A Tacoma Railway & Power Co. streetcar had been involved in an accident and Boland photographers were requested to photograph the Parkland accident scene on July 7, 1931. They took several pictures of the accident location from various directions. Photograph #4 was "105 feet west of the South bound Spanaway track at Parkland." This is believed to have been the accident that occurred about 8 pm on June 30, 1931, involving the H.F. Miller car. Mr. Miller's 15-year-old son, Jack, died in the county hospital the following day due to his injuries and his father, H.F. Miller, was seriously injured. The streetcar was heading south at the time of the accident and the Miller vehicle heading west. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Railway & Power Co. G73.1-021 (TNT 7-1-31, p. 1-article; TDL 7-1-31, p. 1-article)

Railroad crossings--Parkland; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma)--Accidents; Streets--Parkland;

On July 7, 1931, photographs of an accident scene in Parkland which had involved a Tacoma Railway & Power Co. streetcar were taken by the Boland photographers. Each photograph was marked with the distance from the railroad track. Photograph #3, shown above, is listed as "33 feet East of the East rail of the Southbound Spanaway track at Parkland." This is believed to have been the June 30th accident involving a vehicle occupied by Jack Miller, age 15, and his father H.F. Miller. The Miller vehicle was going west at the time of the collision with the southbound streetcar. Jack Miller died in the county hospital the following morning and his father was hospitalized with serious injuries. The automobile had been carried down the street for more than 75 feet and was a total wreck. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Railway & Power Co. G73.1-024 (TNT 7-1-31, p. 1-article; TDL 7-1-31, p. 1-article)

Street railroad tracks--Parkland; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma)--Accidents; Streets--Parkland;

The USS West Virginia at anchor in Commencement Bay in July of 1931. The ship, under command of Rear Admiral R.H. Leigh, was in town to participate in Fleet Week. The battleship had been commissioned in 1923 and was the most recent of the "super-dreadnoughts." She would be heavily damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor but was completely rebuilt at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. Although missing much of the war, the West Virginian would still earn five battle stars. She was decommissioned in January of 1947. (www.usswestvirginia.org; TDL 6-30-31, p. 5-article) G71.007

Battleships--1930-1940; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

This is how the Center Street Market appeared in the summer of 1931. The short-lived fruit and vegetable market, owned by Wilton W. Kean, was located at the corner of Center and I Street. Its immediate neighbor was the Tacoma Bread Company, 2836 S. I, shown at far right. Tacoma Bread would purchase the market in 1933, tear it down, and build a $10,000 addition to its plant. Photograph taken for Wilton W. Kean. Bowen # 310-255 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-29-33-article & photograph of Tacoma Bread Co. addition)

This photograph, taken in July of 1931, shows one of the many fruit and vegetable stands that were scattered through South Tacoma. The photograph was taken for Wilton Kean, who owned the Center Street Market at 901 Center, but this is not that stand. The Drive In Market was probably further south - around the corner of 48th and South Tacoma Way. Bowen # 310-255

In July of 1931, passengers on the Washington Navigation Company ferry "Skansonia" could climb onto a stool and order a fried ham sandwich for 15 cents as they commuted between Gig Harbor and Point Defiance. The "Skansonia" was built in 1929 at the Skansie Brothers Shipyard in Gig Harbor. The curved lunch counter on the ferry offered a fried egg for 15 cents; or a Swiss cheese sandwich, hamburger or hotdog for 10 cents. You could top off your breakfast or lunch with a slice of homemade pie for a dime and wash it down with coffee, cold milk or pop. On hot days, the kiddies could enjoy a frozen Popsicle or a malted milk shake. (Neal & Janus "Puget Sound Ferries.") TPL-9261; G66.1-090

Ferries--1930-1940; Washington Navigation Co. (Gig Harbor);

Large barn on J. Thomas Benston's Farm in Graham that held a bootlegging operation that operated for 6 months undisturbed before it was raided by federal agents in July of 1931. The barn was in clear view of the highway and received frequent shipments of fuel oil, sugar and supplies. It is estimated that it took 25 tons of sugar to produce 1 filling of mash for 1 of its 8 redwood vats. The highway also carried frequent shipments from the farm, trucks loaded with cans and kegs of alcohol. Little trouble was taken to disguise the enterprise and its operation was common knowledge in the neighborhood. The still operated for 6 months and produced over a half million dollars worth of alcohol before it was raided by federal agents. (TNT 7-17-1931. pg 1)

