At around 9 a.m. on Saturday February 23, 1924, an explosion in the Stone-Fisher Co. machine shop or garage at 1115-17 Market Street sparked one of the largest fires that Tacoma had seen in years. Traffic was blocked and electric power was shut off as all of Tacoma's fire companies were called to battle the 3 alarm blaze. The five story brick building was occupied by the Greystone Hotel and a garage, machine shop and warehouse used by owner Stone-Fisher Co. The building was gutted, sustaining over $150,000 in damage and leaving the 60 guests at the hotel homeless. (TNT 2/23/1924, pg. 1) TPL-5510, BU-12618;

Greystone Hotel (Tacoma); Stone-Fisher Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

In March of 1924, two young ladies at Stadium High School were breaking down the vocational barriers. Mary Fern Winfree (17), left, and Blanche Barnhart (18) were learning their way around a tool shop after enrolling in woodworking class. The educational pioneers had been warned that they would be expected to participate in shop clean up, help with heavy lifting and endure possibly condescending treatment by their male classmates. After one month in class, instructor E.A. Engebretsen had high praise for them; describing them as apt, independent and saying that they did not ask for favors. Outside of their one trade class, both girls were favoring a classical education, including English, French and music. (TNT 3/12/1924, pg. 11) TPL-5787; G47.1-030

Winfree, Mary Fern; Barnhart, Blanche; Woodworking; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On March 12, 1924, Maj. General Edwin Burr Babbitt and his new bride, the former Miss Maud Ainsworth of Portland, returned from their two week honeymoon in Southern California to their newly remodeled home at Camp Lewis. Gen. Babbitt was Camp Commander and during his absence for his wedding and honeymoon, his grim and neglected bachelor quarters had been transformed into this neat, if unpretentious, home. The crowning glory was the bulb garden in front, planned by Gen. Babbitt for his new bride. (TNT 3/13/1924, pg. 11) G69.1-160 TPL-10313

Camp Lewis (Wash.); Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930; Babbitt, Edwin Burr--Homes & haunts;

Foss Launch crew involved in the raising of the sunken 80-ton steamer, "Rubaiyat," which had foundered on September 29, 1923. The 65-foot vessel had left Municipal Dock at 6 p.m. on her way to Seattle. She was heavily loaded with hundreds of cases of canned goods and capsized in Commencement Bay. Four persons died including one woman. The "Rubaiyat" sank within 30 seconds of capsizing and lay in 35 fathoms of water. Foss Launch immediately came to the rescue, putting five boats in the water, and reached the area at the same time as the lifeboat launched by the steamer "Fulton." Previous attempts in 1923 to raise the "Rubaiyat" had failed and the vessel was thought unsalvagable. The men pictured above on March 12, 1924, were successful in raising the ship from Commencement Bay's bottom: (L-R) Walter McCray, diver; H.F. (Fred) Berg of Foss Launch & Tug; Otto Kraus; William McDaniels; George Westerman, engineer; and O.F. Currey. McCray and Berg had obtained title to the hull since the sinking. G50.1-138 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-30-23, p. 1-article); TDL 3-13-24, p. 10)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma)--employees; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; McCray, Walter; Berg, H.F.; Kraus, Otto; McDaniels, William; Westerman, George; Currey, O.F.;

Knights of the Log. Organized at the College of Puget Sound in the fall of 1923, the group resembled the national honorary fraternity, the Intercollegiate Knights. They worked to promote good fellowship and school pride by boosting student activities and leading pep rallies. The Knights sought to make C.P.S. "the best school in the West." This photograph was used in the 1924 school yearbook, the Tamanawas, and listed the last names only of the men. (1924 Tamanawas, p. 115) G67.1-031

Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930;

Powerful winch used by Foss Launch & Tug Co. to raise the sunken steamer, "Rubaiyat," in March of 1924. The ship had sunk the previous year as she headed for Seattle. Four people aboard the vessel drowned. The tug, "Andrew Foss," is in the background. The winch, from the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, had a six-foot in diameter drum with a two-inch steel cable. The winch enabled the hull, not seen since the September 30th sinking, to be visible . Four tugs towed the "Rubaiyat" toward the shore on March 12, 1924, and allowed her to rest just south of the Sperry Dock in about 60 feet of water. G50.1-147 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-30-23, p. 1-article on capsizing; TDL 3-13-24, p. 10)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hoisting machinery;

