The USS Omaha at anchor in Commencement Bay at the end of July 1924. The 550-foot "scout cruiser" was accompanied by a squadron of six destroyers. She was the first of a ten-ship class of 7050-ton light cruisers. Omaha was built by Todd Dry Dock of Tacoma and launched on December 14, 1920. She would…
Lonesome Skunk
Lonesome pole cat (skunk) at the City pound. Hundreds of people wanted to own the skunk held at the City pound, shown here with patrolman Roscoe Savage on July 29, 1947. The small, deodorized skunk was taken into custody when he wandered into a grocery store. Dozens of people claimed ownership and many others wanted to adopt him. See more featured images and posts…
Toadally Dinner
Steilacoom frog farmer Charles Turner holds one of the bullfrogs that he raised to market as the delicacy "frogs' legs" in this photograph from July of 1937. The "Leaping Lena" is stretched out to her full length. Turner gave up his career as a taxi driver in 1936 and dug four frog ponds for his…
Out with the Old
By July of 1959, demolition of the aging Gothic-styled Piece County Courthouse at 1012 South G Street was well underway. Lige Dickson & Co. began tearing down the old courthouse in June with cranes and wrecking balls bringing it down piece by piece over the next several weeks. In July explosive charges were set and…
The First Block Party
On a warm summer evening, July 14th, 1920, the residents of Trafton Street between 6th Ave and South 8th Street were treated to Tacoma's first Block Party. The party was hosted by the Community Service Club in an effort to end the isolation of city life and help neighbors get to know one another. The…
Missing Grizzly
Not wanting to cause a panic, the management of the Point Defiance Park zoo did not immediately notify the public when a 600 pound grizzly bear escaped from his cage in July of 1937. Several men inspected the bear's cage, but were unable to determine how he had managed to escape. The two year old…
Acrobatic Attitude
A member of western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry's troupe, likely acrobatic dancer Audrey Haus, displays one of her talents backstage at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on July 15, 1949. Gene Autry had brought his troupe of western stars and radio entertainers to Tacoma for a one-night-only performance on July 15th…
Federated Improvement Club
The Federated Improvement Clubs were "United for a Bigger and Better Tacoma" according to their entry in the 1925 Fourth of July parade. These clubs sought to not only improve their own neighborhoods but to boost the city as a whole. Clubs included the Union & 6th Ave. Club, Clement Ave. Club, Portland Ave. Club…
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