ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. A woman wearing summer attire takes a stroll in the Point Defiance Rose Garden. She has picked a prime time to view the delicate red and white blossoms. Point Defiance Park has more than an acre of rose gardens, the oldest of which was established in 1895. The summer months of June through September showcase the flowering of 1500 rose bushes. (www.metroparkstacoma.org)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Roses--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Some of the prime attractions at the Point Defiance Zoo are the frisky sea otters and harbor seals. Both young and older visitors to the Zoo appear to enjoy the antics of these marine animals. Even those basking in the sun receive the visitors' attention.

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Aquariums--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Two inhabitants of the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium bask in Tacoma's sun while the subject of many admiring eyes. The Zoo had several seals and sea otters who attracted many visitors.

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Aquariums--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. View of elephant cage taken from a hillside within Point Defiance Park. Elephants were a major attraction at the zoo; a large group of visitors stop to get a close-up experience.

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Elephants; Zoo animals--Tacoma;

Parked in front of the Nereides Baths at Point Defiance Park in early September of 1918 was a Western Logging Company truck with a long pipe as cargo. The Nereides Baths opened in 1906 on a bluff above the boathouse. It had been designed by prominent Tacoma architect Frederick Heath and was constructed of logs, resembling a Swiss chalet. The pavilion had an indoor heated saltwater pool, the first indoor swimming pool in Tacoma. Swimmers rented gray cotton suits to frolic in the 80 degree water. The gray suits were required because the owners feared that colors would run and dye the water. "Admission to spectators" was listed as 10 cents in 1918. The baths were demolished in 1932. (thenewstribune.com, metroparkstacoma.org) G41.1-040, TPL-2799

Nereides Baths (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1910-1920; Pipes (Conduits)--Tacoma; Western Logging Co.;

With the Puget Sound as a backdrop, opening ceremonies for Camp Standby were held at Dash Point on June 20, 1919. Camp Standby was established for the girls of various War Camp Community Service Clubs to let them experience the great outdoors. The WCCS was formed in 1917 to organize recreational and social activities where servicemen and women could spend off duty time together. Major General W.H. Johnston delivered an address at the opening, praising the women of the WCCS for helping sustain morale during the Great War. Camp Standby could be accessed by dirt road or boat, the Chickawanna, enabling girls to live there during the summer and yet commute to work in the City. The tents, which could accommodate 50 girls, were divided into two company streets. They all faced the water. Activities offered included boating, swimming, dancing, tennis, baseball and volleyball. (TDL 6/19/1919, pg. 3; TNT 6-21-19, p. 7-article) G71.1-189

Camp Standby (Dash Point); Tents; Camping; War Camp Community Service (Tacoma);

1923 view of the Point Defiance Pagoda, then a streetcar depot. Its ornate, Japanese-styled roof, brick exterior, and view windows made the building a pleasant stopping point for park visitors. The convenience of streetcars to Point Defiance Park gave people the option of leaving their cars at home and enjoying the scenic route without the problems of driving. TPL-2360

Point Defiance Pagoda (Tacoma);

On February 7, 1927, snow-capped Mount Tacoma (Rainier) is in stark contrast with the blackened fire damaged terrain below. This unidentified section of forest has been ravaged by flames leaving leafless branches and spindly reminders of trees. Photograph ordered by Cascade Lumber Co. G76.1-110

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Forest fires;

Jeff, a tiny ringtailed monkey, tips the scales at three pounds as he is being weighed in late November of 1927 at the Point Defiance Zoo. His keeper and "chef," Oscar M. Olson, stated that "Jeff" had gained three ounces over Thanksgiving so needed to go on a diet. Mr. Olson's unusual job as "chef" to the zoo's 17 monkeys and assorted inhabitants landed him on the front page of the November 26th News Tribune as #11 in "Tacoma's Strangest Jobs." The carefully monitored diet of his clientele included hothouse lettuce, tomatoes, raisin bread, Gig Harbor and Wenatchee apples, Yakima and Tacoma potatoes. Besides the monkeys, Mr. Olson also was in charge of the diets of the zoo's bears, deer, elk and buffalo. G68.1-169 (TNT 11-26-27, p. 1)