Benston, J. Thomas--Homes & haunts; Barns--Graham; Prohibition--Graham; Stills (Distilleries); Police raids--Graham;

Unidentified men pose with several of the large redwood fermenting vats used in illegal alcohol production in the barn located on the property of J. Thomas Benston in Graham, WA. The barn contained eight of these huge circular vats, each having a capacity of over 5,000 gallons. It is theorized that the operation could produce $20,000 of alcohol every 24 hours. Little effort was made to disguise its operation, and it managed to remain in business six months before it was raided. Operators were said to have paid up to $8,000 a month in protection. In an odd twist of fate, the operators were producing their last batch and getting ready to clear out when the barn was raided. Benston maintained his innocence, stating that he only rented the barn and was not aware that it was being used for illegal purposes. (TNT 7/17-19/1931, pg. 1)

Benston, J. Thomas--Associated objects; Prohibition--Graham; Stills (Distilleries); Police raids--Graham;

An insider's view of some of the details of the bootlegging operation at Benston's Farm raided by Federal agents in July of 1931. One Federal agent, in his sleeveless T-shirt, inspects a pipe on part of the still. Another agent climbs a wooden ladder. There are metal beds in the middle of the "room". The fire for the still had to be maintained 24 hours a day. There is a large stack of metal containers waiting to be filled with alcohol, the still actually used an automatic filler system. The distillery operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ironically, the actual dismantling was done by inmates of McNeil Island, some of them incarcerated for bootlegging. The copper and vats from the distillery became the property of the prison and were put to legitimate use. (TNT 7/17-19/1931, pg. 1)

Benston, J. Thomas--Associated objects; Prohibition--Graham; Stills (Distilleries); Police raids--Graham;

Two men believed to be Federal Prohibition agents worked on July 17, 1931, at dismantling the boiler from the still found in the barn at a Graham, Washington, farm. The illegal operation was as modern and complete as a commercial pre-Prohibition distillery. It was estimated to have been built for $50,000, was in clear view of the highway and operated for six months. The owner of the farm, a Pierce County road district employee, maintained that he rented out the barn and was not aware of the illegal activities. In fact, this location was probably chosen in part due to the respectability that the farmer lent to the operation. In an odd twist of fate, the bootleggers were preparing to abandon the still, or dismantle and move it, and were making their last batch when the raid was made. It is estimated that the operators manufactured over a 1/2 million dollars of alcohol before the still was shut down. 52,000 gallons of mash were seized in the raid. (TNT 7/17-19, 1931, pg. 1-various articles)

Prohibition--Graham; Stills (Distilleries); Police raids--Graham;

A federal agent stands beside one of the huge redwood vats found in the July 1931 raid of Benston's Farm in Graham, Wa., to demonstrate its awesome size. This vat was calculated to hold 7,500 gallons of fermenting mash. The Prohibition era illegal distillery set up in Benston's barn contained a total of eight of these vats. The still operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and could manufacture 100 gallons of pure alcohol every hour. At a market value of $10 per gallon, the feds estimated that the plant produced $20,000 worth of alcohol every 24 hours. It was reported that the operation was set up by a California syndicate, that rented the barn from Benston, and that it was backed by local capital. (TNT 7/17-19, 1931, pg. 1)

Benston, J. Thomas--Associated objects; Prohibition--Graham; Stills (Distilleries); Police raids--Graham;

The Publix Market & Garage building at 1110-16 Pacific Ave. While under construction. This building was later remodeled, in 1965, and became the Bank of Tacoma.

Garages--Tacoma--1930-1940; Publix Market & Garage (Tacoma);

In July of 1931, the marquee at the RKO Orpheum Theater (now the Pantages) shown brightly in the night advertising Larry Rich & his Oompahs. The Orpheum offered the discriminating viewer both a movie, Richard Dix in the "Public Defender," and a vaudeville style stage show. Band Leader Larry Rich toured the RKO circuit with his own show; he served as master of ceremonies and his band, the Oompahs, backed up the other performers. One of the featured singers was Marion Sunshine. She impersonated popular singers of the day and then sang her own songs, including "The Peanut Vendor," for which she wrote the English lyrics. In addition to creating as a composer and lyricist, Marion Sunshine acted in movies and performed as half of the sister act "Tempest and Sunshine" during her theatrical career. Bowen # 310-26?

In July of 1931, the Veterans of Foreign Wars drum & bugle corps posed in front of the RKO Orpheum Theater (now the Pantages,) 901 Broadway. Behind the group was a sign stating "March with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to the RKO Orpheum to see RKO Vaudeville Larry Rich and Marion Sunshine." A ticket at the Orpheum got you into to see a movie, Richard Dix in the "Public Defender," and a vaudeville show, with headliner Larry Rich and his Oompahs. Larry Rich was a comic bandleader who toured the vaudeville circuit with his own show, featuring his band the 14 Oompahs and singer Marion Sunshine. Ms. Sunshine would impersonate Maurice Chevalier and Ruth Etting and then sing her own songs, including the one for which she penned the English lyrics, "The Peanut Vendor." Larry Rich was the father of jazz drummer and bandleader Buddy Rich. A crowd had gathered between the VFW and the theater. Bowen #310-26 ?

Cars and trucks line both sides of the 1300 block of Broadway in this photograph from July of 1931. All the buildings on the west side of the street including the Goodwill Store at 1320 Broadway, the Hotel Victoria at 1316 1/2 and the Brenden Hotel at 304 South 13th Street have been demolished. This whole block is currently occupied by the Sheraton Hotel, 1320 Broadway, which opened in 1984. Photograph taken for W.H. Opie & Co. Bowen # 310-266

The RKO Orpheum Theater, 901 Broadway, was decorated with bunting and banners on August 3, 1931, when Frank Capra's newest movie "Dirigible" starring Jack Holt and Fay Wray opened in Tacoma. But the decorations were not for the movie. They were to welcome the U.S. Navy. July 31 to August 7,1931, was "Fleet Week" in Tacoma. Four battleships, two destroyers, and a hospital ship were at anchor in Commencement Bay. (TDL July 31, 1931 p.1) Bowen # 310-274

A generous donation from Tacoma businessman William W. Seymour in 1907 made possible the opening of the Tacoma YMCA's Camp Seymour at Glen Cove. By 1931, when this group of boys attended summer camp, many improvements had been added. Nestled along Puget Sound, Camp Seymour is still operated today by the YMCA. Its benefactor also donated funds for Seymour Conservatory in Wright Park and served as mayor of Tacoma. TPL-6263

Two cooks at Camp Seymour are prepared to serve hordes of hungry boys at the YMCA camp in August of 1931. It looks like oyster stew is on the menu for the day accompanied by small salted oyster crackers. Thanks to the generosity of former Tacoma mayor and businessman William W. Seymour, a YMCA summer camp at Glen Cove (then called Balch's Cove) was established in 1907 on Mr. Seymour's rural property. Mr. Seymour would eventually deed 150 acres to the Tacoma YMCA for the sole purpose of summer camping for boys. The camp would be officially named Camp Seymour in 1926 as a recognition of Mr. Seymour's generosity. (campseymour.org-article on camp)

YMCA boys at Camp Seymour. Enjoying the sun on an August day in 1931 were several teenage boys and staff at the YMCA camp on Glen Cove. Thanks to benefactor William W. Seymour, a Tacoma businessman, youngsters had been coming to the camp since 1907. There they would be partaking in lots of fresh air, nourishing meals and sports including rowing and swimming.

Rowing at Camp Seymour on Glen Cove. This August 5, 1931 photograph depicts a small flotilla of rowboats on calm waters at the YMCA summer camp for boys. Many of these youngsters had probably never rowed before or attended an outdoor camp. Camp Seymour was named in honor of benefactor William W. Seymour who had graciously donated 150 acres of land for the purpose of allowing boys to enjoy camping.

