ca. 1920. Undated photograph of Puget Sound Electric Railway's streetcars #512 and companion #525 at the Tacoma Depot, 702 A St. In the background left is the Park Hotel at 802 A St. These cars were used on the Seattle-Tacoma Interurban, which operated from 1902- 1928. The 512 was built by the St. Louis Car Co. in 1907 and was identifiable by its arched windows. Motor Coach 525 was built by the same company in 1910. It burned on the main line around 1921. (Photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger Collection) ("To Tacoma by Trolley" by Warren W. Wing)

Puget Sound Electric Railway (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma; Electric railroads--Tacoma; Transportation facilities--Tacoma; Park Hotel (Tacoma);

ca. 1920. Auto racer Art Klein at the Tacoma Speedway. He is aboard the #8 Frontenac along with his riding mechanic, or "mechanician," S. McGarigle. Mr. Klein drove one of the two Frontenacs in the 1920 225-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway; the other was helmed by Chicago millionaire Joe Boyer, Jr. The Speedway had been spruced up with large new grandstand (shown above), fences, pits, water tower, renewed board track and three automobile entrances for spectators. Top drivers including Cliff Durant, Ralph DePalma, Tommy Milton, Roscoe Sarles and Ralph Mulford made the long trek to Washington to compete in the ninth annual event. Art Klein finished fourth after eventual winner Milton, Ralph Mulford and Eddie Hearne. (TDL 7-6-20, p. 1+-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-4-20, 1C, 3C-History of the track)

Klein, Art; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); McGarigle, S.; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Frontenac automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1920. Race car driver Jimmy Murphy, circa. 1920. Based on his short professional racing career, only four years and nine months, Murphy is considered by some to be the greatest racer of all time. He was crowned the American Racing Champion in 1922 and again posthumously in 1924. He was known as the "King of the Boards," having competed in 85 board track races in his short career, winning 18 of them. James Anthony (Jimmy) Murphy (1894-1924) was made an orphan by the 1906 earthquake in his home town of San Francisco. His mother was killed in the quake and his father left him with relatives and was never heard from again. Shortly before graduating from high school, Murphy opened his own garage and soon had a loyal clientele. Bitten by the racing bug, he became a "riding mechanic" in 1916, was taken on by the Duesenberg team and became a driver in 1919. His first big race was the 1920 inaugural at the Beverly Hills board track where he blew away the competition, winning and setting a world record. That same year he finished sixth at the Tacoma Speedway in his #12 Duesenberg. In 1921, he became the first American to win a European race in a truly American car, by winning the Le Mans Grand Prix. In September of 1924, he agreed to appear in a race promoted by a friend at the Syracuse New York fairgrounds dirt track. Although considered to be the safest dirt track in the country, Murphy lost control during the race and crashed through an inside rail and was killed by wooden shards that penetrated his heart and abdomen. Speedway 059 (TNT 6/29/1920- picture, Motorsports Hall of Fame website; historicracing.com)

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

ca. 1920. Race car driver Eddie Miller, in Tacoma for the July 5th 1920 Tacoma Classic at the Tacoma Speedway. Miller had been serving the last seven seasons as a mechanic for the Duesenberg team, but he was in Tacoma as a new driver. During practice he had been involved in an accident when his car jumped the course. The car had since been repaired. On the day of the race, favored Ralph DePalma suffered broken connecting rods on his French Ballot, putting him out of the race. Feeling that the crowd would be disappointed, new driver Miller graciously offered DePalma his Duesenberg. Not to be outdone, top Duesenberg driver Eddie O'Donnell offered DePalma his faster car and he drove Miller's with Miller riding as mechanic. DePalma was forced out in the 75th lap with a broken Universal joint on his borrowed car. O'Donnell was the 8th and last man to finish the race, driving Eddie Miller's car. (TDL 7/4/1920, pg. C-1; 7/6/1920, pg. 1) Speedway-115

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

ca. 1920. Tommy Milton made his second visit to Tacoma to compete in the July 5, 1920, 225-mile race on the two-mile board track at Tacoma Speedway. He had raced in 1916, finishing a close second to Eddie Rickenbacker. Mr. Milton's #10 Duesenberg had qualified first at a 99-mile clip in speed trials and his car continued its fast pace, averaging 95-mph as he went around the track 115 times. His sturdy Oldfield tires held up as no stops for tire changes were needed. The victory over second place Ralph Mulford earned Mr. Milton $10,000. (TDL 7-6-20, p.1-results) TPL-101

Milton, Tommy; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1920. Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Howard "Howdy" Wilcox was photographed for his official Speedway picture in 1920 by local photographer Coburn. He is seated in a Peugeot along with his "mechanician." Mr. Wilcox made eleven starts at Indy from 1911-1923 with a stellar five top ten finishes, including his 1919 triumph. He entered the eleventh and last Tacoma Speedway long distance race in 1922 to vie for total prize money of $25,000 and more importantly, race with his compatriots Jimmy Murphy, Ralph Mulford,Tommy Milton, Cliff Durant, Roscoe Sarles and others. It was Mr. Wilcox's first visit to Tacoma but his Peugeot Special did not have quite enough to win the event. He ended up fifth with average speed of 90.8 mph, behind eventual winner Murphy, Milton, Sarles and Wonderlich. (copy of Coburn photograph made by Marvin Boland) (www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com-stats; TDL 7-5-22, p. 1-results)

