ca. 1935. Three men beside Ford truck loaded with large rocks on South 12th Street by National Bank of Tacoma and Post Office. Sign on truck reads "The 1935 Double Duty Ford V8 Truck. Ask for a Demonstration - H.E. Stimpson Motor Company ......." (filed with Argentum)

Ford trucks--1930-1940; Stimpson Motor Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1936. Freighter at Port of Tacoma, city in background. (Argentum)

Cargo ships; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Ford Motor Company freighter. Detail view of ship with Ford logo on funnel. For Stimpson Motor Company.

Cargo ships--1930-1940; Ford Motor Co.;

Undated photograph of four unidentified children seated in a jeep in a wooded area.

Moonlight on Puget Sound - U.S.S. Nipsic in fore ground.

Ticket for the last ferry ride across the Narrows, on July 2, 1940 aboard the Kalakala. Ferry service was being suspended due to the opening of the first Narrows Bridge and locals could become a part of history for only one dollar. The Young Mens Business Club (YMBC) was sponsoring the ride as part of the 6 day celebration of the joint dedication of the Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. Over 1400 revellers boarded the ferry at the Tacoma Municipal, Point Defiance or Gig Harbor docks for the rollicking four hour ride to Bremerton and back. The entertainment included music and dancing with period costumes optional. TPL-6714, TPL-6725.

Kalakala (Ferry); Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ferries--Tacoma;

Members of Tacoma's Drama League spend a lazy August day in 1925, paddling an Indian dug-out at the Olympus Manor on Hood Canal. A float plane rests on the water behind them. The Olympus Manor was begun in 1918 by local art instructor, world traveler and friend of the famous Orre N. Nobles. It was located on Hood Canal two miles northeast of Union. By the 1920's, the 16 room retreat was frequented by the local summer art colony and scores of the famous. It was decorated with Nobles' invaluable collection of Tibetan and Oriental art, furniture and artifacts. The two story retreat was destroyed by fire in 1952. No one was hurt, but the building and its priceless collection was destroyed and never rebuilt. (Shelton-Mason County Journal 7/31/1952; 8/7/1952) (photograph from the Erna Tilley Collection)

Olympus Manor (Hood Canal); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Canoes; Nobles, Orre--Homes & haunts;

ca. 1930. Birds eye view of Harold Bromley's fourth airplane, NR153W, also called the "City of Tacoma." Bromley planned to fly from Tokyo to Tacoma in this red Emsco single engine monoplane. His September 14, 1930 attempt at the flight with Harold Gatty as navigator was foiled by a failed exhaust system on the plane. The fumes forced the pair to land and almost cost them their lives. The plane was abandoned by Bromley for this flight as too heavy and slow. TPL-8799

Bromley, Harold--Associated objects; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Aeronautics--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On September 7, 1927, direct airmail and passenger service was inaugurated at Tacoma's Mueller-Harkins airport. After the first bag of air mail arrived, Postmaster Clyde J. Backus, right, turned it over to department employee Alfred Bottiger, left, who carried it to the city by automobile. Pictured in the center is R. A. Mueller. Over 2500 people waited two hours at the airport to cheer the arrival of the first airmail plane of the Pacific Air Transport Co. (TDL 9/8/1927, pg. 1 & pg. 3- picture) (photograph courtesy of Ted Bottiger, Port of Tacoma Commissioner)

Backus, Clyde J.; Bottiger, Alfred; Mueller, Rudolph A.; Mueller-Harkins Airport (Lakewood); Air mail service--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Sunday, April 15, 1928, saw the inauguration of the new American Railway Express Co. air transport service, provided for Tacoma in conjunction with the Pacific Air Transport Co. fleet of mail carriers. It would be the first outgoing air parcel service under this new arrangement. The pilot pictured above smilingly accepts delivery of a slender box from an unidentified official before his northbound departure. Hundreds of people had gathered at the Mueller-Harkins Airport to celebrate this new service. (TNT 4-16-28, p. 7, TDL 4-15-28, 8-A) BGN-186, TPL-1597

