Barbara Horjes poses in the snow at the Division Avenue entrance to Wright Park. The snow totaled over 18 inches after a three day storm hit Tacoma in Nov. 1946. The dancing maidens statuary, one of which is show here, were donated to the city by Clinton P. Ferry in 1891. (T.Times, 11/19/1946, p.2)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Horjes, Barbara; Snow--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sculpture--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trees--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The fence at Tiger Ball Park. The baseball field in Tacoma was known as Tacoma Baseball Park or Tiger Ball Park. The field would be used for all local high school games, College of Puget Sound home games, all games of the 70-tilt City league schedule in addition to home games of the Tigers for the 1950 season. This view shows advertising signs for Brown & Haley, Mobilgas, Coca-Cola, Burnett Brothers, Peerless Laundry, Washington Hardware, and City Sign Company. The score board is nestled in above Mobilgas and below Mallon Motors. Ordered by Robert Martin, c/o W.H. Opie Co. (TNT, 4/26/1950, p.19)

Athletic fields--Tacoma; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Baseball Park (Tacoma); Tiger Ball Park (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertisements--Tacoma;

Stock photographs of Mt. Rainier, Narada Falls, Tatoosh Range, Studio, Bob & Carroll. A photographer is standing on snow beside a rushing stream with Mount Rainier in the background.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Snow; Streams;

Raising the flag of the United States at the Living War Memorial at the foot of the Narrows Bridge for Memorial Day, 1954 were seven representatives of Tacoma's young people: (l to r) Dan Mackle, Sea Scout; Larry Huff, Boy Scout; William Hickok, Cub Scout; Karen Sell, Girl Scout; Valerie Wozniak, Camp Fire Girl; Linda Leith, Brownie Girl Scout and Marlys Farrington, Bluebird Camp Fire Girl. The flag of the United States flew at half mast throughout the nation in memory of those who gave their lives for our freedom. The Living War Memorial, on the south side of the east end of the Narrows Bridge, was dedicated on Armistice Day, 1952. It was moved due to the construction of the New Narrows Bridge, and a new memorial park was recently completed. (TNT 5/30/1954 p. D-1)

Parks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Memorial Park (Tacoma); Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Flag salutes--Tacoma; Flagpoles--Tacoma; Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma);

Two Cheney Lumber Company planes are flying south on the west side of Mount Rainier in front of the Tahoma Glacier. Sunset Amphitheater is seen to the left and the Puyallup Glacier flows from the foot of it. The rainfall had been the lowest in 30 years in 1952 and lower than usual in 1951 making the snowpack much smaller than usual. Cheney Lumber Company used airplanes to facilitate management of mills in Washington, Oregon and California.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Glaciers; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Airplanes;

1956 Stock footage, Richards Studio, scenic views. Majestic Mount Rainier towers over the fertile valleys surrounding it. The valley is patchworked with fences separating the livestock and dotted with barns. Tall evergreens line the hills on both sides of the valley.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Valleys--Washington; Livestock; Agriculture;

Point Defiance Zoo, for the Metropolitan Park Board animal report. Exterior view of the animal house. This appears to be the lions' grotto. Citizens of Tacoma held events to raise the funds to erect the $104,000 animal house. The modern facilities opened in November of 1953.

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Lions; Cages--Tacoma; Zoos--Tacoma--1950-1960; Zoo animals;

Stooping in a small field of daffodils at Wright Park are several children on April 4, 1968. Baskets in the hands of some indicate that they may be practicing for the upcoming Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Hilltop Multi-Service Center. At least 500 children were expected to attend the traditional scramble for eggs. 8000 eggs would be hidden; 5000 of them donated by the League of Women Voters. Transportation would be available at the Hilltop Center for children wanting to attend. Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 4-7-68, A-16, TNT 4-11-68, B-14)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Easter egg hunts--Tacoma;

McCarver second grader Debbie White (left), Central first grader Wendy Wright and McCarver sixth grader Floyd Franklin were photographed in 1968 holding the three bunnies that were given as special prizes at the Easter egg party that was held in Wright Park on the Friday before Easter. The Hilltop Multi-Service Center sponsored the giant Easter egg hunt. Over 500 children were expected to take part in the fun. Besides regular decorated hardboiled eggs, there were also special gold, brown and silver eggs that contained gift certificates and other goodies. (Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.) (TNT 4-7-68, A-16)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Rabbits--Washington; Baby animals--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1960-1970; White, Debbie; Wright, Wendy; Franklin, Floyd;

ca. 1969. 1969 Richards stock footage. Aerial view of boathouse and vicinity at Point Defiance Park in 1969. The above boathouse, built in 1944, was a replacement for the original boathouse pavilion of the early 1900's. It would burn down in 1984 and a new Boathouse Marina constructed a few years later. The Asian-styled building in the right corner was originally the street car station; is now better known as the Point Defiance Pagoda, scene of many weddings. (www.metroparkstacoma.org)

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

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. A couple, wearing broad brimmed hats to protect themselves against the summer sun, relax at Wright Park while also apparently keeping an eye out for the small youngsters in the park's wading pool. Nearly half of the pool is in the shade, due to the many trees nearby.

Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1933. Crowds gather at Funland, an amusement park, located at Point Defiance and operated by the Point Defiance Amusement Co. One of the most crowded areas of Pt. Defiance Park on a weekend day in 1933 would be Funland, as families purchased tickets to experience the carnival rides. Spectators in the front are viewing the action on a circular track. While in the back is the tall steel structure spinning the Swing ride. Tall light standards each support two distinctive lights and bulb lights are strung between the standards for extra evening illumination.

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

ca. 1936. Scenic view of Puget Sound at Point Defiance, circa 1936. A small row boat cuts through the water in the foreground. In the background, more row boats, a ferry, Pt. Defiance boat house, smelter stack and Mount Rainier. Stock negative taken from ferry.

Commencement Bay (Wash.); Rowboats--Tacoma; Ferries--Tacoma; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

ca. 1936. Point Defiance Park. The entrance bowl at the park with lawn, trees, roads and paths surrounding a lake. Automobiles are parked along the road in the distance. Stock negative.

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

Girl Scout Day Camps included outdoor summer activities like volleyball. In July of 1938, day camps sponsored by the Tacoma Girl Scout Council were held three days a week at Puget and Lincoln Parks. In this photograph eight girls participate in a volleyball game. Tennis courts and trees in dot the background at Lincoln Park. (T. Times, 7/12/1938, p. 1).

Lincoln Park (Tacoma); Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Camps--Tacoma--1930-1940; Volleyball; Children playing outdoors; Sports; Playgrounds--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power at Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park, during filming of "Thin Ice". Publicized as romantically involved at the time, Henie and Power seem alone although surrounded by a crowd of star-seekers.

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

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Nyman, of San Francisco, on skis at Paradise, Mount Rainier Park. The man wears an alpine hat and what appears to be short pants, the woman wears short sleeves. (T.Times).

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Skiers; Skiing; Winter sports; Snow; Paradise Inn (Wash.);

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Nyman of San Francisco skiing at Paradise Lodge, Mount Rainier Park. For another image of the same couple, see D745-55. The man wears an Alpine hat and what appears to be short pants. The woman wears a scarf and is bareheaded. Paradise Inn, heavily laden with snow, can be seen in the background. (T.Times).

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Skiers; Skiing; Winter sports; Snow; Paradise Inn (Wash.); Nyman, Benjamin;

Dorothy Hill, 12, and her sister Jean, 10, display their Indian bead loom work. The older girl holds a bracelet that she has made, while the younger girl works on the loom. The girls are participating in a summer craft program at McKinley Playfield sponsored by Metropolitan Parks and the WPA Recreation Dept. (T. Times 8/19/1936, pg. 1)

Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; McKinley Playfield (Tacoma); Dogs; Handicraft--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arts & crafts; Hill, Dorothy; Hill, Jean;

Surrounded by an enthusiastic group of boys and girls, Jack Svendsen was one of the artists who took part in Tacoma's city wide art and handicraft program sponsored by the Metropolitan Park Board and the WPA Recreation Department during the summer of 1936. Mr. Svendsen, a Norwegian born architect and artist, was teaching the young people at McKinley Park how to make silhouette cut-outs. (T. Times 8/19/1936, pg. 1- see newspaper article for childrens' names.)

Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; McKinley Playfield (Tacoma); Dogs; Handicraft--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arts & crafts; Svendson, Jack;

People gathered on the rocky beach at Point Defiance Park. Numerous boats on Puget Sound are visible in the background. (T. Times).

Parks--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Beaches--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma;

Point Defiance Zoo. Mr. Cook, the animal keeper, with a tortoise.

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Zoos--Tacoma--1930-1940; Zoo animals; Turtles; Zoo keepers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

One of the new exhibits at the Point Defiance Zoo in 1937 was a pair of black wolves kept with a lone coyote. The trio are shown here in a screened in cage being viewed by zoo goers. The Richards photographer, shooting for the Tacoma Times, was allowed by Zoo keeper George Jones to go into the cage to shoot the year old animals, obtained from the Seattle zoo on a swap. His only advice was that the wolves were friendly as long as their ears were up. The coyote was a native of this region, while the black wolves no longer inhabited their ranges in Montana and Wyoming but could be found in remote areas of Canada and Alaska. (T. Times 4/16/1937, pg. 4)

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Zoos--Tacoma--1930-1940; Zoo animals; Wolves;

Not wanting to cause a panic, the management of the Point Defiance Park zoo did not immediately notify the public when a 600 pound grizzly bear escaped from his cage in July of 1937. Several men including Park Superintendent Sherman Ingels (in suit) and an unidentified police office inspected the bear's cage, but were unable to determine how he had managed to escape. The two year old grizzly was last seen by an unidentified woman near the park's riding stables. He succeeded in evading capture, and was never seen again. A second grizzly bear escaped in 1938; that one was recaptured. (T.Times 7/14/1937, p 8)

