ca. 1915. An eye-catching pig and his master, made of Washington lard, occupied one of the display windows of the Queen City Market, 1115 Broadway, circa 1915. The lard appears to have come from the Carstens Packing Co., local meat packers. The Queen City Market had opened in March of 1914 in the lower level of a three story building next door to the Horgan-Parker department store. They offered for sale a wide variety of fresh fish, poultry, butter, eggs, and assorted groceries. (TDL 3-1-1914, p. 3-article on store opening)

Queen City Market (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1910-1920; Window displays--Tacoma--1910-1920; Swine;

ca. 1907. This building at 3636 E. "H" Street (now McKinley Avenue) was built by William J. Goellner and was the home of the McKinley Park Bakery from 1906 through 1914. Mr. Goellner also lived at this location. In 1915, he had moved his bakery to Pacific Ave, although his home was still listed at this address. By 1917, he had moved his home to North 25th Street. Mr. Goellner died June 27, 1942 in Sumner at the age of 64. He had been a resident of Tacoma for 53 years. He was the owner of the Northwestern Bakery and operated a chain of retail stores. He was survived only by his sisters. (TNT 7/14/1942, pg. 13; Tacoma City Directory)

McKinley Park Bakery (Tacoma); Goellner, William John; Bakeries--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1890. It seems to be a slow business day at the Charles Berger Carriage Manufacturing & Supply Company at 15th and Commerce in Tacoma around 1890. Employees, some in leather aprons, pose outside of the blacksmith and wagon making company. The company also does carriage painting and trimming. Board sidewalks run down the hill beside the building and the Waverley Hotel can be seen in the right background. (Copy of original)

Charles Berger Carriage Manufacturing & Supply Co. (Tacoma); Waverley Hotel (Tacoma); Forge shops--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1890. It seems to be a slow business day at the Charles Berger Carriage Manufacturing & Supply Company at 15th and Commerce in Tacoma around 1890. Employees, some in leather aprons, pose outside of the blacksmith and wagon making company. The company also does carriage painting and trimming. Board sidewalks run down the hill beside the building and the Waverley Hotel can be seen in the right background. (Copy of original)

Charles Berger Carriage Manufacturing & Supply Co. (Tacoma); Waverley Hotel (Tacoma); Forge shops--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1889. This photograph was taken shortly after the Bostwick Block was completed in 1889. Designed by early Tacoma architect O. P. Dennis, the Bostwick was remodeled in 1924. At that time, the wood-clad exterior was faced with "Duralite" stucco as seen today with its newly painted facade.

Hotel Bostwick (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1880-1890;

ca. 1890. The Arlington Hotel was an impressive sight on Pacific Avenue for forty years before its demolition in 1930. Built by Jim Dorsey with architectural plans by C. Langlois in 1889, the hotel was first listed as 2023 Pacific Avenue before its address was later changed to 1955 Pacific Avenue. The 3+ story structure was built primarily of wood and contained multiple windows. A sample room was installed for the benefit of traveling salesmen to show their wares. Imported and domestic wines, liquors and cigars were available for purchase. Some of the hotel's staff, including the bartender in long apron, and the hotel watchdog, posed at the front entrance in this circa 1890 photograph. (copy of original) Bi-Centennial Project # 75346-2; BU-11870

Arlington Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1905. George Davis capitalized on the budding growth of Bismarck by opening a neighborhood grocery store. The Tacoma Eastern Railroad Shops brought jobs to this Tacoma community, centered around McKinley Avenue and East 64th Street. As a consequence of the First World War, the area named for German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck was changed to Hillsdale. The Davis family included George, wife Minnie, and children Robert and Earl, most likely the people on the grocery store deck in this 1905 photograph. Bicentennial project #75346-39.

