ca. 1910. Staff of the Tacoma Public Library. Sepia picture taken in the library's Children's Room about 1910. A staff of almost all women sits at the round tables of the Children's Room. To the right appears to be a circulation desk. Franklin F. Hopper, the sole man in the photograph, was the librarian at that time. Other staff members were tentatively identified as Elena Claucey, Susan Crampton, Martha Snell, Hazel Esterbrook, Allene Nash, Izola Smith, Nell Unger, Jeanne Johnson, Emily Caskey, Leola Durkee, Hazel Erchinger, Jess Carson, Kate Firmin.

Public libraries--Tacoma--1910-1920; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Librarians; Hopper, Franklin F.;

ca. 1892. William Curtis Taylor, the first paid Librarian in Tacoma, in the Library when it was in the "Ball Block" building at 919-21 Broadway. Mr. Taylor was nearing 70 at the time but had the vigor of a much younger man. Born in Philadelphia and educated at the Pennsylvania Charter School, he came to Tacoma in November of 1889. A former photographer, he became librarian for the Public Library in 1892. He built up the library from 900 to over 5000 volumes by 1896 and had increased visits by Tacoma residents to 85,000. Mr. Taylor tirelessly spent time raising funding for the library and even contributed to the library's decoration himself. In 1893 the library moved to the (Old) City Hall as it had outgrown the Ball Block quarters. Due to charter amendments, Mr. Taylor was forced out of his job after four years in 1896. Despite efforts by many friends of the library, he was not re-appointed to the position by Mayor Fawcett. William Curtis Taylor died in Germantown, Pennsylvania on February 17, 1905. (Tacoma Daily Ledger, 4-22-1896-article)

Taylor, William Curtis; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1890-1900; Librarians; Books; Bookcases--Tacoma;

ca. 1893. Tacoma Public Library on 5th floor of Old City Hall. The Tacoma Public Library moved to more spacious quarters on the fifth floor of (Old) City Hall, 625 Commerce St., in 1893. There was room for 20,000 volumes although the library at that time contained only a fraction of that amount, about 1000. Tall ceilings and large rooms that were tastefully decorated, including a cheerful room set aside as a women's reading space, provided patrons with a comfortable library atmosphere. Bookcases were mostly placed against the walls leaving a clear space for reading tables and display cases. Among the many paintings and wall decor at the library was an oil painting of City Librarian William Curtis Taylor who was its first librarian. It is pictured above at left center. Over 1300 people checked out books regularly out of a total of 1434 members. Membership had increased by 1100 during the year. (TDL 5-3-1893-article)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1890-1900; Bookcases--Tacoma; Books; Showcases;

In November of 1913 a large group of children gathered in the Order Department of the original Tacoma Public Library at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South to hear Miss Emily Caskey tell the tale of "The Little Jackal and the Alligator." Each Wednesday during the winter, stories were told to public school children up to 4th grade to cultivate in them an interest in books. The story hour was started by Miss Jessie Carson, head of the Children's Department in 1910. For each session, Miss Caskey selects two stories to tell, one a literary classic and the other more humorous. Although the library had a children's area, this story time was held in the much less ornate Order Department. Exposed pipes run along the ceiling and walls and light fixtures are utilitarian. (TDL 11/9/1913, pg. 41) TPL-4068

Public libraries--Tacoma--1910-1920; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Caskey, Emily; Book talks; Children--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1898. Bertha Snell sitting in a lawyer's office - probably that of her husband, prominent attorney Marshall K. Snell. In 1898 Marshall K. Snell's office occupied rooms 301-02-03 and 04 of the Equitable Building, 1102-04 Pacific Ave, the former site of the Merchants National Bank. Mrs. Snell passed the bar exam in 1899 to become the first woman lawyer in the new State of Washington. She became a partner in Marshall Snell's firm and worked with him throughout the rest of his professional career. Although Mr. Snell died in 1939, Bertha Snell continued to practice law until 1953 and died four years later in Tacoma at the age of 88. (Perreault, Haskell, "History Lesson: Bertha Denton Snell was a true pioneer," Saratogian, 3-27-2011)

Snell, Bertha; Law offices--Tacoma;

Martin Luther King Memorial March. On April 7, 1968 Tacoma motorcycle police, their vehicles parked in the middle of Tacoma Avenue South, stood and listened to speakers outside the County-City Building speak passionately about the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday April 7th was a national day of mourning for Dr. King who had been shot just three days before. Over a thousand people, many bearing signs, had marched from St. John Baptist Church to the County-City Building, blocks away, in a show of unity and great sadness. TAC 377.3

Commemorations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Crowds--Tacoma--1960-1970; County-City Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Motorcycles--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1902. Stone masons pause to be photographed circa 1902 before resuming work cutting stone to be used in the construction of the Carnegie Library at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South. The sandstone used came from both Wilkeson and Tenino. Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie had donated $75,000 for the construction of a new Tacoma Public Library near So. 12th and Tacoma Avenue So. The 85th Carnegie Library to be built in the United States opened on June 4, 1903, as the first Carnegie Library in the State of Washington. Thousands attended the grand opening until 10:30 that night.

Stone cutting--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1931. This was how the new drive-in Stadium Market at 618-20 No. 1st Street appeared in 1931. The new market's main appeal was its "expansive" parking, for up to 80 cars, and its modern concept of "park while you purchase." Built to cater to the new motoring public, the store offered no home deliveries. The market formally opened in September of 1931. It was located on the site of the old Annie Wright Seminary in the Allen Motor Co. annex. Upstairs, with street entrance at 629-31 Division Ave., was the Packard Tacoma Company. Renting retail space in the Stadium Market's "spacious" and "ample" enclosure were Pay'n Takit (featured on two exterior signs), Van de Kamp's Bakery, Greens Dairy & Poultry, Stadium Florist, Frank's Fruit & Produce, Stadium Fruit and Produce, Stadium Coffee Shop, E.P. Rowe- tea & coffee, Shenkel Fruit & Vegetable, Marush Fish & Oyster, Stadium Meat Market and Alder Street Bakery. (TNT 9/4/1931, pg. 17)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium Market (Tacoma);

ca. 1975. Librarians Lin Holverstott and Bob Pankl at General Services desk, Main Branch, Tacoma Public Library. At that time the library was divided into several departments and nearly each department had work desks in clear view of the library's patrons. Those with questions would proceed to the specific department for answers.

Holverstott, Lin; Pankl, Robert; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1975. Marile Creager in Lit. Dept., Main Branch, Tacoma Public Library. Mrs. Creager, pictured on the telephone, was named assistant director of the library in October of 1975.

Creager, Marile; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1975. Anne Heller in Literature Dept., Main Branch, Tacoma Public Library. Mrs. Heller (now Seago) later became the supervisor of Quick Information and manager of Technical Services. Retired, she was on the library's Board of Trustees.

Heller, Anne; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1870. Beginnings of Tacoma City circa 1870. Photo taken by Anthony Carr, who was Old Tacoma's first photographer. Cabin nearest the two trees on the left is Job Carr's cabin and his farm is in the foreground. The Steele Hotel, Tacoma's first hotel, is the "large" L-shaped building at left of center. (Photo donated by Ron Karabaich) (Caroline Gallacci & Tacoma Historical Society: Old Tacoma, p. 11)

Steele Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1870-1880; Carr, Job--Homes & haunts;

ca. 1873. "Terminus of Tacoma, looking toward Mt. Rainier, W.T." Early stereopticon slide by Oliver Dennie, Portland, Oregon (From the collection of Dan Kerlee, Seattle, Washington). One or two wooden shacks and a handful of tents occupy the top of the bluff near what is now South 7th & Pacific Avenue. This view is the beginning of New Tacoma as pictured in the fall of 1873. Commencement Bay at left. (Prosch: McCarver and Tacoma, p. 185)

Cities & towns--Tacoma; Commencement Bay (Wash.); Tree stumps--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1870-1880;

ca. 1884. "New Tacoma, Puget Sound, W. T." Early stereopticon slide by Watkins, San Francisco, CA Watkins' New Series # 5201, Pacific Coast Views (From the collection of Dan Kerlee, Seattle, Washington) see C52158 (far left) for possible location of buildings in this photo. The area in the center is part of the Tideflats before any dredging. Of the two large buildings in the background center-right, the dark building is the forge shop of the Northern Pacific Railroad shops between South 17th & South 19th, east of Pacific Ave. The light building is the car shop.

