The John Ford western, "The Iron Horse." was showing at the Rialto Theatre in August of 1925. To help promote the movie, which took four years to make, the theater arranged for this Union Pacific "locomotive" to appear in Tacoma with 84-year-old famed Indian scout and interpreter Col. Alfred L. Chapman and his Chippewa wife, Princess Naggousaqua. Col. Chapman was present when the last spike was driven connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific lines. He also was instrumental in securing the services of some 800 Native Americans for the film and aided in the direction of an important movie scene. The "Iron Horse" dealt with the trials and tribulations of construction of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways to the west. It starred George O'Brien and Madge Bellamy and could be seen for a mere 50 cents for adults and a dime for children. (T.Times 8-17-25, p. 1)

Rialto Theatre (Tacoma); Publicity photographs; Chapman, Alfred L.; Princess Naggousaqua;

An addition to the industrial facilities located in Tacoma's Tideflats was the Associated Oil Co. plant and offices, built in 1925 for $500,000, under the direction of E.F. Fitzgerald, superintendent of construction. They were located on the waterfront overlooking the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. View of East "D" St. with smoke billowing from several mills; boat passing by Associated Oil plant. TPL-1348; G9.1-048

Associated Oil Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; City Waterway (Tacoma);

Located at 7th & Broadway was the big Wilkeson Garage. The 120-feet by 131-feet concrete building was the largest of its kind on the Pacific Coast. The service station added a top level for parking in April of 1924, a few months after work was completed on the rest of the structure. Wilkeson Garage carried Goodyear Tires, General Gasoline, Watson Stabilators, Wold-Wilkeson Motor Oil. G59.1-026

Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Elevated view of Associated Oil plant and extensive docks along the City Waterway (now Thea Foss Waterway), across from Commercial Dock #1. In June of 1926, the recently built Associated Oil Co. office and plant was located on the north end of East "D" in Tacoma's industrial Tideflats. F.E. McClaren was agent in charge. The oil storage and distributing plant for the Southwest Washington region had large tanks for holding fuel oil and gasoline plus a huge concrete warehouse for storing oil in steel drums. TPL-6485; G9.1-002 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-3-26, 8-E-article)

Associated Oil Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; City Waterway (Tacoma);

Rustic Naches Tavern. The Naches Tavern appears to be composed of a two-story log cabin-designed building with deep porch and a log archway a few yards away. It is surrounded by tall trees. It is located at the foot of the Naches Pass. A Captain Craine was the tavern's proprietor. TPL-5815; G75.1-001 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-4-26, G-1-article on Naches Pass highway and surroundings)

Naches Tavern;

Exterior view of Pinky Young's gas station in August of 1926. According to photographer Marvin Boland's notes, the business was located at South 72nd and Park Avenue. They guaranteed their repair work, sold tires and tubes, provided air and water and even had a supplemental business in soft drinks, groceries, cigars and school supplies. Jersey Milk products were also available.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pinky Young's Station (Tacoma);

Exterior view of large Carstens Packing Co. plant taken in mid-August of 1926. The meat packing firm was located at 1623 East "J" St. in the Tideflats, now the site of the Northwest Detention Center. Carstens relocated to Tacoma in 1903 and would later be known as the largest meat packing company on the West Coast with plants in Tacoma, Spokane and Seattle. In 1926 Carstens put forth plans to build a new four-story unit to hold the sausage factory, sausage coolers, lard refinery and smoke houses, beef coolers and beef sales coolers. The company sought to replace annually older, outdated buildings with permanent reinforced concrete construction. The gradual replacement meant that no sections of the plant would be out of commission before their replacements were erected. Fires in 1914, 1916 and shortly after caused the company to incur $750,000 in losses. The replacement of wooden buildings by concrete structures would make the plant more modernized as well as fireproof. (TDL 3-27-26, p. 10-article; TNT 3-31-27, p.6-article)

Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Meat industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This July, 1926, view of the Associated Oil Co.'s Tideflats facilities was taken from Stadium Way. The large $500,000 plant was located at 250 East D Street overlooking the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. Associated Oil distributed fuel and diesel oil and gasoline to all parts of southwest Washington. Barrels from Associated Oil's Avon refinery near Oakland were shipped by boat and unloaded at the company's extensive docks. The large tank on the left was capable of holding 80,000 barrels of fuel oil. The slightly smaller tank on the right had a 55,000 barrel capacity for gasoline. TPL-6704; G35.1-051 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-3-26, 8-E-article; TNT 2-19-26, p. 12-article)

Associated Oil Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The local Washington Furniture Manufacturing Co. took part in the fifth annual Northwest Furniture Manufacturing Exposition in late July of 1926. 2000 furniture dealers were invited to the private showing of 50 northwest manufacturers primarily from Tacoma, Seattle and Portland who displayed their products. The Balfour-Guthrie dock, with its immense floor, was able to hold all exhibits. The display floor is packed with samples of the Washington Furniture Mfg. Co.'s furniture, including many large upholstered sofas and comfortable chairs. Rugs, tapestries and a variety of lamps helped to accentuate the furniture. G35.1-010 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-25-26, 4-A-article)

