Scenic Puget Sound, moonlight, and small boat on water. A full moon breaks through a massive layer of dark clouds to cast its shadow over a forested island and across the water. Stock negative.

Bodies of Water - Puget SoundMoonlight

Fireboat on Puget Sound. Four men ride on the railing of the fireboat.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Unidentified man in dark suit poses with an Oldsmobile coupe automobile parked in front of the Seymour Conservatory in Wright Park. This photograph was taken on behalf of the American Automobile Association (A.A.A) on February 24, 1938.

American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Oldsmobile automobile; Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma); Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Greenhouses--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Eight Mack trucks parked in row outside White Truck Co. F.S. Harmon & Co. in background. Richards Studio notes list the address as 2202 A St. (filed with Argentum)

White trucks--Tacoma;

View of cracked fuselage. On March 18, 1939, people living near Alder, 30 miles southeast of Tacoma, looked-up to see this Boeing Stratoliner fall to earth in a fatal tailspin. The four-engine aircraft, designed to revolutionize cross-country transportation, broke apart as it fell and crashed into Nisqually Canyon. All ten men on-board the test flight were killed. The Air Safety Board of the Civil Aeronautics Authority immediately ventured to the scene to investigate the tragedy. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

Stratoliner crash at Alder, Washington, March 18, 1939. Close-up of wrecked airplane debris from the Boeing experimental craft. The ten member crew was killed, possibly instantly, when the 20-ton aircraft plunged two miles into the rural hillside. The crew was composed of experienced test pilots, Boeing employees, and two representatives from the Netherlands. The plane, preparing to be licensed for commercial flying, was to be tested on Monday, March 20, 1939, on a governmental inspection flight. Instead, both wingtips and part of its tail broke off while in the air. The Air Safety Board of the C.A.A. would be investigating the accident which occurred under excellent flying conditions with clear visibility. (T.Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner;

Stratoliner crash near Alder, March 18, 1939. Four men have the grim task of carrying a body on a stretcher to a road near the wooded accident site. Killed were: test pilots Harlan Hull, Julius Barr, Earl Ferguson and William Doyle; Boeing staff John Kylstra, Harry West, Ralph Cram and Benjamin Pearson, as well as Dutch representatives Peter Guilonard and A.G. Von Baumhauer. Escaping death was Bob Bush, Boeing engineer, who had been scheduled to be on the flight but was left off because there was no more room. (T. Times, 3-18-39, p. 1, 3-20-39, p. 1)

Aircraft accidents--Alder--1930-1940; Boeing Stratoliner; Litters;

On October 3, 1939, Beulah Eskildsen (left) and Janet Hatch received instruction from Ben Barry about the instruments in a small mono-plane. Mr. Barry was a commercial pilot at the Mueller-Harkins Airport where the students of the federal government pilot training program, the Civilian Pilot Training Program, received their in-flight instruction. Imitating European countries, America had instituted the Civilian Pilot Training Program (1938-44) to increase the number of civilian pilots and our military preparedness. The program provided new opportunities in aviation for women and Afro-Americans. Women were trained under the program at a ratio of about 1 woman to 10 men, until war preparation demanded that all graduates enlist. At that time, women were excluded from the program because they were not allowed to fly in the military. But by mid 1941, the program had already trained around 2,500 women, many who became Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs.) (T.Times 10-05-1939 p.12; www.nationmuseum.af.mil)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flight training--Tacoma--1930-1940; Monoplanes; Eskildsen, Beulah; Hatch, Janet; Barry, Ben; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Mueller-Harkins Airport (Lakewood);

1939 Dock scenes of "Lake Frances of Tacoma" ship. Close-up view of cargo ship being unloaded, equipment for new Narrows Bridge. Crew member and a woman are on deck. Vertical image.

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shipping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Tacoma Fire Company, Fireboat No. 1 and crew on Commencement Bay.

Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1937. Automobile accident at 4th and M Streets circa 1937. Man on right wearing suit and cap and holding booklet. Younger man on left wearing short sleeved ribbed shirt and felt hat and holding a folded sheet of paper. It is possible that they are exchanging information.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma;

ca. 1938. Two unidentified drivers stand next to two Edwards Fuel Company oil trucks parked outside the company's service station circa 1938. Company owner Leon Edwards is the man next to the automobile at the far right. His station was located in the 700 block of East 11th St., across the 11th Street Bridge. (T. Times)

Edwards Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Edwards, Leon; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1937 Ford Coupe, license A132701, at White Arrow Service Station on Seattle Highway for Loyalty Group, Seattle. Mr. Waters, attorney. 1937 Ford automobile (same vehicle as D12209 image 3), damage photographed from the driver's side on November 21, 1941.

Ford automobile; Traffic accidents; Wrecks;

October 21, 1941 tank maneuvers at Fort Lewis where Mayor Harry P. Cain was guest of honor. 41 tanks, weighing 10 tons and heavily armored, would participate in military exercises against anti-tank guns. Traveling through rough terrain, the "Blues" would ford streams and knock down fences as they attemped to dislodge the strongly entrenched "Reds." They "battled" to a draw. (T.Times, 10-22-41, p. 1)

Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; Military maneuvers--Fort Lewis;

Wood paneled station wagon w/fire hydrant on left. The vehicle is parked in what appears to be a vacant lot.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Station wagons--Tacoma; Fire hydrants;

Fishing boat engine as pictured on May 10, 1941. Ship was not identified.

Boat engines; Fishing boats--1940-1950;

Interior of fishing boat hull

Fishing boats--1940-1950;

Two new International Harvester trucks used by Tacoma City Light on display on March 29, 1941.

International Harvester Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma City Light (Tacoma);

Wrecked semi-truck at 19th and Pacific Avenue. Goodyear Tire sign and gas pumps of Shaub - Ellison Company in background. The 25-ton truck had been involved in a fatal car-truck head-on collision at 19th & Pacific on late Friday evening, August 30, 1940. It had skidded to the north entrance of Shaub-Ellison Co., remained upright, and landed on the sidewalk. Killed was the Packard coupe driver, 35-year-old Virgil Jones, a Tacoma boilermaker with Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. Injured were his three passengers as well as the truck driver, M.L. Burr and Mr. Burr's passenger. Virgil Jones was the city's 11th death in 1940. Photograph taken for the United Pacific Insurance Co. (T.Times 8-31-1940, p. 1+, article-only)

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Portland-Seattle Auto Freight, Inc. (Seattle); Shaub-Ellison Co. (Tacoma); Death--Tacoma;

In April of 1941, Fuel Oil Service Corp. celebrated their 10th anniversary by moving to their new business location, 816 A St. The company that specialized in fuel oils was completely Tacoma owned and operated. It was founded by Mark Dolliver and Roger Stewart. The company was the local distributor for Standard Burner Oil and had a fleet of five delivery trucks, the most modern in the west. Picture in front of their new location are, left to right, A.W. Taylor (District Mgr.), Roger Stewart (Sec.), Rena Skreen (bookkeeper), Robert Jackson (salesman), Mark C. Dolliver (president), Fred Grimm, William Baker, Earl Tillman and Roy Boblet (drivers.) (T. Times 4/1/1941, pg 4)

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel Oil Service (Tacoma);

