For over 60 years the Narcissa Whitman Fountain graced Wright Park. Erected in 1899 at a cost of $400, partially donated by the school children of Tacoma, the fountain was made of handsome bronzed iron with two gourd-like drinking cups within easy reach of the children for whom the fountain was intended. Atop the fountain stood the statue of a woman in Greek robes bearing a water vessel. The fountain was dedicated to Narcissa Whitman, a pioneer teacher and Christian missionary who was killed by the Cayuse Indians. The statue disappeared from the top of the fountain in the 1960s, and Metro Parks removed the fountain some years later. The Parks Department still has the fountain in storage. (Chechopoulos: History of Wright Park, p. 7-8) G41.1-125; TPL-486

Wright Park (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Trinity Episcopal Church choir posed outside on grassy lawns on Easter Sunday in 1922. An American flag is held by a choir member in the back row. The Boys Choir was organized in 1921 with a charter membership of 10. There are now 35 boys in the choir with the average age of 11. The adults pictured above are workers in the church. Trinity Episcopal was located at 316 North "K" and had been built in 1889. It has since been demolished. G22.1-083 (TNT 4-24-22, p. 9)

Choirs (Music)--1920-1930; Choirboys; Singers; Flags--United States;

April, 1922, view of one end of a large boiler, manufactured by the Birchfield Boiler Co., 2503 E. 11th St. The company had opened at this Tideflats site in March of 1921 and was run by H.E. Warren, President, and E.E. Birchfield, Vice-President. They built steel heating boilers and performed welding and boiler repairs. Birchfield boilers were in heavy demand in 1922. The company had been receiving orders at the rate of one per day since May 1st and the plant was forced to put on a double shift to handle the demand. Later they would expand into building steel ships. G36.1-136 (TDL 6-26-22, p. 6-article)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boilers; Boiler industry--Tacoma;

Blewett harvester. Sign attached to the machine indicates that this was a "self-propelled" harvester manufactured by the Blewett Tractor Co., presumably not requiring horses or mules. The company was not found in the 1922 Tacoma City Directory although it had been listed the previous year. G6.1-039 (photograph was damaged on left bottom corner)

Harvesting machinery;

Built in 1914 at a cost of $10,000, this theater at 11th & Broadway was originally named the Apollo. Eight years later, it reopened as the Blue Mouse, operated by theater chain founder John Hamrick. The Blue Mouse was a favorite of Tacoma movie buffs until its demolition in 1960 to make way for a new street escalator. "A Connecticut Yankee" was the first movie shown at the Blue Mouse starting on April 15, 1922. In this April, 1922, photograph, a small boy in an usher's uniform stands outside the theater entrance while another uniformed man is next to the movie placard. The Blue Mouse was the first theater in Tacoma to show "talkies," running "The Jazz Singer" in January, 1928. Its sister theater, the Blue Mouse Junior, opened in the Proctor District in 1923. G64.1-027; TPL-6355 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-2-22, E-5-article)

Blue Mouse Movie Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marquees--Tacoma;

Children from Grant (Elementary) School were dressed in a variety of costumes depicting other nations in late April of 1922. Some of the clothing was undoubtedly retrieved from the children's own homes, perhaps relics from older generations. It is believed that the children, numbering 40, had sung and danced in a musical play, "A Meeting of Nations," before the Grant P.T.A. on April 28, 1922. The Grant P.T.A. had its biggest meeting of the year to support the 30-10 initiative which sought to equalize school funding. Grant School is located at 1018 North Prospect and was named for former President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-30-22, D-7-article)

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

Members of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine posed for a group portrait on April 30, 1922. Better known as the Shriners from Afifi Temple, they were dressed in traditional uniform. A total of 139 uniformed nobles would be journeying to San Francisco by special train in June for the 48th annual imperial council session. That was expected to be one of the largest delegations in attendance. The Afifi Shriners were led by Frank D. Oakley, Tacoma attorney, who was elected in December of 1921 as the temple's leader or potentate. G23.1-081 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-4-22, 8-E)

Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Four members of the Afifi Shrine, wearing traditional costume and fezzes, posed outdoors on April 30, 1922. The group may have included attorney Frank D. Oakley of Tacoma, who was Afifi Shrine's potentate. G23.1-079

Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

In 1922, Marvin Boland photographed an unidentified Native American in headdress and tribal clothing who gazed pensively at a pond located at Wright Park. He had one foot on a rock at the edge of a pathway and the other on dry land. TPL-8838; G5.1-027

Indigenous peoples--Washington; Headdresses; Wright Park (Tacoma);

Street scene. Pedestrians cautiously cross at the intersection of Broadway and 9th in downtown Tacoma on this spring day in May of 1922. They have to keep a sharp eye out for oncoming streetcars and automobiles. The Pantages Theater is the regal structure on the left; the Tacoma Theater is on the right. TPL-3857; G59.1-003

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Street railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Theater (Tacoma); Pantages Theater (Tacoma); Pedestrians--Tacoma;

On May 2, 1922, a group of entertainers identified as the Hick Minstrels posed on stage during dress rehearsal before Mrs. D.E. Fleming, musician, and G.H. Wallace, director, at the piano. The men's club of St. Mark's Episcopal Church was presenting its annual minstrel show on May 3rd and 4th at the church's community house. An Abe Lincoln look-alike is in the center of the photograph in front of the American flag. The introduction of live chickens, ducks and geese on stage during the show emphasized the bucolic setting and theme. Six "vaudeville" acts followed the minstrel show. Names of the men's club participants were listed in the News Tribune article dated 5-3-1922. (TDL 5-1-22, p. 7; TNT 5-3-22, p. 6) G64.1-037

Minstrel shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hick Minstrels (Tacoma); Fleming, D.E.--Family; Wallace, G.H.; St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Tacoma);

Hick Minstrels. St. Mark Episcopal's men's club was dressed and ready to rehearse its annual minstrel show in May of 1922. Fake whiskers, bright plaid shirts, kerchiefs and straw-chewing were all in evidence. The men were preparing for their May 3rd and 4th performances at the church's community house. An "Honest Abe" stand-in and the American flag lent a patriotic touch to the proceedings. Seated at the piano was Mrs. D.E. Fleming with G.H. Wallace, the program's director, at her side. G40.1-049 (TNT 5-3-22, p. 6-article & alternate photograph)

Minstrel shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma; Hick Minstrels (Tacoma); Fleming, D.E.--Family; Wallace, G.H.;

Preschool children on stage. On May 5, 1922, nine little tots in flower costumes held up letters spellling the word "PRESCHOOL" as they posed on stage at the First Congregational Church with ("Gardener" and wife) Mr. and Mrs. Randall Bubb and Mabel Walters. This "flower garden" had been asleep until awakened by the sprinkling of the woman holding a watering can on the extreme right. The children's skit was part of a preschool luncheon attended by 300 delegates to the Washington State P.T.A. and Congress of Mothers convention. They aptly fit the luncheon's theme of "The Child's Garden." TPL-5715; G47.1-101 (TNT 5-5-22, p. 6-article)

Children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Costumes; Bubb, Randall; Walters, Mabel;

The 33rd Swedish Baptist Conference of Washington was in session May 4th-7th, 1922, at the Forsta Svenska Baptist Church located at 1201 South "J" Street. Attendees were photographed congregated on and along the stairs leading to the wood framed church. Charles Asplund was the church's pastor. Built in 1900, this church was added to the Tacoma Register of Historic Places in 2005. TPL-3869; G22.1-039; BU-14402

Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Forsta Svenska Baptist Church (Tacoma);

Mrs. S.J. Ewen, representing the state of Idaho, was present for the 26th annual national convention of the P.T.A. & National Congress of Mothers held in Tacoma in May of 1922. Mrs. Ewen, wearing a hat decorated with flowers, was the state P.T.A. president of Idaho. 39 states were represented at the convention with about 250 delegates in attendance. G1.1-059 (TNT 5-11-22, p. 1-alternate picture)

Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Parent-Teacher Association; Ewen, S.J.--Family;

Mrs. Harry Zimmerhackel, state president of the Colorado P.T.A., was in Tacoma for the 26th annual national convention of the P.T.A. & National Congress of Mothers. The convention opened on May 8, 1922, with headquarters at the First Methodist Church. 39 states were represented with some 250 delegates. Mrs. Zimmerhackel was a member of the National Executive Board. G67.1-129 (TNT 5-6-22, p. 1-article; TDL 5-9-22, p. 2-National Executive Board)

Zimmerhackel, Harry--Family; Parent-Teacher Association; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Mrs. Eugene Crutcher of Nashville, Tennessee, arrived in Tacoma in May of 1922 to attend the 26th annual national convention of the P.T.A. and the National Congress of Mothers. Mrs. Crutcher, pictured above with fur stole, was on the group's National Executive Board as vice-president. The information on this Boland photograph was incorrectly inscribed listing Mrs. Crutcher as representing Colorado. G1.1-046 (TNT 5-11-22, p. 1-alternate picture)

Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Parent-Teacher Association; Crutcher, Eugene--Family;

Both pedestrian and cars are blurred as this view of 17th & Pacific looking north was captured on May 8, 1922. This section of Pacific had at least two hotels visible with a third, the Japanese-owned Hotel Rector, on Broadway. The Savoy Hotel on the right was listed in the 1922 City Directory as being on 1535 1/2 Pacific Ave. and owned/operated by B. Bertleson. On the left side was the Hotel Lewis at 1522 Pacific Ave., owned by the Hotel Operating Co. of Seattle. There rooms advertised as "new and modern" could be had for as little as $1.00. The Hotel Rector, far left of the photograph, was listed at 1541 Broadway and owned by K. Nakatsukasa. Rooms were available for 50 cents and up. At the time, there were several other downtown hotels owned by Japanese, including the Madison Hotel, Central Hotel, Hotel Victoria, and the Hotel Dewey. TPL-5550

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Posed in front of the Tacoma Hotel on May 8, 1922, are members of the National Executive Board of the P.T.A. and National Congress of Mothers. They were in town for the 26th annual national convention of the group. Second row from the top wearing a feathered black hat is Mrs. Harry Zimmerhackel of Colorado. Standing in the second row, extreme right in fur stole, is Mrs. Eugene Crutcher, also of Colorado. G30.1-087

Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Parent-Teacher Association; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Zimmerhackel, Harry--Family; Crutcher, Eugene--Family;

On May 9, 1922, a steam cargo ship was pictured docked at the Tidewater Mill, where it was taking on a shipment of lumber. The Mill was located on the east side of the Hylebos Waterway, near the end of 11th St. It was opened in 1918 and had a capacity of 100,000 logs a day. The mill was built on wetlands which were filled for the construction of the mill. Its greatest advantage was its frontage on 750 feet of deep water, allowing the loading of several vessels at a time. (TDL 12/22/1918, Pg. B-8)

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

Tree stumps. There is a metal pipe protruding from the ground next to a Summit View farm's tree stump. A previous Boland photograph, B5894, showed the other side of the stump with a hole dug at the base of the stump. The intention was to build a fire inside the stump using shavings from the stump itself in order to burn it down. This process involved the use of a new Zysset stump and root burner to demonstrate how efficiently a field could be cleared using the burner. When the stump was shaved down, the Zysset burner was set against it and banked with earth, and a fire kindled. The two-inch pipe shown above was to supply air draft. No other fuel was required. G75.1-069 (TNT 5-11-22, p. 13-article)

Tree stumps; Pipes (Conduits);

Tree stumps. An unidentified woman is pictured stooping before a Zysset stump and root burner along a cut stump on a Summit View farm in May of 1922. She may be either adding to the pieces of wood shavings inside the burner or may be in the process of setting fire to the wood. The general public was able to view a demonstration of the new Zysset burner on May 13, 1922, on a tract of land owned by Electric Logging Co. of Tacoma and located at Summit View Farms. G75.1-067 (TNT 5-11-22, p. 13-article)

Tree stumps; Pipes (Conduits);

These massive logs are being transported on Northern Pacific flatcars to the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. yard on May 13, 1922. Railroad tracks intersect at this particular location. G44.1-103

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Logs; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad cars--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tree stumps. Part of a thin pipe is visible inside the thick stump located on a Summit View farm in May of 1922. Behind the stump is a new Zysset stump and root burner. Boland photograph B5897 shows the other side of the stump and burner. It was a method used to burn out the stump and a demonstration was set on May 13, 1922, to show farmers and landowners how efficiently this machine could clear a field of the troublesome remnants of trees. G75.1-066 (TNT 5-11-22, p. 13-article)

Tree stumps; Pipes (Conduits);

Tree stumps. Pipes and a Zysset burner lead to a large tree stump on a Summit View farm in May of 1922. Pieces of wood shavings are stuffed in the burner's ground-level opening in preparation for firing. The problem of removing tree stumps had previously entailed much hard labor and expense. The Zysset burner had been tested extensively and claimed to burn through a four-foot stump in 24 hours. It was possible to rid a clearing of stumps efficiently and relatively quickly using only the stump's own wood shavings and no other fuel in addition to a two-inch pipe to supply an air draft. TPL-560; G75.1-068 (TNT 5-11-22, p. 13-article)

Tree stumps; Pipes (Conduits);

Northern Pacific cars loaded with logs at the St. Paul & Tacoma yard in May of 1922. The logs appears to be the same length as the flatcars. G75.1-055

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Logs; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad cars--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Stump burning. The public was invited to view a demonstration of the new Zysset stump and root burner all day Saturday, May 13, 1922, at a Summit View farm. Three burners were to burn out stumps and roots from a tract of land owned by Electric Logging Co. of Tacoma. The Zysset machine claimed to burn through a four-foot stump in 24 hours. This photograph of a large hole dug on one side of the wide stump was one of a series of pictures taken by Marvin Boland of the event. G75.1-070 (TNT 5-11-22, p. 13-article)

Tree stumps;

Small glass bottles are being boiled and sanitized at this unidentified dairy on May 18, 1922. It appears that pipes proceed to fill the small tank of the Sanitary Way machine after which the bottles will be thoroughly washed and boiled before milk is permitted to be poured. Three milk tanks are also pictured in the background. Photograph ordered by the Pierce County Dairy Association. G6.1-069

Dairying--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The staff of Haering's Grocetorium enjoyed a fine dinner in the Stone Room of the Tacoma Hotel on May 18, 1922. The occasion was Haering's annual appreciation banquet for its employees. 50 employees and officers of the grocery chain were in attendance; names are listed in the Tacoma Daily Ledger's May 22, 1922, edition of the newspaper. Haering's, founded by Nicolaus Haering in 1913, was a chain noted for "help yourself service." G31.1-003 (TDL 5-22-22, p. 9)

Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Haering's Grocetorium (Tacoma); Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

A portion of the Benbow Inn, or Benbow Lakes Resort, is glimpsed through the towering fir trees on May 19, 1922. The resort provided a relaxing getaway from the stresses of city living with the promise of swimming, fishing and tennis . Benbow Lakes was located between Tacoma and Mount Rainier near Kapowsin.

Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin); Resorts--Kapowsin; Trees;