Western Union employees enjoyed a picnic and ball game in Centralia in July of 1924. Several young men have a prime view of all activities as they have scrambled atop a nearby roof. A batter waits patiently for his chance to belt one into the distance. G78.1-090

Western Union Telegraph Co.--Employees; Baseball players--Centralia;

Pioneer pharmacists Ole B. Lien and Harry B. Selvig became partners in 1901 and opened a drug store at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South (later the address of the Tacoma Public Library) . In 1923, they moved across the street to the Charles Geiger Building, shown here. Behind the drugstore on South "G" was the Romanesque Pierce County Courthouse. Above the drugstore were the Palace Apartments where housekeeping and single rooms were available. Alongside the Lien & Selvig store on South 11th was the Florio True-Fit Tailor establishment. Lien, who had served Tacoma Avenue customers since 1894, died in 1933. Selvig died in 1944. New owners retained the Lien & Selvig name until the store closed in 1952 to make way for the County City Building facility. G56.2-062, BU-11463, TPL-6264

Drugstores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pharmacists; Lien & Selvig (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Palace Apartments (Tacoma); Florio True-Fit Tailor (Tacoma);

Located ten miles south of Tacoma on Pacific Highway SW , Mammy's Cabin offered 1/2 Fried Spring Chicken on toast for a mere 50 cents. Their chicken and steak dinners were worth a drive on the "Camp Lewis Highway." Dozens of wooden tables and benches were available for dining alfresco under the grove of pine trees behind the small wood-framed restaurant. A huge log fire, seen smoking, continuously burned so patrons could gather around and converse. A phonograph with plenty of records was available on the porch so diners could select their own music. Mammy's Cabin, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Carrier, was open late each evening for those with fried chicken appetites. (scan from negative, no print on file) TPL-10530 (TNT 08-07-1924, B3)

Mammy's Cabin (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Employees of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. crowd onto the small boat, "Lathea," on August 4, 1924, while others in back wait aboard the "Fossberg." G50.1-063

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Boats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Exterior view of the Tacoma Gas & Fuel plant. It is unclear whether this is the old Tacoma Gas & Fuel plant or perhaps the new plant located on 4 1/2 acres on South River Road. The company had begun construction of the new $250,000 plant in late 1923 which would include a 250,000 cubic feet gas tank. TPL-259; G35.1-048

Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel tanks; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Members of the Olympic Club, who were employees of the Olympic Ice Cream Co. and Velvet Ice Cream Co., celebrated their annual picnic at the Oaks on August 20, 1924. All, including the small children in attendance, had hats worn jauntily. The "Oaks" referred to on the banner above may have actually been the "Oakes," located on Lake Steilacoom. G34.1-148

Olympic Ice Cream Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Velvet Ice Cream Co.--Employees; Picnics; Banners; Signs (Notices);

Inexperienced safecrackers failed to blow open the massive safe at Bye Thompson Motor Sales, 3320 South G Street, on early Friday morning, December 5, 1924. The thieves abandoned their efforts when the explosives they used broke the windows in front of the safe and threw the office into disarray, but only succeeded in blowing off the combination dial on the safe's door, not in releasing the bars holding the door in place. This was the second time in less than a year that Bye Thompson Motors had been robbed; on December 18, 1923, thieves somehow carried away the company's 1000 pound safe and blew it open several blocks away. That robbery netted the thieves $362. This photograph was taken at the scene of the crime on December 5, 1924. G24.1-056 (TNT 12-5-24, p. 1)

Safes; Robberies--Tacoma; Bye Thompson Motor Sales Co. (Tacoma);

Coils of wire are spread out on display outside the American Wood Pipe Co., 3200 South Cedar St., in August of 1920. The wire will be used to wrap wooden irrigation pipe. American Wood Pipe, established in January of 1913, was located on six acres in the Center St. manufacturing district. By 1921, it was considered the largest single wood pipe factory in the world. G36.1-107 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 12-4-21, p. 7-article)

Wire; American Wood Pipe Co. (Tacoma);

An unidentified worker was photographed in November of 1920 in the corner of the Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co., 2909-13 So. Wilkeson, where the alder timber was sorted. Just in time for the holidays, the eight month old company was diversifying its production from tables to include wooden toys. They used the local alder to manufacture their patented specialties: the hubless and spokeless toy wheel and the "shimmy dog." (TDL 11/28/1920, pg. B6) G36.1-022 (also cataloged under G36.1 image 068)

Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Toy industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cabinetmaking--Tacoma;

J.B. Flory, the president of Bismarck Fuel Company located at 5624 McKinley Avenue, sang the praises of the company's Day-Elder delivery trucks in the September 19, 1920, Daily Ledger. The trucks were Model C, 2.5 to 3 ton capacity with the first delivered in mid-May of 1920. The company was pleased with their performance, rigid construction, pulling power and serviceability. They found the trucks to be very economical in running expense and upkeep. West Coast Steel Company was the Tacoma dealer for the truck which retailed for $2,850 apiece. West Coast Steel was able to handle Bismarck's request to have a special cab and windshield installed on one of the trucks. (TDL 9/19/1920, pg. C-7; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-9-20, C-5-West Coast Steel ad; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-23-20, C-6) TPL-1502; G35.1-062.

