The Republican Headquarters booth at the 1923 Western Washington Fair was manned by four unidentified matrons. Several U.S. flags made for a patriotic display, enhanced by the portraits of famous Republicans, including Presidents Lincoln and the recently deceased Warren G. Harding. The portrait of Calvin Coolidge, current President, was on display front and center. Republican fairgoers were able to register to vote at the booth and also take with them copies of the National Republican publication. G42.1-077; TPL-3207
Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Political parties--Puyallup; Signs (Notices); Flags--United States; Portrait photographs; Women--Clothing & dress--1920-1930;
Honey display. Cans and jars of honey were neatly displayed at the Superb Apiaries booth located at the 1923 Western Washington Fair. The company was based in Elma and the unidentified man standing next to the rows of honey was perhaps its owner. G74.1-046
Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Honey;
Wool Native American blankets, wall coverings and clothing were on display at the 1923 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. All items shown above were produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills. The Oregon firm is still in business to this day. G74.1-054
Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Blankets; Wool industry;
This was the Keystone Printing Co.'s booth at the 1922 Western Washington Fair. A large piece of machinery used in the printing business was on exhibit as well as samples of Keystone's products including cards and stationery. In addition, a desk was located on the left side of the booth, perhaps to take orders from inquiring customers. Keystone Printing was located at 1009 1/2 Pacific Avenue, per the 1922 City Directory.
Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Machinery; Desks; Keystone Printing Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);
In 1922 a day at the Western Washington Fair meant that adults dressed up in suits, ties, and hats for the men and women wore somber long-length suits and small hats. Enjoying respite from the excitement of the Fair are many elderly people who are pictured at the Peoples Store "Rest Room." Comfortable wicker and wooden chairs were provided in the outdoor pavilion and even postage-paid postcards were available. The store also indulged in a bit of advertising with several signs promoting the "Household Club" payment plan. G74.1-064 (Photographer Boland's notes indicated that the picture was listed as B6708 although B6707 is written on the print)
Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Lounges--Puyallup;
Keystone Printing Co. exhibit. Their booth at the Western Washington Fair in 1922 provided fairgoers with samples of the printing company's products including cards and stationery and a large piece of machinery. The placard on display stated that although Keystone was not the oldest printing company in town, it did have modern facilities allowing the company to produce "high class printing at popular prices." The two men in the exhibit booth were not identified; however, they may have been E. I. Richardson and L.D. Waters, owners of the firm. Keystone Printing, according to the 1922 City Directory, was located at 1009 1/2 Pacific Avenue. G74.1-053
Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Machinery; Keystone Printing Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);
The Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. sponsored an outdoor exhibit of horsepower at the Western Washington Fair in 1922. A GMC two-ton truck, using a two-range transmission, is shown climbing to the top of a frame while hauling a 5,250-lb. load. C.A. Flanary, mechanic at the GMC truck service department of Mueller-Harkins, demonstrated the traction power of the truck as it easily managed the 90 degree incline. G32.1-001 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-22-22, C-5)
Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Puyallup--1920-1930; Flanary, C.A.;
Exterior of two barns located at the Western Washington Fair in September of 1921. They received their annual coat of white paint in earlier in July. Fair dates in 1921 were October 3-9th. Tacoma Day was held on Friday, October 7th. G74.1-076, TPL-6344
Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Barns--Puyallup;
This is the empty new grandstand at the Western Washington Fair as photographed in September of 1921. The first beams were lifted on July 15th in the construction of a new 40 x 120 grandstand with seating for 2,200 fairgoers. The new section of seating brought the total number of seats to 5,700. TPL-6345; G74.1-075. (TNT 7-15-21, p. 19-article)
Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Grandstands--Puyallup;
The first real "egg machine" ever displayed on the Pacific Coast drew lines of interested Western Washington fairgoers on October 2, 1924, Egg Day at the fair. Visitors were encouraged to take a free peek at the "most wonderful mechanism in all the world." No one appeared disappointed in discovering the secret behind the enclosed stand: the remarkable "egg machine" was a Leghorn hen on her nest. The "egg machine" was on display at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup from September 29 to October 5, 1924. G74.1-079 (print has been damaged) (TNT 10-3-24, p. 15)
Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Puyallup--1920-1930;
On September 18, 1924, Nalley's showcased a variety of products at the South Tacoma Fair. Their exhibition booth with large sign "If It's Nalley's It's Good" offered samples of the large Nalley's menu. Nalley's manufactured mayonaise, salad dressing, sandwich spreads, honey, syrups, and their well known potato chips. The third annual South Tacoma (Community) Fair was held from September 15-20 in the DeLuxe Motor Building, 5622-26 Union Ave. (later known as South Tacoma Way) 25,000 people were expected to attend to view the more than 65 booths featuring local products and businesses. The fair was held to advertise the community of South Tacoma and its merchants and products. TPL-2798 (TNT 9-10-24, p. 14-15-article)
Exhibit booths--Tacoma; South Tacoma Fair (Tacoma); Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);
One of the special attractions of the 20th annual Western Washington Fair in Puyallup was the arrival on October 2nd, 1919 of a two seater, passenger carrying airplane from Victoria, B.C. Canadian ace pilot Lt. W.H. Brown made the flight in a miraculous 1 hour and 15 minutes, dropping 100 season passes and leaflets on the way. On October 4th, fare paying passengers donned goggles and a fur trimmed cap to take to the air for 15 minute flights; swooping, circling and passing as low as 75 feet over the grandstands. Here spectators stare open mouthed as the plane (out of the picture frame) buzzes the grandstand. Pilot Brown flew lower than any aviator in the West. The 1919 fair ran from September 30- October 5th and was an outstanding success. (TDL 10/5/1919, pg. A-12) G74.1-087, TPL-6346
Fairs--Puyallup--1910-1920; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Spectators--Puyallup; Grandstands--Puyallup;
ca. 1919. Farmers, fruit growers and breeders of the Puyallup valley held an enthusiastic meeting on June 2, 1900, and formed the Valley Fair Association. Members changed the name to the Western Washington Fair Association on January 13, 1913. The purpose of the fair was to promote agricultural, horticultural, dairying, stock-raising and manufacturing industries of the valley. In this 1919 photograph, people in the small hamlets of Dieringer, Rhodes Lake, Connell's Prairie, and Milton exhibit their wares at the fair. Boland #B2321,
Fairs; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Exhibitions; Home food processing; Sewing--Puyallup; Art exhibitions;
Photo-collage by Marvin Boland of photographs that he took at the First Annual Rotary Fair held on October 31, 1919. This industrial fair for Rotary Club members and friends featured 150 exhibits promoting local professions and businesses. It was held in Stadium High School's gymnasium where the slogan of the fair was "Rotarians, Buy at Home." Because the fair was so successful, mention was made that a larger exhibition might be held later for the general public. Dr. H. J. Whitacre was the Rotary president at that time. (TDL 10-17-19, p. 3-article; TDL 10-31-19, p. 1-article)
For many years, P. T. Barnum-type side shows were main features at carnivals and fairs. In 1921, at the Western Washington Fair, McGunning-Davis was presenting her "consolidated twin alive--one head and two bodies". Also, a "20th Century Enigma--Australia natives captured in the wilds of Western Australia--First time on exhibition in America".
Signing up for jobs at the Puyallup Fair on August 12, 2009, line for applying job, job line the length of Ninth Ave SW and around the corner. Photo by Denny Elvins.
Signing up for jobs at the Puyallup Fair on August 12, 2009, line for applying job, job line the length of Ninth Ave SW and around the corner. Photo by Denny Elvins.