Wilcox, Howard Samuel; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis, IN);

ca. 1920. This is the home and property of Charles W. Orton, pioneer of the Puyallup Valley bulb industry, as pictured circa 1920. Mr. Orton resided at 7473 Riverside Rd. E. in Sumner. He was also a dairy farmer with a milk bottling plant on the premises. Built in 1914 and remodeled in 1923, his home was added to the National Register in July of 1983. It is located near the north bank of the Puyallup River. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-23-22, H-1-article & alternate photograph; www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Documents/sumnerwalkingtour) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Farmhouses--Sumner; Farms--Sumner; Orton, Charles W.--Homes & haunts;

ca. 1920. Portrait of an unidentified porter circa 1920. The smiling African-American man is wearing a white jacket. G39.1-161

African Americans--Tacoma--1920-1930; Porters--Tacoma;

ca. 1920. Gaston Chevrolet posed in his Monroe #4, designed by his older brother Louis, on an unidentified brick track, circa 1920. Chevrolet and his Monroe had won the prestigious Memorial Day Indianapolis 500 and was favored in the July 5th Tacoma race. However, he finished a disappointing seventh. 1920 was the last year that Gaston raced, he was killed in a crash at the Beverly Hills Speedway in November of 1920. The crash also convinced his brother Louis to retire from racing. Gaston was posthumously awarded the 1920 National Championship. (TDL 7/4/1920, pg. 1-C) Speedway 045

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

ca. 1920. Early peeler logs, big and plentiful, are hauled by rail to the Sedro Box and Veneer Co. plant at Sedro Woolley, Washington.The twenties were the high point for the Sedro plant as timber was plentiful and cheap and the production of plywood panels was in its pioneering stage. Door and automobile companies clamored for the panels and business soared. The Sedro plant was destroyed by fire in 1924 and never rebuilt, but its founding members went on to serve with other plywood companies. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Logs; Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); Plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930; Mills--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. The Sedro Box and Veneer Co. plant at Sedro Woolley, Washington. One of the pioneering companies in plywood production, the plant was started in 1905 by William J. "Cottonwood Bill" Royse, Clyde D. Lloyd and Charles Peterson. The plant originally made spice and coffee drums and berry baskets from the veneer made of the surrounding cottonwood trees. A fire destroyed the original plant in February of 1918 and the new, improved and larger plant included a panel department for the production of Douglas fir plywood panels. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930; Mills--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. The mill and some employees of the Sedro Box and Veneer Co. at Sedro Woolley, Washington. This photograph was taken in the early 1920's before the plant burned to the ground. Begun with an initial investment of $18,000, the Sedro plant was opened by William J. (Cottonwood Bill) Royse, Clyde D. Lloyd and Charles Peterson in 1905. The plant was jinxed from the very beginning. It was frequently flooded by the unpredictable Skagit River and the first plant burned to the ground on February 3, 1918. Local bankers put up $90,000 to rebuild, taking a mortgage on the plant. The new plant was larger and had a panel department. By 1924, business was booming. They employed 125 men and operated 24 hours a day. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour

Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930; Mills--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, Engine #10252. Copy of Asahel Curtis print #51601 requested by the Washington State Historical Society on April 1, 1977. The electric powered train may have been departing/arriving at the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Tacoma location. The Washington State Historical Society has 60,000 Curtis images in its collection.

Railroad locomotives; Railroads; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co.;

ca. 1920. Ralph DePalma and his riding mechanic, possibly nephew Peter DePaolo, in DePalma's French made Ballot race car, #2, circa 1920. Mr. DePalma was entered in the July 5th 1920 Tacoma Classic car race at the Tacoma Speedway. His Ballot suffered a broken connecting rod before the race and he ended up competing in Eddie O'Donnell's Duesenberg, which also broke down in the 75th lap. Ralph DePalma, 1884-1956, was born in Italy but came to the United States as a boy. He began racing automobiles in 1909, the same year that the American Automobile Association established the National Driving Championship, an award that DePalma took home in 1912 & 1914. He was the 1915 Indianapolis 500 winner. When he retired in the early 1930's after 27 years of racing, he had competed in 2889 races and won an amazing 2557 of them. After retiring, he worked as a consultant in the automotive field. He died in 1956 at the age of 72. (TDL 7/4/1920, pg. 1C; www.ddavid.com/formula1; wikipedia) Speedway 066