Cities & towns--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1880-1890; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. Press room - probably Tacoma News Tribune - circa 1925. Man at front, right is Leo G. Sauers who worked for the News Tribune for 55 years. Mr. Sauers, born in Kenton, Michigan, spent most of his life in the Tacoma area. He began his apprenticeship as a pressman for the former Tacoma Ledger. He retired as a pressroom foreman for the Tacoma News Tribune about 1973 and died in December of that year at the age of 76. (TNT 12-22-1973- obit.)

Newspaper industry--1920-1930; Sauers, Leo G.;

ca. 1915. Created from the stump of a massive cedar tree, this bandstand stood in 27-acre Wright Park and was the scene of many civic and formal occasions and celebrations. Two unidentified men are pictured on the bandstand in this circa 1915 photograph. Fire destroyed the bandstand in 1930. (copy of original) Bi-Centennial Project # 75346-11 (www.metroparkstacoma.org-short article)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1910-1920; Tree stumps--Tacoma; Bandstands--Tacoma;

ca. 1908. Families enjoy a sunny day at McKinley Park circa 1908. The 22-acre park was a gift to the City of Tacoma by the Tacoma Land & Improvement Co. in 1901. It was named after President William McKinley who had died that year. The park was covered with trees, shrubs and grass and it took a few years to develop it for the public. Usage of the park diminished after the freeway was constructed along its northern border in 1962 but rebounded with the addition of new playground equipment, new restroom and improved pathways. (metroparkstacoma.org)

McKinley Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1900-1910;

A repair crew is rewinding generator no.2 at the Nisqually Power Station in April 1924. Planning for Tacoma's first hydroelectric project, the LaGrande Dam on the Nisqually River, began in 1907. The project was controversial - people wondered what the city could possibly do with all the power generated by the four 6,000 kilowatt units. Construction started in Feb. 1910 and the new plant began furnishing power to the citizens of Tacoma on Nov. 6, 1912.

Nisqually Power Station (Nisqually); Hydroelectric power--Tacoma; LaGrande Dam (Wash.); Hydroelectric generators--Washington;

John H. Van Fossen sits at his desk in June of 1909. He was the Chief Clerk for the Assistant Superintendent of Transportation for the Northern Pacific Railroad in Tacoma. Mr. Van Fossen lived at 1212 North I Street. Washington state map and 1909 calendar on wall.

Van Fossen, John H.; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1873. Frederick Law Olmsted plat map for City of Tacoma (New Tacoma), Washington Territory. Created for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and the Tacoma Land Company

Maps; Olmsted, Frederick Law, 1822-1903; Tacoma Land Co. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1976. Owner Reno Rosi served up spaghetti with the famous rich red sauce in this 1976 photograph of the kitchen at Bimbo's Avenue Cafe, 1514-1516 Pacific Ave. The restaurant was opened in 1921 by Rosi's uncle Vittorio "Bimbo" Perniconi when he arrived in Tacoma from his native Lucca, on Italy's northwest coast. During Prohibition it was rumored that he served up a little gambling and bootleg gin along with the spaghetti. In 2001, the long time family owned business was bought out by the City of Tacoma, to make way for the convention center. The city bought the rights to the name "Bimbo's" and the recipes to four of the sauces. Bimbo's closed its doors in late September of 2001 after 80 years of business. This photograph was taken in 1976 by John Vlahovich / Vlahovich Design Associates for the opening of the Bicentennial Building. (TNT 8/22/2001, pg. 1) TPL-9516, BU-13378

Bimbo's Avenue Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma; Rosi, Reno;

ca. 1910. Peter Leonard and Francis J. O'Leary were the proprietors of the Red Front Saloon located at 5244 South Tacoma Way on the west side of the 5200 block. It is believed the men are standing at the entrance to the bar in this circa 1910 photograph. The other five men may have been customers or saloon employees. Even a curious dog has managed to turn his head to face the camera. The Red Front offered its customers pool and billiards as well as a wide array of wines, liquors and cigars. Furnished rooms and lodgings were available upstairs .

