In 1865, Job Carr paddled a canoe to his new homestead on a small harbor that would become Old Tacoma. The area's notorious reputation--as "The Wildest Port North of San Francisco's Barbary Coast"--haunted it for decades after the tall-masted schooners, sailors, brothels, and saloons were gone. Situated on the deepwater shoreline of Commencement Bay to ship timber from the vast tracts surrounding it, "Old Tacoma" was bypassed by the Northern Pacific terminus in favor of "New Tacoma" a few miles away. Settled by waves of Scandinavian and Croatian immigrants to work the mills and purse seiners, Old Tacoma became an isolated community. Though industry, shipbuilding, and timber mills gave way to commerce and recreation, the community of Old Tacoma still retains the unique flavor of its colorful past.

Old Tacoma (Images of America)

Arts & Photography

Gallacci, Caroline

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

When Allen C. Mason launched his Point Defiance line in the early 1890s, the Proctor area became one of Tacoma’s first streetcar suburbs. Before this time, Tacoma’s North End was a remote, unsettled region populated only by those visiting the city’s horseracing track. After Mason established a streetcar stop at the intersection of North Twenty-sixth and Proctor Streets―near the racetrack―businesses began to line the thoroughfare. By 1900, houses had been constructed within walking distance of the line, and a residential neighborhood provided the impetus for the construction of schools, a firehouse, churches, and a library. By the 1920s, the neighborhood had expanded and changed to reflect the introduction of the automobile as well as the district’s popularity with University of Puget Sound students studying nearby. The community spirit that emerged then continues to this day.

Tacoma's Proctor District (Images of America: Washington)

Evans, Bill

Tacoma, like most cities across the nation, has changed its appearance over time, creating many different urban landscapes. This phenomenon was apparent throughout the area as landowners, developers, community organizations, and government agencies all contributed to the city’s growth and transformation. The changing landscape was further impacted by fires, earthquakes, and other acts of nature, resulting in a rich mosaic of old and new. The history of Vanishing Tacoma illustrates the city’s past and present landscapes and honors the historic properties that still remain.

Vanishing Tacoma (Images of America)

Karabaich, Ron

In 1865, Job Carr paddled a canoe to his new homestead on a small harbor that would become Old Tacoma. The area's notorious reputation--as "The Wildest Port North of San Francisco's Barbary Coast"--haunted it for decades after the tall-masted schooners, sailors, brothels, and saloons were gone. Situated on the deepwater shoreline of Commencement Bay to ship timber from the vast tracts surrounding it, "Old Tacoma" was bypassed by the Northern Pacific terminus in favor of "New Tacoma" a few miles away. Settled by waves of Scandinavian and Croatian immigrants to work the mills and purse seiners, Old Tacoma became an isolated community. Though industry, shipbuilding, and timber mills gave way to commerce and recreation, the community of Old Tacoma still retains the unique flavor of its colorful past.

Old Tacoma

History

Tacoma Historical Society

Americas

Arcadia Publishing Library Editions

When Allen C. Mason launched his Point Defiance line in the early 1890s, the Proctor area became one of Tacoma's first streetcar suburbs. Before this time, Tacoma's North End was a remote, unsettled region populated only by those visiting the city's horseracing track. After Mason established a streetcar stop at the intersection of North Twenty-sixth and Proctor Streets--near the racetrack--businesses began to line the thoroughfare. By 1900, houses had been constructed within walking distance of the line, and a residential neighborhood provided the impetus for the construction of schools, a firehouse, churches, and a library. By the 1920s, the neighborhood had expanded and changed to reflect the introduction of the automobile as well as the district's popularity with University of Puget Sound students studying nearby. The community spirit that emerged then continues to this day.

Tacoma's Proctor District

Tacoma, like most cities across the nation, has changed its appearance over time, creating many different urban landscapes. This phenomenon was apparent throughout the area as landowners, developers, community organizations, and government agencies all contributed to the city's growth and transformation. The changing landscape was further impacted by fires, earthquakes, and other acts of nature, resulting in a rich mosaic of old and new. The history of Vanishing Tacoma illustrates the city's past and present landscapes and honors the historic properties that still remain.

Vanishing Tacoma

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