Transport planes--Tacoma; Air pilots--Tacoma; American Railway Express Co. (Tacoma); Shipping--1920-1930; Air mail service--1920-1930;

Lynden's canned chicken and chicken with noodles were among the first Tacoma-made products carried in the inaugural air express service flight from Tacoma on March 1, 1930. Varney Air Lines, piloted by Al Davis, made a brief stop in his large cabin Boeing plane at Mueller-Harkins Airport, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., before he flew on to Portland and Pasco. R.E. Darling, manager of the Washington Cooperative Association, is pictured handing a can of Lynden Brand chicken to pilot Davis; it and the larger can of chicken and noodles were destined for New York. San Tex cigars for President Hoover, Brown & Haley chocolates for the First Lady, shipments from Rhodes Bros. bound for New York, and packages to Chicago (from Wheeler-Osgood) and to Utah (from the smelter), were just some of the express cargo on the first flight from Tacoma. The cargo was transferred upon arrival in Pasco to planes heading eastward via Salt Lake City. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-2-30, p. 1) TPL-5544

Varney Air Lines; Airline industry; Airplanes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Davis, Al; Darling, R.E.; Canned foods;

ca. 1901. Tacoma dock and ships

ca. 1901. Ships at dock on Tacoma waterway (Copy). Masted vessels are waiting on the City Waterway to take on cargo in this circa 1901 photograph. The buildings on the water's edge are wheat warehouses. The Northern Pacific Railroad Headquarters building is at far left upper edge, with its commanding view of the busy marine activities. TPL-1344

Sailing ships--Tacoma--1900-1910; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1900-1910; Shipping--Tacoma--1900-1910; Warehouses--Tacoma--1900-1910; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1900-1910; City Waterway (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Headquarters Building (Tacoma);

In this circa 1886 photograph, a Native American family lounges in their long boat near the shore. In the background can be seen the Northern Pacific Railroad bridge. The canoe is loaded with supplies, probably returning or setting off for the family's hunting ground. The Puyallup tribe members were primarily hunters, gatherers and fishermen. During this time period, their village was believed to be located at the foot of North 15th. KING-015, TPL 2894.

With the gaily striped sail blowing gently with the breeze, the young girl fastens it in preparation for taking the small sailboat out. The rudder and its control arm can be seen clearly at the rear of the ship. The girl wears a life jacket. Photographs ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This sailboat, the "Pipsqueak," was designed for youngsters ages 6-10 to use in an enclosed area where adult supervision was available. The mast can be detached to convert it to a paddle boat. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B-10) TPL-8803

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

The young girl uses the rudder to steer the small sailboat while controlling the sail with a rope. The small sailboat is just large enough for one. The girl appears to be heading into shore. The sailboat is the "Pipsqueak," designed by John Burroughs of Tacoma for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. It could be built from 2 panels of plywood in 2-3 evenings for a cost of around $30.00. Free plans were available, or patterns were available for $1.00. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B -10)

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

ca. 1956. A boy and girl erect a sail on a small childsize sailboat prior to taking it out on a summer day for a leisurely sail. Both children wear a life vest. The boy handles the sail while the girl loads an oar, in case the wind does not cooperate. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The sailboat, named the "Pipsqueak," is 5 feet long, 33" wide and 15" deep; it weighs less than 50 pounds. It is designed for children ages 6-10 to sail alone in an enclosed area with adult supervision. Supervision was neccessary because a stiff wind would quickly carry the boat out to deeper water. (TNT 7/1/1956, pg. B-10) TPL-9510

Sailboats; Children playing in water; Children sailing boats;

Photographs from auto wreck on Seattle-Tacoma Highway taken on June 11, 1940. This Dodge coupe sustained massive front end damage including broken headlight and smashed fenders and bumper. See D9847, image 1 for view of a different damaged car which was possibly involved in the same accident. Its front end was heavily damaged with broken windshield, running board, tire and hood damage.

