Unusually warm temperatures and clear skies on Sunday, July 11, 1937 turned out record crowds at Tacoma's swimming holes. An unidentified park service lifeguard was photographed teaching youngsters to swim at the new Point Defiance Park salt water beach. The beach was formally named Owen Beach in 1959 to honor Floyd Owen, a 47-year park district employee. (T. Times 7-12-1937, pg. 1).
Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Children playing in water--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children swimming--Tacoma;
Passenger steamer, the " Arcadia", one of the Mosquito Fleet vessels, steams out of Commencement Bay with carriers from the Times newpaper aboard. The event is the annual Times carriers picnic. (T. Times, 7/12/1937, p. 5).
Ferries--1930-1940; Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Newspaper vendors--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);
The bow of the passenger steamer " Arcadia" pulls up to a wharf. On board, carriers from the Times newspaper wave to the photographer. The event was the Times carriers picnic. Industries in the background include Western Ornamental Iron. The Arcadia was often rented for outings. By 1941, demand for the steamer had decreased so much that she was retired, the last of the fleet of pioneer steamers.
Ferries--1930-1940; Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Newspaper vendors--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);
In July of 1937 the Tacoma Times newspaper chartered the steamer Arcadia to carry several hundred Times carriers from Tacoma to Redondo Beach for the annual carriers picnic. A "perfect day" marked the outing which included athletic events of all kinds and plenty of food for all. The carriers returned at the end of the day with no injuries or untoward events to report. (T. Times 7/12/1937 p.5).
Ferries--1930-1940; Mass transit--1930-1940; Transportation--1930-1940; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Newspaper vendors--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);
Times carriers picnic. Tacoma Times Circulation Department executives and several hundred Times carriers posed standing beside a two-story warehouse building. Signs on building: "Parcels Checked"; "Waterside Lunch." Sign appears to indicate that this is the Municipal Dock building. The group traveled to Redondo Beach on the specially chartered vessel "Arcadia" for their annual picnic. (T. Times 7/12/1937 p.5).
On July 13, 1937, volunteers Howard Bjorklund and "Happy" Logue, with high-powered rifles, tracked a missing grizzly bear through ferns and underbrush in the woods by Point Defiance Park. The two-year-old, 600 pound bear arrived in Tacoma from Yellowstone National Park on July 5th. It had apparently escaped from its cage at the zoo early Tuesday morning, July 13th. The gate to the cage was padlocked and there were no signs of tampering with the cage or gate. Park officials, fearing panic among nearby residents, did not immediately announce the bear's disappearance. Bear tracks were found about one mile from the park's entrance but the bear was never found. (T. Times 7/14/1937, p. 8-article only).
Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Zoos--Tacoma--1930-1940; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Grizzly bears; Bjorklund, Howard; Rifles; Hunting--Tacoma;
Monica Kuich, age 10, witnessed the murder of neighbor Edythe Ward Giles and the suicide of former husband, Rufus E. Giles, in the front yard of 5225 So. Junett, on July 13, 1937. Monica stands by her doll carriage on a board walkway in front of her house near the Tacoma Masoleum. She was playing with her doll in the street fronting the murdered woman's home when she heard a scream and saw the victim running from the front porch. Mr. Giles then shot his ex-wife in the back with a rifle and turned the gun on himself. The Tacoma Times has listed the murder victim as Mrs. "Ward," apparently her former name. According to her son, Ivan Ward, his mother had divorced Mr. Giles but apparently was living with him again. Rufus Everett ("Bob") Giles, age 44, was a city jail trusty. He had apparently asked permission to leave the jail to retrieve a pair of shoes and permission was granted. Mr. Giles had been sentenced to twenty days in jail for drunk driving and was working in the police garage. (T.Times, 7-14-37, p. 1)
Witnesses--Tacoma; Homicides--Tacoma; Children playing with dolls--Tacoma; Kuich, Monica;
Not wanting to cause a panic, the management of the Point Defiance Park zoo did not immediately notify the public when a 600 pound grizzly bear escaped from his cage in July of 1937. Several men including Park Superintendent Sherman Ingels (in suit) and an unidentified police office inspected the bear's cage, but were unable to determine how he had managed to escape. The two year old grizzly was last seen by an unidentified woman near the park's riding stables. He succeeded in evading capture, and was never seen again. A second grizzly bear escaped in 1938; that one was recaptured. (T.Times 7/14/1937, p 8)
Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Zoos--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Ingels, Sherman; Grizzly bears;
Monica Kuich, age 10, was a witness to the murder/suicide of Edythe Ward Giles and Rufus E. (Bob) Giles in the front yard of 5225 So. Junett on July 13, 1937. She is pictured kneeling next to her doll buggy in her home decorated with lineoleum floor, floral wallpaper, patterned sheer curtains, and console radio. Family photographs are placed on top of the wooden console. Monica had been playing in the street in front of her neighbor's house when she witnessed Mrs. "Ward" running from the front porch and saw Mr. Giles aim a rifle to shoot her in the back. After shooting his former wife, he then put the rifle into his mouth and fired. (T. Times, 7-14-37, p. 1).
