Cameras focus on a passerby placing money in a beggarwoman's, played by Wanda Hawley, tin cup as the motion picture "Totem Pole Beggar" is filmed on busy A Street in downtown Tacoma in March of 1926. The Mason Hotel and signage is to the left of the begging woman seated on the bench; it was built as part of the Mason Block in 1887. A loaded newspaper cart is parked outside of the hotel. "Totem Pole Beggar" was the second motion picture filmed by the H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc., which was based near Titlow Beach. The film, directed by W.S. Van Dyke, had its name changed to "Eyes of the Totem" in April, 1926. It would open at the Broadway Theatre on June 10, 1927.

Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Actresses; Beggars--Tacoma; Tin cups; Motion pictures; Mason Hotel (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma);

View of Saint Helens Avenue between 7th & 9th Sts. on March 4, 1926. Streetcar tracks are visible down Saint Helens. On the left are the Cleveland automobile dealership, Richardson's (734-36 Broadway), the Gilliam & Steven Motor Co. (at 735 Saint Helens, later street renamed Court C), Lindum Hotel (747-49 Saint Helens). Across the street are the Allyn Hotel (726-28 Saint Helens) and the Reliance Electric Fixture Co. (740 Saint Helens). G61.1-168

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Richardson Motor Co. (Tacoma); Gilliam & Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Lindum Hotel (Tacoma); Allyn Hotel (Tacoma); Reliance Electric Fixture Co. (Tacoma);

On March 4, 1926, firefighters from seven companies fought desperately to save the building at 1953 So. C St. The structure, built in 1907, was home to the Henningsen Creamery Co. Flames swept through the three story brick and concrete building as firefighters worked with ladders and hoses from the outside. The fire broke out at 7:40 a.m. caused by the explosion of tar being heated on an oil stove by workmen. The workers were remodeling the lower floor of the building, installing an ice cream plant. Damages were estimated at $50,000 - 100,000. This restored building is now part of the University of Washington Tacoma campus. TPL-7959, BU- 12644, G26.1-078 (TNT 3/4/1926, pg. 1+, pg. 22-picture)

Henningsen Creamery Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma greets movie stars at the Union Depot. A hearty greeting from the City of Tacoma was offered to the actresses and actors appearing in the H.C. Weaver Productions studio film, "Totem Pole Beggar," on March 5, 1926. Shaking hands with star Wanda Hawley, wearing a voluminous fur coat, is believed to be A.D. Bjornstad. Mr. Bjornstad had attended school with Miss Hawley ten years previously and was currently employed as auditor at the Weaver Studios. The couple is flanked by two city policemen on motorcycles; the police officers are dressed for the cold weather with leather boots, gauntlets with long gloves and thick coats. "Totem Pole Beggar," whose title would later be changed to "Eyes of the Totem," would be the second film produced by the H.C. Weaver Productions studio. It would begin filming on March 8, 1926, and open at the Broadway Theatre on June 10, 1927. (TDL 3-6-26, p. 1)

The stars of the future Weaver Productions, Inc. motion picture "Totem Pole Beggar" arrived at Tacoma's Union Depot on March 5, 1926. The movie was scheduled to begin filming at the H.C. Weaver studio near Titlow Beach on March 8. H.C. Weaver, studio head, is in the back row, third from the right. In the back row are George F. Whitcomb, Louis von Weithoff, Tom Santschi, Weaver, director W.S. Van Dyke and Peter L. Shamray. In the front row are Mrs. Peter L. Shamray, Mrs. H.C. Weaver, Mrs. Llewellyn Jones, Dorothy Jones, Anne Cornwall, Wanda Hawley, Violet Palmer and actor Gareth Hughes, in knickers and argyle socks. Dorothy Jones and her mother, Mrs. Llewellyn Jones, were prominent Tacomans involved in the theater. Most of the women are wearing full length fur or fur trimmed coats. "Totem Pole Beggar," whose title was later changed to "Eyes of the Totem," was the second film made by the recently opened H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. motion picture studio. Filmed partially in the Narada Falls area, the drama opened at the Broadway Theatre on June 10, 1927. (TDL 3-6-26, p. , TNT 3-6-26, p. 1)

Weaver, H.C.; Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Actresses; Hughes, Gareth; Santschi, Tom; Shamray, Peter L.; George F. Whitcomb; Palmer, Violet; Jones, Dorothy; Van Dyke, W.S.; Hawley, Wanda; Cornwall, Anne; H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma);

Stacking lumber with the help of a stacker made by Star Iron & Steel.

