A Tacoma bus, utilizing a Mack body, is parked near the North Star Mfg. Co., 2317-19 Pacific Ave., on August 13, 1926. A sign on the bus indicates that it travels to South Tacoma. Some of the windows are open on the steel bus; the driver does not appear to be present. Photograph ordered by Mack Truck. G66.1-028

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mack trucks;

Shown at the rear of their two-ton White truck with attached 800-gallon tank are Thompson Lubricating Co.'s owners, H.E. Thompson (left) and his father H.A. Thompson, on August 31, 1926. The delivery truck was built 18 months ago for the firm and purchased from the J.F. Hickey Motor Co., the second White owned by the Thompsons. The company used Red Hat Gasoline for its customers and a retouched photograph of this gasoline truck with heavy use of emblems was used for national advertising. In 1926, Thompson Lubricating had four service stations in Tacoma. G35.1-043 (T.Times, 9-4-26, p. 10)

Thompson Lubricating Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; White trucks; Thompson, H.E.; Thompson, H.A.;

On October 17, 1926, the Tacoma Sunday Ledger ran a picture of the Peninsula Stage Company's 17-passenger coach parked outside the First Baptist Church, 902 Market St. The new bus chassis was built by the Studebaker Company which already had a fine reputation in passenger cars. The Peninsula Stage Company had three buses on the Bremerton-Tacoma run, with stops in Gig Harbor, Purdy, Burley, and Port Orchard. Owner R.L. Stubbs indicated that his prior experience with Studebaker cars prompted him to purchase the new bus. Photograph ordered by the B.H. Kennedy Co. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, October 17, 1926, G-7) G66.1-078

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Studebaker automobile; First Baptist Church (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Grain Co. had recently taken delivery of a new Reo two-ton heavy duty Speed Wagon. The vehicle, advertising Pyramid Flour, was parked outside of local Reo dealer Winthrop Motor Co., 201-07 Saint Helens Ave. on October 1, 1926. The Speed Wagon had a special body built by Standard Auto Works of Tacoma. Tacoma Grain superintendent P.W. Jochimsen (seated behind the wheel) stated that his company had used Reo equipment for years and when it became necessary to purchase another delivery truck, the firm chose this capable vehicle. The man standing behind the vehicle was not identified. TPL-239; G34.1-131 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-10-26, 6G)

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Pyramid Flour (Tacoma); Jochimsen, Peter;

This couple seem to be enjoying their new automobile parked outside a wooded area, perhaps South Park, in early October of 1926. The vehicle, with the woman behind the wheel, is a roomy four-door. G11.1-077

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Close-up of airplane and Franklin automobile at Camp Lewis on October 8, 1926. The car has Seattle plates. See Boland image B15775 for another view of plane and car along with pilot and two men. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Franklin Co.

Airplanes--Camp Lewis; Franklin automobile;

Biplane with its pilot is parked adjacent to a Franklin automobile at Camp Lewis on October 8, 1926. All three men in the photograph were not identified. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Franklin Co. TPL-6483; G12.1-053

Airplanes--Camp Lewis; Biplanes; Franklin automobile;

Side view of stage from the Motor Transit Co. as photographed on October 8, 1926. Called a "chain car," it provided transportation from LaGrande to Enterprise to Wallowa Lake. Luggage may have been carried on top of the vehicle with a tarp for protection from the weather. Photograph ordered by Modern Auto Body. G66.1-032

Buses--1920-1930;

Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) is barely visible in the background as boats bob along the Gig Harbor waterfront during the Christmas season in 1926. Harbors in this area are protected making waters calm. TPL-690; G72.1-126

Harbors--Gig Harbor; Waterfronts--Gig Harbor; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

This view of fishing boats entering Gig Harbor's protected waters is very similar to a previous Boland photograph, B16128, and taken on the same December day in 1926. Mount Tacoma (Rainier) stands out clearer from the hovering gray clouds. The photograph has been damaged with white spots. TPL-874; G72.1-125B

Harbors--Gig Harbor; Waterfronts--Gig Harbor; Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Several fishing boats stream into the calm waters of Gig Harbor's protected waterfront on December 26, 1926. Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) blends with the cloudy skies beyond the darkened forests. TPL-691; G72.1-125A

Harbors--Gig Harbor; Waterfronts--Gig Harbor; Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Tanker "Socony" docked in Tacoma in mid-March of 1927 at what is possibly the City Waterway. Several large companies had tanks (receiving stations) on the City Waterway at this time: Shell Oil, Associated Oil, and Standard Oil. The three tanks in the picture may have belonged to the General Petroleum Co. G49.1-075 (TNT 4-2-26, p. 1-article on plants on waterway) Photograph ordered by Allen Lubricating Co.

Tankers--United States; Storage tanks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "Pacific Spruce" was the first vessel to unload cargo at the new dock of the Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Association, which had recently taken over the Milwaukee grain elevator and dock on the Tacoma tideflats. The ship arrived on the evening of April 26, 1927, and completed discharging 360-370 tons of oyster shells the following day. This view shows bags of oyster shells (used in chicken feed) in the process of being transported from the "Pacific Spruce" to the dock by stevedores. In the days before cargo containers every bag of shells had to be moved by hand. Suited men standing by may be officials of Washington Cooperative. The dock would now be known as "Co-op" dock. The Egg & Poultry Assn. was building a new headquarters on the dock which was soon to be completed. (TNT 4-27-27, p. 18-article); G49.1-197; TPL-661 (copy made for Washington Co-op on 10-12-27)

Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Longshoremen--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma); Piers & whaves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Kitsap Co. Transportation Co. ferry, believed to be called "Kitsap of Seattle," as viewed on May 13, 1927. This ferry would provide reliable service linking Seattle and the Kitsap peninsula. The Kitsap Co. Transportation Co. would be forced out of business in 1935 due to a strike. Photograph requested by the Washington Navigation Co. G78.1-110 (ws.dot.wa.gov/ferries--article)

Ferries--1920-1930;

The Washington Navigation Co. had requested photographs be taken of several ferries in May of 1927. The "Liberty" is pictured above, with several men standing on deck, on May 13, 1927. She carried at least two lifeboats and operated on steam. The "K' on her funnel possibly stands for Kitsap County Transportation Co. G78.1-109

Ferries--1920-1930;

This is possibly the ferry "Suquamish" as pictured on a foggy day in May, 1927. Photograph taken on behalf of the Washington Navigation Co.

Ferries--1920-1930;

Fleet in Commencement Bay. This long-distance view of several ships cruising about Commencement Bay was taken in July of 1927. Twelve American warships were due the weekend of July 16th including nine vessels of the destroyer squadron No. 11 and three battleships. The fleet would make Tacoma headquarters until August 20th and would cause the city's population to swell temporarily by the addition of 300 officers and 5000 enlisted men. G71.1-036 (TNT7-16-27, p. 1-article)

Commencement Bay (Wash.); Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Warships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Government vessels--Tacoma;

A solemn pilot gazes from his uncovered cockpit in September of 1927. Advertising on this Bergen Bromley Flying Service plane in September of 1927 indicates that the plane is equipped with Tsungani "slipper" pistons. Tsungani pistons were manufactured by the Tsungani plant located at 625 E. 11th St. They made lightweight alloy pistons for automobiles, motorcycles and Liberty airplane engines. TPL-8076; G12.1-077

Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bergen Bromley Flying Service (Tacoma); Advertising--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tsungani Piston Co. (Tacoma);

A long parade of Washington Co-operative Association trucks is making a turn onto what is believed to be the Western Washington Fairgrounds on September 22, 1927. Advertising on the vehicles state that the co-op sells food, and buys feed. G6.1-092

Trucks--1920-1930; Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma);

