A large crowd gathered for the dedication of the Fairfax Bridge (also known as the James R. O'Farrell Bridge or Carbon River Bridge) on December 17, 1921. At the time of its construction, it was the highest bridge in the state, rising 240 feet above the Carbon River. The one-lane bridge was built to provide automobile access to the coal mining towns and mills, and the Carbon River region of Mount Rainier National Park on the far side of the river. The bridge is still one of only two extant three-hinged steel arches in the state, with a length of 494 feet. It has a 240-foot three-hinged spandrel braced rib deck arch, two 14-foot steel towers, and two timber trestle approach spans. It cost $80,000 to build and is a fine example of extensive lattice work. (TNT 12-19-21, p. 13; www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/eao/culres/bridges/bridge_pierce_072.htm, www.nwhighways.amhosting.net/165.html) G15.1-038B; TPL-8485

Bridges--Washington; Fairfax Bridge; Dedications--Washington--1920-1930;

The Fairfax Bridge was dedicated on Saturday, December 17, 1921, culminating a twenty year struggle by residents and political forces to provide highway access to this rural Pierce County area. The Carbon River-Fairfax road cost the county nearly half-a-million dollars with the bridge totaling $80,000. The bridge, also known as the James R. O'Farrell Bridge and Carbon River Bridge, is still in existence. It spans the Carbon River 2.8 miles south of Carbonado. All major structural components of the bridge, the chords of the ribs, tower posts, spandrel columns, are composite members using extensive lattice work. It makes the bridge appear light and airy. Built 240 feet above the river, it was the highest bridge in the state at the time of construction. G15.1-038A; TPL-3655 (TNT 12-19-21, www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/eao/culres/bridges/bridge_pierce_072.htm, www.nwhighways.amhosting.net/165.html)

Bridges--Washington; Fairfax Bridge;

Dodge automobile traveling on new Fairfax Bridge in December of 1921. According to Griffith Motor Co., Dodge Brothers dealers in Tacoma, this Dodge was among the first cars to cross the new bridge which spans the gulch near Fairfax. Residents residing near the coal mining town of Fairfax were finally able to have highway access with the opening of the new Carbon River-Fairfax Road on December 17, 1921. An $80,000 bridge, known as the James R. O'Farrell Bridge, Carbon River Bridge or Fairfax Bridge, spanned the Carbon River canyon in Pierce County. Local politicians and residents had pushed for twenty years to have highway access; prior to the bridge construction, the only way out of the area was through the Northern Pacific Railroad or a long hike overland. At the time of construction, the bridge, standing 240 feet above the river, was the highest bridge in the state. It was nearly 500 feet in length. G15.1-035 (TNT 5-19-21, www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/eao/cultres/bridges/bridge_pierce_072.htm, www.nwhighways.amhosting.net/165.html; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-1-22, C-5)

Bridges--Washington; Fairfax Bridge; Dodge automobile;

The Fairfax Bridge, south of Carbonado on SR-165, was dedicated on December 17, 1921. The one-lane bridge, built in 1921 at a cost of $80,000, spans the Carbon River Canyon and provides access to Fairfax and the Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. Officially named the James R. O'Farrell Bridge, it is one of only two extant three-hinged steel arches in the State of Washington and at 240 feet, was the highest bridge in the state at the time of its construction. G15.1-037; TPL-3656. (TNT 12-19-21, www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/eao/culres/bridges/bridge_pierce_072.htm, www.nwhighways.amhosting.net/165.html)

Bridges--Washington; Fairfax Bridge;

ca. 1921. St Paul's Catholic Cathedral, Yakima, WA. for Father Robert Armstrong, J.W. Maloney and J.E. McGuire, Associated Architects. Copy of architectural rendering of Spanish style church with decorated tower and large round window. (filed with Argentum)

St. Pauls Catholic Cathedral (Yakima); Catholic churches--Yakima; Architectural drawings;

ca. 1921. Pacific Luthern College's (later University) first building dominates the landscape in 1921. Designed by architect August Heide, the cornerstone was laid in 1891, one year after the college was founded. Known first as "Old Main," the landmark structure was renamed Harstad Hall for the school's first president, the Rev. B. A. Harstad. (B5709)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1920-1930; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings--1920-1930;

Includes a photo of one of the Willits Brothers manufacturing a canoe.