Bismarck Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Day-Elder trucks;

On May 8, 1920, six employees of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company at 1105 A Street were mounted on their bicycles and ready to deliver messages to local businesses and residents. The messengers are all dressed in uniform including caps. The man standing in the doorway of the firm is possibly L.L. Craft, manager. The Postal Telegraph Cable Co. was located across the street from the Federal Building whose reflection can be spotted on the large store window.

Postal Telegraph Cable Co. (Tacoma); Messengers--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cyclists--Tacoma; Delivery boys--Tacoma;

An example of tables built by the Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co. was displayed outdoors in early November of 1920. The fold-down table was compact enough to fit in small places. Northern Novelty had opened for business in January of 1920 and by October of that year, had expanded their plant on South Wilkeson in order to manufacture wooden toys. G35.1-025

Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Tables;

January 1, 1921 brought with it the proud news that the Tacoma branch of the Standard Oil Company had the enviable record of being 100 per cent accident free in their tank truck department. The eight trucks plus proud drivers and company officials were photographed lined up in front of what appear to be numbered garage doors. This record was especially notable since the trucks operated every day and night, delivering gasoline to the garages and service stations of the city. Their combined mileage was around 4,221 miles per month. They held the best record on the Pacific Coast. (TDL 1/9/1921, pg. 4-C) G66.2-137

Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On May 28, 1921, a long line of cars was photographed in front of People's department store, 1101-07 Pacific Ave, and extending down the street past the Bankers Trust Building and nearly to the Puget Sound Bank building. Each car has a sign in its windshield that says, "People's Store - Tacoma - Motor Club."

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Jewelers at work at Mahncke & Co. By 1920, Mahncke & Co. had been in business at 914 Pacific Avenue for ten years. The pioneer jewelry firm, established in 1883, was owned and operated by Franz, William G., and Louis A. Mahncke. In 1923 the store would move a short distance away to 919 Broadway where it would remain for decades. Mahncke & Co. would be taken over by Friedlanders in 1956.

Mahncke & Co. (Tacoma); Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Silver display at Mahncke's. Rows of sterling silver and silver plate vases, tea sets, plates, trays and coffee pots were attractively displayed at pioneer jewelers, Mahncke & Co., in November of 1920. Mahncke & Co. was located at 914 Pacific Avenue. Established in 1883, it was "The Store That Quality Built." (TNT Ad -11-5-20, p. 4)

Mahncke & Co. (Tacoma); Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tableware;

Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this was the bank vault at the Scandinavian American Bank in December of 1920. At that time the bank was building a 16-story structure at 1019 Pacific Avenue. While the new building was being constructed, the bank conducted business at a temporary location at South 13th and Pacific. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction stopped. The building remained unfinished until 1925 and is now known as the Washington Building. G34.1-019

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;

Haering's Grocetorium celebrated the opening of its newest store, Store No. 4., in July of 1921. The latest Haering's, built at a cost of about $4,500 by P.C. Walesby, was located at the corner of E. 63rd and McKinley in the Hillsdale neighborhood. It was a one-story brick building, both fireproof and ratproof, and contained two store rooms. Nicolaus Haering (standing in front of the telephone pole) founded the successful chain in 1913. The stores were among the first in the Northwest to feature "help yourself service" (self service), on a cash only, no delivery basis. Skeptics became regular customers, drawn back by lower prices. The chain eventually operated 12 stores in the Tacoma area. G56.2-090; TPL-6349 (TDL 6-12-21, B-5-article)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Haering's Grocetorium (Tacoma);

The water tower pictured above in September of 1921 was located at the American Wood Pipe Co., 3200 So. Cedar St. The coils of wire in the foreground are to be used to wrap wooden irrigation pipes. American Wood Pipe Co. manufactured machine banded and continuous stave wood pipe for irrigation projects, municipal water systems and power plants. In addition, the company also manufactured American steam pipe casing for insulating underground steam pipe. The firm's officers included Vaughan Morrill, president, and Cyrus Happy, Jr., secretary. American Wood Pipe was located on six acres on Center Street which had a large manufacturing district at the time. The firm was organized in January of 1913 by Mr. Morrill and J.H. Regan, both of Tacoma, and did some $32,000 in business the first year. Some seven years later, the plant was considered the largest single wood pipe factory in the world and had done $1,000,000 in business the past year. In addition, American Wood Pipe had built its own cresoting plant in 1921 at a cost of $40,000 and installed a $20,000 sprinkling system. There were about 70 employees and a monthly payroll of $10,000. G36.1-106

American Wood Pipe Co. (Tacoma); Water towers--Tacoma; Wire; Pipes (Conduits)--Tacoma;

