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TPL-9840

ca. 1880. Alexander Smith (A.S.) Abernethy, elected Mayor of Tacoma September 6, 1882. Mr. Abernethy served as Mayor in 1882 & 1883. He was born in New York in 1813. In 1850, he was asked by his older brother George to come to the Northwest to manage the Oak Point (saw) Mill. George Abernethy (1807-1877) went on to become Oregon's first Governor. Alexander Abernethy was Oak Point's most prominent citizen from 1850-1880, campaigning for Washington Territory and later serving as a Republican in local political positions. He had a land claim west of Longview in Cowlitz County. Already an elderly man when he served as Mayor, he died five years later in February of 1888 and was buried in the family cemetary on his land claim. (History of Stella, Oak Point, Eufaula, Coal Creek and Surrounding Areas; US GenWeb Archives)


Abernethy, Alexander Smith; Mayors--Tacoma--1880-1890;

TPL-9839

ca. 1898. Johnson Nickeus, Mayor of Tacoma 1898 and 1899. Mr. Nickeus came to Washington around 1892, an already elderly man seeking milder weather. He brought with him the experience garnered in his long political and legal career; having served from 1883-86 in the Dakota legislature, as well as the Attorney General of that area and two years as a Consul to South America under President Benjamin Harrison. He was elected Mayor of Tacoma in April of 1898. In August of 1899, he was charged by a grand jury with "attempting to receive" a sizable bribe from C.P. Hurley, manager of the Tacoma Gas and Electric Light Co., in connection with a compromise of a million dollar suit against Light and Water. He went to trial on September 10, 1899. On the morning of September 14th, after arguing all night, the jury declared itself deadlocked 6 to 6. In April of 1900, Tacoma selected a new Mayor. (TDL 8/18/1899, pg. 1; 9/12/1899, pg. 1; 9/15/1899, pg. 3)


Nickeus, Johnson; Mayors--Tacoma--1890-1900;

TPL-9810

McKinley School, 2nd grade class photo. These smiling children posed for their class picture near the end of the 1951 school year. Among them was Dorothy Mika, second row to the left, second seat back. Dorothy (later Dorothy Stewart) grew up to become a longtime staff member of the Tacoma Public Library.


McKinley School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mika, Dorothy; Stewart, Dorothy;

TPL-9693

ca. 1903. The lake at Point Defiance, circa 1903. Much of the early design of Point Defiance can be laid at the feet of Welsh landscape gardener, and Point Defiance's first superintendent, Ebenezer Roberts. He saw the park as an island of peace and beauty to be used and enjoyed by the people of Tacoma. He also sought to preserve its wildness. He was also one of the forces behind the city obtaining sole ownership of the park in 1905. His vision of rustic beauty shaped the early look of the park. In those days, the animals were housed in the pens seen behind the lake. Elk, bison and deer would gather to eat at the animal pavilions, the small buildings in the pens. Ducks inhabited the lake. In the photograph, a woman in a floor length skirt stands at the top of the lake, taking in its beauty.


Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma; Lakes & ponds--Tacoma;

TPL-9423

Logging railroad bridge being built for Weyerhaeuser near Elma, WA. Timbers used in construction may have been cut from trees nearby as evidenced by several tree stumps. (copy negative on file; original owned by Kathleen Ramsey)


Railroad bridges--Elma; Bridges--Elma; Weyerhauser Timber Co. (Elma);

TPL-8592

City league competitive basketball was popular in Tacoma in the early 1930s. The Carstens Packing Company team from 1933 was rated as a strong contender for the Tacoma City Girls' Basketball league championship. The Carstens Vagabonds team members were, seated left to right, Dolly Reese, Freda Weingard, Eleanor Hiller, Grace Thorne and Katherine Rivers. Standing, left to right, Paul Benton (coach), Eleanor Foley, Vera Kemp, Mary Livesley, Dorothy Weingard and Gladys Hult (manager.) There were six women's teams in the 1932 city league sponsored by the Metropolitan Park District including teams representing Hoskins Grill, Pacific Telephone, and Tacoma Poultry and Eggs. (Previously TPL-9000)


Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Basketball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Basketball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Sports--1930-1940; Benton, Paul; Hult, Gladys;

TPL-8568

ca. 1916. Gersix truck manufacturing plant at 3011 South Fife in Tacoma. View of 6-cyclinder, structural steel framed trucks. The Gerlinger Motor Car Co. was the manufacturer of Gersix trucks; the firm was managed by Edward E. Gerlinger. The company was later sold to Edgar Worthington and Cpt. Frederick Kent who renamed it the Gersix Motor Co. After reincorporation in 1923, Ken-Worth (named after the two principal shareholders, Worthington and Frederick Kent's son, Harry) was created. Kenworth Motor Truck Co. established its headquarters in Seattle and became known for their custom trucks. Photograph provided by Robert (Bob) Hahn, whose father, J.E. (Ed) Hahn, worked for many years at Gerlinger Motor Car Co. and later Kenworth. (www.kenworth.com/7100_ken.asp)


Gerlinger Motor Car Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1910-1920;

TPL-8567

ca. 1916. J.E. "Ed" Hahn and Bill Gray (behind steering wheel), foreman and sales manager, respectively, of the Gerlinger Motor Car Co., are seated on a Gersix truck ca. 1916 while a band plays in the rear. The Gerlinger Motor Car Company, 3011 South Fife Street, manufactured 6-cylinder, structural steel trucks in Tacoma beginning in 1915. This particular truck may have been the third truck manufactured by the Tacoma Company. Gerlinger Motor Car Co. eventually became the Kenworth Motor Truck Co., a leading producer of custom trucks. A Kenworth dealership opened in Tacoma in 1929 and both Bill Gray and Ed Hahn worked there for many years. Mr. Gray left in 1940; Mr. Hahn stayed until 1950. Photograph provided by Robert (Bob) Hahn, Ed Hahn's son.


Hahn, J.E.; Gray, Bill; Trucks--Tacoma--1910-1920; Gerlinger Motor Car Co. (Tacoma);

TPL-8542

ca. 1942. William L. (Bill) Case and friends aboard his pleasure craft, the "Baby Dumpling." The vessel had a mysterious beginning. She is crafted from a 30 foot lifeboat found abandoned in mid Pacific by the Silveray, a British motorship of the Silver-Java-Pacific line, sailing from the Philippine Islands to Puget Sound. In the craft were oars, two casks of fresh water, empty sea biscuit cartons, a cigaret package from Sidney, Australia and several .38 caliber bullet slugs, but no people. The slugs had punctured the air tanks and made several holes in the craft. No name was on the boat and its original owner was unknown. Foss Tug and Launch purchased the boat from the crew and towed it to their repair yard where Bill L. Case converted it to a pleasure craft. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case Collection) (lifeboat story T. Times 8/23/1939, pg. 18)


Case, William L.; Sailboats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

TPL-8541

ca. 1935. It's break time outside the floating office of the Foss Launch & Tug Co. at 400 Dock St. On the left is William T. (Bill) Case, company dispatcher, and on the right skipper Thomas Sadler. In November of 1932, the company's original floating office at this location was destroyed in an early morning fire. Due to the quick actions of Mr. Case, the twenty people inside were saved, but the building was a total loss. It was replaced by a floating airplane hangar converted into offices (seen in the background.) The building is emblazoned with the green and white Foss logo with the slogan "Always ready." The second floor window on the left leads to the rooms of company accountant Oscar Iverson. Living quarters for the Case family were also on the second floor. (photograph courtesy of the special collection of William T. Case)


