ca. 1910. Several fountains shoot plumes of water into the air above the pond at Pt. Defiance Park. Part of the park's greenhouse peeks out from behind the bushes. Although the area seems void of visitors in this circa 1910 photograph, Point Defiance Park and its (now) 702 acres was a popular destination for city residents. Handy streetcars made the trip to the large park easy for those without automobiles. Once there visitors could enjoy strolling through gardens, picnic areas and on the beach, checking out the conservatory and viewing the zoo animals.

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fountains--Tacoma;

ca. 1930. Point Defiance Park Pavilion circa 1930. The octogonal pavilion was built in 1903 by concessionaire Edwin Ferris and quickly became a popular location for boat rentals, food stands and a fine restaurant which featured clam chowder. Visitors to Point Defiance Park were able to be dropped off via ferry at the pavilion to spend the day strolling among the hundreds of beautifully kept acres, walk the waterfront, revel in the clean air and visit the zoo. The octagonal pavilion was demolished by the late 1930s. (metroparkstacoma.org)

Point Defiance Pavilion (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

ca. 1928. Two young people hold a brass plaque dedicating the new field house at Ferry Park. In 1928 the field house was built and equipment purchased thanks to a $2,000 donation from the Kiwanis Club. Ferry Park, covering just over 1/2 acre at S. 14th & Cushman, was Tacoma's first park. It was donated to the city on May 14, 1883 by C.P. Ferry when he platted the Ferry Addition to the city. Ferry Park was the site of another first, the first organized playground program during the summer months beginning in the 1920s. (www.metroparkstacoma.org)

Ferry Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1903. The lake at Point Defiance, circa 1903. Much of the early design of Point Defiance can be laid at the feet of Welsh landscape gardener, and Point Defiance's first superintendent, Ebenezer Roberts. He saw the park as an island of peace and beauty to be used and enjoyed by the people of Tacoma. He also sought to preserve its wildness. He was also one of the forces behind the city obtaining sole ownership of the park in 1905. His vision of rustic beauty shaped the early look of the park. In those days, the animals were housed in the pens seen behind the lake. Elk, bison and deer would gather to eat at the animal pavilions, the small buildings in the pens. Ducks inhabited the lake. In the photograph, a woman in a floor length skirt stands at the top of the lake, taking in its beauty.

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma; Lakes & ponds--Tacoma;

Packed bleachers and covered stand at Athletic Park. Spectators are there on August 16, 1924, to watch teams battle it out in the sixth round of baseball's City League. Athletic Park had a capacity of 4,500. G53.1-051 (print has been damaged)

Athletic Park (Tacoma); Athletic fields--Tacoma--1920-1930; Baseball--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Dining al fresco in heavily wooded Manitou Park on June 16, 1921 are two out-of-state tourists. Travelers came equipped with canvas tents, cooking supplies and even comfortable folding chairs all stuffed into their automobiles. Most visitors only stayed one night at the free campgrounds before moving on. 1921 was a busy summer camping season for Manitou Park: it was estimated that about 11,000 tourists visited the park in roughly 2,770 cars. It was a large increase from the previous year's totals of 3,600 visitors and 900 cars as word-of-mouth spread about the beauty of the Northwest and the welcome accommodations . (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-19-21, E-7; TNT 7-18-21, p. 3-article; TNT 9-21-21, p. 8-article )

Camping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Manitou Park (Tacoma);

For over 60 years the Narcissa Whitman Fountain graced Wright Park. Erected in 1899 at a cost of $400, partially donated by the school children of Tacoma, the fountain was made of handsome bronzed iron with two gourd-like drinking cups within easy reach of the children for whom the fountain was intended. Atop the fountain stood the statue of a woman in Greek robes bearing a water vessel. The fountain was dedicated to Narcissa Whitman, a pioneer teacher and Christian missionary who was killed by the Cayuse Indians. The statue disappeared from the top of the fountain in the 1960s, and Metro Parks removed the fountain some years later. The Parks Department still has the fountain in storage. (Chechopoulos: History of Wright Park, p. 7-8) G41.1-125; TPL-486

Wright Park (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma by locals) from the viewpoint of Tipsoe Lake. This photograph was taken in late August of 1929 but the mountain still has a cap of snow. G76.1-090

Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Mt. Rainier (then called Mt. Tacoma by locals) presents a wintery face upon Tacoma's downtown business district in February of 1930. The image of the mountain appears to have been altered to increase its grandeur. Major buildings before it were the Rust Building (950 Pacific Ave.) and the imposing 17-story Washington Building with the Brotherhood Bank neon rooftop sign (1019 Pacific Ave.). TPL-6713; G8.1-020

