Dressed in Army gear, a squad of "German" soldiers awaits instructions during the filming of "The Patent Leather Kid" on the grounds of Camp (Fort) Lewis in March, 1927. They do not bear arms but carry rucksacks and wear, in some cases, badly fitting helmets. Thousands of regular USA personnel participated in the filming of the war drama and 600+ civilians were recruited as extras. This particular platoon of Imperial Germans spent the day drilling under the direction of Army officers and also hiked several miles. (TNT 3-22-27, p. 1) BGN-607

Arthur Edeson, director of photography, manipulating camera on location of "The Patent Leather Kid," March 29, 1927. Dressed in suit and tie but with a newsboy's cap, Mr. Edeson may be surveying the scene at Camp (Fort) Lewis. He is perched aboard a wheeled cart while his crew help to steady the tripod. Mr. Edeson entered the film industry with the Eclair Co. in 1911. He would play a pivotal role in location sound photography when the silent era came to a close in the late 1920's. BGN-166

Employees of the Skansie Shipbuilding Company, in Gig Harbor, posed around a Fairbanks Morse engine intended for the "Defiance," the Pt. Defiance to Gig Harbor ferry which had been launched on January 16, 1927. By the mid 1920's, ferries were being designed to carry automobiles. The Skansie Brothers yard in Gig Harbor was one of the first to build the auto ferries. The "Defiance" had an 70-car capacity. Mitchell Skansie pioneered the use of diesel engines in ferries and the "Defiance" had a 360 hp engine which could travel with a speed of 10 knots. (Neal & Janus "Puget Sound Ferries") G66.1-091 (TNT 1-15-27, p. 14-article; TNT 1-17-27, p. 15-article)

Ferries--1920-1930; Skansies Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Boat engines;

Mayor Melvin G. Tennent and several Tacoma commissioners joined the hordes of Tacomans on February 2, 1927, in viewing the giant Great Northern electric locomotive #5007 on display at the Union depot. The latest and greatest "Iron Horse" had an overall length of 94'4" and a total weight of 715,000 pounds. It was built jointly by Baldwin Locomotive and Westinghouse Electric. A banner on the locomotive proclaimed it to be the "most powerful motor-generator electric locomotive ever built." It had traveled from East Pittsburgh, Pennyslvania to Skykomish, Washington, a distance of 2600 miles, hitched to the end of a through freight. After stops in Portland and Everett, it would be put into service. From L-R above are: Mayor Tennent (on steps), Commissioners Jesse Silver & Dyer Dyment, Commissioner Ira S. Davisson, and Llewellyn Evans, superintendent of City Light. The two men standing on the ground were not identified. (TDL 2-3-27, p. 12; TNT 2-3-27, p.14-article) G44.1-069; TPL-675; TPL-5813

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tennent, Melvin Green; Silver, Jesse; Dyment, Dyer; Davisson, Ira; Evans, Llewellyn; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1920-1930; Banners--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

This look at St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.'s sprawling grounds was taken from the Puyallup Bridge on May 30, 1927. Col. Chauncey W. Griggs and associates had established one of Tacoma's first major sawmills located along Commencement Bay in 1888, one year before Washington became a state. Abundant sources of hemlock and Douglas firs were available for logging as St. Paul & Tacoma helped Tacoma become the "Lumber Capital of the World." One of the area's largest employers, St. Paul & Tacoma would eventually merge with St. Regis Paper Co. in 1957. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1- pg. 10-11-article) TPL-3235; G36.1-134

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Elevated 1927 view of what is believed to be the Tidewater Mill Co. facilities located on the east side of the Hylebos Waterway at the end of 11th St. The Hylebos Creek Waterway drawbridge is up to permit ships to pass under. Multiple log dumps are located near the plant and readily accessible. The Tidewater Mill Co. was established in 1918 and had a capacity of 100,000 logs per day. Because it fronted 750 feet of deep water, several ships were able to load cargo at the same time. TPL-6476; G9.1-043

Tidewater Mill Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Logs;

Two employees, believed to be Bert Sweeting and Robert Stone, of the (then) Royal Ice Cream Co. are pictured in the company's laboratory on April 18, 1928. Mr. Sweeting, head bacteriologist, is peering into a microscope while his assistant, Mr. Stone, is examining the contents of a tube. The ice cream company had moved into new quarters at 2413-21 Pacific Avenue just six months before. It had announced plans to merge with the Producers Dairy in March of 1928 and would operate under the new name of Medosweet Dairies, the name chosen in a contest won by 9-year-old Jack Richards. Medosweet had installed this laboratory, the first in Tacoma of its kind, to guarantee the highest quality of its ice cream, milk, cream, buttermilk and cottage cheese. The laboratory would use the most modern equipment to assure purity and meet exacting standards. (TDL 3-22-28, p. 3-ad; TNT 4-15-28, p. 14-ad; TNT 5-1-28, p. 2-article on lab; TNT 6-4-28, p. 5-article) G34.1-144

Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co. (Tacoma); Laboratories--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Defiance Lumber Co. facilities, including smokestack and railroad tracks, and neighboring hillside as viewed on June 19, 1928. This scene was photographed for a court case that may have involved pollution claims against the company. G36.1-056 (for another view of smokestack see Boland photograph B18783)

Defiance Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Smokestacks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This photograph of trains of logs on and along Northern Pacific Railway tracks with Northern Pacific boxcars adjacent to the logs was taken in March of 1929. It was later used in a News Tribune article dated October 20, 1930 to help bolster Tacoma's claim to be "the lumber capital of the world." Great trains of logs like these were brought to Tacoma's mills for cutting into lumber before being sent out to the world. More than 80 Tacoma mills converted lumber into finished products. 21 local furniture-making factories used Tacoma lumber to built tables, chairs and all manner of wood products. Tacoma had led the nation in lumber production since 1905. TPL-1542; G44.1-114 (TNT 10-20-30, 4-B)

Logs; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

In November of 1926, the workmen at Skansie Shipbuilding Company posed with the two ferries that they were building in their ways in Gig Harbor. The smaller ferry boat at the left, the "City of Steilacoom", was nearing completion. The larger boat was being built for the Tacoma-Gig Harbor run and would carry up to 75 cars. A larger ways had been built to accommodate the increased size of the ferry. It was scheduled to be launched between February 15 and March 15 and to be completed by April 15. The "City of Steilacoom" was the 12th boat finished by Skansie's since the first of the year. In 1926, the Skansie yard employed 36 workmen. (TNT 11/19/1926, pg. 10) BU 13893, Boland # B15944;

Ferries--1920-1930; Skansies Shipbuilding Co. (Gig Harbor); Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor;

In August of 1927, this photograph was taken for a brochure advertising the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad locomotive class EP3, the largest and most powerful electric powered locomotive. The women leaning out of the windows wearing corsages were beauties from the Broadway Theater Review on loan to the railroad for the photograph. The automobile was a new Chrysler Imperial 80 sedan loaned by the American Automobile Association to transport the girls. The new Olympian was the most modern and luxurious transcontinental transportation around. It ran on roller bearings, eliminating lurching jerks on stopping and starting. The Milwaukee Road electrified transcontinental railroad ran from Tacoma & Seattle to Chicago, over 660 miles and across four mountain ranges. TPL-1359; G44.1-092 (TDL 8/7/1927, pg. G-5 alternate picture) (photocopy made for American Automobile on 10-8-27)

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Chrysler automobile; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

Two circular slices of logs placed on the small porch above welcomed delegates to the Pacific Logging Congress Convention on October 28, 1922. The tiny log cabin itself was built using white fir in 1889. 500 delegates from all Pacific Coast states and British Columbia had convened at the Tacoma Hotel in late October of 1922 for the 13th annual gathering of lumbermen. On the last day of the meeting they traveled to the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp in Kapowsin where the above photograph was believed to have been taken. G75.1-141 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)

Pacific Logging Congress; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Log cabins--Kapowsin;

Scores of delegates to the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention piled aboard a Northern Pacific Railroad flatcar on October 28, 1922. Railings prevent the passengers from unexpectedly exiting the freight car; indeed, the motto "Safety First," as painted on the railing, seems to be well heeded. They were visiting the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp at Kapowsin that day to view modern techniques of logging. G75.1-140 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)

Pacific Logging Congress; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad freight cars--Kapowsin;

A group of seven, including one woman, posed before the "welcome" log at the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention on October 28, 1922. Each year representatives of logging concerns would meet to discuss important issues affecting their industry. The 1922 convention was headquartered in Tacoma where one of the topics of discussion was the use of slack line cable systems in bringing logs out. This photograph is believed to have been taken at the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp at Kapowsin where delegates visited on a special day trip the last day of the convention. G75.1-139 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)

Pacific Logging Congress; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Smoke is billowing out of chimneys found in the neatly constructed cabins at the West Fork Logging Camp in Tacoma. There are several small painted cabins in a row with even a planked walkway before them. A road ends at the camp so that cars can be driven and parked outside the buildings. G75.1-031

Lumber camps--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; West Fork Logging Co. (Tacoma);

Cascade Timber Co. retort operations. Lumber on these cars will be pushed into this long tube, or retort, and treated and distilled. G36.1-050

Lumber industry--1920-1930;

Ferry under construction in late January of 1923. Two men appear to be taking a breather from painting the ferry's exterior. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Co. (print has deteriorated)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On February 19, 1924, workers at the St. Paul & Tacoma lumber mill were loading a giant log onto a Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway car. The log was being sent on an exhibition tour. It would be shown at agricultural fairs and educational exhibits in the East and Midwest during the coming summer as a sample of the giant logs from which Tacoma mills got their lumber. The log was 72 inches in diameter and 40 feet long. (TNT 2/20/1924) G36.1-042