Industries; Lumber; Star Iron & Steel; Machinery;

One of downtown Tacoma's prime commercial streets was Broadway. This is Broadway looking north from 11th St. in March of 1926. On the right is the 12-story brick Fidelity Building (949-55 Broadway) with the Bank of California as one of the tenants. The Bank of California would build its own Italian Renaissance building of Wilkeson sandstone and granite at 1011-13 Pacific Avenue in 1928. On the photograph's left is a portion of the Fisher Co. department store (1104 Broadway) and the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway. G59.1-021

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fidelity Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

This is how Broadway looking south from 11th St. appeared in March of 1926. The large building on the right at 1104 Broadway is the Fisher Co. (formerly known as Stone-Fisher until October of 1925), Tacoma's oldest department store. It had been at that location since 1906 although the store had begun operations as Sanford & Stone on Tacoma Avenue in 1889. On the left were the E.R. Parker System (painless dentists) at 1103 1/2 Broadway and the French Drug Co. (1101-03) both in the Warburton Building with the relocated Blue Bird Electrical Shop (1105-07) next door. The main business districts were then still in the downtown Tacoma area where a variety of stores, restaurants and recreation outlets were available to the consumer. City buses had yet to supplant streetcars as a means of mass transit although automobiles were becoming more prevalent. G59.1-032 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-11-25, 12-A-article on the Fisher Co.)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; 0; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); E.R. Parker System (Tacoma); French Drug Co. (Tacoma); Blue Bird Electrical Shop (Tacoma); Warburton Building (Tacoma);

St. Paul Lumber Company crane loading a vessel at 1220 Saint Paul Ave, Tacoma

Industries; St. Paul Lumber Company; Cranes, Tideflats;

Eight very serious couples were photographed at Washington School wearing colonial costumes and powdered wigs. They had been rigorously rehearsing the minuet to perform in a series of three big music festival concerts taking place May 4-6, 1926 at Jason Lee, Lincoln and Mason. The concerts were part of the observance of National Music Week. Despite their expressions, the group felt the experience was great fun. Pictured, in no particular order, are Alene Symser, Daniel Stixrud, Barbara Bryan, Frederick Wolf, Barbara Rothermel, Gordon McEachran, Helen May, Lofton Tatum, June Everson, Lewis Jones, Muriel Ellis, Malcolm Shaw, Nancy Quick, Robert Cromwell, Phyllis Zeigler and Robert Martin. (WSHS) (TNT 4/30/1926, pg. 11)

School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington School (Tacoma); Costumes;

On April 1, 1926, the Manitou Auto Camp in Manitou Park opened for the 1926 season. The camp provided free campsites, water, tables, picnic stoves, fuel and comfort stations. The first visitor to sign the register was Harold Riley, a traveling businessman from Santa Monica, California. Mr. Riley also happened to be at the Auto Camp on the last day of the season last year. Pictured left to right are other early visitors Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Conlon and their son George H. Thomas from Cleveland, Mr. Riley and E.M. Benjamin, camp caretaker. The Camp, located 1/2 mile west of the Pacific Hwy. at South Tacoma, provided overnight sites for visiting travelers. In 1925, over 3,400 cars had entered the park, 2,400 of them from out of state, carrying some 10,500 happy campers. The 1926 season would run from April 1st to November 1st. Around 100 cars a night were anticipated during the heavy use summer months of June- August. (TNT 4/1/1926, pg. 13; TDL 7/18/1920, pg. 1C) Bowen # 26223

These five young dancers, who studied at the Merrick Studio in Tacoma, performed an Egyptian ballet choreographed by Lillian Deskin as part of the National Music Week festival concert in May of 1926. The big music festival which featured 1,000 elementary and middle school students, including orchestras, bands, choruses and dancers, was presented consecutively from May 4th through 6th at Jason Lee Intermediate School, Lincoln High School and the new Mason Intermediate School. The theme was "Think more about music." At this time, all Tacoma Public School students studied music for 75 minutes a week. Lillian Deskin was a dance teacher in Tacoma in the 1920s; she eventually left her partner Mortimer J. Merrick to form the Lillian Deskin Academy. The young dancers are, in no particular order, Adeline Coppock, Georgia Daubemgeck, Hermine Herron, Patricia Cessford and Yvonne Scott. (WSHS) (TNT 4/30/1926, pg. 11- story)

