In 1934, Fort Nisqually was moved from its original site near DuPont and reconstructed on a bluff in Point Defiance Park. The surviving original timbers were carefully marked and reused when possible. The construction crew shown above used the same methods of construction as those who built the original Fort. They were responsible for putting together the logs and timbers as they were 100 years ago and for cutting an shaping new timbers as needed. The restoration of Fort Nisqually was celebrated in dedication ceremonies in early September of 1934 which included a downtown military and civic parade and music and speeches at the Fort itself. (T. Times 9/1/1934, pg. 1)
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Construction crew of Fort Nisqually at Point Defiance Park. The reconstruction of the Fort at Pt. Defiance was made possible by the Young Mens' Business Club, which spent 5 year on the job. The plans were started by Silas E. Nelson and Alfred E. Gehri, architects. They were completed by a committee headed by Kingston S. Lister. Construction was directed by R.E. Borhek and funds for labor costs were provided by CWA & WERA funds. (T. Times 9/4/34, pg. 1)
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Northwest (Lawn) Bowling Team in Tacoma. Portrait of seven men with lawn bowling balls. Standing, left to right, are S. Matheau, William Reid, A.S. Drummond, J.A. Oliver and E. McNeal. Kneeling are, left to right, E.L. Smith and R.B. Eaddie. "Bowls" had been played for many years in Great Britain, Canada and the eastern US. It was gaining in popularity in the Northwest. (T.Times 9/15/1934, pg. 5)
Bowling--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Wright Park (Tacoma); Northwest Bowling Team (Tacoma);
British Lawn Bowling team in Tacoma, plus two members from the local Northwest team. Portrait of seven men, five are from the British cruiser Danae and are wearing naval uniforms. Standing, left to right, are Tom Skinner, C. "Skip" Baker, Daniel Healy, W. Chawn and John Wood. Kneeling are, left to right, H.S. Baldson and F. Webb. (T. Times 9/15/1934, pg. 5)
Bowling--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Wright Park (Tacoma); Northwest Bowling Team (Tacoma);
Elegant, but simple, interior of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association building. Elaborate grill work and Art Deco-style ceiling light fixtures. Free-standing panels display house plans.
Banks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma);
Tacoma's Labor Day parade on September 3, 1934 was also a celebration of the dedication of Fort Nisqually's restored buildings in Point Defiance Park. Charles A. Cook (far right), holding an old musket, and Clarence Shaw (middle) led a team of oxen in the parade. Charles Cook had come to Pierce County in the late 1870s when Washington was still a territory. Standing to the far left is Mr. Cook's son Arthur Cook, who was secretary of the USAdians Tacoma No. 5 Chapter and the Young Mens Business Club. (T. Times 9/4/1934, pg. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Cook, Arthur A.; Cook, Charles A.; Shaw, Clarence;
Fort Nisqually Dedication. Group of Pierce County pioneers, who have lived in Tacoma and vicinity for 50 years or more, and others stand at palisade of the reconstructed fort. Originally located in the Dupont area, remaining buildings of the Hudson's Bay Company fort were relocated at Point Defiance Park. Front row, left to right: R.F. Tolmie, grandson Hudson's Bay factor; Dr. Joe Huggins of Philadelphia, raised at Ft. Nisqually; W.P. Bonney of the Historical Society; Mrs. Huggins; C.A. Cook and Mrs. H.R. Maybin. Second row: Charles H. Ross of Puyallup, D.H. White; Al Benson, of Seattle, and C.P. Fenton. Third row: Frank Spinning of Sumner, Hilman S. Jones, Seattle. Top Row: Mrs. Katie Bates and Mrs. S.F. Tolmie, wife of former BC premier. (T. Times 9/4/1934, pg. 1)
Bonney, William P.; Parks--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Hudson's Bay Co. (Tacoma); Frontier & pioneer life--Tacoma; Fort Nisqually (Tacoma);
Fort Nisqually Dedication parade Labor Day 1934. Parade group marching north on Pacific Avenue past the Hotel Olympus and other buildings in the 800 block. Signs on 823 Pacific Avenue building: Tacoma Marine Market, Tacoma Golf Studio, The Fern. (WSHS)
Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Dedication day for Fort Nisqually reconstruction at Point Defiance. L-R are Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, Governor Clarence D. Martin, Mrs. Smitley and an unidentified man. Photograph was probably taken in the morning of September 3, 1934, at the time of the historical pageant which occurred on downtown streets. Dedication of the old fort later that day would be the feature of the Labor Day celebration. (TNT 9-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 10.
Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Dedication day for Fort Nisqually reconstruction at Point Defiance. Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, far left, his wife and Governor Clarence D. Martin, second from left in photo, and an unidentified man stand in an open automobile during the historical pageant held in downtown Tacoma on Labor Day. The man to the far right is possibly a Tacoma city councilman. Later that day, throngs would attend the formal dedication of Fort Nisqually's restoration. The Young Men's Business Club was instrumental in pursuing restoration of the historic fort. It provided the funds for the materials necessary for the project. Much of the labor was done through the CWA. (TNT 9-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 10.
Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Dedication ceremony at the restored Ft. Nisqually, held Sept. 3, 1934. The flag is raised once more over the relocated and restored Hudson's Bay Co. Fort. The flag was presented to the fort by Mrs. Frances Haskell on behalf of the John A. Logan Circle, GAR. The Star Spangled Banner played as the flag was raised. (T. Times 9/4/24, pg. 1)
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
The empty grounds of the relocated and restored Fort Nisqually as they looked during the Sept. 3, 1934 dedication. The buildings on the left are, left to right, the storehouse #2, constructed 1846, the Granary, 1851 and the oldest standing building in the state and the Hudson's Bay Co. Store, 1848. From behind the store peeks the bastion, used for security and living quarters. On the right hand side is the factor's house, originally built 1854. TPL-8680
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Dedication ceremony of the restored Fort Nisqually at Point Defiance Park. The highlight of the ceremony occurred when Indians, from the Improved Order of Redmen, burst into the fort in a surprise attack. They seized the YMBC officials as "hostages." William P. Bonney, an unidentified man and Arthur Cook stand in the center of the crowd, gazing at their captors. The victims were "rescued" by the VFW band, Tacoma Policemen and the State Patrol. The only casualty was a black eye received by Arthur Cook, secretary of the YMBC. (T. Times 9/4/1934, pg. 1)
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940; Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);
Dedication ceremony at Restored Fort Nisqually held Sept. 3, 1934. Speakers address the crowd from the back of a truck draped with Old Glory. The flag will soon be raised once again over the Fort. The Labor Day activities included a military and civic parade downtown at 10:30a.m. and the dedication of the replica of the 100 year old fort at 2:30p.m. (T. Times 9/1/1934; 9/4/1934, pg. 1) TPL-432
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Governor Clarence D. Martin rides in an open car for the Labor Day parade in 1934. Gov. Martin sits on the left side of the rear seat of the automobile, beside him sits Mayor George Smitley's wife dressed in white; the man on the right is unidentified. Tacoma Mayor Smitley rides next to the driver in the front seat. The group rides past the Bostwick Building, 755-71 Saint Helens Ave., at this time occupied by William Whetstone, the Credit Dentist. In the background, streetcars are parked to accomodate the passing of the parade. Later the same group would oversee the dedication of the relocated and reconstructed Fort Nisqually at Point Defiance.
Dedication ceremony at Restored Fort Nisqually held Sept. 3, 1934. The salute to Old Glory, once again raised over the Fort. The Labor Day activities included a military and civic parade downtown at 10:30a.m. and the dedication of the replica of the 100 year old fort at 2:30p.m. (T. Times 9/1/1934; 9/4/1934, pg. 1)
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Dedication ceremony at the restored Ft. Nisqually, held Sept. 3, 1934. The flag is raised once more over the relocated and restored Hudson's Bay Co. Fort. The buildings are, left to right, storehouse #2, constructed in 1846 for storage; the Granary, constructed 1841 and the oldest standing building in the state of Washington and the Hudson's Bay Co. Store, 1848. Picnic tables have been set up in the open space for the dedication.
