Built in 1914 at a cost of $10,000, this theater at 11th & Broadway was originally named the Apollo. Eight years later, it reopened as the Blue Mouse, operated by theater chain founder John Hamrick. The Blue Mouse was a favorite of Tacoma movie buffs until its demolition in 1960 to make way for a new street escalator. "A Connecticut Yankee" was the first movie shown at the Blue Mouse starting on April 15, 1922. In this April, 1922, photograph, a small boy in an usher's uniform stands outside the theater entrance while another uniformed man is next to the movie placard. The Blue Mouse was the first theater in Tacoma to show "talkies," running "The Jazz Singer" in January, 1928. Its sister theater, the Blue Mouse Junior, opened in the Proctor District in 1923. G64.1-027; TPL-6355 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-2-22, E-5-article)

Blue Mouse Movie Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marquees--Tacoma;

A small child is photographed at a distance in August of 1922 while on the porch of the elegant Tacoma Hotel, 913 A Street. She can also been seen in Boland B6533 along with an older gentleman in the hotel gardens. Guests at the hotel were able to enjoy outdoor dining, weather permitting, on the extended porch of the Tacoma Hotel. This photograph was used in an advertisement promoting the Tacoma Hotel site as the site that should be selected for the new hotel built by the Citizens Hotel Corporation. The ad emphatically noted the beautiful view from the hotel site of the Mountain (Mount Tacoma) and of Commencement Bay. Even little children could appreciate the flowers, birds and sunshine abundantly available at this location. Although the Tacoma Hotel site was among the top two vote-getters, it was not ultimately chosen as the location of the new hotel. The Tacoma Hotel was destroyed by fire in October of 1935. (TDL 10-7-22, p. 5-ad)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Children--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Blurred image of little girl standing next to the ivy-covered walls of the Tacoma Hotel. She is believed to be the same child as in Boland B6534 and B6533. This is the back porch and lawn of the famous Tacoma Hotel, the city's showpiece for many years. Photograph has been damaged on the right.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Children--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tommy's Produce Stand, run by the Inouye family, was one of several businesses located in the Sanitary Public Market, 1108-14 Market St., in 1922. The Sanitary Public Market, designed by architects Heath & Gove, was constructed in 1917 for $20,000. There downtown residents could shop for fish, local produce, coffee, and baked goods. Tommy's Produce Stand had fresh corn, celery, cauliflower, home-grown tomatoes and melons on sale on this particular September day in 1922. TPL-1375; G39.1-138; BU-12209;

Tommy's Produce Stand (Tacoma); Sanitary Public Market (Tacoma); Japanese American families--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

Display of furnaces and fans. The National Blower & Sheet Metal Co. (then called National Blower Pipe Co.), established in 1890, was located in the industrial Tideflats at 1127-31 Saint Paul Ave. The firm manufactured blower and ventilation systems and also did business in general sheet metal. The display pictured above in September of 1922 included venlitating, exhaust and blower fans which were electrically driven and a Superior Furnace. G35.1-068

National Blower & Sheet Metal Co. (Tacoma); Machinery industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fans (Machinery); Furnaces--Tacoma;

S-T-U-D-E-B-A-K-E-R! Salesmen Tommy Burns, Tom Lea and Ben Johnson (l-r) are in fighting mode as they prepare to set Studebaker sales records for the month of March, 1923. The men were employed by the pioneer automobile dealership, B.H. Kennedy Company, located at 753 Broadway. Owned and operated by Burton "Bert" Kennedy, the firm had an up-to-date service department and competent Studebaker mechanics. The B.H. Kennedy Co. had sold $27,000 of Studebakers in February of 1923 and were confident of repeating their successful month. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-11-23, C-1)

B.H. Kennedy Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Burns, Tommy; Lea, Tom; Johnson, Ben;

Employees of the U.S. Bakery posed alongside their fleet of delivery trucks in April of 1923. The bakery had just signed a contract with Sutherland Co., Inc., to operate their trucks only on General Tires. They chose to limit tires only to the General brand despite the fact they had never used them before. Good reports by others on the tires prompted them to do so. The United States Bakery was located at So. I St. and Center St. from 1921 to 1930. Chris Manthou, with partners John Kokotos and John Efandis, operated the wholesale bakery. Manthou remained as president when the Tacoma Bread Company took over operations in 1931. The building was demolished during urban renewal, about 1967. G33.1-010; TPL-909 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-6-23, C-7)

United States Bakery (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tires;

Construction is well under way in June of 1923 at the Wilkeson Garage in downtown Tacoma's auto row. Built of concrete and measuring 120 feet by 131 feet, it was declared the "largest of its kind on the Pacific Coast." All units of the big service station were completed by November of 1923. Built by L.E.Wilkeson, the new structure was to reflect the "department store idea for the motor car." A parking lot on top with room for 100 cars was finished in April of 1924. G18.1-089; BU14,356 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-29-23, C-1-article)

Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Walker Cut Stone Co. operations. Walker Cut Stone had just completed building a new plant located at 2403 Center St. in 1923. Workers are shown plying their trade on July 16, 1923. Walker Cut Stone supplied the tons of Wilkeson sandstone used in the construction of Olympia's Temple of Justice and its stone would be used in the Bank of California building and the Walker Apartments. The hard surfaced stone was brought in from the Company's quarry near Wilkeson, cut to size with a stone saw, milled into a shape and hand carved into finished shape with ornamentation. Prior to Robert Walker, no one had been able to utilize the hard stone. He designed special tools for cutting the stone. TPL-9101; G33.1-113

Walker Cut Stone Co. (Tacoma); Building materials industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Walker Cut Stone Co. Employees of the Walker Cut Stone Co. stand outside their new plant located at 2403 Center St. on August 21, 1923, with samples of their stone work mounted on a Pierce-Arrow commercial truck. The durable sandstone was brought in from the company's quarry near Wilkeson and then cut and formed by workers in Tacoma. TPL-962; G75.1-184; G33.1-120

Walker Cut Stone Co. (Tacoma); Building materials industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pierce-Arrow trucks;

Walker Cut Stone Co. Parked outside the new Walker Cut Stone Co. plant on Center St. in August of 1923 is a Pierce-Arrow heavy duty commercial truck displaying two pieces of stone work. The man standing near the truck's hood is believed to be company owner, Robert Walker. The two other men in the photograph have not been identified. TPL-963; G75.1-185; G33.1-121

Walker Cut Stone Co. (Tacoma); Building materials industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pierce-Arrow trucks;

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association operations. The office staff of the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, 100 So. 9th St. in downtown Tacoma, is pictured on September 12, 1923, conducting daily operations. An unidentified woman is making an entry on a ledger while her co-worker, seated at a large adding machine, observes. The Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, with assets (then) of over 3 1/2 million, was located in the white marbled Bowes Building. It was established in 1899 and was one of the city's oldest financial institutions. G13.1-009

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

C.S. Barlow & Sons, Inc. exhibit at Puyallup Fair. The C.S. Barlow & Sons, Inc., company had an exhibition booth at the 1923 Western Washington Fair which included samples of household finishes, sheetrock, tools and promotional materials. Originally known as the Tacoma Trading Co., it was renamed C.S. Barlow & Sons in 1917. The building materials firm was located at 1715 Dock St. G33.1-109

C.S. Barlow & Sons, Inc. (Tacoma); Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Building materials;

Window display - H.D. Baker Co. The H.D. Baker Co. window is filled with materials promoting the new $100 price for the Victor adding and listing machine. Noting that this was the "biggest value $100 ever bought," a free trial and easy payments were promised. The Victor had a capacity of $1,000,000. The H.D. Baker Co., established in 1905, was located downtown on A Street. In addition to the Victor, the firm also sold typewriters. G56.2-171

H.D. Baker Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies; Window displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1924. The National Bank of Tacoma. Several men in overcoats gather around the exterior of the National Bank of Tacoma. The National Bank of Tacoma had its main branch at 1123 Pacific and two branches, one on "K" St. and one at 713 So. 38th St. (WSHS- negative A616-0)

National Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1924. Tacoma Biscuit and Candy Company. Boxes of Skookum, Graham, and Snowflake crackers. The company was located at the corner of East F and 25th. Charles Hotchkiss was the president and J.G. Bassett was the manager. (WSHS)

Tacoma Biscuit & Candy Co. (Tacoma); Crackers;

ca. 1924. Advertising for products from the Tacoma Biscuit & Candy Co. On the left is a bag of "Eat-Mor Mammy's Sugar Cookies" and on the right is a container of "Everybody's Cracker Meal." The Tacoma Biscuit & Candy Co. was located at the corner of East F and 25th. Charles Hotchkiss was president and J.G. Bassett was manager. (WSHS)

Tacoma Biscuit & Candy Co. (Tacoma); Baked products;

Circular tank located at Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. property in the Tideflats on February 14, 1924. Standard Oil Co. plant in the distance. Construction had begun in late 1923 of a new $250,000 plant on 4 1/2 acres on South River Road. The above tank is a 250,000 cubic feet gas tank. The old Tacoma Gas & Fuel plant was to be abandoned next summer upon the connection of mains to the new plant. G35.1-046; TPL-258 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-7-23, 8-E-article; TNT 1-24-24, p. 6-article)

Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel tanks; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

By March 1st, 1924, Tacoma's old Chamber of Commerce Building at 773 Broadway had been demolished and work had begun on the foundation of the future Hotel Winthrop. The eleven story hotel, built by the Citizen's Hotel Corporation, was dedicated in May of 1925. With the chamber building gone, and the new hotel not yet built, this photograph provides an excellent view of the Bostwick Block, 755-71 Saint Helens, as it looked in March of 1924. At that time it was undergoing extensive remodeling; in July the exterior was covered with Duralite.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Exterior view of the Water Power Furniture Manufacturing Co., located on Steilacoom Lake, as pictured in March of 1924. The plant was situated on what is approximately 8700 Edgewater Dr. S.W., Lakewood. The firm was listed in the 1917-22 City Directories but not in the following 1923 or 1924 years. Edward C. Hill, president of the manufacturing company, had apparently moved on to the South Tacoma Mill Co. as its secretary/treasurer, per the 1923 City Directory. TPL-2700; G35.1-004

