“Evidence…warrants me in saying that short of firing upon the flag of our country no greater outrage was ever committed against the laws and government of these United States.”
W.H. White, U.S. Attorney, in a telegram to Attorney General . . . — — Map (db m269647) HM
On North 30th Street at North Carr Street, on the right when traveling west on North 30th Street.
Despite the attempted interference by her physician peers, Dr. Alice Maude Smith came to Tacoma from Chicago in 1898 where she built a successful practice. — — Map (db m99341) HM
From the Daily Ledger, Tacoma Washington, Sunday, June 15, 1913:
"The Browns Point bell was cast in 1855 by Bernard & Co. bell foundry in Philadelphia, and was brought around the Horn in 1857 by the first lighthouse tender to come to . . . — — Map (db m180046) HM
On Martin Luther King Junior Way at S 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on Martin Luther King Junior Way.
Bishop John Paddock, appointed Washington
Territory's first Episcopal Bishop, traveled west with his wife
Fannie. Though Fannie passed away on their journey from
New York, her devotion to bringing medical care to this
booming logging town was . . . — — Map (db m306264) HM
Boat House
The Boat House and Boat Ramp were built in 1905. Light keeper Oscar Brown's primary means of transportation was a boat and several times per week he rowed to Tacoma for his mail and supplies, once bringing back a young calf. . . . — — Map (db m180067) HM
Near Tulalip Street Northeast west of Wan-I-Da Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Reported permanently removed.
The Boat House and Boat Ramp were built in 1905 for a surf boat that was necessary for a light keeper. Oscar Brown's primary means of transportation and communication was by rowboat. Several times per week he rowed to Tacoma for his mail, supplies . . . — — Map (db m197551) HM
Near Tulalip Street Northeast west of Wan-I-Da Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Much of the Browns Point Light Keeper's cottage story is the story of Oscar Brown, its first and longest occupant. Oscar and Annie Brown arrived at Browns Point on a United States Government boat October 26, 1903 with their personal belongings, . . . — — Map (db m197225) HM
Documented history of Puget Sound began in 1792, when Captain George Vancouver, sailing for King George III of England, explored and charted this expansive waterway. He named the large inland waterway Puget Sound for his first mate, Peter . . . — — Map (db m180081) HM
Near Tulalip Street Northeast west of Wan-I-Da Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
The United States Lighthouse Service hung an acetylene, white light lens lantern from a post on this site December 12, 1887. A light keeper rowed out to Browns Point from Tacoma once a week to change the wick and polish the lantern, The light guided . . . — — Map (db m197215) HM
Near Tulalip Street Northeast west of Wan-I-Da Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Reported permanently removed.
From the Daily Ledger, Tacoma, Washington, Sunday, June 15th, 1913
“ The Browns Point bell was cast in 1855 by Bernard & Co, bell foundry in Philadelphia, and was brought around the Horn in 1857 by the first lighthouse tender . . . — — Map (db m197552) HM
One person can build a log cabin with very few tools. Carr felled the trees
surrounding his home site. Notched ends fit together, with quartered saplings
to fill the gaps between the logs. Cedar shingles covered the roof. The front porch
and rear . . . — — Map (db m157829) HM
On North Waterfront Drive north of Roberts Garden Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Captain Charles Wilkes, commanding a United States exploring expedition, visited this vicinity in 1841 and left the names Point Defiance, Neill Point, Commencement Bay, Maury Island, Robinson's Point, Colvos Passage, Gig Harbor and Fox Island. The . . . — — Map (db m305055) HM
"Go! Go! I will preach on till the benches are empty."
The Reverend W.D. McFarland criticizing his congregation for walking out on his sermon opposing the expulsion of the Chinese from Tacoma. 1885
Anti-Chinese sentiment was . . . — — Map (db m269604) HM
On North 30th Street west of North Carr Street, on the right when traveling east.
