A Blue Line Stage Co. bus is parked outside the Washington Dye Works, located downtown about 9th & Pacific, in March of 1919. The vehicle had tarp-like material covering one side of the windows and tires apparently manufactured by the U.S. Rubber Co. According to Bonney's History of Pierce County, the Blue Line Stage was established by William Hummon, Sumner resident, who had previously operated a livery business. The Blue Line Stage ran between Sumner and Tacoma. Two months later in May of 1919, there would be a new big White bus on this route. The Blue Line Stage would add a new 20-passenger car, mounted on a 2-ton White chassis, to its service. G66.1-025 (Bonney: History of Pierce County, Washington, Vol. III, p. 133-34; TDL 5-25-19, 4C-article & picture of new bus)
ca. 1919. This photo, taken in April or May of 1919, shows the "Fort Jackson," the smaller ship in the center of the photograph, being launched at Todd Shipyards. Visiting dignitaries stand on the podium which is draped with striped bunting. G37.1-173, TPL-1435
Launchings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;
By the end of 1920 the Matthaei Bread Company located at 703 South Sprague Avenue had five White trucks and five "Dodge Brothers motor cars" in its fleet of delivery vehicles. The Matthaei Bread Company opened their bakery on South Sprague in April of 1913. Their building was known as "the plant of 150 windows". The Continental Baking Company moved into the building in 1930, and for over 70 years it was the home of Wonder Bread in Tacoma. BU-12471,
Matthaei Bread Co. (Tacoma); White trucks; Dodge automobile; Bakeries--Tacoma;
An unidentified woman, foot on the running board, prepares to enter a closed coupe parked on the circular driveway outside Capt. Olaf Olson's home at 223 North Yakima Ave. on December 18, 1922. The brick Spanish-Colonial home, originally built for lumberman E.J. McNeeley in 1906, was designed by the Tuttle Brothers architectural firm. In the photograph's background are the Lewis & Clark Apartments, 717-719 North 3rd St. G11.1-040
Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Olson, Olaf--Homes & haunts; Lewis & Clark Apartments (Tacoma);
A new Dodge sedan is parked on an unpaved road next to a wood framed home on March 26, 1923. Neither the man standing next to the vehicle nor the house, with partial address of 3718, was identified. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co.
This is the stern and one of the huge propellers of the steamship "Alaska" on the day of her launching, April 19, 1923, at the Todd yards. The "Alaska" was built for passenger and freight trade between Puget Sound and Alaska and was the first combination passenger and freight vessel built at the Todd yards. At 364-feet long, she was designed for copper ore cargo and included passenger accommodations for 250 first class and 58 steerage. The "Alaska" was the 31st ship launched by Todd and successfully slid bow first down the ways. Miss Frances Nowell of Alaska served as sponsor. G37.1-111 (TDL 4-19-23, p. 1-article; TDL 4-20-23, p.1, p. 3)
ca. 1923. A sturdy GMC truck served as the Yakima stage in 1923 with stops in Prosser and Toppenish. It was parked outside of a Tacoma Standard Oil Co. station at the time of this Boland photograph. A large multi-business billboard is in the background featuring a clothing store and the Washington Cycle & Supply Co. Photograph ordered by Pioneer Auto Works. G66.1-031
Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. Two Tacoma Gas delivery trucks were photographed, possibly at the company's plant near 22nd and Dock St., in June of 1923. The Chevrolet trucks have advertising for "Smoothtop" gas stoves posted on the sides. Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. had recently taken delivery of the two trucks from Wallace Chevrolet Co., local Chevrolet distributors. The company had used Chevrolet vehicles in the past and praised their economical features. G35.1-045 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-1-23, 4-G)
Model T Ford parked outside building believed to be located on Wheeler-Osgood Co. property, 1216 Saint Paul Ave., on October 30, 1923. The side of the car has been marred with letters either printed in the dust or scratched in the paint. G11.1-058
Model Bakery's motto was "Where Quality and Purity Counts." Their delivery truck and driver are pictured on a foggy November day in 1923. Model Bakery was located at the corner of So. 38th & Yakima Ave. It was owned by Gust and Thora Westerdale. Because the bakery had previously been pleased with other dependable Dodge commercial vehicles, they decided to purchase a new model due to its improved appearance, larger seats, and easier riding. TPL-951; G33.1-002 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-18-23, 8-G)
Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dodge trucks; Model Bakery (Tacoma);
Fishing boat "Shenandoah." The fishing boat, "Shenandoah," was tied up at a dock in Gig Harbor in April of 1925. She was believed to be a product of the Skansie Yards. TPL-695; G72.1-124
The"Wheatland Montana" was docked at the Port of Tacoma on April 30, 1925, to discharge a shipment of 12-foot mahogany logs from the Philippines. The logs were transferred to the Buffelen Lumber Co. plant to be used in fine doors and panels. 12 flat cars were loaded with the logs since they were too heavy to be transported locally the usual way, by water. This was the first mahogany shipment received in Tacoma in some time. In addition to the logs, the "Wheatland Montana" also unloaded a 100-ton shipment of peanuts. She would carry as cargo upon departure 250,000-feet of short-length flooring. G49.1-198 (TNT 4-30-25, p. 23-article only)
Another cargo ship in town at the end of April, 1925, was the "Lochkatrine" of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Line. She is pictured dockside at the Port of Tacoma awaiting loading of lumber. The "Lochkatrine" had arrived on Tuesday morning the 28th and docked at the smelter to take on a load of 1,150 tons of copper. That evening she shifted over to the Port of Tacoma piers for a two-day stay where she would take on lumber and miscellaneous cargo. G49.1-069 (photograph has been cropped) (TDL 4-29-25, p. 10-article only)
In late June of 1925 the Japanese "turret" ship "Taiyu Maru" was docked at the Port of Tacoma. With her curved sides, raked mast and narrow decks, she was an unusual sight. The "Taiyu Maru" had been in service for more than 25 years and according to her captain, K. Okamoto, was one of only five "turret" ships still afloat. The 450-foot vessel was to return to the Suez Canal with a cargo of Northwest fir ties to discharge in Egypt. Photograph ordered by the Port of Tacoma. G49.1-091 (TNT 6-26-25, p. 22)
Parked on a gravel roadway on May 6, 1924, is a Dodge sedan with two women and an infant inside. The industrial Tideflats are in the background. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co., Dodge dealership. G11.1-023
In June of 1924, this Puget Sound Electric Railway bus, that traveled between Tacoma and Olympia, provided every comfort that a discriminating rider could demand. Quality features in the new bus included a hot water heating system that provided odorless heat (and eliminated the chance of burned shoes and clothing), extra lighting, ventilation, safety signals for the driver, and high back seats that could be tilted for extra comfort. The body, mounted on a White 50 chassis, was built by the Modern Auto Body Works at 2357 Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma. The bus, with its sleek lines and multiple passenger doors, sported a distinctive gray and green exterior with a crimson stripe. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-15-24, 12-G) G66.1-021
Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Electric Railway (Tacoma);
Piles of lumber wait to be loaded onto the ship "West Nimrod" on June 24, 1924, at Tidewater Mill. The vast size of the "West Nimrod" can be compared to the much smaller tugboat nearby. A barge filled with cargo is directly next to the ship. The "West Nimrod," of the Admiral-Oriental line, arrived in Tacoma late Sunday, June 22nd. She was to stow lumber for Hong Kong and other Asian ports. G49.1-099 (TDL 6-23-24, p. 10-article)
Elevated view on June 30, 1924, of a cargo ship from the Luckenbach Line and others berthed at the St. Paul & Tacoma dock. The vessels were taking on shipments of lumber and other cargo. G50.1-001
Rowboat on display. This is believed to be a product of the Babare Mfg. Co., 3517 E. 11th St., as viewed on July 11, 1924. The Babare Bros. had moved their shipbuilding facilities to a site on along the Hylebos Waterway about 1920. G37.1-114
Engine room of the Steilacoom ferry as pictured on July 21, 1924. The 110-feet long ferry, dubbed "City of Steilacoom," was completed at the Skansie yards in Gig Harbor. She was designed to replace a ferry operating between Long Branch and Steilacoom and took her maiden voyage on April 13, 1924. The ferry was propelled by a Fairbanks-Morse semi-diesel type engine putting out 200 horsepower. Her engine room had auxiliary pumps, lighting plant and hot water heating plant. G66.1-094 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, A-11-article)
