On July 28, 1929, Harold Bromley took off in his big orange Lockheed monoplane, the "City of Tacoma," planning to fly into history books as the first pilot to make a solo trans-Pacific flight. Instead, overfilled gas tanks spewed gasoline blinding Bromley who crashed the plane. The plane ended nose down with the right wing badly damaged and the fuselage cracked in at least two places; while the left wing, tail and motor remained largely undamaged. The crowd of 25,000 there to view the dawn take off had to be held back, to keep them from stripping pieces from the gasoline drenched plane as souvenirs. BGN-310M

Parked directly in front of the Boland photography studios on August 6, 1929, was a gleaming black Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Association truck. Per the advertising on the truck, the co-op's eggs went directly from the farm to customers. G6.1-093

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma); Boland The Photographer (Tacoma); Photographic studios--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Piledriver in operation as a house for Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1 is being constructed during the summer of 1929. Boat morring and quarters for crew were being built at the east end of the 11th St. Bridge on the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. Tacoma's first fire boat was launched in early June of 1929 and was expected to be fully operational in August of that year. The fire boat actually passed official tests on September 10, 1929, and saw first action in quelling an early morning blaze on September 28, 1929. G26.1-024 (TNT 8-13-29, p. 1-article; TNT 9-10-29, p. 1-article; TNT 9-28-29, p. 9-small article on fire)

Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pile drivers; Boathouses--Tacoma;

On August 8, 1929 Civil War veteran Darling H. "D.H." Getchell blew a few notes on his silver bugle for a reporter with the News Tribune. The notes produced were as clear as those he played over 60 years before as the bugler for Company A of the 2nd Maine Calvary. Mr. Getchell enlisted in Maine in 1863; he was shipped to New Orleans as the bugler. After settling in Tacoma in 1881, Mr. Getchell conducted a dancing school on 11th Street, between I and J, for 35 years. He also played with a band for local dances. He was a member of the Custer Post, No. 6, Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). He and his wife, Elva, lived at 1218 South Fife. Mr. Getchell died on Wednesday May 4, 1932 at the age of 88. (TNT 8/8/1929, pg. 10) BGN-017

Getchell, Darling H.; Bugles; Veterans; Civil War, U.S., 1861-1865--Veterans--Tacoma; Aged persons;

On August 12, 1929, men and women connected with Tacoma Airways aviation school lined up in front of two biplanes at the Mueller-Harkins airport with several automobiles further down the row. A Richfield service station is in the distance. TPL-532; G12.1-001

Tacoma Airways (Tacoma); Airline industry; Vocational education--Tacoma--1920-1930; Biplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Dressed in leather boots and gauntlets, a uniformed Washington State Patrolman sits calmly on his motorcycle in an August 13, 1929, photograph. The large cycle, believed to be a Harley-Davidson, is clearly identified as a police vehicle. The front license plate is attached near the bottom of the fender. A saddlebag is fastened at the rear. Photograph ordered by Hirsch Cycle. TPL-6657; G78.1-093

Motorcycles; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma);

Storefront window featuring Plymouth accolades. On August 23, 1929, the large glass window of this automobile dealership was plastered with complimentary remarks about the smooth performance of Plymouth cars. The dealership welcomed passersby to stop and read what people had to say about the Chrysler Motors product. Photograph ordered by A. H. McConnell, Plymouth distributor in Tacoma and Pierce County. He also represented the Dodge Bros. line. The Plymouth agency and Dodge Bros. agency were once under the same roof but the Plymouth agency had recently moved to separate quarters adjacent to its former home. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-18-29, 4-E-article on Plymouth distributorship)

Plymouth automobile; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Window displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Boland Studios took a series of photographs on August 25, 1929, of Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma by locals) from the viewpoint of Tipsoe Lake. This particular view shows trees thickly massed and craggy peaks. G76.1-118

Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma by locals) from the viewpoint of Tipsoe Lake. This photograph was taken in late August of 1929 but the mountain still has a cap of snow. G76.1-090

Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Framed by two towering firs, Mount Rainier (called Mount Tacoma by locals) still wears a cap of snow although it is August of 1929. This photograph was taken from the viewpoint of Tipsoe Lake, at the summit of Chinook Pass. G76.1-091 (see Boland , B21291, for another view of the mountain from Tipsoe Lake)

Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Summer and fall blossoms surround the Wakefield gravesite on September 4, 1929. The grave was apparently located at Mountain View Cemetery (now Memorial Park). This is believed to be the resting place of Olive Wakefield, wife of Emerson Wakefield, owner of the Carlton Hotel. She passed away on August 30, 1929, at her home in the Young Apartments, 25 North Stadium Way. Mrs. Wakefield had resided in Tacoma for 40 years. (TNT 8-31-29, p. 1-article)

Flower arrangements; Graves--Lakewood; Cemeteries--Lakewood;

These men and women aboard the Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association truck are headed for the Western Washington Fair on September 19, 1929. Today was "Egg Day" at the fair and the association was proud to display baskets of freshly laid eggs. G6.1-103

Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma); Eggs; Trucks--1920-1930;