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Ballot automobile; DePalma, Ralph;

ca. 1920. Jimmy Murphy at the Tacoma Speedway in his race car #12, believed to be a Duesenberg, circa 1920. Accompanying him is his riding mechanic, Ernie Olson. This was Mr. Murphy's first trip to the Pacific Northwest. He was considered a rising star with a top five finish at the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day and a second place finish on June 19th at the Uniontown, Pennsylvania 225-mile race. As part of the powerful Duesenberg team, he was able to learn, as well as compete with veteran drivers like Tommy Milton, Eddie O'Donnell and Eddie Miller. Jimmy Murphy finished sixth at the July 5th Tacoma Classic, an event won by his teammate, Tommy Milton. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-20-20, 3B-article; TDL 7-6-20, p.1+-results)

Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Murphy, Jimmy; Automobile racing drivers; Olson, Ernie;

ca. 1920. Gaston Chevrolet, the youngest brother of the racing triumvirate, was born in France of Swiss parents on October 26, 1892. He was brought to the United States by his older brother, racing car driver and designer Louis Chevrolet. In 1916, he became a partner with his brothers Louis and Arthur in Frontenac Motors. After initial success, the company went under after World War I. The trio went to work for Monroe Motor Co. In 1920, Gaston broke the European dominance of the Indy 500, winning in a Monroe-Frontenac designed by his brother Louis. His average speed was 88.62mph, a feat achieved with only a four cylinder engine. He was also the first racer to go the distance without a change of tires. His victory was only enjoyed briefly however, he died in a fiery crash on November 25th at the Los Angeles Speedway board track in Beverly Hills, Ca. He crashed in lap 146 and was killed, along with driver Eddie O'Donnell. At the end of the year, he was awarded the recently revived AAA National Champion title for 1920 posthumously. Speedway 086 (TNT 6/29/1920)

Chevrolet, Gaston; Automobile racing--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1920. Eddie O'Donnell (left) and mechanic Lyall Jolls pose in front of a Duesenberg race car at the Tacoma Speedway circa the summer of 1920. The Duesenberg team brought four cars for the 225-mile race driven by nationally known race stars Tommy Milton, Jimmy Murphy, Edward Miller and Mr. O'Donnell. Teammates Milton, Murphy and O'Donnell had finished 1-2-3 at the Uniontown, Pennsylvania 225-mile race a few weeks prior to the July 5th Tacoma event. Tommy Milton was the victor in Tacoma while driving his #10 Duesenberg at a blistering pace, the fastest then set for the long race at the Speedway. Race car drivers were a tight fraternity; Eddie O'Donnell generously gave up his ride on a Duesenberg to Ralph DePalma, whose Ballot broke down before the race. Mr. O'Donnell then hopped onto teammate Eddie Miller's ride and Mr. Miller served as mechanic. They finished last of the eight cars remaining in the race. Mr. O'Donnell's car had qualified at a 98 mph clip so it says much of the spirit of camaraderie that he gave up the car to a competitor so that the crowds jammed into the Speedway would not be disappointed at the non-appearance of this international star. Both Mr. O'Donnell and Mr. Jolls died later in 1920 of injuries incurred in the November, 1920 Beverly Hills Speedway Classic. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-20-20, 3B-article; TDL 7-3-20, p. 1-article; TDL 7-6-20, p. 1-results)

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

ca. 1920. Racing sensation Jimmy Murphy poses next to his Duesenberg race car #12 at the Tacoma Speedway, circa 1920. Murphy has been named the driver of the decade for Championship cars, 1920-1929, claiming 19 victories from 1920-24. He went to work for Duesenberg as a mechanic on his 21st birthday in 1916. He burst on the racing world as a driver in 1920, winning his very first major race in Beverly Hills, Ca. He is most famous for his 1922 Indy 500 win and for being the first American to win the French Grand Prix, in 1921. Jimmy Murphy was a familiar face in Tacoma, racing at the Classic in 1920, where he finished sixth and 1922, which he won. He was killed in a crash at the Syracuse, N.Y., racetrack in September of 1924. Speedway-044 (TDL 7/2/1922, pg. C-1, C-6)

Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Murphy, Jimmy; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1920. In 1920, Pacific Avenue was taking on a new look. Buildings had been demolished and work had begun on William R. Rust's 12 floor Rust building at 950 Pacific Ave. (under construction in this photograph.) Left to right, the buildings are 948 Pacific Ave. - home to Burnside hats on the ground floor and the Dayton Agency upstairs. The Dayton Agency, according to their signage, carried supplies for bicycles and motorcycles and did repairs. Next comes 946 Pacific with Scobey Cigar Co. downstairs and Naubert & Manning English Billiards upstairs. The following building at 942-44 Pacific Ave. included Walk Over Shoes, M&M Hat Store and Phil Friedman Jeweler downstairs with the Peterson & Cooksie Billiard Parlor above. The Shriners must have been in town at the time of the photograph because most of the buildings are decorated with bunting, Shriner emblems and American flags. G61.1-032

Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rust Building (Tacoma); Burnside Hats (Tacoma); Scobey Cigar Co. (Tacoma); Naubert & Manning Billiards (Tacoma); Walk Over Shoes (Tacoma); M& M Hats (Tacoma); Peterson & Cooksie Billiard Parlor (Tacoma);

ca. 1920. buildings on Tacoma Avenue South - from corner of South 11th