Two men are balanced on extremely long logs in this August 14, 1925, photograph. They are believed to be connected with the Peterman Mfg. Co. who were local door manufacturers. Peterman Manufacturing, according to an advertisement placed in the Tacoma Daily Ledger on April 8, 1925, produced quality fir doors and 3-ply fir veneer panels. TPL-9376; G36.1-066 (TDL 4-8-25, p. 4-ad)

Logs; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Log dump next to railroad tracks as pictured on August 14, 1925. G36.1-086

Logs; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The John Ford western, "The Iron Horse." was showing at the Rialto Theatre in August of 1925. To help promote the movie, which took four years to make, the theater arranged for this Union Pacific "locomotive" to appear in Tacoma with 84-year-old famed Indian scout and interpreter Col. Alfred L. Chapman and his Chippewa wife, Princess Naggousaqua. Col. Chapman was present when the last spike was driven connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific lines. He also was instrumental in securing the services of some 800 Native Americans for the film and aided in the direction of an important movie scene. The "Iron Horse" dealt with the trials and tribulations of construction of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways to the west. It starred George O'Brien and Madge Bellamy and could be seen for a mere 50 cents for adults and a dime for children. (T.Times 8-17-25, p. 1)

Rialto Theatre (Tacoma); Publicity photographs; Chapman, Alfred L.; Princess Naggousaqua;

On August 18, 1925, an unidentified skilled craftsman was captured on film working on the carved screen that will mask the massive pipe organ in the new First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Ave. So. This craftsman was one of seven from the shop owned by partners Jacob Grotheim & Nels Torp working on the project. When noted church architect and Bostonian Ralph Adams Cram completed the design, he felt that no one in the wild Northwest would have the skill to execute the ornately carved oak pulpit and organ screen. Local cabinet makers J Grotheim & Co. answered the challenge. They were not only located close, at 1306 Tacoma Ave. So. but Mr. Grotheim was also a member of the church. The Boston architect was very impressed with the photographs that he received of the completed carvings. (TNT 8/21/1925, pg. 1) TPL-515; G22.1-202; BU-11,531

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); J. Grotheim & Co. (Tacoma); Wood carving;

This stucco Spanish-style bungalow with detached garage was located in then rural E. 72nd St. in 1925. The small one-story home had a landscaped front yard but the area surrounding the lot appears wooded and rough. A notice about its availability for purchase would be listed in the Tacoma Daily Ledger's September 27, 1925, edition. G28.1-056; BU-10,031 (TDL 9-27-25, p. E-6)

Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On Saturday evening, August 29th, 1925, Edwin Dewey Nichols, a former lumberman who had retired to a farm near Glen Cove, invited about 400+ Tacoma and Peninsula residents to a corn roast, with the ulterior motive of "buttering them up" to support increased spending for roads and ferries to connect the Peninsula to Tacoma. About 50 cars of Tacomans, led by Frank Poole of Poole's Plant Nursery, crowded two ferry runs to attend. They were greeted by several hundred Peninsula folk. Nichols had built a fire between two strings of logs 100 feet long to make a bed of hot coals for roasting. Then bushel after bushel of sweet corn, vats of butter, mountains of hot dog buns, trays of weenies and sharpened sticks were provided for the two hour roast. While the group ate, speakers discussed the needed roads and ferries. The very full Tacomans trudged home about midnight, fans of their neighbors across the water. (TNT 8/31/1925, pg. 1 +) G72.1-141

Nichols, Edwin Dewey--Homes & haunts; Corn; Outdoor cookery; Campfires;

These men and their caddies enjoyed a round of golf at the Fircrest Golf Club in August of 1925. The private golf course had opened in July of 1924 with nine of the 18 holes available. The second nine holes were seeded in the fall of 1924 and would be ready for use by the summer of 1925. The course's rolling grounds would provide challenges for later tournaments. G54.1-023 (TDL 4-8-25, p. 9-brief article on golf course; TNT 9-9-25, p. 6)

