The Northern Pacific Railway's South Tacoma Band, wearing their brand new uniforms, posed with their instruments on July 17, 1924. Band members were employees of Northern Pacific whose shops were located in the South Tacoma area. The band had given its first concert in mid-April of 1924 which was attended by nearly all in the N.P. shops. Initially the band started with 22 experienced members and was led by director E.L. Benjamin. They gave their first public concert on July 23rd at South Tacoma park. Each member paid for his own instrument and played for free. Names of the band members were listed in the News Tribune article on July 23, 1924, p. 15. 5th from left in back row is band director E.L. Benjamin; next to him (in suit and hat) is shop superintendent H.A. Lyddon. TPL-964; G44.1-110 (TNT 4-16-24, p. 11-article on band; TNT 7-23-24, p. 15)

Bands--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Benjamin, E.L.; Lyddon, H.A.;

Construction of the original Fircrest Golf Club clubhouse was nearly completed when this July 20, 1924, photograph was taken. The 9 hole course (expanded the next year to a full 18 holes) was to open in six days. Members of this private club, located on 160 acres near Tacoma, were excited to see the opening of the Arthur Vernon Macan-designed course. George Turnbull, who had learned golf in Scotland, was named the club's first club pro. G54.1-022 (www.fircrestgolf.com-articles)

Building construction--Fircrest--1920-1930; Clubhouses--Fircrest--1920-1930; Golf--Fircrest--1920-1930;

Fircrest Golf Club clubhouse under construction. The golf course, located on 160 acres in Fircrest, opened its first 9 holes on July 26, 1924. The clubhouse pictured above six days before the course opened would be the first of three built on the private club's property. Construction funds were about $25,000 and were a gift from Tacoma lumberman Leonard Howarth. The most recent clubhouse was opened in 1997. G54.1-029 (www.fircrestgolf.com-articles; TDL 4-8-25, p. 9-article on golf course)

Building construction--Fircrest--1920-1930; Clubhouses--Fircrest--1920-1930; Golf--Fircrest--1920-1930;

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;

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;

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;

Miss Tacoma, Chonita Lazelle Rudides (center), and her maids of honor smile for the camera on July 21, 1924. The seven very modestly dressed young women are standing on the steps of an unidentified building. Dropped waistlines were in style with straight silhouettes and hemlines falling to mid-calf or ankle length. Miss Rudides was chosen as Miss Tacoma from a field of 15 contestants representing the city's improvement clubs. Born in Madrid, Spain, she was the daughter of an Army surgeon, and came to Tacoma from St. Louis, where she graduated from high school. Included in her court, in no order, were Hazel Hayden, Marion Johnson, Sarah Cook, Mercedes Durant, Jeanne Wolner and Esther Purcell. G42.1-139 (TNT 6/21/1924, pg. 2)

Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1920-1930; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rudides, Chonita Lazelle;

Machinery at Star Iron & Steel foundry at 435 E 11th St, Tacoma

Industries; Star Iron & Steel; Machinery; Tideflats

Map of Fircrest Golf Club Course on display on July 25, 1924. The new private golf course would open the next day, July 26th. The map shows the layout of the course, including hole lengths and location of the 5-acre practice field, pro shop and misc. buildings. The site of the clubhouse was moved to a more central position from the outskirts of the clubgrounds which necessitated a change in numbering of the holes. Although the map shows the Fircrest Golf Course to be 18-holes, it would open using only nine holes. The golf club was designed by noted golf architect, A. (Arthur) Vernon Macan of Victoria, B.C. The course measured 6,455 yards with a par of 70. G54.1-013 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-4-24, 4-C-article) TPL-10255

Maps; Golf--Fircrest--1920-1930;

Engraved cups on display at the Tacoma Yacht Club in July of 1924. An American flag, at that time with only 48 stars, is hung behind the trophies. This display was set up for the 4th of July. TPL-7182; G14.1-045

Awards; Flags--United States; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

