This display of fireworks at the 1924 4th of July celebration held in Tacoma's Stadium Bowl fully expressed what the people of Tacoma thought the correct name should be for our mountain. Tacomans waged an ultimately fruitless battle against the name "Mount Rainier" for Pierce County's majestic mountain. Residents insisted that the original Native American name, "Tacoma," be reinstated and references in local newspapers always referred to "Mt. Tacoma." TPL-308; G20.1-032
ca. 1940. Ground level view of volunteer fire members and dog aboard Model T firetruck with ladder. Vehicle is parked "P.F.D." which may stand for the Parkland Fire Department.
Fire fighters; Fire engines; Ford automobile; Community Service; Dogs;
A spray of water calls attention to a May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. Participating are Tacoma's Fireboat #1 and five Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma. Together the vessels can pump over 23,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
One of the three Coast Guard fire barges stationed to protect Tacoma's waterfront showed off its water pumping abilities in May of 1943. U.S. Coast Guard inspectors were visiting Tacoma to look for fire hazards and award "Good Housekeeping" pennants to the waterfront businesses that had eliminated fire hazards on their property. Accumulations of waste wood and bark, drifting logs and oil on pilings and bulkheads were the most serious problems found. The fire barges were propelled by two engines at the rear and could scoot around the waterfront at very rapid speed. (T. Times 5/10/1943 p.14)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
These two members of the Coast Guard took part in the May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. The pair are aboard one of the smaller CG fire barges. These smaller barges were designed to fight fires under the docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
The three larger Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma are photographed in formation on May 7, 1943. They were taking part in a drill along the Tacoma waterfront. The Coast Guard had a total of five barges assigned to Tacoma. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
Tacoma's Fireboat #1, shown underway, participated in a May 7, 1943 drill, showing its effectiveness in fighting waterfront fires. The drill was part of a campaign to clean up debris along the waterfront, removing fodder for deliberately set fires. The number one enemy of our port and waterfront defense industries was fire. (T. Times 5/8.1943, pg. 3)
Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);
Maefair Apartments' fire. The fire at the Maefair Apartment building claimed the lives of 19 people. The fire is believed to have started in Hamilton's Candy Co., which is located in the basement. An explosion awoke many of the residents, who then immediately escaped the burning building. View of flames from Maefair, fire truck and onlookers (T. Times, 2/17/45, p. 1).
Fire fighting--Tacoma; Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Disasters--Tacoma; Maefair Apartments (Tacoma);
The City of Tacoma finally received the four pumper trucks ordered in 1945. All four of the new trucks are parked outside Fire House No. 2. An inspection and demonstration was held with Safety Commissioner Robert S. Temme, Fire Chief Charles J. Eisenbacher, Mayor C.V. Fawcett and other members of the city council. (T.Times, 11/13/1946, p.1)
Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 2 (Tacoma); Temme, Robert S.; Eisenbacher, Charles J.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965;
Firemen practice their lifesaving techniques by catching an enthusiastic volunteer. The volunteer in this picture from June of 1950 has just jumped from the drying tower next to station No. 5 at 1453 South 12th Street. Fire Station No. 5 was built in 1935. Its number was changed to Station No. 4 in 1974. It was added to the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1986.
A fire of undetermined origin, completely destroyed the privately owned McChord Dry Cleaning plant near Ponders corner in Lakewood. The Lakewood and McChord Field Fire department responded to the call. View of site where McChord Dry Cleaning Shop previously stood; the fire completely destroyed the business; no one was hurt (T.N.T., 5/12/49, p. A-9).
Fires--Lakewood--1940-1950; Disasters--Lakewood--1940-1950; Fire fighters--Lakewood; Fire fighting--Lakewood; Fire engines & equipment--Lakewood--1940-1950; McChord Dry Cleaning Shop (Lakewood);
Ordered by Llewellyn Advertising Agency. Clipboards with copies of the Weekly Police Bulletins hang from the wall behind three men looking at rifles, knives, a revolver and even an ice pick in an office. The weapons have been tagged and are possibly police evidence. Mug shots and fingerprints of "Wanted" persons hang on the wall on the right.
