The "Pacific Spruce" was the first vessel to unload cargo at the new dock of the Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Association, which had recently taken over the Milwaukee grain elevator and dock on the Tacoma tideflats. The ship arrived on the evening of April 26, 1927, and completed discharging 360-370 tons of oyster shells the following day. This view shows bags of oyster shells (used in chicken feed) in the process of being transported from the "Pacific Spruce" to the dock by stevedores. In the days before cargo containers every bag of shells had to be moved by hand. Suited men standing by may be officials of Washington Cooperative. The dock would now be known as "Co-op" dock. The Egg & Poultry Assn. was building a new headquarters on the dock which was soon to be completed. (TNT 4-27-27, p. 18-article); G49.1-197; TPL-661 (copy made for Washington Co-op on 10-12-27)

Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Longshoremen--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma); Piers & whaves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On April 28, 1927, a group of interested businessmen made the first Tacoma to Paradise Valley tourist trip by air. They were inspecting the possibilities of regular tourist flights from Tacoma to "Mount Tacoma" (Mount Rainier), making sights usually available only to climbers possible for the average tourist. Pictured, left to right, are Paul H. Sceva (Assistant to the General Manager of Rainier National Park Co.), Frank E. Roberts (Tacoma News Tribune), Vernon Bookwalter (pilot) and Vern C. Gorst (President of Pacific Air Transport.) The flight was made on a six passenger Fokker monoplane owned by Pacific Air, the coast contract mail carrier. (TNT 4/29/1927, pg. 1)

Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul engine as photographed on April 29, 1927, for "evidence." TPL-2702; G44.1-083

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad locomotives--Tacoma;

The Daimler-Knight limousine in the center of this photograph was once owned by England's King George V. It was met at Tacoma's city limits by Harry Manley and two local police officers who escorted it to the Manley Motor Company at South 9th and Fawcett where it was to be on display April 22-23, 1927. The vehicle had been built for the King in 1910 at a price tag of $17,000 and had been used continuously for 14 years. It was still capable of doing 60 mph and had 174,000 miles while in service to the king. The odometer on it had over 196,000 miles by the time it reached Tacoma. Behind the limo is a Willys-Knight 66-A "foursome." Pictured left to right are Sgt. Charles Rhors and Officer Harold Thornberg on motorcycles, R.J. Tarte (Motor Transport Co.- Seattle), Capt. Fred Gardner, Police Chief M.D. Guy, Harry Manley, James Teale (Willys-Knight) and shop foreman Joe Willett. (T.Times 4/23/1927, pg. 9) (Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Willys-Knight automobile; Daimler-Knight automobile; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma); Manley, Harry; Rhors, Charles; Thornberg, Harold; Tarte, R.J.; Gardner, Fred; Guy, M.D.; Teale, James; Willett, Joe;

Action scene from "The Patent Leather Kid" filmed at Camp (Fort) Lewis in early April, 1927. A billowing curtain of smoke obscures advancing American troops from German soldiers entrenched behind rocks and hay during the "big drive in the Argonne." Two lines of trenches would be dug across the top of a hill as far as the eye could see and masses of barb wire entanglements, stumps, fallen trees and debris would stretch a quarter mile to the nearby forest. These German soldiers, and others, would tensely await the storming of thousands of American infantry and 21 tanks. Nine cameras would be used to film this battle sequence which would show an Army truck blown up and hand grenades and exploding shells decimating the earth. (TDL 4-2-27) BGN 112

The assembled and costumed cast of the patriotic pageant, "Democracy," appear on stage at the McCarver Intermediate School on May 6, 1927. Many were dressed in clothing reflecting their various cultures. 100 pupils participated on stage in episodes of American history. The pageant was written and directed by history teacher Zeta Dalton. TPL-1553 (TNT 4-19-27, p. 17-article)

