ca. 1930. Two men shake hands as they stand next to a railroad locomotive in this circa 1930 photograph. The older man holds a handkerchief in his left hand. Resting on the handkerchief is a metal object which might be a retirement watch.

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

ca. 1930s. Several of the Blue Lines buses that operated from Sumner in the 1930s. The bus company in Sumner, at this time, was owned by Peter Conlon. He sold the business in 1939. The buses are parked in front of the bus depot on Main St. and Ryan Ave. in Sumner. The men in this picture are: (l to r) John Kuss, Bob Parks, unknown, Bill Gill, Cliff Whitcomb, Moe Wilson, Buster Wilson, Gus Bordson, Ben Lemon, Frank Poch, Peter Conlon, and Ray Tuttle. From the collection of Jack Conlon.

Buses--Sumner; Bus drivers--Sumner; Conlon, Peter; Kuss, John; Parks, Bob; Gill, Bill; Whitcomb, Cliff; Wilson, Moe; Wilson, Buster, Bordson, Gus; Lemon, Ben; Poch, Frank; Tuttle, Ray;

ca. 1892. North End real estate developer Allen C. Mason completed the Point Defiance Line trolley system in 1890, later selling it to Tacoma Railway & Power Co. The car stopped at North 45th and Orchard Streets where passengers were required to pay a second nickel to continue on to Point Defiance Park. The stop became known as "Poor Man's Corner" as many riders departed there and walked to the park to save a nickel. Today, Pierce Transit buses still follow the route of Mason's original line. (a copy of this image is at TPL-1730)

Point Defiance Line (Tacoma); Street railroads--Tacoma; Mass transit--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1890-1900; Railroad cars--Tacoma;

Three drivers and four trucks in this undated photograph believed to have been taken post-1925 at the Sumner Garage. The trucks are part of the Conlon Bros. fleet of vehicles. The firm handled long distance moving and appeared based in Sumner. John W. Conlon and his brother Peter also operated the Sumner Tacoma Stage Co. in the 1920's and 1930's. John Conlon would pass away in March of 1935. (Photograph courtesy of the Jack Conlon collection)

Trucks--Sumner; Moving & storage trade--Sumner; Sumner Garage (Sumner);

ca. 1890. This early steam driven streetcar, circa 1890, was photographed travelling from downtown Tacoma through the North End to Point Defiance Park. The C Street Line was an early streetcar development built by Allen C. Mason and Nelson Bennett and it eventually extended to Point Defiance Park. The streetcar was printed with the name of the Point Defiance, Tacoma and Edison Railway Co. The railway company was only one of several small companies offering their own limited transportation systems. By 1898, most of the companies were having financial difficulties; and by 1899 the various lines were merged into the Tacoma Railway and Power Co. The Point Defiance Railroad Co. was franchised in 1889 to run a line to the Tacoma Smelter. It soon merged with a line to Edison (South Tacoma.) In July of 1892, the Point Defiance, Tacoma and Edison ran its first electric streetcar from Point Defiance Park to Edison (South Tacoma); a trip of twelve miles in one hour and twenty minutes. (T.Times 6/10/1938, pg. 15) G41.1-068 (also TPL-7990)

Mass transit--Tacoma--1890-1900; Street railroads--Tacoma--1890-1900; Point Defiance, Tacoma & Edison Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes was honeymooning with wife Jane in August of 1938 when he was shown the site of the proposed Narrows Bridge. Congressman John M. Coffee is believed to be pointing out the vast waters to be spanned. Harold Ickes served as Secretary of the Interior for 13 years, from 1933-46, and was responsible for implementing much of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal." (TNT 8-27-38, p. 1-article; en.wikipedia.org-article)

Ickes, Harold L.; Cabinet officers--United States; Ickes, Harold L.--Family; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coffee, John;

Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior under presidents Roosevelt and Truman, listens as others discuss matters possibly pertaining to the proposed Narrows Bridge. The group is standing in front of one of the Tacoma Public Utility's electrical towers on August 26, 1938. Secretary Ickes (in dark suit and striped tie with both hands in pockets) is flanked by Thad Stevenson, secretary/manager of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and (right) Congressman John M. Coffee. Next to Congressman Coffee are Lacey V. Murrow, state director of highways and Harold Allen, past president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. The men standing in the rear are unidentified (left) and M.J. McCaslin of the Young Men's Business Club. (TNT 8-27-38, p. 1-article)

