Washington State Historical Society secretary William P. Bonney poses next to the "Lister" table in front of the Ferry Museum. The table was donated to the Society on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the J.H. Lister family in Tacoma. The family emigrated from England and established Standard Iron Works on East 23rd. Second generation Listers included Arthur, Ernest, Alfred, Albert and sister Mrs. D.M. McInnis. Arthur served for 25 years as the superintendent of the pattern department of the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Ernest was elected governor in 1912 and reelected in 1916. He died in office three years later. Alfred served as city controller, manager of the Tacoma school board and president of Tacoma Savings and Loan. Albert was a prosperous farmer outside of Olympia and his sister's family had a farm on McNeil Island. (T. Times 10/13/1934, pg. 9 E.T. Short's column "After Many Years")

Bonney, William P.; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Antiques;

In 1934, Hisasha & Ruby Kumasaka received $10,000 each in the will of 80-year-old logger Sweny Smith. Ruby, 7, and Hisasha, 5, were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kumasaka of 1706 Broadway. For eight years, the family had taken Smith into their home and taken care of him. Despite his Norwegian heritage, Smith observed the Japanese holidays, attended the Buddhist church and followed the family's customs. He spoke of the two children as his grandchildren. On his deathbed in St. Joseph's Hospital, he told the children that he was going to the Great Beyond to watch over them and their growth, and directed them to a safety deposit box in the Washington Building that contained his will leaving everything to them for their kindness. The Kumasaka family, unaware that the frugal logger had any wealth, expected only a meagre amount, but found that the will left $10,000 to each of the children. (T. Times 10/31/1934, pg. 6)

Japanese Americans--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kumasaka, Ruby; Kumasaka, Hisasha;

Harry Cain, future Mayor of Tacoma and U.S. Senator, on right. Cain, wearing kilts and wig, clowns it up with a group of people in costume during Masked Ball at Tacoma Country Club.

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Masquerades--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Scotland--Clothing & dress;

Some time before 3:30 a.m. on November 8, 1934, a fire of unknown origins broke out in the Northern Pacific Repair Shop at South 40th and Washington Street. By morning little was left but a smoldering ruins. Completely destroyed by the flames were the huge, new repair building, which was almost two blocks long, and 35 refrigerator and freight cars. The damage was estimated to be $100,000. Tacoma's firefighters were hampered by a lack of water pressure in the Northern Pacific shops' hydrants. They had to lay hose lines to Washington and South 46th Street. (T. Times 11/8/1934, pg. 1)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On Armistice Day, November 11, 1934, Harry Hanson, a veteran of the Great War, sat on a lonely bench in Firemen's Park beneath barren trees, staring dejectedly into space. Homeless, jobless and penniless, he was one of thousands of war veterans nationwide still fighting, only this time they were fighting the battle of the Great Depression. Mr. Hanson, 44, spent two and a half years overseas during the war and occupation which followed. He joined hundreds of other homeless men each day at the park, and slept at night in a relief administration shelter. (T. Times 11/12/1934, pg. 1)

Hanson, Harry; World War, 1914-1918--Veterans--Tacoma; Depressions--1929;

On the 16th anniversary of the World War I Armistice, November 11, 1934, Harry Hanson, Great War veteran, sat on a lonely park bench beneath barren trees staring into space. Mr. Hanson was one of thousands of veterans still fighting; only this time it was the Battle of the Great Depression. Homeless, jobless and penniless, the 44 year old Mr. Hanson was staying at the shelter for homeless men and spending his days in Fireman's Park, where hundreds of jobless men gathered each day. (T. Times 11/12/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Hanson, Harry; World War, 1914-1918--Veterans--Tacoma; Depressions--1929;

