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.

Exhibit Center now open

The Tacoma Historical Society’s downtown Exhibit Center is now open. An exhibit titled “Building Tacoma" explores the city’s  boom-and-bust growth between 1880 and 1910.

The location is 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.

Link here for more information or phone 253-472-3738.

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
4-16-08
© 2008~Tacoma Historical Society ~~Webdesign by Carolart