Ickes, Harold L.; Cabinet officers--United States; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Towers; Coffee, John; Stevenson, Thad; Murrow, Lacey V.; Allen, Harold A.; McCaslin, M.J.;

ca. 1940. A traveler, apparently from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, poses in downtown Tacoma near the Peerless Grill, 916-20 Pacific Ave., circa 1940. A small sign is attached to his military bag - "From Phila.Pa. Around the World America First." The "America First" portion of the sign may refer to the then growing anti-war pressure group that sought to prevent the United States' entry into the Second World War. The smiling man is wearing Calvary boots, doughboy hat and coat probably dating back to WWI. TPL-6632

Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices);

On July 14, 1915, for the brief space of 2 and one half hours, Tacoma played host to the original Liberty Bell, the most famous relic of America's struggle for freedom. The bell was travelling by train from Philadelphia to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, at the request of 500,000 California school kids. Arriving in Tacoma at 4 p.m., the car displaying the Bell was unhooked from its regular transport and pulled by a Tacoma street railway locomotive, at the head of a parade of fraternal and civic organizations, as well as school children, to its reviewing stand in front of the Federal building at 11th & A St. A crowd estimated at 20,000 congregated to see the bell. The bell was photographed enroute to the viewing stand, in front of the Savoy Hotel, 1535 Pacific Ave., in the Sprague Building. (TDL 7/14/1915, pg. 1) TPL-020 (photograph courtesy of Sherrill Erb)

Liberty Bell--Celebrations--1910-1920; Savoy Hotel (Tacoma);

An eager crowd awaits the arrival of Norway's King Olav in mid-October of 1975. Many are dressed in thick Norwegian sweaters and wave Norway's flag. Representative(s) of the Sons of Norway Olympia group hold aloft a welcoming sign. King Olav V was touring the United States that year to acknowledge the arrival of Norwegians in America. He had previously visited Washington State back in 1939.

Visits of state; Crowds; Signs (Notices); Women--Clothing & dress; Flags--Norway;

Jack Dempsey. Former world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey (center) in conversation with friends on July 25, 1930. Man to the right is believed to be Jack Calvert, manager of the Tacoma Hotel. Mr. Dempsey was in town to referee a match at the Greenwich Coliseum.

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports);

William Jennings Bryan visited Tacoma in Sept of 1924. This photograph was taken outside the Tacoma Hotel, 913 A St., where an invitation-only breakfast was held in his honor. The famed orator had been a Presidential candidate and Woodrow Wilson's Secretary of State. Mr. Bryan was on a farewell lecture tour of the West and stopped in Tacoma to give an address at the First Methodist Church and a brief talk on local radio station KGB. He would pass away the following year on July 26th, at the age of 65. (TDL 9-16-24; TNT 9-15-24, p.1-article)

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925;

A large crowd of about 700, representing voters of all ages, await the arrival of presidential candidate George McGovern at Sea-Tac Airport in September of 1972. Placards showing support from Retail Clerks, Thurston (County) and approval of Senator McGovern's North Vietnam bombing oppositional stance, are held high. The News Tribune reported that the majority of the crowd was in the 20-year age bracket. Mixed among the pro-McGovern greeters were some Nixon supporters of the same age range; they also carried signs like the "Nixon Now" shown above. The candidate's plane was delayed due to weather conditions in Billings, Montana, his take-off point. (TNT 9-25-72, p. 1-article)

Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Signs (Notices);

Under a sea of umbrellas, hundreds of Tacomans await the arrival of President Benjamin Harrison on May 6, 1891, his second visit to Tacoma. A few intrepid souls have climbed and are clinging to tall poles in order to get a better view of the celebratory parade. Military and civic organizations would march up C St. and through residential Tacoma, Yakima and Division Avenues before marching back to 9th & C where a public reception was held for the President. The Gross Bros. Store, a major retail firm located at 9th & Broadway, is pictured above decorated in yards of cheerful bunting. It was just one of the many businesses spruced up for the short presidential visit.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1890-1900; Visits of state--Tacoma--1890-1900; Gross Bros. Store (Tacoma);

