This is the Eells St. State Highway Bridge and adjacent eastside homes as pictured from on top of McKinley Hill on March 6, 1927. 1927 maps listed the bridge as above although local newspapers called it simply the Puyallup River Bridge which opened about the time of this photograph. The group of large buildings left of the bridge have been identified as the George M. Harty Lumber & Mfg. Co. The Seattle-Tacoma Interurban line, barely visible, runs next to the bridge. G9.1-015 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Eells St. State Highway Bridge (Tacoma); Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bridges--Tacoma--1920-1930; George M. Harty Lumber & Mfg. Co. (Tacoma);
View of Cushman Hospital and neighborhood taken from McKinley Hill on March 6, 1927. This hospital for veterans was located in Tacoma's east side. It originally housed the Puyallup Indian School. In January of 1929, Cushman would close as a veterans hospital and reopen as a tuberculosis unit for the U.S. Indian Service. G8.1-097
These homes on Borough Road east of the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club in 1927 had splendid views of Commencement Bay. The substantially built houses were located in the city's north end. TPL-6475; G9.1-075
Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Commencement Bay (Wash.); Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Senate chambers in Olympia were packed during a joint session held on March 7, 1927. State legislators appear prepared to settle down for extended discussions with papers and books at hand. Earlier that day members of the 20th state legislature had marched in the rain to the beautiful new legislative building and convened in a joint session. Also present were Governor Roland Hartley and the state supreme court. G74.1-196 (TNT 3-7-27, p. 1-article)
Washington Governor Roland H. Hartley (center with white handkerchief and watch chain) and Lt. Governor W. Lon Johnson (far right) are on the rostrum in legislative chambers on March 7, 1927. Their spouses are believed to be standing next to them. The third couple on the far left was not identified. Roland Hartley was elected governor twice, serving from 1924-32. Lon Johnson, a former state senator, served a single term as Lt. Gov. and later became a Superior Court Judge. Both men were Republicans. G74.1-193
Hartley, Roland H.; Governors; Johnson, W. Lon; Government officials--Washington;
When the first imported strawberries reached the Ryan Fruit Co., 1137 Dock Street, on March 3, 1927, Rhoda Merritt, cashier, couldn't resist slipping outside to nibble the choice fruit. A rough Washington breeze was blowing and her bobbed locks, about the same color as the plump luscious fruit, blew with the wind. However, Miss Merritt still smiled for the camera, delighted with the taste of southern sunshine. (TNT 3/8/1927, pg. 2)
Tanker "Socony" docked in Tacoma in mid-March of 1927 at what is possibly the City Waterway. Several large companies had tanks (receiving stations) on the City Waterway at this time: Shell Oil, Associated Oil, and Standard Oil. The three tanks in the picture may have belonged to the General Petroleum Co. G49.1-075 (TNT 4-2-26, p. 1-article on plants on waterway) Photograph ordered by Allen Lubricating Co.
