This angled view of the Twin Gates restaurant was taken from across the street in January of 1936. The large restaurant was located next to a Richfield service station a short distance south of Tenino in Thurston County. By the 1970's, it was a secondhand store. The building has since been destroyed by fire. (Additional information provided by a reader) G77.1-078, TPL-10521
Twin Gates (Tenino); Restaurants--Tenino; Automobile service stations--Tenino;
Peterman logging operations on top of Peterman Hill south of Morton. View of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s truck road trestle. A section of forest has been partially cleared in this June, 1936, photograph. Tree stumps remaining seem to indicate that the trees were mostly young trees and not old growth timber although the short log in the foreground was Douglas Fir old growth. Peterman's Tacoma door and veneer plants utilized the Douglas Fir for its products. According to one reader, this area is now called the "beaver pond." There was no pond there at the time of this photograph but over time the beavers took advantage of the pilings of the trestle and built a large dam around them. The trestle is no longer there. G75.1.052
An enormous log is being hoisted onto a heavy duty truck using a "spreader bar" (at left) in this June, 1936, photograph. It will be taken to Tacoma to be processed for Peterman Manufacturing Co. This view is of one of Peterman's old White trucks unloading its load at the railhead in Morton. Al Peterman had purchased several old Whites, then completely rebuilt and heavily modified them to be used in his logging operations at Morton. In 1933-34 Mr. Peterman had purchaed 11 sections (7040 acres) from the Northern Pacific Railroad and began logging in late 1934 to provide materials for his Tacoma door plant. Logging operations were finished in Morton in 1940 after 190 million feet of timber were logged. G75.1-056 (Additional information provided by a reader)
One-lane road curving slightly through stand of trees not far from the start of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s main truck road going up to the top of Peterman Hill, south of Morton. According to a reader, Mr. Peterman used a contract rock crusher to crush rock and a full time roadgrader to make an all-weather road at a time when most logging roads were planked or just mud. Al Peterman had bought 11 sections (or 7040 acres) from the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1933-34. He began logging in late 1934 to supply his Tacoma door plant. The area had originally been called Cotter's Rock after a pioneer homesteader but became known as Peterman Hill. His logging operations ceased in Morton in 1940 but not before logging 190 million feet of timber. Photograph ordered by Peterman Logging (Manufacturing Co.) in June of 1936. G75.1-065; G74.1-111 (Additional information provided by a reader)
One-lane road, curving by forested land. Photograph requested by Peterman Logging (Manufacturing Co.) in June of 1936. Hillside on the right has been decimated of trees. This is a view of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s main truck road just down the ravine below the trestle in Boland B25874. According to a reader, Mr. Peterman kept his roads in excellent shape to make it easier and faster for his logging trucks. It is said that his trucks could do 50 mph coming down off the hill into Morton which was unheard of at that time. G75.1-064
Spar tree used in Peterman Logging operations in June of 1936. This tall straight tree has had its limbs chopped off and has been topped. It would be used to support cables that would drag the felled timber to where trucks could transport it to mills. Spar trees have since been supplemented by portable steel towers. This view was taken of one of Peterman's landings on top of Peterman Hill near Morton. Next to the spar tree is an 11 x 13 steam yarder ("donkey") yarding logs. Nearby are some of the trucks waiting to be loaded and then transporting logs down the hill to the railhead at Morton. According to a reader, the road to Tacoma was not good enough to transport the logs via trucks in a safe and timely manner, hence the use of rail. G75.1-057 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Peterman Logging operations near Morton in June of 1936. This may be a "skid road," where heavy logs are partially sunken so that felled timber can be dragged over them to a skidway or landing. According to a reader, this is a view of one of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s truck roads about a mile past the trestle (shown in Boland B25874) to the south of the beaver pond area. The assorted logs in the foreground were part of a bridge under construction. Because the ground was very swampy, the brush was cut down and laid crossways in the roadbed and gravel dumped on top. The road is still there decades later. G75.1-051 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Peterman Logging operations at or near Morton, June of 1936. According to a reader, this photograph shows a "Triple Drum" yarder in action. Unlike earlier models, this vehicle was mobile with tracklaying capability. The caterpillar mounted set of drums could easily maneuver