City of Tacoma Light Department's "Trouble Car" parked outside Griffith Motor Co., 728 Broadway, in early August of 1920. Griffith Motors was a Dodge dealership. The newly purchased Dodge automobile would probably be used to transport utility workers to locations experiencing problems. It was one of many Dodges placed in public service. TPL-6701; G43.1-028 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-22-20, C-8)

Dodge automobile; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma City Light (Tacoma);

A "Modern Method" crane No. 40 is pictured on September 8, 1921, on the wide dock at the Port of Tacoma. It was manufactured by Colby Steel & Engineering Co. The legs of the crane were tall enough that a freight train could easily pass through. At the dock is the cargo ship, "West Jappa," out of Seattle. G49.1-203;

Hoisting machinery; Cargo ships--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

The vessel "Alvarado" (in foreground) is berthed at the Osgood & Wheeler dock on January 25, 1922. She was in Tacoma to load lumber for her return trip to San Pedro. The "Alvarado" was just one of 20 deep-sea vessels were lined up at Tacoma wharves on January 25th. That particular week Tacoma led all coast ports in tonnage with 124,410. G49.1-070 (TDL 1-26-22, p. 1-article; TNT 2-2-22, p. 1-article)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A new Dodge coupe, with Tacoma businessman H.J. Salmela at the wheel, is parked on the brick roadway outside the Griffith Motor Co., 728-30 Broadway, on February 11, 1922. Griffith Motors was the authorized dealer for Dodge Brothers motor cars. A new car was still a relative rarity back in the early 20s and local newspapers often ran photographs of happy customers with their new purchases. Mr. Salmela was already the owner of three six-cylinder cars but chose the Dodge coupe for a practical purpose, as best suited for a motor trip to San Diego and a tour of the entire state of California. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-26-22, 4-C)

Salmela, H.J.; Dodge automobile; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The crew and possibly guests aboard the cold storage ship, "Glory of the Seas," are silhouetted against the white background and appear miniscule when compared to the large vessel. The ship is moored at the Glacier Fish Co. dock in February of 1922; among the items visible on the dock are pipes and oddly, what appears to be a bathtub. The "Glory of the Seas" was one of the largest cold storage plants afloat and was being dismantled after being in service for 53 years. This photograph was used in an advertisement in The News Tribune's March 22, 1922, edition. Maingault & Graham were the sellers involved in the dismantling process. G50.1-114 (TNT 3-22-22, p. 26-Ad)

Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Glacier Fish Co. (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This stray dog eyes the new 1922 Dodge sedan driven by Griffith Motor Co. president, Walter Havelock Campbell Griffith, as it is parked by the City Pound Office at South 27th & "D" on February 18, 1922. The man holding onto the excited dog is unidentified. The Community Chest was gearing up for its annual fund raiser in support of 28 relief agencies including the Tacoma Humane Society. Mr. Griffith had donated the use of several of his new Dodges to transport photographers and writers in order that the need for animal care could be better publicized. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-26-22, 1-C)

Griffith, Walter Havelock Campbell; Dodge automobile; Dogs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

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;

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;

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;

Prominent businessman John S. Baker has bought the first set of General dual balloon tires from the Sutherland Co., local General distributors, for his 1928 Packard "8" sedan. Mr. Baker was reportedly pleased with the smooth ride and enhanced appearance of his already striking automobile. Previous tires on the car only lasted 6,000 miles before showing extensive wear. Photograph ordered by the Sutherland Co. G11.1-033 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-25-28, 4-G)

Packard automobile; Tires; Baker, John S.--Associated objects;

These fishing boats were photographed while moored at a Port of Tacoma dock in November of 1928. The fishing vessels were returning to Tacoma after seasonal salmon pursuit in the northern waters. Fishermen were reportedly pleased with the new haven at the Port of Tacoma which included more protection against storms for their boats. 22 stalls for boats were built with an additional eight more berths to be constructed shortly. The long houses on the right were used for stowing nets and gear. TPL-447; G34.1-058 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-11-28, p. 1-article) See Boland B19714 for long distance view of boats.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "Lillian Luckenbach" was in town on February 8, 1929, to take on a load of pulp from the Union Bag & Paper Co. plant. She was one of the largest in the Luckenbach fleet and was able to load nearly 1000 tons of paper pulp bound for Union Bag's Hudson Falls, N.Y. location. It was the company's first shipment sent from Tacoma by water. Built in 1919 by the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. of Chester, Pennsylvania, the freighter was sunk in a collision with Cape Henlopen in March of 1943. G49.1-096 (TDL 2-8-29, p. 1-article; TDL 2-9-29, p. 1-article)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Twenty-four years and going strong ran the headline in the Tacoma Sunday Ledger on May 12, 1929, referring to this 1905 five-passenger Reo touring car. Although the vehicle was certainly "old enough to vote," it performed well with a full load, pulling up steep Saint Helens Avenue in high gear. Mayor James G. Newbegin (standing left) shook hands with driver George W. Miller, vice-president of Winthrop Motor Co. The Reo's passengers included salesman Oscar Seabloom, Reo truck department assistant manager Jimmy Gilchrist, and salesman Bob Scott. The car had been on display in the showrooms of the Winthrop Motor Co., local Reo distributors, and inspected by many Tacomans who had fond memories of the car. Photograph ordered by Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-12-29, p. 13) G32.1-087

