31, p. 1-article; T.Times 9-11-31, p. 13-article)
Construction of Stadium Bowl. Stadium High School (then called Tacoma High School) looms over the site of the Stadium Bowl under construction in September of 1909. Standing in sharp contrast in the foreground is an unidentified man in overalls holding the reins of his sturdy horse who is harnessed to a sled of some sort. In the pre-tractor, pre-truck days, horses were commonly used to haul materials to and from construction sites. BU-11577, TPL-1541
Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1900-1910; Horses--Tacoma--1900-1910;
ca. 1904. This is the exterior of the Rhodes Brothers store at 950 C Street (now Broadway) as it looked from its Grand Opening in November of 1903 until its first remodel in 1907. Rhodes was founded by Henry A. Rhodes in 1892 in a small storefront at 932 C St. Through the years, the tea and coffee shop moved into progressively larger quarters and added glassware, crockery, stationery, books and dry goods to its wares. Henry Rhodes was joined in business by his brothers Will and Albert. In the early 1900's, Henry Rhodes proposed building a grand mercantile establishment on the order of Marshall Fields or Wanamakers. A lease was signed for a new, three story building at 11th and C (Broadway) Sts with Russell & Heath as architects. The new emporium, pictured, had its formal opening November 5-7, 1903, which attracted thousands of admiring visitors. At that time Rhodes Brothers employed 100 clerks and four delivery wagons. (Photo donated by the Rhodes Reunion Comm.) (TDL 11/8/1903, p.17; "A History of Pierce County Washington", Vol. 3, pg 73-77)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910;
ca. 1917. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1917; Window display of luggage and travel. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened their grand establishment at 950 Broadway in 1903. Its windows offered a glimpse of the interests and fashions of the time period. Around 1920, there was a sharp increase in tourism nationally. Travelers began to switch from more leisurely horse powered trips to travel by automobile, train and later planes. This Rhodes window display from 1917 displayed the "correct" luggage and accessories for travelers, including one "must have" that is no longer popular- the travelers' trunk. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
Main floor at Rhodes Brothers Store, Christmas season 1937. The main floor at Rhodes was festive with holiday decorations and crowded with boxed holiday gifts. Signs point out suggested gifts- stationery, hose, wool gloves, gowns and games- all boxed and ready to give. A counter in the back was devoted to wrapping and gift slips. A large sign directs children, and their parents, to the special elevator "direct to Toyland" on the fifth floor. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1903. Rhodes Brothers horse drawn delivery wagon, circa 1903. When the Rhodes Brothers store opened in 1903, they employed four horse drawn delivery wagons. The name of the store was printed boldly on the side, and the wagons were kept busy delivering throughout the area. By 1912, the horses were retired and replaced by automobiles. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1914. Rhodes Brothers delivery department employees, circa 1914. The men pose on and around one of the store's delivery automobiles. In 1912, Rhodes Brothers retired their horse and wagons and replaced them with gasoline powered automobiles. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1901. Looking up 11th Sreet in the heart of the business section of Tacoma, ca. 1901. Sidewalks are crowded with people. Several pedestrians leisurely cross the street ahead of oncoming streetcars.
Commercial streets--Tacoma--1900-1910; Business districts--Tacoma--1900-1910; Pedestrians--Tacoma; Street railroads--Tacoma--1900-1910; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1900-1910;
On a warm summer evening, July 14th, 1920, the residents of Trafton Street between 6th Ave and South 8th Street were treated to Tacoma's first Block Party. The party was hosted by the Community Service Club in an effort to end the isolation of city life and help neighbors get to know one another. The area was blocked off and lit by lights provided by the City Light Department. Bunting and flags were hung and oriental lanterns graced the bushes. The asphalt street was treated with cornmeal and boric acid till it shown like a dance floor. Residents and curious neighbors, totaling over 600, turned out for a community sing, street dancing and free popcorn, doughnuts and lemonade. The party was a great success and wound up near midnight as parents carried sleepy children home. The houses shown in the picture are 621, 625, 629 and 631 So. Trafton St. (TDL 7/14/1920, pg. 10; 7/15/20, pg. 1) Boland B3689, BU-12,823, TPL-1649;
Parties--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1920-1930; Neighbors; City & town life--Tacoma--1920-1930;
ca. 1889. In 1889, if you were able to stand on the roof of the Northern Pacific Headquarters building at 621 Pacific and look south, this is the scene you would take in. Horse drawn carriages and the streetcar stir up dust in the street while pedestrians stroll on wooden sidewalks past shop windows. On the right is the Charles W. Langert Wholesale Liquor and Thompson, Pratt & Co. located in the new structure at 710-712 Pacific Ave. The building had been constructed in 1887 and was designed by the architecture firm of Farrell & Darmer. TPL-379
Commercial streets--Tacoma--1880-1890; Business districts--Tacoma--1880-1890;
ca. 1885. The area around what is now 9th and Broadway as viewed circa 1885. The real estate business on the right side is Hewitt and Hill at 901 C. (now Broadway). The white building with a bell tower in the center is the old Pierce County Courthouse at 920 C (Broadway). The Courthouse was built circa 1882 and sold to John S. Baker in 1905. It was demolished a few years later. BiCentennial Project #75346-71
Commercial streets--Tacoma--1880-1900; Hewitt & Hill Real Estate (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);
1929 street scene looking up 11th street from the Eleventh Street Bridge. Buildings in photograph include the Federal Building (1102 A St.), and the Kaufman-Leonard Furniture Co. (105-11 So. 11th St.) Streetcar tracks can be seen in the street in the foreground with the streetcar cable above.
Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Federal Building (Tacoma); Kaufman-Leonard Furniture Co. (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Travel was hard going as this street scene from February of 1929 shows snow and slush on 11th Street, looking up 11th from Commerce. Buildings in view include French Drug Co. (1101 Broadway) and Fisher's Department Store (1104 Broadway). The harsh weather did not deter pedestrians and some sturdy vehicles.
Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; French Drug Co. (Tacoma); Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Snow--Tacoma;
ca. 1930. Tacoma's "Theater Row," circa 1930. The marquees shine bright at three of the city's most popular movie houses, The Rialto, Broadway and Orpheum (now Pantages) Theaters. The Sound Era was just dawning in the 1930's. The Rialto was showing the talkie debut of Leon Erroll, "Only Saps Work." At the Orpheum was a talking remake of "Madonna of the Streets," starring Evelyn Brent. The fare at the Broadway was Raoul Walsh's western "The Big Trail," featuring John Wayne in his first starring role. The Broadway (originally known as the Tacoma Theater and later as the Music Box) burned down in 1963. TPL-1360
ca. 1930. The Community Theatre, 5441 South "M" St., joined the ranks of local movie houses showing "talkies" with the musical "Rio Rita" starring Bebe Daniels and John Boles on January 29, 1930. The theater used the "Perfectone" sound system, considered the latest in sound projection at the time. The Community, under the management of J.R. Porter, redecorated with new hangings for the proper absorption of sound. Large crowds caused a run of five days, a longer than normal stay for smaller theaters. (TDL 2-2-30, B-6-article on sound system)
Community Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940;
ca. 1932. On September 30, 1932, the former RKO Orpheum Theater at 901 Broadway opened with great fanfare as the new movie palace, the "Roxy," complete with a glowing neon marquee. The first bill of fare featured the sound feature "This Sporting Age" starring Jack Holt and a new Mickey Mouse cartoon. Adults paid 15 cents 9am - 5pm, 20 cents after five and kids were "a dime anytime." The Roxy had been constructed in 1917 by theatrical entrepreneur Alexander Pantages at what was formerly the site of the Gross Brothers Department Store. The building has since returned to its original name, the Pantages, and is on the City, State and National Registries. Across the street was the Tacoma Theater (902-14 Broadway), known in 1932 as the "Broadway," which was scheduled to reopen October 8th as another movie palace. The theater was destroyed by fire in 1963; at the time of the fire it was called The Music Box Theater.
A sleek Blue Line bus, operated by Peter Conlon and his brother John W. Conlon, is parked outside the 12-unit Electric Apartments, 2510 Fawcett Avenue, in the early 1930s. The Conlons owned the Sumner Tacoma Stage Co. which carried passengers between Sumner and Tacoma. A small American flag is jauntily attached to the hood perhaps in honor of a holiday. (Photograph courtesy of the Jack Conlon collection)
ca. 1934. Eleven men in business suits stand at the end of a railroad car. The car is No. 10500. This is a GE manufactured electric locomotive. It was owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. It served on the Coast Division. This locomotive was renumbered to 10500 in September 1932. In the front row are unidentified, (Mayor) George Smitley, ?,?, (Sheriff) John Bjorklund, ?,?. Second row- Frank Calendar and Ira Davisson. 3rd row- unidentified, unidentified.
Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1930-1940; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma)
ca. 1920s. In this photograph from the 1920s, Buster Wilson stands next to one of the Blue Lines buses operated by the Sumner Tacoma Stage Co. The bus, with a Sumner/Orting sign in its window, is parked across the street from the bus depot in Sumner on Main Street and Ryan Avenue. Behind the bus can be seen the Sumner Piggly Wiggly and the Liberty Theater. The bus company was owned by Pete "P.O." Conlon and his brother John Conlon. From the collection of Jack Conlon.
Wilson, Buster; Buses--Sumner; Bus drivers--Sumner; Sumner Tacoma Stage Co. (Sumner)
ca. 1921. This photograph taken in the early 1920's shows the arrival and tugboat assisted turn around of the steamship "Indianapolis" at the Tacoma terminal, the Municipal Dock, of the Seattle to Tacoma steamship passenger service. The Municipal Dock was on the City Waterway (now the Thea Foss Waterway) north of the Eleventh Street Bridge. The ships would arrive and dock with their bows headed up the channel. Due to the narrowness of the channel, the length of the ships and the proximity of the bridge, a tugboat was required to assist them in turning about for their return voyage to Seattle. The Foss #12, captained by William T. Case, would connect a line to the bow and turn the ships about twice a day. The steamships could then assume cruising speed and head for Seattle. (photograph courtesy of the collection of William T. Case)
ca. 1921. The "Tacoma," one of two steamboats used on the Seattle to Tacoma passenger service operated by the Puget Sound Navigation Co. The "Tacoma" can be identified by its two funnels. The Eleventh Street Bridge can be seen in the background. Due to the narrowness of the channel, the Foss #12 tug had to assist in turning the bow of the steamship about for its return trip to Seattle. Here, a line has been attached from the Foss #12 to the bow of the ship to turn it about. The "Tacoma" was launched on May 13, 1913 and it provided Puget Sound passenger service from 1913-1938. The vessel was manufactured at Robert Moran's Seattle Dry Dock & Construction Co. It could accomodate 1,000 passengers, who could travel in style from Seattle to Tacoma in 77 minutes. The passenger only line was defeated by the advent of automobiles and a combination of demand for car ferries and the opening for the Seattle Tacoma Highway in 1928. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Puget Sound Ferries" by Carolyn Neal and Thomas Kilday Janus; "Ferryboats" by M.S. Kline and G.A. Bayless)
The steamboat "Tacoma" was severely damaged when she was rammed by the car ferry "Kitsap" in late October of 1926. The resulting impact tore a hole in the side of the "Tacoma" at the water line. Although the accident occurred when the ships were maneuvering through thick fog, it greatly increased the discord between the Puget Sound Navigation Company, which operated the "Tacoma," and the Kitsap County Transport Company (also known as the White Collar Line because of the wide white metal band, or collar, around the smoke stacks of the company's ships). The two companies had been in a bitter rate war for years. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Puget Sound Ferries" by Carolyn Neal & Thomas Kilday Janus)
ca. 1921. View on Pacific Ave. Streetcar #200, in front, bound for Spanaway, taking on passengers. Streetcar in back has Portland Ave. as destination. Early automobile beside has dealer plates for 1921. The Public Safety Building, originally the Northern Pacific Headquarters at 621 Pacific Ave., is in the distance left. TPL-196, TPL-011
Street railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma);
ca. 1893. An early streetcar, #27 operated by the Tacoma Railway and Motor Co., was photographed around 1893 posed next to a treeless Wright Park. The car was part of the 6th Ave. streetcar line which ended in Glendale. Glendale was a residential development located near 6th & Proctor. Tacoma was booming; and as residential areas were developed far from the city core, available transportation was a major selling point. Several small streetcar lines were started, but by 1898 all of the smaller lines were bankrupt. By 1899, they were consolidated into the Tacoma Railway and Power Co. Wright Park was born when twenty acres of land were generously donated by Charles Wright to the city of Tacoma in 1886 for the purpose of creating an intercity park. The land was cleared of trees and undergrowth as the park was being designed. Later 350 trees were planted in the park. TPL-9714
Tacoma Railway & Motor Co. (Tacoma); Wright Park (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma--1890-1900; Street railroads--Tacoma--1890-1900;