Tacomans opened their hearts and donated bags of used clothing, totaling 16,000 pounds, for the "Near East Relief" effort in July of 1924. People were asked to bring clothing to various "bundle stations" on Wednesday, July 23rd. Two unidentified men are pictured above a week later standing on top of a mountain of bagged clothing outside the doors of a Navy Recruiting Station, presumably one of the aforementioned "bundle" collection points. The used clothing would be transported, via many Tacoma firms, to the freighter Virginia V bound for Seattle where it would be reloaded and shipped overseas to Armenian refugees. G21.1-171 (TDL 8-2-24, p. 4-article)

Clothing relief--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

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;

A 1925 Chandler closed automobile was on display at Richardson Motor Co. in July of 1924. The vehicle was balanced on beams and bore the sign "1925 Chandler Equal Weight on all Four Wheels." It was kept constantly in motion by the use of a sewing machine motor. Hundreds of passersby stopped by the sales window of Richardson Motors, 734 Broadway, to view the unusual attraction. The demonstration sought to prove that the car would ride smoother, have less skid, and would be easier to handle. The car's manufacturer, the Chandler Motor Co., was the largest auto maker in Cleveland in the early 1920's. G11.1-042 (TDL 7-13-24, 12-G)

Chandler automobile; Signs (Notices); Richardson Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Harry F. Demers, mailman, on his route. Mr. Demers, Mailman #82, mail in hand and bulging bag over his shoulder, has apparently just left his branch in July of 1924. The post office is believed to have been the South Tacoma station then at 5446 South Union (South Tacoma Way) . Postman Demers was assigned to deliver the first mail to the Arlington district. This was his first regular route since being employed by the post office earlier in the year. Due to the effects of increased mail service since July 1st, 500 more homes have received delivery of mail directly to their doors. G42.1-119 (TNT 7-9-24, p. 15)

Postal service--Tacoma--1920-1930; Correspondence; Letter carriers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Postal service employees--Tacoma--1920-1930; Demers, Harry F.;

Display of concrete pipes stored outside the Harrison Concrete Pipe Co. at the end of July, 1924. Pipes, wire and wood fill the plant's yard. The company was believed to have been located at 3615 East "B" in Tacoma. G33.1-094

Pipes (Conduits); Pipe industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

Columbarium. This has been identified as the new columbarium attached to the Oakwood Cemetery & Funeral Home in Tacoma. With the increase in cremations, an additional columbarium was built in 1923 to supplement the original small one. The niches, stacked one on top of another, were encased in glass where urns and other mementos could be clearly viewed. A few bits of furniture were placed for those who wished to rest while paying their respects. The building is still in use nearly ninety years after this August, 1924, photograph was taken. The furniture, however, has changed. G26.1-123 (Additional information provided by a reader) TPL-10527

Columbaria--Tacoma; Cemeteries--Tacoma; Oakwood Cemetery & Funeral Home (Tacoma);

Crematorium at Oakwood (Hill) Cemetery & Funeral Home. One of Tacoma's oldest businesses, Oakwood (Hill) Cemetery & Funeral Home has operated since 1874 at its 5210 South Alder Location, the first burial taking place during that year. It and Old Tacoma were then one large cemetery called Prairie Cemetery. All funeral services were offered at Oakwood (Hill) including cremation. In 1908 a crematory and small columbarium (the lower building at center, right) were built. With cremation gaining increasing favor with the public, an addition to the original building was added in 1923. That newer building (in the center) still has space for inurnments. It also has one of the few domes in Tacoma, with over 2000 individual pieces of stained glass. G26.1-124 (Additional information provided by a reader)

Oakwood Cemetery & Funeral Home (Tacoma); Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma--1920-1930;

In August of 1924 the Tacoma Rotary Club sponsored 60 boys from Tacoma so that they could spend a week at Camp Seymour, the Y.M.C.A. camp at Glen Cove. This group of unidentified boys was photographed in front of the Y.M.C.A. building at 714 Market Street. Through gymnasium games, swimming, camping and Bible study, the Y worked to develop young men healthy in both body and spirit. The "bus" provided transportation to the Y.M.C.A. for many groups of boys, such as those from the Oakland Industrial Home. The Tacoma YMCA was organized in 1883 and has provided continuous service since that time. TPL-8753