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Zoos--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Ingels, Sherman; Grizzly bears;

Cold weather kept an icy grip on Tacoma in early January of 1937. Temperatures hovered around 15 degrees in town for several days, freezing the water in Wright Park's swan pond. By the time these nine youngsters had laced up their skates for a little night skating the temperatures had already climbed to about 32 degrees and snow was in the forecast. From left to right: Burrell Bresemann, Will LaPoint, Ray Hall, Don Heselwood, Shirley Quinn, Johanna Pitzl, Jack Alvord, Ed Carlin and Bob Taylor (standing). Although a teenager had nearly drowned when he fell through the ice at the swan pond several days earlier, ice skaters were using the pond again in apparent safety. (T.Times, 1/9/1937, p. 1; T.Times 1-7-37, p. 1-article on cold weather).

Wright Park (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ice skating--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bresemann, Burrell; LaPoint, Will; Hall, Ray; Heselwood, Don; Quinn, Shirley; Pitzl, Johanna; Alvord, Jack; Carlin, Ed; Taylor, Bob;

On July 20, 1939, the Fort Nisqually monument was dedicated at Point Defiance Park. The monument recognized the establishment of the original fort in 1833 and its reconstruction in 1934 by the YMBC. Posed behind the rock with its memorial plaque and wearing 1840's costumes were, left to right, W. P. Bonney (secretary of the Washington State Historical Society); Mrs. P.H. Crothers; Marilyn Crothers (the young girl posing beside the monument); Mrs. N.A. Harris; Mrs. George Gilbert; Eva Bigelow (Mrs. W. P.) Bonney; Mrs. J. H. Pirtie; Mrs. J.H. McAdams; Mrs. L.J. Mahlberg and Mrs. Van R. Layton. The women were from the Daughters of Pioneers and they were wearing antique dresses from 2-3 generations ago. Marilyn Crothers was attired in her grandmother's "Sunday best" frock. Mrs. Bonney wore a bonnet made by her mother, Mrs. Daniel Bigelow, 3/4 of a century ago. Mrs. Bonney was the daughter of Daniel and Ann Elizabeth Bigelow of Olympia. (T. Times 7/22/1939, pg. 5)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bonney, William P.; Bonney, Eva Bigelow;

Dedication of Fort Nisqually monument at Point Defiance Park. The monument commemorates the establishment of the original fort and its reconstruction by the Tacoma Young Mens' Business Club. Eleven adults and one girl posing in front of the factor's house at the rebuilt Fort. They are wearing period costumes, circa 1840's. William P. Bonney poses in the front row and directly left is his wife. Tacoma Times columnist E.T. Short is to the left of the back row. The monument dedication took place in conjunction with the Washington State Jubilee. It was the first step to further development at the Fort, sponsored by the Daughters of Pioneers, the YMBC and the park service. Future plans called for equipping the blacksmith shop and granary with period tools, refurbishing the factor's house and assembling a collection of farm tools. (T. Times 7/31/1939, pg. 14; 7/22/1939, pg. 5)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bonney, William P.; Bonney, William P.--Family; Short, Edgar T.;

Series of pictures of the bears at Point Defiance. Photograph of two black bears with what appears to be a cub. Three native black bear cubs were being added to the zoo in January of 1940. They were donated by the state game farm. (T. Times 1/9/1946, pg. 5)

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Bears; Bear cubs;

On Wednesday July 12, 1899, 375 members of the National Editorial Association and their wives arrived in Tacoma for a short visit. They were met at the Tacoma depot by a reception committee consisting of members of the Tacoma Press club, various citizens, and the Tacoma Military Band. After breakfast at the Hotel Tacoma, the editors were taken by barge to the Point Defiance waterfront where their visit included a clambake. It was anticipated that entertaining the newspaper men and their wives would cost a substantial amount of money, and plans were made to raise the required $700. The Military Band was directed by Julius Adler and played daily concerts at Tacoma Parks, travelling from site to site on a tiny private streetcar. Their uniforms consisted of dark trousers and scarlet coats with bright blue trim. This photograph was recently donated by Ann Jorgensen and is from the Alta Scofield Collection/TPL (TNT 6/25/1950, PG. D-11, names of band members in caption)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Tacoma Military Band (Tacoma); Military bands--United States;

ca. 1905. Families are pictured in this circa 1905 photograph enjoying a pleasant day at Point Defiance Park at what is now called Owen Beach. People dressed more formally back then with ladies and gentlemen in hats, suits and for women, long skirts. Even small children were not seen barefoot. The lack of benches did not prevent visitors from sitting on the somewhat rocky terrain to view the Sound. The beach would later be named Owen Beach in 1959 in honor of longtime Metro Parks employee, Floyd Owen. In the early days of the 20th century, the beach, then only accessible by boat or walking, was called "new" beach or sometimes "Picnic Beach." (metroparkstacoma.org)

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