Washington Furniture Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sofas; Chairs; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The C.E. MacDonald Co. of Tacoma had a large display of overstuffed davenports and chairs at the fifth annual Northwest Furniture Manufacturing Exposition held from July 26-31, 1926. Sofas in a wide variety of materials and prints were spread out over the exhibition floor. In many cases, the chairs and sofas were upholstered in the same colors and material. The company, manufacturers and wholesalers of upholstered furniture, was located at 2121 South Tacoma Way in a "furniture row" next to Northwest Chair and Gregory Furniture plants. They were one of the 50 furniture manufacturers from Portland to Seattle who displayed their lines of furniture for the benefit of 2000 furniture dealers. The exhibition, held at the Balfour-Guthrie dock, had the advantage of locating all exhibits on a single floor. It was not open to the public. G35.1-011 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-25-26, 4-A-article)

C.E. MacDonald Co. (Tacoma); Sofas; Chairs; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930;

McLean the Mover, Inc. dealt in heavy hauling as the above October, 1926, photograph indicates. One of its trucks is pulling, with the help of a single chain, another truck with a girder in front of 739 Market St. in downtown Tacoma. G66.2-110

McLean the Mover, Inc. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On September 11, 1926, Allen Motor Co. salesmen paid special attention to a new Hudson coach parked outside their new quarters built on the site of the old Annie Wright Seminary. Allen Motors were Hudson-Essex distributors. From L-R: Blaine Ramey, Andy Mulligan, Carl Jensen, George Ford and seated behind the wheel, Allen Motor Co.'s cashier/bookkeeper, Agnes Schober. The men were inspecting the new and improved intake manifold and carburetor, some of the features of the new Hudson four-door. G32.1-075 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-19-26, 6G)

Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hudson automobile; Ramey, Blaine; Mulligan, Andrew E.; Jensen, Carl; Ford, George; Schober, Agnes;

Centralia Motors celebrated its opening in mid-October of 1926. This interior view of the business is of the office staff at work. The office was situated so that workers were in clear view of any potential customer who could then be helped immediately. G75.1-015

Centralia Motors (Centralia); Office workers--Centralia; Automobile dealerships--Centralia;

Crowds braved the cold weather to line up for the film "Summer Bachelors" in early February of 1927. It was showing at the Rialto, 310 South 9th St. The movie starred Madge Bellamy, a stage and screen actress who had appeared in "Lorna Doone" and "The Iron Horse," the latter previously shown at the Rialto. Bunting decorated the theater building and also was strung across the street; the Broadway Theater at nearby 9th & Broadway had just celebrated its grand opening the night before. The First Baptist Church at 9th & Market Sts. is up the street from the Rialto. TPL-1892; G65.1-090; BU-11,229;

Rialto Theatre (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; First Baptist Church (Tacoma);

Dill pickle display at Skaggs-Safeway Market #277. In 1927 Skaggs-Safeway Market #277 was located at South 12th & "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) Sts. The store was promoting its second carload of Dill Pickles at 25 cents a dozen. Shoppers could pick and choose among hundreds of juicy pickles piled on display. The Northwest-based Skaggs United Stores along with Skaggs Cash Stores and the California-based Safeway Stores had recently consolidated to become known as the Skaggs-Safeway Stores. G56.2-132

Skaggs-Safeway Market #277 (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Vegetables--Tacoma; Cucumbers--Tacoma;

Scotch Bloom Service Station & General Store. An unidentified couple stand with four children under the overhanging roof of the Scotch Bloom service station and general store in late May of 1927. The location of the facility was not given. A white picket fence adjoins the service station with openings so that customers could drive in and park or have their crankcase serviced. G48.1-120

Scotch Bloom; Automobile service stations; General stores; Fences; Signs (Notices);

Three flat bed trucks loaded with cases of Post Toasties. The signs on the side of two of the trucks say "This car load of Post Toasties for the John D. Hamilton Co., Tacoma, Wash. to be used in Hamilton's Dutch Treat and Gravy Bar. ...Biggest selling 5 (cent?) bars in the West." John D. Hamilton was J.C. Haley's, of Brown & Haley, brother-in-law. He learned candy making as a superintendent in the Brown and Haley plant. In 1923, he left to form his own candy company, Hamilton Candy. The company was in business until 1970. G33.1-124

Hamilton Candy Co. (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The MacKenzie Drugs store was at the corner of South 24th and Pacific Ave. in the Richaven Building. Local architects Heath, Gove & Bell designed the cream colored brick building for Dr. Edward A. Rich. Upstairs was a Dr. Trimble, physician and surgeon while downstairs was the MacKenzie drugstore and next door, the Richaven Barbershop. Adjacent to the Richaven Building was the Merkle Hotel, 2407-09 Pacific Ave., which had been built in 1913 for the Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. TPL-7108 G19.1-095 (filed as BU-12915)