Reo automobile; Newbegin, James G.; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Miller, George W.; Signs (Notices); Shaking hands--Tacoma; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Aviation's first talking airplane, "The Voice of the Sky," visited Tacoma on May 12, 1929. The crew posed next to the the Fokker USA trimotor passenger airplane parked at Mueller-Harkins airport: (L-R): Lew Gower, pilot; H.E. Wendt, mechanic; B. Knapp, crew chief; Bert McGrath, announcer. The plane, C-1661, has large advertising for Standard Ethyl gasoline painted on its side. This was the first Pacific Coast visit by the "Voice of the Sky" which amazed listeners and viewers with animated audible chatter and music from 2500 feet up in the air. TPL-2020; G12.1-029 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-12-29, A-7-article; TDL 5-14-29, p. 1)

Airline industry; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Gower, Lew; Wendt, H.E.; Knapp, B.; McGrath, Bert;

Standard Fuel Co. recently added the Model A Ford truck and the Ford coupe shown above to their fleet of vehicles. The firm's proprietors, Bernard F. and R.B. Christian, purchased the vehicles from Leonard's, a South Tacoma Ford dealer. Their sister Mary, a bookkeeper for the company, posed between the two Fords on May 17, 1929. She is in the industrial Tideflats around E. 11th St., near Standard Fuel operations. Photograph ordered by Leonard's of South Tacoma, authorized dealers of Ford and Fordson. TPL-2693; G35.1-071 (T.Times, 5-25-29, p. 20)

Ford automobile; Ford trucks; Christian, Mary; Standard Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

This is one of five Sterling-Viking gasoline engines installed on the new Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1. Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1 was successfully launched on June 8, 1929, from the plant of the Coast Line Shipbuilding Co. Hundreds had gathered to witness the launching of the speedy and powerful boat where an absence of speeches and brevity of ceremony marked the occasion. Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1 had a 95 1/2 foot hull, beam of 21 1/2 feet and a 6-foot draft. (TDL 6-8-29, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-9-29, p. 1-article) G26.1-041

Boat engines; Fireboats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Theatrical performers, the Maylon Players, pose with a new Reo Flying Cloud from the Winthrop Motor Co. on June 19, 1929. The car silently appeared on the Heilig Theater stage while the actors were rehearsing and they could not resist remarking about its fine features. They are: Maurice Penborn (on car), Will Maylon at the wheel, Joyce Booth (in car), Margaret Nixon, Paul Bardsley, Caroline Edwards and Arthur Siegrist, seated. G11.1-060 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-23-29, 8E)

Reo automobile; Maylon Players (Tacoma); Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Penborn, Maurice; Maylon, Will; Booth, Joyce; Nixon, Margaret; Bardsley, Paul; Edwards, Caroline; Siegrist, Arthur;

Storefront window featuring Plymouth accolades. On August 23, 1929, the large glass window of this automobile dealership was plastered with complimentary remarks about the smooth performance of Plymouth cars. The dealership welcomed passersby to stop and read what people had to say about the Chrysler Motors product. Photograph ordered by A. H. McConnell, Plymouth distributor in Tacoma and Pierce County. He also represented the Dodge Bros. line. The Plymouth agency and Dodge Bros. agency were once under the same roof but the Plymouth agency had recently moved to separate quarters adjacent to its former home. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-18-29, 4-E-article on Plymouth distributorship)