Lillian Deskin Academy (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dance--Tacoma; Costumes--Egyptian; Merrick Studio (Tacoma);

In April of 1926, Mrs. D. Hamer, 2208 No. 27th, warned the City Council that they would have a fight on their hands if they tried to separate her from her two roosters. An ordnance being considered by the Council banned roosters in the North End and limited a household to 12 hens. The 81 year old Mrs. Hamer pointed out that she relied on her flock for her income. Another opponent of the proposed ordnance was Tacoma's 80 year old Mayor Angelo Fawcett who felt that roosters and hens belonged together. After all the feathers settled, Mrs. Hamer had something to crow about, she and her roosters were victorious. (WSHS- negative A699-0) (TNT 4/20/1926- pg. 1; pg. 8; 4/21/1926- pg. 1)

Roosters; Municipal government--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Eighty one year old Dorothy Hamre was one of the main opponents of a proposed ordinance barring roosters from the North End and limiting households to 12 hens. Mrs. Hamre lived at 2208 No. 27th and relied on her chickens as her sole source of income. After the vote was taken by the City Council on April 21, 1926, Mrs. Hamre and Tacoma's roosters were triumphant. (Same woman as image A-699. filed under Argentum) (TNT 4/20/1926, pg. 8- picture; pg. 1-story; 4/21/1926, pg. 1)

Roosters; Municipal government--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hamre, Dorothy;

Students, all wearing a very serious expression, were photographed at Washington School wearing colonial costumes and powdered wigs. The eight couples had been rigorously rehearsing the minuet to perform in a series of three big music festival concerts taking place May 4-6, 1926 at Jason Lee, Lincoln and Mason. The concerts were part of the observance of National Music Week. Pictured, in no particular order, are Alene Symser, Daniel Stixrud, Barbara Bryan, Frederick Wolf, Barbara Rothermel, Gordon McEachran, Helen May, Lofton Tatum, June Everson, Lewis Jones, Muriel Ellis, Malcolm Shaw, Nancy Quick, Robert Cromwell, Phyllis Zeigler and Robert Martin. (WSHS) (TNT 4/30/1926, pg. 11)

School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington School (Tacoma); Costumes;

Evelyn Apartments, 16th and I Streets. The Evelyn, 821 So. 16th St., was constructed in 1925. F.H. Madsen was the builder. The apartment building was designed by C. Fred W. Lundberg, of the architectural firm of Lundberg & Ekvall. An advertisement in the April 5, 1926 News Tribune stated that the building offered the "conveniences of a refined apartment" with the "comforts of home." The apartments had hardwood floors, Universal beds, built-in dressers, dressing rooms, spacious porches, their own individual laundry equipment, storeroom, garage and gas range. (WSHS) (TNT 4/5/1926, pg. 3- advertisement)

Evelyn Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The first Thursday in April, 1926, was a busy day for telephone number Main 4515. All day the phone rang for "Mr. Towser," "Mr. Barking," and "Mr. K.Nine." Lee Kane took messages for the missing Messrs. advising callers that they would call back shortly. Mr. Kane was a Tacoma police officer stationed at the dog pound. And the missing Messrs.? They were all one entity: a regal pooch named Mr. Barker. The first Thursday in April, 1926? April Fools Day. Here a patient Mr. Barker "speaks" to a bewildered caller. (TNT 4-1-26, p. 1) (Bowen 26224)

Star Iron &Steel machinery on track at their foundry at 435 E 11th St, Tacoma

Industries; Star Iron & Steel; Machinery; Tideflats;

Posed by the stage doors of the venerable Temple Theatre are the Maylon Players troupe in April, 1926. They were there to welcome a bowling team from Spokane. Tacoma was hosting the week-long North Western International Bowling Congress where a five-man team sponsored by Texaco Oil from Spokane would participate. The Maylon Players stock company would perform "Best People" written by Avery Hopwood at the Tacoma Theatre the following evening.