Olson, Oscar M.; Monkeys; Scales; Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma);

Boland Studios took a series of photographs on August 25, 1929, of Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma by locals) from the viewpoint of Tipsoe Lake. This particular view shows trees thickly massed and craggy peaks. G76.1-118

Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

ca. 1900. A bicycle leans against a young sapling at the north entrance to Wright Park in this photograph from around 1900. The road curving through the park is Yakima Avenue, which was closed to traffic by the Metropolitan Park Board in 1922. The two "dancing maidens" that stand at either side of the entrance were purchased by Clinton P. Ferry, the "Duke of Tacoma", in Brussels and presented to the city in 1891. Somewhat worse for wear after over 100 years, they still stand at the north end of the park. The tower at the far left is the tower on the old Pierce County Court House which stood at 1012 South G Street. (This image appears on the reverse of BU-10705)

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

The spring tournament of the Northwest Lawn Bowling Association was held in Wright Park May 30 through June 2, 1946. Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wood of Vancouver, B.C. dominated the tournament. Mr. Wood defeated George Wilkinson in the final of the men's event, and Mrs. Wood defeated Mrs. Lew Thomas of Tacoma to take the ladies title. (TNT 06/03/1946 p.7)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Lawn Bowling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northwest Lawn Bowling Association;

Opening of visitor's center on Mt. Rainier. Senator Henry Jackson, a principal speaker at the September 3, 1966, event, is being interviewed while seated on a rock buttress. The dedication drew a large crowd of visitors and dignitaries, including the senator, Congressman Floyd Hicks, Director of the National Park Service George B. Hartzog, Jr., and Tacoma city manager, David Rowlands. The visitors center would later be renamed in honor of Senator Jackson. (TNT 9-4-66, p. 1-article; TNT 9-4-66 magazine p. 8, p. 17-articles)

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Visitors' centers; Jackson, Henry M., 1912-1983; Legislators--Washington--1960-1970; Interviews;

Miss Alaska, Nina Whaley, visited the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on May 19, 1964, as part of a busy schedule promoting Alaska's summer tourist season. She is pictured above (center with large purse) smiling as she gazes at the outdoor seal and otter exhibit. TRUEBLOOD 1064

Whaley, Nina; Beauty contestants; Guests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Aquariums--Tacoma;

This seal has scrambled out of the water in order to grab a tasty snack from visiting Alaskans, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Seveck and Nina Whaley, reigning Miss Alaska (far right). The trio were personal representatives of Alaska governor William Egan who traveled to Tacoma to aid Tacoma's Chamber of Commerce campaign to promote Alaska's tourist industry. The Sevecks were professional entertainers and guides. TRUEBLOOD 1064 (TNT 5-21-64, B-4)

Whaley, Nina; Beauty contestants; Seveck, Chester; Seveck, Chester--Family; Guests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Aquariums--Tacoma; Seals (Animals);

ca. 1909. A view of the buildings at Longmire Springs in Mount Rainier National Park in 1909. Several rustic wooden buildings are shown along with a number of tents. From the collection of Don Cooper.

Longmire Springs (Washington); Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Tents

ca. 1909. A lone hiker stands at the edge of a cliff of glacial ice, part of the Nisqually Glacier, looking toward Mount Rainier. From the collection of Don Cooper.

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Nisqually Glacier; Mountaineering--Washington--1900-1910; Snow & ice climbing; Rainier, Mount (Wash.)

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Seals and sea otters attracted many to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in 1971. The head of one marine animal barely breaks the surface of the water much to the delight of the zoo's visitors. Other inhabitants of the pool may be beyond the photographer's sightlines as one visitor points outwardly.

