6A Class at Irving School in January of 1926. Irving was built in 1890, one of three schools made possible by the approval of a $100,000 bond issue on Nov. 30, 1889. The new school was named after author Washington Irving. By 1930, it was declared unsafe and it was closed. The school was razed in 1934. (WSHS)

Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Irving School (Tacoma);

Graduating class at Point Defiance School. The school began in 1909. Land was purchased at North 45th and Visscher streets in August, and a portable was ready for students one month later. The first school was named Francis W. Cushman after the Congressman from Tacoma who had helped get legislation passed for the federal government to give the City title to the land at Point Defiance. When the school was built two years later the name was changed to Point Defiance. (For the Record, Winnifred L Olsen) (WSHS)

Public schools--Tacoma; Point Defiance School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

McKinley School graduating class in January of 1926. McKinley School was built in 1908 and was designed by Frederick Heath, architect. It was named after the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley. (WSHS)

School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Group portraits; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Education--Tacoma; McKinley School (Tacoma);

Graduation Class at Sheridan School in January of 1926. The original Sheridan was built in 1889 as part of School District 53; the area was annexed by Tacoma in 1890. At that time, the school's name was changed from Bismark to Sheridan, to honor the Civil War general Philip H. Sheridan. A new school was built to replace the old in 1908. The 1908 facility was demolished and replaced in the 1990's. (WSHS)

School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sheridan School (Tacoma); Education--Tacoma; Group portraits;

It cost a whopping $151.68 in postage but the H.C. Weaver Productions' first film, "Hearts and Fists" arrived in the nick of time on January 2, 1926, for its scheduled world premiere at the Rialto Theater. Moore Amusement Co. head Henry T. Moore, left, owner of the Rialto, and Postmaster Clyde J. Backus are shown holding the wooden box, sent airmail from New York, which contained the reels of film. Note the sender neglected to list the Rialto's street address on the box but it was delivered anyway, five minutes before the premiere. The 40 lb. box took 72 hours and 42 minutes to travel from New York to Tacoma. (TNT 1/4/1926, pg. 8)

Boxes; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1920-1930; H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma); Moore, Henry T.; Backus, Clyde J.;

6A Class at Horace Mann School posed in front of the school in January of 1926. This southend school was constructed in 1901 and named after noted American educator Horace Mann. Horace Mann revolutionized education in the US, establishing the first school for teacher training and promoting "public" education for all. This structure was demolished after the new Mann Elementary was built in 1953. (WSHS)

Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;

6A Class at Mary Lyon School on steps of school building in January of 1926. The school was only 2 years old at this point, having opened in 1924. It was designed by Hill & Mock, architects, and was named after the founder of Mount Holyoke College for women in Massachusetts, an early supporter of higher education for girls. (WSHS)

Mary Lyon School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Group portraits; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Education--Tacoma;

Graduation class at Hawthorne School on steps of school building in January of 1926. Hawthorne was one of the oldest schools in Tacoma, starting as East school in 1885 in a former store. Its enrollment peaked in the early 1900's when it was the district's 3rd largest school. As more schools opened in the east and south portions of the city, enrollment declined. This smaller school was opened in 1913 at 28th and E. F St. It was closed in 1963 and demolished in 1981 to make way for the Tacoma Dome. (WSHS)

Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hawthorne School (Tacoma);

Graduating class at Rogers School in January of 1926. This building was constructed in 1908 and was named after John R. Rogers, the Washington governor who fathered the law that guarantees a free public education to all children in the state. Rogers closed in 2002. (WSHS)

School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rogers School (Tacoma); Group portraits; Education--Tacoma;

Ruth DuCharme and Orville Fuller posed in January of 1926 surrounded by Bill Winder (extreme left) and his Hotel Winthrop Orchestra. The pair was taking part in the Southwest Washington Championship Ho-down Ballroom Charleston competition which kicked off on January 23, 1926. The contest was sponsored by the Rialto Theater and the Hotel Winthrop and took place over 4 weeks. It featured dancers from Tacoma, Aberdeen, Chehalis, Centralia and Olympia. Winners were decided by popular applause. When all the shouting was over, Mrs. DuCharme and Mr. Fuller were the Tacoma champions. This was the first big ballroom Charleston contest to be held locally. (TNT 1/22/1926, pg. 8) TPL-466

