The vessel "Lewis Luckenbach" of the Luckenbach Line was berthed at the Port of Tacoma on June 20, 1924, to take on a shipment of lumber. Cargo is being hoisted from a Foss barge while other barges loaded with lumber wait their turn. The big carrier would be in town for eight days while its eight hatches were filled with a little more than seven million feet of lumber. The "Lewis Luckenbach" was the largest vessel of the entire Luckenbach Line. G49.1-097 (TNT 6-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 6-19-24, p. 5-alternate photograph)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

The "Commercial Guide" is in port on June 20, 1924, awaiting a shipment of lumber to be hoisted aboard by crane. To the rear is the "Lewis Luckenbach " from the Luckenbach Line. Both cargo ships were docked at the Port of Tacoma. The "Commercial Guide" left Tacoma on June 22, 1924, under the command of Captain Jack Wright. She was part of the Moore & McCormick's regular intercoastal service. G49.1-105 (TNT 6-23-24, p. 15-small article on the "Commercial Guide")

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

A large contingent of druggists and their wives pose outside the Hotel Tacoma on June 23, 1924. The style of the day called for hats, long dresses and ankle-length coats for the women and standard business attire for the men. They were preparing to join a caravan of 50 and more cars to Olympia for a three-day convention. In addition, the Tacoma druggists met delegations of fellow pharmacists from other parts of Washington state who were on the way to the Olympia annual convention and took them on brief tours of Tacoma. G30.1-097 (TNT 6-19-24, p. 8-article; TDL 6-24-24, p.12)

Pharmacists--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

Piles of lumber wait to be loaded onto the ship "West Nimrod" on June 24, 1924, at Tidewater Mill. The vast size of the "West Nimrod" can be compared to the much smaller tugboat nearby. A barge filled with cargo is directly next to the ship. The "West Nimrod," of the Admiral-Oriental line, arrived in Tacoma late Sunday, June 22nd. She was to stow lumber for Hong Kong and other Asian ports. G49.1-099 (TDL 6-23-24, p. 10-article)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tugboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A beaming "Miss Tacoma," Chonita Lazelle Rudides, sits on board a new Dodge sedan provided by Griffith Motors in June of 1924. A small banner identifying her title is attched to the passenger side doors. Miss Rudides, who represented the Tacoma Avenue Improvement Club, was selected as "Miss Tacoma" on June 20th. 15 civic and improvement clubs had chosen winsome young ladies as candidates for the title. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co. G42.1-137 (TNT 6-21-24, p. 2-article)

Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rudides, Chonita Lazelle; Dodge automobile; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma);

This ship may be the "Lewis Luckenbach" from the Luckenbach Line which had previously been taking on lumber at the Port of Tacoma dock on June 24, 1924. It has now have moved onto the St. Paul & Tacoma dock for more shipments. The "Lewis Luckenbach," largest vessel of the entire Luckenbach Line, had already loaded 5,780,000 feet of lumber at the Port piers. Another 1,300,000 feet would be taken on board at the St. Paul & Tacoma dock. The lumber would be carried to the Atlantic coast by Captain Read, master of the ship for the last 15 years. G49.1-095 (TNT 6-18-24, p. 16-article; TNT 6-19-24, p. 5-alternate photograph)

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Uniformed delivery drivers for L. Schoenfeld & Sons pose in front of their trucks in June of 1924. The man on the far right with white shirt, tie and overalls is George Bader, son of Adolf Bader founding member of Holy Rosary Parish. The men had recently been supplied with uniforms patterned after the military, including knee high boots. Customers were able to readily identify these Schoenfeld representatives. The home furnishings store had just moved to their new location in the remodeled Sandberg Building, 1423 Pacific Avenue, two months before. Schoenfeld's was proud of their new home: the public had been invited to inspect the new quarters on Tuesday, April 29, 1924, but there would be no sales the first day. The entire staff acted as guides to show visitors around the 12-story skyscraper and nothing was sold. Schoenfeld's would remain in the same location for the next 72 years before closing in November of 1996. The 12-story concrete building, with the Schoenfeld name blazed in multi-foot lettering, was a familiar sight for the thousands who traveled on Pacific Avenue throughout the years. Additional information provided by Mr. Bader's grandson, Mark. TPL-1875; G35.1-009 (TDL 7-20-24, A-9, alternate photograph)

