South Tacoma location of Dodge Brothers cars. Griffith Motor Co., Dodge Brothers dealership, opened a new outlet for Dodge vehicles at 5210-14 South Tacoma Way (then called South Union) in 1925. View of one-story concrete building originally constructed in 1924 and now housing the South Tacoma Home of Dodge Brothers Motor Cars. Recently opened next door was the San Tex Cigar Co. The South Tacoma location of Dodge Bros. paid special attention to parts and accessories for Dodge vehicles. 150 cars every month were sold along this automotive row by various dealerships. The 1926 Polk Directory showed new ownership of the Dodge Brothers dealerships, both at 728-30 Broadway and the South Tacoma location, with Fred B. Walker, Inc., replacing Griffith Motors. Griffith Motors had been purchased by Mr. Walker, former assistant general sales manager of Dodge Brothers, Inc., in January of 1926. G32.1-079 (TNT 9-16-25, p. 24; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-17-26, G-2-article on Walker purchase) TPL-10452

Dodge automobile; South Tacoma Dodge Agency (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; San Tex Cigar Co. (Tacoma);

This is the mighty right forearm of "Young Jack" Dempsey, rugged fighter out of Puyallup, as pictured on September 14, 1925. His clenched fist, popping veins, and muscular biceps are an indication of the power he unleashes in his bouts, having knocked out his last two foes. Dempsey had been training for an upcoming battle with Everett's Kid Kober in which he would emerge victorious. G53.1-129 (TNT 9-16-25, p. 26)

Dempsey, Jack; Boxers (Sports); Arms (Anatomy);

There was more than one Jack Dempsey in the world of boxing. Although he shared the name of the famous boxer, "Jar 'em Jack" or "Young Jack" Dempsey was from Puyallup and would be facing Kid Kober of Everett in a six-rounder on September 17th of 1925; a bout that the light heavyweight would win by a knockout. This photo of the bare-chested Jack Dempsey with clenched fists and an intent look was taken in September of 1925 at an unidentified gym. G67.1-179 (TDL 9-14-25, p. 6-article; TNT 9-16-25, p. 26)

Dempsey, Jack; Boxers (Sports);

Thomas Handforth sitting on a rock outcropping in San Fruttuoso, Italy with the Abbazia di San Fruttuoso in the background.

This large group of men and women are getting a close-up view of Cushman Dam which was still under construction in September of 1925. They may have been attending the Seattle convention of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, 70 of whom decided to visit the Cushman project on Saturday, September 19, 1925. The visitors praised the ongoing work. The demand for more power for city residents resulted in Tacoma Power's decision to build the dam on the Skokomish River. Construction had started in 1924 and the dam was opened officially by President Calvin Coolidge on May 24, 1926. TPL-2311; G24.1-152 (TNT 9-22-25, p. 22-article)

Cushman Dam #1 (Lake Cushman); Dams--Lake Cushman; Dam construction;

Fircrest's City Council held their first meeting at 8 p.m. on September 21, 1925. W.A. Woodkirk, far right, was elected mayor unanimously on September 8th. Garlands, banners, and bouquets decorated Fircrest School (later renamed Wainwright) where the officials were sworn in during a public meeting. Fircrest had been known as the Regents Park community prior to incorporation. L-R are councilmen Clarence M. Brown, Dr. J.A. Caswell, D.R. Rogers, C.H. Renschler, E.H. Fox; treasurer Irene B. Edwards; Judge E.M. Card who administered the oaths of office; city clerk J. Van Fossen; and mayor W.A. Woodkirk. G72.1-114

Municipal officials--Fircrest; Meetings--Fircrest; Woodkirk, W.A.; Mayors--Fircrest; Brown, Clarence M.; Caswell, J.A.; Rogers, D.R.; Renschler, C.H.; Fox, E.H.; Edwards, Irene B.; Card, Ernest M.; Van Fossen, J.;

Columnist Roy Beckman published this picture under the headline "Fircrest Mystery Tunnel Lures Adventure Seekers" in the October 8, 1925, News Tribune. The story told of a tunnel mouth, located yards from University Ave., leading into a four foot wide, 2-3 foot high tunnel. Since it was located near where the expelled Chinese had settled in Fircrest, it was immediately assumed that the tunnel was their creation. Only one person could be found who had traversed it as a youth. He reported it as being 2 1/2 miles long and ending on a bluff above Salmon Beach. It had two large chambers, 20 x15 feet, shored up by timber and evidencing occupancy. It also had two branch tunnels leading off that were not explored. It was rumored that the tunnel had been used to smuggle opium or human contraband, but by the time of the newspaper article, a portion of the tunnel had been utilized by the community of Regents Park as a sewer and was uninhabitable due to sewer gas. (TNT 10/8/1925, pg. 6) TPL-999; G72.1-116