Director Al Santell and actor Richard Barthelmess flank Al Rockett, First National producer, at a train station in March, 1927. The stars and crew of "The Patent Leather Kid" arrived by special train in Tacoma for filming at Camp (Fort) Lewis where vivid battle scenes would be shot. Mr. Barthelmess would be later nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of a boxer who eventually enlists in the war and engages in the Battle of Argonne. (TNT 3-16-27, p. 1)
Eddie Barry & H.C. Weaver on location of "The Patent Leather Kid," March 15, 1927. Mr. Barry was a visiting First National studio executive. Carrying a portfolio, he appears to be in deep conversation with H.C. Weaver, head of H.C. Weaver Productions, Tacoma's local motion picture studio. Later that summer, Mr. Weaver's third film, "Heart of the Yukon," would be opening at the Rialto Theater. BGN-104
Bursting of shrapnel during filming of "The Patent Leather Kid," on March 15, 1927, at Camp (Fort) Lewis. Trenches were dug and explosives laid before filming of the big battle scenes depicting the "Battle of the Argonne." 27,000 similar shrapnel shells were made and stored at Camp Lewis. Thousands of spectators had the opportunity to watch the filming until further into the war manuevers when it was decided that it was potentially too dangerous. Gravel and rocks were strewn over a wide area when the charges of powder exploded. An assistant powderman for First National studios, Walter Holt, was seriously injured in an explosion when a rock badly fractured his skull. He stayed on the job for half-an-hour to set off the complicated explosives before finally collapsing. (TNT 3-25-27, p. 1, TNT 3-16-27, p.1) BGN-103
On March 15, 1927, an unidentified logging crew at Camp #1 was taking a lunch break next to giant logs stacked and ready to be transported. Some of the men found that a cut log makes a fairly comfortable perch. Metal lunch pails were scattered around the area and there were clumps of snow visible. TPL-2445; G75.1-102
The "Shawnee House," overlooking Quartermaster Harbor, located at Magnolia Beach, Vashon Island, just south of Burton. The house is a registered historical site in King County. The architect for the home was Max A. Van House of Seattle. The Shawnee area was platted and named in 1907 by Millard F. Shaw, the original owner of the home. The Shaws originally lived in a small home up the hill. Later Mr. Shaw built his wife the larger, more elegant home near the beach and the Shawnee Dock. The only problem was that she refused to move into it, preferring her small home. The new house was sold to Stanley Morrison, a Tacoma stockbroker and vice president of Morrison-Muehler Co. Inc., a real estate company located in the Washington Building in Tacoma. Morrison was later convicted on federal charges of fraud during the 1929 stock market crash. In 1927, the home was already considered a showplace on the island. (TDL 4/6/1924, pg. G1; online nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com and vashonhistory.com) ("Magnolia Beach Memories" by Bob Gordon Sr.) G76.1-034
Six plain clothes detectives from the Tacoma Police Department stand next to a uniformed officer, perhaps the police chief, on March 18, 1927. The building to the rear is possibly the Elks Club on Broadway. Boland B16553, TPL-9068
Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1920-1930;
The Shawnee area of Magnolia Beach, Vashon Island, located south of Burton. On the right is the "Shawnee House," 11608 SW Shawnee Rd., designed by architect Max A. Van House. Former owner Millard F. Shaw platted the area in 1907 and named it, presumably after himself. He built the Shawnee House for his wife who refused to live in it, preferring their smaller, simpler house up the hill. In 1927, the home was owned by Tacoma real estate dealer Stanley Morrison, vice president of Morrison-Muehler Co. Inc. In 1929, Mr. Morrison was indicted on federal fraud charges in connection with local investors and the stock market crash. A number of the homes at the south end of the island were occupied by individuals who had business dealings in Tacoma and commuted by ferry. The ferries connected the island to Tacoma and Seattle. (TDL 4/6/1924, pg. G1; nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com, vashonhistory.com) ("Magnolia Beach Memories" by Bob Gordon Sr.) G76.1-035
30 members of the Young Business Women's Club and accompanying Tacoma businessmen pose with Governor Roland H. Hartley (front row, dark suit with no overcoat) and Secretary of State J. Grant Hinkle on their visit to the new Legislative Building in Olympia in March of 1927. The young businesswomen were given a tour of the new state capitol building which was not quite completed at this time. Copy of this photograph was made on April 9, 1927. TPL-5014; G72.1-028 (TNT 3-21-27, p. 4)
Young Business Women's Club (Tacoma); Governors; Hartley, Roland H.; Legislative Building (Olympia); Hinkle, J. Grant;
