An example of tables built by the Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co. was displayed outdoors in early November of 1920. The fold-down table was compact enough to fit in small places. Northern Novelty had opened for business in January of 1920 and by October of that year, had expanded their plant on South Wilkeson in order to manufacture wooden toys. G35.1-025

Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Tables;

January 1, 1921 brought with it the proud news that the Tacoma branch of the Standard Oil Company had the enviable record of being 100 per cent accident free in their tank truck department. The eight trucks plus proud drivers and company officials were photographed lined up in front of what appear to be numbered garage doors. This record was especially notable since the trucks operated every day and night, delivering gasoline to the garages and service stations of the city. Their combined mileage was around 4,221 miles per month. They held the best record on the Pacific Coast. (TDL 1/9/1921, pg. 4-C) G66.2-137

Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On May 28, 1921, a long line of cars was photographed in front of People's department store, 1101-07 Pacific Ave, and extending down the street past the Bankers Trust Building and nearly to the Puget Sound Bank building. Each car has a sign in its windshield that says, "People's Store - Tacoma - Motor Club."

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Jewelers at work at Mahncke & Co. By 1920, Mahncke & Co. had been in business at 914 Pacific Avenue for ten years. The pioneer jewelry firm, established in 1883, was owned and operated by Franz, William G., and Louis A. Mahncke. In 1923 the store would move a short distance away to 919 Broadway where it would remain for decades. Mahncke & Co. would be taken over by Friedlanders in 1956.

Mahncke & Co. (Tacoma); Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Silver display at Mahncke's. Rows of sterling silver and silver plate vases, tea sets, plates, trays and coffee pots were attractively displayed at pioneer jewelers, Mahncke & Co., in November of 1920. Mahncke & Co. was located at 914 Pacific Avenue. Established in 1883, it was "The Store That Quality Built." (TNT Ad -11-5-20, p. 4)

Mahncke & Co. (Tacoma); Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tableware;

Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this was the bank vault at the Scandinavian American Bank in December of 1920. At that time the bank was building a 16-story structure at 1019 Pacific Avenue. While the new building was being constructed, the bank conducted business at a temporary location at South 13th and Pacific. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction stopped. The building remained unfinished until 1925 and is now known as the Washington Building. G34.1-019

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;

Coils of wire are spread out on display outside the American Wood Pipe Co., 3200 South Cedar St., in August of 1920. The wire will be used to wrap wooden irrigation pipe. American Wood Pipe, established in January of 1913, was located on six acres in the Center St. manufacturing district. By 1921, it was considered the largest single wood pipe factory in the world. G36.1-107 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 12-4-21, p. 7-article)

Wire; American Wood Pipe Co. (Tacoma);

An unidentified worker was photographed in November of 1920 in the corner of the Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co., 2909-13 So. Wilkeson, where the alder timber was sorted. Just in time for the holidays, the eight month old company was diversifying its production from tables to include wooden toys. They used the local alder to manufacture their patented specialties: the hubless and spokeless toy wheel and the "shimmy dog." (TDL 11/28/1920, pg. B6) G36.1-022 (also cataloged under G36.1 image 068)

Northern Novelty Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Toy industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cabinetmaking--Tacoma;

J.B. Flory, the president of Bismarck Fuel Company located at 5624 McKinley Avenue, sang the praises of the company's Day-Elder delivery trucks in the September 19, 1920, Daily Ledger. The trucks were Model C, 2.5 to 3 ton capacity with the first delivered in mid-May of 1920. The company was pleased with their performance, rigid construction, pulling power and serviceability. They found the trucks to be very economical in running expense and upkeep. West Coast Steel Company was the Tacoma dealer for the truck which retailed for $2,850 apiece. West Coast Steel was able to handle Bismarck's request to have a special cab and windshield installed on one of the trucks. (TDL 9/19/1920, pg. C-7; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-9-20, C-5-West Coast Steel ad; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-23-20, C-6) TPL-1502; G35.1-062.

Bismarck Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Day-Elder trucks;

On May 8, 1920, six employees of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company at 1105 A Street were mounted on their bicycles and ready to deliver messages to local businesses and residents. The messengers are all dressed in uniform including caps. The man standing in the doorway of the firm is possibly L.L. Craft, manager. The Postal Telegraph Cable Co. was located across the street from the Federal Building whose reflection can be spotted on the large store window.