The intersection of North Prospect at North 15th, looking east, was photographed for court evidence on February 8, 1926. The streets were paved and homes on both sides appear large and well maintained. House on the right corner is 1501 North Prospect; house on the left corner is 1502 North Prospect. Sidewalks and curbs were installed which was not a feature in all neighborhoods. Ornamental street lamps were spaced evenly along both sides of the street. The "90 ft" noted in the photograph's lower left corner is believed to be the distance to the intersection from the camera's viewpoint. G58.1-061 (photograph has been damaged)

Residential streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street lights--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Boland Studios were requested to photograph the North 15th and Prospect Streets for court evidence. This February 8, 1926, view of North Prospect at 15th, looking west, shows neatly trimmed yards and parking strips. The large home on the left is 1429 North Prospect, across the street is 1430 North Prospect. This part of town had sidewalks and curbs, amenities not enjoyed by all. The streets are nearly empty of traffic with only three parked cars visible. The "120 ft" noted in the lower left corner of the photograph may have been the distance to the intersection from the photographer's viewpoint. G58.1-062

Residential streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The street at center is North 15th St., looking north from Prospect, on February 8, 1926. This street had ornamental street lamps, neatly trimmed parking strips and yards, curbs and sidewalks. Utility poles were placed so that wires would not impact view of the street. At center right is 1429 North Fife. The other home in the immediate background is 1430 North Prospect. The "60 ft" noted in the left lower corner of the photograph may have been the distance to the intersection. Photograph taken for court evidence. G57.2-013

Residential streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street lights--Tacoma--1920-1930;

View of North 15th at Prospect looking south on February 8, 1926; photograph taken for court evidence. The homes visible appear to be large and well maintained with neatly clipped lawns and parking strips. House on the right is 1429 North Prospect; house on the left is 1501 North Prospect. Trees have been planted along sidewalks in the parking strips. Street visibility is clear with no traffic or parked cars. Utility poles have been placed in alleys rather than in front of the houses. Photographer has once again noted "60 ft" in lower left corner, probably the distance to the intersection from his viewpoint. G57.1-012

Residential streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Unidentified man on Indian motorcycle in February of 1926. The young man has his sidecar filed with boxes, at least one containing National Mazda lamps. G66.1-142

Motorcycles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Delivering--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Seven first graders at Whitman School became thespians in February of 1926 when they re-enacted the story of America's first flag for their school's PTA. The little play was so popular that the cast travelled to American Lake Hospital to perform for the war veterans on the 22nd, the first of several repeat performances. Pictured in their classroom are, left to right, Annell Hewitt, Mariette Gearhardt, Robert Haglund (as George Washington), Patsey Armour (as Betsy Ross), James Paulsen, Richard Stidman and Elva Eikenberry (seated.) (WSHS) (TNT 2/19/1926, pg. 8)

Whitman School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Costumes; Children playing adults; Historical dramas;

In 1926, silent films still ruled the screens and Tacoma had over 25 moving picture theaters. It also had its own theater association, the Picture Theater Managers' Association of Tacoma. In February of that year the group posed for a picture after one of their meetings at the Hotel Winthrop. Pictured seated (left to right) are: James Hone, L.A. Drinkwine- owner of the Palace Theater, Walter McNeish- Bijou Theater, Robert McKinnell- Rose Theater, Ned Edris- Blue Mouse, Mrs. DeSilva-Lyric Theater, W.Flint- The Park, and Martin Steffen - The Rex. Standing (left to right) are: M. McIntosh and R. Minkler- Lincoln Th., Louie Peorunko- Sunset Th., R.R. Pratch- Realart, Jean Spear - Capitol, J.R. Pottor- Community Th and H.R. Berg- Shell Th. Most noticeably missing is H.T. Moore of Moore Amusement, the owner of the Rialto. (WSHS) (TNT 2/5/1926, pg. 8)

Group portraits--Tacoma--1920-1930; Picture Theater Managers' Association of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Motion picture industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma;