Golfers--Fircrest--1920-1930; Golf--Fircrest--1920-1930; Fircrest Golf Club (Fircrest);

View of two homes on an unidentified street in the Regents Park community taken during late summer in 1925. The house in the center with unusual porch belonged to Dr. and Mrs. J.A. Caswell, owners of Caswell Optical Co. Regents Park would become the Town of Fircrest in September of 1925. It had been developed by investors including Major Edward J. Bowes as a planned community back in 1907 whereby streets, sidewalks, roads and sewer systems were improved and installed. Regents Park was small in acreage and mostly residential. Homes like these two Colonial-style houses were substantial and well-maintained. G72.1-113

Houses--Fircrest--1920-1930; Caswell, J.A.--Homes & haunts; Regents Park (Fircrest);

These Regents Park homes (also shown in B13199) appear to be adjoining part of the Fircrest Golf Club course in August of 1925. The home with striking porch is the residence of Dr. and Mrs. J.A. Caswell, prominent community members. Three golfers are on the well-maintained grounds with two of them focusing their attention in the distance. The Tacoma "suburb" of Regents Park would incorporate and become the Town of Fircrest the following month. Dr. Caswell would be elected to serve on the city council. G72.1-111 (TNT 9-17-25, p. 20)

Regents Park (Fircrest); Houses--Fircrest--1920-1930; Caswell, J.A.--Homes & haunts; Golf--Fircrest--1920-1930;

Four unidentified individuals enjoyed a day of horseback riding at Yakima Park, near the White River Camp on Mount Tacoma in August of 1925. The White River Camp was located about four miles from the bridge over the White River entrance to the park. Food, tent and saddle-horse services were offered there. Mount Rainier was insistently called Mount Tacoma by local residents for many years. G54.1-097 (TDL 7-4-25, p. 5-article on White River Camp; TNT 9-12-25, p. 1)

Horseback riding; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

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;

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;

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;

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;

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);

J. T. Richmond, better known as "Dad," spent his 80th birthday on September 3, 1925 hard at work at the salt water Nereides Baths at Point Defiance teaching beginners how to swim. His student in this photograph was 5 year old Charlotte Hannah. "Dad" was the most popular instructor at the Baths and was believed to be the oldest water sports instructor in the nation. He had been teaching swimming for 25 years. He spent an average of three hours a day in the water and also walked 3 miles daily for exercise. The Nereides, an indoor heated salt water pool, operated at Point Defiance from 1906-1932. (TNT 9/3/1925, pg. 13) (WSHS- negative A858-0)

Swimming--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bathing suits--1920-1930; Swimming pools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Richmond, J.T.; Hannah, Charlotte; Nereides Baths (Tacoma);

The launch Elsie C ll , under the command of Captain Herman C. Clausen, ran aground in heavy morning fog at Point Defiance on Thursday, September 3, 1925. Captain Clausen had missed the ferry slip and then narrowly missed striking big rocks as he brought the Point Defiance-Sunrise Beach ferry ashore between the slip and the park pavilion. The ferry was stuck fast and could not be floated until high tide that evening. The 15 passengers sailing from Sunrise Beach to Tacoma were able to exit the vessel onto the beach via a gangplank; no injuries were reported.

Ferries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marine accidents--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

Flour mills on Old Town's waterfront. Tacoma Grain Co., manufacturers of Pyramid Flour and Sperry, maker of Sperry's Drifted Snow, are pictured on the waterfront in September of 1925. TPL-243; G34.1-123

Tacoma Grain Co. (Tacoma); Sperry Flour Milling Co. (Tacoma); Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Waterfronts--Tacoma;

The Oakes water stadium. A good sized crowd has gathered at "The Oakes" water stadium on Lake Steilacoom in early September of 1925. The water stadium had celebrated its official opening on June 21st. It had a capacity of 3000 people and was built on piling 10 feet apart. The water stadium was enclosed on three sides facing the body of water 200-feet by 200-feet. The Oakes Pavilion is in the background with windows and walkways facing the water stadium. Many of the crowd are in bathing suits while others are content to bask in the sun in street clothes. "The Oakes" itself had opened in 1923 and was a popular spot for picnicking, boating, swimming and rowing. Dancing was offered in the Pavilion two days a week. TPL-529; G54.1-148; BU13,437 (TNT 6-18-24, p. 21, 23-articles on water stadium)

