Boats at Northern Pacific dock, Tacoma, Washington Territory, circa 1885. The owners of the warehouse in the center of photograph were not identified. The large building to the far left is the Blackwell Hotel, considered New Tacoma's first hotel. Built by the Northern Pacific Railroad, it opened on January 1, 1874 and closed in 1884. It was razed during the summer of 1901. KING-002, TPL-1095

View of three ships including a sidewheeler at the Northern Pacific dock, Tacoma, Washington Territory. The sidewheeler included in this circa 1885 photograph is possibly the "North Pacific," an early steamboat that operated in Puget Sound. Several people are already on board. KING-004, TPL-1096

Wharf scene on Commencement Bay, terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Tacoma, Washington Territory. Photograph was taken circa 1885. Masted ships are docked waiting to unload/load cargo.

Three-masted ship "Eldorado" at old coal bunkers, Tacoma, Washington Territory, circa 1885. These are believed to be the Northern Pacific coal bunkers projecting into Commencement bay that were completed in 1882 at a cost of $250,000 and considered at that time to be the most modern of their type on the North Pacific Coast. Ships like the "Eldorado" were a common sight waiting to take on loads of coal. (Hunt, "The Coal Bunkers," History of Tacoma) KING006, TPL 1076

A group of Puyallup Indians with their longboats (canoes) on the Puget Sound around 1886. Behind them can be seen the Northern Pacific Railroad bridge. The Puyallups were primarily fishermen, hunters and gatherers. The local salmon provided their primary food source, but was also a symbol of reverence to the tribe. In the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854, they ceded many of their territories but retained their fishing rights. Their village at this time was believed to be at the foot of North 15th. KING-014, TPL 2895.

In this circa 1886 photograph, a Native American family lounges in their long boat near the shore. In the background can be seen the Northern Pacific Railroad bridge. The canoe is loaded with supplies, probably returning or setting off for the family's hunting ground. The Puyallup tribe members were primarily hunters, gatherers and fishermen. During this time period, their village was believed to be located at the foot of North 15th. KING-015, TPL 2894.

This early 1880s photograph by C. E. & Hattie King is of the Tacoma waterfront. Several European Americans are standing near Indian canoes moored along the shoreline. The location is believed to be south of the James Williams salmon cannery in Old Tacoma. The Kings brief period of photographing Tacoma views documents the blending of cultures and history--the presence and traditions of local Native Americans and the presence of newer Americans establishing homes, industries and towns in the West. KING 016, TPL-3746.

ca. 1908. Battleships in what is probably Commencement Bay - off Tacoma with the tree covered cliffs of Browns Point in the background.

ca. 1908. Young man sitting on a " Flying Merkle" motorcycle.

ca. 1908. Young man standing behind a "Flying Merkle" motorcycle. The young man is wearing a shirt with the words "Flying Merkle" on it.

ca. 1910. Unidentified young man, holding a metal milk pitcher in each hand, stands next to a horse-drawn mik wagon among the trees. The wooden panels on the side of the wagon say "Jersey Milk."

ca. 1908. Man standing next to Tacoma Steam Laundry wagon piled high with bags of laundry.

Hill Hardware Co. wagon & driver at east end of Wagon Bridge, Steilacoom Lake. Driver is C. L. Whitney. In 1908 the Hill Hardware Co. was at 2317-2319 Pacific Ave.

ca. 1908. Tacoma Steam Laundry wagon and driver. The wagon is piled full of bags of laundry. Even the driver's seat is packed, leaving no room for him to sit. From copy negative. Similar to BROWNING-073.

ca. 1910. Clown with top hat on unicycle. Street is paved with brick. Building to rear of clown has signs for "Baldwin Real Estate" and a large banner for a clothing sale starting March 31st.

ca. 1908. Northern Pacific Railroad workers at South Tacoma Shops. Steam locomotive and crew

ca. 1908. Steam locomotive No. 10 probably on the Tacoma & Eastern Railroad outside Mineral, Washington.