Postal Telegraph Cable Co. (Tacoma); Messengers--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cyclists--Tacoma; Delivery boys--Tacoma;

Inexperienced safecrackers failed to blow open the massive safe at Bye Thompson Motor Sales, 3320 South G Street, on early Friday morning, December 5, 1924. The thieves abandoned their efforts when the explosives they used broke the windows in front of the safe and threw the office into disarray, but only succeeded in blowing off the combination dial on the safe's door, not in releasing the bars holding the door in place. This was the second time in less than a year that Bye Thompson Motors had been robbed; on December 18, 1923, thieves somehow carried away the company's 1000 pound safe and blew it open several blocks away. That robbery netted the thieves $362. This photograph was taken at the scene of the crime on December 5, 1924. G24.1-056 (TNT 12-5-24, p. 1)

Safes; Robberies--Tacoma; Bye Thompson Motor Sales Co. (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;

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);

Pioneer pharmacists Ole B. Lien and Harry B. Selvig became partners in 1901 and opened a drug store at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South (later the address of the Tacoma Public Library) . In 1923, they moved across the street to the Charles Geiger Building, shown here. Behind the drugstore on South "G" was the Romanesque Pierce County Courthouse. Above the drugstore were the Palace Apartments where housekeeping and single rooms were available. Alongside the Lien & Selvig store on South 11th was the Florio True-Fit Tailor establishment. Lien, who had served Tacoma Avenue customers since 1894, died in 1933. Selvig died in 1944. New owners retained the Lien & Selvig name until the store closed in 1952 to make way for the County City Building facility. G56.2-062, BU-11463, TPL-6264

Drugstores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pharmacists; Lien & Selvig (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Palace Apartments (Tacoma); Florio True-Fit Tailor (Tacoma);

Located ten miles south of Tacoma on Pacific Highway SW , Mammy's Cabin offered 1/2 Fried Spring Chicken on toast for a mere 50 cents. Their chicken and steak dinners were worth a drive on the "Camp Lewis Highway." Dozens of wooden tables and benches were available for dining alfresco under the grove of pine trees behind the small wood-framed restaurant. A huge log fire, seen smoking, continuously burned so patrons could gather around and converse. A phonograph with plenty of records was available on the porch so diners could select their own music. Mammy's Cabin, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Carrier, was open late each evening for those with fried chicken appetites. (scan from negative, no print on file) TPL-10530 (TNT 08-07-1924, B3)

Mammy's Cabin (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Employees of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. crowd onto the small boat, "Lathea," on August 4, 1924, while others in back wait aboard the "Fossberg." G50.1-063

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Boats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Progress photograph of the construction of the Hotel Winthrop. Work continues on the building of the eleven story hotel by Pratt & Watson contractors in July of 1924. It appears that construction has reached the fourth floor. A notice has already been posted that the stores in the hotel will be under the management of the W.H. Opie & Co. (photograph has been stained)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Progress photographs;

Unidentified men and machinery at the Olympic Ice Co., 612-14 E. 25th, on July 8, 1924. The plant had undergone expansion the previous summer. G34.1-149

Olympic Ice Co. (Tacoma); Machinery;

Harry's Billiard Parlor. Two employees stand ready to assist customers at the refreshment bar located within Harry's Billiard Parlor, in the 700 block of Pacific Avenue, on July 11, 1924. Vases filled with flowers are placed on the wood countertop. The open doorway invites entry into the establishment. Harry's Billiard Parlor was celebrating its grand opening in the Donnelly Hotel. Harry Winesburg was the proprietor. TPL-7183; G53.1-095

Harry's Billiard Parlor (Tacoma); Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Construction - Winthrop Hotel. This steel column has been labeled #5 and would be used in the building of the Winthrop Hotel at 9th & Broadway in 1924. The column is believed to have been manufactured by the Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Western Union employees enjoyed a picnic and ball game in Centralia in July of 1924. Several young men have a prime view of all activities as they have scrambled atop a nearby roof. A batter waits patiently for his chance to belt one into the distance. G78.1-090

Western Union Telegraph Co.--Employees; Baseball players--Centralia;

This aerial view of Tacoma is what the photographer Marvin Boland saw from the top of the 11th Street (Murray Morgan) Bridge in May of 1924. The elegant Tacoma Hotel at 913 A Street is positioned right-center. A covered walkway winds its way down the bluff that separates the Tacoma Hotel from the waterfront. To the left side is the Hotel Lawrence at 1011 1/2 A Street and the Washington Hardware Company warehouse. The Tacoma Municipal Dock is in the foreground. BU-11,931

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotel Lawrence (Tacoma); Warehouses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Municipal Dock (Tacoma); Aerial views; Aerial photographs;

Construction of the Winthrop Hotel. This photograph has been labeled "seat of col. #27." By May of 1924, the hotel's foundation had been poured and other exterior work begun. The hotel would be dedicated in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This column has been labeled #38 to be used in the construction of the Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma's new showcase. Built on the site of the old Chamber of Commerce Building, the eleven story hotel had been funded by 2300 citizens, making it truly the "citizen's hotel." It would open in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

First aid teams from various Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. departments are pictured on May 19, 1924, at the Odd Fellows Hall. Maintenance from Aberdeen, outside repairmen, cable splicers, construction, installers and central office repairmen were represented. G64.1-005

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

J.R. McKinnell opened the new Rose Theater at 514-16 South 11th Street in late December of 1920. The original Rose Theater was located at 905 South Tacoma Avenue (now Tacoma Avenue South) in the Lucerne Building. On the 28th of December the feature at the new Rose was "Ruth of the Rockies" starring Ruth Roland, one of the Queens of the early silent serials; she specialized in westerns and comedies. "Ruth of the Rockies" was one of her later films. The new movie house had been built by Tacoma contractors Wick and Johnson at an estimated price tag of $8,000 for a California client. It was constructed of reinforced concrete and was 22 feet high with a 35 x 65 foot footprint. The building was demolished July of 1996. (TDL 1/2/1921, pg. B6- photo, 12/12/20, pg. B-5 article) Boland B3470, BU-13,339, TPL-2394

Rose Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On June 13, 1924, five usherettes, all with the latest in bobbed hair, posed in their new summer uniforms, blousy top and slacks in combinations of black and orange, in front of the Colonial Theater, 916-18 Broadway. The women were identified by the News Tribune as, left to right, Evelyn Durrin (head usher,) Mary Marko, Isobelle Pallis (assistant head usher,) Mildred Barnes and one unidentified usherette. The marquee advertised "The Last Hour" with Milton Sills, Carmel Myers, Walter Long and Pat O'Malley, which opened June 14, 1924 and ran at the Colonial for one week. "The Last Hour" was issued in 1923 by Mastadon Films. The Colonial Theater was designed by Roland Borhek and built in 1914. In the thirties, it became the Beverly Theater and in the 40's the Telenews Theater. It has since been demolished. Boland B10313, BU 11,145 (TNT 6/19/24, pg. 8)

Colonial Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ushers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motion picture industry--1920-1930;

In September of 1924 the Sprague Building and its extension took up the whole block between South 15th Street and South 17th on the east side of Pacific Avenue. Built in 1888, the original Sprague Building was home to the Hotel Savoy in the 1920s when this photograph was taken. Later it was home to many businesses including the Croft Hotel in the 1930s, the Lutheran Welfare Mission & Service Club in the 1940s and the Full Gospel Tabernacle in the 1960s. It was torn down in the late 1960s. The Sprague Building Annex, now simply known as the Sprague Building, still stands at the corner of South 15th and Pacific. It is listed on both the city and national registers of historic buildings. Boland B10931, BU-10735;

Hotel Savoy (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The usherettes at the Colonial Theater, 916-18 Broadway, wore gingham dresses for the opening on February 28,1920 of the silent version of "Pollyanna" starring Mary Pickford. A slightly different version of this photograph appeared in the March 3rd News Tribune; the girls are believed to be (l to r) Edna Fitzmaurice, Fern Chantler (the theater cashier), Nellie Mason, Rosa Fair, Lillian Buth, Stella Church, and Ruth Harkness. Mary Pickford was 27 when she played the film's 12 year old title character; the picture grossed one million dollars for United Artists, the film company owned by D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and her husband Douglas Fairbanks. The Colonial Theater was designed by Roland Borhek, architect, and opened in 1914. It was demolished in 1988. (TNT 3/3/1920 p.9) TPL-5877, BU-10014, Boland-B2760

Colonial Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ushers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motion picture industry--1920-1930;

On April 4, 1924, the Bell System Telephone company celebrated the 40th anniversary of telephone service in Tacoma by holding a luncheon for the surviving original subscribers to Tacoma's first telephone exchange. Five female employees, dressed in the manner of 1884, welcomed the guests. They are, left to right, Icle McDowell, Lucille Croxall, Eva Mollett, Mrs. Signe Hultgrew and Mrs. Mildred Sinclair. Their guests are, left to right, A.E. Dean, R.F. Radebaugh, I.W. Anderson, Major C.O.Bates, E.W. Melse, Judge John Arthur, Arthur Patrick, John Schlarb, W.P. Bonney, W.G. Rowland, Walter J. Ball, J.M. Ashton, W.J. Thompson, Henry Drum and Stuart Rice. The first telephone company office was located in Rebard's Cigar Store, and the owner acted as "central", dropping his work at the cigar counter to work the switchboard. The group is standing outside the Bell Telephone building at 1101 Fawcett Ave. Built in 1901 by J.E. Bonnell, it was added to the National and Tacoma historic registries in 1985. Boland B9815, BU-13,178

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Telephone companies--Tacoma;