over rough terrain to yard logs out of a ravine or canyon. The logs could then be either yarded with a crawler tractor or directly loaded onto trucks. TPL-9854; G75.1-044 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Interior of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s Morton large truck shop with dirt floor. This open-beamed garage was photographed on June 5, 1936, as part of a series of daily operations for the company. An exterior view of the building is located at Boland B25884. Mr. Al Peterman had purchaed a fleet of fifteen old White trucks from the Shell Oil Co. and completely rebuilt them in his Tacoma shop. They were converted into 6 wheelers with air brakes and bigger engines. The Morton shop then made more modifications as they were put through the hauling operations. Mr. Peterman maintained a staff of skilled mechanics in the Morton shop to work on these trucks. G48.1-018 (Additional information provided by a reader)
June, 1936, view of exterior of large wood framed building which was the Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s Morton truck shop. The interior of the shop is shown in Boland B25883. According to a reader, the building was located in old town Morton in what is now Backstrom Park. This ground was later given to the town of Morton to be used as a city park by Gust Backstrom who was Al Peterman's old logging foreman. The site was that of the Peterman company's railhead where logs were unloaded from trucks and reloaded onto Milwaukee railcars to be transported to Tacoma. Part of Peterman Hill is shown in the background to the south of the shop building. Mr. Peterman logged over 7000 acres in the Morton area in the period of six years, from 1934-1940, to supply his Tacoma operations. G48.1-016 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Two trucks appear to have already been filled with crushed rock and a third one awaits as this June, 1936, photograph for Peterman Logging (Manufacturing) Co. was taken on top of Peterman Hill south of Morton. The bunker(s) and crusher site was not far up the hill on Peterman's main haul road. Mr. Peterman contracted out the crushing and the bunkers were later moved farther back to the east end of the operation. Al Peterman was farsighted enough to realize that a well maintained, smooth truck road would be easier on his trucks and they would be able to travel faster down from his logging operations to the reload area. This was at a time when the majority of logging roads were rough with just planks or mere mud. Mr. Peterman even employed a full time roadgrader operator. G75.1-048 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Daily logging operations of the Peterman Logging (Manufacturing) Co. as seen through a series of photographs taken on June 5, 1936, at or near Morton. A spar tree, rigged with guy lines and blocks, leans precariously while yarding logs. According to a reader, this is a view of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s railhead reload in old town Morton. The truck is being prepared to be unloaded by the Tacoma Iron Works 9 x 10 yarder ("donkey") to the right in the photograph. The "donkey" was used to also load the Milwaukee railcars standing on the siding running from the right side of the photograph's foreground to the left rear. The main spar tree is barely visible on the extreme left with the "tail" tree to the right just on the far side of the siding. The "tail" tree is bent over so that the spreader bar will be over the center of the railcar as the loading is done. This will make it easier to center the logs on the car. Included in the photograph's background is a bark conveyor. The Model T at extreme right belonged to the "donkey's" operator. G75.1-058 (Information provided by a reader)
Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--1930-1940; Logs; Ford automobile;
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.
Coils of wire are spread out on display outside the American Wood Pipe Co., 3200 South Cedar St., in August of 1920. The wire will be used to wrap wooden irrigation pipe. American Wood Pipe, established in January of 1913, was located on six acres in the Center St. manufacturing district. By 1921, it was considered the largest single wood pipe factory in the world. G36.1-107 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 12-4-21, p. 7-article)
J.B. Flory, the president of Bismarck Fuel Company located at 5624 McKinley Avenue, sang the praises of the company's Day-Elder delivery trucks in the September 19, 1920, Daily Ledger. The trucks were Model C, 2.5 to 3 ton capacity with the first delivered in mid-May of 1920. The company was pleased with their performance, rigid construction, pulling power and serviceability. They found the trucks to be very economical in running expense and upkeep. West Coast Steel Company was the Tacoma dealer for the truck which retailed for $2,850 apiece. West Coast Steel was able to handle Bismarck's request to have a special cab and windshield installed on one of the trucks. (TDL 9/19/1920, pg. C-7; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-9-20, C-5-West Coast Steel ad; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-23-20, C-6) TPL-1502; G35.1-062.
Bismarck Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Day-Elder trucks;
An unidentified worker was photographed in November of 1920 in the corner of the Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co., 2909-13 So. Wilkeson, where the alder timber was sorted. Just in time for the holidays, the eight month old company was diversifying its production from tables to include wooden toys. They used the local alder to manufacture their patented specialties: the hubless and spokeless toy wheel and the "shimmy dog." (TDL 11/28/1920, pg. B6) G36.1-022 (also cataloged under G36.1 image 068)
Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Toy industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cabinetmaking--Tacoma;
An example of tables built by the Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co. was displayed outdoors in early November of 1920. The fold-down table was compact enough to fit in small places. Northern Novelty had opened for business in January of 1920 and by October of that year, had expanded their plant on South Wilkeson in order to manufacture wooden toys. G35.1-025
The "erectors" get one of the massive 32 ton steel beams into position at the construction site of the Scandinavian-American Bank (later the Washington Building) in this November 1920 photograph. The beams were lifted into place by a pulley system and then rivetted. Because the main banking room, when completed, would be the largest open space on the Pacific Coast without a supporting pillar or post, the massive cross beams required specially designed lifting equipment. When completed, the room was to measure 60 feet frontage, 100 feet deep and 30 feet from floor to ceiling. However, construction was halted when the bank failed in 1921. The building was resold, redesigned and completed in 1925 as the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 758, G17.1-122 TPL-9944
Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Jewelers at work at Mahncke & Co. By 1920, Mahncke & Co. had been in business at 914 Pacific Avenue for ten years. The pioneer jewelry firm, established in 1883, was owned and operated by Franz, William G., and Louis A. Mahncke. In 1923 the store would move a short distance away to 919 Broadway where it would remain for decades. Mahncke & Co. would be taken over by Friedlanders in 1956.
Silver display at Mahncke's. Rows of sterling silver and silver plate vases, tea sets, plates, trays and coffee pots were attractively displayed at pioneer jewelers, Mahncke & Co., in November of 1920. Mahncke & Co. was located at 914 Pacific Avenue. Established in 1883, it was "The Store That Quality Built." (TNT Ad -11-5-20, p. 4)
Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this was the bank vault at the Scandinavian American Bank in December of 1920. At that time the bank was building a 16-story structure at 1019 Pacific Avenue. While the new building was being constructed, the bank conducted business at a temporary location at South 13th and Pacific. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction stopped. The building remained unfinished until 1925 and is now known as the Washington Building. G34.1-019
Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;
For many, 1920 was the beginning of a "New Era," one of prosperity. For others, such as these three unidentified boys pictured in front of Burnett Brothers Jewelers, 934 Broadway, times were not so good. All three boys wear clothing that is torn and patched. This photograph was taken in December of 1920 in conjunction with a Red Cross Drive. Following the conclusion of World War I, the Red Cross expanded its health and welfare services, offering assistance locally to those in need. While the well publicized Hoover European Relief fund focused on the starving overseas, the Red Cross quietly helped those at home. G2.1-107; TPL-937
Burnett Brothers Jewelry (Tacoma); American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Boys--1920-1930;
In the early 1900's,Tacoma boasted 40 farriers; by 1920 when this photograph was taken, with the advances of the automobile, there were only three left within the Tacoma city limits. The Pioneer Blacksmith Shop, located at 107-09 So. 24th St., was owned by M. Komp and W.C. Dittman. They specialized in horse shoeing. Automobiles were also repaired on occasion, but only in an adjoining structure. Two men pose in the doorway of the structure built around 1890 as a blacksmith's shop. It has since been demolished. (TDL 10/3/1920 p.B-4) BU-14101, G66.1-121 TPL-9821
