Boats at Northern Pacific dock, Tacoma, Washington Territory, circa 1885. The owners of the warehouse in the center of photograph were not identified. The large building to the far left is the Blackwell Hotel, considered New Tacoma's first hotel. Built by the Northern Pacific Railroad, it opened on January 1, 1874 and closed in 1884. It was razed during the summer of 1901. KING-002, TPL-1095

In this photograph believed to be from the mid 1880s, a group of Puyallup Indians gathers on the shore of the Puget Sound to gamble. The game they are playing appears to be the bone game, where two teams of 10-12 sit opposite each other. One team has four bones which they pass to the distracting accompaniment of the pounding of sticks and singing of chants. The other team must guess who has the bones. In the background are longboats and a bridge. The Puyallup village during this time period was believed to be at the foot of South 15th St. KING-003, TPL 2897.

View of three ships including a sidewheeler at the Northern Pacific dock, Tacoma, Washington Territory. The sidewheeler included in this circa 1885 photograph is possibly the "North Pacific," an early steamboat that operated in Puget Sound. Several people are already on board. KING-004, TPL-1096

Three-masted ship "Eldorado" at old coal bunkers, Tacoma, Washington Territory, circa 1885. These are believed to be the Northern Pacific coal bunkers projecting into Commencement bay that were completed in 1882 at a cost of $250,000 and considered at that time to be the most modern of their type on the North Pacific Coast. Ships like the "Eldorado" were a common sight waiting to take on loads of coal. (Hunt, "The Coal Bunkers," History of Tacoma) KING006, TPL 1076

Wharf scene on Commencement Bay, terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Tacoma, Washington Territory. Photograph was taken circa 1885. Masted ships are docked waiting to unload/load cargo.

In a view looking north, two individuals are seen walking on a wood plank sidewalk along the Northern Pacific wharf near Commencement Bay circa 1885. KING-007, TPL 400.

Northern Pacific Railroad track along Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington Territory, circa 1885. Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) and tideflats in background. The railroad tracks were built on fill dirt. The water-filled half-moon section would also be filled in to become the railroad yard, called appropriately the "half-moon yard." KING-008, G76.1-101 (Digital copy only. No print or negative available).

This is the original Central School, built in 1883 for $18,000 and located at 1114 S Altheimer (then S G St), now the area of Bates Technical College. It was modeled after the Euclid Avenue School of Cleveland, Ohio, by architect Joseph Sherwin of Portland. It stood out along the Tacoma skyline with its 90-foot bell tower visible for miles. The school contained twelve rooms and was considered a showplace for the city. Rapid growth made the enrollment climb to 964 by 1886, taught by a staff of 18 teachers. Remodeling and additions to the school occurred before the school moved its 1000 elementary students to a new Central School located at So. 8th & Tacoma Ave. So. in 1913. The new Central School cost $165,000, almost ten times the cost of the original school. The old Central School was demolished in 1914 and served as a hobo shelter for a few months prior to its demolition. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 47-48-various photographs) King 009, TPL 1103.

Back of photo:
Central school, S.W. corner of S.W. and G. St now the Bates Vocational School Tacoma, Wash.

Downtown Tacoma

Downtown Tacoma

S 13th and Commerce Downtown Tacoma

Commerce St Downtown Tacoma

Pacific Ave and S 13th Downtown Tacoma

S 13th St Downtown Tacoma

S 8th and Pacific Downtown Tacoma

Pacific Av Downtown Tacoma

S 13th and Pacific Downtown Tacoma

S 13th and Pacific Downtown Tacoma

1908/08. Group by peach tree. Krumm Farm. Three men, a woman and a horse stand next to a tree. There is a barn in the background.

1908/08. Mr. Young with bull "Conqueror" Price $120.00 . A young man in a white shirt, wearing a hat, stands next to a large black and white bull in this August of 1908 photograph.

ca. 1908. Miller residence at Manitou Park in South Tacoma, circa winter of 1908. Trees and ground are covered with snow. Icicles hang from the house eaves.

ca. 1908. Bicycle shop and Storage business. The bicycle shop is probably the Amzie D. Browning Bicycle & General Repairing business. The bicycle shop has an advertisment painted on it for the Tacoma Baking Co. Print is somewhat out of focus.

ca. 1913. A view of the west side of the 5200 block of South Union (now South Tacoma Way) looking north. The Bobbi Burns Wine House was at 5238 South Union. A boy stands by a water fountain.

ca. 1908. Boys and girls stand in front of a wood frame school building. A man in suit and bow tie stands behind the children. An American flag is on the porch of the school.

ca. 1912. A large group of men sit at four long tables in a large hall for a meeting. American flags hang from the ceiling and walls. All the men are wearing suits and ties. This may be a special dinner for railroad men. The flags have 48 stars.

Mrs. Duthie, sitting in a rocking chair, on Prospect St., young girl and doll on porch of house. Probably house of George Duthie at 5124 So. Prospect. Mr. Duthie worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad.