Two women ride in side-cars as passengers of two daring motorcyclists on February 25, 1923. They are parked close to the City Hall Annex with the Northern Pacific headquarters in the rear. The men are operating Harley-Davidson bikes. It is possible that they were participating in the Tacoma Motorcycle Club's first reliability race of the season. 30 riders would make the 125-mile run from Tacoma to Olympia and back. They were required to maintain a 20 mph speed throughout the race. (TDL 2-24-23, p. 3) G66.1-165 TPL-10,033

Motorcycles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cyclists--Tacoma;

This view of a boat loading lumber at the Defiance Lumber dock had been a common sight since 1906 when the Doud brothers, desiring a site closer to shipping facilities than Buckley, bought land on the Tacoma waterfront just south of the Tacoma Smelter. By 1907 a mill was built, 1400 feet of shoreline acquired among the 18 acres of land, and 150 men were employed. Ships from all nations visited Tacoma to load lumber and lumber was also transported via rail. WWI caused rail transportation to substantially decrease and ships once again entered the deep harbor to retrieve the fir products and bring them to as far away as Japan and the United Kingdom. The Defiance Lumber Co. would continue in business until December of 1951 when it closed its doors permanently. G36.1-013 (Martin: Leslie Lewis Doud; his family and ancestors, p.1-3; Bonney: History of Pierce County Washington, p. 656-659)

Defiance Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1923. A sturdy GMC truck served as the Yakima stage in 1923 with stops in Prosser and Toppenish. It was parked outside of a Tacoma Standard Oil Co. station at the time of this Boland photograph. A large multi-business billboard is in the background featuring a clothing store and the Washington Cycle & Supply Co. Photograph ordered by Pioneer Auto Works. G66.1-031

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Billboards--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Although this April, 1923, photograph resembles a scene from a cops-n-robbers movie, these six policemen from the Tacoma Police Department were not pointing their guns toward an unseen quarry but instead were practicing for a sharpshooting competition. Only the best shooters would be selected for the revolver team that would represent Tacoma in the Northwest Police athletic meet held later in June in Portland. From L-R: night patrol driver Lee Kane; motorcycle officer A.E. Paul; sponsor of the team Sgt. Charles Rohrs; Detective C.W. Brooke; "Dead-Eye Dick" Greenwood -in charge of the local elimination shoots; and "Two-Gun" Hubbard. Kane, Rohrs, Greenwood and Harry Shaner (not pictured) were members of the previous year's team which narrowly lost in Seattle. TPL-2053; G42.1-018 (TNT 4-20-23, p. 14)

Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1920-1930; Firearms; Sharpshooting; Kane, Lee; Paul, A.E.; Rohrs, Charles; Brooke, C.W.; Greenwood, Dick;

This is the stern and one of the huge propellers of the steamship "Alaska" on the day of her launching, April 19, 1923, at the Todd yards. The "Alaska" was built for passenger and freight trade between Puget Sound and Alaska and was the first combination passenger and freight vessel built at the Todd yards. At 364-feet long, she was designed for copper ore cargo and included passenger accommodations for 250 first class and 58 steerage. The "Alaska" was the 31st ship launched by Todd and successfully slid bow first down the ways. Miss Frances Nowell of Alaska served as sponsor. G37.1-111 (TDL 4-19-23, p. 1-article; TDL 4-20-23, p.1, p. 3)

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

Planing mill with 2500 volt distribution. Tree stumps and mounds of dirt or sawdust close by. G75.1-029

Electrical apparatus; Mills; Sawmills;

Electric crane in operation at lumber site in April of 1923. Photograph ordered by E.J. Barry, Pacific National Lumber Co. TPL-2931; G75.1-028

Hoisting machinery; Lumber industry--1920-1930;

This is a fireproof concrete power house as viewed in April of 1923. The two-story structure has awning-styled windows. Photograph ordered by E.J. Barry, Pacific National Lumber Co. G75.1-030

Power plants;

IRS agents and family members party at a popular Mountain Highway road house, as the end of tax season nears. The annual event was held at Ohop Bob Inn near Eatonville. This was a favorite local place for banquets, chicken dinners and Sunday drives from the city. Built as a clubhouse for the Tacoma Automobile Club in 1915, it opened as Ohop Bob in 1917. A fire destroyed the legend in 1965. G30.1-053; TPL-6163

Government employees; Banquets--Eatonville--1920-1930; Restaurants--Eatonville; Ohop Bob (Eatonville); Group portraits;

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;

Walking habits. In April of 1923, three women are dressed in "walking habits," per photographer Marvin Boland's notes. The unidentified women are believed to be employees of the Shull-Day Co. A number of women employees had formed a cross-country hiking club and had made their hiking clothes themselves. The club had taken its first outing to Miyajama Lodge on Fox Island and often met at the Y.W.C.A. for gym and social affairs. The Shull-Day Clothing Co. later was known as Day's Tailor-d. The firm became the Northwest's largest manufacturer of trousers. G51.1-043 (TNT 4-11-23, p. 7-article)

Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1919. Park Lodge School's "Primary Grade" in 1919; copy of Cooke photograph made in April of 1923. Park Lodge School was located in Lakewood at 10020 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. These youngsters may have been in the kindergarten or first grade. TPL-4410

Park Lodge School (Lakewood); Public schools--Lakewood--1920-1930; School children--Lakewood--1920-1930;

Medusa on the ways. The USS Medusa, a $4,000,000 repair ship for the Pacific fleet, is pictured prior to launching at the Bremerton Navy Yard in April of 1923. The "Medusa," the first ship of her kind to be built on the Pacific coast, had a displacement of 10,000 tons. Her launching was rather unusual, as she did not not slide down the ways into water as normal but instead, water was poured into the construction dock where she was built. When floated, she was towed to her new berth and the dock emptied. She was 483-feet, 9 inches long and resembled a huge ocean liner except for the small guns mounted on her. The USS Medusa was launched on April 16, 1923, with Mrs. Burns Poe of Tacoma acting as sponsor. G37.1-121 (TNT 4-4-23, p. 17; TDL 4-7-23, p. 1-article; TDL 4-17-23, p. 1-article)

Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1920-1930; Launchings--Bremerton--1920-1930;

A roadside sign provided by the Auto Club of Washington welcomes visitors to Kitsap County although the particular Dodge touring car pictured above in the spring of 1923 seems to be departing, rather than continuing through the countryside. The vehicle, with at least two passengers, had dealer plates and was occupied by an intrepid News Tribune reporter on his way to Bremerton via the "Army-Navy highway" from Gig Harbor. The News Tribune sought to convince readers that it was possible to take an enjoyable ride to Bremerton by taking the ferry from Point Defiance to Gig Harbor and then motoring on fairly comfortable country roads. The Dodge automobile pictured above had stopped at the signpost designating the boundary line between Pierce and Kitsap County probably on its way back. (TNT 4-4-23, p. 17)

Traffic signs & signals; Dodge automobile;

Four unidentified members of the Tacoma Gun Club posed with their weapons carefully pointed downward on a late March day in 1923. The tall woman on the right appears to be carrying a box of shells strapped to her waist.

Tacoma Gun Club (Tacoma); Firearms;

The towering Tacoma Building, 1017-21 A Street, is festooned with banners and flags welcoming Rotary Club members to Tacoma in late March of 1923. The primary tenants at the time were the Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. and the Tacoma Commercial Club. TPL-6250; G17.1-04; BU10,495

Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Visiting Rotary members received a warm welcome from Tacomans during their stay late in March of 1923. Standing on the intersection of Pacific Ave and 11th Street and looking down the street, the viewer's eye was caught by flapping flags and banners all adorned with the Rotary symbol. Located in the forefront is the clock in front of the Pacific Savings and Loan Association, 1102-04 Pacific Ave. (now demolished.) Next is the five and dime giant Woolworth, at 1108 Pacific Ave. The W.C. Bell & Sons Clothing store was located at 1110-12 Pacific, later demolished to build a parking lot. TPL-3786; G61.1-042

F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pacific Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); W.C. Bell & Sons (Tacoma); Rotary Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Model Bakery truck on display. This Model Bakery delivery truck was parked outdoors on March 26, 1923. It had recently been purchased from Griffith Motor Co., the downtown Dodge dealership, and joined a fleet of Dodge Bros. cars operated by the bakery. Model Bakery was located at the corner of South 38th and Yakima Avenue and was owned and operated by Gus Westerdale. Their motto was "Where Quality and Purity Counts." TPL-3198; G33.1-003 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-22-23, C-5)

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dodge trucks; Model Bakery (Tacoma);

A new Dodge sedan is parked on an unpaved road next to a wood framed home on March 26, 1923. Neither the man standing next to the vehicle nor the house, with partial address of 3718, was identified. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co.

