ca. 1895. This circa 1895 photograph was taken in front of the Pacific Avenue Feed Mill, 2136-38 Pacific Avenue. A team of six horses pulling a fully loaded delivery wagon will shortly be on its way to deliver bales of hay to various establishments. A single rider is accompanying the delivery wagon and drivers. The Pacific Avenue Feed Mill was operated by John W. Garvin with several partners between 1894 and 1900. The partners included Byron A. Robinson in 1894 and Frank H. Chandler in 1895.

Pacific Avenue Feed Mill (Tacoma); Mills--Tacoma; Feed stores--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma--1890-1900; Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1895. Teacher, Miss Rice, and students on the steps of "old" Franklin School circa 1895. The original Franklin (Elementary) School was built in 1889 and named after the famous American inventor and statesman, Benjamin Franklin. The school started out with two teachers but rapidly growing enrollment added more faculty and necessitated the construction of a two-story addition in 1896. A new building replaced the old one in 1910 to handle overcrowding and the old building was sold for $250. Further additions were made in 1914 and 1953 but the school finally was demolished in September of 1997. A new Franklin School has been located at 1402 South Lawrence since 1998. (Olsen, For the Record, p. 59-article)

Franklin School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1890-1900; School children--Tacoma--1890-1900; Teachers--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1895. On Saturday June 20, 1891 the Tacoma Fire Department moved into its newly built Station No. 6 at 823 A St. The two-story brick building, which was built at a cost of $24,400, also became the Headquarters for the Fire Department. Captain J.L. Dietsch was the first officer in charge of Engine Co. No. 6 with Lt. W.E. Borland as his lieutenant. Chemical Engine Co. No. 1 moved in on June 20, 1891. Equipment owned included a second size Clapp & Jones piston steam fire engine and a W.T.Y. Schneck four wheeled hose wagon. Horses were used to pull these apparatus. This photograph shows how the station appeared in the late 1890's with its front on A St. It was torn down in 1974, and part of the land on which it stood is now part of Fireman Park. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 21; T. Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1-picture) Copy made approximately May, 1937. TPL-2525 (cropped version of TPL-397)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1890-1900; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

ca. 1895. Arbor House, 4854 So. Washington St. G30.1-074 TPL-2819

ca. 1895. View of Steilacoom Transfer Co. stable and horses taken ca. 1895; it was located at the corner of Wilkes & Commercial. Building to the right may be the home of the Steilacoom Transfer Co. owner and operator, Nick Doering. The firm, a livery, feed and fuel company, was one of Steilacoom's oldest businesses. Wagons and horses could be rented at Doering's establishment as well as purchase of the food necessary to feed the animals. Wood and bark could also be bought and delivered to customers. Proprietor Nick Doering had been born in Germany and came to the United States as a youngster, working and residing in Wisconsin and South Dakota. He came to Steilacoom and began a successful hauling and transfer business. His horses would not only haul deliveries as far away as from Tacoma but would also plow and later haul sand and gravel for the new Northern Pacific railway roadbed. The family business thrived and was maintained even after Doering's death in 1942. His son and grandson continued the business until it was sold to Lakewood Fuel Co. in 1971. (Town on the Sound, p. 99, Steilacoom Historical Museum Quarterly, Fall 1986, p. 1)

Steilacoom Transfer Co. (Steilacoom); Carts & wagons--Steilacoom; Horses--Steilacoom; Doering, Nick--Associated objects;

Charles Evans, as Leif Eriksson, commanded a boatful of stern looking Norsemen, armed with swords and shields, who were "Bound for Wineland" on May 17, 1895. Tacoma's Scandinavians celebrated the 81st anniversary of Norwegian Constitution Day with a small parade, outdoor concerts and picnic games. Fireworks and dancing capped the activity-filled day. This photograph was probably taken between So. 13th and So. 15th on Tacoma Avenue. (Tacoma Morning Union, 5-18-1895, p. 4)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1890-1900; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma;

ca. 1896. A view of Tacoma's Bicycle Bridge, also known as the Galliher Gulch bridge; for more than 25 years, the "longest, highest and only exclusive" bicycle bridge in the world. The bridge was built in 1896 by the Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club from funds raised by the sale of bicycle licenses. It was located near Holy Rosary Church and connected Delin St. with the paths leading to the Hood St. reservoir. With the bridge over the gulch, cyclists could bike undisturbed all the way from Tacoma's Eastside to South Tacoma. (TNT 9/5/1922; TNT 4-7-1953, E-4-alt. photo)