Eugene Linden, conductor of the Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra, tries the key board of an Everett grand piano. Two women beside piano glance down at the oversized sheet music. On the left is Miss Eleanor Perkins, the orchestra's business manager, and on the right is Miss Blanche Yorktheimer, assistant conductor and concertmeister. Eugene Linden was the founder of the Tacoma Civic Symphony (officially named in 1936 the Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra.) In the early days, the orchestra had no rehearsal hall & rehearsed in the Ted Brown and Evans music stores, the Armory, the Hotel Winthrop and in quarters provided by the musicians' union. By February of 1934, the orchestra had a permanent rehearsal hall at the Scottish Rite Cathedral at 5 South G. Mr. Linden was descended from 12 generations of professional musicians. He had conducted Portland Oregon's renowned Junior Symphony at the age of 17. At 22, he was employed as the assistant conductor for that symphony and was studying under Jacques Gershkovich, himself a student of Rimsky-Korsakov and Tschaikowsky in Russia before the revolution. The brash and ambitious Linden wanted to guide his own orchestra and chose Tacoma as the only Pacific coast city that could support an orchestra and that did not already have one. He arrived in Tacoma penniless, friendless and with no financial backers and founded what became known as one of the finest small symphonies in the country. Mr. Linden and his wife Virginia had three sons, Peter, Philip and Christopher. He conducted the Seattle Symphony from 1948-1950 and founded the Northwest Grand Opera, a Northwest opera touring company that folded due to financial difficulties. Mr. Linden faded from public view, never obtaining his full potential. He died January 16, 1983 at the age of 70 in Lincoln City, Oregon. (TDL 3/11/1934, pg. B-1; TNT 2/28/1934; TDL 12/13/1936; TNT 6/15/1936; picture T. Times 11/10/1934, pg. 1)

Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra (Tacoma); Linden, Eugene; Pianos; Pianists--Tacoma--1930-1940; Perkins, Eleanor; Yorktheimer, Blanche;

Civilian Conservation Corp men logging trees in Point Defiance Park. The men lived at the CCC camp at Point Defiance. Their work detail consisted of clearing brush and timber in the park and building roads, trails and structures. The CCC was available to Depression era unemployed men. Most were 18 - 25 years of age, however the LEM (local expert men) were skilled workers aged 25 and up. They would enlist for 15 months. At Point Defiance, most of the men were from the Northwest. (T. Times 11/17/1934, pg. 1)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

This view of Tacoma's fishing fleet, moored at the Port Commission Docks dates from November of 1934. At that time, about 45 fishing vessels called Tacoma their home port. A long row of fishing boats was photographed, their images reflected on the still water. Among the boats tied to the dock are: the "Chancellor", the "Blanco", the "Orbit" and the "Falcon." An editorial on page one of the November 20th Tacoma Times supported Initiative 77 banning fish traps. The newspaper championed building a larger marina in Tacoma that could support an expanded fleet of boats. A strip of land belonging to the Port of Tacoma, near the Port Piers, was proposed for the site of the new facility that could be the home of up to 300 boats. (T. Times 11/20/1934, pg. 1)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In November of 1934, the $90,000 chapel at Fort Lewis had been recently completed. The chapel was a two-story brick structure with a colonnaded entry and a rose window above. The chapel was the showpiece of the 5 1/2 million dollar development program at Fort Lewis. During a six year period, 80 new buildings were built, as well as roads and a new water supply system. The bill for the work was covered by the federal government and provided jobs for thousands in the depression weakened economy. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Chapels--Fort Lewis;

New barracks for medical corps at Fort Lewis. Lettering over doorway reads "Medical Detachment." The new quarters were erected adjacent to the Fort Lewis hospital as part of a six year, 5 1/2 million dollar development plan at Fort Lewis. Camp Lewis was built during WW I, on land given to the military as a gift. After the war, the camp fell into disrepair. In March of 1926, Congress passed a ten year building plan to revitalize several military posts, including Camp Lewis. In September of 1927, Camp Lewis was redesignated as Fort Lewis. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1) TPL-8302

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Barracks--Fort Lewis; Military facilities--Wash.;

Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) men logging trees in Point Defiance Park. These workers were from the CCC camp located in the Park. The CCC was created in March of 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fight rampant soil erosion with an army formed from the nation's urban unemployed. The most popular of the New Deal experiments, the CCC had over 3 million participants. It evolved to build fire lookouts, roads, recreational facilities and fight fires and disasters. It was abolished in 1942 as non essential to the war effort. (T. Times 11/17/1934, pg. 1)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Point Defiance Park. The camp consisted of 15 buildings including a full service medical facility and hospital. The men in the photograph are probably receiving vaccinations from medical personnel. The CCC was created originally by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fight soil erosion with an army made up of the nation's unemployed. The most popular of Roosevelt's New Deal programs, the Corp grew to develop national, state and local recreational lands, enact conservation measures, as well as fight fires and disasters. It was abolished in 1942 as nonessential to the war effort. (T. times 11/17/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

In November of 1934, part of the fishing fleet was pictured moored at the Port Commission Docks. Tacoma at this time was home to about 45 fishing vessels. Among the fleet were the "Sima", the "Argo", and the "Sapho". A motorboat, the "Hazel" was tied to the Port walkway. The November 20th Tacoma Times published an editorial advocating that Tacoma build a larger Marina for the fleet, one that could dock upwards to 300 boats. The area suggested was along the south strip of the Port of Tacoma, near the Port Piers. (T. Times 11/20/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fishing fleet moored at the Port Commission Docks. Close view of row of fishing boats detailing their cabins, masts and riggings. (WSHS)