President Jimmy Carter greets a crowd of several hundred persons on September 23, 1980, as he prepares to exit Air Force One at McChord Air Force Base. The President was on a two-day, four-state campaign swing which included a brief, activity-packed three-hour stay in Tacoma. President Carter was the ninth president to visit Tacoma while holding the nation's top office. The last president to visit was John F. Kennedy almost seventeen years before. (TNT 9-21-80, A-12-article; TNT 9-23-80, A-1-article)

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Presidential aircraft;

Judith Parker, wife of Tacoma Mayor Mike Parker, extends a cordial welcome to President Jimmy Carter upon his arrival at McChord AFB on September 23, 1980. Mayor Parker smilingly observes. Man with arms behind his back is believed to be Lt. Gov. John Cherberg. The President had arrived from Portland on Air Force One for a very short campaign stop of three hours. He would squeeze in brief stops at the Continental Grain Co.'s exporting facility, his local campaign headquarters, the Beacon Senior Citizen Center, and a $1000-a-couple Democratic National Committee fundraiser. (TNT 9-23-80, A-1-article)

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Mayors--Tacoma--1980-1990; Parker, Michael; Parker, Judith;

Jimmy Carter arrived in Tacoma on September 23, 1980, on a brief hours-long visit. President Carter was running for re-election and Washington was a state that he did not carry during his successful '76 campaign. He made appearances before senior citizens, blue-collar employees, campaign workers, and Democratic well-wishers. President Carter is pictured above speaking to an unidentified man; this may have been at the Bicentennial Pavilion where a reception was held in his honor.

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

President Jimmy Carter had just arrived in Tacoma at 4:05 p.m. on September 23, 1980, for a brief three-hour campaign visit. He was met at McChord AFB by some 50 Democratic candidates as well as a multitude of press. President Carter is pictured above (under arrow) with Tacoma Mayor Mike Parker looking on. Marvin Williams of the Washington State Labor Council is at far left of photograph.

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Mayors--Tacoma--1980-1990; Parker, Michael; Williams, Marvin;

A smiling President Jimmy Carter descends from the presidential aircraft, Air Force One, on September 23, 1980. He was making a brief stop in Tacoma as part of his re-election campaign and also to stump for other Democratic candidates including Senator Warren Magnuson and State Senator Jim McDermott who had defeated incumbent Dixy Lee Ray in the primaries. Military officers flank the plane's stairs while the man on the extreme right, a Secret Service agent, keeps his eye on the gathering crowd.

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Presidential aircraft; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

President Jimmy Carter is pictured at the microphone on September 23, 1980, with Tacoma Mayor Mike Parker in the background. The President was in town for a few hours to rally the Democratic faithful in his re-election bid. He had made stops at a senior citizen center, met the blue-collar workers at a grain terminal, shook many hands at his local campaign center and worked the crowd at a fundraiser held at the Bicentennial Pavilion.

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Public speaking--Tacoma--1980-1990; Mayors--Tacoma--1980-1990; Parker, Michael;

President Jimmy Carter is in the middle of this pulsing crowd as he greets his many supporters in downtown Tacoma on September 23, 1980. The President was in town on a brief three-hour campaign visit. Mayor Mike Parker (in dark suit and glasses) is pictured behind the President.

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Mayors--Tacoma--1980-1990; Parker, Michael; Crowds--Tacoma--1980-1990;

President Jimmy Carter greets Tacoma crowds on September 23, 1980, as part of his re-election campaign. Tacoma Mayor Mike Parker (foreground in dark suit) met the President upon his arrival at McChord AFB and was able to accompany him during his short Tacoma stay.

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Mayors--Tacoma--1980-1990; Parker, Michael; Crowds--Tacoma--1980-1990;

President Jimmy Carter (center in hard hat) made Continental Grain his first Tacoma stop on September 23, 1980. He was accompanied to the grain terminal by many Democratic politicians and supporters including State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Jim McDermott, Pierce County Commissioner Joe Stortini, and labor leader Marvin Williams. Judith Parker, wife of Tacoma Mayor Mike Parker, is also pictured above. President Carter made an appeal to labor, addressing a friendly, largely blue-collared group of 300 workers, and pledged full support for a strong merchant marine. (TNT 9-24-80, A-1, 2) (Individuals have been identified in ink on this photograph)