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

In May of 1927, the leaders in the Y.W.C.A. building campaign posed around a poster advertising the fund raising drive that would kick off on May 23rd. The women are, front row (l to r); Daisy (Mrs. A.R.) Warren, Mabelle (Mrs. F.A.) Leach, and Mrs. George G. Wagner. Back row (l to r); Nora (Mrs. J.G.) Parkhurst, Mrs. E.A. White, and Mabel (Mrs. Edgar F.) Dodds. In its 21 years of existence, the Y.W.C.A. had moved six times to progressively larger quarters. In 1927, a building campaign was proposed to raise $300,000 to build a new, larger structure and to pay off the mortgage on its current home, the Blackwell mansion at 401 Broadway. The mansion had been purchased by the organization in 1923 and would be connected with the new structure, which would house the first pool and gymnasium for girls in Tacoma. The new structure was built at 405 Broadway and dedicated in December of 1928. It still houses the YWCA. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 5/22/1927, pg A-7) G68.1-160

Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1920-1930; Warren, Daisy; Leach, Mabelle; Parkhurst, Nora; Dodds, Mabel; Wagner, George G.--Family; White, E.A.--Family; Posters; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Kitsap Co. Transportation Co. ferry, believed to be called "Kitsap of Seattle," as viewed on May 13, 1927. This ferry would provide reliable service linking Seattle and the Kitsap peninsula. The Kitsap Co. Transportation Co. would be forced out of business in 1935 due to a strike. Photograph requested by the Washington Navigation Co. G78.1-110 (ws.dot.wa.gov/ferries--article)

Ferries--1920-1930;

The Washington Navigation Co. had requested photographs be taken of several ferries in May of 1927. The "Liberty" is pictured above, with several men standing on deck, on May 13, 1927. She carried at least two lifeboats and operated on steam. The "K' on her funnel possibly stands for Kitsap County Transportation Co. G78.1-109

Ferries--1920-1930;

This is possibly the ferry "Suquamish" as pictured on a foggy day in May, 1927. Photograph taken on behalf of the Washington Navigation Co.

Ferries--1920-1930;

Students at the Knapp Business College formed their own musical ensemble, the "Knapp Business College Orchestra," in the mid-1920's. The six-piece group had a small horn section, banjo, drums and piano. They were photographed in May of 1927 at the KMO radio station studio then located in the Winthrop Hotel. Knapp was the first institution in Pierce County to be organized exclusively for business education. It was started in 1921 with emphasis on accounting and secretarial fields. G40.1-036

Knapp Business College Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pianos; Drums--Tacoma; Saxophones; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Scotch Bloom Service Station & General Store. An unidentified couple stand with four children under the overhanging roof of the Scotch Bloom service station and general store in late May of 1927. The location of the facility was not given. A white picket fence adjoins the service station with openings so that customers could drive in and park or have their crankcase serviced. G48.1-120

Scotch Bloom; Automobile service stations; General stores; Fences; Signs (Notices);

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;

As more people sought to own their own automobiles, the staff of Manley Motor Co., 956-58 Fawcett Ave., grew in the same proportion. The president of the company was Harry R. Manley. They were the authorized dealers for Overland, Willys-Knight and Whippet automobiles. Pictured in the top row, left to right in May of 1927, are Harry Manley, Dolly Wescott, Lloyd Munter, J.B. Clausen, N.W. Powers, K. McDonald and Ray Coops. Front row: Joe Willett, Art Lee, Phil Service, Omar Ferris, E.J. Atchinson, J.T. Owens, Herman Riggins, F.R. Grimm, Harold Hayden, Art Rossell and Leo Bauer. (TDL 5/22/1927, pg. G3) (WSHS)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Six members of the Epperson Orchestra pose on stage with their instruments. In May of 1927, Howard Epperson and his Orchestra were suppling the music for the "Cottage Garden Revue," featuring 40 local girls singing and dancing. (filed with Argentum)

Epperson Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Big bands--1920-1930; Epperson, Howard;

Minuet at Washington School. Eight boys and eight girls perform in Colonial era costume at their school in May of 1927. (WSHS)

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

Minuet at Washington School in May of 1927. Eight boys and eight girls in Colonial era costume. (WSHS)