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fishing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In November of 1934, Bill Hipple, a Tacoma Times reporter, donned tattered clothing and went undercover to report on what life was like in Tacoma for the transient homeless during the Great Depression. For 13 hours, he received food and shelter at the WERA shelter #1 at 1901 Jefferson Ave. The shelter housed around 400 destitute men the evening and morning that he slept there. Most expressed a desire to work and a dislike for soup kitchens. They ate in shifts of 96 and slept on tables and floors with newspapers for covers when the shelter ran out of beds. Mr. Hipple is pictured sitting on a broken concrete curb with his feet on a brick street. He is unshaven and is wearing a felt hat, worn leather jacket and high-top shoes, t-shirt and tattered jeans. An image of the Great Depression. TPL-3562 (T. Times 11/26/1934, pg. 9)

Depressions--1929; Hipple, Bill; Reporters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Journalists--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Interior of recently completed $90,000 chapel at Fort Lewis. The two-story chapel is supported by wood trusses. Colored Corinthian columns of imitation marble support the arcaded plastered walls and upper-story windows. The bronze lighting fixtures cost $2,000 each. A key feature of the chapel is the simple well lighted altar, appropriate to services of any faith. The chapel is the showpiece of the 6 year, 5 1/2 million dollar development program at Fort Lewis. The bill for the work was covered by the federal government and provided jobs for thousands in the depression weakened economy. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Chapels--Fort Lewis;

New brick buildings erected at Fort Lewis, part of a 6 year development program scheduled to be completed by the end of 1934. (T. Times 11/24/1934, pg. 5) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.;

This photograph from November 1934 shows part of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Point Defiance. The complex of 15 buildings, including a barber shop, hospital, barracks, full kitchen and mess hall, and recreation hall was built in the flat area just below and to the south of the reconstructed Fort Nisqually overlooking Puget Sound. The barracks had a capacity of 204 men. The original work detail of the corps members was building roads and trails and clearing timber and brush for fire control. (T. Times 11/17/1934, pg. 1)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps camps--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In November of 1934, eight members of the Civilian Conservation Corp were photographed while thinning the trees in Point Defiance Park. The Corp based at the Point Defiance camp also built roads and trails and cleared brush for fire control. The CCC program, the most popular of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal innovations, offered young unemployed men work. These workers lived at the CCC camp at Point Defiance. The men worked 7 hours a day Monday - Friday for $30 a month, $25 of that sent directly to their families. The Corp supplied the men with housing and hearty meals and offered free education in the evenings through local school programs. George Newman is at front, center. (T. Times 11/17/1934, pg. 1) TPL-8298

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

Mess Hall of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Point Defiance Park. Men dining at tables in room with rough wood paneling and wood floors. During the Great Depression the CCC program offered men work, clothing, food and money to support their families. At a time when money for food was scarce, the young men in the CCC ate heartily. The combination of unlimited chow and physical labor resulted in an average weight gain of 12-15 lbs. per participant. Most CCC enlistees were 18-25 years old, although "local expert men" (LEM) were comprised of skilled laborers 25 years and up. (T. Times 11/17/1934, pg.1)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

In November of 1934, a group of young Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) workers joined together for a little harmonizing to the accompaniment of a guitar and two harmonicas before turning in for the night in their bunkhouse at Point Defiance Park. The CCC camp at Point Defiance was built on a flat area just below and to the south of the reconstructed Ft. Nisqually in the park, and was home to some 155 workers. The CCC was composed mainly of young unemployed men, 18-25 years old, some away from home for the first time. They labored for $30 a month, $25 of which was sent back to their families. In exchange, the Corps supplied them with lodgings, hearty food and educational opportunities. This labor army was responsible for conservation and recreational improvements in every state of the Union. (T. Times 11/17/1934, pg. 1)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

Exterior of recently completed brick quarters for bachelor officers at Fort Lewis. Colonial-style architecture with pedimented entry and keystone element above windows. Over a period of six years, the federal government has expended $5,500,000 at the Fort and provided employment for thousands. The development program is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1934. Over 80 buildings, in brick, stucco and steel, have replaced the ramshackle wooden structures at the Fort, making it one of the principal US encampments. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Officers' quarters--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis;