The Tacoma Young Business Women's Club paid a visit to the Legislative Building which was still under construction in March of 1927. They posed on the concrete steps in front of the building along with a few gentlemen and one small boy with dog. The young women and accompanying Tacoma businessmen had stopped in Olympia on their way to the girls training school at Grand Mound where they put on a musical program for the girls. The new state capitol building would be officially occupied by state executives the following year on March 27, 1928. The cost of construction and furnishings was $7,385, 768. (www.historylink.org-article; www.ga.wa.gov/visitor/facts-article) G74.1-195 (TNT 3-21-27, p. 4-alternate picture)
Legislative Building (Olympia); Capitols--Olympia; Young Business Women's Club (Tacoma);
Ed Barry and Major John McDonnell on set of First National's "The Patent Leather Kid," Camp (Fort) Lewis, March 21, 1927. Ed Barry was a film executive with the First National studio. He is posed with Major John G. McDonnell, who was the supervisor in charge of technical work from the Army's standpoint. The Army, which supplied the film with thousands of active duty soldiers, wanted to be sure that the film was as accurate as possible regarding munitions and machines. (TNT 3-22-27, p. 1) BGN-107
Adela Rogers St. Johns, on location of "The Patent Leather Kid," March 24, 1927. Striking a relaxed pose, Miss St. Johns wears her helmet tilted as she sits in a director's chair while visiting the filming of "The Patent Leather Kid" at Camp (Fort) Lewis. She wrote the screen adaptation of Rupert Hughes' short story of the same name. Miss St. Johns was a noted journalist and writer who was known for her distinctive, emotional style. A reporter for the Hearst newspapers, she also interviewed celebrated actors for Photoplay magazine, wrote short stories for various periodicals and also wrote many screenplays. She did not restrict herself to a genre but wrote on such varied subjects as the controversial Dempsey-Tunney "long-count" fight, the 1935 Bruno Hauptmann trial, the assassination of Senator Huey Long and the abdication of King Edward VIII of Great Britain. After retiring from newspaper work in 1948, she went on to write books, including her autobiography "Honeycomb," and to teach at a series of universities. Old age did not deter her; she returned to newspaper work at age 82 to report for the San Francisco Examiner on the bank robbery trial of Patricia Hearst. She died at the age of 94 in 1988; she was still working at the time of her death on a book regarding Jesus Christ. (Britannica Online: Women in American History) BGN-163
Filming of the "Battle of Argonne" war scenes of "The Patent Leather Kid," March 24, 1927, at Camp (Fort) Lewis. "German" soldiers charge down a hill, dodging explosives, while others hunker down in trenches. They would soon be overpowered by the superior numbers of American troops and tanks. BGN-111
Battle of Argonne filmed on location at Camp (Fort) Lewis on March 24, 1927. German troops huddle in trenches behind rock and vegetation barriers as they await the charge of American soldiers during the filming of "The Patent Leather Kid." Camp (Fort) Lewis was apparently ideally suited due to its natural resources as a prime substitute for France and thousands of military personnel were made available for use as extras with the permission of the Army. The location of the "Big Drive," scene of the fierce fighting of the Argonne forest, is almost the exact replica of the famous war sector according to Army technical advisers. BGN-113
Portrait of Al Santell, director of "The Patent Leather Kid," on location at Camp (Fort) Lewis on March 24, 1927. A jaunty beret and Army-issue jacket protect him from the often inclement weather. Mr. Santell was chosen to helm the war drama starring Richard Barthelmess and Molly O'Day. A San Francisco native, he was a comedy writer, set decorator and occasional actor before directing comedy shorts at the age of 20. He subsequently directed a number of silent and sound films of all types. He is perhaps best known for his film adaptations of Maxwell Anderson's "Winterset" (1936) and Eugene O'Neill's "The Hairy Ape." (1944). BGN-116
Crown Prince & German soldier "Battle of Argonne." Arms akimbo and cigarette in hand, the German "Crown Prince" converses with a soldier from the "German" Army during filming of "The Patent Leather Kid" at Camp (Fort) Lewis on March 24, 1927. Even the wooden sign behind them is in the German language. The war scenes filmed were said to be the most vividly real sequences ever made for the camera. Trenches were dug, barb wire strung and fallen trees and other debris were scattered across the war zone. Thousands of extras, mostly Army personnel, were used to depict the sheer magnitude of the bloody battle. 37 Army and National Guard tanks were used as well as 100 army trucks, 15 ambulances and 15 wagon trains. Four batteries of 75 mm guns, two batteries of 155 mm guns, two batteries of 8-inch howitzers were also utilized. BGN-182
Filming of "Battle of Argonne" scenes - "The Patent Leather Kid," March 24, 1927 at Camp (Fort) Lewis. "German" soldiers beat a hasty retreat back to waiting comrades in trenches as their attempt to battle American troops are thwarted by the presence of 27 whippet tanks. Later scenes would show the tanks hurdling German trenches and fierce hand-to-hand fighting .
