Several days of winter storms in mid-February of 1923 brought 15 - 18 inches of accumulated snow to the streets of downtown Tacoma. Ray C. Smith, proprietor of the pony stables on Puyallup Ave, brought one of his antique cutters out of mothballs and was photographed on South 10th Street with the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific behind him. His well bundled guests enjoying the one horse sleigh ride were D.A. LaJose and Charles McManus. Dexter the horse arched his neck proudly to show off his jingle bell collar. With up to 24 inches of snow on the ground in the outlying areas, schools shut down and street car service was suspended for a time. Buses ran in the more highly populated areas but could only handle a portion of those wishing to ride. Complaints were received by the police department from riders who indicated that some bus drivers were overcharging for the rides, demanding as much as 25 cents for what should have been a nickel ride. (TNT 2-14-1923, p.1, TDL 2-15-1923, p. 1) G66.1-130; TPL-9658
A man in overalls and horse are plowing a crop in this August of 1922 photograph. Another man, in a suit and tie, stands with one arm raised before the horse. Neither man nor the property was identified. Photograph has been damaged at left.
ca. 1907. As early as 1907, Commercial Truck Company was in business in Tacoma, filling the need for moving and storage. A young man posed with a wagon used for transport, pulled by two horses, in front of the concrete building at 2302-12 East E St. that the company took over in October of 1907. The reinforced concrete warehouse was two stories, 75 x 140 feet and provided fireproof storage. It was built at a cost of $30,000. The Commercial Truck Co. was a forerunner of Tacoma's Star Moving Co. of today. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell)
ca. 1907. Horse and wagon teams in front of the new concrete storage warehouse at 2302-12 East E St., circa 1907. The two story warehouse was built at a cost of $30,000 for developer W.P. Reynolds. The building, designed by architect and structural engineer I. Jay Knapp, was 75 x 140 feet at the foundation and was fireproof. On its completion, the Commercial Truck Co. moved into the building. They were a moving and storage company. They were sold in 1929 to the group owning AA Star Transfer of Aberdeen and became Star Commercial Moving and Storage. In 1941, Star dropped their storage business and became solely a moving company. The building was taken over by Terminal Warehouses, Inc. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell) TPL-9834
ca. 1905. Six unidentified men pose with their horses in front of the offices of the Commercial Truck Co. in the early 1900's. The Commercial Truck Co. first appears in the City Directory in 1903. The company occupied 717-19 Broadway after its construction in 1902. They listed their business as transfer, drayage, piano movers, livery and feed stables. The company was a predecessor of Tacoma's Star Moving Co. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell)
ca. 1905. An unidentified man calmed a rearing horse near the offices of the Commercial Truck Co. in the early 1900's. The Commercial Truck Co. first appeared in the 1903 Tacoma City Directory. S.J. Pollard was listed as president with J.W. Garvin as Secretary-Treasurer and A.W. Tuel as Manager. They listed offices at 717-719 South C and 718-720 Commerce St. (in TPL building index as 717-19 Broadway). The company moved into this building on its completion in 1902. They listed their services as transfer, drayage, piano moving, livery and feed stables. The company sold in 1929 to AA Star Transfer of Aberdeen and became Star Commercial Moving & Storage, a predecessor of today's Star Moving Co. (photograph courtesy of Dan Powell)
ca. 1911. Al G. Barnes Wild Animal Circus wagon with a small brass band on top and African lions inside is pulled down a street in South Tacoma. Probably taken Sept. 13, 1911.
ca. 1910. Unidentified young man, holding a metal milk pitcher in each hand, stands next to a horse-drawn mik wagon among the trees. The wooden panels on the side of the wagon say "Jersey Milk."
Hill Hardware Co. wagon & driver at east end of Wagon Bridge, Steilacoom Lake. Driver is C. L. Whitney. In 1908 the Hill Hardware Co. was at 2317-2319 Pacific Ave.
ca. 1908. Tacoma Steam Laundry wagon and driver. The wagon is piled full of bags of laundry. Even the driver's seat is packed, leaving no room for him to sit. From copy negative. Similar to BROWNING-073.
