Warmed by a roaring fire in the fireplace, several children enjoy a good book in the children's reading room at the original Carnegie building of the Tacoma Public Library. During Childrens' Book Week, November 15-20th 1920, the room would be the center of the final oral contest of the campaign to introduce youngsters to the classics. 20,000 children in Pierce County would be participating in the written and oral competition based on "My Favorite Library Book." The prizes were beautifully bound copies of children's classics. The goal was to introduce great literature into the home, replacing the mass produced "dime novels." The Carnegie building was built in 1903 with funds donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. It was designed by the New York architectural firm of Jardine, Kent and Jardine. BU-11,819, G39.1-076, TPL-3846 (TDL 10/31/1920, pg. E-9)

Public libraries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Reading--Tacoma--1920-1930; Books; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

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

Motion picture theaters--Camp Lewis; Crowds--Camp Lewis; Soldiers--Camp Lewis; Military life--Camp Lewis;

Here is the "Cinderella Coach" as it looked on July 28, 1920 when it rolled with its load of costumed kiddies through the streets of Tacoma's business district to a story telling festival in Wright Park. The children were dressed in Fairytale costumes, including a small bride and groom. Standing on the roof of the coach dressed as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother is Sarah Elizabeth Boland, daughter of photographer Marvin D. Boland. The festival in Wright Park, planned by the Tacoma Public Library and Community Service, featured 20 of the city's best story tellers and would attract 5000 eager listeners. According to a charming story in the July 25, 1920 Tacoma Sunday Ledger, Eleanor Hoyt, the small daughter of Mrs. Elwell H. Hoyt, first saw the potential in the dilapidated Tacoma Hotel coach and envisioned it as "Cinderella's Coach." Her mother, a member of the committee planning the storytelling, put forth a plan to carry children, including Eleanor, down Broadway and over to Wright Park. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-28-1920, pg. 6- picture; 7-25-20, B-5) G66.1-117; TPL-9310

Carriages & coaches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boland, Sarah Elizabeth;

Construction on the new John Dower Lumber Company headquarters building at 733 East 11th Street began in late November, 1921. The company held an open house for the general public on March 11, 1922. The building, designed by Bullard & Mason, was one of the most unique lumber offices in the country. The finish on the exterior was designed to resemble a log house; the interior was finished in selected native woods, stained and varnished to bring out their natural colors. In 1922 the John Dower Lumber Company was one of the largest retail lumber companies in the United States. The St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company purchased the Dower yard and headquarters building in 1942. BU-11057

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; John Dower Lumber Company (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Seamen's Church Institute, in its various existences, has served thousands of sailors with both spiritual and material needs. This photograph, believed to have been taken in February of 1922, shows some of the visiting sailors enjoying some recreational downtime with a bit of piano music. The same men can be seen in Boland B5339. The clergyman in the rear is believed to be Rev. Harry Ferneyhough who had been the guiding force at the Institute for sixteen years. He was born in England and was a former sailor himself. Rev. Ferneyhough went daily to the harbor to greet ships and distribute handbills inviting sailors to visit the Institute. There would be no charge for food or any hospitality offered. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-12-22, 10-E; TDL 3-14-22, p. 5-article)

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pianos;

Taken for court evidence, an extended April, 1937, view of the Sixth Avenue wood ferry dock. Building at left center rented out rowboats. Several cars are parked on or near the ferry slip. The ferry landing had been closed for about 15 days while repairs were being made and automobile traffic re-routed via Point Defiance. Later in April a death damage suit against Pierce County, the Washington Navigation Co. and Skansie Ferry was resolved with an award of $7,711.22 to the dead driver's father. The driver had drowned when his car plunged off the Sixth Avenue ferry slip in August of 1936. TPL-8183; G66.1-108 (T. Times 3-20-37, p. 5-article; T. Times 4-12-37, p. 7-article; T. Times 4-22-37, p. 1-article; T. Times 4-23-37, p. 1-article)

Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma;

The area near the Sixth Ave. ferry landing was photographed on April 9, 1937, for court evidence. This view, one of a series taken the same day, shows a directional signpost on the right, railroad crossing beyond, ferry slip, and two businesses on the left: the Bay View Cabaret and closer to the water, a rowboat rental/eatery. Repairs were nearly completed at the landing and regular schedules resumed by April 12th. Photographs taken may have been due to the damage suit brought against the county, Washington Navigation Co., and Skansie Ferry by the father of a deceased driver whose car had plunged into the Sound off the ferry slip in August of 1936. G48.1-033 (T.Times 3-20-37, p. 5-article; T.Times 4-12-37, p. 7-article; T.Times 4-22-37, p. 1-article; T.Times 4-23-37, p. 1-article)

Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Railroad crossings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Bay View Cabaret (Tacoma);

This is the Grand Coulee Dam, still under construction in June of 1937. Begun in 1933, it would not be completed until 1942. The $63,000,000 funding for the dam was appropriated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and work commenced under the Public Works Administration. Thousands were employed in the construction of the dam, making a positive impact on the struggling economy. According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the dam is the largest hydropower producer in the United States with total generating capacity of 6,809 megawatts. It is the key to the development of power on the Columbia River and as part of the Columbia Basin Project, irrigates more than 600,000 acres. The Grand Coulee Dam forms Lake Roosevelt which extends 151 miles north to the Canadian border. G74.1-021 (depts.washington.edu/depress/grand_coulee.shtml; www/usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee/)

Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.); Dams--Grand Coulee; Dam construction;

Interior view of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington plant which was taken in June of 1937. The chemical firm was established on 40 acres located in the industrial Tideflats area. It produced chlorine and other chemicals to serve the pulp and paper industry. This view of one section of the plant shows ladders, ductwork, gauges and steel/concrete beams.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;

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

Pioneer Blacksmith Shop (Tacoma); Blacksmiths--Tacoma;

Construction workers take a moment to pose for a photograph at the site of the Tacoma Speedway in February of 1921. G34.1-012

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Construction workers--Lakewood;

Visiting sailors at the Seamen's Institute are shown relaxing in a small room in February of 1922 . There are many books on shelves and newspapers and magazines are piled up on a long table. Two young seamen are playing checkers while others smoke and read. Rev. Harry Ferneyhough, a former sailor, is pictured overseeing the activities. Rev. Ferneyhough had offered a friendly hand to mariners in Tacoma for sixteen years. By 1922, the Seamen's Institute had moved from the old St. Luke's parish house to rent-free quarters at the Tacoma Municipal Dock. Here the hungry were fed, the penniless helped, the dying buried, and guidance provided, all without charge. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-12-22, 10-E-article on the Institute; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, Community Chest special pictorial supplement, 3-19-22 )

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Newspapers--Tacoma; Books; Smoking--Tacoma; Clergy--Tacoma; Ferneyhough, Harry;

Two St. Regis employees, wearing white uniforms, are pictured at the Tacoma Kraft pulp plant on February 5, 1937. Steam is rising from some of the large unidentified machinery. St. Regis had undergone a $1,000,000 remodeling project to expand into the bleached pulp field. St. Regis was one of two pulp mills (Shaffer Pulp was the other) who manufactured high grade bleached and unbleached craft pulp for domestic and export markets. The plant was able to produce 150 tons of pulp daily. TPL-6804; G37.1-023 (T.Times 1-27-37, p.1, 5-articles on St. Regis)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;

This photograph of the Sixth Avenue ferry landing was taken on April 9, 1937, for court evidence. A railroad crossing runs before the "6th Ave. Boat House" and an unidentified restaurant. See Boland B26248 for another view of ferry slip. The ferry landing had been closed for about 15 days from March 20, 1937, while repairs (details not provided) were being made. Only foot passengers were allowed for that time and automobile traffic re-routed via Point Defiance. Later in April, a judgment was rendered against Pierce County, Washington Navigation Co., and Skansie Ferry in the amount of $7,711.22 for the death of a driver whose car plunged off the ferry slip in August of the previous year. TPL-1736; G66.1-110 (T. Times 3-20-37, p. 5-article; T. Times 4-12-37, p. 7-article; T. Times 4-22-37, p. 1-article; T. Times 4-23-37, p. 1-article)

Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Railroad crossings--Tacoma--1930-1940; 6th Ave. Boat House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The large Stewart clan gathered for a outdoor group portrait on the last day of July in 1937. Family members ranged from babies to the elderly. Nearly 90 of the Stewart clan were present. G2.1-029

Families--1930-1940;

Nine little "sailors" and one "Gallant Lady" are at hand on November 7, 1937. The "Gallant Lady" was a Sea Scouts vessel. The little children, dressed in sailor suits, are listening to a man who is explaining charts to them. According to photographer Boland's notes, these children were dancers. G23.1-115

Boats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This is Truck Co. No. 2 with their 1913 Seagrave 75-foot aerial in front of Engine House No. 2. The driver was Harry Ketler and tillerman Jim Turner. Others were not identified. The hose tower is in view. Note the planked roadway that is Tacoma Avenue South. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is next door to the fire station. (Talbot & Decker: 100 Years of Firefighting, Tacoma, Washington, p. 53)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1910-1920; St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, Engine #10254. On an official test trip in March of 1920, a brand new Bi-polar engine pauses for some publicity shots. The class EP2 engine was manufactured by Alco-GE. The bi-polars were unique in design because the bi-polar fields for each motor were carried on the truck frame. The huge 265 ton, 3,240 hp bi-polars were designed specifically for passenger service in the Cascades and were an immediate success when put into service in 1920. Their top speed was rated at 70 mph and they could pull 1, 120 tons (14 cars) up a 2% grade at 25 mph. The electric locomotives were also unique in appearance, riding low on 44" drivers, and in sound, their trademark a distinctive high pitched shrill from their air whistles. (Charles and Dorothy Wood "Milwaukee Road West") G44.1-079, TPL-2379