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

In May of 1927, the big draw in Tacoma was the "Own-your-own-Home Exposition" at the Armory. One of the main attractions was the "Cottage Garden Revue" featuring 40 local girls singing and dancing to the music of Howard Epperson and his Orchestra. In this publicity photograph, members of the Epperson Orchestra are looking at sheet music for "I've Got The Girl." Drum set with scene painted on bass drum, clarinets, trumpet, saxophones, grand piano, trombone, megaphone on stage. (TDL 5/15/1927, pg. 2B- advertisement) (filed with Argentum)

Epperson Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Big bands--1920-1930; Epperson, Howard;

Minuet at Washington School. Eight boys and eight girls perform in Colonial era costume in May of 1927. (WSHS)

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

The funeral for Thea Christiansen (Mrs. Andrew) Foss, founder of Foss Maritime and community leader. Mrs. Foss was so widely admired in the community for her compassion and charity that her funeral was the largest that Tacoma had seen to date. All of the trademark green and white flags of the Foss Co. flew at half mass in honor of "Mother Foss." Immigrants from Norway, Andrew and Thea Foss arrived in Tacoma the spring of 1889. While Andrew took what work he could find, Thea started the family business with the purchase of 1 rowboat for $5, all the money that she had. With shrewd business moves and hard work, the Foss family parlayed that one rowboat into the one of the largest maritime companies in the country. Thea Foss never forgot her origins and continued to aid Scandinavian immigrants offering them food, lodging, work and the family they so sorely missed. Mrs. Foss was never idle, running the company's office, store and boarding house for its workers. She also found time to nurse the sick, help the needy and fulfill her purpose in life- to be of service to others. TPL-8662, BGN 589

This is the Titlow Beach lagoon as it appeared in June of 1927. By this time the Metropolitan Park District had purchased the Aaron Titlow property which included the Hotel Hesperides (not pictured) and land, including this salt water lagoon. The hotel was reopened in 1928 and has been renovated several times. It has been renamed the Titlow Lodge and now serves as a community center. The lagoon which had been used for swimming is now believed to be a duck pond. (www.metroparkstacoma.org/) TPL-5858; G41.1-110

Lakes & ponds--Tacoma;

All Aboard! On June 16, 1927, members of the 148th Field Artillery, Tacoma's own National Guard unit, crowded into three coaches at Union Station. They would be shoving off at 8:30 a.m. for the National Guard encampment at Camp Murray for summer training. (TNT 6/16/1927, pg. 1) BGN-687

Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. (Tacoma); Military uniforms; Military personnel; Railroad cars;

Showing off her freckled face and bobbed hair, Margaret Wheeler posed serenely with a Lady Craig rose at the Tacoma Rose Show, which was held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 5 South G Street, on June 17, 1927. The young miss looked off camera with her large dark eyes, possibly listening to directions from the photographer. The Lady Craig was being shown for the first time at the Rose Show. It was one of 1,000 entries in the 16th annual show, the largest display in years. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Rose Society. (TNT 6/17/1927, pg. 1)

A boat passes under the raised 11th Street Bridge (now the Murray Morgan Bridge) on the City Waterway (now Thea Foss Waterway) in June, 1927. Dedicated in 1913, the $600,000 steel truss lift-span bridge provides a link between the downtown business district and the industrial Tideflats area. It was renamed for Mr. Morgan, perhaps the Northwest's foremost historian, in 1997; Mr. Morgan served as relief bridgetender in the 1940's. TPL-1426; G15.1-025b

Bridges--Tacoma; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma);

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;

In June of 1927, Seattlite and frequent Tacoma visitor Esther Landstrom (in coat) was pictured with her new Willys-Knight 70-A coupe in front of the First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Avenue South. Her small dog stands on the running board. Her friend Dolly Wescott, a bookkeeper at Manley Motors, was at the wheel. Mrs. Landstrom had recently purchased her car from Manley Motor Company, 956-58 Fawcett Avenue, in Tacoma. Manley Motors were the authorized dealers of Overland, Willys-Knight, and Whippet automobiles. (TDL 6/19/1927, pg. G2) (WSHS)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Landstrom, Esther; Wescott, Dolly; Willys-Knight automobile; Dogs--Tacoma--1920-1930;