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;

Rowboat on display. This is believed to be a product of the Babare Mfg. Co., 3517 E. 11th St., as viewed on July 11, 1924. The Babare Bros. had moved their shipbuilding facilities to a site on along the Hylebos Waterway about 1920. G37.1-114

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

Christening of the SS Bienville. Dorothy Maxson is pictured on July 16, 1924, in the act of christening the SS Bienville at Todd Dry Dock & Construction facilities. She is the daughter of Captain and Mrs. C.P. Maxson; Captain Maxson would become the ship's new master. The Bienville was built for the Atlantic Steamship line of Southern Pacific at a cost of over a million dollars for the purpose of travel between New York and New Orleans. She was named after an old Louisiana family. Thousands of cheering spectators were present at the launching of the steamer which was the first Atlantic liner built on the Pacific Coast. After being in service less than five months, the Bienville caught on fire while being overhauled in New Orleans in mid-March of 1925. Only the crew was aboard and all escaped. G37.1-108 (TNT 6-21-21, p. 1,9-articles; TDL 7-17-24, p. 1-article; TNT 3-19-25, p. 1-fire on ship article; TDL 3-28-25, p. 1-fire on ship article)

Launchings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Maxson, Dorothy;

Engine room of the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. The 110-feet long ferry, dubbed "City of Steilacoom," was completed at the Skansie yards in Gig Harbor. She was designed to replace a ferry operating between Long Branch and Steilacoom and took her maiden voyage on April 13, 1924. The ferry was propelled by a Fairbanks-Morse semi-diesel type engine putting out 200 horsepower. Her engine room had auxiliary pumps, lighting plant and hot water heating plant. G66.1-094 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, A-11-article)

Boat engines; Ferries;

Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this is the "waiting room" for the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. Long wooden benches are positioned below windows and there appears to be a drinking fountain against one wall. Staircase leads below. G66.1-093

Ferries; Waiting rooms; Benches;

Aboard the "City of Steilacoom" ferry. This is believed to be the car holding area of the new ferry as pictured above on July 21, 1924. She had a 30-car capacity. The "City of Steilacoom" was designed to replace the present ferry operating between Long Branch and Steilacoom. She was 110-feet long with a 34-foot beam and could travel at 14 mph. G66.1-095 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, A-11-article)

Ferries;

Several barely visible small children, huddled in shrubbery, appeared fascinated by the upside down Joe Lyons Bus Company vehicle involved in an accident at 7:30 a.m. on July 21, 1924. The bus was bound from Dash Point to Tacoma, a scenic half-hour ride, when it plunged off the highway, overturned twice, and came to rest approximately 100 feet below the road. Four men were injured in the accident, none seriously. The bus made regular stops at several points of interest including the Milwaukee shops, the Todd Shipyards and Browns Point. (TNT 7-21-24, p. 1) G66.1-023

Buses--Dash Point; Traffic accidents--Dash Point;

Several small boys and an an adult pause at the site of an early morning bus accident that occurred on July 21, 1924. A Joe Lyons Bus Co. vehicle had left the Dash Point Rd. at the scene above, flipping over twice, and landing upside down in woods about 100 feet below the road surface. The bus was making one of its usual runs from Dash Point to Tacoma where it let off workers at the Milwaukee Shops, Todd Shipyards and Port Commission docks as well as other points. Fortunately all injuries were relatively minor. G25.1-019

Buses--Dash Point; Traffic accidents--Dash Point; Children--Dash Point;

Two Whitworth Transfer & Storage Co. trucks are spilling over with bundles of used clothing collected during a one-day relief drive in July of 1924. Local residents were asked to contribute whatever clothing they could spare to send toward needy recipients in the "Near East." The clothing was then bagged in preparation for transport. Whitworth Transfer was one of many Tacoma firms who donated their services for the drive to collect clothing for Armenian refugees. A record shipment of 16,000 pounds was collected and departed on August 1, 1924, via the freighter Virginia V for Seattle where the clothing would be reloaded and shipped overseas on U.S. transports. The four workers next to the truck in the foreground were not identified. On the right of the photograph were William Worthington, in charge of relief efforts in Tacoma, and general manager of Whitworth Transfer, C. McA Logan. G66.2-117 (TDL 8-2-24, p. 4)

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clothing relief--Tacoma; Worthington, William; Logan, C. McA;

The USS Omaha at anchor in Commencement Bay at the end of July, 1924. The Omaha had streamed into the Bay on Monday, July 28th, for a week's stay. The 550-foot "scout cruiser" was accompanied by a squadron of six destroyers. She was the first of a ten-ship class of 7050-ton light cruisers. Omaha was built by Todd Dry Dock of Tacoma and launched on December 14, 1920. She would spend the next 17 years after her commissioning in 1923 serving in both the Pacific and Atlantic areas and would take an active role during WWII. G71.1-026 (www.history.navy.mil; TNT 7-24-24, p. 1-article)

Government vessels;

A long line of cars and one bike are parked along the tracks in August of 1924 while their owners are inside the ballpark enjoying a City League baseball game. City League teams played at both Athletic Park and Lincoln Bowl and games drew large, interested crowds. This view is possibly of area outside Athletic Park. G11.1-048

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

An unidentified driver is at the wheel of the Brown & White Cab Co. taxi on September 5, 1924. According to the 1924 City Directory, the firm was located at 1013 Pacific Avenue and was owned and operated by E.J. Shaw and C.T. Taylor. G66.2-088

Taxicabs--Tacoma; Taxicab drivers;

Rickenbackers on display. On September 12, 1924, a fleet of five Rickenbacker automobiles are photographed lined up alongside an unidentified street. Their drivers are casually posed next to them. Each vehicle has a "Defender" sign on the front windshield. September 12th was declared "Defenders' Day, " a legal holiday, by Governor Louis F. Hart. The date had been set aside nationally for citizens' response to national defense. 6000 people would march and otherwise take part in a parade from Pacific Avenue to Stadium Bowl. Photograph ordered by Sound Motor Co., Tacoma Rickenbacker dealership. TPL-8092; G11.1-045 (TNT 8-27-24, p. 1-article; TDL 9-4-24, p. 1-article; TNT 9-12-24, p. 3; TDL 9-13-24, p.1-article)

Rickenbacker automobile;

The Bienville at finishing dock of Todd Drydock. Once completed, she will have two stacks - one is in position now. The SS Bienville was launched at Todd Drydock & Construction (Shipyards) in Tacoma on July 16, 1924, less than five months after her keel was laid. She was built for the Atlantic Steamship lines of Southern Pacific. The combination freight and passenger vessel, 445 feet in length, had accommodations for 236 first class passengers and 110 third class passengers. The ship was sponsored by Dorothy Maxson, daughter of Capt. and Mrs. C.P. Maxson; Maxson was the commodore of Southern Pacific lines and would be the ship's master. The Bienville was expected to be delivered to Southern Pacific's New York location on December 7, 1924. She was the 38th big ship built in Todd yards since the shipyard's 1917 establishment. During the war era of 1917-20, Todd built 32 steel freight vessels for the U.S. Shipping Board. (TNT 7-16-24, p. 1; TNT 9-18-24, p. 5) G50.1-090

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

The "Hakutatsu Maru" is pictured taking on a shipment of lumber at the Port of Tacoma on November 13, 1924, before heading back to Japan. Much of Washington's lumber was destined for the Far East. The "Hakutatsu Maru," under the command of Capt. M. Iriyh, had arrived at the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. dock on the morning of November 12th. Some 200,000 feet of lumber was loaded onto the ship before she moved to the Port of Tacoma piers that afternoon to complete loading. G49.1-173 (TNT 11-12-24, p. 20-article)

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

On November 16, 1924, C.P. (Clarence) Johnson is partially hidden by the shining new Dodge Bros. business coupe he recently purchased from Griffith Motor Co., Dodge Bros. dealership in Tacoma. The vehicle, with Mrs. Johnson at the wheel, is parked outside their home at 4606 South Park Ave. Mr. Johnson is a painting foreman at Todd Shipyards. This is the second Dodge Bros. car the couple has owned. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co. G11.1-134 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-23-24, 6-G)

Dodge automobile; Johnson, Clarence P.; Johnson, Clarence P.--Family; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma);

A Garford Motor Co. truck is parked outside a General Petroleum Corporation facility in downtown Tacoma on February 14, 1925. The truck appears to be doorless with an extended open bed. Garford Motors was located nearby at 313-15 Puyallup Ave. G66.2-093

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Three Garford heavy duty trucks are parked outside of the A. Holroyd Co. facilities on 5047 South Washington in March of 1925. The first truck in line, WA plate #363140, has a large bell attached over the grill. A. (Arthur) Holroyd was a dealer in building materials including sand & gravel, black soil, filling gravel, cement and cement block, stucco, and lath and plaster. The firm was founded in 1906 by Mr. Holroyd. G66.2-104

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Building materials industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Fishing boat "Shenandoah." The fishing boat, "Shenandoah," was tied up at a dock in Gig Harbor in April of 1925. She was believed to be a product of the Skansie Yards. TPL-695; G72.1-124

Fishing boats--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Boat & ship industry--Gig Harbor;

The ferry, "Gig Harbor," and other vessels moored at the finishing docks of Western Boat Building on the Wapato Waterway next to the Western Lumber Mfg. Co., on April 16, 1925. Western Lumber and Western Boat Building shared the same address of 2505 E. 11th St. The "Gig Harbor" was launched from Western Boat facilities on Friday evening, April 10th. It is a 30-car craft, the same size as the original "City of Tacoma" now operating. Like the "City of Tacoma," the "Gig Harbor" can be lengthened to a 50-car craft if necessary. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building. G66.1-098 (TDL 4-10-25, p. 7-article on launching; TNT 4-21-25, p. 1)

Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Western Lumber Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Well-known for its ability to haul heavy loads, a 5-ton White heavy duty truck carries equipment meant for installation at the $150,000 Cushman sub-station being constructed at 19th & Washington in late April of 1925. The large unit on the trailer was one of six 15-ton transformers to be installed. E.S. Frietch and William E. Becker, owners of two White trucks, were responsible for the hauling. The truck is parked with one man aboard and another kneeling nearby. Photograph ordered by the Hickey Motor Co., local distributors of White trucks. G43.1-044 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 12-7-24, 8-E-article on Cushman sub-station; TDL 5-4-25, p. 3-article on transformers; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-24-25, G-3)

White trucks--Tacoma; Power plants--Tacoma;

Trucks parked by electric power plant. These trucks, probably White, were transporting equipment to this city power plant in late April of 1925. Four men are posed on or standing next to the vehicles. Photograph ordered by the Hickey Motor Co., local distributors of White trucks.

White trucks--Tacoma; Power plants--Tacoma;

The"Wheatland Montana" was docked at the Port of Tacoma on April 30, 1925, to discharge a shipment of 12-foot mahogany logs from the Philippines. The logs were transferred to the Buffelen Lumber Co. plant to be used in fine doors and panels. 12 flat cars were loaded with the logs since they were too heavy to be transported locally the usual way, by water. This was the first mahogany shipment received in Tacoma in some time. In addition to the logs, the "Wheatland Montana" also unloaded a 100-ton shipment of peanuts. She would carry as cargo upon departure 250,000-feet of short-length flooring. G49.1-198 (TNT 4-30-25, p. 23-article only)