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

Exhibit of Tacoma manufacturers. A small display of photographs, featuring Anne V. McRae as the "Petticoat Girl," discretely advertises the fitted petticoats manufactured by McRae's Petticoat Manufacturing Co. in 1920. The design was so revolutionary that it was patented. Since modesty prevailed, only sheets of sateens and silks were draped across the exhibit to indicate the fineness of materials used to manufacture superior quality merchandise. McRae's was located at 732-34 Market St., next to the Y.M.C.A. It was owned by Mrs. Estella M. McRae, believed to be pictured above in December, 1920. Her daughter Anne served as secretary in addition to modeling. McRae's Petticoats may have been selected to participate in the Tacoma Commercial Club's trade excursion to the Orient in January, 1921. The steamer Wenatchee was to carry businessmen and their wives to the ports of Yokohama, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Manila in order to boost export of local products. G33.1-179 (TDL 10/10/1920 pg. B-6- article only)

Exhibit booths--Tacoma; McRae's Petticoat Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

In August of 1922, an older woman was photographed sitting on her porch of a one-story wood frame home possibly in rural Pierce County. The yard is fenced with an arched gateway. The roadway in front of the house is not paved.

Houses--1920-1930;

Timber on St. Regis land as photographed in August of 1936. Some trees have already been felled. G75.1-097

St. Regis Paper Co.; Trees; Lumber industry--1930-1940;

1936 daily operations at St. Regis. A series of photographs were taken in two days of a St. Regis facility by the Boland studios in December of 1936. It is believed that the plant was the Tacoma location at 801 Portland Ave. Many internal shots were taken including the above which appears to be a large steel covered vat. The St. Regis Kraft Co. plant had undergone a months-long remodeling which included new machinery and fixtures. All of this was to transform the outdated facility into a modern plant so that it could produce 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article) G37.1-031

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1936 daily operations at St. Regis. Interior view of a St. Regis Paper Co. facility, believed to be the Tacoma plant located at 801 Portland Ave. in 1936. Steel beams and steel or concrete chutes in sight. St. Regis employed 845 men to remodel its Tacoma location in order to transform it into a modern plant for the production of 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. New machinery was purchased to handle 25,000 short logs per hour and electric saws and machines to bark logs were also included. Tacoma's prime location near rail, water and (later) highway access made it a valuable asset for manufacturers in the industrial Tideflats. (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1936 Daily operations at St. Regis. A St. Regis employee is shown on December 21, 1936, loading stacks of the company's pulp via forklift. Another tall stack of pulp is already on a raised pallet. This may be the St. Regis Tacoma facility located at 801 Portland Ave. which had recently undergone a $1,000,000 modernization. TPL-6803; G37.1-055

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Hoisting machinery; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1936 daily operations at St. Regis. Three employees of St. Regis Paper Co. stand behind a large cut log whose bark may have already been stripped. Although the particular St. Regis plant was not identified, this may have been the Tacoma plant located at 801 Portland Ave. The plant had purchased new machinery including machines to bark logs before going to regular pulp chippers and was undergoing transformation into a modern plant. By late November of 1936, the newly modernized Tacoma plant had commenced operations with a crew of 250. Eventually the plant would operate on a 24-hour day with four staggered shifts of eight hours. The modernization allowed for production of 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. TPL-2453; G36.1-023 (T.Times 10-14-36, pl 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Logs; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1936 daily operations at St. Regis. Interior view of newly expanded and modernized St. Regis mill, presumed to be in Tacoma, as seen on December 21-22, 1936. The company was proceeding into the bleached pulp business and had to extensively update their facility at 801 Portland Ave. in the Tideflats. St. Regis had previously manufactured unbleached pulp but the demand for the bleached product was rising, necessitating modernization. It would take another 60 days or so for the bleaching unit to be ready so the company would continue to produce unbleached pulp. G37.1-063 (T. Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;

A St. Regis employee maneuvers a lift to hoist stacks of pulp at the big pulp plant in late December of 1936. The St. Regis Kraft Co. had resumed operations with a crew of 250 after months of modernization and expansion. Unbleached pulp would be produced until the new bleaching unit was ready in 1937. G37.1-056 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T.Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hoisting machinery;