Case, William T.; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

TPL-8540

ca. 1948. Three deep sea Foss tugs based out of Port Angeles, left to right, the Arthur Foss, Mathilda Foss and Foss No. 21. These three ships were used periodically for deep sea tows to Alaska, but after the end of World War II that duty was taken over by Miki class tugs purchased as surplus from the military. The three were then used for log tows out of Port Angeles. The Arthur Foss is probably the most famous Foss tugboat. It began its life in 1898 in Portland Oregon as the steam tug "Wallowa." The 110 foot tug became a star when it appeared in the 1933 motion picture classic "Tugboat Annie" as the "Narcissus." The movie was based on Saturday Evening Post short stories written by University of Washington writing teacher Norman Reilly Raine and loosely based on the Foss family business legend. The vessel was overhauled in 1934 and renamed the "Arthur Foss." It served in World War II, returned to Port Angeles in 1948 and was retired in 1968. Donated in 1970 to the nonprofit "Save Our Ships," it was lovingly restored. The "Mathilda Foss" was built in 1909 as a US Army passenger and freight vessel, the "Captain Gregory Barrett." The 91 foot vessel was retooled in 1937 as an ocean going tug and renamed the "Mathilda Foss." It also served in World War II and entered Port Angeles service in 1946. It was sold in 1963 and sunk in 1978 as an eyesore. The "Foss 21" began life as the Tacoma built "Fearless." Built in 1900, the 80 foot tug was one of the most powerful tugs at the turn of the century. It was based out of Port Angeles and used primarily for tows on the Quillayute River. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Foss: A Living Legend" by Bruce Johnson and Mike Skalley)


Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Port Angeles--1940-1950;

TPL-8539

ca. 1935. William T. Case hard at work at his desk at the Foss Launch & Tug Co.'s floating office at 400 Dock St. In November of 1932, the original Foss offices at this location caught fire. Mr. Case discovered the fire and helped escort out the 20 people asleep on the premises, saving their lives. The Foss family scouted about for a viable substitute for their destroyed building. They found the first seaplane hangar in the Northwest on sale in Seattle. The huge building floated on a scow and was used by Eddie Hubbard, pioneer aviator, to house his hydroplane on Lake Union. It was purchased, towed to Tacoma and remodeled. The main deck contained the repair shop for tugs and the store for needed provisions. The second deck contained offices, bunk rooms, an apartment for Mr. Case and his family, a recreation room and company accountant Oscar Iverson's rooms. Heavy winds could cause the building to rock and more than once big freighters in the waterway came a little too close. (TNT 10/9/1935)


Case, William T.; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

TPL-8538

William L. (Bill) Case showing off his long skis while enjoying some Spring skiing at Cayuse Pass in May of 1938. Cayuse Pass is at the 4,675 foot level on Mount Rainier, at the junction of the Mather Memorial Highway and the road to Ohanapecosh Hot Springs. It was once used in winter months as a ski area. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection)


Case, William L.; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940 ; Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Winter sports--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940;

TPL-8537

ca. 1935. School boy patrol at Central School, circa 1935. In a Tacoma school safety program initiated in 1929, responsible students were selected to assist their fellow students in safely crossing busy streets. The chest crossing belt and the hand held stop sign designated a student as a patrol member and were considered badges of honor. (Photograph courtesy of the collection of William T. Case)


School safety patrols--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Central School (Tacoma); Case, William L.;

TPL-8536

The Foss #12 caught in the act of fighting a waterfront fire. In 1914, the #12 was the first vessel designed and built for Foss exclusively for towing. The 43 foot #12 was used primarily as a steamer assist; it helped the large vessels turn about in the narrow City Waterway by tying up to their bow and pulling them to face the other way. The #12 achieved fame, however, as the City of Tacoma's fireboat. The city entered into an agreement to hire the vessel for $8.20 a day to be on call to fight fires. The ship was fitted with a pump that could throw 1200 - 1300 gallons of water per minute at a waterfront blaze. In 1929 Tacoma had a full-fledged fireboat built, the Fireboat #1; but for a number of years Foss #12 faithfully provided that service for the city. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case Collection) ("Foss: A Living Legend" by Bruce Johnson and Mike Skalley)


Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Fireboats;

