Northwest Room

An unidentified beauty posed with a very strange sea-beast in this photograph taken for the Tacoma Times in August, 1948. Al Meissner and E.C. Berg were trolling for salmon off Neah Bay when this denizen of the deep, an unidentified fish came swimming by their boat. They brought him back to Tacoma with them and…

Stephen Minch strikes a thoughtful pose in this August 8, 1972, studio portrait. Mr. Minch would author more than 30 books on magic and mentalism, many published by his own publishing house, Hermetic Press of Seattle. See more featured images and posts…

In mid-June of 1952, the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild, representing the Seattle and Tacoma newspaper reporters, advertising and circulation representatives, and photographers, went on strike against the Tacoma News Tribune over wages. Union pickets, such as Herman F. Hunt (pictured), appeared outside the newspaper's headquarters. The paper's other unions, including the Pressmen, Typographical, Mailers, Stereotypers…

This aerial photograph of the Point Defiance Boat House and Pavilion was taken in August of 1948. Built on the site of the park's first pavilion, this large complex of buildings was the last project completed by the W.P.A. in the park. The pavilion was used for a number of years as the site of…

In July of 1938, Harlan McCoy was surrounded by children clamoring for his autograph when he visited Vashon Island. The kids didn't care that he was a radio and opera star, or that he had appeared in the movies. They gathered when they learned that he claimed to be one of the voices used for…

In July of 1941, Dorothy Axtelle takes aim at the Tacoma Archery Club's range at Titlow Beach. The fifteen year old, currently the Northwest Junior Champion, is preparing for the upcoming national tournament in Portland in August. It will be her chance to make a run at the national junior champion crown. See more featured…

On July 23, 1941, Private Thomas Skweres was greeted at mail call by a twenty-five-foot-long "round-robin" letter from home. The 24 year old was pictured entangled in the letter that was full of gossip and greetings. At Fort Lewis, Private Skweres was attached to the Headquarters Co. of the 194th Tank Battalion. Back in St…

Jam session. Seven future rock stars enjoy a jam session at Camp Murray on July 20, 1968. They, and the enthralled audience, were probably part of the free camp sponsored by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. It appears that a makeshift canopy was constructed from sheets to protect the musicians and their electric…

The Bienville at finishing dock of Todd Drydock. Once completed, she will have two stacks - one is in position now. The SS Bienville was launched at Todd Drydock & Construction (Shipyards) in Tacoma on July 16, 1924, less than five months after her keel was laid. She was built for the Atlantic Steamship lines…

Isadore Sclare was photographed in July of 1936 grasping the handle on a large, new cleaning drum at his dry cleaning establishment, Pacific Cleaners, 610 Pacific Ave in Bremerton. Mr. Sclare had been in the dry cleaning business in Bremerton since 1934 and was planning to build a new facility in the fall. See more…