Witnesses--Tacoma; Homicides--Tacoma; Children playing with dolls--Tacoma; Kuich, Monica;
Third Division Reunion at Fort Lewis. Military unit on parade grounds in front of officers' quarters. Troops mark the anniversary of fire baptism in the World War, 19 years ago. Division was organized November 1917. (T. Times, 7/15/1937, p. 1).
Events - Military Events - Military Reunions - Fort Lewis - 3rd DivisionFacilities - Military Facilities - Washington - Fort Lewis
Third Division Reunion at Fort Lewis. Military unit on parade grounds. The 3rd Division, American Expeditionary Force, fought three major engagements in France: at Marne, St. Mihiel, and Argonne- Meuse (T. Times 7/15/1937, p 1).
Events - Military Events - Military Reunions - Fort Lewis - 3rd DivisionFacilities - Military Facilities - Washington - Fort Lewis
Third Division Reunion at Fort Lewis. Four master sergeants/sergeant majors posed on July 15, 1937, on the 19th anniversary of the 3rd Division, American Expeditionary Force's tour in France with battles at Marne, St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse. (T. Times, p. 1).
Reunions--Fort Lewis; Events--Fort Lewis; Military personnel--Fort Lewis;
Third Division Reunion at Fort Lewis. Military unit on parade grounds marks the anniversary of baptism under fire during the First World War in France in the Marne sector. The division was organized November 1917. (T. Times, 7/15/1937, p. 1).
Events - Military Events - Military Reunions - Fort Lewis - 3rd DivisionFacilities - Military Facilities - Washington - Fort Lewis
Port Industrial area taken from Northeast Tacoma looking, southwest toward Mount Rainier. Large expanse of undeveloped tideflats and bay water in foreground with industries and mountain in background. Richards Studio stock negative.
The Tacoma Times paid H.M. Wernick of northeast Tacoma $3 for the rights to publish this dramatic photograph of multiple bolts of lightning in July of 1941. On Thursday July 17th of that year as the temperature in Tacoma rose to 94 degrees, a vicious thunder and lightning storm swept through the south sound. It was the fourth day in a row that temperatures in Tacoma had exceeded 85 degrees. The storm, which started dozens of fires throughout the region, did little to moderate the temperatures which were already back up to 88 degrees by noon on Friday the 18th. (T. Times, 7/18/1941 p. 1)
A summer storm created a spectacular lightning display over the entire city on Saturday evening, July 17. Three vivid lightning bolts pierce the cloud cover above Northeast Tacoma illuminating tideflat industries. (T. Times, 7/19/1937, p. 1)
Navy Day Parade held in Tacoma during Fleet Week. Sailors march down Broadway in front of buildings in the 900 block. A large crowd of spectators line the sidewalks. The parade route began at 15th and Pacific, continued north on Pacific to 9th, from 9th to Broadway and south to 17th. The parade was more than a mile long. (T. Times 7/24/1937, pg.1)
Mrs. Robin Morton (Elizabeth Lea) at her parents', Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lea, home. She and her children Rocena, 8, Clarissa, 1, and Robert, 3, are visiting for the summer from White Plains, New York (T. Times 7/24/1937, p. 3).
