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Tacoma Railway & Power Company Streetcar photograph album, 1938

Overview of the Collection

Title
Tacoma Railway & Power Company Streetcar photograph album
Dates
1938 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 album with 22 photographs (1 folder)
Collection Number
PH1472
Summary
Photographs of the employees of the Tacoma Railway & Power Company Streetcar, the streetcars, and the ceremonial "last day".
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Background

The Tacoma Railway & Power Company Streetcar, the first transit system in Tacoma, started service as a passenger trolley line on May 30, 1888. It was operated by the Tacoma Railway & Power Company. The first two streetcar lines in Tacoma were constructed along the lengths of Pacific Avenue and Tacoma Avenue. In 1938, Tacoma's 76-mile streetcar system was replaced with busses. The last streetcars in Tacoma ran on June 11, 1938, and the day was celebrated as a citywide holiday.

The July 11, 1938 issue of LIFE magazine describes the final night of Tacoma streetcar operations: "Social and business groups, ranging from the Wild West Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to the Girls Advertising Club, took over many cars for their own parties. Passengers were allowed to detach as souveniers anything they could get off with their bare hands. At one o'clock seats in the "last car" were auctioned off but in the midst of this revelers crowded on the car without ceremony and rode it to the car-barns where, according to the Mayor's proclomation, it was "suitably cremated with public ceremony."

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Content Description

Photographs of the employees of the Tacoma Railway & Power Company Streetcar, the streetcars, and the ceremonial "last day," June 11, 1938. The album was probably created as part of the "last day" ceremonies.

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Other Descriptive Information

While only one photograph is identified as by Marvin D. Boland, a Tacoma photographer, he was identified on the album cover so it is probable that all of the photographs are by him.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Source: Michael Maslan, February 18, 2017.

Processing Note

Processed by Leah Pistorius, 2017

The album was falling apart so the photographs were removed. The original order was retained.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cable cars (Streetcars)--Washington (State)--Tacoma--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Tacoma Railway & Power Company--Employees--Photographs
  • Tacoma Railway & Power Company--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Albums (Books)
  • Photographs

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Boland, M. D. (Marvin Dement) (photographer)
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