Haering's opened a new brick one-story grocery store in the Hillsdale neighborhood on the east side of town in July of 1921. It was the first of several new buildings to house the rapidly growing firm; more would be built in different parts of the city. The store was designed and built by P.C. Walesby for about $4500. Employees of the company are pictured above enjoying a celebratory banquet inside the store. Haering's Grocetorium promoted the "self-service" form of shopping as a means to keep prices low. As the signs inside the store indicated, smart shoppers could purchase five cans of Del Monte corn for $1.00, flour for $2.20, ginger snaps and citrus for 25 cents. "Help Yourself" seemed to be the store's byword. (TDL 6-12-21, B-5-article); TDL 7-11-21, p. 7-article)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Haering's Grocetorium (Tacoma);

A truckload of coal is being delivered to the Lucerne Block, 901 Tacoma Avenue South, by Economy Fuel in August of 1921. The fuel company's driver pauses his shifting of the coal to gaze at the camera. The coal is being deposited in the building's coal bin through a coal hole in the sidewalk. The buildings across the street would be demolished in the early 1950s so the County-City Building with jail could be built on the site. In the far background is Central School now used by the Tacoma School District as its Administrative Building.

Economy Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Coalholes--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Central School (Tacoma);

The shipping department at Brown and Haley in September of 1921. In their pre-Almond Roca days, before 1923, the company manufactured a wide range of chocolates, taffy, mints and hard candies. Many of the chocolates were still marketed under the company's original moniker "Oriole Chocolates." Here workers in a long, narrow room sort candy packages of many shapes and sizes for delivery. A large sign in the background admonishes "No Smoking." G33.1-123

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Laborers--Tacoma; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

The packaging department at Brown & Haley in September of 1921. Young women garbed pristinely in white robes and nurses caps, inscribed with the name "Oriole," wrap the hand dipped chocolates in foil and place them in packages. Trays of chocolates sit in front of the woman at the right, while boxes sit beside the women to the left, showing the two operations being performed in this department. At this time, the chocolates were still marketed under the name "Oriole Chocolates." G33.1-125

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Laborers--Tacoma; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

The packing department at Brown and Haley, also known as Oriole Chocolates, in September of 1921. Eight women, garbed in sanitary white; some with hats reading "Oriole." The women are surrounded by large boxes of the foil wrapped delicacies and the smaller boxes into which they will be packaged for consumers. The lone man in the back of the picture appears to be sampling the product. G33.1-127

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Laborers--Tacoma; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

A September, 1921, peek inside the salesroom of candy wholesalers Brown and Haley and a display of the many fine candies made by their company Oriole Chocolates. The walls are covered by the boxes of the various candies made by the company. The candies are boxed in ornate boxes, many with portraits of young women on the covers. One of the candies featured is their new line of "Kiss Me Quick." With their lovely packages, the products appear to be luxury items or gifts. G33.1-130

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

Chocolate manufacturing at the Brown & Haley factory in September of 1921. At this time, most of the candy was made and packaged by hand. Automation was of the simple gear and pulley type shown here. Pulleys drive the machinery used to mix the chocolate. To the right are possibly the vats where the more solid chocolate is melted into a liquid, or large mixers where the liquid is mixed with the other ingredients for candy. The primary ingredients of chocolate candy are the liquid chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sugar and milk. G33.1-126

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Laborers--Tacoma; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

By 1919, Brown & Haley had moved its factory operation into a converted shoe factory at 108-16 E. 26th Street. The company was manufacturing a full line of chocolates, with the most famous being a chocolate and nut confection with a vanilla cream center marketed as "Mount Tacoma." In Seattle the candy bar was sold under the name of Mount Rainier, due to an old rivalry over the name of our landmark mountain. The same candy bar is still sold today under the name of "Mountain Bar" and it is one of the oldest candy bars still manufactured in the US. All of the chocolates and candies were still made by hand requiring a work force of skilled laborers, such as the one shown in the picture. He is possibly working with the cocoa beans, which are processed into chocolate liquor. G33.1-122

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Laborers--Tacoma; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

In 1921, Brown & Haley was still marketing their candy under the name of Oriole Chocolates. They dipped their chocolate by hand. Female workers are pictured in September of 1921, dressed in spotless white dresses and matching hats, but without gloves. Each woman has one hand covered in chocolate, as she rolls the center piece in chocolate and places it on a tray to dry. G33.1-141; TPL-8700

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

Candy manufacturing in 1921 at Brown & Haley. At this time, their candy was still marketed under the name of Oriole Candies. A number of workers pose in the factory. The women are dressed in pristine white dresses and matching hats, the men wear clean white aprons, but none of the workers wear gloves. The front group is gathered around an early assembly line. The candy comes down the belt where it is loaded by hand into trays. A woman with a dolly takes the trays away. It is unclear what the group in the back is doing, although the man on the right stands behind some kind of a vat. All Orioles candies at this time were made by hand. G33.1-140

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

Candy making at Brown and Haley in September of 1921. The female workers are dressed in spotless white dresses, some with matching hats, but no gloves. They are working with the candy with their bare hands. The women in the back are possibly either wrapping medium size tubes of a harder candy, such as toffee or caramel, or unwrapping them and slicing them into nougats. The woman in the front is dipping something into a stainless steel pot beside her. A fan on the left cools her work. The chocolate covered candies to the right are possibly the finished product. G33.1-133

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);