TPL-8535

ca. 1946. Henry Foss (left) and William T. (Bill) Case held a discussion circa 1946 while leaning on the water pump of the Foss #12, used both as a fireboat and a tug. As the Foss Launch & Tug Co. expanded into new markets, Henry remained in Tacoma to run the local office. He served in World War II and returned once again to the company. He retired as president of the maritime company in the Northwest. Bill Case loyally worked for Foss from 1915 until his death in 1956. He started out as a deckhand and later skippered the Foss #12 during its tenure as Tacoma's fireboat. He was the Chief Dispatcher for the company when he retired due to illness. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case Collection)


Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Case, William T.;

TPL-8534

ca. 1931. Second grade class, Spanaway School District 322, taken in 1931. The teacher is Miss Daisy Salmonson. Bottom row, left to right, Tweeden, Dotty B., Ruby Graber and Gladys Wilson. 2nd row: Phylis Bradshaw, Janet Anderson, Pearl Hoskins, Frank Zlock, Vivian Handy and Lorraine Ridout. 3rd row: Cecelia Niesen, ElmerTeale, Lavina Mae Nygard, Charles Martin, Thelma Williams, Junior Curry and Jeanne Lakey. 4th row: William Case, Marion Gunsons, Louis Phillips, Margaret Hermansen, Gordon Pirnie and Vivian Lawer. 5th row: Robert Reed, La Verne Manning, Edward Manning, Boby Edi, Manly Storlee, Mae Jhonson and Wilbur Schatly. (photograph and names courtesy of the William T. Case collection)


Spanaway School (Spanaway)--1930-1940; Students--Spanaway--1930-1940; Case, William L.;

TPL-8533

ca. 1926. As the Foss family expanded their operations into the Olympic Peninsula, Henry Foss rented the home on the extreme left when in the area to oversee the company's growth. It was also used by Foss employees when they were towing on the river. The cabin was located on Rialto Beach, out from the town of Mora, near the mouth of the Quillayute River. The large home on the right was the summer home of the magician "Alexander the Great," better known on stage as the one who "knows all, sees all." In 1926, Foss was awarded a contract by Washington Pulp & Paper Corporation of Port Angeles to tow a barge load per day of pulp wood from the Quillayute River on the Olympic Peninsula to the company's Port Angeles plant. The Foss #21 was assigned to this task and continued until the pulp wood camps there were closed in 1930. In 1926, Foss also purchased the Angeles Gravel & Supply Co. and took over their operations. Foss executive Henry Berg was placed in charge of the Port Angeles office. They continued to capitalize on future Peninsula towing opportunities, including the large scale movement of materials for the paving of what is now Highway 101. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Foss: A Living Legend" by Bruce Johnson and Mike Skalley) (TDL 8/14/1927, pg. G-1)


Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986--Homes & haunts; Alexander--Homes & haunts; Cabins--Olympic Peninsula; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

TPL-8532

ca. 1926. William L. Case, son of "Bill" (William T.) Case, poses on tugboat Foss #12. For many years, #12 served the city of Tacoma as a fireboat. It was skippered for much of that time by the elder Case. In 1914, #12 was the first vessel designed and built for Foss exclusively for towing. It was built primarily for turning the Seattle-Tacoma passenger steamers in the City Waterway and designed so that one man, the captain, could run the engine, pilot the boat and tend the lines. Arthur Foss made a proposal to the city that they contract with Foss for the services of a fireboat. The agreement was made at a cost to the city of $2993 a year ($8.20 a day.) Foss #12 was refitted with a powerful pump that could throw 1200 gallons of water per minute at a pressure of 400 pounds per square inch. Two men were stationed on the tug at all times and it could reach any harbor fire within 6 minutes of receiving a call. The tug was instrumental in controlling several potentially disastrous waterfront fires. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) (Foss: A Living Legend" by Bruce Johnson and Mike Skalley)


Case, William T.--Family; Fireboats; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Case, William L.; Tugboats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

TPL-8531

William L. Case enjoying a dip on the shoulders of a family friend at Hick's Lake on July 4, 1925. With the advent of the automobile, this small chain of spring fed lakes southeast of Olympia became the destination for summer fun. The Thurston County chain consists of Hicks Lake, Long Lake and Pattison Lake. Hicks Lake is located near Lacey and is the the smallest of the trio. By 1926, there were seven resorts on Hicks Lake alone. The resorts offered swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking and camping, the perfect activities for a holiday outing. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case Collection) (information Lacey, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce site)


Hicks Lake (Lacey); Water holes--Lacey--1920-1930; Swimming; Case, William T.--Family; Case, William L.;

TPL-8530

The steamboat "Tacoma" was severely damaged when she was rammed by the car ferry "Kitsap" in late October of 1926. The resulting impact tore a hole in the side of the "Tacoma" at the water line. Although the accident occurred when the ships were maneuvering through thick fog, it greatly increased the discord between the Puget Sound Navigation Company, which operated the "Tacoma," and the Kitsap County Transport Company (also known as the White Collar Line because of the wide white metal band, or collar, around the smoke stacks of the company's ships). The two companies had been in a bitter rate war for years. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Puget Sound Ferries" by Carolyn Neal & Thomas Kilday Janus)


Steamboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Navigation Co. (Tacoma); Steamboat accidents; Marine accidents--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930;

TPL-8529

ca. 1920. Foss launch identified by William L. Case as the "Tyee." The Foss family rowboat rental business, started by Thea Foss in 1889, was thriving at the turn of the century. With an eye for opportunity, Thea branched out into the business of supplying anchored and arriving ships in Tacoma with provisions. With the purchase of the family's first launch, sons Arthur and Wendell Foss were able not only to bring supplies, but also to ferry ship's personnel to land. By 1912, the company owned seven launches, the "Tyee" being one of the smallest. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Foss: A Living Legend" by Bruce Johnson and Mike Skalley)


Launches--Tacoma; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

TPL-8528

ca. 1921. The steamship "Indianapolis," one of two ships used in the Seattle to Tacoma steamship passenger service, docked at the Municipal Dock. The dock was located on the City Waterway (now the Thea Foss Waterway.) The ships would dock with their bows headed up the channel. The services of a tug would be required to turn the bow of the ships around to head back to Seattle. The Foss #12 and its captain William T. Case were assigned this duty. The "Indianapolis" was launched on May 5, 1904 as a Great Lakes steamship. Her inability to serve the large holiday crowds prompted her sale to the Puget Sound Navigation Co. in October of 1905. The vessel travelled around the Cape and began her new run in April of 1906. She served as a passenger transport from 1906-1938. She was converted in 1933 to a car ferry and scrapped in 1939. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Ferryboats" by M.S. Kline and G.A. Bayless; "Puget Sound Ferries" Carolyn Neal & Thomas Kilday Janus)


Steamboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Navigation Co. (Tacoma); Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marine terminals--Tacoma;

TPL-8527

ca. 1921. The "Tacoma," one of two steamboats used on the Seattle to Tacoma passenger service operated by the Puget Sound Navigation Co. The "Tacoma" can be identified by its two funnels. The Eleventh Street Bridge can be seen in the background. Due to the narrowness of the channel, the Foss #12 tug had to assist in turning the bow of the steamship about for its return trip to Seattle. Here, a line has been attached from the Foss #12 to the bow of the ship to turn it about. The "Tacoma" was launched on May 13, 1913 and it provided Puget Sound passenger service from 1913-1938. The vessel was manufactured at Robert Moran's Seattle Dry Dock & Construction Co. It could accomodate 1,000 passengers, who could travel in style from Seattle to Tacoma in 77 minutes. The passenger only line was defeated by the advent of automobiles and a combination of demand for car ferries and the opening for the Seattle Tacoma Highway in 1928. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Puget Sound Ferries" by Carolyn Neal and Thomas Kilday Janus; "Ferryboats" by M.S. Kline and G.A. Bayless)


Steamboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Navigation Co. (Tacoma); Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930;