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

Another cargo ship in town at the end of April, 1925, was the "Lochkatrine" of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Line. She is pictured dockside at the Port of Tacoma awaiting loading of lumber. The "Lochkatrine" had arrived on Tuesday morning the 28th and docked at the smelter to take on a load of 1,150 tons of copper. That evening she shifted over to the Port of Tacoma piers for a two-day stay where she would take on lumber and miscellaneous cargo. G49.1-069 (photograph has been cropped) (TDL 4-29-25, p. 10-article only)

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

Albert H. Gamin posed outdoors with his new Ford delivery truck decorated with a painted mural on May 11, 1925. He operated Mt. Tacoma Cleaners, 1138 Court C, which dealt in cleaning, pressing and dyeing. Mr. Gamin had been in the cleaning business for six years and this was his third Ford truck. He was well satisfied with the excellent job Ford had provided. Photograph ordered by R.E. Bennatts, Inc., Ford dealership. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-7-25, 2-G)

Ford trucks; Mt. Tacoma Cleaners (Tacoma); Gamin, Albert;

13 National Park buses parked compactly inside Stadium Bowl in June of 1925, just in time for the 26th opening season of Mount Tacoma and Rainier National Park. Each vehicle had four rows of seats where passengers could get plenty of fresh air and unrestricted views of The Mountain. The park buses were equipped with General Tires. Photograph ordered by General Tires. TPL-6199; G70.1-130

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

A 25-ton reel of specially constructed flexible steel cable is hoisted by a heavy Hart Construction Co. derrick from the freighter "J L Luckenbach" at the Port of Tacoma pier on June 13, 1925. The reel was too heavy to be handled by the Luckenbach's tackle. Valued at $4,850, the cable will be used as cable line by the Tacoma Railway & Power Co. It has a length of about 3 1/2 miles. G50.1-007 (TNT 6-12-25, p. 21-article; TNT 6-13-25, p. 14)

Hoisting machinery; Cargo ships--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

In late June of 1925 the Japanese "turret" ship "Taiyu Maru" was docked at the Port of Tacoma. With her curved sides, raked mast and narrow decks, she was an unusual sight. The "Taiyu Maru" had been in service for more than 25 years and according to her captain, K. Okamoto, was one of only five "turret" ships still afloat. The 450-foot vessel was to return to the Suez Canal with a cargo of Northwest fir ties to discharge in Egypt. Photograph ordered by the Port of Tacoma. G49.1-091 (TNT 6-26-25, p. 22)

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

The launch Elsie C ll , under the command of Captain Herman C. Clausen, ran aground in heavy morning fog at Point Defiance on Thursday, September 3, 1925. Captain Clausen had missed the ferry slip and then narrowly missed striking big rocks as he brought the Point Defiance-Sunrise Beach ferry ashore between the slip and the park pavilion. The ferry was stuck fast and could not be floated until high tide that evening. The 15 passengers sailing from Sunrise Beach to Tacoma were able to exit the vessel onto the beach via a gangplank; no injuries were reported.

Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marine accidents--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

South Tacoma location of Dodge Brothers cars. Griffith Motor Co., Dodge Brothers dealership, opened a new outlet for Dodge vehicles at 5210-14 South Tacoma Way (then called South Union) in 1925. View of one-story concrete building originally constructed in 1924 and now housing the South Tacoma Home of Dodge Brothers Motor Cars. Recently opened next door was the San Tex Cigar Co. The South Tacoma location of Dodge Bros. paid special attention to parts and accessories for Dodge vehicles. 150 cars every month were sold along this automotive row by various dealerships. The 1926 Polk Directory showed new ownership of the Dodge Brothers dealerships, both at 728-30 Broadway and the South Tacoma location, with Fred B. Walker, Inc., replacing Griffith Motors. Griffith Motors had been purchased by Mr. Walker, former assistant general sales manager of Dodge Brothers, Inc., in January of 1926. G32.1-079 (TNT 9-16-25, p. 24; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-17-26, G-2-article on Walker purchase) TPL-10452

Dodge automobile; South Tacoma Dodge Agency (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; San Tex Cigar Co. (Tacoma);