Rickenbackers on display. On September 12, 1924, a fleet of five Rickenbacker automobiles are photographed lined up alongside an unidentified street. Their drivers are casually posed next to them. Each vehicle has a "Defender" sign on the front windshield. September 12th was declared "Defenders' Day, " a legal holiday, by Governor Louis F. Hart. The date had been set aside nationally for citizens' response to national defense. 6000 people would march and otherwise take part in a parade from Pacific Avenue to Stadium Bowl. Photograph ordered by Sound Motor Co., Tacoma Rickenbacker dealership. TPL-8092; G11.1-045 (TNT 8-27-24, p. 1-article; TDL 9-4-24, p. 1-article; TNT 9-12-24, p. 3; TDL 9-13-24, p.1-article)
The freighter "Haxtum" in town to take on a shipment of grain in June of 1920. She is pictured above at the Milwaukee elevator. The ship was expected to take a cargo of 3000 long tons of grain to Europe. Photograph ordered by Fisher Flouring Mills. G49.1-068 (TNT 6-7-20, p. 7-article)
City of Tacoma Light Department's "Trouble Car" parked outside Griffith Motor Co., 728 Broadway, in early August of 1920. Griffith Motors was a Dodge dealership. The newly purchased Dodge automobile would probably be used to transport utility workers to locations experiencing problems. It was one of many Dodges placed in public service. TPL-6701; G43.1-028 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-22-20, C-8)
Dodge automobile; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma City Light (Tacoma);
A "Modern Method" crane No. 40 is pictured on September 8, 1921, on the wide dock at the Port of Tacoma. It was manufactured by Colby Steel & Engineering Co. The legs of the crane were tall enough that a freight train could easily pass through. At the dock is the cargo ship, "West Jappa," out of Seattle. G49.1-203;
Hoisting machinery; Cargo ships--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);
The vessel "Alvarado" (in foreground) is berthed at the Osgood & Wheeler dock on January 25, 1922. She was in Tacoma to load lumber for her return trip to San Pedro. The "Alvarado" was just one of 20 deep-sea vessels were lined up at Tacoma wharves on January 25th. That particular week Tacoma led all coast ports in tonnage with 124,410. G49.1-070 (TDL 1-26-22, p. 1-article; TNT 2-2-22, p. 1-article)
A new Dodge coupe, with Tacoma businessman H.J. Salmela at the wheel, is parked on the brick roadway outside the Griffith Motor Co., 728-30 Broadway, on February 11, 1922. Griffith Motors was the authorized dealer for Dodge Brothers motor cars. A new car was still a relative rarity back in the early 20s and local newspapers often ran photographs of happy customers with their new purchases. Mr. Salmela was already the owner of three six-cylinder cars but chose the Dodge coupe for a practical purpose, as best suited for a motor trip to San Diego and a tour of the entire state of California. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-26-22, 4-C)
Salmela, H.J.; Dodge automobile; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930;
The crew and possibly guests aboard the cold storage ship, "Glory of the Seas," are silhouetted against the white background and appear miniscule when compared to the large vessel. The ship is moored at the Glacier Fish Co. dock in February of 1922; among the items visible on the dock are pipes and oddly, what appears to be a bathtub. The "Glory of the Seas" was one of the largest cold storage plants afloat and was being dismantled after being in service for 53 years. This photograph was used in an advertisement in The News Tribune's March 22, 1922, edition. Maingault & Graham were the sellers involved in the dismantling process. G50.1-114 (TNT 3-22-22, p. 26-Ad)
Ships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Glacier Fish Co. (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;
This stray dog eyes the new 1922 Dodge sedan driven by Griffith Motor Co. president, Walter Havelock Campbell Griffith, as it is parked by the City Pound Office at South 27th & "D" on February 18, 1922. The man holding onto the excited dog is unidentified. The Community Chest was gearing up for its annual fund raiser in support of 28 relief agencies including the Tacoma Humane Society. Mr. Griffith had donated the use of several of his new Dodges to transport photographers and writers in order that the need for animal care could be better publicized. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-26-22, 1-C)
Griffith, Walter Havelock Campbell; Dodge automobile; Dogs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;
This couple seem to be enjoying their new automobile parked outside a wooded area, perhaps South Park, in early October of 1926. The vehicle, with the woman behind the wheel, is a roomy four-door. G11.1-077
Close-up of airplane and Franklin automobile at Camp Lewis on October 8, 1926. The car has Seattle plates. See Boland image B15775 for another view of plane and car along with pilot and two men. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Franklin Co.