Bicycles & tricycles--1890-1900; Cyclists--1890-1900; Cycling--Tacoma; Bridges--Tacoma; Bicycle Bridge (Tacoma);

ca. 1896. A woman believed to be Grace R. Moore and accompanied by a large dog, was photographed while reading in the law offices of her husband, Henry K. Moore, circa 1896. Grace R. Moore and several acquaintances formed a reading circle to share their love of books. This led to the formation of the Mercantile Library, the Tacoma area's first circulating library, which was initially housed in the Moore's home where Mrs. Moore served as librarian. The growing membership made it necessary to relocate the library to a more central location. The new site was the outer room of the law office of Mrs. Moore's husband in the Washington Bldg. where his stenographer helped give out books. Eventually, the Mercantile Library's collection was donated to the City of Tacoma and it became a new organization known as the Tacoma Public Library. A branch library named in honor of Mrs. Moore opened in June, 1950, on So. 56th St. near Pacific Ave. G7.1-001 (Bonney: "History of the Tacoma Public Library," History of Pierce County)

Books; Libraries--Tacoma; Public libraries--Tacoma; Dogs--Tacoma--1890-1900; Law offices--Tacoma;

ca. 1896. A two-masted sailing ship is docked on Tacoma's waterfront circa 1896 at the Northern Pacific Railroad's Ocean Freight warehouse to take on cargo. In the background to the left is the Crescent Creamery at what is now 100 Schuster Parkway. The creamery was built in 1890 and demolished about 1920.

Shipping--Tacoma--1890-1900; Sailing ships--Tacoma--1890-1900; Warehouses--Tacoma--1890-1900; Crescent Creamery (Tacoma); Waterfronts--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1896. Eureka Dock shortly after it was built by the Tacoma Land Co. Smaller building to the left in the photo is the original Commercial Dock Company Freight Warehouse. The Eureka Dock was leased to the Tacoma Warehouse & Elevator Co. whose manager, A.M. Ingersoll, gave it its name which also included the wharves. The 400-ft. long by 130-ft. wide warehouse was capable of holding from 8,000-10,000 tons of grain. It was turned over to the lessee on January 13, 1896, and initially was used to store freight. The wharves were rented for boat dockage. (TDL 1-8-1896, p. 5-article; TDL 1-14-1896, p. 8-article)

Eureka Dock (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1890-1900; Warehouses--Tacoma--1890-1900; Commercial Dock Co. Freight Warehouse (Tacoma);

Lake in Wright Park. Sepia photograph taken on July 2, 1896, commemorating the coronation of the Queen of Roses, Elizabeth Dunster (Mrs. Harrison G.) Foster. Mrs. Foster was crowned queen in Tacoma's first annual Rose Carnival by Governor John H. McGraw. She was presented the silver key to the city by Mayor Angelo V. Fawcett. 15,000 viewed the coronation exercises held at Wright Park, some of whom are pictured above. (Tacoma Morning Union, 7-3-1896, p. 1)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Lakes & ponds--Tacoma; Rose Carnival (Tacoma);

ca. 1897. "Nature's Mirror - Paradise Park " on Mt. Rainier. The Mountain is reflected in the glistening water, truly "nature's mirror," as photographed by Brass circa 1897.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Mountains--Washington--1890-1900;

ca. 1897. Julius Lichtenberg's grocery store opened at 1510 Jefferson Ave. in downtown Tacoma in 1897 and would remain there until 1909. Many photographs of business establishments taken in the late 1800s and early 1900s had the owners posed proudly near the building's entrance. Mr. Lichtenberg may have been one of the men standing next to the outdoor display of groceries. This photograph also demonstrated how purchased goods were delivered to the store's customers - by means of a sturdy horse-and-cart. An example of early day advertising is prominently displayed on the side of the buggy. Next to the Lichtenberg grocery store at 1508 Jefferson was the Cow Butter store with J.A. Sproule as the proprietor. The Cow Butter store would close in 1944 after 52 years of operation.

