Tacoma ushered in the new decade of 1900 with a huge 4th of July celebration. It was estimated that 50,000 people poured into town for the big event. Festivities turned to disaster on the morning of the 4th when an overcrowded streetcar plunged into the ravine at South 26th and C Streets instantly killing 37 passengers and maiming many others on board. Some of the planned activities proceeded including this military drill on July 5th. Members of the Washington National Guard, Co. H, 1st Regiment, Spokane, under Capt. M. M. Richardson, receive the silver loving cup for the best drilled company in the regiment from Colonel Weisenberger. Guardsmen stand at parade rest along the 1100 block of Tacoma Avenue South where a crowd has gathered for the award ceremony. (TDL 7/6/1900, p. 8).

Military training; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1900-1910; Fourth of July celebrations; Washington State Guard (Tacoma);

Members of the Washington Guard, Company H, First Regiment, stand at attention for a crowd gathered along the 1100 block of Tacoma Avenue South on July 5, 1900. Two notable large buildings are in the background: Parker Hall, 1111-17 Tacoma Avenue South at left and Alpha Hall, 1131-33 Tacoma Avenue South on the right (with furniture advertisement) . Tacoma had planned a huge celebration for the first 4th of July in the 1900s. It was estimated that 50,000 people poured into town for the big event. Festivities turned to disaster on the morning of the 4th when an overcrowded streetcar plunged into the ravine at South 26th and C Streets instantly killing 37 passengers and maiming many others on board. Many of the planned activities proceeded including this military drill on the 5th.

Military training; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1900-1910; Fourth of July celebrations; Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Parker Hall (Tacoma); Alpha Hall (Tacoma);

ca. 1904. Col. Patterson (seated) of Vashon Island led the fifth annual encampment of Cadets at Camp Murray, American Lake, in 1904. Cadets from several Washington state high schools including Tacoma (now called Stadium) High School and Seattle High School posed with their commanding officer. Some of the Tacoma boys have been identified as : Harry Van Eaton (standing, second from left); Ray Baker (kneeling, far left); Walter Schwarz (Schwartz)(second from right). Ray Baker was the 2nd Lt. for the 1903-04 school year. Harry Van Eaton was elected Captain of the Tacoma High School Cadets the following June, replacing Walter Schwarz (Schwartz) who was Captain at the time of the encampment.

Cadets--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1900-1910; Van Eaton, Harry; Baker, Ray; Schwarz, Walter; Schwartz, Walter; Military training--Camp Murray;

Officers of the dirigible USS Shenandoah stand in front of the mooring mast at Camp Lewis in October, 1924. The Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built on US soil. It was first airborne in September of 1922, one of a proposed fleet of German Zeppelin-like lighter than air craft. It came to a tragic end in September of 1925 when it broke apart during a thunderstorm, killing 14.

Military air pilots; Airships; Mooring masts;

Officers and crew of the dirigible "Shenandoah" pose in front of the mooring mast at Camp Lewis in October of 1924. The mooring mast was constructed by the Navy for this two day visit. The Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built in America. Commissioned by the Navy, it was a copy of the German Zeppelin that so impressed our military in World War 1. The Shenandoah was first airborne in 1922. It came to a tragic end in September of 1925 when it broke apart in a thunderstorm with 43 persons aboard, killing 14.

Military air pilots; Airships; Mooring masts;

All Aboard! On June 16, 1927, members of the 148th Field Artillery, Tacoma's own National Guard unit, crowded into three coaches at Union Station. They would be shoving off at 8:30 a.m. for the National Guard encampment at Camp Murray for summer training. (TNT 6/16/1927, pg. 1) BGN-687

Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. (Tacoma); Military uniforms; Military personnel; Railroad cars;

Grainy December, 1929, photograph of the U.S.S. Lexington tied up at Baker Dock. After much discussion and negotiation, the U.S. Navy ordered the aircraft carrier to help the City of Tacoma by supplying auxiliary power. Severe drought conditions had rendered hydro plants inoperable and conservation methods employed were simply not enough to stave off a power crisis. The Lexington's monthlong stay would generate enough power for 25% of the city's needs. It allowed the city to turn on its streetlights, store lighting, and resume night shifts. (Tacoma Public Utilities Story: the First 100 Years: 1893-1993, p. 91-93)

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma;

On board the U.S.S. Lexington, aircraft carrier known as the "Queen of the Flattops,"in mid-December, 1929, were those instrumental in bringing emergency power to Tacoma. L-R, Chief Engineer Lt. Cdr. H.L. White, General Electric (maker and owner of the generators) representative Robert E. Lee, Utilities Commissioner Ira S. Davisson, City Light Supt. Llewellyn Evans, Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbegin (appointed in March of 1929 to replace the resigning Melvin G. Tennent), and ship commander, Frank D. Berrien. Tacoma experienced a severe shortage of electricity due to drought conditions; the Lexington, with its enormous generators, would deliver over 4 million kilowatts or about 25% of the city's power. TPL-1775. ALBUM 16.

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; White, H.L.; Lee, Robert E.; Davisson, Ira; Evans, Llewellyn; Newbegin, James G.; Berrien, Frank D.; Power shortages--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington, aircraft carrier, who came to the aid of the City of Tacoma and provided electricity from mid-December, 1929, to mid-January, 1930. The ship was berthed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton with Capt. Frank D. Berrien in command. The fourth Navy ship to bear that name, she had been built by the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation of Quincy, Mass. Her overall length was 888 feet and she had four turbo-generators. TPL-1937

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States;

ca. 1932. Undated photograph, believed to be taken around 1932, of a military parade down Broadway; buildings include Hopper-Kelly Co. on left (764 Broadway), Winthrop Hotel (773) and Ted Brown Music (755) on right.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma;