ca. 1939. Even on a foggy day in 1939, Paul Satko's Ark draws curious onlookers as they stare at the 40 foot, 8 feet wide home-built vessel. National attention has been drawn to the family of nine who had hauled the boat's frame all the way from Virginia to Tacoma in a $10 truck with the firm intentions of voyaging to Cook Inlet, Alaska. The Ark's unorthodox design also drew much comment, often caustic, amidst doubts that the vessel would even float when launched. Powered by the engine of the $10 truck, the Ark was successfully launched in November, 1939. Mr. Satko, wife, and crew of seven children would be feted with a celebration in April, 1940, at the Point Defiance Dock where 15,000 Tacomans would wish them "Bon Voyage." TPL-5670.
ca. 1939. Artistically modified aerial view of West Tacoma and the Tacoma Narrows. The bridge and the ship under it in the photo were painted in. The bridge was not yet complete in 1939. It would open for traffic on July 1, 1940 and go down in dramatic fashion on November 7, 1940.
Employees of the Pacific Match Company, Tacoma, Washington, pose for an outdoors group company photograph for Tacoma's Golden Jubilee celebration. Tacoma held a massive celebration in July of 1939 of Washington's fifty years of statehood with a grand parade, water carnival, air show and pageant. Everyone got into the spirit of the jubilee by wearing hats and bonnets as proudly worn by Pacific Match's employees shown above. (Ron Neslund Collection)
Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma)--People; Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma;
Norwegian Crown Prince Olav (later Olav V) and his wife, Princess Martha, are pictured on the stairs of "The Gray Church," in May of 1939. The brick and stone building was more formally known as Trinity Lutheran Church, just off the campus of Pacific Lutheran College. A special chapel assembly was held in which PLC's Choir of the West performed. The heir to the throne of Norway also visited Fort Lewis and Mount Rainier and was present at several fetes in his honor.
Olav V, 1903-1991; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940; Martha, Crown Princess of Norway; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland);
Crown Princess Martha of Norway on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College in May of 1939. She and her husband, the future Olav V, made a brief visit to the Tacoma area to the delight of the large Scandinavian population. Her escort in the above photograph was not identified. The Tacoma Times noted that public school children lined the streets of Parkland with flowers in their hands and sang the first stanza of the Norwegian national anthem. (T.Times, 5-24-39, p. 1, 24-article)
Martha, Crown Princess of Norway; Foreign visitors--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940;
ca. 1938. Ben's Economy Groceteria and Mosier's Meat, 764 So. 56th St., Tacoma. The store was built around 1937. In 1951, it became Fagerholm's Associated Grocers (AG) Market.
ca. 1938. Dickman Lumber, 2423 Ruston Way. This aerial view, taken circa 1938, shows vast stacks of lumber ready to be loaded onto ships. Dickman Lumber was located just south of the present Old Town dock. It was purchased in 1922 by Leonard Howarth and Ralph L. Dickman, Sr. Dickman Lumber was closed in September of 1977 and its mill destroyed by fire in January of 1979.
ca. 1938. 1938 Daffodil Festival Queen. 17-year-old Bliss Lundrigan of Puyallup was chosen the 1938 Daffodil Festival Queen. She was accompanied by princesses Bernice Daniel of Tacoma and Agnes Kucemba of Sumner. Miss Lundrigan is shown seated in a chair hidden by a mass of daffodils. A robe of royal purple is fastened at the collar; 1938 was the first year that Royalty wore official robes. A crown of daffodils adorns her dark hair.
