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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 m175304) HM
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 m220486) HM
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
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
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
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
"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
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 m157747) HM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 m157749) HM
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
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
Morton Matthew McCarver General Iowa and Oregon Militias 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 . . . — — Map (db m221083) HM
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. . . . — — Map (db m223943) HM