ca. 1921. The steamship "Indianapolis," one of two ships used in the Seattle to Tacoma steamship passenger service, docked at the Municipal Dock. The dock was located on the City Waterway (now the Thea Foss Waterway.) The ships would dock with their bows headed up the channel. The services of a tug would be required to turn the bow of the ships around to head back to Seattle. The Foss #12 and its captain William T. Case were assigned this duty. The "Indianapolis" was launched on May 5, 1904 as a Great Lakes steamship. Her inability to serve the large holiday crowds prompted her sale to the Puget Sound Navigation Co. in October of 1905. The vessel travelled around the Cape and began her new run in April of 1906. She served as a passenger transport from 1906-1938. She was converted in 1933 to a car ferry and scrapped in 1939. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Ferryboats" by M.S. Kline and G.A. Bayless; "Puget Sound Ferries" Carolyn Neal & Thomas Kilday Janus)

Steamboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Navigation Co. (Tacoma); Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marine terminals--Tacoma;

Construction on the new John Dower Lumber Company headquarters building at 733 East 11th Street began in late November, 1921. The company held an open house for the general public on March 11, 1922. The building, designed by Bullard & Mason, was one of the most unique lumber offices in the country. The finish on the exterior was designed to resemble a log house; the interior was finished in selected native woods, stained and varnished to bring out their natural colors. In 1922 the John Dower Lumber Company was one of the largest retail lumber companies in the United States. The St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company purchased the Dower yard and headquarters building in 1942. BU-11057

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; John Dower Lumber Company (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1921. Brown and Haley delivery trucks picking up a shipment behind the factory around 1921. At this time, the company was still manufacturing its candy under the name "Oriole Chocolates." The trucks have both the name Oriole, and the company's logo of an oriole bird, as well as Brown and Haley on the sides. One truck has printing proclaiming that Oriole Honor chocolates are the "Best in the West." In the center of the picture is one of the famous "All roads lead to Rhodes" street signs. TPL-4408

ca. 1921. View of Fairfax Bridge, AKA James R. O'Farrell Bridge, Carbon River Bridge, on State Route 165 spanning the Carbon River, 2.8 miles south of Carbonado, Pierce County. Built for $80,000 in 1921, the bridge was part of the nearly $500,000 Carbon River-Fairfax Road that connected the coal mining towns of Fairfax and Montezuma, Manley-Moore town, and the northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park with the outside world. Prior to the bridge construction, the only way out was either through a long walk or by railroad. The bridge was closed in 1995 so that the approaches could be rebuilt and bridge redecked. It has survived other openings and closings due to landslides and fires; it went back into service in 1998. The Fairfax Bridge is one of only two extant three-hinged steel arches in the State of Washington. 494 feet in length, it has a 240-foot three-hinged spandrel braced rib deck arch, two 14-foot steel towers, and two timber trestle approach spans. At the time it was built, it was the highest bridge in the state. G15.1-036 (TNT 12-19-21, www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/eao/culres/bridges/bridge_pierce_072.htm, www.nwhighways.amhosting.net/165.html)

Bridges--Washington; Fairfax Bridge;

Includes a photo of manufacturing a canoe.

Includes a photo of one of the Willits Brothers manufacturing components of a canoe, c1921.

ca. 1921. Driving mechanic L.J. Vick posed for photographer Marvin Boland at the Tacoma Speedway circa 1921. He is seated behind the wheel of an unidentified race car on the board track. Riding mechanics, or "mechanicians," accompanied the actual race car driver during the race. It is not known which racer Mr. Vick accompanied. TPL-2476

Vick, L.J.; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood);

ca. 1921. Auto racer Roscoe Sarles and unidentified driver/"mechanician" with Richlube Motor Oil. The motor oil was manufactured by the Richfield Oil Co., Los Angeles. 1921 was the second year that Mr. Sarles had ventured to the Tacoma Speedway to compete with racing colleagues such as Eddie Hearne, Tommy Milton, Joe Thomas and Eddie Pullen. Mr. Milton passed Mr. Sarles on the home stretch after the 200-mile mark and beat him by a mere 22 seconds. For his second place finish, Mr. Sarles accepted $5000 and 260 championship points. (TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2-article on results) TPL-3175

Sarles, Roscoe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile equipment & supplies;

ca. 1921. Speed king Eddie Hearne watches as fellow driver Harry Hartz pours Richlube Motor Oil in Mr. Hearne's vehicle. Richlube Motor Oil was manufactured by the Richfield Oil Co. of California. This photograph may have been taken around 1920 or 1921 at the Tacoma Speedway. Both years Mr. Hearne drove a white Revere.

