The Tacoma Historical Society
Welcome to the Tacoma History website!
It is sponsored by a group of people intrigued with and inspired by
the rich and varied history of our city – the Tacoma Historical Society.
We hope you will join us in our efforts.

The Tacoma Historical Society Exhibit Center

Now on display at the Exhibit Center: June 18 – September 30

“Passenger Trains of Puget Sound: 1900 – 1970” – a collection of historic photos and artifacts from the days when everyone traveled by train, courtesy of local author, photographer and Burlington Northern retiree Jim Fredrickson.

The Exhibit Center & Gift Shop is located at 747 Broadway – in the heart of Tacoma’s Antique Row. The center is open Wednesday through Saturday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free; donations are requested.

Call for more information at 253-472-3738 or email us at info@tacomahistory.org

Photographs ~
left : Old City Hall - Tacoma's Old City Hall was built in 1893 and served as the seat of Tacoma city government from 1893 to 1959. The Renaissance-style building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It is now used as commercial office space. The photograph is circa 1915-courtesy of University of Washington Special Collections.
middle: Photographer Norman Edson captured this view of Mount Tacoma (Mount Rainier if you must) from Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island circa 1925.
right: Downtown Tacoma circa 1890. The view is north along C Street (now Broadway). The wedge-shaped Bostwick Building, built in 1889, remains today. At left is the Tacoma Theatre (later called the Broadway Theatre and the Music Box). The streetcar is on St. Helens Avenue. Gross Brothers department store was at right.
Both the middle and left photos are property of the Tacoma Historical Society.
Link to a remarkable opportunity to own your own set of Herbert Hunt’s classic History of Tacoma

Tacoma Historical Society Policy on Collections pdf file download link
Site last updated
7-1-08
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