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); L. Schoenfeld & Sons--Employees; Uniforms; Home furnishing stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On June 28, 1924, two unidentified men examined fittings for the SS Bienville, a 445-foot combination freight and passenger vessel built by Todd Dry Dock & Construction. The castings were specially made for the steel freight vessel which would be launched on July 16, 1924. G37.1-179

Cast ironwork--Tacoma;

Elevated view on June 30, 1924, of a cargo ship from the Luckenbach Line and others berthed at the St. Paul & Tacoma dock. The vessels were taking on shipments of lumber and other cargo. G50.1-001

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Progress photograph of the construction of the Hotel Winthrop. Work continues on the building of the eleven story hotel by Pratt & Watson contractors in July of 1924. It appears that construction has reached the fourth floor. A notice has already been posted that the stores in the hotel will be under the management of the W.H. Opie & Co. (photograph has been stained)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Progress photographs;

Tent display on Center Street. An enterprising businessman, probably the individual seated below the banner advertising "Demostration Camp The Campers Supply," has set up an outdoor display of tent and camping equipment along Center Street in July of 1924. Tents could be rented or presumably purchased. They ranged from the small "pup" tents to others that would fit a family. G45.1-010

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tents; Banners; Signs (Notices);

The "Lewis Luckenbach" of the Luckenbach Line is in the process of loading lumber at the Port of Tacoma dock when this photograph was taken on a cloudy July 2, 1924. Several hundred board feet have already been transported onto the ship. G49.1-050

Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Ship propeller. Three unidentified men stand between the blades of a ship propeller at Todd Dry Dock & Construction's plant along the Hylebos Waterway in July of 1924. Todd Dry Dock's employees consisted of shipbuilders, engineers and boilermakers. TPL-1424; G37.1-118

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp. (Tacoma);

On Independence Day, 1924, it was a brave new world, and these Tacoma jazz babies showed off more than just their knees in their daring bathing suits and rolled down stockings. With parasols to shade them from the sun, these bathing beauties, of all ages, smiled coyly for the camera and showed off their bobbed hair, and bare arms and legs, as they took part in the Tacoma Yacht Club Bathing Girl Review at Point Defiance. Shocked, admiring, and amazed bystanders looked on from the bridge beyond. Grace Copeland, right, was chosen Tacoma's most beautiful bathing beauty in her light blue woolen bathing costume. Her court of 10 was also selected from the 32 contestants. They were, in no order, Honey Mathews, Jayne Hall, Gretchen Carlson, Hazel Free, Elsie Mason, Frances Park, Dorothy Shepherd, Alice Jones, Gwendolyn Baker and Lois Desilts. Tacoma was riding the crest of fashion as the fledgling Miss America contest in Atlantic City (then called the Inter-City Beauties Contest) had first allowed one piece swimsuits with stockings rolled down or no stockings at all in their Bather's Revue in 1922, just two years before this contest in Tacoma. The controversial and risque contest allowed each contestant's conscience to govern their bathing fashion style. (TNT 7/5/1924, pg. 7) G41.1-066 TPL-1535

Bathing beauties--1920-1930; Bathing suits--1920-1930; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Copeland, Grace;

4th of July celebration at Stadium Bowl. 35,000 jammed into Stadium Bowl in 1924 to celebrate Independence Day with pageants and fireworks. Mounted horsemen from Troop F, 11th U.S. Calvary, bands, sailors and school children stood in the center of the vast bowl with the imposing Stadium High School to the left. The American Legion sponsored the festivities. G55.1-036; BU-11,612 (TNT 7-5-24, p. 1-article)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

4th of July 1924. These rows of fireworks lined up against a fence will soon be exploding into Tacoma skies at the 4th of July celebration held at Stadium Bowl in 1924. An estimated 35,000 people crammed into Stadium Bowl to watch the pyrotechnic display. G20.1-013

Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fireworks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

This display of fireworks at the 1924 4th of July celebration held in Tacoma's Stadium Bowl fully expressed what the people of Tacoma thought the correct name should be for our mountain. Tacomans waged an ultimately fruitless battle against the name "Mount Rainier" for Pierce County's majestic mountain. Residents insisted that the original Native American name, "Tacoma," be reinstated and references in local newspapers always referred to "Mt. Tacoma." TPL-308; G20.1-032

Fireworks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On Independence Day, July 4th, 1924, a huge throng gathers to ogle these bathing beauties at the Tacoma Yacht Club Bathing Girl Revue at Point Defiance. The contest was part of the Water Carnival scheduled to help celebrate America's birthday. The contestants of all ages pose in their swimsuits; bare arms, shoulders and legs shaded by parasols. Stockings rolled down below the knees and bobbed hair seem to be the most common fashion statement. Miss Grace Copeland was selected by five judges as Tacoma's most beautiful bathing beauty. G20.1-007

Bathing beauties--1920-1930; Bathing suits--1920-1930; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

Tacoma bathing beauties posed for the camera during the Tacoma Yacht Club Bathing Girl Revue on July 4th, 1924. A new kind of girl was coming to the light in the twenties. A girl who exercised, ate right and wasn't afraid to show off her bare arms and legs and bob her hair. Bathing suit designer Annette Kellerman's one piece suits were appearing at swimming holes across the country. Tacoma was riding the crest of this fashion; the fledgling Miss America contest (then called the Inter-City Beauties Contest) had in 1922 abolished restrictions on scandalous swimwear. They allowed contestants to wear the one piece swimsuits with stockings rolled down, or no stockings at all. America took a deep breath and then applauded or protested. In Tacoma, this contest seems to have taken place with little or no complaints. Grace Copeland was judged Tacoma's most beautiful bathing girl, out of 32 contestants. G20.1-034; TPL-158 (TNT 7/5/1924, pg. 7)

Bathing beauties--1920-1930; Bathing suits--1920-1930; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

A huge, predominantly male crowd on the Point Defiance deck and boat launch watches intently at the parade of beauties in the Tacoma Yacht Club Bathing Girl Revue on the 4th of July, 1924. Two intrepid young men have even climbed onto the rooftop of the Point Defiance Pavilion in order to get a better look. A day at the park back then still meant that gentlemen wore jackets, ties, straw hats or caps and women in dresses and hats. A policeman is in the foreground, presumably to keep order, but his attention appears focused on the lovely ladies on parade below. TPL-1454

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Point Defiance Pavilion (Tacoma);

4-man color guard awaits entry to the Stadium Bowl 4th of July celebration in 1924. They would join some 5000 soldiers, sailors and marines inside. Thousands would fill the massive bowl to view parades and fireworks at the American Legion-sponsored event. G67.1-121 (TNT 7-5-24, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 6-8-24, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 6-15-24, A-3 article)

Flag bearers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Flags--United States; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

This is the SS Bienville, nearly ready for launching, in early July of 1924. The combination freighter/passenger vessel was built by Todd Dry Dock & Construction for the Atlantic Steamship line of the Southern Pacific. She would be launched on July 16, 1924. The Bienville is a single screw steamer with a sea speed of 16 knots. After much fanfare, she was delivered to her owners in November but would suffer massive damage due to fire while undergoing repairs in New Orleans in March of 1925. G37.1-112 (TNT 7-9-24, p. 4; TNT 3-19-25, p. 1-article on fire; TDL 3-28-25, p. 1-article on fire)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Henry Mill & Timber Company crane at 3001 N Starr ST, Tacoma

Industries; Henry Mill & Timber Company; Cranes; Ruston Way;

Tents on Center St. This "Demonstration Camp The Campers Supply" had an outdoor display of tents for sale and/or rent during the summer of 1924. Willamette Auto & Wall Tents along with the "famous Hughes Cot" were just some of the tents available. More people were able to afford cars and were able to thus enjoy the pleasures of camping, either at auto camps or in the wilderness. See B10398 for another view of this tent display. G45.1-009

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tents; Banners; Signs (Notices);

Unidentified men and machinery at the Olympic Ice Co., 612-14 E. 25th, on July 8, 1924. The plant had undergone expansion the previous summer. G34.1-149

Olympic Ice Co. (Tacoma); Machinery;

Standard Oil Co. service barge. The service station barge was in handy proximity to the Tacoma Yacht Club on this July day in 1924. Sailboat is close by. G49.1-013

Barges--Tacoma; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Sailboats--Tacoma;