"When becoming fully satisfied that Commencement Bay was the best harbor in the
Sound, had the best supply of fresh water, and by far the best approaches and
surroundings, and from twenty-five miles the best geographical position, I . . . — — Map (db m157739) HM
On Pacific Avenue at South 17th Street, on the right when traveling south on Pacific Avenue.
The Japanese Language School, known as Nihongo Gakko, was the heart of a bustling downtown Japanese American community that thrived in this urban neighborhood before World War II.
After their day in public school ended, Japanese American children . . . — — Map (db m269735) HM
On North 30th Street west of North Carr Street, on the right when traveling east. Reported permanently removed.
Family and community life were always a part of the Tacoma City settlement.
Residents contributed funds for a school building in 1869. J.P Stewart was the
first teacher for thirteen students. In 1873, mill workers built St. Peter's Church . . . — — Map (db m269600) HM
In 1952, the Coast Guard authorized construction of a Crew Quarters to house two men to help with the care of the light station. Built with pieces of barracks suplused from another station, this small wood frame building had a kitchen, bunk . . . — — Map (db m180057) HM
Near Ruston Way, on the right when traveling west.
This historic head saw is a unique artifact from the Dickman Mill. It was specially designed to handle enormous old-growth logs and it helped transform Tacoma into the Lumber Capital of America.
The head saw was installed in 1923. Today, it . . . — — Map (db m269672) HM
On East Side Drive NE (Washington Route 509) east of Arthur Street NE, on the right when traveling east.
on the point was first built in 1907 marking the beginnings of residential community life here. The dock provided access to this former Salish Indian gathering spot. Soon lost to the elements, a second dock was built farther down the beach, and . . . — — Map (db m180091) HM
This reproduction of the Liberty Bell was presented to the people of Washington by direction of The Honorable John W. Snyder Secretary of the Treasury As the inspirational symbol of the United States Savings Bonds Independence Drive from May . . . — — Map (db m269742) HM
Tacoma's bustling waterfront resounded with the whine and rattle of saws and the shouts of mill workers from the 1890s to the 1970s. Abundant stands of nearby timber, combined with easy access to rail and ocean transport, made Tacoma "America's . . . — — Map (db m269671) HM
On North 30th Street at North Carr Street, on the right when traveling west on North 30th Street.
Emma Smith Devoe moved to Tacoma in 1905. She was President of the Washington Equal Suffrage Association and worked constantly to win the women's right to vote. — — Map (db m99340) HM
Ester Allstrum was a well respected Tacoma food inspector. National magazines recognized her as "the woman who has made Tacoma famous for its model food ordinance." — — Map (db m168252) HM
On North 30th Street at North Starr Street, on the right when traveling west on North 30th Street.
Fannie Paddock moved from New York to Tacoma to build Tacoma's first hospital. Fannie died on her trip to Tacoma, but in 1882 the Fannie C. Paddock Memorial Hospital was dedicated. — — Map (db m99339) HM
Built in 1929 by the Coastline Shipbuilding Company of Tacoma, this was one of the first boats on the west coast built specifically for firefighting. Its construction, at a cost of $148,000, came from repeated requests of local shipping firms to . . . — — Map (db m269728) HM
On North Starr Street at N 28th St, on the left when traveling south on North Starr Street.
First school house in Tacoma stood here on Lot 6, Block 22.
Built of logs in 1869.
Burned in 1875.
A. W. Stewart, builder.
J. P. Stewart, teacher.
Marker placed by Charles W. & Helen S. Van Volkenburg, May 1976. — — Map (db m269595) HM
Constructed in 1945 by the U.S. Coast Guard, this concrete building sits 25 feet behind the lighthouse. It held the backup generator for the lighthouse light and foghorn, and served as the watch room for the light keepers. The watch room was . . . — — Map (db m180084) HM
On Broadway south of South 9th Street, on the right when traveling south.
