Football star Harold "Red" Grange grins for the camera during a very brief visit to Tacoma in late January of 1926. Grange, a charter member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, acquired the nickname of "The Galloping Ghost" for his running prowess while playing at the University of Illinois. While a productive member of the Chicago Bears, Grange would also appear in motion pictures, including 1926's "One Minute to Play" and the 12-part serial series "The Galloping Ghost" in 1931. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Grange)

Grange, Harold; Football players;

Harold "Red" Grange shakes hands with an unidentified man in late January of 1926 while on the rooftop of the Winthrop Hotel. Mr. Grange is on the right. By 1926, he had graduated from the University of Illinois where he was an outstanding football player and was playing pro ball. He was in Tacoma very briefly on Friday, January 29th, to help publicize his Chicago Bears Sunday game against the Washington All-Stars in Seattle. A smallish crowd of about 5000 would see the Bears demolish the All-Stars 34-0. Later that year would come the release of a silent film, "One Minute to Play," starring Mr. Grange. (TDL 1-29-26, p. 1-article; TNT 1-29-26, p. 18-article) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Grange)

Grange, Harold; Football players; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Football star and motion picture actor Harold "Red" Grange posed with Helen Nelsen (left) and Corinne Martin on a rainy day atop the Winthrop Hotel in late January, 1926. The ladies are holding a sign "Ice" in front of Mr. Grange; it was his nickname when he was a leading rusher at Wheaton (Illinois) High School. He had worked as an ice hauler while in school which accounted for his nickname ("Ice Man" or "Wheaton Ice Man") and developed his strong physique. Now better known as "The Galloping Ghost" for his blinding speed and elusive running style, Mr. Grange, a three-time all-American at the University of Illinois, had paid a very short visit to Tacoma a couple of days before his Chicago Bears pro team faced the Washington All-Stars in Seattle. He would run for two touchdowns and pass for a third en route to a 34-0 shellacking of the local team. (TDL 1-29-26, p. 1-article & alternate photograph; TDL 2-1-26, p. 8-article on game; www.britannica.com)

Grange, Harold; Football players; Nelsen, Helen; Martin, Corinne;

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)

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;

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

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 March of 1926, Stadium High School initiated its own branch of the national "Longfellows" Club. Members had to measure in at over six feet in height to join. The new club attracted a group of approximately 50 young men who posed in front of Stadium High School at 111 North "E" Street. (WSHS; A-1488 same photo without lettering)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Longfellows Club (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On March 9, 1926, Tacomans voted a new "tennent" into the Mayor's office when M.G. Tennent defeated four time Mayor Angelo G. Fawcett by a wide margin of 5,235 votes. At that time, the election had the heaviest vote ever cast in Tacoma with Tennent elected by the largest vote ever given a candidate for the office of Tacoma Mayor. The newly elected Mayor Tennent was photographed on the front steps of his home with his dog. Elderly Mayor Fawcett could not compete with the younger, more progressive Tennent. Mayor Tennent would serve two consecutive terms before being defeated himself by Harry P. Cain. TPL-1493 (TNT 3/10/1926, PG. 1)

Clarence Chesterfield, right, also known by his showbiz moniker "Major Mite," shook hands on the steps of the Tacoma Hotel with George B. Stean, the hotel's new manager, in March of 1926. Maj. Mite had stopped in Tacoma on his way from his home in McCleary, Wa. to New York City. He had recently joined the Ringlings Circus as the Worlds Smallest Man. Although he was 18 years old, he measured in at 28 inches high and weighed 21 pounds. McCleary was located in Grays Harbor, about 49 miles southwest of Tacoma and had a population in 1939 of 1200 persons; making the odds of Maj. Mite being born there 1 to 1,500,000. The venerable Tacoma Hotel was built in 1884 and burned to the ground in 1935. (TNT 3/16/1926, pg. 15; T. Times 6/16/1939, pg. 7) (WSHS- negative A697-0)

Dwarfs; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Chesterfield, Clarence; Stean, George B.; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

Cameras focus on a passerby placing money in a beggarwoman's, played by Wanda Hawley, tin cup as the motion picture "Totem Pole Beggar" is filmed on busy A Street in downtown Tacoma in March of 1926. The Mason Hotel and signage is to the left of the begging woman seated on the bench; it was built as part of the Mason Block in 1887. A loaded newspaper cart is parked outside of the hotel. "Totem Pole Beggar" was the second motion picture filmed by the H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc., which was based near Titlow Beach. The film, directed by W.S. Van Dyke, had its name changed to "Eyes of the Totem" in April, 1926. It would open at the Broadway Theatre on June 10, 1927.

Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Actresses; Beggars--Tacoma; Tin cups; Motion pictures; Mason Hotel (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma);

In March of 1926, three employees at the Washington Co-Operative Egg & Poultry Association Headquarters, (left to right) Mary Zack, Sarah Gruno and Esther Christoferson, demonstrate how to decorate Easter eggs. Sarah Gruno, in the center, is dyeing eggs with natural dyes made from vegetables, such as beets, spinach and coffee. Mary Zack is cutting out transfers to decorate her eggs, and Esther Christoferson is using a pen and ink to draw faces on her's. The Washington Co-Op packed transfer pictures with every carton of eggs sold around the holidays. (TNT 3/30/1926, pg. 1)

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;

Eight very serious couples were photographed at Washington School wearing colonial costumes and powdered wigs. They had been rigorously rehearsing the minuet to perform in a series of three big music festival concerts taking place May 4-6, 1926 at Jason Lee, Lincoln and Mason. The concerts were part of the observance of National Music Week. Despite their expressions, the group felt the experience was great fun. Pictured, in no particular order, are Alene Symser, Daniel Stixrud, Barbara Bryan, Frederick Wolf, Barbara Rothermel, Gordon McEachran, Helen May, Lofton Tatum, June Everson, Lewis Jones, Muriel Ellis, Malcolm Shaw, Nancy Quick, Robert Cromwell, Phyllis Zeigler and Robert Martin. (WSHS) (TNT 4/30/1926, pg. 11)

School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Washington School (Tacoma); Costumes;

On April 1, 1926, the Manitou Auto Camp in Manitou Park opened for the 1926 season. The camp provided free campsites, water, tables, picnic stoves, fuel and comfort stations. The first visitor to sign the register was Harold Riley, a traveling businessman from Santa Monica, California. Mr. Riley also happened to be at the Auto Camp on the last day of the season last year. Pictured left to right are other early visitors Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Conlon and their son George H. Thomas from Cleveland, Mr. Riley and E.M. Benjamin, camp caretaker. The Camp, located 1/2 mile west of the Pacific Hwy. at South Tacoma, provided overnight sites for visiting travelers. In 1925, over 3,400 cars had entered the park, 2,400 of them from out of state, carrying some 10,500 happy campers. The 1926 season would run from April 1st to November 1st. Around 100 cars a night were anticipated during the heavy use summer months of June- August. (TNT 4/1/1926, pg. 13; TDL 7/18/1920, pg. 1C) Bowen # 26223