Undated photograph of four unidentified children seated in a jeep in a wooded area.

View of South Tacoma Way and South 90th Street area; Motel El Rancho, New and Used Trailer dealership, on left side of street, Norm's Repair, Texaco, Marta's Coffee Shop and many other businesses are located on the right side of street. Photo ordered by Metzger, Blair, Gardner and Boldt Law Firm, possibly for a traffic accident, skid mark are visible on the left side of South Tacoma Way.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Law & legal firms--Tacoma; Lawyers--Tacoma; Law offices--Tacoma; Streets--Tacoma; City & town life--Tacoma; Metzger, Blair, Gardner & Boldt Law Firm (Tacoma);

1973 Richards stock footage. Passengers aboard "Grace Lines" peer below at the sight of a mishap involving a new gangplank being installed on the ship. The gangplank, used to allow passage onto or departure from the ship, fell during installation procedures on the morning of September 1, 1973. The gangplank was made by the Port of Tacoma.

Gangplanks; Vessels;

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. "Santa Maria." This particular "Santa Maria" may be the ex-Navy cargo vessel now converted to a lobster fishing boat scheduled to work in the Southwest Pacific. According to the January 8, 1972, edition of Marine Digest, the 182 x 34-foot vessel would have refrigeration and insulated holds fitted and tank capacities increased.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1973 Richards stock footage. A new gangplank made by the Port of Tacoma for "Grace Lines" is being installed on September 1, 1973. The movable bridge allowed passengers to board and/or leave the ship while it was pierside. An accident occurred when the gangplank fell during placement.

Gangplanks; Vessels; Hoisting machinery;

Ship trials. The tugboat "Agloo" was undergoing sea trials in early June of 1973. She belonged to PAC, a tug firm which had an ocean going base at Tacoma. Photograph ordered by PAC.

Ship trials--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Ship trials. The tug "Agloo" is docked next to another PAC tugboat, name unseen, on June 5, 1973. The "Agloo" was undergoing sea trials before being released to her owners. The tugs were located at Marine Iron Works, 1720 Marine View Dr. N.E. Photograph ordered by PAC.

Ship trials--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Launching. This is the "Maia H" tugboat that was officially launched on Saturday, March 24, 1973, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. According to a News Tribune article, she was the first tug launched in Tacoma in many years. She had actually had an "instant dumping" two months ago. Maia Halvorsen, daughter of owner Boyer Halvorsen of Bainbridge Island, was the ship's sponsor. The "Maia H" will haul a fast freight barge between Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska. (TNT 3-25-73, A-22)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The "Kavik." The new tugboat, the "Kavik," is pictured on May 21, 1973, traveling through the Hylebos Waterway. She was a new addition to the PAC line which was an ocean going firm based in Tacoma. Photograph ordered by PAC.

Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

The "Kavik." The "Kavik" was a new member of the PAC line, a tug firm that had its ocean going base at Tacoma. The tug is pictured on May 21, 1973, at Marine Iron Works, 1720 Marine View Dr. Color photograph ordered by PAC.

Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Copy of customer print. Undated photograph of #78, a buoy layer, as she churns through the water. This buoy layer would position and service the buoys, important navigational helpers, that mark out shipping channels and indicate the shallows in waterways. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (additional information on buoy layers from www.voithturbo.com)

Boats; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Parked outside the National Automotive Warehouse at South 24th & Commerce on December 7, 1973, was a red truck with attached trailer. A large sign on the trailer indicates that it was full of Borg-Warner automotive parts. Borg-Warner is a well established firm in business for over 100 years. Color photograph ordered by Borg-Warner Co.

Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980; Signs (Notices); National Automotive Warehouse (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies;

The tug "Mohawk" steadily pulls a much larger barge through one of Tacoma's waterways on June 22, 1974. The "Mohawk" was believed to have belonged to PAC, a tug firm that had an ocean going base in Tacoma. Photograph ordered by PAC.

Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Barges--Tacoma;