MacKenzie Pharmacy (Tacoma); Drugstores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Richaven Barbershop (Tacoma); Barbershops--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Merkle (Tacoma);

Cascade Paper Co. On August 29, 1927, an unidentified man in business attire was photographed with one hand on the handle of an enormous machine at the Cascade Paper Co., 4302 Chambers Creek Rd., Steilacoom. Cascade Paper built a $600,000 plant in Steilacoom in 1918 and advertised itself in the 1928 City Directory as "Tacoma's First Paper Mill." A pulp mill was added in 1925. Cascade Paper Co. was headed by Frank S. Baker, president, and John Hewitt, vice-president. G37.1-008

Cascade Paper Co. (Steilacoom); Paper industry--Steilacoom; Machinery;

A group of people stand in front of the Peninsula Cafe in the heart of Gig Harbor on October 8, 1927. The restaurant shared a brick building with the Peninsula Hotel. They may have been photographed for the Seattle Times. G72.1-143. See also Tacoma-Pierce County Buildings Index for 3108 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor.

Peninsula Cafe (Gig Harbor); Hotels--Gig Harbor; Group portraits--1920-1930;

Bankruptcy sale. Merchandise from Stanley's Department Store, listed in the 1927 City Directory as 5241 South Union (now called South Tacoma Way), was moved across the street to 5244 South Union for a bankruptcy sale in October of 1927. The store had been operated by Stanley Gornicki. Shoppers were informed that it was a "genuine bankrupt sale" and the store was "sold by order of the court!" Items were clearly marked with sale prices. The L.O. Borish Co. department store had opened in Stanley's old location on October 8th. The building had been remodeled and refinished in stucco and a tile roof. Photograph ordered by the Better Business Bureau. G56.1-103; BU-13,853 (TNT 10-5-27, p. 6-article on Borish Department Store) TPL-10443

Stanley's Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices);

This is the Colonial Garage as pictured on December 20, 1927. It was operated by Frank J. Brennan and offered storage, repairs, simonizing and washing with day and night service. The garage was located in downtown Tacoma at 924 Court C. Part of the Rhodes Bros. Department Store is visible in the background.

Colonial Garage (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Ten men doffed their hats as they posed in front of the Peninsula Cafe in Gig Harbor on October 8, 1927. The men were not identified. They may have been photographed for the Seattle Times. G72.1-142

Peninsula Cafe (Gig Harbor); Group portraits--1920-1930;

The Otsuka Family opened the Panama Garage at 1320 Market Street in 1923. Roy, Eddie and Hidegoro Otsuka operated the repair shop, car wash and service station. The family posed for this photograph in front of their business in November of 1927. The business was later managed by Ted Semba and Ken Hayashi. It closed during World War II. TPL-6371; G48.1-042

Panama Garage (Tacoma); Japanese American families--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

This group of 16 men shown dining at the Tacoma Hotel on January 15, 1928, is believed to have been associated with the Lidgerwood Pacific Company. The firm, with general offices and works in the Tideflats, manufactured steam, gas and electric logging, hoisting and dredging machinery. G31.1-002

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Group portrait of 21 male Pacific Telephone & Telegraph employees taken on February 20, 1928. All are wearing business attire. G64.1-007

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Roy State Bank was built in 1908 in the peaceful farming community of Roy near McNaught and Water Streets. Bank robbers brought unwanted excitement to the small town in the 1920s. It was held up in 1921, 1924, and 1928; this photograph was taken on the day of the last robbery, April 2, 1928. A young male bandit stole $3500 in currency just before closing time. Impacted by the Depression, the bank closed in 1931; it burned down the following year. TPL-2547; G73.1-064 (TDL 4-3-28, p. 1-article on bank robbery)

Banks--Roy; Roy State Bank (Roy); Robberies;

Workmen at lunch. Men employed at the building of the new Union Bag & Paper Power Corporation plant in the Tideflats relax and enjoy their lunch outdoors at the construction site in March of 1928. No eating facilities are available so the men make-do by sitting on stacks of lumber and makeshift tables in order to eat their homemade lunches. TPL-1437; G37.1-035

Union Bag & Paper Power Corporation (Tacoma); Construction workers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rest periods--Tacoma;

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph employees at the Longmire Inn. Posed in front of the cafeteria sign of the Longmire Inn in the Mount Rainier National Park are 16 Pacific Telephone & Telegraph employees, including longtime "pioneers." These men were believed to have been members of the Telephone Pioneers of America who had more than 20 years of active service with telephone companies. G64.1-009

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Longmire Inn; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.);

Union Bag & Paper Power Corporation locomotive on tracks. The #2 locomotive is labeled "Union Bag & Paper Power Corp." Union Bag was making its entry into the Tacoma area by building a multi-million dollar pulp mill in the Tideflats. G37.1-037G (See Boland B18338, B18339 for alternate views of locomotive)

Union Bag & Paper Power Corporation (Tacoma); Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1920-1930;