Tacoma History Comes Alive

08/27/2025

I loved our 45th high school reunion!

07/27/2025

Often people will ask me to research a particular home or building in Tacoma, even Wayne. Wayne asked me about a couple he knew who sold & repaired typewriters in a building on 6th Ave and what more could I find out. It took me some time, but I found it. The Typewriter Shop was in this building during the 1980’s & 1990’s. This building also hosted a variety of business over the years such as State Farm agents, a roommate finding service and a real estate office.

I am often intrigued with 6th Ave for several reasons. My mom & my grandparents owned a home on 6th Ave in the 1940’s. I shopped at Wigwam with my mother as a child. My mom shopped at Mayfair Grocery; my sister & I would walk to Taco Time as teenagers. My cousins have told me stories about hanging out at the ### Drive In restaurant as teenagers.

There is more to come . . . . .

07/16/2025

I was pleased to give some background on the former Big Bad Wolf Tavern to journalists Kristine Sherrod from The News Tribune.

https://www.thenewstribune.com/entertainment/restaurants/tnt-diner/article310335075.html?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLkQlhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuw8Ccy7y5fsPELFpkrVl4gpOnUKj84GDipFOVSZCq4_LEHhXzD2AYpU2mfc_aem_eBSQ-qcpot8r0KCrwBND9g

“People ask, ‘Well, how come Colombian food?’” said the owner. Her answer is simple: “My team!”

06/23/2025

Join me at my next Tacoma history presentation on the life of John Slipp. Botanist, grocery store owner & the man who gathered all the sea life for the first aquarium at Point Defiance Aquarium, there is so much to learn about this interesting gentleman !

Monday June 30th 1pm at the Tahoma Bird Alliance 2917 Morrison Rd, University Place.

05/07/2025

These lovely ladies enjoyed my Tacoma history presentation last night!

03/24/2025

We are working on a fascinating Tacoma History presentation that includes stories about Mrs. Scholl, Mr. Rust’s driver & a big bear. Are you interested yet?

Send us a RSVP if you would like to attend!

03/16/2025

What a delightful opportunity to give a presentation on Tacoma history to the Lakewood Rotary. After my presentation I received so many compliments!

03/04/2025

A friend of mine asked if the Mars house was still standing. I knew part of the story how Frank C. Mars & his wife Ethel started their candy business in Tacoma, but as a Tacoma historian, I needed to research this further. You may ask yourself – Mars? Mars Candy? Yes, the Mars Candy Company started in Tacoma, Washington!

Frank C. Mars came from Minnesota, then Chicago and onto Tacoma and began making hand dipped butter creams with his wife Ethel in 1911. Mr. Mars began selling his candies in the public market located at South 11th & Market Street. Mr. Mars needed a larger space to manufacture his delicious candies and leased the building at 1147 Tacoma Ave South. In my research I found several Want Ads for employment at the Mars Company, so business was certainly booming. Frank & Ethel also lived at a home on North 35th Street, South Sheridan and a home on North 27th Street. They certainly moved around a lot, being they only lived in Tacoma for a few years and returned to Minnesota in 1920.

To my friend who asked – yes, all the homes Frank & Ethel Mars lived in are still standing.

01/23/2025

Pacific Match opened in 1924 in Tacoma. Owner Mr. Osee Snyder and his Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. Frederick Cronkhite had 100 employees and treated them very well. They had an employee lunchroom with a billiards table and also provided a music room. Lunch was provided for a small fee. They also gave their employees a bonus during the depression.

Photo courtesy of Tacoma Public Library.

01/21/2025

My stepfather’s daughter worked at Pacific Match. Mr. Synder who was the owner, lived at Day Island in the 1940’s.

12/11/2024

Bank of California grand reopening. A grand celebration would be held from December 11, 1968 to January 10, 1969, in the newly remodeled Bank of California building, 1011-13 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma. Customers and staff mingled in the banking hall on the first day of the celebration, enjoying refreshments and conducting business. Improvements to the bank would include a new drive-up teller window, walk-up teller window, and a two-level customer parking lot.

Do you remember the drive-up teller window?
Photo courtesy of Tacoma Public Library

12/05/2024

We are so excited to be sponsoring this event!