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; George D. Davis Grocery Store (Tacoma);

ca. 1887. This view of the Tacoma National Bank bldg. in the 900 block of Pacific Avenue was taken circa 1887. The building was constructed at 923 Pacific about 1885 and an addition at 921 Pacific built in 1888. The Tacoma National Bank occupied the first floor of the structure with Drs. Munson and Misner, homeopathic physicians and surgeons, above. Washington Fire Insurance Company may have had offices there as well. J.S. Howell & Son had their real estate office in the building next door, at left. The building on the right contained a U.S. Post Office (113 S. 10th) and what appears to be a photography studio. At the far right edge of the photograph is part of the elegant Tacoma Hotel, 913 A Street. Streets above were rough and unpaved although sidewalks had already been constructed in front of these commercial facilities. (copy of original) Bi-Centennial Project # 75346-48; BU-13076, TPL-3787

Tacoma National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1880-1890; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Post offices--Tacoma;

ca. 1890. This photograph of the Cascade Steam Laundry, 2124 A Street, was taken sometime in the 1890's. The laundry's fleet of delivery wagons, harnessed to horses, is lined up in front of the business. Cascade Steam Laundry employed 36 men and women in 1891 with a monthly payroll of $1800. Proprietor H.A. Durr had recently remodeled the building to increase the width by 12 feet and increase the height by one story. Appliances included six washing machines, one large mangler (ironer) with a new one to be installed shortly, one extractor (wringer) and one 18-rack dry room. The Cascade Steam Laundry was established in 1886. (copy of original) Bi-Centennial Project # 75346-33 BU-12654 G35.1-167 (TDL 10-9-1891, p. 3-article)

Cascade Steam Laundry (Tacoma); Cleaning establishments--Tacoma--1890-1900; Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1890. Gross Brothers store at 901 Broadway. The large staff of the Gross Brothers store lined up on the sidewalk in front of the main entrance and also on the second floor balcony to promote its "Anual" (sic) Clearance Sale circa the winter of 1890. The holiday season was over and it was time to clear the store for the influx of new merchandise. Every item in the huge department store, at one time the city's largest, would be reduced and customers were urged to take advantage of lower prices until February 1st. Built in 1889, the magnificent property was later known as the Jones Block and was demolished in 1916 to make way for the Pantages Theater. This particular photograph was selected for a daily feature of long-ago pictures displayed in the News Tribune on May 24, 1934. Bi-Centennial Project # 75346-55 BU-12722 G56.1-015 (TNT 5-24-31, p. 11 -"In Tacoma's Family Album")

Gross Bros. Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1890-1900; Banners; Facades--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1884. The Tacoma Hotel, 913 A street, with its commanding view of the Tacoma tideflats, was one of the best hotels north of San Francisco. Designed by the famous architect Stanford White, it had its official opening in August of 1884. The scaffolding at the north end of the building suggests that it was still under construction when this photograph was taken. Note the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks crossing the almost completely barren tideflats; mills and manufacturing structures had yet to be fully built. The body of water at the left is the Puyallup River as it flows unfettered into Commencement Bay. The massive Tacoma Hotel was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935, and was never rebuilt; its annex would be remodeled and called the "new" Tacoma Hotel in January, 1936.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

ca. 1885. Photograph of "The Tacoma" (Hotel) shortly after it was built - before any of the later additions were added. The massive hotel, focus of much civic pride, opened on August 8, 1884. It had cost more than $250,000 to build, an enormous sum at the time, and was the design of architect Stanford White in 1881 who, according to Murray Morgan's South on the Sound, had been commissioned by the Northern Pacific Railroad and Tacoma Land Co. In subsequent years, several additions and renovations were made to further extend the hotel's reputation as "the finest west of the Mississippi and north of San Francisco." The Tacoma Hotel even boasted of having for a time a tame bear named Jack who spent time in the hotel lobby and was a drinker of beer. The elegant hostelry attracted many prominent visitors who enjoyed breathtaking views and luxurious furnishings. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935 and never rebuilt.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1880-1890;

ca. 1906. Interior showroom of the Washington Automobile Co., 710-12 Pacific Avenue, circa 1906. It was the first automobile dealership in Tacoma and remained at this location until from approximately 1905-1909. Most of the gleaming cars shown were roofless although those on the left side had softcover tops that could be attached in case of rain.