Thousands of spectators lined Broadway when over 4,000 soldiers, sailors and marines staged a military parade on Saturday July 24, 1937 as part of the annual Fleet Week program in Tacoma. Some 2,000 soldiers from Ft. Lewis joined 2,200 enlisted men and officers from the six battleships resting at anchor in Commencement Bay. Also taking part in the parade were a battalion of marines from the U.S.S. Oklahoma, and the combined bands of the Oklahoma, the U.S.S. West Virginia and the 10th Field Artillery Band from Ft. Lewis. The parade started at South 15th and Pacific. Marching north, they took So. 9th up to Broadway, and then marched south to So. 17th Street. In this photograph of the parade, the marine band led by drum major Roy Van Antwerp, is between So. 9th and So. 11th on Broadway. (T.Times 7/24/1937, pg. 1)
Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Van Antwerp, Roy; Drum majors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military bands--United States;
On July 25, 1937, fire broke out at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Company, 1121-23 Saint Paul Ave. Eight fire companies battled the flames for five hours. As the flames were brought under control, fire fighters were photographed spraying water onto the wooden plank floor of the former warehouse. The loss was estimated at $15,000. The fire was believed to have been started by a careless cigarette tossed from an automobile onto a sawdust pile. (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p.1).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
At 12:45 in the afternoon on July 25, 1937, a two alarm fire broke out at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Company. Eight fire companies responded and fought the blazes for five hours. As they fought the flames, three fire fighters held down water hoses as they sprayed water onto the brick exterior of the building at 1121-23 Saint Paul Ave. Loss was estimated at $15,000. (T. Times, 7/16/1937, p. 1).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
Puget Sound Manufacturing Company fire. On July 25, 1937, Fire fighters were photographed dousing the ruins of a warehouse at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. Metal debris covers the field beside the burned-out building. Eight fire companies battled the blaze for five hours before it was completely contained. The Puget Sound plant sustained $15,000 in damages and there was also minor damage to the St. Paul Mill Store and the offices of Wheeler Osgood. The Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. specialized in general mill work (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p. 1-picture).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
Puget Sound Manufacturing Company fire on July 25, 1937. Fire fighters inspect the charred ruins inside the former building on Saint Paul Avenue. Eight fire companies fought the $15,000 two-alarm blaze. The fire was believed started by a careless cigarette thrown from an automobile which landed in a sawdust pile on the southside of the plant. A lumber storehouse then burst into flames. The ensuing sparks set fire to the St. Paul mill store and the offices of Wheeler-Osgood but damage was minimal. The fire was finally contained after five hours. (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p. 1-picture).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
At 12:45p.m. on Sunday, July 25th 1937, a fire broke out at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Company. Eight fire companies responded to the two alarm fire and fought the blaze for 5 hours. The loss to the plant exceeded $15,000. (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p. 1).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
Steilacoom frog farmer Charles Turner holds two large bullfrogs. The former taxicab driver quit his job last year to raise bullfrogs and now has 50,000 frogs. Turner plans to market them in two years for the delicacy, fried frog's legs. The frogs are shipped out in cakes of ice and can remain frozen for months. When defrosted, they come alive & jump around. (T.Times, 7/30/1937, p. 16)
Steilacoom frog farmer Charles Turner holds two of his prized large bullfrogs. The former taxicab driver quit his job last year to raise bullfrogs and now has 50,000 frogs on his cozy Steilacoom farm. Turner plans to market them in two years for the delicacy, fried frog's legs. Turner and his wife were bitten by the "frog raising" bug while on a trip to California where they visited a large frog raising operation where a manager revealed the profits to be made and the large market demand. It takes about 3 years to raise a frog to the market size of 30-36 inches. (T.Times, 7/30/1937, p. 16)
Charles Turner, Steilacoom taxi driver turned frog farmer, holds a large frog on his bare shoulder and arm. With a stock of 50,000 frogs, Turner plans to sell them in a couple of years for the delicacy, fried frogs' legs. (T. Times, 7/30/1937, p.16)
Steilacoom frog farmer Charles Turner holds one of the bullfrogs that he raised to market as the delicacy "frogs' legs" in this photograph from July of 1937. The "Leaping Lena" is stretched out to her full length. Turner gave up his career as a taxi driver in 1936 and dug four frog ponds for his new industry. By July of 1937 he had over 50,000 amphibians that he intended to market when fully grown. It takes about 3 years for the frogs to grow to market size, 30-36 inches. At the time, Turner said that the biggest disadvantage in frog farming is that the males croak a lot in mating season and the neighbors complain about the noise. (T.Times, 7/30/1937, p. 16)
Albert Prickman from Canton Ohio posed in July of 1937 with his prize catch outside the Turner Richards photography studio. He landed the 13 pound salmon during his first foray into Point Defiance fishing and he's now a bona-fide member of the Bitten-By-Salmon-Fishing-Bug Club. Mr. Prickman was in town visiting his relative Mrs. Carl William Johnson, whose husband Dr. Johnson worked the oars while Mr. Prickman landed his catch. (T. Times 7/29/1937, pg. 13).
Prickman, Albert; Salmon; Fishing--Tacoma--1930-1940; Turner Richards Studio (Tacoma); Richards Commercial Photo Service (Tacoma);
