On March 5, 1920, Dorothy (Mrs. Allen B.) Conrad and small son, Allen B., Jr., were prepared to take a spin in their new Stephens Six, purchased recently from the R.L. Stephens Motor Co. Mrs. Conrad, with fur stole, is seated behind the wheel of the roadster. The little boy is standing on the car's running board next to the open passenger door. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad were proprietors of the Blue Bird Electric Shop and resided at 3112 N. 17th St. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-21-20, C-4) G11.1-022

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Conrad, Dorothy; Conrad, Allen B.; Families--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On March 5, 1920, cameras rolled as the electric powered "Olympian" pulled out from Tacoma and made history. This marked the formal opening of the Cascade division for electrically operated trains driven by 3000-volt current supplied by the glacier streams of the Cascades. Over 100 guests from Tacoma and Seattle (railroad officials, newsmen and politicos) were aboard a special pilot train that preceded the Olympian. The Olympian made its maiden electric powered ascent through the passages of the snow draped Cascades to its summit where the special train was sidetracked so the Olympian could continue on to Chicago. The special train would travel to Cle Elum and back to Tacoma. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul train reached speeds up to 60 mph with barely any effort and without puffs of black smoke. It descended as smoothly as it ascended, proving that cross country electrical trains were viable. G44.1-080 (TDL 3/6/1920, pg. 3; TNT 3-6-20, p. 1) TPL-2376

Railroad cars--Tacoma; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Drifted snow flour is being transported onto the steel steamship "Edmore" from the Sperry Flour Co. facility on March 13, 1920. 400 tons of flour would join the previously loaded cargo of copper ingots from the smelter. The "Edmore" was the first of the Oriental liners to call at Tacoma under a new schedule by the Pacific Steamship Co. She had sustained damage to her structure due to heavy seas on her voyage to the Puget Sound region. Sperry Flour had completed a big grain elevator project less than two years before in time for the tremendous trade expansion that would occur. The Tacoma Daily Ledger would report on March 22, 1920, that "Flour (was the) Greatest Tacoma Industry." Three export flouring mills on the waterfront, including Sperry, had their warehouses filled with 200,000 barrels of flour. Three shifts had run both night and day since August of 1919 with combined daily capacity exceeding 10,000 barrels. Flour operations at Sperry (by then a division of General Mills) would cease in 1965. TPL-904 G34.1-127; BU-13919 (TNT 3-12-20, p. 2-article; TDL 3-22-20, p. 7-article)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sperry Flour Milling Co. (Tacoma); Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The usherettes at the Colonial Theater, 916-18 Broadway, wore gingham dresses for the opening on February 28,1920 of the silent version of "Pollyanna" starring Mary Pickford. A slightly different version of this photograph appeared in the March 3rd News Tribune; the girls are believed to be (l to r) Edna Fitzmaurice, Fern Chantler (the theater cashier), Nellie Mason, Rosa Fair, Lillian Buth, Stella Church, and Ruth Harkness. Mary Pickford was 27 when she played the film's 12 year old title character; the picture grossed one million dollars for United Artists, the film company owned by D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and her husband Douglas Fairbanks. The Colonial Theater was designed by Roland Borhek, architect, and opened in 1914. It was demolished in 1988. (TNT 3/3/1920 p.9) TPL-5877, BU-10014, Boland-B2760

Colonial Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ushers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motion picture industry--1920-1930;

In 1920, McEldowney Garage, owned by Harry E. McEldowney, had locations listed in the City Directory as 731 St. Helens Ave. and 712 Broadway. According to the Tacoma Daily Ledger however, this large pictured garage was located across the Tideflats. An ad for the garage in the same picture gave the address as the East side of the 11th Street Bridge. The garage, according to the article, was second to none in town and had few equals in the Northwest. They were able to perform all facets of automobile restoration and repair under one roof. They could also work on all standard makes of cars and trucks, as well as large trucks and commercial vehicles. The picture shows what is believed to be the painting department of the plant. G32.1-113 (TDL 3/21/1920, pg. C-8) TPL-9551

McEldowney Garage (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobile industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobile repair--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Three delivery trucks are parked along the side of the South Tacoma "Road" in March of 1920. Two of the three drivers stand near their vehicles while the third remains in the truck. The first truck in line, "No. 2," apparently has its route listed on the exterior of the truck, extending from Hoquiam to Seattle. The trucks may have been sold by the J.F. Hickey Motor Co. of Tacoma. G66.2-136