Carter, Jimmy; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1980-1990; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Parker, Judith; McDermott, Jim; Williams, Marvin; Stortini, Joe; Continental Grain Co. (Tacoma);

President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding on a rainfilled July day in 1923 as the presidential party visited Tacoma for a brief five hours. Thousands had lined Pacific Avenue to greet the President and cheer his motorcade from Union Depot to the Tacoma Hotel. After a packed reception at the hotel, President Harding and wife Florence would travel to Stadium Bowl where he delivered a short speech. The President stood as his automobile circled the track, waving to the 25,000 spectators who had braved the drizzle and downpours to view the momentous occasion. (TNT 7-5-23, p. 1-article)

Harding, Warren G.; Presidents--United States; Guests--Tacoma--1920-1930; Harding, Florence;

Mayor Harold Tollefson (arm extended) exchanged pleasantries with President John F. Kennedy when the President made a brief visit to Tacoma in September of 1963. Also smiling are Congressman Thor Tollefson (extreme right) and Pacific Lutheran University president Dr. Robert Mortvedt. The President addressed an overflowing Cheney Stadium crowd estimated at 25,000 on the need to preserve natural resources and the importance of education. His visit was jointly sponsored by the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University, and was part of a 10,000 mile presidential trip through twelve states. (TNT 9-27-63, A-1, 2-articles)

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Legislators--Washington; Mortvedt, Robert;

President John F. Kennedy delivered a short, empassioned address to the 25,000+ people crammed into Cheney Stadium on September 27, 1963. He shared a platform decorated from Western State Hospital's nursery with presidents from local universities, Congressmen and Senators, and municipal officials. From l. to r. are Congressman Thor Tollefson, US Senator Warren G. Magnuson, Dr. R. Franklin Thompson, Dr. Robert Mortvedt, US Senator Henry M. Jackson, Governor Albert D. Rosellini, unidentifed, Mayor Harold Tollefson. The president had received a standing ovation from the crowd upon his introduction by Senator Warren G. Magnuson. He spoke to the cheering audience about preserving natural resources - both in land and resources as in developing men and women who would preserve free government in a difficult and changing world. This was President Kennedy's first appearance in Tacoma since becoming President in 1960. It was to be his last as he was assassinated in Dallas two months later. (TNT 9-27-63, A-1,2-articles) TPL-10565

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917-1963; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1960-1970; Public speaking--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Mortvedt, Robert;

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Sen. Harry S Truman stopped briefly in Tacoma on October 19, 1944, on his way from Portland to Seattle. The local Democratic committee had arranged to have South 12th St. between Pacific and A roped off for an open-air rally. Standing on the make-shift truck platform with Sen. Truman were Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mon C. Wallgren ( left), then a U.S. Senator, and Congressman John M. Coffee. Kneeling were Wallgren's Tacoma campaign manager and (state) 27th legislative district candidate Dwight Bunnell (left) and attorney John Binns, Pierce County Democratic party chairman. The vice-presidential candidate urged voters to send Warren G. Magnuson to the U.S. Senate, to return Coffee to his district's congressional seat, and to elect Mon C. Wallgren as Washington's governor. All the Democratic candidates shown above went on to victory in November's general elections. (TNT 10-19-44, p. 1; TNT 10-20-44, p. 1, T. Times, 10-20-44, p. 1, T.Times 11-8-44, p. 1) TPL-9900

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Coffee, John; Bunnell, Dwight; Binns, John; Whistle-stop campaigning--Tacoma; Political campaigns; Legislators--Washington--1940-1950; Political posters;

Four huge arches spanned Pacific Avenue to welcome President Benjamin Harrison to Tacoma on May 6, 1891. The arch, built of coal taken from the mines of Roslyn, stood near South 13th Street; near its base was a single lump of coal weighing 16,000 pounds. The other arches were built of iron ore from Ellensburgh, wheat and flour from Washington's rich grain fields, and timber. President Harrison arrived by train at 8:00 am from Portland to the roar of a twenty-one gun salute. Although it was raining heavily, thousands flocked to Tacoma's commercial center for a fleeting glimpse of America's twenty-third President. (Also under G68.1-030)

Arches--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1890-1900; Visits of state--Tacoma--1890-1900;