Onlookers lean over wooden barriers to inspect reconstruction efforts being conducted on the city's Municipal Dock on September 20, 1929. Three workers are pictured gazing as what may be a concrete pile being inserted through an opening in the dock. Besides concrete piling to replace wooden piers then in use, a concrete floor and a fire wall were installed. Repairs were estimated at $90,000. TPL-2146; G49.1-189 (TNT 8-1-29, p. 22-small article on repairs)

Municipal Dock (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

One of the large exhibits at the 1929 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup was the sixth International Egg Show. Four unidentified men in business attire stand next to rows of egg-filled cartons. Helpful hints for the consumer regarding egg freshness and cleanliness were posted as well as other information on a chalkboard. G74.1-060

Exhibitions--Puyallup--1920-1930; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Eggs;

Docked at Shaffer Terminal #2 on September 25, 1929, was the "Bellingham" of the Tacoma Oriental Line. She appears to be in the process of loading large logs. The "Bellingham" departed on September 28th bound for South China and the Philippines. G49.1-061 (TNT 9-25-29, p. 18-small article on ship)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Logs;

This view of the buildings on the west side of Broadway in downtown Tacoma looking north from South 11th Street dates from October 1929. The buildings include: S. H. Kress & Company (934-36 Broadway), which opened at this address in 1925; Burnett Brothers jewelry store (932 Broadway), with its well known street clock; the Pythian Temple (924-26 Broadway); and the Colonial Theater (916-18 Broadway). At the far north end of the street in this photograph (far right) is the wedge-shaped Bostwick Block building.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; S.H. Kress & Co. (Tacoma); Pythian Temple (Tacoma); Colonial Theater (Tacoma); Burnett Brothers Jewelry (Tacoma); Bostwick Building (Tacoma);

A pile of slot machines awaits the sledgehammer of Chief Deputy Sheriff John Piper on October 9, 1929 at the county courthouse. These were a sample of the 39 slots ordered destroyed following seizure by county officers from various places of businesses in Pierce County. A total of $244.85 in nickels, dimes and quarters was taken from the machines. This amount, less $10 for trucking, was turned over to the county school fund. The machines, minus their cash, were taken to the waterfront and dumped into Commencement Bay. (TNT 10-10-29, p. 17) TPL-8466;

Standing beneath this biplane's propeller on October 12, 1929, are four unidentified individuals. Both women and one man are wearing aviation headgear and goggles. The plane is marked "Bergersen-Sherman." An alternate photograph ran in the November 14, 1929, Tacoma Times indicating that these four flying enthusiasts recently soloed at Mueller-Harkins Airport. Unfortunately, their names were not listed but their occupations were given as "tugboat man," "auto man," school teacher and doctor's assistant. TPL-8074; G12.1-008 (T.Times 11-14-29, p. 2)

Biplanes; Airplanes; Airline industry;

A large cement mixer is stopped along an unpaved unidentified street in front of two wood framed houses on October 14, 1929. It is being hauled by a City Fuel Co. heavy-duty truck. Photograph ordered by City Fuel Co., 1947 Jefferson Ave. TPL-3668; G43.1-111

Concrete mixers--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; City Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker locomotive. A Hooker Electrochemical Co. locomotive pulling four storage tanks paused on tracks on October 14, 1929. Hooker opened in February of 1929 and aided the Northwest pulp and paper industry by producing chemicals necessary for operations. It became one of the area's largest chemicals companies and underwent several name changes until closure in the early 2000's. TPL-6604; G44.1-058

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A City Fuel truck with a load of wood is third in line as this October 14, 1929, photograph was taken on an unidentified street. Sandwiched between the small City Fuel truck and a heavy-duty truck from the company is a large cement mixer. The mixer is on a trailer being hauled by the heavy-duty truck. Photograph ordered by City Fuel Co., 1947 Jefferson Ave. TPL-3669; G43.1-180

City Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Concrete mixers--Tacoma;

Chambers Creek sand and gravel pit, as viewed on October 18, 1929. Photograph ordered by Glacier Gravel Co.

Building materials industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Glacier Sand & Gravel Co. (Steilacoom);

Two rows of young teenagers, dressed similarly in knee-length sleeveless dresses and wearing unusual "hats," posed for their group portrait on October 27, 1929. Listed only as "degree team," they are possibly part of a fraternal organization completing requirements for membership. Another view of these girls seated is Boland B21656.

Group portraits; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930;

These young girls were simply identified as "degree team" in photographer Boland's studio notes of October 27, 1929. They may have been part of a fraternal organization such as Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls, or Order of the Eastern Star. Each girl, except for the one standing in the center, wears an unusually shaped hair decoration; all have short or sleeveless dresses.

Group portraits; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930;

View of automobile damaged in accident. Damage to this four-door sedan appears to be on the driver's side, notably the door and hood. Engine is exposed. Photograph taken on November 6, 1929. G11.1-146

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The third annual 'mum show held at the Hotel Winthrop on November 12, 1929, showcased fall flowers from many Tacoma firms including the above lovely display of chrysanthemums from Tschunko, "House of Flowers." Tschunko's, located at 5001 Pacific Avenue, had been in business there since 1906. G26.1-117 (TNT 11-9-29, p. 3-article; TNT 11-12-29, p. 14-article)

Chrysanthemums--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tschunko's House of Flowers (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma--1920-1930;