Maefair Apartment Fire

The Maefair Apartment fire is the deadliest in Tacoma's history. Before dawn on February 17, 1945 fire broke out in the Hamilton Candy Company at 721 Fawcett Avenue. The fire quickly spread upstairs to the Maefair. By the time the first alarm was received at 2:12 a.m. the building was already engulfed in flames. Twenty…
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Olympic Health Spa

Exercise can be fun as this smiling model demonstrates on the BC Health Walker on March 10, 1967. The treadmill was just one of the up-to-date exercise machines at the new Olympic Health Spa, 5206 South Tacoma Way. Other amenities offered to membership holders in a February 24, 1967, advertisement included a hot mineral swirl pool…
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Tales to Tails

On Friday, January 27th, Sam, the library’s attentive certified therapy dog, listened to six children read him stories.  He heard books about the infamous Fly Guy, a dog that just did not want to go to sleep and one precocious 10-year old read a book about the history of the feminist movement. Every child who…
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Pioneer Sand and Gravel

A bird’s eye  of the sand and gravel operations belonging to the Pioneer Sand & Gravel Co. north of Chambers Creek near Steilacoom. This February 11, 1963, photograph shows the enormous gravel pit surrounded by acres of trees. The sand and gravel could be easily transported both by water with barges and by rail. See…
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Playaway Mysteries

It’s no mystery that Playaways are a great way to stay up to date with your reading list. They’re smaller than most media players and only require a battery and some headphones! Here are some intriguing mystery titles to get you started…
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Wintery Washington

Explore these adventurous books from Tacoma Public Library for all your outdoor winter exploration! Tour Washington’s expansive wineries or breweries, road trip the Pacific coast, or experience the winter wonderland of the Cascade Mountains with help from these great titles. The Most Beautiful Villages and Towns of the Pacific Northwest Snowshoe Routes Back Roads of…
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Lego Mindstorms

Build, program, and create an EV3 vehicle/robot using touch, color and infrared sensors and special programming that will bring the robot to life! Ages 6 – 14 with accompanying adult Registration Required Lego Mindstorms provided free by Washington State Library Please click on the following link for locations, dates and times…
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John N. Conna

Ca.1890. John Newington Conna, wealthy real estate agent and head of the first black family in Tacoma. Born in San Augustine, Texas in 1836, Mr. Conna fought in the Civil War as part of the famed 1st Louisiana Native Guards before migrating north to Connecticut and then west to Kansas. In 1883 Mr. Conna journeyed…
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