At least three new barracks are under construction for the new regimental areas at Fort Lewis. This view shows three barracks buildings, a crane and the several smaller buildings and automobiles scattered around the work site. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. TPL-10393
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);
Marymount Military Academy, new east wing extension to grounds. Marymount, the only military school in the state of Washington, was located south of Tacoma and conducted by the Dominican Sisters. The Dominican Sisters, a teaching order, purchased "Shangarry," the 97 acre country estate of the late J. Shields, in 1920. Ground was broken on 7/1/1922 for a modern $200,000 Catholic school for boys. Architects Lundberg & Mahon of Tacoma contributed the plans. The school was dedicated in May of 1923 and the central building officially named St. Edwards Hall, Marymount. It replaced the Dominican St. Edwards Hall for Boys in Tacoma, which opened in 1907.
Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;
A small vehicle, resembling a jeep, is parked inside the Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot on November 2, 1954. This possibly could be a paint spray booth located within a warehouse on Fort Lewis. Hoses are attached to the sides of the booth which has doors that close. Photograph ordered by Sprayking, Inc., Los Angeles.
Sprayking, Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.); Military vehicles--Fort Lewis;
Officers of the dirigible USS Shenandoah stand in front of the mooring mast at Camp Lewis in October, 1924. The Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built on US soil. It was first airborne in September of 1922, one of a proposed fleet of German Zeppelin-like lighter than air craft. It came to a tragic end in September of 1925 when it broke apart during a thunderstorm, killing 14.
Officers and crew of the dirigible "Shenandoah" pose in front of the mooring mast at Camp Lewis in October of 1924. The mooring mast was constructed by the Navy for this two day visit. The Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built in America. Commissioned by the Navy, it was a copy of the German Zeppelin that so impressed our military in World War 1. The Shenandoah was first airborne in 1922. It came to a tragic end in September of 1925 when it broke apart in a thunderstorm with 43 persons aboard, killing 14.
Grainy December, 1929, photograph of the U.S.S. Lexington tied up at Baker Dock. After much discussion and negotiation, the U.S. Navy ordered the aircraft carrier to help the City of Tacoma by supplying auxiliary power. Severe drought conditions had rendered hydro plants inoperable and conservation methods employed were simply not enough to stave off a power crisis. The Lexington's monthlong stay would generate enough power for 25% of the city's needs. It allowed the city to turn on its streetlights, store lighting, and resume night shifts. (Tacoma Public Utilities Story: the First 100 Years: 1893-1993, p. 91-93)
U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma;
This photocopy of Battery "D", 10th Field Artillery's 12-gun salute to Charles Lindbergh was made on September 15, 1927, the day after Col. Lindbergh's pass over Fort Lewis's parade grounds occurred. It is almost identical to Boland B17378 but with the identification and date absent. Charles Lindbergh was traveling through the country promoting aviation. His pioneer non-stop solo voyage across the Atlantic to France was met with tremendous awe and admiration and the boyish aviator's photographs and activities drew much press. G69.1-129 (see also G67.1-124)
Main gates of Fort Lewis. The gates were built in 1917 using field stone and squared logs and paid for by a subscription fund set up by the employees who constructed the main buildings of (then) Camp Lewis. The cost was $4000. Camp Lewis was designated as a permanent Army post and officially became Fort Lewis in September of 1927. G69.1-159 TPL-10315
Gates--Fort Lewis; Military facilities--Wash.; Fort Lewis (Wash.);
Photograph of the 1935 Army Day Parade on 2nd Avenue, Seattle. Crowds of people watch army trucks roll by. The buildings in the background including the National Cash Register Co. at 1919 2nd Ave. TPL-7105
Military parades--Seattle--1930-1940; Military vehicles--Seattle--1930-1940; National Cash Register Co. (Seattle);
Around 1922, Marvin Boland took this photograph of the main gate and entrance to Camp Lewis (now Fort Lewis). The gate was erected toward the end of the year in 1917 and paid for by a subscription fund set up by the employees who constructed the main buildings at the Camp. In 1917, Pierce County donated 70,000 acres to the federal government for the establishment of a military base. Construction began July 5, 1917 and in the span of 90 days, 10,000 men built 1,757 buildings and 422 other structures. They installed lighting, plumbing and heating and started on streets, roads and railway spurs. They were so proud of their work that when the construction was completed, the workers subscribed $4,000 to build the main gate. The gate is still standing, although was moved from its original location due to the construction of Highway I-5. TPL-7070 (www.lewis.army.mil)
Camp Lewis (Wash.); Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930;
This photograph taken in December, 1929, is of the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Lexington, who came to Tacoma's rescue in an acute power crisis due to severe drought conditions. Power cables run from the ship's generator to a transformer on Baker Dock. About this time rain finally started to fill the lakes necessary for the operation of power plants; with the addition of the Lexington's auxiliary power, Tacoma was able to once again function normally. The Lexington stopped power deliveries to Tacoma on January 16, 1930, and departed for San Francisco the following day. TPL-1857; G71.1-118
U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;
This group of buglers were from the 161st Infantry who were participating in the Washington National Guard 1930 encampment at Camp Murray. Each encampment was given a different name; in 1930, it was called "Camp Dent." G77.1-042
Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry (Wash.); Bugles; Military uniforms; Military personnel;
This photograph of the 6th Engineers, 1st Battalion barracks at Fort Lewis is nearly the same as Boland B24356 with the added entry of Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma) and woods. The original photograph was taken on December 29, 1931; this photograph, taken slightly closer to the barracks, was snapped on January 23, 1932.
Exterior view of the Fort Lewis Hospital as seen on February 9, 1932. This is the same photograph as Boland B24470 except for the addition of Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma by locals). New permanent brick buildings like this hospital continued to be built in the early 1930s at Fort Lewis to replace the WWl-era wooden structures.