Lundrigan, Bliss; Beauty contestants--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Puyallup);
ca. 1938. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1938; Christmas display of handbags and silk stockings. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at 950 Broadway in 1903. By the time that this photograph was taken, around 1938, the clutter of the earlier years had been replaced by spacious aisles and attractive displays. The store was well known for its festive seasonal decorations. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1938. Dutch Colonial home, circa 1938, identified in records as 121 No. I St. Photograph ordered by A.E. Grafton. (There is no record in the 1938 or 1939 City Directory of a home at this address)
Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes was honeymooning with wife Jane in August of 1938 when he was shown the site of the proposed Narrows Bridge. Congressman John M. Coffee is believed to be pointing out the vast waters to be spanned. Harold Ickes served as Secretary of the Interior for 13 years, from 1933-46, and was responsible for implementing much of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal." (TNT 8-27-38, p. 1-article; en.wikipedia.org-article)
Ickes, Harold L.; Cabinet officers--United States; Ickes, Harold L.--Family; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coffee, John;
Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior under presidents Roosevelt and Truman, listens as others discuss matters possibly pertaining to the proposed Narrows Bridge. The group is standing in front of one of the Tacoma Public Utility's electrical towers on August 26, 1938. Secretary Ickes (in dark suit and striped tie with both hands in pockets) is flanked by Thad Stevenson, secretary/manager of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and (right) Congressman John M. Coffee. Next to Congressman Coffee are Lacey V. Murrow, state director of highways and Harold Allen, past president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. The men standing in the rear are unidentified (left) and M.J. McCaslin of the Young Men's Business Club. (TNT 8-27-38, p. 1-article)
Ickes, Harold L.; Cabinet officers--United States; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Towers; Coffee, John; Stevenson, Thad; Murrow, Lacey V.; Allen, Harold A.; McCaslin, M.J.;
The #66 streetcar, full of passengers, was hitched up to two "nags" and driven up Pacific Avenue on June 9, 1938 at noon to plug the huge "Last Ride" celebration planned for June 11th. Tacoma's last streetcar had been taken out of service in April of 1938; the cars replaced with city buses. The June celebration, hosted by the Young Men's Business Club, marked the passing of Tacoma's street cars. Twenty five cars were auctioned off by the Tacoma Railway & Power Co. to civic organizations to decorate for the big street car parade. The parade was followed by a Gay 90's dance at the Hotel Winthrop. The last car to leave the rails at midnight, #66, was burned at a public bonfire at the Bay Street yards. During the parade and as a promotion, #66 was rigged as a horse car and driven by Tacoma Mayor John Siegle. TPL-5833 (T. Times 6/1/1938, pg. 5-article; 6/8/38, pg. 2-article)
Mass transit--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cable railroads--Tacoma; Street railroads--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horses--Tacoma--1930-1940;
William L. (Bill) Case showing off his long skis while enjoying some Spring skiing at Cayuse Pass in May of 1938. Cayuse Pass is at the 4,675 foot level on Mount Rainier, at the junction of the Mather Memorial Highway and the road to Ohanapecosh Hot Springs. It was once used in winter months as a ski area. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection)
Case, William L.; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940 ; Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Winter sports--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940;
Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. On April 24, 1938, the first water carnival was held as a farewell ceremony for the Tacoma- built fishing vessel "Western Explorer" (pictured center.) The event was planned by the Y.M.B.C. to promote Tacoma's shipbuilding industry, but it was so immensely popular that it became an annual event. View of the "Western Explorer" in front of the Point Defiance Pavilion. Crowds of people lined the railings of the Pavilion. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p. 1).
Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Point Defiance Boat House (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1930-1940;
ca. 1937. In 1937, Charles H. Manley (left) and Benjamin J. Weeks posed in front of Manley's Cigar Store at the corner of 9th & Pacific with Mr. Manley's famous wooden cigar store "Indian," "Chief Skookum." Mr. Manley operated his cigar store downtown for over 50 years. His friend, Benjamin Weeks, was a native of Exeter, New Hampshire. He had come to Tacoma in 1901 to become the manager of the Tacoma street car line, a position he held before becoming involved in the insurance business. Mr. Weeks was said to be the oldest stamp collector in the country and had sold many collections in his time. He had collected stamps for over 70 years. Mr. Weeks passed away in November of 1942 at age 86 while Mr. Manley died in 1947 at age 90. (TNT 11-12-42, p. 23-Mr. Weeks' obituary)
Manley, Charles H.; Weeks, Benjamin J.; Charles H. Manley Tobacconist/Cigar Store (Tacoma); Cigar store Indians--Tacoma;
Main floor at Rhodes Brothers Store, Christmas season 1937. Christmas display of bags, gifts and jewelry. This photograph was taken by noted photographer J.R. Eyerman from the front of the store, looking toward the rear, and before the escalator was installed. Neon signs around the room, above the fine wood cabinets, denote the goods available- cosmetics, jewelry, toilet sets, hankies, novelties, finer bags and gift bags, to name a few. High arching decorations reach over the clear aisles. A large sign on the back wall gives "Gift Ideas" available by floor. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
Main floor at Rhodes Brothers Store, Christmas season 1937. The main floor at Rhodes was festive with holiday decorations and crowded with boxed holiday gifts. Signs point out suggested gifts- stationery, hose, wool gloves, gowns and games- all boxed and ready to give. A counter in the back was devoted to wrapping and gift slips. A large sign directs children, and their parents, to the special elevator "direct to Toyland" on the fifth floor. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
Photograph labeled "Day Island - Swim." View of people at swimming hole on Day Island. Titlow train station is at left in photograph. View is across railroad tracks looking east toward Titlow.