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Around 200 residents of North Puyallup hill and Edgewood gathered at the Edgewood Grange Hall on March 25, 1920 to watch lantern slides and hear Dr. W.S. Beekman lecture on the growth of the berry industry. The hall was lit by electricity for the very first time in order to accomodate Dr. Beekman's slide show. The electricity was supplied by a portable generator loaded into a donated commercial Dodge. Its installation was the brainchild of C.V. Parsons of Puyallup. He and his assistants strung wires from the generator throughout the hall supplying electricity to the structure for the first time. TPL-554, G6.1-030 (TDL 3/28/1920, pg. E-7)

Edgewood Grange (Edgewood); Farmers' groups--Edgewood; Electric generators; Electricity--Edgewood;

The Edgewood Grange was electrified for the first time by a portable generator mounted in a Dodge on March 25, 1920. The Grange had invited Dr. W. S. Beekman to lecture on the berry industry and Dr. Beekman had prepared lantern slides as illustrations. He was dismayed to find on his arrival that the hall had no electricity. C.V. Parsons, left, of Puyallup saved the day by mounting a farm lighting plant in a donated commercial Dodge. He and his assistants strung wiring throughout the hall, illuminated the building for the first time and provided power to the lantern for projecting the slides. This photograph shows Mr. Parsons standing by the generator and his assistant in the window stringing the lights. Boland #B2778 (TDL 3/28/1920, pg. E-7)

Edgewood Grange (Edgewood); Farmers' groups--Edgewood; Parsons, C.V.; Electric generators; Electricity--Edgewood; Dodge automobile;

Maritime Block Bldg., 726 Pacific Ave, as pictured on April 9, 1920. Home of the Johnson-Cox Co. printers and book binders, and publishers of the Tacoma Daily Index, a business newspaper that was the official paper for the City of Tacoma and Pierce County. The Italianate structure was built in 1886 and saw use as the Casino Theater. In 1893 the Tacoma Cycle Club was listed as its occupant. By 1900 the building was known as the "Maritime Building" and had undergone remodeling. The Johnson-Cox Co. opened its doors in 1909 to provide quality printing for the local area. A family-run business for 75 years, it was sold in 1984 to current owners Ken Creech and Gary Faul. BN-217 (johnson-cox.com/html/history-article only)

Johnson-Cox, Inc. (Tacoma); Printing industry--Tacoma; Maritime Building (Tacoma);

Side view of parked St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. No. 1 truck filled with stacks of what may be plywood. This April, 1920, photograph may have been taken at the company's downtown Tacoma yard. As noted through the doorless truck, there was no driver at the wheel. G36.1-160

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--1920-1930;

Heavy machinery constructed by the Blewett Tractor Co. of Tacoma and displayed on April 14, 1920, near the Union Station. Equipment is intended for the Couer D'Alene Valley Highway District, Kootenai County, Idaho. Equipment is labelled on chassis "Webfoot." The 1920 City Directory listed Arthur R. Blewett as the president of the company and its location as 21st St. corner of A St. G32.1-105

Blewett Tractor Co. (Tacoma); Tractors--1920-1930; Machinery--1920-1930;

Downtown Tacoma street scene. Not much traffic or people visible at South 11th & A Streets on this spring day in 1920. A streetcar has just made a turn onto A Street from South 11th as it moves past the L. Schoenfeld & Sons store at 105-11 So. 11th. This would be the Schoenfeld furniture store location until 1924 when they would move to the skyscraper at 1423 Pacific Ave. To the left of the photograph is the Federal Building, home of the federal courts (until 1992) and the Main branch of the Post Office. Also on the left is a portion of the towering Puget Sound National Bank building with spire. G57.1-121

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930; L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Federal Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

This is what the South 17th & Broadway & Jefferson area looked like in April of 1920. The 11-year-old Carlton Hotel, with the address of 1552 Jefferson Ave., is in view in the center of the photograph. A juxtaposition of old and new modes of transportation is on the left - a horse-driven cart is next to a modern streetcar. Power lines create geometric designs above. TPL-1363 G59.1-039

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma); Street railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Fisher Flouring Mills Co. facility. The office staff and delivery drivers of Fisher's posed by their Tideflats plant in April of 1920. The company's vehicles, including a truck piled high with sacks of flour, are arranged in a row. Employees are standing in front of a railroad car. The firm, located according to the 1920 City Directory as on the "West Waterway," was managed by H.B. Clark. Products produced, according to advertising on a large company truck, included poultry feed, calf meal, "morfat" and "morpork," and dairy feed. G34.1-130

