Part 2

PARKS, DRIVES AND AQUATICS.

Parks are the adjuncts of cities of more mature years than this young giant of Puget sound, but nature has provided here that which many other cities acquire only by the outlay of much money and labor through a series of years. Lying south of the city, and but a short distance beyond its present limits, is a beautiful, level, gravelly plain, studded with oak trees, in the midst of which are lakes of clear, sparkling water. American lake, shown in the engraving opposite, where it forms the foreground for a beautiful landscape, of which Mount Tacoma is the central figure, attracts hundreds of pleasure seekers. Its waters teem with trout, and its shining surface offers both the oarsman and the yachtsman an opportunity to indulge in their favorite amusement. The drive from the city to the park is one of keen enjoyment to one whose eye drinks in the beauties of nature, and who delights to fill his lungs with the pure air, fragrant with the odor of forest and mountain. Other drives, in and about the city, offer the visitor exhilarating pleasure and beautiful landscapes. Not the least of the enjoyments of the tourist temporarily sojourning in the city is the row or sail on the placid waters of the harbor, or the more exciting sport of trolling for salmon in the bay. As many as a dozen fine salmon, from five to fifteen pounds in weight, are often caught in a few hours in the early morning. A boat house stands at the water’s edge, where row and sail boats may be procured, and morning and evening and on moonlight nights at a late hour, these little craft dart over the bay with their loads of pleasure seekers.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND CHURCHES.

Education in its higher forms was one of the first thoughts of the intelligent and liberal men who founded Tacoma, and in this matter Mr. C. B. Wright, formerly president, and still a director, of the Northern Pacific railroad, has taken the lead. The Annie Wright seminary, named in honor of the daughter of Mr. Wright, was endowed by him with $50,000.00, and was erected in 1884 at a cost of $35,000.00, with funds raised in the east by Rt. Rev. J. A. Paddock, D.D. It stands at the corner of Tacoma and Division avenues, on two irregular blocks of ground donated by the Tacoma Land Company. It is under the charge of Mrs. L. H. Wells, principal, assisted by a corps of fifteen instructors, and has an attendance of one hundred and thirty-five young ladies. Washington college was also endowed by Mr. Wright with $50,000.00, and was erected with funds raised by Bishop Paddock in Tacoma and in the east. It occupies a commanding site donated by the Tacoma Land Co., facing eastward upon Tacoma avenue. It is under the charge of D. S. Pulford, A.M., head master, assisted by E. P. Young, A.M., and a complete corps of instructors. Both of these institutions are Episcopal in their origin and management. The Methodists have selected Tacoma as the seat of a university to be under the auspices of that denomination. Large and valuable grounds have been donated by citizens, and buildings to cost $100,000.00 will soon be erected. These institutions place Tacoma far in the lead in educational matters in the northwest. The religious denominations are well represented in the city by numerous church edifices, but sufficient time has not yet elapsed for the erection of many very large or costly churches. A handsome stone structure is St. Luke’s Memorial church, erected by Mr. Wright at a cost of $25,000. Mention should also be made of the Fannie C. Paddock Memorial hospital, dedicated to the memory of the wife of Bishop Paddock who did such good work in founding the other institutions.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF TACOMA.

Quite as much praise should be bestowed upon the citizens of Tacoma for the excellent public school system they have created as for the wonders they have achieved in the construction of a substantial city in so brief a period. Public schools have been recognized as one of the fundamental necessities of society throughout the west generally, and wherever the nucleus of a city has been planted, the public school system has formed part of the seed. Especially in Tacoma is this regard for the educational welfare of the rising generation exhibited in a marked degree. Six school buildings have been erected, engravings of which are given on the opposite page, and these will soon be inadequate to accommodate the children applying for admission. In 1880 but one hundred children attended the single school. By 1884 this had increased to four hundred, to five hundred in 1885, and now, in 1888, no less than fifteen hundred children are enjoying the advantages of free instruction in the six school buildings. The schools are thoroughly systematized and graded from the primary to the high school department, and are under the charge of a competent superintendent, ably assisted by a large corps of teachers. The enterprise, liberality and good citizenship displayed in thus providing promptly and adequately for the needs of the ever-increasing numbers of school children, is an evidence of the energy and intelligence of the citizens, and explains much that seems wonderful in the phenomenal growth of the city.

RAILROADS OF THE TERMINAL CITY.

