Docked at Shaffer Terminal #2 on September 25, 1929, was the "Bellingham" of the Tacoma Oriental Line. She appears to be in the process of loading large logs. The "Bellingham" departed on September 28th bound for South China and the Philippines. G49.1-061 (TNT 9-25-29, p. 18-small article on ship)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Logs;

Standing beneath this biplane's propeller on October 12, 1929, are four unidentified individuals. Both women and one man are wearing aviation headgear and goggles. The plane is marked "Bergersen-Sherman." An alternate photograph ran in the November 14, 1929, Tacoma Times indicating that these four flying enthusiasts recently soloed at Mueller-Harkins Airport. Unfortunately, their names were not listed but their occupations were given as "tugboat man," "auto man," school teacher and doctor's assistant. TPL-8074; G12.1-008 (T.Times 11-14-29, p. 2)

Biplanes; Airplanes; Airline industry;

Two rows of young teenagers, dressed similarly in knee-length sleeveless dresses and wearing unusual "hats," posed for their group portrait on October 27, 1929. Listed only as "degree team," they are possibly part of a fraternal organization completing requirements for membership. Another view of these girls seated is Boland B21656.

Group portraits; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930;

View of automobile damaged in accident. Damage to this four-door sedan appears to be on the driver's side, notably the door and hood. Engine is exposed. Photograph taken on November 6, 1929. G11.1-146

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The third annual 'mum show held at the Hotel Winthrop on November 12, 1929, showcased fall flowers from many Tacoma firms including the above lovely display of chrysanthemums from Tschunko, "House of Flowers." Tschunko's, located at 5001 Pacific Avenue, had been in business there since 1906. G26.1-117 (TNT 11-9-29, p. 3-article; TNT 11-12-29, p. 14-article)

Chrysanthemums--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tschunko's House of Flowers (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Robert Wolfe (left) and Ole Moe, linemen with the Puget Sound Power & Light Company, posed with the tools of their trade in December of 1929. They were in Puyallup to work on a 55,000 volt project. The men used their climbing belts and the tree/pole gaffs attached to their boots to climbed a 60-foot pole newly placed at 5th Avenue & 3rd Street. Once up the pole they tied in the "hot" wires of the high tension line so that current would run uninterrupted from the White River plant at Dieringer to Olympia. This set what was thought to be a new record in this part of the country for handling "hot" wires. G43.1-029 (TNT 12-17-29, p. 2)

Puget Sound Power & Light Co. (Puyallup); Private utility companies--Puyallup; Linemen--Puyallup; Wolfe, Robert; Moe, Ole;

Jones Hall, framed by a brick archway, on the campus of the College of Puget Sound. This view of the main building on the north end school was taken on December 27, 1929. Designed by the architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan, it was the first building completed on the new campus of the College of Puget Sound in 1924. Funding for the stately brick building was provided by Mrs. Charles H. Jones who gifted the college $200,000 on her 78th birthday. The hall is named after her late husband, a prominent lumberman. G67.1-036

Jones Hall (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--Buildings; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 won union recognition and an increase in wages to 50 cents an hour in the Northwest lumber strike of 1935. The bitter battle in the spring and summer of 1935 led to confrontations between striking mill workers and National Guard troops in the streets of Tacoma. Union members, family and friends gathered in May 1936 to celebrate the first anniversary of the victory. The First Anniversary Revue & Dance was held in the Coliseum Building at Thirteenth and Market streets. TPL-2443

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Dance parties--Tacoma--1930-1940; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Coliseum Building (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1922 photograph of Mahoney's Red Hot Peppers on stage at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Mrs. Ada Mahoney was the leader of the band; her sons were also involved, playing the drums and other instruments. John Peters is believed to be second from the left. The Fair was in its 23rd year and ran from October 3-9th. Boland Tacoma

Mahoney's Red Hot Peppers (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Drums; Violins; Brass instruments;