Dodge automobile; Traffic accidents--1940-1950;

Photographs from auto wreck on Seattle-Tacoma Highway were taken on June 11, 1940. Ford owner was listed as Gene but no last name provided. The vehicle, license plate B-42849, has sustained obvious damage to the windshield, hood, fender and tires. See D9847, image 4 for a photograph of other vehicle involved in accident which also had major front end damage.

Ford automobile; Traffic accidents--1940-1950;

Tacoma Suburban Lines bus at Lakewood. The bus in this photograph is a Flxible Clipper motorcoach.

Buses--Lakewood;

Crew of the American freighter "Wildwood". Crew posed for portrait on wharf with hull of ship as background. The freighter, owned by the American Steamship Co., had turned around mid Pacific and returned to Tacoma to unload its "hot" cargo. The cargo consisted of copper, brass, and machinery intended for Russia.

Cargo ships; Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Scene of traffic accident for insurance claim #700648, Allstate Insurance Company. Recently paved and fenced rural highway showing bend in road and merging Y. Houses in background. Photograph taken on April 24, 1940.

Traffic accidents; Roads;

Scene of traffic accident for insurance claim #700648, Allstate Insurance Company. Highway where road Ys into another road. Houses in background. Sign reads : "The Rosebud Groceries & Notions." This scene was photographed on April 24, 1940.

Traffic accidents; Roads;

Views of American freighter "Wildwood" unloading at Commercial Dock. Matthewson Shipping Company. The vessel is unloading $4,500,000 worth of cargo originally consigned for Vladivostok, USSR. The vessel was turned around in the mid Pacific and returned to Tacoma, under the direct orders of F.R. Clark, president of the American Foreign Steamship Co. Clark feared that the vessel would run into the British blockade with her "hot" cargo and that it would be confiscated. This event marked the extension of the European War into the Pacific trade routes. (T. times 4/8/1940, pg. 1)

Cargo ships; Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Piers & whaves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial Dock (Tacoma);

Views of the American freighter "Wildwood" unloading their Russian bound cargo in Tacoma at Commercial Dock. Matthewson Shipping Company. Fear of an Allied blockade had caused the vessel to turn about in mid Pacific. They were shipping 7,000 tons of copper, brass and machinery owned by Amtorg, the Russian trading organization. Representatives of Amtorg were in Tacoma to take over the cargo. (T. Times 4/8/1940, pg.1)

Cargo ships; Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial Dock (Tacoma);

The American freighter Wildwood unloading cargo originally consigned for Russia. The Wildwood had turned back mid Pacific and returned to Tacoma to unload her cargo, fearing a British blockade and confiscation. The cargo consisted of 7,000 tons of copper, brass and machinery intended for the USSR. (T. Times 4/8/1940, pg. 1)

Cargo ships; Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The cargo ship Wildwood, owned by the American Steamship Co., unloads her controversial cargo at Commercial Dock on April 8, 1940. The ship had been bound for Russia, but turned back in mid Pacific, fearing a British blockade. Her $4,500,000 cargo was unloaded and left in Tacoma for Amtorg representatives to call for. (T. Times 4/8/1940, pg. 1)

Cargo ships; Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial Dock (Tacoma);

ca. 1940. Three people on small wooden vessel docked in marina. Names of individuals and location not provided for this circa 1940 photograph. (T. Times).

Boats--1940-1950;

James "Jim" Holroyd stands on the running board of an International Harvester truck owned by Holroyd Company, behind the door on the driver's side of the cab. The Holroyd Co. used durable International Harvester trucks to transport mixers, building materials, and concrete products. The trucks' large holding capacity would make delivery of ordered material economical and quick. Photograph ordered by International Harvester.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma); Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Holroyd, James;