Dodge automobile; Houses--1920-1930;

Harry Trewick of 620 South "J" St. knows engines. He is a traveling engineer for the Northern Pacific Railway Co. Selecting a new car on the basis of a well performing engine is the reason for his selection of a Chandler automobile from Richardson Motor Co. Mr. Trewick is pictured above on March 22, 1923, aboard his new Chandler which is parked next to a Northern Pacific locomotive. G44.1-053 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-25-23, 8-C)

Trewick, Harry; Chandler automobile; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A quintet of musicians from the Camp Lewis Orchestra are captured on film just "clowning around" at an unidentified social event on March 21, 1923 for the 6th Engineers. They play on a saxophone, banjo, piano, fiddle and drums, while a variety of instruments lie about waiting to be used. The land on which Camp Lewis sat was given as a gift to the federal government in 1916 by the people of Pierce County. The camp built there was redesignated as a Fort in 1927. G40.1-040

Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Camp Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Miss Berg's first grade class at Lowell School. The children are all clutching small postcard-sized cards while one young man waits with an open bag. The classroom flag is hoisted by a boy dressed neatly in suit and tie. Miss Berg would later teach third grade at Lowell where one of her pupils was George Weyerhaeuser, victim in the 1935 famous kidnapping. TPL-5797; G46.1-054

School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Berg, Lucille; Teachers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Flags--United States;

This is a view of Tacoma Avenue North at North 1st St. in March of 1923 with utility pole wires and cable car lines bisecting the streets. To assist motorists, the city or business district had placed directional signs on a post nearby with arrows pointing to Point Defiance and Day Island and also to Stadium and Information (Auto Club). Stadium High School can be spotted on the far left overlooking Commencement Bay. Stadium Confectionery which also sold groceries, fruits and meats is at North 1st with a delivery truck parked outside. There is a billboard or mural on one of the walls of the grocery store with lights fastened at the top. The general site was later to become Rankos' Pharmacy. Photograph ordered by Foster & Kleiser. TPL-851; G62.1-071

Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Confectionery (Tacoma); Billboards--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This unidentified home was photographed by Marvin Boland in March of 1923, one of a series of homes taken on the same day throughout what was probably Tacoma. The large wood frame house had a second story balcony facing the front of the home and a lattice with climbing plants nearly covering one of the sides. The building was situated on a corner lot.

Houses--1920-1930; Trellises;

This California bungalow was built in 1920 by Anton Anderson. Albin Berg of the shoe firm of Samuelson & Berg purchased the home late the same year. The two-story home had a shingled roof, deep porch and stone or concrete chimney. It appears to have occupied most of its lot with neighbors close by. G29.1-020; BU10,291

Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Unidentified home with neatly manicured lawn as pictured on March 17, 1923. House number is 3601 but street is not given. The home has a large porch with brick-like pillars and an awning in front. There appears to be a small dormer and the roof is apparently shingled.

Houses--1920-1930; Porches;

Foster & Kleiser billboard advertising Tacoma as being the "gateway to Rainier National Park." The large billboard also lists "Mt. Tacoma" (Mt. Rainier) as the "Playground of the Northwest." Lights are fastened at the top of the billboard so that it can be seen at night. This sign greeting tourists was placed near the Seven Mile House on the Camp Lewis Rd. at a cost of $600. A group of business firms and professionals including the Hewitt Land Co., Puget Sound National Bank, Rhodes Bros., Standard Oil, Griffin Transfer and others contributed funds to place the sign as a means of promoting the city and nearby attractions. TPL-5694; G42.1-125 (TDL 4-11-23, p. 8)

Billboards; Advertising--1920-1930;

A regular ladder is far too short to reach the top of the Tacoma Gun Club tower so a hand-made one was a necessity in March of 1923. An unidentified man has managed to make his way to the very top and is pictured crouching inside next to a large barrel. The tower, approximately 10-feet high, was built for target shooting. Clay birds were hurled from the tower to simulate the flight patterns of ducks, especially teal, so that the shooter's eye could be improved. Targets were shot out at different angles. (TNT 3-10-23, p. 10)

Tacoma Gun Club (Tacoma); Towers; Ladders; Target practice;

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;

A wet, overcast day lends to this tranquil view of Sixth Avenue, looking west from Prospect Street, in February of 1923. The Sunset Theater, at left, was built in 1919 by Louis Perunko. It is now occupied by Speedy Auto Glass. The Red Cross Drug Store and F. C. Jonas Hardware occupied the building at the right. Several children on bicycles pause on the wet roadway while three men and a small boy huddle near the awning of the drugstore. G57.1-067; TPL-1797;

Sunset Theater (Tacoma); Red Cross Drug Store (Tacoma); F.C. Jonas Hardware (Tacoma); Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma;