On August 13, 1924, Mayor A.V. Fawcett was pictured shaking hands with the driver of a Ford touring car who was promoting traveling on the Lincoln Highway from New York to San Francisco. The Lincoln Highway was America's first transcontinental highway created with the car in mind. The era of dirt roads was to end, superceded by concrete roads that made traveling easier and encouraged purchase of automobiles. This car, piloted by race driver Frank Kulich, was the 10,000,000th Ford car to roll off the assembly line. The number 10,000,000 is stamped on its engine. It arrived in Tacoma at 2:30 pm and headed a procession of some 100 Fords to end at City Hall. After an overnight stopover, the 10,000,000th Ford left en route to Seattle. TPL-157; G11.1-053 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-10-24, 10-G-article; TDL 8-14-24, p. 3-article)

Fawcett, Angelo Vance; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ford automobile; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Mason Methodist Community House. By August of 1924, construction was underway at the new Mason Methodist Community House, a community hall, adjoining the church at 4008 North 28th St. Groundbreaking had occurred on May 20th. The new $25,000 hall, designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell, would be dedicated in November of 1924. TPL-495; G22.1-131 (TNT 5-22-24, p. 14-article on groundbreaking)

Mason Methodist Church (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Northern Pacific dock damaged by the Admiral liner, Ruth Alexander. Part of the warehouse on the dock has collapsed and pilings beneath knocked askew. The dock was smashed by the big liner on the evening of August 15, 1924. About 30 feet of the south end of the pier, formerly known as the "Old Flyer Dock" was torn off. The Ruth Alexander was attempting to land at nearby Commercial Dock at the time of the crash. G27.1-065 (print has been damaged) (TNT 8-16-24, p. 2)

Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930; Steamboat accidents--Tacoma;

Packed bleachers and covered stand at Athletic Park. Spectators are there on August 16, 1924, to watch teams battle it out in the sixth round of baseball's City League. Athletic Park had a capacity of 4,500. G53.1-051 (print has been damaged)

Athletic Park (Tacoma); Athletic fields--Tacoma--1920-1930; Baseball--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Sailors from the Seven Seas found a welcoming place to stay at the Seamen's Church Institute on the Municipal dock in August of 1924. Several men of varying races have gathered for a friendly billiards match. The purpose of the Seamen's Institute was to bring cheer to visiting sailors by providing them a comfortable place to congregate and rest. A library, gym, social hall, billiard room, reading/writing rooms, showers, kitchens, bedrooms and chapel were available, regardless of race or rank. It was partially supported by funding from the Tacoma Community Chest. TPL-7141; G53.1-093 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-5-28, 4-A - article on Seamen's Church Institute)

Sailors; Billiards--Tacoma--1920-1930; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Sailors from many fleets enjoyed time away from their ships at the Seamen's Institute in August of 1924. Horseshoes, billiards, juggling clubs and boxing speed bag were just some of the activities pictured that the men could participate in without charge. Rev. Harry Ferneyhough is the clergyman near left. He had operated the Seamen's Church Institute for eighteen years as a friend to mariners. Books and newspapers were also available as well as meals for the hungry.

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clergy--Tacoma; Ferneyhough, Harry; Horseshoes;

A long line of cars and one bike are parked along the tracks in August of 1924 while their owners are inside the ballpark enjoying a City League baseball game. City League teams played at both Athletic Park and Lincoln Bowl and games drew large, interested crowds. This view is possibly of area outside Athletic Park. G11.1-048

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Northwest pioneer Willis Boatman,97, (right) and his son J.W. Boatman, 70, of Puyallup at a family reunion celebrating the son's birthday. The senior Mr. Boatman was born in 1826. He married Mary Richardson in 1851 and the pair set out to travel by wagon from Illinois to Portland, Oregon. They then travelled to Steilacoom, where they ran a boarding house, and later settled on a claim near Puyallup in 1854. They were driven from their home in 1855 by hostile Indians and remained away for two years before returning to the Puyallup Valley to raise their nine children. Mr. Boatman was one of the area's first hop growers, beginning in 1874. He helped to organize the first bank in Puyallup, the Puyallup State Bank. The senior Mr. Boatman died January 2, 1926 in his sleep at the age of 99. G1.1-024 (TNT 8/21/1924, pg. 11)

Boatman, Willis; Pioneers--Puyallup; Boatman, J.W.;