Tunnels--Fircrest; Smuggling--Fircrest;

Fred Harris, the cook at the Pierce County jail, was photographed in September of 1925, hard at work in the kitchen where he prepared two meals a day for more than 90 prisoners and guards. His meals were so good that those in the know declared the County jail to be "great for food." The inmates were appreciative too, gifting Mr. Harris $5.00 in silver the previous Christmas, a gesture that deeply touched him. Fred Harris was also thrifty, pleasing the commissioners by running the kitchen on $570 a month, about eleven cents per meal per man. (TNT 9/18/1925, pg. 6) (WSHS- negative A856-0)

African Americans--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cooks; Harris, Fred;

A blueprint drawing date 9/25/1925. Company name on print is Fairbanks, Morse & Co. Beloit Works. Print is for "Setting Plan. 120 HP C-O Starboard engine." Fairbanks, Morse Engine, based in Beloit, Wisconsin, is still one of the world's leaders in engine technology and manufacture. (WSHS)

Blueprints;

Morton M. McCarver Intermediate School as it appeared in September of 1925 prior to opening. Tacoma's third intermediate school was ready for occupancy on Nov. 2nd. It was designed to house 1,000 students, although the initial enrollment was only 600. It served the graduating students of Irving, Lincoln and Longfellow Elementary Schools. It was part of the plan to arrange Tacoma Public Schools in a 6-3-3 year ratio, representing years in elementary, junior and high schools. The school had 34 classrooms, a large library, two gymnasiums, a spacious auditorium and the largest cafeteria in the school system. Elementary classes were added in 1938 when Lincoln School closed and its students and staff were moved to McCarver. As minorities moved into Tacoma over the next 20 years and concentrated in the Central and Hilltop areas, the student population at McCarver became disproportionately African American despite the "open enrollment" effort to encourage minorities to attend other junior high schools. In 1968, the School Board discontinued junior high classes at McCarver to facilitate desegregation. ("For the record, a history of Tacoma Public Schools, 1869-1984" by Winnifred L. Olsen) (TNT 9/3/1925, pg. 17; TNT 10/29/25, pg. 1)

Public schools--Tacoma; McCarver Junior High School (Tacoma);

Stanley Grade School under construction in September of 1925 at South 17th and Grant Avenue. At the end of November of 1925, 300 students from southend schools, Lincoln, Longfellow and Irving, moved into the spacious new school built to accomodate 480. The school, designed by architect G.W. Bullard, had twelve classrooms and was built for approximately $90,000. It was two stories with a basement and built solidly of brick. The school was named after George A. Stanley, Central School principal for 27 years and one of the Northwest's leading educators. In June of 1983, the main part of the school was declared unsafe in case of an earthquake and the school was officially closed. (WSHS- negative A855-0) (TNT 9/3/1925, pg. 17; TNT 11/27/1925, pg. 13)

Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Stewart Intermediate School under construction in 1925. The school was designed by Roland Borhek, architect, and was originally designated as the South Central Intermediate School. It opened in September of 1925 as the James P. Stewart school, honoring Tacoma's first school teacher. It was the second of six planned intermediate schools provided for under a special bond passed in October of 1923. On completion, Tacoma would educate on a 6-3-3 plan (6 years at elementary, 3 at intermediate, 3 at high school.) The plan was designed to prevent overcrowding and reduce expenses. Stewart is still in use today with additions in 1964, 1974 and 1983. (WSHS- negative A854-0) (TNT 9/3/1925, pg. 17)

Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Construction of the Allen C. Mason Intermediate School was well under way in September of 1925. The 600-pupil school was designed by the architecture firm of Hill & Mock and named in honor of pioneer Tacoma promoter and real estate developer Allen C. Mason. Its name would be changed to the Allen C. Mason Junior High School in 1928. The school was one of three intermediate schools opened for use in 1926. In all, six intermediate schools opened 1925-26 as the Tacoma school district moved toward a 6-3-3 grade model. Funds to build and/or remodel Tacoma schools were provided by a $2,400,000 bond issue authorized by voters in a special election held in October of 1923. (WSHS) (TNT 9/3/1925, pg. 17)

Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mason Junior High School (Tacoma);

This photograph of the Talmud Torah Synagogue, 901 South 4th Street, was taken shortly before its dedication on September 18, 1925. The synagogue was designed by Hill and Mock, architects, in the Romanesque Italian Renaissance manner. It was located at South 4th & I Streets and served the Orthodox Jewish community in Tacoma. The dedication was held in conjunction with the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. In 1968, after the merger of Talmud Torah and Temple Beth Israel into Temple Beth El, the Talmud Torah Synagogue was sold to the Tacoma Blood Bank. It was later demolished and the site was used as a parking lot for Tacoma General Hospital. (WSHS) (TNT 9/17/1925, PG. 20)

Talmud Torah Synagogue (Tacoma); Synagogues--Tacoma;

Cue wizard George H. Sutton visited Tacoma's Naubert & Manning billiard academy in October of 1925 where he defeated George Latshaw 250-78, running off 147 in a row. Nicknamed "Handless," Mr. Sutton toured the country and amazed spectators with his skills for almost 35 years. He had lost his arms below the elbows at age 8 in a sawmill accident. This did not prevent him from studying medicine and graduating from the University of Milwaukee. He learned to play billiards during his college years and later set a Balkline world record. Mr. Sutton would pass away in 1938, at the age of 68. (TDL 10-9-25, p. 7-article & alternate photograph; www.cuecare.com)

Heisler locomotive on railroad tracks at Whitney Engineering Co. plant on October 10, 1925. Heisler was considered the fastest of the three most prevalent geared steam locomotives. It was manufactured until 1941. TPL-2126; G44.1-050 (www.gearsteamed.com/heisler/heisler.htm-article on locomotive)

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Whitney Engineering Co. (Tacoma);

Hundreds had gathered on October 25, 1925, on the bluff overlooking the Narrows, to watch the Cushman power lines being laid across the Narrows. Hydroelectric power from the Cushman Dam on the Skokomish River would travel on a 40-mile transmission line, including a suspension across the Narrows strait which spanned 6,244 feet of water. Work, under the direction of Star Iron & Steel, would proceed from October 21 to November 19th in stretching six big Cushman power steel cables across the Narrows from Point Evans to Tacoma. Tacoma had grown tremendously following WWI in both economy and population and more power was necessary to support the area. G43.1-030 (www.lib.washington.edu/Special Coll-article; TDL 10-21-25, p. 1-article; TNT 10-26-25, p. 16)

Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Electricity--Tacoma; Hydroelectric power--Tacoma; Electric lines--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Molzen wedding anniversary. According to the 1925 City Directory, there is no listing for a "Molzen." There are two listings for Molzan, Albert & Ida at 1623 E. 35th and Henry and Emily at 9006 McKinley Ave. (WSHS- negative A907-0)

Anniversaries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Molzan--Anniversaries;

On November 14, 1925, circus performer Jack Nerbuda performed the startling feat of pulling a loaded Chandler automobile up the hill from South 13th Street and Broadway to the Richardson Motor Co., at 734 Broadway, with his teeth. Nerbuda, famous for stunts of this kind, pulled the vehicle with its five passengers up 2 1/2 blocks without losing a single tooth. The publicity stunt was staged to advertise the new 20th Century, four door sedan Chandler 1765 available at Richardsons. The Chandler Motor Co. produced cars from 1913-1928. The company, headquartered in Cleveland Ohio, built a good quality motor car within the price range of the middle class. Their peak production year was 1927, when they sold 20,000 autos. The Chandler automobiles had a metal skin over a wooden frame, which tended to disintegrate over the years; therefore surviving to today in smaller numbers than other autos of the same vintage. (TDL 11/15/1925, PG. G-5, wikipedia.org) TPL-3699, BU-12457

Nerbuda, Jack; Richardson Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chandler Motor Co.; automobiles--1920-1930; Circus performers; Daredevils; Stunt performers; Publicity;

Just after 6 p.m. on November 17, 1925, Northern Pacific passenger train #424 derailed about 2 miles west of Olympia. The train, travelling about 30-50 mph, plowed into the bank on the side of the track, burying itself in the earth before it turned over on its side, crushing veteran engineer Edward M. Putnam. Subsequent train cars were knocked off their wheels. Twenty-five people were injured, several critically, with passenger Laura Hahn dying of her injuries on November 21st. Days after the wreck, the cause of the accident was still undetermined. The track appeared to be in good condition and the engine was too badly damaged for further assessment. (TNT 11/18/1925, pg. 1-article; TNT 11-23-25, p. 9-obituary of Mrs. Hahn; TNT 11-30-25, p. 20-article) G77.1-068

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad locomotives--1920-1930; Railroad accidents--Olympia--1920-1930;

The "Silksworth" was docked at the Tidewater Mill, 3901 E. 11th St., the first stop of four, on November 19, 1925. She would continue on to the Defiance Lumber on November 22nd, and then on to Dickman and St. Paul mills. The Australian-bound vessel, on her first visit to Tacoma, was under the command of Captain R. Deans. The 429-foot "Silksworth" was a relatively new ship, in operation less than three years, and had a 53-foot beam. She would be taking 4,080,000 feet of lumber to Australia, 3 million feet of which would be loaded in Tacoma. As the ship is tied up at Tidewater, numerous logs, waiting to be processed, float in the waterway. The mill, located on the east side of the Hylebos Waterway, exported most of its timber. Because of its 750 feet of deep water moorage, Tidewater Mill was capable of loading several vessels at the same time. (photograph has been damaged) (TNT 11-21-25, p. 5-article on the "Silksworth")

Tidewater Mill Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Logs; Cargo ships--1920-1930; Shipping--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Tacoma Civic Orchestra posed in November of 1925 outside of the Scottish Rite Temple, 5 So. G St., where they performed their first concert of the winter season on November 22, 1925. Every seat in the house was full. Prof. D.P Nason was conductor and director; Carl Bergman was concert master. The group was organized by Prof. Nason, director of music at Lincoln High School, and was composed of 65 young amateur musicians who volunteered their time and effort. The orchestra had given their first concert in February of 1925. (T. Times 11/23/1925, pg. 2; TNT 2/19/1925, pg. 24; TNT 3/5/26, pg. 4- musicians' names in article) (WSHS)

Tacoma Civic Orchestra (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This view of the downtown business district, with Mount Tacoma (Rainier) looming in the distance, was taken from the Winthrop Hotel on November 27, 1925. Standing in the photograph's center is the 17-story newly completed Washington Building. A large electric sign, 90-feet long and 30-feet high, advertised the presence of the new Brotherhood Cooperative National Bank which occupied the ground floor on the 11th St. side. Further down Pacific Avenue is the Puget Sound National Bank (1117-19) with its familiar spire. Across from the Washington Building is the Rust Building, built only five years before. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-31-25, E-8-article on the Washington Building; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-28-25, B1-3-article on Brotherhood Bank) G8.1-080

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington Building (Tacoma); Brotherhood Cooperative National Bank (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Nine unidentified employees of the Tacoma News Tribune posed in the newspaper's press room on December 4, 1925. The day's newspaper can be seen moving through the press. The News Tribune at that time was an evening only paper and one of three large daily papers published in Tacoma. The plant was located in downtown Tacoma in the 700 block of Saint Helens Avenue.

Tacoma News Tribune Publishing Co. (Tacoma); Newspaper industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Printing presses;

This is Tacoma Avenue North at 1st Street as it looked in December of 1925. Construction of this $40,000 combination garage and store brick building was started in the spring of 1925. By early September of that year, the Hillcrest Garage and Tacoma Wicker Co. were both open. The Hillcrest Garage, a two-story garage and covered service station operated by William D. Smith and C.C. Duncan, actually fronted Broadway and had the address of 22 North Broadway. A public market, apparently to be called "Stadium Market" per its sign laid against the brick & tile building, was scheduled to open at the corner. In 1927 the new KVI radio studio would occupy a portion of the building. Today, the Harvester Restaurant occupies the northeast corner of this building. TPL-879; G62.1-067 (full page ad TDL 9-6-25, A-9)

Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hillcrest Garage (Tacoma); Tacoma Wicker Co. (Tacoma);

The American Barred Plymouth Rock Club held a banquet at the Tacoma Hotel, 913 A Street, on December 5, 1925. Barred Plymouth Rocks were excellent producers of eggs and meat. The breed was generally known as good general farm chickens and their owners, like those pictured above, could be assured of docility, hardiness and broodiness in their flocks. Members of the club had participated in the annual Tacoma poultry show put on by the Tacoma Poultry Association and held December 1-6, 1925, the same time as the national Barred Plymouth Rock exhibition. This was the first time that the national meet had been staged west of Omaha. Attendance at the poultry show had broken previous local records with the News Tribune reporting daily on activities and awards. Cleve Stout of Anglum, Missouri, was elected president of the American Barred Plymouth Rock Assn. in a business meeting held after the banquet. G6.1-097; G31.1-001 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-18-25, G-10-article; TNT 12-5-25, p. 5-article; TNT 12-7-25, p. 4-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; American Barred Plymouth Rock Club (Tacoma); Poultry industry--Tacoma;