Plymouth automobile; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Window displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A shining black hearse from the Allen Motor Co. was parked in front of the Mellinger funeral home on April 17, 1931. A black-clad driver is waiting patiently at the wheel of the sleek Studebaker. The C.C. Mellinger Co. colonial-styled mortuary, located at 510 Tacoma Avenue South, was built in 1909 for $65,000 by noted architects Heath & Twichell. The firm was established by Ohio native Charles C. Mellinger who first began on a small scale in Tacoma in 1897. The company grew quickly to become one of the largest in the city. G26.1-135; TPL-1743 Hunt: "Charles C. Mellinger," History of Tacoma, p. 580-582)

C.C. Mellinger Funeral Directors (Tacoma); Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hearses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Studebaker automobile;

The USS West Virginia at anchor in Commencement Bay in July of 1931. The ship, under command of Rear Admiral R.H. Leigh, was in town to participate in Fleet Week. The battleship had been commissioned in 1923 and was the most recent of the "super-dreadnoughts." She would be heavily damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor but was completely rebuilt at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. Although missing much of the war, the West Virginian would still earn five battle stars. She was decommissioned in January of 1947. (www.usswestvirginia.org; TDL 6-30-31, p. 5-article) G71.007

Battleships--1930-1940; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

S. Shumate & Sons of Olympia lined up a small fleet of Kenworth trucks plus a trailer while in Tacoma on April 18, 1932. The trucking firm's drivers carried along a small dog as a passenger in truck #4. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Kenworth. G66.2-103

Trucks--1930-1940; S. Shumate & Sons (Olympia); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Undated photograph of a ship docked at the Port of Tacoma.

Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

View of the Steilacoom-Longbranch ferry. Copy of photograph made on May 23, 1927, per the request from the Washington Navigation Co. Date of original print is unknown. Ferry is clearly labeled "City of Steilacoom" in several places aboard ship. G66.1-088

Ferries;

Elmer J. Bergstrom is pictured standing next to his brand new special four-passenger Dodge coupe on May 13, 1924. The vehicle is parked on rough gravel on a site overlooking the Tacoma industrial Tideflats. Mr. Bergstrom, who resided at 424 South 38th St., had his new coupe delivered to him by Griffith Motor Co. It was his second Dodge Bros. car and much more luxurious than his first, a 1920 model. G11.1-062 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-8-24, 4-G)

Dodge automobile; Bergstrom, Elmer J.;

The passenger vessel "Chickawana" is dockside while passengers wait to depart on May 24, 1924. She was used to transport people from Dash Point to Tacoma and back again while mustering a speed of 10.5 mph. 75 passengers could fit on board and enjoy the fresh air and marine views. The passengers on this date consisted of the nine salesmen of the Younglove Grocery Co. (standing in left foreground on float) and store and factory employees of the firm. The salesmen were being honored with a cruise to Delano Beach where a chicken picnic lunch, games, buffet dinner and dancing in the lodge took place. The wholesale store and factory were closed all day so that all employees could attend this special event. The "Chickawana" traveled home in moonlight to cap a fun-filled day. G50.1-070 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-25-24, 8-E)

Passengers; Boats; Younglove Grocery Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

The "Commercial Guide" is in port on June 20, 1924, awaiting a shipment of lumber to be hoisted aboard by crane. To the rear is the "Lewis Luckenbach " from the Luckenbach Line. Both cargo ships were docked at the Port of Tacoma. The "Commercial Guide" left Tacoma on June 22, 1924, under the command of Captain Jack Wright. She was part of the Moore & McCormick's regular intercoastal service. G49.1-105 (TNT 6-23-24, p. 15-small article on the "Commercial Guide")

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

Christening of the SS Bienville. Dorothy Maxson is pictured on July 16, 1924, in the act of christening the SS Bienville at Todd Dry Dock & Construction facilities. She is the daughter of Captain and Mrs. C.P. Maxson; Captain Maxson would become the ship's new master. The Bienville was built for the Atlantic Steamship line of Southern Pacific at a cost of over a million dollars for the purpose of travel between New York and New Orleans. She was named after an old Louisiana family. Thousands of cheering spectators were present at the launching of the steamer which was the first Atlantic liner built on the Pacific Coast. After being in service less than five months, the Bienville caught on fire while being overhauled in New Orleans in mid-March of 1925. Only the crew was aboard and all escaped. G37.1-108 (TNT 6-21-21, p. 1,9-articles; TDL 7-17-24, p. 1-article; TNT 3-19-25, p. 1-fire on ship article; TDL 3-28-25, p. 1-fire on ship article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Maxson, Dorothy;

Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this is the "waiting room" for the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. Long wooden benches are positioned below windows and there appears to be a drinking fountain against one wall. Staircase leads below. G66.1-093

Ferries; Waiting rooms; Benches;