Lichtenberg Grocery (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1890-1900; Cow Butter (Tacoma); Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1898. Copy of an 1898 photograph of the R.E. Anderson Insurance and Real Estate office. The office was then located on the first floor of the Berlin Building, 1021-23 Pacific Ave. Its street address was 117 So. 11th St. Mr. Anderson, the founder of the company, was seated in the private office on the left. The remaining group consisted of, left to right, an unidentified Western Union messenger boy, an unidentified female secretary, W.H. Van Horn, William H. Miller (later president of the company) and A.Gehri, contractor and head of a roofing firm. Originally Anderson & Co. handled mortgage loans and insurance; they got into the real estate business in the aftermath of the panic of 1893. The room decor featured a wood stove with its pipe running across the ceiling, unshaded light globes, marble paneling and art glass. Copy made for Mr. Short, columnist for the Tacoma Times. (Argentum) (T. Times 4/23/1937, pg. 11)

R.E. Anderson & Co. Inc. (Tacoma); Anderson, R.E.; Van Horn, W.H.; Miller, William H.; Gehri, A.;

ca. 1898. Homeward - "On Puget Sound". Photograph by Edward S. Curtis. Scanned from Asahel Curtis lantern slide. Original photograph published in "The North American Indian, v.9" Plate # 318. Canoes of various sizes and designs were used by all the Salishan tribes of the Coast, ranging from a tiny two person river craft to a seaworthy vessel which could hold up to thirty persons. This is a medium sized craft, intended to hold up to five or six people and to be used on large streams or protected arms of the sea. It was capable of rapid travel or for fishing with nets, spears or hooks. The canoe was constructed from a half log, with the center burned out and the interior and exterior worked down and rubbed smooth. The outside is charred black and the inside is painted. TPL-9233

Indians of North America--Canoes;

ca. 1898. Johnson Nickeus, Mayor of Tacoma 1898 and 1899. Mr. Nickeus came to Washington around 1892, an already elderly man seeking milder weather. He brought with him the experience garnered in his long political and legal career; having served from 1883-86 in the Dakota legislature, as well as the Attorney General of that area and two years as a Consul to South America under President Benjamin Harrison. He was elected Mayor of Tacoma in April of 1898. In August of 1899, he was charged by a grand jury with "attempting to receive" a sizable bribe from C.P. Hurley, manager of the Tacoma Gas and Electric Light Co., in connection with a compromise of a million dollar suit against Light and Water. He went to trial on September 10, 1899. On the morning of September 14th, after arguing all night, the jury declared itself deadlocked 6 to 6. In April of 1900, Tacoma selected a new Mayor. (TDL 8/18/1899, pg. 1; 9/12/1899, pg. 1; 9/15/1899, pg. 3)

Nickeus, Johnson; Mayors--Tacoma--1890-1900;

Washington : Geological Survey
1 map : col. ; 45 x 31 cm. on sheet 56 x 47 cm. "Surveyed in 1894-95." Scale: 1:125,000 Contour interval 50 feet. Relief indicated by contours and spot heights. Datum is mean sea level. "Edition of Nov. 1898" Engraved April 1897 by U.S.G.S. Henry Gannett, Chief Topographer. R. U. Goode, Geographer in charge. Control by W.T. Griswold and U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Topography by G.E. Hyde and R.H. McKee. Diagram depicts which topographers were responsible for which areas of the map.