Ground was broken on July 1, 1922 for a modern $200,000 Catholic boys school by the Dominican Sisters on the grounds of the 97 acre country estate of the late J. Shields, "Shangarry." The completed school, Marymount Military Academy (photographed here in 1937), was located in what is now Spanaway. It was a spacious two story structure of five buildings in the Lombardine Mission style. The school housed a modern gym, pool and infirmary as well as surrounding playing fields, stables, tennis courts and shooting ranges. It was the only military school in the state of Washington. In 1974, the school dropped its military appellation and became a boarding school for wealthy families. It closed in 1976. The property was purchased in the 1980's by Harold LeMay, who used much of it to house his antique car collection.
Utilities Commissioner Ira S. Davisson is flanked by Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbegin and U.S.S. Lexington commander, Capt. Frank D. Berrien, on December 16, 1929, as they happily examine hook-up plans that will allow the aircraft carrier to provide much needed power to Tacoma. Severe drought conditions caused Tacoma to take an unprecedented step in requesting the aid of the powerful ship in generating supplemental electricity. (T.Times, 12-16-29, p. 1)
Sailors clean deck of U.S.S. Lexington while three young ladies watch, December 23, 1929. Tied up at Baker Dock, the Lexington's mission was to supply Tacoma with auxiliary power during the city's electrical crisis. Chores still had to be completed, however, even when guests were present. Ethel Haasarud, Freda Gardner and Naomi Dykeman appear amused at the switch in roles. They were aboard promoting the big Chamber of Commerce dance for enlisted Lexington personnel on December 26th; the women would act as judges in awarding prizes to the sailors chosen as the most handsome, most happy and best dancer. TPL-1776 (T.Times, 12-23-29, p. 1, TDL 12-24-1929 p.3)
January 1930 would have started off as a very dark year in Tacoma without the assistance of the U.S.S. Lexington, pictured here encircled by mist at Baker Dock. She arrived in Tacoma about December 17, 1929, and remained to mid-January, 1930, to provide electricity to the City of Tacoma. A severe drought in 1929 had left dams without sufficient water. After much negotiation, the fourth largest ship afloat (at that time) was ordered by the Navy to aid Tacoma; it was the first time in history that a ship had provided power for a city. The U.S.S. Lexington, badly damaged in the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea by Japanese fire, would be sunk by the American destroyer, U.S.S. Phelps. TPL-006.
J.T. Swan, center, Bos'n First Class, introduces recruits D.R. Turk (left) and A.G. West to the art of knot tying. The trio were photographed aboard the battleship USS New Mexico on July 22, 1927. The New Mexico was in port in Tacoma until August 1st. Guests were invited to view the flagship of the Pacific fleet in the afternoon. Commissioned in 1918, the battleship served in both World War I & II before being sold for scrap in 1947. (TNT 7/22/1927 p.1)
On March 12, 1924, Maj. General Edwin Burr Babbitt and his new bride, the former Miss Maud Ainsworth of Portland, returned from their two week honeymoon in Southern California to their newly remodeled home at Camp Lewis. Gen. Babbitt was Camp Commander and during his absence for his wedding and honeymoon, his grim and neglected bachelor quarters had been transformed into this neat, if unpretentious, home. The crowning glory was the bulb garden in front, planned by Gen. Babbitt for his new bride. (TNT 3/13/1924, pg. 11) G69.1-160 TPL-10313
Camp Lewis (Wash.); Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930; Babbitt, Edwin Burr--Homes & haunts;
Mounted artillery in semi-circle, probably at Camp Lewis. The Great War was over but this shining array of military might provided a reassuring sight for soldiers and civilians alike. G69.1-166
Unidentified building at Camp Murray as photographed in June of 1921. Railroad tracks located close by would make transporting men and equipment easier. Camp Murray was the home of the Washington National Guard and was located near American Lake. TPL-6466; G77.1-012
Arsenal at Camp Murray. The Arsenal was built on the grounds of Camp Murray in 1915 and nearly a hundred years later, is now the museum of the Washington National Guard. Here historical artifacts are collected and preserved to inspire and educate past and present Guardsmen and citizens alike. TPL-6467; G77.1-010
On February 24, 1922, ten Army personnel stood in front of a large truck which contained a wireless telephone and radio system with Magnavox speakers. A sign on the truck indicates that it belongs to the "Rock of the Marne Division," a nickname for the famed 3rd Infantry Division. The men and vehicle were at Camp Lewis. Army officers had planned back in November of 1921 to obtain a receiver and amplifier for radio concerts and were testing this process through Magnavox. By early February of 1922 Camp Lewis was able to hear music and daily news from San Francisco and weather reports from ships far out at sea. Arrangements would be made to transmit the music of the Camp Lewis military bands through space to areas far away. G69.1-164 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-31-21, A-12-article; TNT 2-1-22, p. 1-article) TPL-10311
Military personnel--Camp Lewis; Trucks--Camp Lewis; Signs (Notices);
Camp Lewis' 44th Infantry was noted for its fine athletes. Their tug-of-war team, under the direction of athletic officer Capt. Booth, had defeated teams from the Navy, Marines and the Bremerton Naval Shipyard in recent contests. In August of 1918 the 44th Infantry tug-of-war team posed with one of their many trophies. The shiny trophy is displayed on a large, thick coil of rope. Camp Lewis was host to a big track and field meet August 21-22nd, 1918. Although tug-of-war was be one of the events in competition, the outcome was not published in the News Tribune. The 44th Infantry was, however, the top point holder at the end of the meet with 59 points overall. (TNT 8-6-18, p. 11-article; TNT 8-22-18, p. 11-article) G69.1-156