In September of 1914, nine "Kid drivers" lined up two abreast at the starting line of the Tacoma Speedway in their smaller, less powerful "Baby racers." The cars were built with motorcycle engines and were sometimes called "cycle cars." The planned race, the first of its kind to be held north of Los Angeles, was originally scheduled for September 8th. However, a torrent of rain interrupted what had been a string of dry days and drenched the dirt track, causing the race to be rescheduled for the following Sunday at 1 p.m. However, true to form, the Northwest weather produced a light but continuous rain on the 13th that fell nearly all day long and covered the track with water. The race was cancelled indefinitely and the drivers returned to the more predictable Southern California weather. (Tacoma Tribune 9/14/1914, pg. 8, 9/13/1914, pg. 2-B)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920;

Driving Stutz #2 in the 1915 Montamara Festo races was George Hill, accompanied by his unidentified "mechanician." The big race car formerly ran successfully under the number 8 when driven by Earl Cooper. In 1915 Mr. Cooper chose to drive another Stutz which had come in 4th at the Indy 500 and his old #8 "ghost" was re-numbered 2. Mr. Hill was one of 13 drivers in the big Montamarathon event but his car caught fire and he was eliminated from the race. He had also entered his vehicle in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch but was not one of the eight cars who eventually started. TPL-4426 (TDN 7-5-15, p.1,2 -results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Hill, George; Stutz automobile;

Indy 500 winner Gaston Chevrolet is seated in the #4 Monroe, a car designed by his brother Louis, as he prepares for the 1920 Tacoma Class 225-mile run at the Tacoma Speedway. His dirt-stained uniform indicates that he has already put in a few practice runs on the two-mile board track. The man seated beside him is believed to be his "mechanician" John Bresnahan. The No. 5 vehicle next to the men, also a Monroe, will be driven by Roscoe Sarles at the July 5th race. Both cars, plus Ralph DePalma's Ballot (not shown) were garaged at Mueller-Harkins in downtown Tacoma. Last year's big winner at the Tacoma Speedway, Louis Chevrolet, journeyed to Tacoma to assist his brother in getting the car ready for the big race. The third member of the Monroe team was Ralph Mulford, who would drive #3, and come in second in a hard fought battle with winner Tommy Milton and his Duesenberg. Mr. Chevrolet's Monroe came in seventh with prize winnings of $1000. He had been forced to the pits to replace a broken water pump. He was able to continue but his engine couldn't keep up the pace set by Tommy Milton. (TNT 7-3-20, p. 15-article; TDL 7-6-20, p. 1+-results; TNT 7-6-20, p. 14-results)

Chevrolet, Gaston; Monroe automobile; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930;

Gaston Chevrolet poses in his race car #4 at the Tacoma Speedway with his "mechanician" John Bresnahan standing at his side. Gaston was racing his Monroe race car at the July 5, 1920 Tacoma Classic with the assistance of his brother, Louis, who had won two races at Tacoma the year before. Fresh from a Memorial Day victory at the Indy 500, he finished a disappointing 7th in Tacoma. 1920 was the last year that Gaston Chevrolet raced, he was killed in a crash in Beverly Hills, Ca., in November of 1920. He was posthumously awarded the 1920 AAA National Champion title. Speedway-036, TPL-098, TPL-622.

Chevrolet, Gaston; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers; Bresnahan, John;

This is possibly Chicago millionaire and sportsman Joe Boyer, Jr. with his "mechanician" Norman Etger in their Frontenac #7 racing car. The photograph is believed to have been taken for the July 5, 1920, 225-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway. There were two Frontenacs entered in the race, driven by Mr. Boyer and Art Klein. Neither won the 1920 Tacoma Speedway event; that honor went to Tommy Milton and his #10 Duesenberg. Art Klein came in fourth, earning $1700. Mr. Boyer was out in the 97th lap with a broken wrist pin. TPL-129 (TNT 7-6-20, p. 14-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Frontenac automobile;

