ca. 1925. Looking east on South 11th Street in Downtown Tacoma. Fisher's Department Store on right. Buildings on left, left to right: Rhodes Department Store, Fidelity Building, Washington Building and Tacoma Building. 11th Street Bridge in distance. (filed under Argentum)

Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fishers Department Store (Tacoma); Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. Elevated view of downtown Tacoma from the northwest circa 1926. Major buildings around 11th Street and Pacific Avenue are, left to right, Tacoma Building, Washington Building, Puget Sound Bank (National Realty ) Building, and Rust Building. (filed with Argentum)

Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound Bank Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

In April of 1925, this was the view from the top of the flagpole on the Puget Sound National Bank building, 1117-19 Pacific Ave., looking down on the west side of Pacific Ave. between 11th and 12th. The photograph was snapped by professional steeplejack B.B. Florer with a Tacoma News Tribune employee's camera that was hoisted up to him. Mr. Florer had been engaged to paint the flagpole. (TNT 4/28/1925, pg. 9) (WSHS- negative A693-0)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. The Lorenz Building, 1552-56 Market St. The Lorenz Building was constructed in 1889 and was designed by architect R. L. Robertson. From 1899- 1914, it was home to the Astor House, also known as the Hiroshimaya Hotel, the first major Japanese Hotel in Tacoma. In the mid 1920's, the building housed the Columbus Hotel and the Tacoma Ju Jitsu School.

Lorenz Building (Tacoma); Columbus Hotel (Tacoma); Tacoma Ju Jitsu School (Tacoma);

The top of the Washington Building tower, circa 1925. At 17 stories, almost everyone had to look up at this building, it was the second highest in the Northwest. The Washington Building was innovative in grouping its tenants by fields and making offices specific to those fields. The top floors were dedicated to doctors and medical offices. Some floors were huge open spaces on completion, for large concerns who would dictate where partitions would be placed. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Washington Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. The 17 story Washington Building near completion. The building was officially opened at the end of June, 1925. The ground floor was occupied by the Brotherhood Cooperative Bank, Theodore Knutson's cigar store, Henrietta McNerthney's Purity Pharmacy and the "Orange Bower," the first orange mill in Tacoma. The orange mill's specialty was fresh squeezed orange juice, that you could watch being processed by a machine. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg. 13)(WSHS)

Washington Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. Washington Building as completed. Started 1919 by the Scandinavian-American Bank, unfinished when bank failed. The steel framework was completed by a group established for that purpose, the Washington-California Co. Frederick Webber, Original Architect; Doyle and Merriam, Architects for completion. The Washington Building opened at the end of June in 1925. (WSHS & Argentum)

Washington Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. The new Washington Building had its Grand Opening in June of 1925. Construction of the building was begun in 1919 for the Scandinavian American Bank and halted in 1921 when the bank failed. It was completed in 1925 and was, at that time, the second tallest building in the Northwest. The main tenant at its opening was the Brotherhood Cooperative National Bank. The Cooperative Bank was the first of its kind in any Northwest City. Although it was part of the Brotherhood group of banks, strong in the eastern part of the country, the local bank had local supporters, management and share holders, many of them working men. It was approved by both the Federated Improvement Clubs of Tacoma and the labor unions. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg. 14)(WSHS)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Brotherhood Cooperative National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. The Washington Building, 1019 Pacific Ave., under construction. This modern structure was originally designed by Frederick Webber in the style of the Chicago School for the Scandinavian American Bank. Construction began in 1919 and halted when the bank failed. It was completed in 1925 when the Washington-California Co. purchased the steel skeleton and completed the building. At 17 stories, it was the second tallest building in the Northwest. When it opened, it contained 350 office suites, including its main occupant, the Brotherhood Co-Operative National Bank. (WSHS) (TDL 6/28/1925, pg. 2B)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Construction on the Washington Building started in 1919 for the Scandinavian- American Bank, but halted when the bank went bankrupt. The steel framework sat deserted until it was purchased by the Washington-California Co. In 1925, the building was completed. The steel framework was clothed in white terra cotta, which was glazed. It was fireproof. It had 1925 technologically superior Otis elevators, which could take visitors from the bottom to the top in 16 seconds. The building was completed with an investment of 1 1/2 million dollars. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg.1) (WSHS)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Washington Building under construction in April of 1925. Started 1919 by the Scandinavian-American Bank and left unfinished when the bank failed, the building was completed and opened in June of 1925. At 17 stories, it was one of the skycrapers changing the skyline of Tacoma. The building is of steel framework, completed with glazed white terra cotta. The investment in the building was 1 1/2 million dollars. (filed with Argentum)

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

ca. 1925. The Washington Building under construction. Construction on the modern American skyscraper in downtown Tacoma began in 1919 for the Scandinavian American bank, but halted a couple of years later when the bank closed. The steel structure sat deserted until it was completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. and dedicated on June 29, 1925. At 17 stories, it was the second tallest building in the Northwest. (WSHS)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Ave. and on the left, the Rust building at 950 Pacific Ave.The Washington Building was finished in 1925. At 17 stories, it was the second tallest building in the Northwest. The Rust building measures in at 12 stories. It is named after its builder William R. Rust. (WSHS-negative A695-0)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Exterior elevation of the Rust Building, a multi-story office building, at So. 11th Street and Pacific Avenue. The Rust Building is named for its builder William R. Rust. It was designed by the architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney and Dugan. The twelve story building opened in 1920. Since 1986, it has been known as the Seafirst Center. For Johnson-Cox, printers, for school annuals. (Image also numbered 8A3 image 2 in Argentum)

Business districts--Tacoma; Office buildings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Full view of the Rust Building on 11th Street between Commerce and Pacific Avenue. Sandstone clad steel frame 12-story business block for William R. Rust by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects, 1920. It was known as the Townsend building from 1929- 1931. It was remodeled by Seafirst bank in 1986 and renamed the Seafirst Center.