In October of 1920, Al McCoy, one of the last farriers working in Tacoma posed beside "Big John," the veteran fire horse of the Tacoma Fire Department and one of McCoy's steady customers for 20 years. Mr. McCoy worked at the John A. Andrews Blacksmith Shop, located at 1330-32 Commerce St. "Big John" waited patiently for Mr. McCoy to fit his new shoes. He was no longer needed to pull Tacoma's fire wagons and Mrs. W.R. Rust and the Tacoma Humane Society had narrowly saved him from being sent to a glue factory. (TDL 10/3/1920 p.B-4) G66.1-119
Blacksmiths--Tacoma; McCoy, Al; John A. Andrews Blacksmith Shop (Tacoma); Forge shops--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma--1920-1930;
January 1, 1921 brought with it the proud news that the Tacoma branch of the Standard Oil Company had the enviable record of being 100 per cent accident free in their tank truck department. The eight trucks plus proud drivers and company officials were photographed lined up in front of what appear to be numbered garage doors. This record was especially notable since the trucks operated every day and night, delivering gasoline to the garages and service stations of the city. Their combined mileage was around 4,221 miles per month. They held the best record on the Pacific Coast. (TDL 1/9/1921, pg. 4-C) G66.2-137
Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940;
A large crowd of soldiers are photographed leaving the (Liberty) Theatre at Camp Lewis in February of 1921. The men are bundled warmly against the cold and wet winter day. Movie posters partially obscured by the soldiers indicate that much laughter was on the bill with the silent-screen comedy team of (Eddie) Lyons and (Lee) Moran. G69.1-127 TPL-10310
On May 28, 1921, a long line of cars was photographed in front of People's department store, 1101-07 Pacific Ave, and extending down the street past the Bankers Trust Building and nearly to the Puget Sound Bank building. Each car has a sign in its windshield that says, "People's Store - Tacoma - Motor Club."
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Haering's Grocetorium celebrated the opening of its newest store, Store No. 4., in July of 1921. The latest Haering's, built at a cost of about $4,500 by P.C. Walesby, was located at the corner of E. 63rd and McKinley in the Hillsdale neighborhood. It was a one-story brick building, both fireproof and ratproof, and contained two store rooms. Nicolaus Haering (standing in front of the telephone pole) founded the successful chain in 1913. The stores were among the first in the Northwest to feature "help yourself service" (self service), on a cash only, no delivery basis. Skeptics became regular customers, drawn back by lower prices. The chain eventually operated 12 stores in the Tacoma area. G56.2-090; TPL-6349 (TDL 6-12-21, B-5-article)
Haering's opened a new brick one-story grocery store in the Hillsdale neighborhood on the east side of town in July of 1921. It was the first of several new buildings to house the rapidly growing firm; more would be built in different parts of the city. The store was designed and built by P.C. Walesby for about $4500. Employees of the company are pictured above enjoying a celebratory banquet inside the store. Haering's Grocetorium promoted the "self-service" form of shopping as a means to keep prices low. As the signs inside the store indicated, smart shoppers could purchase five cans of Del Monte corn for $1.00, flour for $2.20, ginger snaps and citrus for 25 cents. "Help Yourself" seemed to be the store's byword. (TDL 6-12-21, B-5-article); TDL 7-11-21, p. 7-article)
A truckload of coal is being delivered to the Lucerne Block, 901 Tacoma Avenue South, by Economy Fuel in August of 1921. The fuel company's driver pauses his shifting of the coal to gaze at the camera. The coal is being deposited in the building's coal bin through a coal hole in the sidewalk. The buildings across the street would be demolished in the early 1950s so the County-City Building with jail could be built on the site. In the far background is Central School now used by the Tacoma School District as its Administrative Building.
Economy Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Coalholes--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Central School (Tacoma);