Seattle's Joe Thomas at the wheel of his Duesenberg 8 as he prepares for the 1922 Tacoma Speedway long distance race. Duesenbergs were a popular ride; in 1922, Harry Hartz, Roscoe Sarles, Jerry Wonderlich, and Joe Thomas were in Duesenbergs with Eddie Hearne in a Disteel Duesenberg. Joe Thomas had come in third place in the 1921 Tacoma Speedway event but the 1922 race, the last ever at the Speedway, saw his car #10 flagged down by the starter. Jimmy Murphy was the winner of the 11th 250-mile race, a few seconds ahead of Tommy Milton's Leach Special. (TNT 7-5-22, p. 1+-results)

Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile;

Jimmy Murphy and his mechanic Ernie Olson posed in Murphy's Duesenberg #12 on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1920. The pair were an unknown factor in the July 5th Tacoma Classic. Murphy had won his first major race and the season opener, the 1920 inaugural of the Beverly Hills Speedway. He would come in 6th in Tacoma in 1920, but return to take first place in 1922. (TDL 7/5/1920, pg. 3; www.rumbledrome.com) TPL-079, Speedway 002

Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Murphy, Jimmy; Automobile racing drivers;

This is driver Eddie O'Donnell at the wheel of a Duesenberg race car parked on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1920. The other man next to him is Lyall Jolls, his mechanic. Mr. O'Donnell had arrived in Tacoma as part of the four-man Duesenberg team of Tommy Milton, Eddie Miller, and Jimmy Murphy, ready to compete in the 225-mile July 5th race. Although the Duesenberg sports the number 29, the local newspaper The Tacoma Ledger placed the number 9 on the car. Mr. O'Donnell did not drive his own car during the race as he had generously opted to lend the vehicle to a competitor, Ralph DePalma, so that race fans would not be disappointed in Mr. DePalma's withdrawl. Teammate Eddie Miller in turn lent his car to Mr. O'Donnell for the race in a losing cause. 1920 was the last time local fans were able to watch Mr. O'Donnell in action as he died later in the year during a race in California. Mr. Jolls was also killed in the same wreck. TPL-100

O'Donnell, Eddie; Jolls, Lyall; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile; Racing automobiles--1920-1930;

The Duesenberg team brought four cars to the Tacoma Speedway for the 1920 225-mile race. Driver Eddie Miller and his "mechanician," believed to be Gus Duray, are seated in his #31 Duesenberg on the board track in early July of 1920. He had already provided excitement to the crowds avidly watching practice as he survived a crash into the track rail at 87 mph, spinning several times and landing in a ditch. He was uninjured. Eddie Miller was a new driver and had visited the Tacoma Speedway back in 1916 as a "mechanician" with the Duesenberg team of d'Alene and Milton. Mr. Miller ended up not driving at the 1920 race as teammate Eddie O'Donnell, having offered Ralph DePalma the use of his fast car, drove Mr. Miller's Duesenberg with Mr. Miller as the "mechanician." Eddie Miller had graciously offered his car first to Mr. DePalma but it was not as fast as Mr. O'Donnell's. (The Sunday Ledger indicated in their 7-4-20 edition that Mr. Miller's car number was 11, rather than the 31 painted above.) TPL-095 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-4-20, p. 1-article, B-2 -list of drivers & cars)

Miller, Edward; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood;

The Durant team behind the wheel of Cliff Durant's "Durant Special," No. 34 at the Tacoma Speedway in 1922. The covered grandstands at the speedway are in the background. Durant, son of millionaire Billy Durant- founder of General Motors, was a sentimental favorite in Tacoma, having raced here many times. Plus, he had already announced that the Tacoma Classic would be his last race as a driver. He was now focusing on his career as President and General Manager of Durant Corporation. Unfortunately, he was unable to finish the 1922 Classic, exiting the race in the 58th lap with a broken axle. Speedway-135 (TDL 7/5/1922, pg. 1) SPEEDWAY 135