The Boland Studio photographed this giant Douglas Fir near Mineral, Washington, on March 27, 1927. The sheer size of the tree can be compared to the thinner examples of trees in the background. G66.2-164
Arthur Edeson, cameraman, First National Productions' "The Patent Leather Kid," March 29, 1927. Mr. Edeson positions his camera which is mounted on a wheeled cart. He was the director of photography for the film which was lensed on the grounds of Camp (Fort) Lewis. A founder of the A.S.C. (American Society of Cinematographers), he later pioneered location sound photography as the cameraman of "In Old Arizona" (1929). "Stella Dallas,' "All Quiet on the Western Front," " Mutiny on the Bounty ," "They Drive By Night," "Maltese Falcon," and "Casablanca" were just a few of the many films Mr. Edeson worked on. He retired at the age of 58 after a career spanning the silent and sound eras. (Film Encyclopedia, p. 373) BGN-165
Troop of soldiers relax during the filming of "The Patent Leather Kid" on March 29, 1927, on the grounds of Camp (Fort) Lewis. An exceptionally tall soldier certainly stands out in the crowd of his compatriots. These men were probably portraying American foot soldiers in a vivid enactment of the Battle of the Argonne. First National Studio arranged to have the outdoor battle scenes filmed at Camp (Fort) Lewis and thousands of regular USA personnel as well as ROTC units from the University of Washington and 600+ civilians participated in the filming. BGN-117
Actor Richard Barthelmess, writer Adela Rogers St. Johns & director Al Santell on location at Camp (Fort) Lewis during filming of "The Patent Leather Kid, " March, 1927. Miss St. Johns wrote the screen adaptation of Rupert Hughes' short story of the same name. She had arrived in Tacoma on March 22, 1927, to help the continuity of the script. Mr. Barthelmess played the role of a self-centered boxer who learns to face death with the same courage he had faced his ring opponents. He was a Best Actor nominee at the 1927-28 Academy Awards for "The Noose" and "The Patent Leather Kid;" Mr. Hughes also received a nomination for Original Writing. Director Santell was praised by the New York Times critic Mordaunt Hall for bringing out Mr. Barthelmess' flawless acting and while realizing the full pictoral values of his scenes, never permitting them to interrupt the trend of the story. Mr. Santell would go on to direct dozens of silent and sound films of all genres, including The Arizona Kid (1930), Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1932), Winterset (1936) and The Hairy Ape. (1944) BGN-438
Richard Barthelmess & Harry Dillon on set of "The Patent Leather Kid," Camp (Fort) Lewis, March 29, 1927. Harry Dillon was a real-life boxer from Canada who was in Tacoma to defend his light heavyweight crown against Eastern Washington's Fred Lenhart. He was on the set of the First National studio's motion picture, "The Patent Leather Kid," to meet a celluloid boxer, Richard Barthelmess, who is dressed in a doughboy 1917 service uniform with tin hat. Mr. Barthelmess was cordially invited to attend the boxing match on March 31, 1927, at the Greenwich Coliseum. (TNT 3-30-27, p. 10) BGN-118
