Construction - Winthrop Hotel. This steel column has been labeled #5 and would be used in the building of the Winthrop Hotel at 9th & Broadway in 1924. The column is believed to have been manufactured by the Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Stern of the SS Bienville. The Bienville would be launched the following day, July 16, 1924, from Todd Dry Dock & Construction facilities. The combination freighter/passenger vessel, 445 feet in length with a 57-foot beam, could hold 346 passengers. She was built at a cost of over one million dollars and would be used to travel between New York and New Orleans. The Bienville would catch on fire in mid-March of 1925 while being overhauled in New Orleans. The ship was ablaze from stem to stern but all aboard escaped. G37.1-113 (TNT 6-21-24, p. 1,9-articles; 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;

Delegation of carpenters to a labor convention held in Olympia. The ten men who posed for a group picture on July 16, 1924, were not identified. G38.1-020

Meetings--Olympia--1920-1930; Labor unions; Carpenters; Carpenters' union;

Delegates to the Washington State Federation of Labor convention in Olympia posed for a group portrait on July 16, 1924. Many wear campaign endorsements for Edward Clifford as Republican Governor of Washington. Lumber magnate Roland Hartley would go on to win the Republican candidacy that year and capture the governor's race. G76.1-039

Meetings--Olympia--1920-1930; Labor unions; Political campaigns;

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;

Planing mill at Western Boat Building. Stacks of smooth surfaced timber wait to be used at the Western Boat Building facility on E. 11th St. Western Boat Building, operated by M.A. Petrich, built and repaired boats. G37.1-123

Mills--Tacoma--1920-1930; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

View taken from hillside of several furniture manufacturing plants. At the far left is the Gregory Furniture Mfg. Co., 2926 South Steele (corner of Center & Steele). Others labeled in the July 17, 1924, photograph are the Northwest Chair Co., 2201 South Tacoma Way (site called Edison Ave. at the time) and the C.E. MacDonald Co., next door at 2121 South Tacoma Way. Northwest Chair had constructed the four-story concrete addition visible here to its plant in 1923. The building housing the C.E. MacDonald Co. would suffer major damage in 1927 when a fire of unexplained origin broke out. G35.1-016 (photograph damaged at right corner)

Furniture industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Gregory Furniture Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma); C.E. MacDonald Co. (Tacoma);

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;