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Parade preceding the Fort Nisqually Dedication on Labor Day, 1934. The Chamber of Commerce float bears the "Queen of Tacoma" Roberta Cohoon and her attendants Margie Christen, left, and Eleanor Layton. The joint military and civic parade was attended by thousands. (TDL 9/4/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)
Fort Nisqually Dedication parade, Labor Day 1934. Motorcycles, most carrying two people, follow automobiles and trucks in the parade as it moves south on Broadway past the Tacoma Theater Building, the Pythian Temple, and Rhodes Brothers. (WSHS)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Business districts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Theatre (Tacoma);
Dedication ceremony at the restored Ft. Nisqually, held Labor Day, 1934. On Sept. 3, 1934, the YMBC unveiled to the public the recreation of the 100 year old Hudson's Bay Co. trading fort. In the background can be seen the massive arch over the main entrance. The large building to the left is the company store. The small building appears to be a parade float. The dedication was preceded by a downtown parade viewed by thousands. (T. Times 9-1-1934, pg. 1)
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Tacoma loves a good parade and Labor Day of 1934 was no exception. The Chamber of Commerce float bears Miss Tacoma, Queen of the Labor Day festivities and the Seattle Potlatch, Roberta Cohoon, down the parade route. She is attended by Margie Christen, left, and Eleanor Layton. The parade preceded the dedication ceremony for the relocated and restored Fort Nisqually. (TDL 9/4/1934, pg. 1)
Fire at Andre's Market Warehouse in Fife. A Fireman on a ladder looks into a burning concrete building from a high window; two others man a hose from ground level. A fire official gives instructions. Loss was estimated at $30,000, including $20,000 in groceries, hay and grain stored for winter trade at the market. The blaze started from spontaneous combustion in the basement. It burned through the night leaving only four concrete walls standing the following morning. (T. Times 9/26/1934, pg.1) (WSHS)
Andre's Market Warehouse (Fife); Fires--Fife--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Fife--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940;
Fire at Andre's Market Warehouse in Fife, September 25, 1934. Firemen with hoses spray water into the interior of an Art Deco style concrete building. The warehouse was gutted and damage estimated at $30,000. The warehouse was owned by Ben L. Andre. The fire started by spontaneous combustion in the basement. This was the third spectacular area fire in a 48 hour period. (T. Times 9/26/1934, pg.1) (WSHS)
Andre's Market Warehouse (Fife); Fires--Fife--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Fife--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940;
Fire at Andre's Market Warehouse in Fife on September 25, 1934. Firefighters train two hoses on blaze inside the freight door of a burning Art Deco style concrete building. Tacoma Public Works Department water trucks with crews and a police officer are on the scene. The building was gutted by the fire and loss was estimated at $30,000, including $20 thousand dollars worth of groceries, hay and grains stored for winter sale at the market. TPL-3230 (T. Times)
Andre's Market Warehouse (Fife); Fires--Fife--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Fife--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940;
Alfred Lister, on the right, presents W.P. Bonney, left, and the Washington State Historical Society with a table made by his father, J. H. Lister; celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the family's arrival in Tacoma. The inlaid "Lister" table was hand crafted by the elder Lister when he was 70 years old and contains 5209 accurately cut and fitted pieces. Alfred Lister, after a varied career in public service, is now president of Tacoma Savings and Loan. (T. Times 10/13/1934, pg. 9) (filed with Argentum)
Bonney, William P.; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Antiques; Lister, Alfred;
The Lister table on steps of Ferry Museum. The beautiful inlaid table was made by J. H. Lister in 1900 when he was 70 years old. It contains 5209 individually cut and fitted pieces, 4163 of which are in the top. The table was donated to the Washington State Historical Society by Mr. Lister's son, Alfred, on the 50th anniversary of the immigrant family's arrival in Tacoma. The Listers established Standard Iron Works on East 23rd St. and the sons went on to hold important government and banking positions. (T. Times 10/13/1934, pg. 9)
Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Antiques;
William P. Bonney, secretary of the Washington State Historical Society and of the Ferry Museum, and Fred E. King, retired revenue officer, with an old Smith and Wesson handgun and holster. The gun is being added to the fire arms collection of the Society. It was taken from Larry Kelly, notorious opium smuggler, in 1905 by arresting officer King. The smuggler had been in operation over 32 years when he was caught by King and associate Fred C. Dean on July 18, 1905 near Anderson Island. He was on his way to Olympia with a sloop load of opium he was running from Victoria. The dope was intended to be dealt out of a Chinese store in Olympia. When arrested, he surrendered his gun to King. It is a .32 caliber Smith and Wesson made to shoot rifle bullets. (T.Times 10/30/1934, pg. 14)
Bonney, William P.; Guns; Firearms; King, Fred E.;
More than 300 unemployed men were working daily in October of 1934 on the Pierce County wood gathering project, at that time 24 miles from Tacoma on Mountain Highway near Silver Lake. A large group of hardworking woodcutters posed in front of transport vehicles, as they prepare to leave for their homes after a day's work in the forest. The wood gathering project, originated by A.B. Comfort in June of 1933, allowed the unemployed to cut and prepare the wood used for winter fuel in their homes. The participating men were picked up at various relief stations in the city in the morning. They were taken in trucks to the forest and furnished with tools to fell trees, saw and split. Each man was expected to prepare three cords of wood; two for his own use and one for distribution to those unable to cut wood. Over 23,000 cords of wood had already been cut since the project's inception with about 8,000 unemployed men participating. (T. Times 10/1/1934, pg. 3)
Proud members of the ranks of the unemployed posed in front of a transport truck in October of 1934, after completing a hard days work felling trees for the Pierce County wood gathering project. In 1933, A. B. Comfort, head of Pierce County relief, originated the program which used the labor of the unemployed to fell, cut and split the logs that provided the fuel needed for their homes in the winter. The men got the satisfaction of working to supply their own needs, and the county got the fuel wood at a fraction of the cost of other suppliers. The unemployed participants in the program came from all walks of life; some were former bankers, others skilled engineers and mechanics. The crew was working at a location 24 miles from Tacoma, on Mountain Highway near Silver Lake. (T. Times 10/1/1934, pg. 3)
