Rotary Club Scotsmen at the Union Club. James Gifford Newbegin, who would be appointed mayor in 1929 upon the resignation of Melvin G. Tennent, is at extreme right in this April 26, 1928, photograph. With the exception of one properly dressed Scotsman third to the right, the other Rotary Club members have patched together costumes consisting of tablecloth "kilts," wisk brooms in place of sporrans, and vacuum cleaner hoses and bags in lieu of bagpipes. G23.1-157
Rotary Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Union Club (Tacoma); Newbegin, James G.;
On April 27, 1928, Miss Franc Hale, local girl made good, returned to Tacoma. She was pictured stepping out of the special Pullman car belonging to the Walker Whiteside acting troupe. She carried an armful of American Beauty roses presented to her by the Chamber of Commerce. Miss Hale appeared as Mr. Whiteside's leading lady in two plays at the Helig Theater in Tacoma. Walker Whiteside was a famous actor whose career spanned 45 years, and material from Shakespeare to the movies. Miss Hale had attended Annie Wright and later acting classes in California and Seattle. She started out with a Portland stock company and later joined the acting companies of May Robson and John Cort. Later Miss Hale vocalized in the syndicated radio show "Jungle Jim," (1935-1954), appearing as Shanghai Lil. (TNT 4/27/1928, pg. 1)
On April 27, 1928, local girl Franc Hale returned to Tacoma on a special Pullman car belonging to her employer and mentor, famed actor Walker Whiteside. Miss Hale was appearing as Whiteside's leading lady in two productions at Tacoma's Helig Theater and Tacoma turned out to welcome their native daughter. Miss Hale poses with an armful of American Beauty roses; to the right is Mayor M.G. Tennent with a beribboned key to the city for her use. On the left is Clinton S. Reynolds presenting a less ornate key to the city to Walker Whiteside. In the center, holding his hat, is John Dower, president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. Also present were Calvin Helig, head of the Helig Theater Co., and Miss Hale's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Hale. (TNT 4/27/1928, pg. 1)
This is North Lawrence St. near 9th as viewed on April 30, 1928. An automobile accident had occurred in this area and Boland Studios were asked to photograph the scene. G60.1-108
This is how North Lawrence St. near 9th appeared on April 30, 1928. This part of town did have street lamps, at least on the corners, and sidewalks. See Boland B18458 for a more distant view of North Lawrence. Photographs were taken due to an automobile accident in the area. G60.1-107
Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street lights--Tacoma--1920-1930; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1920-1930;
This is believed to be the Steilacoom Lake golf course as seen from the rough on May 1, 1928. The golf course was under construction and would open on September 14, 1928. It was managed by Fred Beckwith. G54.1-016 (TNT 8-31-28, p. 21-article)
Famous contralto Mme. Ernestine Schumann-Heink planted a Edouard Herriot rose grafted on a prairie sweetbriar at Point Defiance Park on May 3, 1928, leaving a tangible memorial of her visit here. The rose is located in the new portion of the formal rose gardens. Mme. Schumann-Heink was on a farewell tour of 75 concerts nationwide and would be appearing the following evening at the Heilig theater. The shovel Mme. Schumann-Heink is wielding was used by Prince William of Sweden and Marshal Ferdinand Foch when they planted trees in Tacoma parks. She is flanked by Dr. Hiram DePuy, park district arborist (l) and Metropolitan Park District president, James A. Hays. (r) (TDL 5-1-28, p. 3-article; TDL 5-3-28, p. 1-article; TDL 5-4-28, p. 1-article & alternate photograph) G66.2-165; G41.1-051
Tulip display. The second annual tulip show of the Pierce County Horticultural Society was opened to the public on May 5, 1928. The event was held at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom and admission was free. Thousands of blooms were displayed by amateur and professional growers from all parts of Washington and Oregon. Even homeowners with small gardens were invited to participate. One colorful exhibit was from George Lawler, pioneer bulb grower, who had expanded his bulb business with the purchase in 1926 of 383 acres near Roy. G26.1-119 (TDL 5-5-28, p. 1-article)
Tulips--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
This photograph from May of 1928 shows the buildings on the east side of St. Helens Avenue from 7th Street looking south. Second in from the corner is the building that was shared by the News Tribune and the Tacoma Daily Ledger from 1918 to 1937. Built in 1910 by Darmer & Cutting for the News Tribune, the Ledger moved into the building when it was bought out by the Tribune in 1918. Both papers published independently from this building until the Daily Ledger went out of business in 1937. The News Tribune kept the name of the Ledger alive in the masthead of its Sunday paper until August of 1979, The Tacoma News Tribune and Sunday Ledger.