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Durant, Cliff--Associated objects;

Tacoma was known as the Indianapolis of the West when cars roared on the Tacoma Speedway. The race track, located near the site of today's Clover Park Technical College, was in operation from 1912 to 1922. In September of 1914, Tacoma was abuzz with the arrival of the junior racers and their "baby" race cars. The cars, also known as cycle cars, ran on motorcycle engines and could race at 35-50 mph. The junior races were originally scheduled for Labor Day but were postponed because the track on the back stretch was too muddy and dangerous for speed. A practice start was scheduled after the postponement to reacquaint the boys with the method of starting. A true race soon developed as the competitive boys picked up speed trying to best one another. The Seattle Bug, piloted by a boy named "Meagher" and his mechanic, took the curves too fast in the first lap and slid in the mud, crushing the two rear wheels. The two seem at a loss as where to go from here. Tacoma Speedway-064, TPL-6337; TPL-8543 (T. Tribune 9/9/1914, pg. 6)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

Frank Elliott was returning to race in the July 4th, 1921, Tacoma Speedway Classic after an absence of several years. His last appearance in Tacoma was the 1915 Inter-city race. He was replacing Howard Wilcox as the driver of a Leach Special in the 1921 race. Elliott began racing in 1914 as an amateur, driving a souped up Ford that he built himself. He is #56 on the All Time Champ Car World Series Victories, with 5 career wins. Speedway-091 (TDL 7/3/1921, pg. C-3)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Elliott, Frank; Automobile racing drivers;

In 1921, Edward "Eddie" Miller was in Tacoma for his second local appearance at the July 4th Tacoma Speedway Classic. He had been slated to race in 1920, and then loaned his car out in a two way swap with Ralph DePalma and Eddie O'Donnell. He was accompanied by his bride of two weeks. Although Miller would be driving during the race, he had spent most of this career as a mechanic. Associated with the Duesenberg race team since 1916, he had riden as a mechanic with six drivers. He had also built twenty-three race cars, more than any other driver or mechanic. Speedway-126 (TDL 7/3/1921, pg. C-1)

Miller, Edward; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers;

Novice driver Alton Soules, 28, posed at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1921. Soules raced a Frontenac in the 1921 Speedway Classic where he had the lead from the second to the sixty-first lap when his old pistons failed and the connecting rod broke. The native of Toledo, Ohio had started racing as a driver in 1920, specializing in board tracks. Previously he had ridden as mechanic with racing greats Joe Thomas, Eddie Pullen, Wilbur D'Alene, Omar Toft and Hughie Hughes. He was the nephew of Charlie Soules, who held the world record for a 24 hour run on a dirt road. After the Tacoma race, Alton Soules was planning to race at Santa Rosa, Uniontown, San Francisco, Fresno and Los Angeles. He never made it to Los Angeles; Soules and his riding mechanic Harry Barner were killed in an accident on lap 75 at the Fresno Speedway on October 1, 1921. (TDL 7/3/1921, pg. C-6; TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2--results; www.motorsportmemorial.org)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Soules, Alton; Automobile racing drivers;

Eddie Hearne poses in his Revere at the Tacoma Speedway in July of 1920. Hearne was in town for the 9th annual Speedway Classic held on July 5th. Hearne was a veteran racer, having started as an amateur in 1907. He was born March 1, 1887, the son of privileged parents. He graduated from Chicago University and entered the automobile business as one of the first Hupmobile dealers in Chicago. He started out racing his own cars as an amateur. In 1909, the same year the Indianapolis Speedway opened, he won the Amateur Championship of America. He soon turned professional, driving for the German Blitzen Benz, as well as other makers. His best year in racing was in 1923 when he was crowned the National Champion. He is #23 on the all time top 40 auto race winners, with 11 career wins. He died February 9, 1955. (TDL 7/2/1920, pg. 1C; 7/3/1921, pg. C-3; www.formulaone) Speedway 098