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Logs; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

The "Artigas" is docked awaiting the loading of a cargo of lumber from Tidewater Mill on May 2, 1924. The Tidewater Mill, located on the east side of the Hylebos Waterway, exported most of their timber. The "Artigas" would set sail directly for San Francisco on Saturday, May 3rd. G49.1-094

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--1920-1930; Tidewater Mill Co. (Tacoma);

On August 21, 1926, H.T. Moore of the Moore Amusement Company, owner of the Rialto and Colonial Theaters, joined forces with the new Pacific Northwest Theaters Inc. Moore, left, is shown shaking hands with Harry C. Arthur of Los Angeles, president of the new organization, in front of H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc., movie studio at Titlow Beach. H.C. Weaver, head of the studio, stands with his hands in pocket, on far right in this sepia photograph. Left to right, the group includes J.F. Douglas, Moore, G. C. Kirley, Arthur, L.S. Hamm and Weaver. The group, which was organized to consolidate motion picture distribution in the Pacific Northwest, was touring the studio. The studio was built in 1924. Weaver Productions hoped to lure Hollywood to film extensively in the Northwest; however, the studio apparently only made three motion pictures in their four-year existence. It closed in 1928 and was later converted into a dance hall in 1932 before being destroyed by fire that same year. Boland B15513, BU-13759, TPL-8182 (TNT 8/23/1926, pg. 6)

Motion picture studios--Tacoma; Weaver, H.C.; Shaking hands--Tacoma; H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma);

The Henry Mill & Timber Co. had just begun operating in late July of 1925, just about two weeks before this photograph of the plant's exterior was taken. The plant took over two years to build due to difficulty in preparing the foundation. Built on the 26-acre waterfront site of the old Tacoma Mill Co., the sawmill was designed to use the most modern equipment. It started with a head saw, edger and trimmer. Finished products could be easily transported via ship or nearby railroad tracks. G36.1-143A (TNT 7-20-25, p. 16-article)

Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Mills--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

On July 26, 1926, the "Cacique," an oceangoing cargo ship was pictured at the Tidewater Mill Co. The ship is being loaded with lumber for export. The Tidewater Mill was located on the east side of the Hylebos Waterway, at the end of 11th St. Over 3/4 of its timber was destined for export. In the foreground can be seen several large logs being floated to the mill for processing. The Tidewater was only one of a few mills on the Pacific Coast able to process large logs. (TDL 12/22/1918, pg. B-8) G49.1-086

Tidewater Mill Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On June 12, 1924, two unidentified workers lean their hands against the enormous cut log which will soon be hoisted and processed. The log will be made into sheets of plywood to be used by the Pacific Mutual Door Co. This photograph, in addition to a number of plywood operations shots, was taken in Olympia on behalf of the company. G75.1-027

Logs; Lumber industry--Olympia--1920-1930; Hoisting machinery;

Ship propeller. Three unidentified men stand between the blades of a ship propeller at Todd Dry Dock & Construction's plant along the Hylebos Waterway in July of 1924. Todd Dry Dock's employees consisted of shipbuilders, engineers and boilermakers. TPL-1424; G37.1-118

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp. (Tacoma);

Stern of the SS Bienville. The Bienville would be launched the following day, July 16, 1924, from Todd Dry Dock & Construction facilities. The combination freighter/passenger vessel, 445 feet in length with a 57-foot beam, could hold 346 passengers. She was built at a cost of over one million dollars and would be used to travel between New York and New Orleans. The Bienville would catch on fire in mid-March of 1925 while being overhauled in New Orleans. The ship was ablaze from stem to stern but all aboard escaped. G37.1-113 (TNT 6-21-24, p. 1,9-articles; TNT 3-19-25, p. 1-article on fire; TDL 3-28-25, p. 1-article on fire)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Two unidentified men gaze at giant wheel constructed at Coast Iron & Machine Works, 1117 Dock St., in August of 1924. The machinery firm was operated by J.A. McRae and R.C.McRae. G35.1-088

Coast Iron & Machine Works (Tacoma);

Small boat under construction at Babare Mfg. Co. site in August of 1924. The Babare brothers, George & Nick, were pioneer shipbuilders with original plant in Old Town. They had moved their facility to 3517 E. 11th St. along the Hylebos Waterway. G37.1-106

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. Smelter operations at ASARCO. Steam rises as ore is poured via hoisted ladle onto giant cylinders at the American Smelting & Refining Co.'s plant in Ruston circa 1920. Other large ladles are on the floor waiting to be filled with ore. TPL-899; G37.1-184

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. Smelter operations at ASARCO. These employees of the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) are carefully monitoring what may be the pouring of molten ore in this circa 1920 photograph. It seems to have caught the attention of several other workers in the area. TPL-2351; G37.1-191

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930;