Water Power Furniture Co. (Lakewood); Furniture industry--Lakewood;

Water Power Furniture Manufacturing Co. Situated on the banks of Steilacoom Lake was the Water Power Furniture Manufacturing Co. facility per this March, 1924, photograph. Its approximate address was 8700 Edgewater Dr. S.W., Lakewood. G35.1-012

Water Power Furniture Co. (Lakewood); Furniture industry--Lakewood; Lake Steilacoom (Wash.);

Raising the sunken ship "Rubaiyat." Hart Construction Co. rig used in the raising of the sunken steamer "Rubaiyat" which went down with the loss of four hands on September 29, 1923. The ship, which sank within 30 seconds of capsizing in Commencement Bay, lay in 35 fathoms of water, or more than 200 feet, and was thought initially not able to be salvaged. The "Rubaiyat" was valued at $20,000. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-30-23, p. 1-article) G49.1-017

Hart Construction Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

Acme Transfer & Storage Co. advertised in the 1924 City Directory that "We Move Anything Any Time Any Place." Pianos and furniture deliveries were their specialty. Items were stored in a steam heated warehouse to prevent rust and mold. The company was located at 901 Tacoma Avenue South. This view of one of their delivery trucks was taken on March 23, 1924, in front of the Lucerne Building. G66.2-112

Acme Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Acme Transfer & Storage delivery truck as viewed on March 29, 1924. The moving company was located at 901 Tacoma Avenue South with telephone number Main 722. Its delivery trucks were decorated with advertising that stated plainly the types of jobs accepted and their competitive rates. Acme Transfer & Storage was operated by Fred Sheldon. Photograph ordered by Heilig Advertising. G66.2-111

Acme Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On April 4, 1924, the Bell System Telephone company celebrated the 40th anniversary of telephone service in Tacoma by holding a luncheon for the surviving original subscribers to Tacoma's first telephone exchange. Five female employees, dressed in the manner of 1884, welcomed the guests. They are, left to right, Icle McDowell, Lucille Croxall, Eva Mollett, Mrs. Signe Hultgrew and Mrs. Mildred Sinclair. Their guests are, left to right, A.E. Dean, R.F. Radebaugh, I.W. Anderson, Major C.O.Bates, E.W. Melse, Judge John Arthur, Arthur Patrick, John Schlarb, W.P. Bonney, W.G. Rowland, Walter J. Ball, J.M. Ashton, W.J. Thompson, Henry Drum and Stuart Rice. The first telephone company office was located in Rebard's Cigar Store, and the owner acted as "central", dropping his work at the cigar counter to work the switchboard. The group is standing outside the Bell Telephone building at 1101 Fawcett Ave. Built in 1901 by J.E. Bonnell, it was added to the National and Tacoma historic registries in 1985. Boland B9815, BU-13,178

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Telephone companies--Tacoma;

This aerial view of Tacoma is what the photographer Marvin Boland saw from the top of the 11th Street (Murray Morgan) Bridge in May of 1924. The elegant Tacoma Hotel at 913 A Street is positioned right-center. A covered walkway winds its way down the bluff that separates the Tacoma Hotel from the waterfront. To the left side is the Hotel Lawrence at 1011 1/2 A Street and the Washington Hardware Company warehouse. The Tacoma Municipal Dock is in the foreground. BU-11,931

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotel Lawrence (Tacoma); Warehouses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Municipal Dock (Tacoma); Aerial views; Aerial photographs;

First aid teams from various Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. departments are pictured on May 19, 1924, at the Odd Fellows Hall. Maintenance from Aberdeen, outside repairmen, cable splicers, construction, installers and central office repairmen were represented. G64.1-005

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Construction of the Winthrop Hotel. This photograph has been labeled "seat of col. #27." By May of 1924, the hotel's foundation had been poured and other exterior work begun. The hotel would be dedicated in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This column has been labeled #38 to be used in the construction of the Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma's new showcase. Built on the site of the old Chamber of Commerce Building, the eleven story hotel had been funded by 2300 citizens, making it truly the "citizen's hotel." It would open in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On June 13, 1924, five usherettes, all with the latest in bobbed hair, posed in their new summer uniforms, blousy top and slacks in combinations of black and orange, in front of the Colonial Theater, 916-18 Broadway. The women were identified by the News Tribune as, left to right, Evelyn Durrin (head usher,) Mary Marko, Isobelle Pallis (assistant head usher,) Mildred Barnes and one unidentified usherette. The marquee advertised "The Last Hour" with Milton Sills, Carmel Myers, Walter Long and Pat O'Malley, which opened June 14, 1924 and ran at the Colonial for one week. "The Last Hour" was issued in 1923 by Mastadon Films. The Colonial Theater was designed by Roland Borhek and built in 1914. In the thirties, it became the Beverly Theater and in the 40's the Telenews Theater. It has since been demolished. Boland B10313, BU 11,145 (TNT 6/19/24, pg. 8)

Colonial Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ushers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motion picture industry--1920-1930;