Washington Automobile Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1900-1910; Ford automobile;

ca. 1905. Several saleswomen, dressed in black and white, prepare for large crowds expected at one of Peoples sales. This one was probably the annual spring white sale held circa 1905. Signs indicating item prices are prominently displayed in the clothes bins atop sturdy wood tables. Peoples department store opened in Tacoma in 1888 before moving to its longtime location at 11th & Pacific. They closed their doors in 1983.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1905. Peoples department store had been featuring the latest fashions since its opening in 1888. By 1905 it was located at 1101-07 Pacific Avenue and provided an elegant atmosphere for discriminating shoppers. The abundance of flowers shown above, including sprays of lilies, probably denoted the coming of the annual spring white sales. (TNT 10-1-1963,B-4-photographs of old Peoples Store)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1892. The Owen Woods' Building at 1148 Broadway is pictured here shortly after its completion in 1892. It was designed by architects Roath & Mendell with Michael McDonnell as contractor. The building was available for rent at the time of this photograph and interested parties could contact the Tacoma Rent Guaranty Co. The Arcade Store, and later the McCormack Brothers Dept. Store, occupied the building before Sears, Roebuck & Co. purchased it in 1935. Sears added two adjacent buildings to its store during expansion. The building was restored and renamed the Cornerstone Building in 1982.

Department stores--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1914. The staff of the Queen City Market lined up in front of the store which had opened in early March of 1914. It was located in a three-story building at 1115 Broadway in downtown Tacoma, adjoining the Horgan-Parker department store. The market had a modern refrigerating system installed with ammonia pipes in all showcases. The Queen City Market offered for sale meats, butter, eggs, cheese, fresh fish, oysters and crabs, and misc. groceries. It was managed by Albert Bruner. (TDL 3-1-1914, p. 3-article)

Queen City Market (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1905. Stacks and rows of women's clothing, including coats, dresses and perhaps lingerie, on display at Peoples department store circa 1905. The store was probably getting ready for its annual spring white sales which attracted hordes of shoppers. Peoples opened in Tacoma in 1888 and remained a vibrant presence in downtown Tacoma until 1983.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1905. James Delbert and Frank Armstrong (left to right) stand at the entrance to the Armstrong Bros. grocery store at 5648 So. Union Avenue (now So. Tacoma Way) in the early part of the 20th century. Vegetables fill the window space at left while paintings are on display at right. The store was earlier known as Armstrong & Baker.

Armstrong Bros. (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Armstrong, James Delbert; Armstrong, Frank;

ca. 1911. South Tacoma Drug Store, 5401 South Tacoma Way Fred Ludwig, proprietor. This circa 1911 photograph shows the interior of the drugstore along with employees and customer(s). Frederick Andrew Ludwig, University of Washington School of Pharmacy graduate, is in the foreground, far left. Others in the photograph (order unknown) are: Lee Jewell, Erny Bittner, J.A. Dague, and Dr. Carlsen (possibly E.L. Carlsen). Mr. Ludwig partnered with pioneer pharmacist J.A. Dague to buy Tacoma's oldest pharmacy, Yuill & McKenzie, in 1910. The pharmacy was moved to 5401 South Tacoma Way in 1911. In 1916 Mr. Ludwig acquired sole ownership of the drugstore which now bore his name. Mr. Ludwig, founder of the Tacoma chain of Ludwig Drug Stores, died on February 4, 1976, at the age of 88. (TNT 2-5-76, D-9-obituary)

South Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Ludwig Drugs (Tacoma); Drugstores--Tacoma--1910-1920; Ludwig, Frederick Andrew; Dague, J.A.; Jewell, Lee;

ca. 1892. Merchants National Bank building at the corner of South 11th Street and Pacific circa 1892. Cablecar tracks can be seen going up 11th. Built in the heart of the Tacoma financial district, the Merchants National Bank was considered a "modern bank" upon its completion in 1891. The bank had reorganized in 1884 and was led by Walter J. Thompson. He remained its president until May of 1893 when bank failures swept the nation. Although Nelson Bennett, a director of the bank, agreed to assume the presidency and attempted a last minute influx of money to save the bank, the bank failed to open its doors on June 1, 1893. ( Hunt: "The Bank Failures of 1893,"History of Tacoma, Vol. 2, p. 110-115-article)

Merchants National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1888. This photograph from 1888 shows the Hotel Fife, 742-50 Pacific Ave., as it appeared shortly after it was built. It stood on the north west corner of 9th and Pacific. This photograph is looking up 9th street. There is a horse drawn wagon standing in front of the hotel. The hotel was demolished in 1925. TPL-9660

Hotels--Tacoma--1880-1890; Hotel Fife (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1880-1890

ca. 1885. Five men are standing in front of the Halstead House in this photograph by U. P. Hadley that dates between 1879 and 1885. Located at 707 Pacific Avenue, the Halstead House was one of the nicer hotels in Tacoma at that time; it even had a covered walkway leading to the "water closet" out back. Built in 1879 by Jacob Halstead, in 1885 the proprietors were Freeman S. Crosby and Hugh Kenealy. The building to the south of the hotel, with the large Standard Steilacoom Beer sign was the Steilacoom Beer Hall, 711 Pacific Avenue, owned by Fred Seger.

Hotels--Tacoma--1880-1890; Halstead House (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1880-1890; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1880-1890;

ca. 1887. This street scene of Pacific Avenue looking north from the corner of 11th and Pacific was taken by an unknown photographer in 1887. The brick building at the far left is the Merchant's National Bank Building. Several doors down is the Kaufman & Berliner dry goods store, 948 Pacific. Across the street, at the far right, is Mrs. Mary Fowler's millinery store. The Northern Pacific Headquarters Building is under construction at the far end of the block. The Tacoma Old City Hall will not be built for another four years.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1880-1890; Business districts--Tacoma--1880-1890; Merchant's National Bank (Tacoma); Fowler Millinery (Tacoma)

Bartender with shaker at unidentified restaurant. The walls are covered by bonds from various corporations.

ca. 1935. Photograph taken of the ruined Tacoma Hotel after the disastrous fire on October 17, 1935. The hotel was totally destroyed by a fire that started out in the north end of the basement in the early morning hours. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Photograph taken of the destroyed Tacoma Hotel after the disastrous fire on October 17, 1935. Ivy was still clinging to the lower walls despite the intense heat and in the right foreground was the Tacoma Totem Pole. The Tudor Hotel was built in 1884 from a design by Stanford White's architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White. The Tacoma landmark was widely recognized as one of the finest hotels on the Pacific Coast. It was not rebuilt after the fire and although its annex continued as the new Tacoma Hotel, it never achieved the same prominence as the original. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

This photograph was taken May 31, 1914 of the, left to right, Union Motor Co. (808-10 A St.), the I.M. Larsen Awning & Tent Factory (804-06 A St.) and the Park Hotel (802 A St.) The entire block was demolished in 1977 to make way for a parking lot. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

Hotels--Tacoma; Park Hotel (Tacoma); Union Motor Co. (Tacoma); I.M. Larsen Awning & Tent Factory (Tacoma);

On May 31, 1914, a guest was photographed posing in front of the Park Hotel, 802 A St. The Park was built in 1908 from a design by Heath and Twichell, architects. It was built of concrete. The building stood at the intersection of South 8th and A St. for almost 70 years before falling victim to the wrecker's ball. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

Hotels--Tacoma; Park Hotel (Tacoma); Concrete construction;

Back of Photo:
Perry Smith (eats his own)

Rudsit photo