On August 20, 1924, the brick streets on S. 9th St., looking west, were being excavated in large rectangles for work to be done under the street. Pacific Ave. ran at a right angle in the left foreground. On the corner is the Wright Building, 902-904 Pacific Ave., home to the United Cigar Stores (opening on Pacific) and M & M Hats (opening on the other side on Commerce.) To the left of the Wright Building is the Liberty Theater, 906 Pacific Ave. On 9th between Commerce and Broadway is the Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway. Between Broadway and Market is the dark outline of the Tacoma Theater. The street work being performed may be related to a gas main explosion that occurred in Court A, between 9th and 10th, in the early morning hours of August 14th. In addition, the Consumers Central Heating Co. was doing some excavation in the area at the time. (TNT 8/14/1924, pg. 1, explosion) G57.1-095

Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; United Cigar Stores (Tacoma); M& M Hats (Tacoma); Liberty Theater (Tacoma); Pantages Theater (Tacoma); Tacoma Theatre (Tacoma);

Members of the Olympic Club, who were employees of the Olympic Ice Cream Co. and Velvet Ice Cream Co., celebrated their annual picnic at the Oaks on August 20, 1924. All, including the small children in attendance, had hats worn jauntily. The "Oaks" referred to on the banner above may have actually been the "Oakes," located on Lake Steilacoom. G34.1-148

Olympic Ice Cream Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Velvet Ice Cream Co.--Employees; Picnics; Banners; Signs (Notices);

This August 1924 view of South 10th and Pacific Avenue shows a part of Tacoma's major business district located in the downtown section of the city. A banner flies above the street pointing out the direction of the Tacoma Tourist Information Bureau at 115 South 10th Street. On the left is the Argonaut Hotel (1007 Pacific), the unfinished Scandinavian-American Bank at 1019 Pacific (later completed as the Washington Building in 1925) , Peoples Department Store (1101-07 Pacific) and Puget Sound National Bank (1117-19 Pacific). On the right is the 12-story Rust Building. The box-shaped structure in the middle of South 10th street (on the left) is the entrance to Tacoma's below-street-level Women Only comfort station. TPL-1418

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Banners; Argonaut Hotel (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Peoples (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

Exterior view of the Tacoma Gas & Fuel plant. It is unclear whether this is the old Tacoma Gas & Fuel plant or perhaps the new plant located on 4 1/2 acres on South River Road. The company had begun construction of the new $250,000 plant in late 1923 which would include a 250,000 cubic feet gas tank. TPL-259; G35.1-048

Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel tanks; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Photographer Marvin Boland took a series of pictures of Tacoma's downtown business district on August 22, 1924 where he focused on the numerous business establishments, large and small, packed into a few city streets. This view is of Pacific Avenue near South 11th Street. L-R are the 12-story Rust Building (950 Pacific) with one of their tenants, Lundquist-Lilly (men's clothing store); Scobey's Cigars at 946 Pacific with the Naubert & Manning Billiard parlor upstairs; Davis Men's Shop, M&M Hat, Friedman's (Jewelers) all at 942-44 Pacific with Peterson & Cooksie Billiards above; and the Regal Shoe Co. at 938-40 Pacific. TPL-225; G61.1-016

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rust Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Scobey Cigar Co. (Tacoma); Naubert & Manning Billiards (Tacoma); Peterson & Cooksie Billiard Parlor (Tacoma);

This view is of Broadway at 9th looking south in August of 1924. On the right foreground is a portion of the massive Tacoma Theater building (902-14 Broadway) with new tenant Frank C. Hart & Sons (jewelers) sign and the Electro Dental Parlors (former practice of dentist John Austin). The Colonial Theater (916-18 Broadway) is next, then showing for the second week the movie "The Covered Wagon." The Pythian Temple (924-26 Broadway) and Burnett Brothers jewelry store (932 Broadway) follow. At the end of the block is the Rhodes Brothers Department Store (950 Broadway). On the left side of Broadway several businesses are visible: the Hotel Illington and the McMillan Bros. Drugstore in the Jonathan Smith Bldg. (911-13 Broadway); Lou Johnson (ladies apparel) in the Collier-Hardenberg Bldg (915-17 Broadway); Pierce Hotel (912 1/2 Broadway); and further down the street, the Lewis Brothers clothing store (935-41 Broadway). G59.1-030

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Colonial Theater (Tacoma); Pythian Temple (Tacoma); Tacoma Theater (Tacoma);

This is 11th St. at the bridge looking west as pictured on August 22, 1924. On the left is the Perkins Building at 1101 A Street, Tacoma's first fireproof building; on the right is the Tacoma Building, 1017-21 A Street, home to the Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. The unfinished Scandinavian-American Bank building (later known as the Washington Building) is in the distance also on the right. G57.1-133

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Perkins Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma);

Pacific Avenue at South 9th St. looking south. Barricades from the Consumers Central Heating Co. are positioned in the center of South 9th St. Street construction and/or repair were occurring during this part of August, 1924, in this area. Notable downtown buildings visible include the Provident Building (917 Pacific Ave.), the unfinished Scandinavian-American Bank Bldg (later called the Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Ave.) and Puget Sound National Bank (1117-19 Pacific Ave). G61.1-037

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Barricades--Tacoma; Provident Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Rose garden, Point Defiance Park. Point Defiance Park has more than an acre of rose gardens for the public to enjoy. This view of the park in 1924 shows gardens neatly laid out with benches strategically placed for people to sit and gaze at the many varieties of roses. The oldest of the gardens was planted in 1895. TPL-10531

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Roses--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Bridge over Lake Steilacoom. A wood trestle bridge, flanked by towering firs, spans Lake Steilacoom in this August, 1924, photograph. The bridge is barely wide enough to fit two touring cars of the 1920s. Once over the bridge, automobiles could proceed toward American Lake. The TPL-049; G38.1-060

Lake Steilacoom (Wash.); Bridges--Lakewood;

Lake Steilacoom as seen through tall trees on August 25, 1924. The fresh water lake was created from a series of ponds in the 1850s by the building of a dam to provide water for Byrd Mill, located on Steilacoom Creek. G38.1-061

Lake Steilacoom (Wash.);

Facing in opposite directions are two different methods of transportation popular in the 1920s - a "stage" or bus and a streetcar. The streetcar, bound for the McKinley Park area of Tacoma, was operated by Tacoma Rail & Power. The stage left for Olympia every half-hour from Tacoma. TPL2385; G66.2-006

Street railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930; Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mass transit--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Side view of Buckley Public School bus No. 3 as photographed on August 30, 1924. G7.1-062B

School buses;

The Y.M.C.A. provided a comfortable setting in their lobby for reading and tinkling the keyboards. Four unidentified men are pictured on September 2, 1924, enjoying some free time by perusing the latest newspapers and books and performing a duet on the organ and piano. The $5000 pipe organ was donated to the Young Men's Christian Association's convalescent ward at the Camp Lewis base hospital by Mrs. W.R. Rust of Tacoma. When the building was dismantled in 1919, the organ was moved to the lobby of the Market St. Y.M.C.A. building. The organ was made by the Estey Organ Co. of Brattleboro, Vt., and was equipped with a mechanism similar to one on a "player piano" that made it possible for anyone to play it. TPL-8755; G68.1-136

Young Mens Christian Association (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Reading--Tacoma; Pianos; Organs;

The City College Employment Department sought to help people obtain jobs. It was a free service offered in 1924 by the Y.M.C.A. primarily for students and members. Employers were welcome at any time and given immediate attention by staff. Two men are pictured above on September 2, 1924, utilizing the services of the employment department. Their names, and the name of the interviewer, were not given.

Employment agencies; Young Mens Christian Association (Tacoma);

This is how the east side of Pacific Avenue, near South 10th & 11th Sts., appeared in September of 1924. Buildings were tightly built side-by-side with no space in between for parking lots. From L-R were: First Mutual Savings Bank's Deposit Vaults (1005 Pacific); Western Union Telegraph Co. (1007 Pacific); Keystone Printing Co., Peerless Grill and the Tourist Hotel Annex (1009 Pacific); and Shaw Supply Co.'s three-story brick building (1015 Pacific). The Tourist Hotel Annex would be demolished later to make way for the Bank of California. G61.1-019 TPL-10075

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tourist Hotel Annex (Tacoma); Western Union Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Keystone Printing Co. (Tacoma); Peerless Grill (Tacoma); Shaw Supply Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A small motorcade in support of State Senator E.L. French traveled on the east side of A Street, looking south, on September 5, 1924. Senator French, of Vancouver, sought the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the upcoming elections. A large banner on the first touring car announced that "Pierce County Solid For French." His carvan made stops that day at Auburn, Enumclaw, Buckley, Sumner, Puyallup, Kapowsin and Eatonville. Senator French would speak at a rally held on his behalf on September 6th at the Tacoma Theater. However, Roland Hartley, Republican lumberman from Everett, would go on to defeat him in the primaries . Col. Hartley was to be elected governor and serve two terms. TPL-757; G58.1-091 (photograph is damaged) (TNT 9-5-24, p. 13-article; TDL 9-6-24, p. 3)

Political campaigns; Political parades & rallies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motorcades--Tacoma; Banners;