Odd Fellows, "Decoration of Chivalry at Tacoma," August 6, 1931. (filed with Argentum)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On August 6, 1931 a fire, caused by defective wiring, gutted the building at 1140-42 Broadway. The fire started at 5:55 a.m. on the second floor, in the Johnson Paint and Wallpaper Company store, and quickly spread to the third floor and roof. The fire raged stubbornly for nearly three hours despite the efforts of more than three dozen firefighters. Bowen # 310-277

This is the 240-foot high Cushman Dam #2 as photographed on August 14, 1931. The hydroelectric dam on the North Fork of the Skokomish River provides power to the Tacoma Power system. Smaller than Cushman Dam #1, it went online on December 31, 1930. G24.1-155

Cushman Dam #2 (Lake Kokanee); Dams--Lake Kokanee;

Four bare chested Sea Scouts are flanked by two Sea Scout leaders in uniform as they posed behind giant oars on August 17, 1931. Tacoma's Sea Scouts were led by Dr. Hubert Watson who is believed to be the man with the John Paul Jones Tacoma sweater kneeling above. Dr. Watson was the "skipper" of the John Paul Jones, Ship 120. In 1930 Tacoma's Sea Scouts participated in the Seattle-Prince Rupert, B.C., international cruiser race aboard the 40-foot admiral's barge, the "Triton," a 60 h.p. remodeled Navy boat, an event in which they won honors. This photograph was probably taken because Ship 120 was selected in 1931 to be the Pacific Northwest Sea Scout flagship. This was the first Tacoma ship to be honored since Sea Scouting was added to the Boy Scout program in the Northwest. Dr. Watson, a prominent Tacoma dentist, was still nominal commander of the John Paul Jones at the time of his death at age 31 in October of 1932. G23.1-060

Sea Scouts (Tacoma);

Tahoma Camp, NO. 288 - W.O.W. Members of the Woodmen of the World in their uniforms. (Argentum)

Woodmen of the World (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The North End home of Edwin and Elizabeth Gregory was built in 1929 by Heath, Gove & Bell, architects. It was constructed of stucco with a tile roof and had a wide extended driveway. Mr. Gregory was a leading furniture manufacturer who would pass away in January of 1937.

National Bank of Tacoma Picnic. Many people in a park, picnic shelter in background. The National Bank of Tacoma was located on Pacific Ave. near the corner of 12th. Samuel M. Jackson was the Chairman of the Board and Raymond Mattison was president. Vice presidents were Guy T. Pierce, Ward Estey and Roger W. Peck.

Picnics--1930-1940; National Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Group portraits;

During one of Helen McAnally's famous beach parties, held Sept. 4th-6th 1931 at her Magnolia Beach summer home on Vashon Island, Mrs. McAnally (believed to be seated front left) and some of her guests posed for this picture. Mrs. McAnally's large cottage was located on Lot 3, Magnolia Beach. She was the widow of Tacoma attorney Sam McAnally and a nationally recognized hostess. The rich, artistic and famous in those preflight days would travel by train from New York to Seattle or Tacoma and then by boat to the island. She continued to hold parties, usually lasting several days, until she was in the eighties. ("Magnolia Beach Memories" by Bob Gordon Sr.)

McAnally, Helen; Entertaining--Vashon Island;

On September 8, 1931, the Larchmont streetcar was photographed as it pulled out of the car barn at 13th and A Streets. The car barn was shared by both Tacoma Railway & Power and Puget Sound Electric Railway. The Railway's powerhouse's 75 foot smokestack can be seen in the center of the picture. When erected. it was the largest iron stack in the Northwest and one of the largest in the world, at 75 feet high and 5 feet in diameter. The power plant was vital in the change from horse drawn and steam driven streetcars to electric ones. The powerhouse was gutted by fire in February of 1950. The car barn, which had been serving as Tacoma Transit's garage, was razed to make a parking lot. TPL-1600; G66.2-024 ("To Tacoma By Trolley" by Warren W. Wing; "Tacoma by Trolley" trolley schedule by McCormack Bros. Inc.)

Mass transit--Tacoma--1930-1940; Street railroads--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Composite photograph for advertisement for appearance by Jack Dempsey in Tacoma for the Junior League Milk Fund Benefit. The benefit was held at the Tacoma Stadium (Stadium Bowl) on Thursday, September 10, 1931. Although Mr. Dempsey and other boxers on the card were paid for their appearances, ticket proceeds funded the purchase of milk for needy Tacoma Public Schools students. Net proceeds totaled $1042 with Mr. Dempsey contributing $154.50 of his appearance fee. (TNT 8-28-31, p. 1-article; TNT 9-25-31, p. 1-article)

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports); Advertisements--Tacoma;