A heavy-duty flatbed truck with a large Wendell Willkie sign rolls slowly down Commerce Street prior to Election Day, 1940. The sign questions FDR's decision to seek a third term, comparing him to Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini. The Republicans were having a rally at the Jason Lee Auditorium; trucks were on parade to urge voters to turn out and listen to the party message. The Democrats countered with rallies and parades of their own: they also traveled through residential and downtown streets on the final drive for election votes. The rain and wind that evening did not keep party members away; an estimated 1500 attended the two rallies. TPL-1975 (T. Times 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times 11-2-40, p. 12) ALBUM 2.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The wet streets of downtown Tacoma did not hinder the procession of the Willkie-McNary campaign trucks prior to Election Day in November of 1940. The trucks were photographed in front of the Roxy (Pantages) Theater as loudspeakers and a large sign urged voters to attend a rally of Republicans at the Jason Lee Auditorium. Arthur Langlie, gubernatorial candidate, and Stephen Chadwick, candidate for the U.S. Senate, were scheduled to speak at the gathering. The Democrats chose the same evening for their parade and rally. Candidates Mon Wallgren (for senator), C.C. Dill (for governor) and John Coffee (re-election to Congress) spoke at the Lincoln High School Democratic rally. Franklin Roosevelt carried the presidential election, beginning his third term with a popular vote of 54.7 % and an electoral landslide of 84.6%. Republican Arthur Langlie was elected governor. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times 11-2-40, p. 12)

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Consolidated Freightways Building, trucks parked at rear of building.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trailers; Trucks--1940-1950;

In December of 1942, the defense industries on the Tideflats were running 24/7 and mass transportation had come to a standstill. Eight diesel-electric busses were leased from the Navy to improve the situation. Standing in front of the leased bus were, left to right, Walter Frankland (local transportation Administrator), Amos Booth (Beltline Superintendent), and R.D. O'Neil (Works Commissioner). The new buses seated 43 passengers and were expected to carry 95 with the additional people standing in the wide aisles. (T. Times 12/28/1942, pg. 1)

Mass transit--Tacoma; Buses--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; ONeil, Robert D.; Booth, Amos; Frankland, Walter;

Before a crowd of about 200, Tacoma Boat Building launched the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Later in the day, the company was presented with an "E Award" flag for excellence in the wartime production of minesweepers. More than 4,000 "E Pennants" were present to plants during WWII. They were a visible recognition of the patriotism and devotion of the company and its employees. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

December 18, 1942 was a very special day for Tacoma Boat Building. The company launched its newest minesweeper YMS 244 and received an Army/Navy "E" award flag. The "E" award was given for excellence in war production. The famous flag with the big "E" emblazoned on it became a badge of patriotism in action. The award consisted of a flag to be flown over the plant and a lapel pin for every employee within the plant. During the ceremony, an unidentified military officer makes a speech before a crowd of around 200. Music for the ceremony was supplied by the Coast Artillery Band.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Following the launching of the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942, Capt. A. C. Thomas presented "E" pins to the employees of Tacoma Boat Building. The pins were in recognition of their excellence in the production of mine sweepers. Various foreman from the Company's yard posed with Captain Thomas for this photograph. Pictured are, back row left to right, Lawrence Teasley, Clarence Hopkins, Bill Kvam, Clarence White, George Rau, John Kvamme and Walter Oliver. Front row, John Flintoff, F.L. Criswell, Capt. Thomas and Hugh McCreadie. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

On December 18, 1942, Tacoma Boat Building received an "E Award" for excellence in wartime minesweeper production. One of several military men makes a speech at the ceremony. The sign board over speaker's box reads, "And if our lives should form and break; Because of things you fail to make; The extra tank or ship or plane; For which we waited all in vain; And the supplies that never came; Will you then come and take the blame; For we, not you, will pay the cost; Of battles you, not we, have lost!"

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

December 18, 1942 was a Red Letter Day for Tacoma Boatbuilding. The company, owned by Arne Strom and Haldor Dahl, received an "E" Award flag and launched a minesweeper, the YMS 244. The "E" Award was from the Army & Navy for excellence in the wartime production of mine sweepers. The shipyard was located at 2142 E. "D." Arne Strom was able to be present but Mr. Dahl was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minn. and was unable to get there on time for the ceremony. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Five men are working on a truck cab in a large garage. The truck has a "fifth wheel" towing mechanism directly behind the cab. Tools and truck parts lie on the floor and table along with cables, hoses and pieces of lumber. Out the garage door can be seen an auto supply store and used car lot.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Garages--Tacoma--1940-1950;