Day Island--Washington--1930-1940; Railroad stations--Titlow;
ca. 1936. An unidentified grocer sets up a Roman Meal pie crust display circa 1936. The pie crust, called "Speed-I-Mix," was made by Tacoma's Roman Meal Co. Cases of the product are located next to loaves of Kream Krust wheat bread and shelves of assorted jams and condiments. The Roman Meal Co. had been founded by Dr. Robert Jackson who developed a healthy cereal using whole grain wheat, rye, bran and flaxseed based on the dietary habits of Roman legionnaires. Dr. Jackson sold his company to baker William Matthaei in 1927; Mr. Matthaei then went on to develop a new bread called Roman Meal and assorted other products. (History of Pierce County, Washington, Vol. 3, p. 347-article on company)
Grocery stores--1930-1940; Roman Meal Co. (Tacoma); Baked products;
ca. 1936. Rhodes Brothers Department Store Annex, circa 1936. In 1920, the Rhodes Brothers, in need of more floor space, purchased the Judson Block at 947-49 Broadway. They connected it, by means of a skybridge across the alley, to the main store at 950 Broadway and named it the Annex. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store Annex (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
Sepia photograph released from Pierce County Sheriff's office of Ross death case, July 7, 1936. Man's hat resting on jacket, paper sack nearby. The body of George W. Ross, 35, bookkeeper and a native of England, was found near Steilacoom late Tuesday afternoon, July 7, 1936. Notes to his parents and a former roommate were found in his coat which was piled neatly 100 feet from his body. Sheriff's investigators believe that Mr. Ross committed suicide with a .38 special Colt automatic. Mr. Ross had resided at 615 So. 7th St. (T.Times 7-8-36, p. 1)
Forensic photographs; Men--Clothing & dress; Ross, George W.--Associated objects;
Sepia forensic photograph from the Sheriff's Department of gun used by George W. Ross near Steilacoom on July 7, 1936. The new Army .38 special Colt automatic was found in the grass less than forty feet from the body of George W. Ross, 35, bookkeeper from Tacoma. Investigators believe that Mr. Ross could have shot himself above the temple and crawled several feet away from the gun before expiring. He may have carried the gun wrapped as an ordinary package as green and white wrapping paper and a small box were found at the scene close to the gun. Mr. Ross had purchased the gun less than a month before. (T.Times 7-8-36, p. 1)
Forensic photographs; Handguns; Firearms; Boxes; Ross, George W.--Associated objects;
Contract bridge expert Ely Culbertson visited the Tacoma Bridge Club on May 1, 1936, at the Winthrop Hotel. Mr. Culbertson is standing directly in front of the hanging framed picture. He was nearly 45 at the time and had been a key figure in the international popularization of contract bridge in the 1920s and 1930s. Photographer Chapin Bowen was present during this visit; he is standing far left. TPL-6687
Culbertson, Ely; Tacoma Bridge Club (Tacoma); Bowen, Chapin; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Guests--Tacoma--1930-1940;
ca. 1935. School boy patrol at Central School, circa 1935. In a Tacoma school safety program initiated in 1929, responsible students were selected to assist their fellow students in safely crossing busy streets. The chest crossing belt and the hand held stop sign designated a student as a patrol member and were considered badges of honor. (Photograph courtesy of the collection of William T. Case)
School safety patrols--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Central School (Tacoma); Case, William L.;
ca. 1935. William T. Case hard at work at his desk at the Foss Launch & Tug Co.'s floating office at 400 Dock St. In November of 1932, the original Foss offices at this location caught fire. Mr. Case discovered the fire and helped escort out the 20 people asleep on the premises, saving their lives. The Foss family scouted about for a viable substitute for their destroyed building. They found the first seaplane hangar in the Northwest on sale in Seattle. The huge building floated on a scow and was used by Eddie Hubbard, pioneer aviator, to house his hydroplane on Lake Union. It was purchased, towed to Tacoma and remodeled. The main deck contained the repair shop for tugs and the store for needed provisions. The second deck contained offices, bunk rooms, an apartment for Mr. Case and his family, a recreation room and company accountant Oscar Iverson's rooms. Heavy winds could cause the building to rock and more than once big freighters in the waterway came a little too close. (TNT 10/9/1935)
ca. 1935. The Justine Foss tugboat. The Justine Foss, named for the youngest daughter of Wedell and Edith Foss, was built in 1930 by the Foss Launch & Tug Co. She was 57 feet in length with a 16 foot beam and an Atlas 200 HP engine. She had an amazing 11 year career with Foss, during which she helped build Oregon's scenic Coast Highway 101, served in California and Alaska and supported the US WWII war effort in the central Pacific. The Justine and Drew Foss, the son of Henry, were working on Wake Island when the Island was captured by the Japanese. Drew Foss was sent to a Japanese prisoner of war camp. The Justine and its crew were forced work on the island for the Japanese until no longer needed. In 1941, the Justine was intentionally sunk in the lagoon and the crew executed. Drew Foss survived the camp to return home. TPL-8670 ( "Foss, Ninety Years of Towboating" Skalley)