The cast of the Stadium High School opera, the "Sultan of Sulu," on stage. The opera, an annual presentation at Stadium High School, was the largest and according to the school yearbook "Tahoma," the "most important musical event of the year." In 1924, the musical comedy production of the "Sultan of Sulu" ran three nights from March 13-15, in order to accommodate the always large crowds. Although there was officially no leading role, good notices were received by Kearney Walton who played Kiram the Sultan and foreshadowing later roles in Hollywood, Herman Brix as Col. Jefferson Budd. After graduation, Herman Brix would become an Olympian and actor, later known as Bruce Bennett. (1924 Tahoma, p. 164-67) G64.1-073

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1920-1930; Walton, Kearney; Brix, Herman;

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;

Diving for the wrecked ship, "Rubaiyat." Diver Walter McCray prepares to resume the raising of the "Rubaiyat." After several unsuccessful attempts, raising of the sunken freighter "Rubaiyat" was once more underway in March of 1924. The ship had sunk the previous September when she capsized on an outbound journey from Commencement Bay. Diver Walter McCray and Foss Launch & Tug had tried before to haul the ship from the deep bay waters but she had become tangled with the sunken piling from the old 11th St. Bridge. Efforts to raise the ship were futile as cables slipped from the hull and the ship sank back into 378 feet of water. Attempts to raise the "Rubaiyat" halted at the end of November, 1923, until the following March. Drawing the attention of many interested Tacomans, the recovery process finally culminated in the raising of the "Rubaiyat," beaching her, and later successfully floating her to the Western Boat plant on the Wapato Waterway on March 25, 1924. Diver McCray and Fred Berg of Foss Launch & Tug had received title to the wreckage and were prepared to sell her "as is." They were instrumental in completing the deepest salvaging operation to date carried out on the Pacific Coast with the lifting of the "Rubaiyat" from depths of nearly 380 feet with 140 tons of freight aboard. (TDL 10-29-23, p. 1-article; TDL 11-1-23, p. 1-article; TDL 11-6-23, p. 1-article; TDL 12-1-23, p. 1-article; TNT 3-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 3-21-24, p. 21-article; TNT 3-24-24, p. 9-article; TDL 3-24-24, p. 1-article; TNT 3-25-24, p 16-article; TDL 3-25-24, p. 10-article) G49.1-018

Diving suits--1920-1930; Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; McCray, Walter;

Raising of the "Rubaiyat." Part of the steamer "Rubaiyat" is visible on March 22, 1924, as she is slowly being raised from the deep waters of Commencement Bay. She had sunk after capsizing on September 29, 1923, on her way to Seattle. Initial attempts to haul her to the surface had failed. 8-10 feet of the stern became visible on Friday morning, March 21st. Hoses from a Foss Tug & Launch fireboat were used days earlier to undermine mud from beneath the hull so that heavy cables could be passed around to form a secure hold. Diver Walter McCray had removed most of the 20 tons of plaster from the "Rubaiyat" on March 17th. Plans were made to haul the ship to the beach on March 22nd and salvaged. The ship would then be floated to the Western Boat Building plant on the Wapato Waterway on March 25, 1924. None of the four bodies that went down with the ship in September were located and it was thought that they had been swept away by the tide after the sinking. G49.1-015 (TNT 3-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 3-21-24, p. 21-article; TNT 3-24-24, p. 9-article; TDL 3-24-24, p. 1-article)

Hoisting machinery; Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Piles of logs waiting to be removed via railroad flatcars from a West Fork Logging Co. site in March of 1924. G75.1-088

Logs; West Fork Logging Co.;

Logging operations in the woods, in the Seabeck, Washington, area. West Fork Logging Co. apparatus on railroad tracks photographed on March 23, 1924. L.T. Murray was the president of the firm. Mr. Murray would move his logging operation to Lewis County in 1927. G75.1-089 (Additional information provided by a reader)