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Cityscapes; Rust Building (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This is the newly decorated Point Defiance Pavilion dining room, empty at the moment, but ready to greet Easter throngs in April of 1930. The park had formally opened for the summer season on April 20th. Besides the refurbishment of the Pavilion dining room, early spring blooms and spruced-up picnic grounds helped convey the brightness of a new season. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-20-30, 4C)

Point Defiance Pavilion (Tacoma);

An unidentified family exits Never Never Land at Point Defiance in June 1965. The popular park attraction first opened in 1964. Alfred Pettersen, who also designed "Wooded Wonderland" in Victoria, British Columbia, was the first manager. The two facilities were said to be the only two "enchanted forests" on the continent. Sadly, Tacoma's enchanted forest has been plagued by petty vandalism over the years.

Parks--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Never Never Land (Tacoma); Amusement parks--Tacoma;

ca. 1909. Tipso Lake in Mount Rainier National Park in 1909. From the collection of Don Cooper.

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Tipso Lake--Pierce County--1900-1910

ca. 1909. A small group, on horseback, with camping equipment, ride through Indian Henry's Hunting Ground in Mountain Rainier National Park. The group is with Albert Henry Barnes who was on a photography excursion to Mount Rainier. From the collection of Don Cooper.

Mount Rainier national Park (Wash.); Indian Henry's Hunting Ground; Horses;

This may be the Nisqually Glacier as photographed by Marvin Boland on September 20, 1922. It is one of the larger glaciers on the southern side of Mt. Rainier (then called Mt. Tacoma by locals). G76.1-086 (print has been clipped on left corner)

Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

This is the Point Defiance Pagoda as viewed in February of 1923. Built in 1914, the Point Defiance Pagoda with its ornate roof resembles a 17th century Japanese lodge. Its original use was as a streetcar station. Hard working Tacomans would flock to the park on Sundays, often the only day of rest, and were able to enjoy the elegant station with its couches, fireplace and comfortable chairs. The restrooms were truly awe inspiring with its enormous stalls, marble walls and in the ladies' room, an attendant equipped with hand towels. The streetcar station was in use until 1938 when motorized buses became common. Although the restrooms remained open for park visitors, the Pagoda slowly slipped into disrepair until a park district bond provided funds for restoration in the mid-80's. The Pagoda is still in use nearly a hundred years after its original construction as a beautiful site for weddings, receptions, banquets and family gatherings. G41.1-043 (Dutton: "Tacoma's Exotic Pagoda" Tacoma's Monthly, 2/94; www.metroparkstacoma.org)

Point Defiance Pagoda (Tacoma);

Only the tip of Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) is visible among the clouds on this spring day in 1925. The view of The Mountain was taken from the Odd Fellows Temple in downtown Tacoma. Some of the prominent businesses/buildings noted are: Puget Sound National Bank Bldg on the far right edge; the towering Washington Building near center, the Winthrop Hotel at the left edge, and the Y.M.C.A. with its rooftop signage in the left foreground. G8.1-075

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Young Mens Christian Association (Tacoma);

Ohop Valley with white capped Mount Tacoma (Rainier). Ohop Valley is south of the Puyallup River in south central Pierce County. G76.1-068

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Ohop Valley (Wash.);

A large group of children enjoy the refreshing coolness of the circular Lincoln Park wading pool in late July of 1926. Both swimming suits and regular play clothes are in evidence. Several trees provide shade on these hot summer days and the flower gardens in the background present both beauty and scent for the enjoyment of all. G41.1-011

Wading--Tacoma; Pools--Tacoma; Lincoln Park (Tacoma);

ca. 1910. Carl W. Sharpe (left), and Clarence R. Sharpe, Manager, sit on the front porch of the Longmire Springs Hotel. From the collection of Beverly Knoll.

Longmire Springs Hotel; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.)