Newly constructed officers' housing at Fort Lewis. Cluster of Colonial-style, two-story brick houses with covered entries and side bays. Each home will be occupied by one officer and his wife. The construction of this housing was part of a six year, five and one half million dollar development program at Ft. Lewis. All construction was scheduled to be completed by the end of 1934, making Ft. Lewis one of the principal U.S. encampments. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1; 11/24/1934, pg. 5) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Officers' quarters--Fort Lewis;

From the evidence provided by this photograph, it may well be that the family of Paul and Marian Hebb had a vegetarian dinner for Thanksgiving in 1934. It appears that this turkey was thought of as more of a pet then a potential centerpiece for a holiday feast. The girls were identified by the Tacoma Times as (l to r) Dennis Hebb, Jane Moffitt, Arden Hebb and Sally Moffitt. The girls are the daughters Paul and Marian Hebb and Thomas and Sally Moffitt. The Tacoma Times sets the scene of the photograph at the farm home of the Hebb's at Grand Pre. (T. Times 11/28/1934, pg. 9)

Turkeys; Girls--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hebb, Dennis; Moffitt, Jane; Hebb, Arden; Moffitt, Sally;

Old wooden officers' quarters at Fort Lewis, scheduled for demolition. The old wooden housing has been replaced by enlarged, brick structures for the officers and their families. This improvement is part of a 6 year development program at Fort Lewis, scheduled to be completed by the end of 1934. (T. Times 11/24/1934, pg. 5) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Officers' quarters--Fort Lewis;

New administration buildings and offices at Fort Lewis. Camp Lewis was built during WW I, on land given to the military as a gift. After the war, the camp fell into disrepair. In March of 1926, Congress passed a ten year building plan to revitalize several military posts, including Camp Lewis. In September of 1927, Camp Lewis was redesignated as Fort Lewis. During the Depression, the government embarked on a six year, five and a half million dollar development plan at Fort Lewis. Wooden structures were replaced by ones of brick, stucco and steel. Over 80 buildings were completed by the end of 1934, as well as new roads and water mains. Fort Lewis was ready to take its place as a major US installation. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1) TPL-8303

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Military headquarters--Fort Lewis;

12-year-old Marian Wilson was photographed on December 5, 1934, clutching two dolls. The large doll with curly hair had been won by her sister, Marie, in a Tacoma Times subscription contest and was considered a Christmas present for all the children in the George Wilson family. Six-year-old Marie was killed in a pedestrian-automobile accident the day before while crossing South 27th & Yakima with big sister Marian. Marie had worked hard to get the five newspaper subscriptions necessary to win the doll and since Mr. Wilson was unemployed, the children were excited to receive such a beautiful toy for Christmas. (T.Times 12-5-34, p. 1; 12-6-34, p. 1; 12-7-34, p. 3)

Wilson, George--Family; Wilson, Marian; Wilson, Marie--Death; Dolls; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1930-1940; Girls--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The surviving Wilson children stare vacantly at the camera, mourning the death of their sister, and holding closely the doll that she won recently from the Tacoma Times. The children are, left to right, Beverly, age 4, Dorothy, age 11, Marian, age 12, and George Jr., age 3. Their sister, six year old Marie Wilson, was crushed to death by an auto Tuesday, December 4, 1934 as she crossed the street at South 27th and Yakima with her sister Marian. As the girls crossed the street, a truck came rapidly up to the corner and the automobile driven by Dr. C.A. Gaul of Olympia swerved to avoid it; striking the girls. The doctor stopped and offered aid, the truck kept going. The children live with their parents at 2511 South Tacoma Ave. Their father George Wilson has been unemployed for some time and the family is destitute. The children were recently overjoyed as Marie worked to get five Tacoma Times subscriptions to earn the doll held by Marian. The doll was treasured by all of the children, it was their Christmas present. TPL-3561 (T. Times 12/5/1934, pg. 1; 12/6/1934, pg. 1; 12/7/1934, pg. 3)

Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Wilson, Marian; Wilson, Dorothy; Wilson, Beverly; Wilson, George; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Vibrant Roberta Cohoon, Queen of the Bakers' Ball, leads the Grand March with a fragrant, freshly baked loaf of bread. To the left of Miss Cohoon is Lee Hodgert, member of the executive committee of the Bakers Bureau, and to her right is Gus Mankertz, a baker from Puyallup. The Bakers' Ball, held at the Tacoma Hotel on December 8th, 1934, was the highlight of Tacoma's "Bread Week." It was attended by 2,000 members of the baking industry and their wives who danced the night away in the Peacock Room and the Viking Room. (T. Times 12/10/1934, pg. 10) TPL-8779

Bread; Cohoon, Roberta; Hodgert, Lee; Mankertz, Gus;