TPL-8526

ca. 1921. This photograph taken in the early 1920's shows the arrival and tugboat assisted turn around of the steamship "Indianapolis" at the Tacoma terminal, the Municipal Dock, of the Seattle to Tacoma steamship passenger service. The Municipal Dock was on the City Waterway (now the Thea Foss Waterway) north of the Eleventh Street Bridge. The ships would arrive and dock with their bows headed up the channel. Due to the narrowness of the channel, the length of the ships and the proximity of the bridge, a tugboat was required to assist them in turning about for their return voyage to Seattle. The Foss #12, captained by William T. Case, would connect a line to the bow and turn the ships about twice a day. The steamships could then assume cruising speed and head for Seattle. (photograph courtesy of the collection of William T. Case)


Case, William T.--Associated objects; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats; Steamboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Navigation Co. (Tacoma); Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marine terminals--Tacoma;

TPL-8525

ca. 1915. This 43-foot tug with 14-foot beam, the Foss #12, was constructed by Gig Harbor designer/builder Robert Crawford and entered service in 1914. She was the first Foss vessel planned and ordered exclusively for towing. #12 handled so well that she was also used as a steamer assist vessel and became the area's first motorized fireboat. With a 75 horsepower gas engine, she was capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of water per minute. #12 was hired as the City of Tacoma's fireboat in 1915, a service for which Foss was paid nearly $3,000 a year. The vessel was a favored one and was skippered by Henry and Drew Foss and later by Capt."Bill" Case. She faithfully served the company as a steady workhorse until 1966. Then on July 4, 1967, the hull was towed out into the Bay and set afire as part of the celebration of the Nation's 191st year of Independence. Foss #12 literally went out in a blaze of glory. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) (Johnson & Skalley: "Foss: A Living Legend;" Skalley: "Foss: Ninety Years of Towboating" )


Case, William T.--Associated objects; Fireboats; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

TPL-8524

ca. 1918. This photograph of William Thomas Case, in uniform, was probably taken during his basic training at Fort Worden around 1918. Mr. Case took his training at this fort near Port Townsend that protects the Strait of Juan de Fuca. He was trained to crew a large cannon during the first World War. The second of eight children, Mr. Case was born in Arkansas City, Kansas. He came to Washington in 1900 and Tacoma in 1913. He went to work for Henry Foss in September of 1915 as a deckhand on the tugs and launches. He worked his way through the ranks at Foss Launch & Tug Co. becoming a skipper and finally the chief dispatcher for the fleet of tugs and launches. He was the longest serving employee of Foss and one of the company's most valued. He was the skipper of Foss #12 for six years, the second oldest tug in the line, and one that served the city as a fireboat, the only one for the harbor until the city of Tacoma acquired their own. Mr. Case died in 1956 at the age of 59 after a year long illness. (photograph courtesy of the collection of William T. Case) (TNT 4/15/1956, pg. A-12)


Case, William T.; Uniforms--United States--World War, 1914-1918;

TPL-835

ca. 1938. Dickman Lumber, 2423 Ruston Way. This aerial view, taken circa 1938, shows vast stacks of lumber ready to be loaded onto ships. Dickman Lumber was located just south of the present Old Town dock. It was purchased in 1922 by Leonard Howarth and Ralph L. Dickman, Sr. Dickman Lumber was closed in September of 1977 and its mill destroyed by fire in January of 1979.


Aerial photographs; Dickman Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shipping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

TPL-8010

ca. 1952. Work is almost complete on the 1952 Main branch of the Tacoma Public Library. To the left is the Carnegie Library, a Renaissance structure built in 1903 from a design by Jardine, Kent and Jardine and with funds donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. To the right is the Main Library, built in 1952 from a design by Silas E. Nelsen. Construction is ongoing on the three floor structure. To the rear of the library soar the memorable spires of the Romanesque Pierce County Courthouse at 1012 So. "G" St. The building was built in 1892 along grandiose lines. It was demolished in 1959 to provide space for a parking lot for the new County City building. To the left of the Courthouse, you can glimpse the Tacoma Vocational School (now Bates), built in 1941 at 1101 Yakima Ave., and the Washington National Guard Armory, built in 1908 at 715 So. 11th St. The large building in the back and to the right of the library is the Central Lutheran Church at 1001 So. "G" St. The church, built in 1889 as the First Presbyterian Church, was demolished to make room for the County City building.


Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

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