Oren W. Satterlee was a firefighter for the Fircrest Fire Department. Oren was married to Marie and they lived at 919 Princeton Street in Fircrest; Oren had previously been the foreman of Herb Satterlee Motors. Portrait photograph of Oren W. Satterlee wearing a striped suit and tie, his Fircrest Fire Department badge and his official cap.
Fire fighters--Fircrest; Insignia--Fircrest; Portraits; Portrait photographs; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fircrest Fire Department (Fircrest); Satterlee, Oren W.;
The raging fire at the old Tacoma Sash & Door Co. plant broke out in a building where several people employed by Nordlund & Silva Boat Co. were working on small pleasure boats. All individuals escaped without injury. However, in the two hour fight to contain the blaze, 21 fireman were overcome by smoke or exhaustion or suffered acid burns. The flames at time shot to an estimated 150 feet in height, fed by the mahogany, school desks and fertilizer stored at the plant. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1, 5/10/1959, pg. 1)
Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);
Firefighters from 16 companies fought for two hours to subdue the blazes consuming the plant that formerly housed the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. At times the flames reached an estimated 150 feet in height and a brisk 50 mph wind blew sparks into the firemen's eyes and damaged roof tops of surrounding businesses. The heat was so intense that workers at the Buffelen plant 100 feet away could not stand to be outside. After the fire was subdued, 3 chimneys of the original structure were all that was left standing. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)
Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);
Firemen gather at the South 11th & Broadway side of Manning's Market on September 21, 1963, to try to put out a massive fire that ultimately gutted the building. (The Bon Marche can be seen in the background.) Flames had engulfed the open area of the coffee shop and firemen were forced to retreat. The loss was estimated at $400,000. This was a 3-11 B-Shift fire which involved 13 engine companies, four truck companies, two rescue units, and three chiefs along with the off-shift. Although there were fifteen injuries reported, apparently none were fatal. The summer of 1963 was a bad one for fires: just a few days before this massive fire, the Tradewell supermarket at 6th & Union was declared a total loss with damages of $400,000 and Pier 7 burned in July in a C Shift fire with over a million dollars in damage. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 136-37, p. 132-35; TNT 9-22-63, A-1) TPL-9891
Manning's Market (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1960-1970;
On June 21, 1938, a $30,000 fire destroyed the two and 1/2 story wood frame commissary at the United States Cushman Indian Hospital. Four firemen with hoses are pictured spraying water on the burning building. The building was used to store foodstuffs and supplies for the hospital. It was located on the west side of the grounds so that the fire, despite its intensity, did not endanger the dormitories or wards. The building was fully engulfed when the first fire company arrived about 11:45p.m. on 6/20/38. The fight was hampered by a lack of water pressure from the hospital's tank. (T. Times, 6/21/1938, p. 1).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cushman Indian Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Smoke from Tacoma Sash and Door Company and George Scofield Company warehouse fires can be seen beyond railroad cars and bridge ramp. More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze which caused $125,000 in damage. At the fire's height, it spread to the south lane of the 15th Street Bridge. Firefighters worked for over two hours, saving the bridge and surrounding businesses. (T. Times, 6/6/1938, p. 1)
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma); George Scofield Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1930-1940;
On April 23, 1937, five fire fighters from Tacoma Station #2 tested their new 75 foot ladder on a city street divided by streetcar tracks. Three men were beside the fire truck and two were on the very high extension ladder which reached into the open air. The ladder was a replacement for a creaky 24 year old model. It was designed and built under the direction of Hoseman Royce H. Waldrep when it was determined that the city could not afford to purchase a replacement. The Tacoma-made ladder cost $300 ( a savings of around $1000) and took 35 days to build. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 4/26/1937, pg. 1)
Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ladders;
In October of 1935, Bremerton firemen T.R. Tillett, left, and Assistant Fire Chief Ernest Yett polish their fire engine until they can see themselves. They use special mitts that fit over their hands to polish. The engine's siren is mounted near the upper fireman, with his knee on the driver's seat, and the engine's bell near the ground level fire fighter, with his foot on the running board. A reeled hose can be seen behind the bell. For every hour that they spend fighting a fire, the firemen spend an additional two checking and cleaning their equipment. When on duty, they had the choice between a 14 hour night shift and a 10 hour day shift. They also cleaned the Bremerton City Hall after the other workers left and filled in for the police department when it closed at midnight. Photograph ordered by the Bremerton Sun. Also cataloged as image D404-2. (Bremerton Sun 10/11/1935, pg. 1)