Blond Hollywood actress Ruth Taylor is pictured shaking hands with Mayor M.G. Tennent while the mayor is aboard the "City of Tacoma" airplane at the Mueller-Harkins airport (site of the present day Clover Park Technical College) on February 8, 1928. Miss Taylor, star of the silent film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," was briefly in Tacoma while on a nationwide tour promoting the film. She would make a personal appearance at the Broadway Theater where her film would be shown shortly. The other three men in the photograph were not identified although one of them is believed to be J. Barton ("Jack") Story, pilot, and president of the newly organized Olympic Aeronautical Corporation. On January 31, 1928, Olympic Aeronautical announced plans to fly tourists around Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) beginning May 1st. Photograph ordered by the Olympic Aeronautical Corporation. (TNT 1-31-28, p. 1-article on Olympic Aeronautical; TDL 2-8-28, p. 2-article on Miss Taylor) TPL-5030; G12.1-082

Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Olympic Aeronautical Corporation (Tacoma); Taylor, Ruth; Actresses;

Using both hands, actress Ruth Taylor holds onto the propeller of the "City of Tacoma" aircraft on February 8, 1928. She is wearing protective goggles and headgear. Additional photographs in this series show Miss Taylor as a passenger aboard the plane; the goggles and headgear would be necessary since the passenger seat was not under cover. (See B18045, B18049) The plane was parked at the Mueller-Harkins airport on Steilacoom Blvd., current site of Clover Park Technical College. Miss Taylor was making a brief stop in Tacoma while on a nationwide tour promoting her new movie, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." TPL-8077; G12.1-048B. Photograph ordered by the Olympic Aeronautical Corporation. (TDL 2-8-28, p. 2-brief article on Miss Taylor's visit)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930; Taylor, Ruth; Actresses;

Hollywood actress Ruth Taylor cheerfully waves as she is seated in the passenger seat of the "City of Tacoma" aircraft on February 8, 1928. The plane is parked at the Mueller Harkins airport outside the Olympic Aeronautical Corporation hangar. Miss Taylor, a product of Portland schools, was chosen to star as "Lorelei" in the silent film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" after a nationwide search. The petite blonde was in town to make a personal appearance at the Broadway Theater where her film would be showing in the near future. She was known for her trademark spit curls and had been a Mack Sennett Bathing Beauty. Her son, Buck Henry, born in 1930, would become a well known actor and writer. Photograph ordered by the Olympic Aeronautical Corporation. G12.1-048A (TDL 2-8-28, p. 2-article on Miss Taylor's visit; Imdb.com-information on Miss Taylor)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Taylor, Ruth; Actresses;

Fair-haired actress Ruth Taylor, currently in Tacoma promoting her new film, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," rides aboard the "City of Tacoma" airplane on February 8, 1928. The aircraft is parked outside the hangar of the Olympic Aeronautical Corporation (which had succeeded the Eagle Rock Sales Corporation) at the Mueller-Harkins airport. Photograph ordered by the Olympic Aeronautical Corporation, newly organized and headed by J. Barton ("Jack") Story, president and well known pilot. (TNT 1-31-28, p. 1-article on Olympic Aeronautical Corporation; TDL 2-8-28, p. 2-article on Miss Taylor's visit)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Olympic Aeronautical Corporation (Tacoma); Taylor, Ruth; Actresses;

On March 24, 1928, 10,000 cases of eggs were loaded onto the Blue Star liner "Gothicstar" bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina. The eggs were delivered by the Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Assn. to its dock, "Co-op Dock" (formerly the Milwaukee dock). "Gothicstar" was one of the biggest refrigerator ships traveling between South America and the United States. It was scheduled to pick up another 40,000 crates of eggs from other ports nearby. This was a new egg market for Northwest producers as previously the East Coast had provided South America with eggs. G6.1-095 (T.Times 3-23-28, p. 10-article)

Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma); Eggs; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A cordial invitation for "Hotel-Men" to meet in Tacoma, the "lumber capitol of the world," on May 8-9, 1928, was attached to the rear of a black sedan in early April of 1928. "Al" (Albert C.C. Gamer) was listed as the "official scout" and was preparing to depart for California to invite other hotel executives to the two-day convention at the Winthrop. The 20th annual convention of the Washington State Hotel Association with Oregon State Hotel Association participating, opened on Tuesday, May 8th. Pointing to the vehicle's advertisement are managers: (l-r) Ray Clark of the Winthrop Hotel, A.C.C. Gamer of the Olympus Hotel, and Emerson Wakefield of the Carlton Hotel. G24.1-026 (for another view of men and car, see Boland B18312) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-6-28, 4-A, article & alternate photograph)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Gamer, Albert C.C.; Wakefield, Emerson; Clark, Ray;

Gesturing toward an oval advertisement on the back of a parked sedan in April of 1928 are three well known hotel managers: (l-r) Emerson Wakefield of the Carlton Hotel, A.C.C. ("Al") Gamer of the Olympus and Ray Clark of the Winthrop. The sign invites "Hotel-men" to convene in Tacoma, the "Lumber Capitol of the World," May 8-9th. "Al" is the "official scout." He would be making a tour throughout California in the vehicle to invite other hotel managers to the convention. The gathering will take place at the Winthrop Hotel. G31.1-103 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-6-28, 4-A)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Gamer, Albert C.C.; Wakefield, Emerson; Clark, Ray; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Fageol truck at Atlas Foundry. An unidentified driver sits behind the wheel of a Fageol Flyer truck on April 9, 1928 at the Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. plant, 3012 South Wilkeson St. in Tacoma. Fageol trucks were first manufactured in 1917 in Oakland, California. The models ranged from 1.5 tons to 10 tons. Fageol had recently opened a branch at 503 Puyallup Avenue to handle sales and service of their trucks. The Atlas Foundry truck shown above is believed to be a Fageol Flyer 6. It was light but built using heavy truck design. (TDL 4-17-1928, p. 5-full page ad, no photo)

Fageol trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma);

A Dodge Victory Six from Burns-Campbell Motors, South Tacoma dealers, is parked adjacent to a Bergen Bromley Flying Service airplane on June 23, 1928 that had Tommy Burns in the rear cockpit. The other man was not identified but may have been Harold Bromley, Mr. Burns' flight instructor. Tommy Burns had just completed his solo flight that day. The Bergen Bromley Flying Service operated out of the Tacoma Municipal Airport in Lakewood. TPL-1667; G12.1-040 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-8-28, 2-G)

Dodge automobile; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bergen Bromley Flying Service (Tacoma); Burns, Tommy;

Mack truck and trailer on display. This Mack truck had recently been put into service by the Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co. in July of 1928 for quick freight service to Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia-Aberdeen and Shelton. The heavy duty Mack truck had a sterling reputation for reliability and durability. Trucking goods was becoming more popular and the Mack company, who had already received accolades during WWI, was at the foreground in developing larger capacity vehicles capable of higher highway speeds. The Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co., bonded carrier and member of the Washington Motor Freight Assn., had a large trailer hitched to the main truck body. Both the truck and trailer were equipped with Booster brakes in addition to regular braking equipment. Goodyear balloon tires provided extra carrying capacity. G66.2-105 (www.macktrucks.com) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, 4-G)

Mack trucks; Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co.; Shipping--1920-1930;

Trucking of goods by highway was another method of shipping that became popular in the 1920's as roads and vehicles improved. Mack trucks, already known for their durability and reliability pre-and-post WWI, were used for quick delivery of freight. The company realized the demand for larger capacity and higher speed haulage and firms like the Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co. were starting to use the sturdy Mack trucks for business. This Mack truck shown above on July 6, 1928, had an attached trailer, doubling the amount of goods that could be transported. For additional safety, both truck and trailer were equipped with Booster brakes to supplement regular braking equipment. G66.2-106B (www.macktrucks.com) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, 4-G, alternate photograph & article)

Mack trucks; Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co.; Shipping--1920-1930;