Business districts--Tacoma; Office buildings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Corner view of Rust Building showing Bone-Dry Shoe Store. Banners in windows for Removal Sale, "Forced to vacate, all prices reduced."

Business districts--Tacoma; Office buildings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Bone Dry Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1937. View of Bone Dry Shoe Company location in Rust Building. "Forced to Vacate - Removal Sale" signs on transoms. Ordered for designer to illustrate proposed alterations for Lundquist-Lilly Company.

Office buildings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Bone Dry Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1907. Copy of photograph of Rhodes Department Store, circa 1907. View of three story building by Ambrose J. Russell and Frederick Heath, Architects, 1903. Photograph was taken after repairs to building. Richards Studio copy made on 11-31-1937. (filed with Argentum)

Commercial buildings--Tacoma--1900-1910; Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Looking down on Pacific Avenue at 11th Street from upper floors of old Pacific First Federal Building. The Rust Building is at the left, buses and automobiles; people on sidewalk. (T. Times, 2/8/1939).

Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Buses--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Pacific Avenue at 11th Street. Rust Building at left, Bank of California at right. People cross the intersection and head toward one of 95 buses operated by Tacoma Railway and Power Company. (T. Times, 2/8/1939, p. 21)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Looking up 11th street hill with its large high rise buildings--Tacoma Building (Weyerhaeuser), Washington, Rust and Fidelity Buildings. The street is void of activity and traffic. (T. Times, 2/8/1939.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

View of Puyallup Avenue at Bay Street. Puyallup River Bridge with traffic. Resurfacing of Puyallup Avenue was the first of the new series of P.W.A. (Public Works Administration) contracts in Tacoma and first completed at a cost of $54,710. (T. Times, 10/20 p. 4,10/21 p. 20).

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

View in October of 1938 of the newly resurfaced Puyallup Avenue, looking east from Pacific Avenue. In 1938, Tacoma also retired her streetcars and replaced them with modern busses. A recently completed PWA contract called for the resurfacing of Puyallup Ave. from E. "G" St. to Pacific Ave. The contract, valued at $54, 710 called for the replacement of of sidewalk, curbs and street surface. (T.Times, 10/20/1938, p. 4)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

Puyallup Avenue at Bay Street. Puyallup River Bridge with traffic. Contractor Ray A. Moisio completed Puyallup Avenue resurfacing in 60 days. The 2,601-feet-long street was 100 feet wide and up to 20 inches thick. (T. Times, p. 4, 10/21 p. 20).

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

Puyallup and Pacific Avenues intersection. Repaving Puyallup Avenue in asphalt concrete, a Public Works Administration project, brought traffic from the Seattle Highway to Pacific Ave. and into the downtown Tacoma business core.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

This was how Puyallup Avenue appeared on October 20, 1938, looking east along the newly resurfaced street from Pacific Avenue to Bay Street and the bridge to the Seattle Highway. A stretch of 2601 feet of road, from East "G" Street to Pacific Avenue, was all new, including sidewalks, curbs and street surface. To construct the level 100- feet-wide road, the old asphalt was broken up and new concrete laid up to 20 inches thick. It was the first of the new series of Public Works Administration (PWA) contracts to be finalized and the first finished. The job took 60 days from start to finish and a ceremony was scheduled for October 21st to mark the record time. The newly surfaced road would bring traffic from the Seattle Highway directly into the downtown Tacoma shopping district. Standard Service Station and Firestone Store on left, OK Bakery and McKenzie Drug on right. (T. Times, 10/20/1938, p. 4).

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

In 1938, buses replaced streetcars in Tacoma and major thoroughfares were repaved in concrete. Contractor Ray A. Moisio's crew resurfaced Puyallup Avenue from Pacific Avenue to East G Street in 60 days. Concrete, up to 20 inches thick, paved a level, 100-feet-wide and 2,601-feet-long section including sidewalks. The $54,710 contract, funded by the Public Works Administration, extended to the Seattle Highway and stimulated business in the downtown district. (T. Times, 10/20/1938, p. 4).

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

Pacific Avenue at 11th Street. Bank of California and adjacent structures. In Tacoma's busy commercial center, shoppers stand-in-line to board one of the city's 95 buses operated by Tacoma Railway & Power (T.R.& P.) system.(T.Times 2/8/39, p. 21)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Business districts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bus stops--Tacoma; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma); Buses--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This view of Tacoma from Court C looking down 11th Street toward the Murray Morgan Bridge (11th St. Bridge) dates from February 1939. A corner-mounted sign for Fisher's Department Store hangs over the sidewalk at the right. On the left, descending the hill, are the Rhodes Department Store, the Fidelity Building, the Rust Building, the Washington Building, Kegel's Inc. and the Tacoma Building. The Fidelity Building was torn down in 1949 to make way for the F.W. Woolworth Co. Building. The bus coming up the hill is one of the new busses that replaced the 11th Street cable car after it went out of service in 1938. For Corky Mabin. (T. Times, 2/8/1939, p. 29).

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;

View from Court C down 11th Street toward bridge. Fisher's Department Store on right, Rhodes Department Store, Fidelity, Rust, Washington, and Tacoma Buildings on left. Pedestrian and vehicle traffic downtown business district. (T. Times, 2/8/1939)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;