Oakes Pavilion (Lakewood); Spectators--Lakewood; Crowds--Lakewood;

By September of 1925, the two imposing 311-foot tall electical power towers built for Tacoma Public Utilities on the Point Defiance part of the Narrows were completed. Construction had begun on two similar towers on the opposite side of the water on August 18th. When completed, the towers carried six power cables, three per tower, across a mile and a quarter span, bringing electrical energy generated at the Lake Cushman power project to Tacoma. At 6, 240 feet, the distance between the two sets of towers was the longest distance to be breeched by power cables in the world. (TNT 8/20/1925, pg. 11) G43.1-024

Electric lines--Tacoma--1920-1930; Towers; Electricity;

Tacoma Railway & Power Company streetcar #319 was photographed on September 4, 1925 as it turned the corner at South 13th & A Streets in Tacoma. Electric streetcars made their debut in Tacoma on February 11, 1890. Prior to that, the cars were either pulled by horses or powered by steam. The last streetcar ran in April of 1938. The building behind the streetcar with its lower floors obscured by the streetcar is the Salvation Army building at 109 South 13th Street. The building in the top right corner, with the pointed roof, is the Puget Sound Bank Building. Boland #B13266 TPL-2681 ("To Tacoma By Trolley" by Warren W. Wing; "Tacoma by Trolley" trolley schedule by McCormack Bros. Inc.)

Mass transit--Tacoma--1920-1930; Electric railroads--1920-1930; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma);

This section of Broadway near South 7th Street was "Auto Row" in September of 1925 with several automobile dealerships located side-by-side. L-R were: Griffith Motor Company selling Dodge Brothers motor cars; Mueller-Harkins Motor Company, a Buick dealer; Arthur Bryan Motor Company, a Chevrolet dealership and Richardson Motor Company, the Cleveland & Chandler dealership. Most, if not all, also had used car departments. TPL-1731; G59.1-025

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma); Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Arthur Bryan Motor Co. (Tacoma); Richardson Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930;

In September of 1925, Tacoma Railway and Power Company posted an advertisement in the window of what appears to be a bus or streetcar, offering a transferable, unlimited ride weekly pass on the streetcar for $1.00. The sign advocates that you go home for lunch instead of dining out, and with the 35 cents saving from the noon day meal, in three days, you'll have enough for the pass and ride free the rest of the time. TPL-1629; G66.2-007

Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma); Street railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mass transit--Tacoma--1920-1930; Electric railroads--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices);

Its grass grown tall on the front lawn, this Colonial/American Foursquare styled home located at 2121 North Fife St. was being offered as a forced sale at a price of $3,700 in 1925. The two-story home had a second-story balcony, dormer and four bedrooms and bath. The ground floor had a large front room, dining room, library and kitchen. A full basement contained a fireplace for the billiard room. It had been built around 1911 for Marvel Watson. Interested buyers could contact Hellar, Lyon & Co. G29.1-022; BU10,296 (TDL 8-20-25, p. 9-ad)

Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

These lucky Woolworth customers raise their bottles in a toast as they prepare to swig down Orange Kist in early September of 1925. Store management treated their patrons, including children, to free bottles of the non-alcoholic beverage on that day. Prohibition was in full force and local brewery Columbia Brewing Co. produced sodas in lieu of beer. Columbia Brewing introduced their new drink to the public during Orange Kist Week, July 31-August 6th. Thousands of bottles of Orange Kist were given away in various promotional stunts, including at local baseball games and at theaters and stores. (TNT 7-31-25, p. 6-article) TPL-9552; G33.1-066

Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1920-1930; Children eating & drinking--Tacoma--1920-1930; Carbonated beverages; F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Brewing Co.--Associated objects;