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Aquariums--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. It looks like it is summer and children are flocking to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for a joyful day. Several youngsters wait by the entrance to the Aquarium while others look at outdoor exhibits.

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Aquariums--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. A little girl gets a friendly greeting from Point Defiance Zoo's elephant in 1971, much to the delight of her accompanying family. The elephant's affable behavior may have been prompted by the suggestion of a bag full of peanuts carried by the small child. The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium was founded in 1905. It is located on 29 acres inside the 700-acre Point Defiance Park. (www.pdza.org)

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Elephants; Zoo animals;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Some sunbathers apparently found it more comfortable lying on picnic tables and pavement at Point Defiance's Owen Beach than the somewhat rocky shoreline. Other beach visitors used the picnic tables in a more traditional manner. Not many seemed inclined to dip their toes into the frigid waters of Puget Sound.

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

Swimming area at lake resort divided into shallow water and deep water. A double slide and diving platform accommodate swimmers. People are gathered around watching the activities.

Facilities - Parks - Pierce County - Swimming PlatformsRecreation Sports - Water Sports - Swimming

Tyrone Power and Sonja Henie had plenty of extra time on their hands between takes during the filming of "Thin Ice" in April of 1937. On location in Paradise Valley on Mount Rainier, intermittent snow squalls and gray skies made things difficult for the visiting stars from Hollywood. The 20th Century-Fox crew was on the mountain for three days before they were able to shoot a single foot of usable film.

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Actresses--Tacoma; Henie, Sonja, 1912-1969; Skaters; Actors--Tacoma; Power, Tyrone; Motion picture industry--Tacoma;

Actors Sonja Henie (left) and Tyrone Power pose on skis at Paradise Lodge, Mount Rainier National Park, during filming of the motion picture "Thin Ice". Shot on location at Mount Rainier in 1937, the film was Scandinavian skating star Henie's second movie. Heavy snow fall made production difficult. Tacoma skier Gretchen Kunigk Fraser served as Henie's double. (T.Times, 4/6/1937, with Power cropped out)

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Actresses--Tacoma; Henie, Sonja, 1912-1969; Skaters; Actors--Tacoma; Power, Tyrone; Motion picture industry--Tacoma;

Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power on skis at Paradise Lodge, Mount Rainier National Park, during filming of "Thin Ice". (T.Times, 4/6/1937).

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Actresses--Tacoma; Henie, Sonja, 1912-1969; Skaters; Actors--Tacoma; Power, Tyrone; Motion picture industry--Tacoma;

Members of the production crew for "Thin Ice" with camera at Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park. Two men are playing cards while others stand beside the motion picture camera. (T.Times).

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Motion picture industry--Tacoma;

Point Defiance Park Zoo. Mr. Cook, animal keeper, and an unidentified man, possibly George Jones, with tortoise. (T.Times).

Parks--Tacoma; Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Turtles; Zoo keepers--Tacoma;

ca. 1933. Cars are parked everywhere on the grass as their owners enjoy the rides at Funland, circa 1933. Funland was an amusement park located at Point Defiance Park and operated by the Point Defiance Amusement Co. The carnival rides can be seen in the background, as well as several low buildings.

Funland (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Amusement parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Amusement rides--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1933. View of parked cars at Funland, located at Point Defiance Park, circa 1933. The carnival type rides that have drawn the crowds can be seen in the background.

Funland (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Amusement parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Amusement rides--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1933. Funland at Point Defiance Park, circa 1933. People wait in line to ride the miniature train ride. The small locomotive is followed a long train of cars filled with people. A shed-type building with curved roof can be seen with a sign reading "Dodgem." This is most likely the location of the Bumper Car ride. This was one of the most popular weekend destinations for Tacomans, as can be seen from the crowds.

Funland (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Amusement parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Amusement rides--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bumper cars; Crowds;