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Hearne, Eddie; Automobile racing drivers;

Art Klein and his riding mechanic S. McGarigle pose for the camera from Klein's Frontenac race car prior to the 9th annual Tacoma Classic race, July 5th, 1920 at the Tacoma Speedway. Before a crowd estimated to be over 40,000, Mr. Klein finished the race in fourth position and won $1700 in prize money. This was Mr. Klein's first trip back to Tacoma since the 1914 Tacoma Speedway inauguration where he placed second in the 200-mile Golden Potlatch and third in the Montamarathon. (TDL 7/6/1920, pg 1+-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-4-20, 1C, 3C-history of the track) Speedway 092

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers; Klein, Art; McGarigle, S.;

Barney Oldfield, famed early race car driver, chewed on his trademark cigar at the side of the Tacoma Speedway where he acted as Pace Setter for the July 5, 1920 Tacoma Speedway Classic. The man on the left is believed to be DeLloyd "Dutch" Thompson, exhibition pilot and early partner of Oldfield. Barney Oldfield, whose name is synonymous with early racing, was a consummate showman-famous for speed records, match races and exhibitions. He has been declared by Motor Sports Hall of Fame to be one of the greatest race drivers of all time. Born Bern Eli Oldfield in 1878, he started out racing bicycles until he met Henry Ford who had just designed the first Ford race car. By 1910, Oldfield had broken all existing speed records for the mile, 2 mile and kilometer. He retired from racing in 1918, but continued to tour and make appearances and movies. He died in 1946. (www.motorsportshallof fame.com)

Oldfield, Barney; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobile drivers;

By August of 1924, only one year after it opened to the public, "The Oakes" on Lake Steilacoom was attracting "regular Sunday crowds" that numbered in the hundreds. "The Oakes" offered boating, bathing, and picnic grounds; there was dancing in the Pavilion on Sunday afternoons and both Sunday and Wednesday evenings. Row boats and canoes were available for rental and aquatic equipment included a high, long slide and a platform diving tower. The water stadium was used for competitive swimming events including the Olympic trials for 1924. By 1934, renovation was underway to turn the Pavilion into a night spot called the Towers. In 1938, Norton Clapp converted it to the Lakewood Ice Arena. The Arena was demolished in 1982 to make room for lake front condominiums. (TNT 8/14/1924, pg. B1) BU 13522, Boland # A5430

Oakes Pavilion (Lakewood); Ballrooms--Lakewood; Swimming; Swimmers; Rowboats;

In September of 1928 the Tacoma News Tribune in partnership with the Colonial and Rialto Theaters sponsored a promotional contest in conjunction with the release of Bebe Daniels newest movie, "Hot News." Nine pretty young Tacoma misses posed with a new Durant-Star coupe, one of the contest prizes, in front of the Central Motors building at 605 Saint Helens Avenue. Prizes in the contest totaled $2,600, a tidy sum in 1928. The girl standing in the rumble-seat of the new car (third from the left) has her hand on the crank of a newsreel movie camera. As a side note, a new 2-door Durant Star could be purchased in 1928 from Central Motors, a Star and La Salle dealership, for $628 with delivery in Tacoma.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Contests--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Wendell Willkie, 1940 Republican Presidential nominee, looks up at an unidentified past national commander of the American Legion, while in Tacoma on February 11, 1944. Seated on the right in photograph is Washington Governor Arthur B. Langlie. Mr. Willkie was in town to speak at the Pierce County Republican Club's Lincoln Day dinner and at the Rhodes American Legion Post.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Republican nominee for President, Wendell Willkie, spent a brief hour in Tacoma during his 1940 whistle-stop tour. He is pictured acknowledging the crowds at the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma on September 23, 1940.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;