ca. 1898. Bertha Snell sitting in a lawyer's office - probably that of her husband, prominent attorney Marshall K. Snell. In 1898 Marshall K. Snell's office occupied rooms 301-02-03 and 04 of the Equitable Building, 1102-04 Pacific Ave, the former site of the Merchants National Bank. Mrs. Snell passed the bar exam in 1899 to become the first woman lawyer in the new State of Washington. She became a partner in Marshall Snell's firm and worked with him throughout the rest of his professional career. Although Mr. Snell died in 1939, Bertha Snell continued to practice law until 1953 and died four years later in Tacoma at the age of 88. (Perreault, Haskell, "History Lesson: Bertha Denton Snell was a true pioneer," Saratogian, 3-27-2011)

Snell, Bertha; Law offices--Tacoma;

Pierce County employees posed in the Auditor's office within the County Courthouse in March of 1898. The Auditor at that time was F.H. Gloyd, possibly the man seated behind the desk. W.D.C. Spike, sporting a large handlebar mustache, is seated near the center of the group. Mr. Spike would go on to defeat Republican A.P. Peterson on November 8, 1898, for the Auditor's position, 4,209 votes to 3,617. W.D.C. Spike was a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and came to Tacoma about 1890. He was a widely known businessman involved in the Pacific Coast Gypsum Co. and the American Coal Co. Mr. Spike would go on to serve two terms as County Auditor. He passed away on July 2, 1915, at home. (TDL 7-3-15, p. 11-obit.; Bonney, W.P., History of Pierce County Washington, p. 539-voting statistics)

Spike, W.D.C.; Government officials--Tacoma; Government employees--Tacoma; County government--Tacoma; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

Johnson Nickeus was elected Mayor of Tacoma April 15, 1898. He served as mayor in 1898 and 1899. This picture of Mayor Nickeus is from the Tacoma Daily Ledger, March 29, 1898 p.5 He was born in 1851 in the District of Columbia. An experienced lawyer, Mr. Nickeus had served in the Dakota legislature, Dakota attorney general, and South American counsel prior to his arrival in Washington around 1892. He had defeated Cyrus A. Mentzer, a "silver republican," by 300 votes, in the April mayoral race. Mr. Nickeus' term was set to expire in April of 1900 but the previous August saw him under a grand jury indictment, charged with soliciting a $12,500 bribe . The grand jury deadlocked 6-6 in September of 1899. ALBUM 16. (Hunt: Tacoma Its History and Its Builders, II, p. 199; TDL 7-4-98; TDL 8-18-99)

Mayors--Tacoma--1890-1900; Nickeus, Johnson;

Employees and bicycle delivery boy on steps of the Pierce County Court House. The Pierce County Court House was built in 1892. The three story building was a copy of the Courthouse in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The plans contained everything Tacomans hoped for in this elaborate structure, including secret staircases and a hanging room, and suited their grandiose plans for their city. The grand structure was demolished in 1959 due to its poor condition and replaced by a parking lot for the modern County-City building. Here employees pose with bicycles on the steps of the structure. The man behind what is believed to be a bicycle delivery boy or courier is holding a baby. The women on the left are most probably clerical staff, although two of them are posing with bicycles.

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma--1890-1900; Clothing & dress--1890-1900;

ca. 1899. Engine Co. No. 6 opened on 9th & A Street in 1891. The station also housed Chemical Engine Co. No. 1. The headquarters station cost approximately $24,400. Captain William J. Chisholm led his company of five men; he may have been one of the men standing next to the horse-drawn engines in this sepia photograph. View of flower bedecked wagons and engines outside the two-story brick station; this is probably the 4th of July celebratory parade. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 22)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1890-1900; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1899. View of the stores on the west side of Pacific Avenue, in Tacoma, looking south from 9th and Pacific. At 902 Pacific is the Palace Grocery Co.

City & town life--Tacoma--1890-1900; Business districts--Tacoma--1890-1900

ca. 1899. Deer at Point Defiance Park, Tacoma. From the collection of Don Cooper. TPL-9635

Deer; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1890-1900;