In Commemoration of
George Francis Train's
Record Around the World Trip
Point of Departure and Return
March 19, 1890 - May 24, 1890
Time 67 Days 13 Hours — — Map (db m272162) HM
On Broadway, on the right when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
In honor of Rossell G. O’Brien who in the Bostwick Building, Tacoma, Washington, on October 18, 1893, during regular session of the Washington Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the USA, did originate the custom of standing . . . — — Map (db m305051) HM
On North 30th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Janet Elder Steele built the first hotel in Old Town in 1869 at the corner of 30th and Carr Streets. Operating until 1883, the hotel had 24 rooms and was famous for its good food and cleanliness. — — Map (db m157587) HM
On North 30th Street at North Carr Street, on the right when traveling east on North 30th Street.
A teacher at Grant Elementary for 37 years, Miss Jones' teaching style was ahead of its time using imaginative art and exploration. She developed close relationships with her students. — — Map (db m99471) HM
On North 30th Street west of North Carr Street, on the right when traveling east. Reported permanently removed.
Job Carr and Rebecca Pittman were married in 1840 in Richmond, Indiana where
they raised four children; Anthony, Howard, Marietta, and Margaret. Job, a
Quaker, enlisted in the Civil War at the age of 48 and after three years he was
discharged. In . . . — — Map (db m157745) HM
Job Carr and Rebecca Pitman were married in 1840 in Richmond, Indiana, where they raised four children: Anthony, Howard, Marrietta and Margaret. Job, a Quaker, followed Anthony into service in the Union Army in 1861. He was 48 years old. After three . . . — — Map (db m269598) HM
On North 30th Street, on the left when traveling west.
Job Carr, a recently discharged Union war veteran, came to Commencement Bay in 1864. In the
winter of 1864-65 he began clearing
land for a small log cabin near today's
North 30th and McCarver in an area
now called Old Town Tacoma. By . . . — — Map (db m157618) HM
On North 30th Street west of N Carr St, on the left when traveling west.
As early settlers on the Puget Sound, Job, Anthony, and Howard Carr quickly learned the importance of having a canoe for transportation. Unfortunately, there is no record of the type of canoe the Carrs used. Both Anthony and Howard Carr mention . . . — — Map (db m269599) HM
Life was hard in southeast China in the early 1800s — there was famine, disease and war. When word of the U.S. Gold Rush circled the globe, people from around the world, including tens of thousands of Chinese, came streaming into America's western . . . — — Map (db m269603) HM
“Unfortunately, we know more about the people who drove the Chinese out of Tacoma than we know about the Chinese themselves. So we can only imagine what those 200 Chinese people felt as they boarded the train, or what 500 other Chinese . . . — — Map (db m269651) HM
The first lighthouse and this cottage were built during the summer of 1903 by the United States Lighthouse Service. The tender Heather delivered Oscar Brown and his wife Annie, along with their furniture which included an upright . . . — — Map (db m180058) HM
On North 30th Street at McCarver Street, on the right when traveling east on North 30th Street.
Margaret (Maggie) Davis was a
Puyallup Indian. Married at 16, she
raised 14 children in Old Tacoma. She
would strap her children to her back
and row across the bay to Vashon
to dig for clams. — — Map (db m157830) HM
On North I Street, on the right when traveling west.
April 13, 1949, a major earthquake in South Sound with one casualty in Tacoma. It was 11 year old junior patrol boy, Marvin Alan Klegman, a student of Lowell Elementary School. He was crushed and killed when a brick dormer fell on him as he was . . . — — Map (db m269593) HM
Born in Madison County, Kentucky, January 14, 1807
Died at Tacoma, Washington, April 17, 1875
Pioneer and founder of Burlington, Iowa – 1883 · Linnton, Oregon – 1843 · Tacoma, Washington – 1868. — — Map (db m290971) HM
On Dock Street 0.2 miles East 15th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Murray Morgan Bridge History
1873 Northern Pacific Railroad chooses Tacoma as its western terminus
1895 Swing bridge on 11th Street over City Waterway completed
1913 City constructs current vertical lift bridge; opens . . . — — Map (db m197161) HM
On North 30th Street at McCarver Street, on the right when traveling east on North 30th Street.
