Tacoma's grand opera house, the Tacoma Theater was built at 902 Broadway in 1889. It was converted into a motion picture theater in 1927 and renamed the Broadway Theater (or Theatre, as on its marquee). Workmen are seen preparing the new marquee in January of 1927. Over 20,000 people attended the grand opening on Feb. 4, 1927. Renamed the Music Box Theater in 1933, the building was destroyed in a spectacular fire on April 30, 1963.

Founded in Tacoma in 1924, the Pacific Match Company produced over 80 million wood stick matches per day at its peak production. White pine from Eastern Washington and Idaho was turned into brand name matches such as Sunset, Fire Chief, Lite King and Red Head in the factory at 3223 So. Union Avenue. Pacific Match closed in 1964, largely due to competition from the Diamond Match Company of Ohio. Bowen 2647.

ca. 1931. The Half Way House in Des Moines, Washington. The Half Way House was on old Hwy 99 between Tacoma and Seattle. The completion of Pacific Highway South (Hwy 99) in the 1930s attracted businesses that catered to drivers: service stations, motels, shops and restaurants. The Half Way House was a modestly priced steak and oyster restaurant and may have been in business until the late 1950s. (historylink.org)

Little Harlem Rondivoo, Ray Simpson/Al Trustee Group of people, mostly African-american, inside a tavern. A man at the far left is sitting at an upright piano.

In early March of 1926, Albert C.C. Gamer was being loaded down with Tacoma tourist information as he prepared to depart for Paris for the International Hotelmen's Convention. Mr. Gamer, the manager of the Olympus Hotel at 815 Pacific, was approached by area civic organizations as the proper person to carry Tacoma's invitation to Europe. Surrounding Mr. Gamer, left to right, are Joseph Erpelding, carrying Mr. Gamer's bag; Gladys Mase of the City Light Department, giving him facts and pictures of the Cushman power project; Mrs. R.N. Bergen of the Hotel Winthrop; Ruth Edwards (standing) representing the Rainier National Park Co. and Agnes Hansen, representing the Civic Development Bureau of the Tacoma News Tribune. The International Hotelmen met once every three years and the meeting was attending by hosts from all around the world. (TNT 3/11/1926, pg. 1) TPL-6331; Bowen #26141

Gig Harbor grocery store at 3409 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, as photographed in November of 1936. The Stanich Grocery, a Red & White Store, is on the right side of the two-lane road. Martin and Katherine (Kathie) Stanich were early Yugoslav settlers in Gig Harbor. Mr. Stanich was a retired fisherman who had sailed the northwest waters for 52 years. The Stanichs were natives of Austria who had lived in Gig Harbor since 1909. Martin Stanich would pass away at age 90 in September of 1950 and his wife, Katherine, in January of 1964 at age 86. TPL-682, BU-13762

Hundreds of children lined up outside the Rialto Theater to see Bette Davis and Douglas Fairbanks in "Parachute Jumper" and Will Rogers and Marian Nixon in "Dr. Bull." They were waiting for admission into the free Tacoma Times-Rialto Theater double feature, part of a party sponsored by the pair for Tacoma's youngsters. The year 1934 also saw the beginning of the film industry enforcing the Hays Production Code, in an effort to eliminate sex and violence from the movies. Under these guidelines, Hollywood began to turn out more family fare. TPL-161; BU-11239 (T. Times 5/21/1934, pg. 12)

Organist, Miss Esther Stayner sitting at the organ of the Broadway Theater. BU-11246

Candy product display by Harry Brown Confections. A gift box of assorted Brown delicacies, including chocolates, pecan caramel, Parisian Cream and Almond Omega. In 1944, the Haley family bought out the Brown family's interest in Brown & Haley. Harry Brown then formed his own company, working with his son Alvin and his brother Charles, his partner for over 30 years. He opened a plant at 1932 Pacific Ave.