Concert at Wright Park. View of the many spectators watching children's concert; large flag hanging on line before the children. The first public children's "sing" was held on August 5, 1919, in Wright Park. It was enjoyed by about 2000 people who packed the north end of the park. The program was arranged and directed by Mrs. Zoe Pearl Park who had rehearsed the children for three months. Edward Benedict's "Tacoma, We're Proud of You" and "Keep the Home Fires Burning" were two popular numbers performed that evening. The large crowd pictured above also joined in singing the chorus of some of the songs. (TNT 8-6-19, p. 15) G41.1-127B, TPL-1463

Wright Park (Tacoma); Audiences--Tacoma--1910-1920; Concerts--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1900. This photograph of Wright Park, taken around 1900, accompanied an article entitled "Do You Remember" in a 1922 News Tribune. The newspaper had been running a nostalgic series of pictures of events and places of times past. In this view of Wright Park, taken from the east side of the park looking westward, the park appears a little sparse with many of the trees little more then saplings. Several people are using the rustic bridge to cross Bird Lake. The houses beyond the park are on South I Street between Division and 3rd. Most were already gone by 1922; the bridge was still there but had been reconstructed. The Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank now stands where several of these houses once stood. G41.1-123; TPL-987 (TNT 3-9-22, p. 11)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1900-1910;

John Rutter, Supt. of Mt. Rainier National Park (left) and George B. Hartzog, Jr., head of the National Park Service posed together on September 3, 1966, at the official opening of the new visitor's center on Mt. Rainier. Hartzog, in suit, has his hand on Rutter's shoulder. At that time the building was called the Paradise Day Lodge. Senator Henry M. Jackson was the main speaker at the opening and in 1987 the building was renamed in his honor. (TNT 9-4-66, p. 1-article; TNT magazine 9-4-66, p. 8, 17-articles)

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Visitors' centers; Rutter, John; Hartzog, George B.;

ca. 1900. Two women sit on a rustic bench, next to a path, in Point Defiance Park. From the collection of Don Cooper.

Parks--Tacoma--1900-1910; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma)

ca. 1900. A view of Wright Park from Division Street looking south circa 1900. The tower of the Pierce County Court House just makes it into the photograph at the far left. The parks two statues stand on pedestals on either side of a gravel road that winds through the park. A bicycle leans against a sapling tree. From the collection of Don Cooper. TPL-8288

Parks--Tacoma--1900-1910; Wright Park (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma--1900-1910; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1892. Wright Park close to Division Avenue, looking east. Very little vegetation is visible in this circa 1892 photograph of Wright Park; a statue and pond are in the center with very few trees. Ornate building to the extreme left is the original Annie Wright Seminary at 611 Division. Other homes in the background are the 1889-built Queen Anne home of John Holgate at 111 So. G and the home built for Charles Clancey in 1890 at 103 So. G. There are several paths leading to the park from the various houses in the neighborhood. TPL-376

Wright Park (Tacoma); Lakes & ponds--Tacoma; Sculpture--Tacoma--1890-1900; Houses--Tacoma--1890-1900; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1890-1900;

ca. 1892. Sunday afternoon strolls through Wright Park were already popular before its trees had been planted. Its rolling knolls were seeded in blue grass and woven with two miles of walks. A small lake near I Street and statues, donated by C. P. Ferry, dot the landscape. Annie Wright Seminary, left, and homes along G Street line the horizon. Wright Park is one of several parks designed by landscape gardner and artist E. O. Schwagerl. French-007

Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1890-1900; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--Buildings;

Point Defiance Park in June of 1931, showing lake. Bowen #310-246

Copy negative of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Co. 3224, at "Camp Point Defiance," photograph taken on November 28, 1937. The photo was taken at the restored Fort Nisqually at Pt. Defiance, which was opened in 1934. In the background was the fence and the bastion. The photo of the CCC boys was surrounded by smaller images of Tacoma. At the bottom was a city view labeled, "Tacoma-Lumber Capital of America." The CCC camp at Point Defiance was built on a flat area just below and to the south of the reconstructed Ft. Nisqually in the park, and was home to some 155 workers. The CCC was formed in 1933 by President F.D. Roosevelt. It was composed mainly of young unemployed men, 18-25 years old, some away from home for the first time. Their work detail consisted of clearing brush and timber in the park and building roads, trails and structures.

Exterior of the Granary at Fort Nisqually, Pt. Defiance Park, as it appeared on February 25, 1941. The Granary is one of the original buildings from the Fort; it was constructed in 1851. It is the oldest standing building in the state of Washington. It was originally erected as a storage facility for the Fort's harvest. Photograph ordered by W.P. Bonney.

This is how Owen Beach at Point Defiance looked from the air on July 1, 1969. The beach fronting Commencement Bay was named after Floyd E. Owen, a Metro Parks employee for 47 years. There is a marker, a bronze tablet placed on a stone upright near the entrance to the picnic area of the beach. There was plenty of room for more people to bask on the sands of Owen Beach as it appeared relatively uncrowded on this summer day. The parking lot, however, seemed almost full.

Beaches--Tacoma; Owen Beach (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);