Three actors from the Mountaineer Players troupe peer at the camera on June 9, 1928, during the production of "Robin of Sherwood." Performances of the play were located in the Forest Theatre, set in a natural amphitheater located seven miles west of downtown Bremerton, and part of the 21-acre Kitsap Cabin property. This would be the second time "Robin of Sherwood" had been selected as the Mountaineer Players' annual spring show, the first was in 1923. (www.foresttheater.com/players/players.html)
Maid Marian modestly accepts the courtly bow of an admiring man in this June 9, 1928, production of "Robin of Sherwood." Smilingly, he has doffed his plumed hat. "Robin of Sherwood" was a production of the Mountaineer Players, a division of the Mountaineers Club, set in a natural amphitheater designed by William C. Darling and located near Bremerton. The site, located on 21 acres called the Kitsap Cabin, is owned and maintained by the Mountaineers Club. The Mountaineer Players have presented a spring show since 1923, with the exception of the war years 1943-1946, with the first production being "Robin of Sherwood."
Second "Robin of Sherwood" production. Actors portraying Maid Marian and a dashing royal pose in the outdoor Forest Theatre near Bremerton on June 9, 1928. Each year the Mountaineer Players, a division of the non-profit Mountaineers Club of Seattle, would produce an annual spring show. The first rehearsed play was in 1923 and was the first production of "Robin of Sherwood." Set in a natural amphitheater, plays utilize the forest as walls and the earth as foundation. (www.foresttheater.com/theater/theater.html www.foresttheater.com/players/players..html)
Enclosed in a tight embrace, actors portraying Robin Hood and Maid Marian look smilingly upon one another in a Mountaineer Players June 9, 1928, production of "Robin of Sherwood." The Mountaineer Players are part of possibly the oldest "community" theater under its original charter in the United States. Plays are set in the all-natural Forest Theatre near Bremerton, believed to be one of the oldest outdoor theaters in the country, and built by volunteer labor. The first rehearsed production was the initial performance of "Robin of Sherwood" in 1923. Since then, dramatically inclined Mountaineers and potential members combine their love of the outdoors with performance art. (www.foresttheater.com/players/players.html)
The Mountaineer Players, a division of the non-profit Mountaineers Club of Seattle, portray Robin Hood and his merry men in a June 9, 1928, performance of "Robin of Sherwood" in an all-natural forest setting. The play had previously been performed in 1923 as the group's first reheased production; since then, a show has been presented every spring to coincide with blooming wild rhododendrons. Plays are still being performed on the 21-acre Kitsap Cabin property near Bremerton, home of the Forest Theatre, believed to be one of the oldest outdoor theaters in the United States. (www.foresttheater.com/theater/theater.html; www.kitsapcabin.org/index.php)
The lead role in "Robin of Sherwood" and perhaps his liege lord pose for the camera on June 9, 1928, in the Forest Theatre on Kitsap Cabin property. Built by volunteers in 1918, the 21-acre Kitsap Cabin is owned by the Mountaineers Club whose Mountaineer Players produced an outdoor spring show each year. The actors made full use of the beautiful setting of the Forest Theatre, using the sky, trees, moss and earth as natural backdrops. (www.foresttheater.com/theater/theater.html; www.foresttheater.com/players/players.html; www.kitsapcabin.org/index.php)
Unidentified machinery at St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.'s new mill, as photographed on June 12, 1928. Established in 1888, the company would merge with St. Regis Paper in 1957.