Fisher Flouring Mills (Tacoma); Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The grandstands being rebuilt at the Tacoma Speedway in May of 1920. In March, before the beginning of racing season, a firebug started a blaze that wiped out 3/4 of the grandstands at the Speedway. The fire was ruled an arson and the Speedway had no insurance. The future of the racetrack was in doubt. $100,000 was raised by selling bonds to Tacoma businesses and individuals. The new stands would have a seating capacity of 15,000 and be 1/3 mile long. For the first time, 960 feet of the stands would be covered. Another improvement was a tunnel entrance leading from the parking, in the field inside the track, to the stands. There would be room for 10,000 cars in the field. The main entrance now featured an overhead bridge to drive cars two abreast into the parking area in the center of the field. There were 190 reserved parking places right in front of the pits. Everything would be ready in time for the July 5, 1920 races, when the largest crowd in Tacoma racing history was expected. (TDL 5/23/1920, pg. 9-C-picture; TDL 6/6/1920; www.historylink.org)

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

North side of American Lake. This area view was taken by Barnes Aviation Co. in the spring of 1920. The large building on the waters edge at the bottom of the photo is the American Lake Boathouse. Hiding in the trees just above the Boathouse is the American Lake Inn. Both buildings have since been demolished. The boathouse, called Martin's American Lake Boathouse, was destroyed in a supervised burn by the Lakewood Fire Department in June of 1955. The boathouse had been built around the turn of the 20th century and served the community for many years as a recreational center for boating and fishing and as the site for dances and social functions. It gradually deteriorated and plans were made to replace it with a modern structure. The American Lake Inn was also built in the first decade of the 20th century. By May of 1904, the 20-room resort was open for business. It was owned by Mrs. H.I. Nolan. Included was a handsome pavilion for exclusive use of the Inn's guests. (TNT 6-19-1955- article on boathouse burn; TDL 5-29-04, p. 7-article on American Lake Inn)

American Lake (Wash.); Aerial photographs; Aerial views; American Lake Boathouse (Lakewood); American Lake Inn (Lakewood);

Stadium Bowl's stands are packed with students and adults in this circa 1920 photograph. Lines of young boys and girls occupy the field while the school band plays on the outdoor stage. This is believed to be "Stadium Day," held each year in May. The "Castle," the massive turreted brick structure otherwise known as Stadium High School, overlooks the Bowl. G55.1-093

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The largest commercially made tire, size 44 x 10, was on display in front of the Orton Brothers Motor Company in Sumner on May 3, 1920. The all-weather Goodyear tire, which weighed 225 lbs., was mounted on the back of a flat-bed truck. Passersby could instantly see the significant difference between the size of the truck tires and the giant Goodyear model. The man leaning against the truck is probably one of the Orton brothers. William J. and Charles W. Orton were also in the fruit growing business. G32.1-094 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-9-20, C-9)

Tires; Signs (Notices); Trucks--Sumner;

On May 8, 1920, six employees of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company at 1105 A Street were mounted on their bicycles and ready to deliver messages to local businesses and residents. The messengers are all dressed in uniform including caps. The man standing in the doorway of the firm is possibly L.L. Craft, manager. The Postal Telegraph Cable Co. was located across the street from the Federal Building whose reflection can be spotted on the large store window.

Postal Telegraph Cable Co. (Tacoma); Messengers--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cyclists--Tacoma; Delivery boys--Tacoma;

A small band gathers in an employee room at the Brown & Haley factory. The date on the calendar is June of 1920. The women are garbed in the spotless white gowns and caps of factory workers. Two of the men are obviously laborers and one wears a shirt and tie. The music on the piano includes "Little Jo" and "Sweet Siamese." A bare lightbulb hangs from a wire behind the piano. The band is comprised of a guitar, mandolin, piano, trumpet and another guitar or banjo.

Oriole Chocolates (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1910-1920; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

Joe Thomas of Seattle lifts up a large can of Richlube Motor Oil in this circa 1920 photograph. By 1920, Joe Thomas had at least four years experience in driving race cars. He started driving himself in 1916 after garnering experience as Eddie Pullen's mechanic on the Mercer team. Always a local favorite, Mr. Thomas appeared many times at the Tacoma Speedway including the last year of the racetrack's existence in 1922. His best finish at the Speedway was third in the 1921 250-mile race.

Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile equipment & supplies;

The freighter "Haxtum" in town to take on a shipment of grain in June of 1920. She is pictured above at the Milwaukee elevator. The ship was expected to take a cargo of 3000 long tons of grain to Europe. Photograph ordered by Fisher Flouring Mills. G49.1-068 (TNT 6-7-20, p. 7-article)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Sacks of flour will shortly be loaded onto the freighter, "Haxtum," in June of 1920. The flour was from the Fisher Flouring Mills, one of several flour mills in Tacoma at that time. The "Haxtum" was expected to take a cargo of 3000 long tons of grain to Europe with her first stop in Liverpool. She was built in Oakland with 9400 dead weight tonnage. G49.1-195 (TNT 6-7-20, p. 7-article)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma Sunday Ledger Automobile Section C-1 featuring photographs of well known auto racers coming to Tacoma for the annual Tacoma Speedway Classic. "Crowned Heads of Speedways in Annual Pilgrimage to Tacoma" proclaimed the headlines of the Ledger's automotive section on June 13, 1920. Photographs of Indy 500 winner Gaston Chevrolet, local boy Joe Thomas, first time Tacoma visitor Roscoe Sarles, Uniontown 225-mile winner Tommy Milton, Chicago millionaire Joe Boyer, Jr., California millionaire and manufacturer Cliff Durant, and popular favorites Ralph Mulford and Eddie Hearne were prominently placed. Records were expected to be battered on the newly refurbished Speedway. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-C, 6-13-1920) TPL-8828

Newspapers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers; Chevrolet, Gaston; Sarles, Roscoe; Milton, Tommy; Thomas, Joe; Boyer, Joe; Durant, Cliff; Mulford, Ralph; Hearne, Eddie;

Jefferson Avenue near 19th looking north in June of 1920. In the foreground are tracks for the Tacoma Rail & Power streetcars. The Carlton Hotel is in the distance in the center of the photograph. A cleaning establishment is located at 1926 Jefferson Avenue, left center of photograph. The tower protruding in left center block is now the building housing the Swiss Tavern; Rock Pasta and Buzzard Compact Discs are nearby. The Modern Apartments, 1904 Market St., are at the far left. TPL-257; G60.1-077

Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Modern Apartments (Tacoma);

Jefferson Avenue looking north. This portion of Jefferson Avenue in 1920 was a mixture of residential and business concerns. Tacoma Rail & Power tracks are embeded in the road. Horse-and-cart and an automobile on the extreme left. The Wilson Apartments, 1954 1/2 Jefferson Ave., are in view on left. The News Tribune reported on August 4, 1920, that Jefferson Avenue would be repaired along the street railroad tracks. The street's surface would be improved and work done by Tacoma Rail & Power. TPL-256; G60.1-076 (TNT 8-4-20, p. 3-article on street repair)

Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Wilson Apartments (Tacoma); Carts & wagons--Tacoma;

Copy of Automotive Section of Portland Telegram newspaper dated June 30, 1920, with photographs of top racers heading for Tacoma to compete at the Tacoma Speedway's 225-mile event. Images of Jimmy Murphy, Roscoe Sarles, Ralph Mulford, Joe Thomas, Cliff Durant, Eddie Hearne and Gaston Chevrolet were included under the heading "World's Leading Speed Kings to Vie at Tacoma." Veteran driver Barney Oldfield would lead the pack on the first lap of the two-mile board track. TPL-8829 (Portland Telegram, 6-30-1920)

Newspapers--Oregon--Portland; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Murphy, Jimmy; Sarles, Roscoe; Mulford, Ralph; Thomas, Joe; Durant, Cliff; Hearne, Eddie; Chevrolet, Gaston;

Roscoe Sarles aboard his #5 Monroe race car with his "mechanician, " believed to be Henry Franck, seated at his side. This photograph was believed to have been taken for the 1920 Tacoma Classic, a 225-mile race with 13 top drivers (12 started) entered. The top seven drivers would share in a $22,500 purse. Roscoe Sarles finished fifth in the race, behind winner Tommy Milton, Ralph Mulford, Eddie Hearne and Art Klein. Behind Mr. Sarles is the empty new grandstand, capable of holding 16,000, that was finished shortly before the July 5th race. TPL-082 (TDL 7-6-20, p. 1+-results)

Sarles, Roscoe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Monroe automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood;

Eddie Miller and his riding mechanic, believed to be Gus Duray, pose in Miller's Duesenberg, #31, on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway. The pair were in town to compete in the 9th annual Tacoma Classic on July 5th. Miller had started out on the Duesenberg team as mechanic, but was now a new driver. When favored driver Ralph DePalma was forced to withdraw from the race when his French Ballot had mechanical failure, Miller offered him the use of his car. Eddie O'Donnell, the top driver of the Duesenberg team, then offered DePalma his faster car and he drove Miller's with Miller riding as mechanic. Miller returned to race in the 1921 Classic. (The Sunday Ledger listed Mr. Miller's car as #11 in their July 4th edition) (TDL 7/5/1920, pg. 3) TPL-096, Speedway 001

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