A two-story house with a full basement has been built on a hillside with access to the one-car garage in the basement from the lower side. The address for the house is 3116 No. Alder (now renumbered to 3114) and Richards notes list "Lockwood" as the contractor. (WSHS)

Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

C.H. Ranschler, Superintendent of Elections, taught new voter Clara Hill how to use a voting machine in anticipation of the Primary Elections taking place in February of 1926. A record voter turnout, estimated to exceed 30,000, was expected at Tacoma's 101 polling places. At stake were the elections of the mayor and two City Councilmen. Five candidates had thrown their hats into the ring for the mayoral election and the two with the most votes in the February 23rd primary would run head-to-head in the March general election. Likely taken on the 2nd floor of the Old City Hall building.TPL-3206 (TNT 2/22/1926, pg. 16)

Aerial view taken in February of 1926 of the Northern Pacific shops in South Tacoma. Known as the "South Tacoma Shops," the plant was composed of 36 separate brick buildings, covering 15 acres. Craftsmen from 20 expert fields were employed to build, rebuild and service anything that travelled on wheels for Northern Pacific west of the Mississippi. The plant operated from 1890 until its closure in 1974. The body of water to the left was a wetlands area commonly called the "South Tacoma Swamp." It has since been filled in. (TNT 2/18/1927, pg. 2)

View of Saint Helens Avenue between 7th & 9th Sts. on March 4, 1926. Streetcar tracks are visible down Saint Helens. On the left are the Cleveland automobile dealership, Richardson's (734-36 Broadway), the Gilliam & Steven Motor Co. (at 735 Saint Helens, later street renamed Court C), Lindum Hotel (747-49 Saint Helens). Across the street are the Allyn Hotel (726-28 Saint Helens) and the Reliance Electric Fixture Co. (740 Saint Helens). G61.1-168

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Richardson Motor Co. (Tacoma); Gilliam & Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Lindum Hotel (Tacoma); Allyn Hotel (Tacoma); Reliance Electric Fixture Co. (Tacoma);

On March 4, 1926, firefighters from seven companies fought desperately to save the building at 1953 So. C St. The structure, built in 1907, was home to the Henningsen Creamery Co. Flames swept through the three story brick and concrete building as firefighters worked with ladders and hoses from the outside. The fire broke out at 7:40 a.m. caused by the explosion of tar being heated on an oil stove by workmen. The workers were remodeling the lower floor of the building, installing an ice cream plant. Damages were estimated at $50,000 - 100,000. This restored building is now part of the University of Washington Tacoma campus. TPL-7959, BU- 12644, G26.1-078 (TNT 3/4/1926, pg. 1+, pg. 22-picture)

Henningsen Creamery Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma greets movie stars at the Union Depot. A hearty greeting from the City of Tacoma was offered to the actresses and actors appearing in the H.C. Weaver Productions studio film, "Totem Pole Beggar," on March 5, 1926. Shaking hands with star Wanda Hawley, wearing a voluminous fur coat, is believed to be A.D. Bjornstad. Mr. Bjornstad had attended school with Miss Hawley ten years previously and was currently employed as auditor at the Weaver Studios. The couple is flanked by two city policemen on motorcycles; the police officers are dressed for the cold weather with leather boots, gauntlets with long gloves and thick coats. "Totem Pole Beggar," whose title would later be changed to "Eyes of the Totem," would be the second film produced by the H.C. Weaver Productions studio. It would begin filming on March 8, 1926, and open at the Broadway Theatre on June 10, 1927. (TDL 3-6-26, p. 1)

The stars of the future Weaver Productions, Inc. motion picture "Totem Pole Beggar" arrived at Tacoma's Union Depot on March 5, 1926. The movie was scheduled to begin filming at the H.C. Weaver studio near Titlow Beach on March 8. H.C. Weaver, studio head, is in the back row, third from the right. In the back row are George F. Whitcomb, Louis von Weithoff, Tom Santschi, Weaver, director W.S. Van Dyke and Peter L. Shamray. In the front row are Mrs. Peter L. Shamray, Mrs. H.C. Weaver, Mrs. Llewellyn Jones, Dorothy Jones, Anne Cornwall, Wanda Hawley, Violet Palmer and actor Gareth Hughes, in knickers and argyle socks. Dorothy Jones and her mother, Mrs. Llewellyn Jones, were prominent Tacomans involved in the theater. Most of the women are wearing full length fur or fur trimmed coats. "Totem Pole Beggar," whose title was later changed to "Eyes of the Totem," was the second film made by the recently opened H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. motion picture studio. Filmed partially in the Narada Falls area, the drama opened at the Broadway Theatre on June 10, 1927. (TDL 3-6-26, p. , TNT 3-6-26, p. 1)

Weaver, H.C.; Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Actresses; Hughes, Gareth; Santschi, Tom; Shamray, Peter L.; George F. Whitcomb; Palmer, Violet; Jones, Dorothy; Van Dyke, W.S.; Hawley, Wanda; Cornwall, Anne; H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma);

Stacking lumber with the help of a stacker made by Star Iron & Steel.

Industries; Lumber; Star Iron & Steel; Machinery;

One of downtown Tacoma's prime commercial streets was Broadway. This is Broadway looking north from 11th St. in March of 1926. On the right is the 12-story brick Fidelity Building (949-55 Broadway) with the Bank of California as one of the tenants. The Bank of California would build its own Italian Renaissance building of Wilkeson sandstone and granite at 1011-13 Pacific Avenue in 1928. On the photograph's left is a portion of the Fisher Co. department store (1104 Broadway) and the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway. G59.1-021

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fidelity Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

This is how Broadway looking south from 11th St. appeared in March of 1926. The large building on the right at 1104 Broadway is the Fisher Co. (formerly known as Stone-Fisher until October of 1925), Tacoma's oldest department store. It had been at that location since 1906 although the store had begun operations as Sanford & Stone on Tacoma Avenue in 1889. On the left were the E.R. Parker System (painless dentists) at 1103 1/2 Broadway and the French Drug Co. (1101-03) both in the Warburton Building with the relocated Blue Bird Electrical Shop (1105-07) next door. The main business districts were then still in the downtown Tacoma area where a variety of stores, restaurants and recreation outlets were available to the consumer. City buses had yet to supplant streetcars as a means of mass transit although automobiles were becoming more prevalent. G59.1-032 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-11-25, 12-A-article on the Fisher Co.)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; 0; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); E.R. Parker System (Tacoma); French Drug Co. (Tacoma); Blue Bird Electrical Shop (Tacoma); Warburton Building (Tacoma);

St. Paul Lumber Company crane loading a vessel at 1220 Saint Paul Ave, Tacoma

Industries; St. Paul Lumber Company; Cranes, Tideflats;

In March of 1926, Spring arrived early bringing unseasonable warm and sunny weather. In the opinion of J.M. Green of Horsehead Bay, Spring never left at all. For evidence, he holds two bouquets of posies picked outdoors at his place on a sheltered point on the Sound. The lower flowers are multi-colored straw flowers that usually die with the first frost but have bloomed all winter. The other bouquet is of doronicum, yellow spring daisies, that bloomed a full six weeks early. Also making an early appearance were spring vegetables, Delphiniums and Columbine. Horsehead Bay is a small inlet from Case Inlet, west of Arletta, in northwest Pierce County. (TNT 3/23/1926, pg. 1)

Green, J.M.; Flowers; Bouquets; Daisies; Spring; Seasons; Weather;

In early March of 1926, Albert C.C. Gamer was being loaded down with Tacoma tourist information as he prepared to depart for Paris for the International Hotelmen's Convention. Mr. Gamer, the manager of the Olympus Hotel at 815 Pacific, was approached by area civic organizations as the proper person to carry Tacoma's invitation to Europe. Surrounding Mr. Gamer, left to right, are Joseph Erpelding, carrying Mr. Gamer's bag; Gladys Mase of the City Light Department, giving him facts and pictures of the Cushman power project; Mrs. R.N. Bergen of the Hotel Winthrop; Ruth Edwards (standing) representing the Rainier National Park Co. and Agnes Hansen, representing the Civic Development Bureau of the Tacoma News Tribune. The International Hotelmen met once every three years and the meeting was attending by hosts from all around the world. (TNT 3/11/1926, pg. 1) TPL-6331; Bowen #26141