Candy product display by Harry Brown Confections. Included in the picture are circular tins of Pecan Parisian Rolls, Almond Omega and Pecan Caramel Rolls. Harry L. Brown learned the candy trade as a boy at Josslyn's in Tacoma. He was a shop boy with another famous Tacoman, Ray Gamble, who started the wood flour industry and gained fame as an amateur magician and collector. In 1907, Brown formed the Oriole Candy Company. He later partnered with J.C. Haley to become Brown & Haley in 1914. In 1944, after 30 years, the Haley family bought the Brown family interest in the company and Harry formed his own company and later became a partner in Rogers Candy Co. in Seattle. He died in 1979 at the age of 93. (TNT 7/19/1944, pg. 1; TNT 12/7/1979, pg. C-4)

Candy product display by Harry Brown Confections. Included in the picture are circular tins of Pecan Parisian Rolls, Almond Omega and Pecan Caramel Rolls. Each candy is individually wrapped, some in foil. In 1944, the Haley family bought out the Brown family's interest in Brown & Haley. Harry Brown then formed his own company, with his son Alvin and his brother Charles, and designed his own candy line. He opened his plant at 1932 Pacific Ave. and had a military contract before his plant even opened. (TNT 7/19/1944, pg. 1)

ca. 1921. Brown and Haley delivery trucks picking up a shipment behind the factory around 1921. At this time, the company was still manufacturing its candy under the name "Oriole Chocolates." The trucks have both the name Oriole, and the company's logo of an oriole bird, as well as Brown and Haley on the sides. One truck has printing proclaiming that Oriole Honor chocolates are the "Best in the West." In the center of the picture is one of the famous "All roads lead to Rhodes" street signs. TPL-4408

ca. 1934. Two men share a table in the "Ben Johnson Coffee Shoppe" in the Tacoma Hotel circa 1934. On the wall next to them is the saying "Here's Wishing Us All More Friends And Less Need Of Them." The Tacoma Hotel, built on the bluff overlooking Commencement Bay, received much acclaim befitting its elegant structure. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935.

ca. 1934. A team of Budweiser Clydesdales delivers cases of beer to Tacoma Hotel in this circa 1934 photograph. The Clydesdales, in harness, have paused outside the entrance to the elegant hotel, one of Tacoma's most famous landmarks. Back then the Budweiser Clydesdales were a new sight, introduced to the public in April of 1933 to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. The Clydesdale horses were used for promotions by the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co. They were hitched to red, white and gold beer wagons. Each horse was selected with certain characteristics and temperaments and each had to be a gelding. The Budweiser Clydesdales are still being used for commercials and promotions nearly eighty years after this photograph was taken. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Clydesdales -article)

ca. 1927. This handtinted photograph of the Tacoma Hotel was taken circa 1927. Built in 1884, and considered by many Tacoma's showcase, the elegant hotel had welcomed many distinguished guests over the decades including Presidents of the United States, actors and sports idols. Magnificent views of The Mountain, Commencement Bay and the City Waterway greeted these visitors. The massive modified Tudor structure occupied an entire block in downtown Tacoma. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935 and not rebuilt. The Tacoma Hotel Annex at 904-06 A St. was remodeled after the fire to serve as the new Tacoma Hotel but never reached the acclaim of the original.

When the first imported strawberries reached the Ryan Fruit Co., 1137 Dock Street, on March 3, 1927, Rhoda Merritt, cashier, couldn't resist slipping outside to nibble the choice fruit. A rough Washington breeze was blowing and her bobbed locks, about the same color as the plump luscious fruit, blew with the wind. However, Miss Merritt still smiled for the camera, delighted with the taste of southern sunshine. (TNT 3/8/1927, pg. 2)

ca. 1942. Mull's Service and Garage. Mobilgas.

ca. 1942. Johnson's Service, Mobilgas station. Johnson's Light Grocery.

ca. 1942. Mobilgas station. 1942 City Directory shows Alfd. Iverson as owner.

ca. 1942. Mobilgas station. Perhaps, located at 2901 South Tacoma Way. 1942 City Directory shows Carl Deitz as owner.

ca. 1942. Russ Fowler, Mobilgas station. Fowler's Garage in background at 2512 Jefferson Ave.

ca. 1942. Sound View, Mobilgas station. Route 6, Box 144A, Tacoma. Brown's Point.

Stan's Corner. Mobilgas. Waller Road at 96th Street, Tacoma. The service station, in this undated photograph, had three gas pumps. In addition, Stan's Corner sold groceries for the passing motorist.

Stan's Corner. Mobilgas. Waller Road at 96th Street, Tacoma. The service station, in this undated photograph, had three gas pumps. In addition, Stan's Corner sold groceries for the passing motorist.

ca. 1942. Engoe's. Mobilgas. "Buy Here--N'Go Away Satisfied."

Mobilgas. Route 6, Box 287, Tacoma.

ca. 1942. Mobilgas station. Doty's Little Store on right.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.

Puyallup Gardens, Mobilgas station. E. R. Warnica Grocery.