Cast of play "The Wishing Well" at McCarver Junior High. Many students on stage in this April 30, 1926 photograph. (filed with Argentum)

McCarver Junior High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Oakland Building was constructed in 1926 by J. M. Janssen in the Oakland district.The Oakland section was roughly defined as being along Center St. between Cedar & Fircrest. The area was very populous but had no business core. This building would become the nucleus of the new business section. The Oakland building cost $55,000 to construct and consisted of seven merchant shops on the first floor and 10 apartments on the second floor. The apartments would be ready for occupancy on May 10, 1926. The merchant spaces were leased to Oakland Drugs, Oakland Meat Market, Oakland Barber Shop, Oakland Cash Grocery and Olympic Ice Cream, among others. The address originally used was 3202-04 So. Durango St. (TNT 3/17/1926, pg. 28- early picture, TDL 5/2/1926, pg. E-10) (filed with Argentum)

Oakland Building (Tacoma); Oakland Drugs (Tacoma); Oakland Meat Market (Tacoma);

Willard School "May Fete". Children performing around May pole on school lawn. (filed with Argentum)

Willard School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; May Day--Tacoma; Rites & Ceremonies--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma;

Willard School "May Fete". Children giving a performance on school lawn. A May Pole can be seen on the left. (filed with Argentum)

Willard School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; May Day--Tacoma; Rites & Ceremonies--Tacoma; Festivals--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.);

Residence interior showing radio set, easy chair, fireplace. For Neils Hansen Manufacturing Company. (filed with Argentum)

Living rooms--1920-1930; Radios--1920-1930;

On May 28, 1926, the Girls Club at Stadium High School unveiled a commemorative bronze tablet at the entrance to their school. The plaque contained the names of the eleven Stadium High School boys who died in World War I and an explanation of the trees planted in their memory at the school in 1919. Bearing roses are Ellis Ayr Smith, left, and Louise Phelps. After the unveiling of the marker, the girls placed the roses at the bases of two of the trees. (TNT 5/28/1926, pg. 17) BU-11,376, BGN 444

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma; Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Phelps, Louise;

Francis F. Thompson, post chaplain of the Grand Army of the Republic, Custer Post, shares a moment of prayer over the Oakwood Cemetery gravesite of an Army veteran with Custer Post patriotic instructor Charles "C.A." Cavender and Cavender's great-grandson, Tilford Gribble to commemorate Memorial Day, 1926. The young Tilford Gribble is solemnly placing an arrangement of roses at one of the headstones while Chaplain Thompson doffs his hat. The men felt it important that the younger generations remember the sacrifices that were made in the name of freedom. TPL-539 (TNT 5-31-26, p.1)

Bustling 11th Street street scene. This is a view from the Perkins Building (1101 A Street) on May 29, 1926. Buildings on the left (front to rear) are: the Federal Building (1102 A Street) and the Peoples department store (1101-07 Pacific Ave.) The 17-story, two-winged skyscraper on the right is the Washington Building (1019 Pacific). Looking uphill from the Washington Building are the Rust Building (950 Pacific) and the Fidelity Building (949-55 Broadway). In the distance can be seen the Romanesque Pierce County Courthouse (1012 So. "G"). G57.1-124

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Federal Building (Tacoma); Peoples (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Fidelity Building (Tacoma);

Passing on the tradition of honoring the dead, patriotic instructor of Custer post No. 6 Charles "C.A." Cavender and post chaplain Francis F. Thompson allow Tilford Gribble to place roses at the G.A.R. plot in Oakwood Cemetery prior to Memorial Day, 1926. Tilford is the great-grandson of Mr. Cavender. Chaplain Thompson doffs his hat while saying a prayer over the gravesite of a fallen soldier. As the ranks of those veterans of the Civil War diminished, it was important that younger generations remember the sacrifices of their ancestors and continue to honor them. (TNT 5-31-26, p. 1)

Photographer Marvin Boland took several snaps during a one-day trip from Tacoma to Olympia on May 31, 1926. He stopped in DuPont to photograph this decrepit log cabin with its windows and door boarded up. The door on the adjacent storage facility or room appears to be open. Both buildings have crumbling wood shingled roofs. It is possible that this is considered to be the oldest building in the state, built in 1843 by the Hudson's Bay Fur Co. at Fort Nisqually, about one-half mile from the present town of DuPont. G74.1-136 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-20-28, 6A-article & alternate photograph of house)

Log cabins--DuPont;