Machinery; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;
On June 13, 1928, two unidentified workers posed with an acetylene torch at St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.'s new mill. The mill in question is believed to be the new sawmill for cutting hemlock logs built in the Tideflats on the site of the old Foundation shipyards near the Union Bag & Paper Corporation pulp mill still under construction. The sawmill would begin operations on June 18th. G35.1-082 (TNT 6-15-28, p. 10-article)
Welding--Tacoma--1920-1930; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Sawmills--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Interior of new St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. mill as viewed on June 15, 1928. This is believed to be the new sawmill used to cut hemlock logs built in the Tideflats north of E. 11th St., part of a joint venture between the Union Bag & Paper Corporation (N.Y.) and St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber. The mill, opening on June 18, 1928, was built on the site of the old Foundation shipyards. It contained modern new machinery including a new Yates planer, 72 x 14-inch edger, 48 x 16-inch Diamond gangsaw, 9-foot Diamond band saw, 7-foot resaw and two mechanical saw trimmers. In addition, the mill had a new hammerhead crane which was capable of lifting 7 1/2 tons. G36.1-150 (TNT 6-15-28, p. 10-article)
St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sawmills--Tacoma--1920-1930;
American Beauty starring Billie Dove and Lloyd Hughes was playing at the Kay St. Theatre, 1117 K Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) in June of 1928. Seats were available for 10 cents and 20 cents. Movies changed rapidly at the Kay St. Theatre with most running one to two days. "American Beauty" had been preceded by Lon Chaney's "The Big City" and was followed by Charles Paddock's "High School Hero." The movies were silent films as "talkies" were not shown there until December of 1929. The brick theater was demolished in August of 1998 to make way for a Rite Aid drugstore. G64.1-097, BU-11139, TPL-3792
Kay St. Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Roller equipment at a gravel pit believed to be the Glacier Pit located along Puget Sound at Chambers Creek in University Place. Railroad tracks are at left center and water on right center. This photograph was taken on June 18, 1928. G33.1-104 (Additional identification provided by a reader)
This photograph of wooden roller equipment at the Glacier Pit along Puget Sound at Chambers Creek was taken on June 18, 1928. For a close-up view of equipment, see Boland B18778. G33.1-103 (Additional identification provided by a reader)
Defiance Lumber Co. plant and stacks, as photographed on June 19, 1928, for a court case. Photograph also includes hill and tracks. The court case possibly involved a $10,000 claim in superior court whereby an individual charged that smoke and refuse from the lumber company's stacks was so heavy that it was a nuisance when the wind blew from the north or northeast. G36.1-117
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)
A Dodge Victory Six from Burns-Campbell Motors, South Tacoma dealers, is parked adjacent to a Bergen Bromley Flying Service airplane on June 23, 1928 that had Tommy Burns in the rear cockpit. The other man was not identified but may have been Harold Bromley, Mr. Burns' flight instructor. Tommy Burns had just completed his solo flight that day. The Bergen Bromley Flying Service operated out of the Tacoma Municipal Airport in Lakewood. TPL-1667; G12.1-040 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-8-28, 2-G)
Dodge automobile; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bergen Bromley Flying Service (Tacoma); Burns, Tommy;
Tacoma Hotel. An arched entryway welcomed guests to the Tacoma Hotel in 1928. 300 rooms were available, some with splendid views of Commencement Bay, and all at reasonable rates. The hotel advertised itself as being famous worldwide for its good food and restful surroundings. Built in 1884, the historic hotel was destroyed by fire in October of 1935. G30.1-112; BU-11,942
Mack truck and trailer on display. This Mack truck had recently been put into service by the Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co. in July of 1928 for quick freight service to Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia-Aberdeen and Shelton. The heavy duty Mack truck had a sterling reputation for reliability and durability. Trucking goods was becoming more popular and the Mack company, who had already received accolades during WWI, was at the foreground in developing larger capacity vehicles capable of higher highway speeds. The Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co., bonded carrier and member of the Washington Motor Freight Assn., had a large trailer hitched to the main truck body. Both the truck and trailer were equipped with Booster brakes in addition to regular braking equipment. Goodyear balloon tires provided extra carrying capacity. G66.2-105 (www.macktrucks.com) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, 4-G)
Mack trucks; Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co.; Shipping--1920-1930;
Trucking of goods by highway was another method of shipping that became popular in the 1920's as roads and vehicles improved. Mack trucks, already known for their durability and reliability pre-and-post WWI, were used for quick delivery of freight. The company realized the demand for larger capacity and higher speed haulage and firms like the Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co. were starting to use the sturdy Mack trucks for business. This Mack truck shown above on July 6, 1928, had an attached trailer, doubling the amount of goods that could be transported. For additional safety, both truck and trailer were equipped with Booster brakes to supplement regular braking equipment. G66.2-106B (www.macktrucks.com) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, 4-G, alternate photograph & article)
Mack trucks; Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co.; Shipping--1920-1930;
75-year-old James Mayne, a pioneer lumberman, posed proudly with a new Graham-Paige four-passenger coupe on July 12, 1928. He selected the "614" recently from Angle-Mulligan Motor Co. Mr. Mayne, a 50-year local resident, was very active and used his car to cover his entire southwest Washington territory. G11.1-047 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, G-7)
Scales on display. This metal standing scale would list your weight at no charge. The scale, as pictured on July 16, 1928, is surrounded by ads of local companies. Not all of them were food related as the Walkover Shoe Store, John Dower Lumber Co., Tacoma Radiator & Fender Works, Drury the Tailor, Monty's Garage and others advertised their services. Almond Roca, Medosweet Ice Cream, Holsum Tea Biscuit, Orange Crush and Kona Blend Coffee might have tempted the taste buds, however. TPL-463; G32.1-037