Hearne, Eddie; Hartz, Harry; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile equipment & supplies;

ca. 1921. Four men stand next to wall of snow. Opening in snow leads to building that looks like Paradise Inn on Mount Rainier. TPL-7064

Snow; Winter;

ca. 1921. Informal close-up portrait of auto racer, Eddie Miller. Mr. Miller, part of the powerful four-car Duesenberg team, paid his third visit to Tacoma's Speedway in 1921. He picked up his bride from back East before arriving in Tacoma in late June, following the path laid by his former teammate, Tommy Milton, who had done the same before winning the 1920 Tacoma race. Eddie Miller in his #7 Duesenberg came in sixth in 1921 with a time of 2:39:55 and average mph of 93.70. He earned $1000 and 35 championship points. Mr. Miller was credited in building 23 cars. Before piloting a car himself, he had riden as a "mechanician" with six drivers. Eddie Miller had been on every speedway in the United States, traveling over 23,000 miles in racing cars alone. (TNT 6-30-21, p. 15; TDL 7-3-21, C-3-article; TNT 7-5-21, p. 1, 2-results) G52.1-060

Miller, Edward; Automobile racing drivers; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood);

ca. 1921. This photograph taken in the early 1920's shows the arrival and tugboat assisted turn around of the steamship "Indianapolis" at the Tacoma terminal, the Municipal Dock, of the Seattle to Tacoma steamship passenger service. The Municipal Dock was on the City Waterway (now the Thea Foss Waterway) north of the Eleventh Street Bridge. The ships would arrive and dock with their bows headed up the channel. Due to the narrowness of the channel, the length of the ships and the proximity of the bridge, a tugboat was required to assist them in turning about for their return voyage to Seattle. The Foss #12, captained by William T. Case, would connect a line to the bow and turn the ships about twice a day. The steamships could then assume cruising speed and head for Seattle. (photograph courtesy of the collection of William T. Case)

Case, William T.--Associated objects; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats; Steamboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Navigation Co. (Tacoma); Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marine terminals--Tacoma;

ca. 1921. The "Tacoma," one of two steamboats used on the Seattle to Tacoma passenger service operated by the Puget Sound Navigation Co. The "Tacoma" can be identified by its two funnels. The Eleventh Street Bridge can be seen in the background. Due to the narrowness of the channel, the Foss #12 tug had to assist in turning the bow of the steamship about for its return trip to Seattle. Here, a line has been attached from the Foss #12 to the bow of the ship to turn it about. The "Tacoma" was launched on May 13, 1913 and it provided Puget Sound passenger service from 1913-1938. The vessel was manufactured at Robert Moran's Seattle Dry Dock & Construction Co. It could accomodate 1,000 passengers, who could travel in style from Seattle to Tacoma in 77 minutes. The passenger only line was defeated by the advent of automobiles and a combination of demand for car ferries and the opening for the Seattle Tacoma Highway in 1928. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Puget Sound Ferries" by Carolyn Neal and Thomas Kilday Janus; "Ferryboats" by M.S. Kline and G.A. Bayless)

Steamboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Navigation Co. (Tacoma); Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1921. View on Pacific Ave. Streetcar #200, in front, bound for Spanaway, taking on passengers. Streetcar in back has Portland Ave. as destination. Early automobile beside has dealer plates for 1921. The Public Safety Building, originally the Northern Pacific Headquarters at 621 Pacific Ave., is in the distance left. TPL-196, TPL-011

Street railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1921. Roscoe Sarles in his #6 Duesenberg on the board track of the Tacoma Speedway circa 1921. Driver Sarles, winner of the recent Uniontown, Pennsylvania race, was expected to vie with 1920's Tacoma Speedway winner Tommy Milton for the $10,000 first prize money and 500 championship points in the July 4th 250-mile race. Tommy Milton had just won the Indy 500 on Memorial Day and would go on repeat as Tacoma's champion by nosing out Roscoe Sarles with an average mph of 96.84. Mr. Sarles' Duesenberg teammates finished third and sixth in the nine-car field. (print from badly damaged negative) (TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2-results) TPL-080

Sarles, Roscoe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Duesenberg automobile; Grandstands--Lakewood;