Young Mens Christian Association (Tacoma);

Mooring mast under construction in August of 1924. This 165-foot mooring mast was specially built by the Navy for the October 18-19, 1924, arrival of the dirigible "Shenandoah" at Camp Lewis. The "Shenandoah," a copy of the German Zeppelin, was the first rigid airship built in America. She would suffer a tragic end in September of 1925 when she was ripped apart during a thunderstorm over Ohio. The mooring mast was built at a cost of $60,000 for this singular visit and although maintained, was never used again. It was dismantled at the request of the Army in 1936. G12.1-108

Mooring masts; Airships--Associated objects;

Two unidentified men gaze at giant wheel constructed at Coast Iron & Machine Works, 1117 Dock St., in August of 1924. The machinery firm was operated by J.A. McRae and R.C.McRae. G35.1-088

Coast Iron & Machine Works (Tacoma);

Located ten miles south of Tacoma on Pacific Highway SW , Mammy's Cabin offered 1/2 Fried Spring Chicken on toast for a mere 50 cents. Their chicken and steak dinners were worth a drive on the "Camp Lewis Highway." Dozens of wooden tables and benches were available for dining alfresco under the grove of pine trees behind the small wood-framed restaurant. A huge log fire, seen smoking, continuously burned so patrons could gather around and converse. A phonograph with plenty of records was available on the porch so diners could select their own music. Mammy's Cabin, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Carrier, was open late each evening for those with fried chicken appetites. (scan from negative, no print on file) TPL-10530 (TNT 08-07-1924, B3)

Mammy's Cabin (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The view around South 11th in downtown Tacoma has changed dramatically since this photograph of the Pierce County Courthouse, located at 1012 South "G" St., was taken in August of 1924. The lush trees are gone and the buildings altered or demolished, including the courthouse itself in 1959. The lawn on the left side of the street is now part of Bates Technical College and the wooden sidewalk directly across it transformed into ordinary cement. The wood building at the corner of South 11th & Altheimer remains but now houses the CJ Johnson Bail Bonds. Where the courthouse once stood is now parking for the County-City Building. TPL-3269; G17.1-081

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930;

View of the Pierce County Courthouse in 1924 featuring the 230-foot stone clock tower. The massive Romanesque structure was built in 1892 and was patterned after the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania courthouse designed by Henry Hobson Richardson. At the far left is the First Presbyterian Church, 1001 South "G," which would be acquired the following year and transformed into Central Lutheran Church. Both structures and surrounding trees would be demolished with the courthouse falling in 1959 and the church in 1955. G17.1-078; BU-10,713

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

Employees of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. crowd onto the small boat, "Lathea," on August 4, 1924, while others in back wait aboard the "Fossberg." G50.1-063

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Boats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Small boat under construction at Babare Mfg. Co. site in August of 1924. The Babare brothers, George & Nick, were pioneer shipbuilders with original plant in Old Town. They had moved their facility to 3517 E. 11th St. along the Hylebos Waterway. G37.1-106

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

On August 12, 1924, representatives from five families of Eastern Montana dry farmers were photographed at the Tacoma Municipal Dock. The families were relocating to farms purchased in Vaughn, on the eastern shore of the Case Inlet in Northern Pierce County. The men had arrived with a large boxcar filled with household goods, farm implements and even two cows. They were waiting to have the goods transferred to the steamer Burrows for the final leg of their journey. Pictured left to right are C. Blydorp, John W. Walniewicz, Johnny Vanlamen, Charles Vitol, Ed Vanlamen and Hank Vandervan. The men had purchased farms in Vaughn on the recommendation of one farmer who had visited the Puget Sound the Christmas before. Most of the party of 14 persons had never seen the Puget Sound or the land they would soon call home. (TNT 8/13/1924, pg. 15) G72.1-154

Colonists--Vaughn; Homesteading; Farms--Vaughn; Farming--Vaughn; Blydorp, C.; Walniewicz, John W.; Vanlamen, Johnny; Vitol, Charles; Vanlamen, Ed; Vandervan, Hank;