Red Front Saloon (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1910-1920; Eating & drinking facilities--Tacoma--1910-1920; Dogs--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1904. Interior of the Red Front Saloon, 5244 South Union (now South Tacoma Way), circa 1904. The saloon was located on the west side of the 5200 block of South Union. Besides the usual beer and other alcoholic beverages, the Red Front offered its clientele pool and billiards on at least three tables. The pool tables were covered up to prevent dust or spillage until wanted by customers.

Red Front Saloon (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1900-1910; Eating & drinking facilities--Tacoma--1900-1910; Billiards--Tacoma--1900-1910;

Tacoma was introduced to McDonald's hamburgers in 1963 when the franchised restaurant chain built its golden arches at 802 Tacoma Avenue South. When this photograph was taken, sometime after 1967, the popular fast-food chain had four outlets in Tacoma and was selling 3 million hamburgers each day nationwide.

McDonald's (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fast food restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1931. Tudor Rose Tea Room & Delicatessen, 16 Tacoma Ave. No. The tea room was located in the store building at 16-24 Tacoma Ave. No. The English style building was built by the Lumberman's Investment Co. from a design by Sutton, Whitney & Dugan. First Presbyterian Church can be seen in the background left in this circa 1931 photograph.

Tudor Rose Tea Room (Tacoma); Delicatessens--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

Roller skating rink. This is the King Roller Rink, located at 2707-13 Pacific Avenue. The rink was built in 1931 by Martin H. Marker, contractor. W. Chelse Boynton was the architect. 800 pairs of skates were available for gliding on the white maple flooring.

Roller skating; King Roller Rink (Tacoma); Skating rinks--Tacoma;

ca. 1904. Students and teacher on the front steps of a school, probably Franklin School, 3210 So. 12th St., circa 1904. Class sizes in 1904 at Franklin averaged 48 children with one teacher. Franklin School (first named Pierce's Addition School and then renamed shortly after opening in honor of Benjamin Franklin) had the distinction of being older than Washington statehood. It opened in October of 1889 and Washington became the 42nd state in November of the same year. The original Franklin School would stand until 1910 when overcrowding forced the construction of a new school . The old school with gables and bell tower was sold for $250 and hauled away for scrap lumber. A new Franklin arose nearby at 3202 So. 12th St. where it would remain until its demolition in 1997. The third Franklin School was then built in 1998 at 1402 So. Lawrence St. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 59-article; TNT 4-10-97, SL3-article, various photos)

Public schools--Tacoma--1900-1910; School children--Tacoma--1900-1910; Teachers--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1901. Sepia photograph of a Lincoln Elementary School class in 1901. Standing on the steps of Lincoln Elementary are numerous students; in the third row, second from the left is reportedly Jeston Reed Foss. Originally named West School, construction began on the new school at 1610 South K Street (now MLK Way) in 1887. It was renamed in honor of President Abraham Lincoln in 1889. The school began as a two-room school with two grades; by 1890, it had four grades and five teachers. The school was closed and demolished in 1938. Most of the students and staff were transferred to McCarver Junior High where they joined students from Longfellow to form a new elementary school. Others were assigned to either Central or Stanley schools. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 57) (note: the same photograph is identified in Olsen's book as Hawthorne School)

Lincoln Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1900-1910; School children--Tacoma;

ca. 1916. Girls Gymnasium, Lincoln Park High School, Tacoma

Lincoln Park High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1910-1920; Gymnasiums; Physical education

Machinist Mate Carl Lischke gets a final salute from his German ship commander, Captain Harsdorf von Enderndorf, during impressive funeral rites at Mountain View Memorial Park on March 19, 1934. The young sailor was stricken with fish poisoning after his cruiser, the Karlsruhe, docked in Tacoma. He was buried in Tacoma because his ship would not return to Germany for quite some time. The funeral was attended by a large crowd of citizens as well as German and U.S. military forces. Lischke was accorded full naval honors. TPL-8711 (T.Times 3-20-34, p. 1-article)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Lakewood; Sailors--German;