In 1883 Nettie Asberry earned her doctorate degree in music. She helped establish the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Tacoma in the early 1900's. — — Map (db m99329) HM
On Commerce Street at South 7th Street, on the right when traveling north on Commerce Street.
Under the provisions of the National
Historic Preservation Act of
October 16, 1966, this property
possesses exceptional value in
commemorating or illustrating
American history
Placed on the National Register on
May 17, 1974 by the . . . — — Map (db m197160) HM
On North 30th Street east of North White Street, on the right when traveling east.
For thousands of years, S'Puyalupubsh (Puyallup) Indian fishermen camped at this site to fab, dig clams, and preserve their catch. They also rested here to await the changing tide before traveling through the Tacoma Narrows. Some accounts say . . . — — Map (db m269596) HM
On North 30th Street west of North Carr Street, on the right when traveling east. Reported permanently removed.
For thousands of years, S'Puyalupubsh (Puyallup) Indian fisherman camped at this site to fish, dig clams, and preserve their catch. They also rested here to await the changing tide before traveling through the Tacoma Narrows. They called
this . . . — — Map (db m269597) HM
Coast Salish peoples such as the Puyallup Tribe have long relied on these waterways for transportation, trade, and food. Their villages once lined the shores of Puget Sound along today's Ruston Way.
Fishing and canoe culture remain vital parts of . . . — — Map (db m269673) HM
On October 3, 1885, a committee of fifteen was appointed to notify the Chinese that they must leave Tacoma on or before the first of November. The committee included Mayor Jacob R. Weisbach, County Judge James Wickersham, Fire Chief Jacob Ralph, and . . . — — Map (db m269645) HM
Lumber put Tacoma on the map and for over 100 years wood products made this community the “Lumber Capital of America.”
A century of waterfront industrial activity, however, ultimately destroyed much of the surrounding wetlands. Today, as the City . . . — — Map (db m269674) HM
We have not forgotten nor will we forget
Dedicated to the victims and rescue workers of the 9-11-2001 attacks
September 11, 2011 — — Map (db m269738) WM
On S 4th Street at S I Street, on the right when traveling west on S 4th Street.
Organized as Chevra Talmud Torah in 1906, this
congregation constructed the first orthodox shul
(Yiddish for synagogue) in Tacoma at this site in
1925. Talmud Torah became conservative in 1937 and
was renamed Sinai Temple in 1945. Sinai . . . — — Map (db m284922) HM
On North 30th Street west of North Carr Street, on the right when traveling east.
You are standing in the middle of Tacoma City. Morton McCarver laid out the
town in 1869. At that time forests covered the area, but were soon logged by
the Hanson, Akerson mill, located down the hill from this site. There were enough
people . . . — — Map (db m157827) HM
On North Starr Street, on the right when traveling north.
Tacoma's First Hospital Site
Fanny C Paddock Memorial
“She who first thought to build this house of mercy in Tacoma”
Dedicated Apr. 29, 1882
Marker presented by
Pierce County Medical Assn. • Tacoma General Hospital Staff . . . — — Map (db m269594) HM
In 1895, the spot where you are standing was a grain warehouse. Neighbors along this shore included a shingle mill, foundries, machine shops, and more warehouses, holding seafood, produce, dairy, cement, lime, and other trade goods. Much of the . . . — — Map (db m269752) HM
Facing south:
The site of Tacoma’s Top of the Ocean
This monument is a gift to the Tacoma Historical Society
and the City of Tacoma
from hundreds of caring citizens.
Dedicated October 28, 2007 to those with fond memories of a . . . — — Map (db m269667) HM
Shaun Peterson “Qwalsius”
Western Red Cedar, exterior latex paint
Textured by a traditional adze method
24’ × 6’ × 4’
2010
“The welcome figure symbolizes many things: honor to the past present, and future as we are the ancestors of a . . . — — Map (db m269739) HM
The Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park is a special project undertaken by the City of Tacoma in close collaboration with the Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation. Working together, we developed a cultural destination that creates a historical . . . — — Map (db m269602) HM