Fire stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Bremerton--1930-1940; Tillett, T.R.; Yett, Ernest;
Three firefighters from the Bremerton Fire Department, left to right Ted Tillen, Glen Buettgenbach and Ernest F. Yett, were photographed in November of 1935 working like Santa's elves repairing a large pile of discarded toys in preparation for the upcoming Christmas season. In their spare time at the station, these firemen doubled as toy repairmen to make the holiday a happy one for needy children. In 1934, more than 1200 rejuvenated playthings were turned over to the Salvation Army for distribution and in 1935 that amount was expected to grow. Photograph ordered by the Bremerton Sun. (Bremerton Sun 12/13/1935, pg. 1)
Fire stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Bremerton--1930-1940; Toys; Tillen, Ted; Buettgenbach, Glen; Yett, Ernest;
Puget Sound Manufacturing Company fire. On July 25, 1937, Fire fighters were photographed dousing the ruins of a warehouse at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. Metal debris covers the field beside the burned-out building. Eight fire companies battled the blaze for five hours before it was completely contained. The Puget Sound plant sustained $15,000 in damages and there was also minor damage to the St. Paul Mill Store and the offices of Wheeler Osgood. The Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. specialized in general mill work (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p. 1-picture).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
Puget Sound Manufacturing Company fire on July 25, 1937. Fire fighters inspect the charred ruins inside the former building on Saint Paul Avenue. Eight fire companies fought the $15,000 two-alarm blaze. The fire was believed started by a careless cigarette thrown from an automobile which landed in a sawdust pile on the southside of the plant. A lumber storehouse then burst into flames. The ensuing sparks set fire to the St. Paul mill store and the offices of Wheeler-Osgood but damage was minimal. The fire was finally contained after five hours. (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p. 1-picture).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
The highlight of the June 1936 Firefighters College was the 3 hour free show at the Stadium Bowl June 19th. 25,000 spectators crowded onto the concrete benches to watch fire departments, such as the Spokane department pictured here, perform drills. The Spokane Fire Department is demonstrating the use of ladders.
Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);
On June 17-20, 1936, Tacoma hosted Northwest Firefighters at the first ever Fire College. The highlight for the public was the activities of June 19th. The evening began with an aerial truck drill on Broadway, followed by a parade from Broadway to the Stadium Bowl and a free three hour demonstration of fire fighting techniques. The audience was estimated to be 25,000. (T. Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1)
Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);
In June of 1936, Tacoma hosted the Northwest Firemen's Convention. The highlight was the evening demonstration June 19th of firefighting techniques at the Stadium Bowl. In this photograph an early fire hose truck is being prepared for action. A photographer adjusts a movie camera in the foreground, ready to capture the action. The three hour free show had thrills galore as Northwest firefighters showed off their most death defying techniques.
Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);
Members of the Central Washington Firemen's Association and the Auburn Fire Department pose in their life line uniforms on June 19, 1936. The hooks on the broad belts around their waists hook to the "life lines." The fireman can then climb up or slide down the life line. They are holding aloft Capt. Joe Cook of Seattle, the drill instructor. All of the firemen participated in the three hour demonstration of fire fighting techniques at the Stadium Bowl, held in conjunction with the Northwest Fire College in Tacoma.
Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);
Tacoma Fire Department ladder truck #2 demonstrates an aerial ladder drill at the Stadium Bowl firefighting technique demonstration on June 19, 1936. The 3 hour show was the most public event of the Northwest Fire College held in Tacoma June 17-20th. It is estimated that 25,000 viewed the spectacle from the concrete bleachers.
Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);
On Friday evening, June 19th, 1936, Tacoma Truck Companies 1 & 2 staged a life line drill at 9th & Commerce to the delight of spectators. They hoisted their 75 foot ladders to meet overhead in an inverted "V" and ran life lines down both sides. Pictured are three firefighters climbing the high extension ladders. One man is sliding backwards down the life line. This exposition was all part of the hoopla surrounding the first ever Northwest Fire College. The Firefighters' Convention and Fire College was held in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936 at the Hotel Winthrop. (T. Times 6/16/1936, pg. 1)
Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Ladders; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);