West Fork Logging Co.; Lumber industry--1920-1930;

On March 23, 1924, West Fork Logging Co. employees posed near the company's steam donkey on a sled. The donkeys were a replacement for the horse and oxen power formerly used to pull logs from the woods. This photograph was probably taken in logging areas near Seabeck where the company was then based. Logging operation would move to Lewis County three years later. G75.1-033 (for an earlier view of a steam donkey, see B2726) (Additional information provided by a reader)

West Fork Logging Co.; Lumber industry--1920-1930; Steam donkeys; Donkey engines;

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;

An unidentified woman is pictured on March 23, 1924, hopping from one Rickenbacker coupe to another. The coupes came with 4-wheel brakes, a relatively new idea. Photograph ordered by Sound Motor Co. G32.1-065

Rickenbacker automobile;

Logging operations at West Fork Logging Co. site #1. Logs are being "loaded," per photographer Marvin Boland's notes. This was probably located in the Seabeck, Washington, area, in March of 1924. (Additional information provided by a reader)

West Fork Logging Co.; Lumber industry--1920-1930;

Boxcars at West Fork Logging Co. site. These boxcars, some with wooden steps, may have been used as offices or living quarters by West Fork Logging Co. personnel in March of 1924. G75.1-083

Railroad freight cars; West Fork Logging Co.;

Damage caused by the overflowing Puyallup River occurred in Tacoma's industrial Tideflats area in March of 1924. This is the section of the Tideflats between 11th St. and Lincoln Avenue. G77.1-126

Floods--Tacoma;

At least three ships are berthed and ready to take on cargo at Terminal Dock on March 24, 1924. In the foreground is the "Eldorado;" other ships are unidentified. The "Eldorado, " of the McCormick Line, arrived from California on March 23rd. She would set sail carrying general freight the evening of March 24th. Tacoma Tug & Barge Co. building on the left. Tacoma Tug & Barge was engaged in general towing and had a fleet of seven tugs. G49.1-194,

Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Tug & Barge Co. (Tacoma);

View of the industrial Tideflats in March of 1924. Boland notes indicate that this was taken between 11th St. and Lincoln Avenue. Sign on the railing states "Danger Road Closed." Puyallup River had flooded in this vicinity. G77.1-125

Plank roads; Signs (Notices); Floods--Tacoma;

Glory Ragland (second from left), a public health service nurse, and Percy Brush, look on as a dentist who preferred to remain anonymous provided free dental work to a young patient at the new free dental clinic in the City Hall Annex, 621 Pacific Ave. Opened January 21, 1924 and organized by the Kiwanis Club with the cooperation of county, professional and fraternal organizations, the clinic provided free dental services Monday and Tuesday from 9 am to 12 noon, with a local dentist on duty to volunteer his services. A room in the annex had been completely furnished and painted white. The Kiwanis and Elks provided the equipment. Percy Brush was president of the Kiwanis and chairman of the committee responsible for the clinic when it was founded. (TDL 3/26/1924, pg. 3) TPL-659; G27.1-118

Ragland, Glory; Brush, Percy; Dentistry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dental equipment & supplies--1920-1930; Dental hygiene--Tacoma; Health care facilities--Tacoma;

House on South Ainsworth Avenue. This home was probably located in the Central Park addition of Tacoma and may have been built by the M.W.F. Wallace Co. It appears to be a simple, bungalow-style home with fireplace and located on a corner lot. There is a small building in the rear, either a one-car garage or storage unit. G29.1-055

Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Lincoln High School Orchestra. Lincoln High School in 1924 had two orchestras, with 62 in the senior group and 55 in the junior. They were led by Mr. Nason (standing at left in first row). The orchestra played at all assemblies, concert-dramas movie nights and for several civic organizations. This photograph, taken on the Lincoln campus, was used in the 1924 school yearbook, the Lincolnian. G47.1-012 (1924 Lincolnian, p. 112-113)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Orchestras--Tacoma--1920-1930;