Great sport was made of Tacoma’s railroad aspirations a few years ago, but now things have assumed a different aspect. This city is now not only the theoretical, but the actual, terminus of the Northern Pacific railroad. Here are located the company’s general offices, the offices of the land department, the western car shops, and all the docks and terminal facilities owned by the company on the Pacific coast. The lines of this road not only extend east to St. Paul, and thus connect with all the eastern trunk roads, but pass through the heart of the region whose products reach market through the ports of the Pacific. All of this vast interior region is now opened to Tacoma, and trade relations are rapidly being established. In addition to this, the Portland branch gives access to the rich section lying south of the city. In addition to this line the merchants of Tacoma have direct connection by steamer with the terminus of the Canadian Pacific, and thus have another through route to the east. Lines now under construction north will connect Tacoma with the Canadian Pacific by rail. The extension to a Puget sound harbor of the Southern Pacific railroad, now as far north as Portland, has been practically announced by gentlemen connected with that company, and that the Union Pacific will also seek a Puget sound terminus is quite certain. Both of these roads, and in fact, any road building north from the Columbia, west of the Cascades, will undoubtedly come to Tacoma. The Tacoma Southern is being built south from Crocker, on the Northern Pacific, into a body of timber fifteen miles distant. This is looked upon as a link in a line to the Columbia. The Tacoma, Olympia & Chehalis Valley R. R. Co. has been incorporated, to build a line from Gray’s harbor up the Chehalis valley and across the Cascade mountains to the Columbia, with a branch running north to Tacoma. This would give this city another line to the Inland Empire, as well as a line to Gray’s harbor and the fertile Chehalis valley.

SWITCHBACK ON THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.

Desiring to open the Northern Pacific to travel and traffic a year earlier than was possible if they waited for the completion of the huge tunnel through the Cascades, a great passage blasted through the mountains ninety-eight hundred and fifty feet in length, the officers decided to construct a line over the summit on the “switchback” principle, at a cost of $300,000.00. It was completed early in the summer of 1887, having seven miles of track and an average grade of nearly three hundred feet to the mile. Huge decapod (ten drive wheels) locomotives were built for this service, the most powerful ever constructed. Two decapods are used, one at each end of the short train. The bottom line of the diagram represents the main track at the mouth of the tunnel. The train moves ahead until it passes the switch S, and then moves backward and upward until it passes the next switch, thus alternating until the summit is gained, when it descends on the opposite side in the same manner. The general principle of the “switchback” is clearly shown in the following diagram:

Since the completion of the tunnel, early in the summer of 1888, the switchback has not been used for general traffic. The scenery of the mountains is enchanting, the view from the line of the switchback being grand beyond description.

BEAUTIFUL HOMES OF TACOMA.

Beautiful and costly residences, occupying commanding sites and standing in the midst of green lawns ornamented with a profusion of flowers and shrubs, are one of the noticeable features of Tacoma, and they speak of the culture and refinement, as well as the material prosperity of the people. In the topography of the ground upon which the city is situated, an excellent opportunity is offered for elegant and sightly residences. Rising in a gradual ascent from the business portion, the residence area offers an unbroken view across the bay and valley to the mountains, so that the windows of nearly every house in the city command a view of the snow-crowned monarch of the Cascades, set in a landscape of wonderful beauty. Many extremely elegant and costly residences have been erected. Among these are the homes of Gen. J. W. Sprague, J. M. Buckley, Esq., J. S. Baker, Esq., Isaac W. Anderson, Esq., Geo. E. Atkinson, Esq., A. C. Smith, Esq., Allen C. Mason, Esq., and E. Pierce, Esq., engravings of which are given on the opposite and succeeding pages. For so young a city, and one whose energies have been taxed to the utmost to provide facilities for its expanding business, the number of beautiful homes is remarkable, and indicates that its people recognize the advantages nature has given them to build up here one of the most beautiful cities on the continent. They are accomplishing this very rapidly.

HOPS OF THE PUYALLUP VALLEY.

Hops are the leading agricultural product of the Puget sound region, and hop ranches are nearly all directly tributary to Tacoma. Puyallup valley, whose fame as a hop producing section has encircled the world, lies just east of the city, the line of the Northern Pacific passing directly through it. Upwards of three thousand acres are now in vine, which yielded twenty thousand bales in 1887, and twenty-five thousand in 1888, when an average of one thousand seven hundred pounds per acre of both old and young vines was secured. The superior quality of the cones, the freedom from pests and disease, the enormous yield and the rapid growth of young vines, combine to render this region foremost in the world in its adaptability to this special crop. Not only does the Puyallup valley produce hops, but other crops as well. Several thriving villages and numerous highly cultivated farms attest the prosperity of its people, as well as giving evidence of the valuable nature of the agricultural area immediately tributary to Tacoma. Puyallup hops are in demand in Japan, Europe and the eastern states of America, because of their superior quality and appearance. In the picking season the hop fields are the scene of great industry, and the numerous camps of pickers present a pleasing picture as the train passes up the valley.

HISTORY OF TACOMA REAL ESTATE.

A common expression of visitors is that “real estate is too high,” and many decline to invest in property for that reason, only to repent not many months later when values have advanced on all classes of property. Six years ago the same opinion was expressed, and the prediction was made that property values would take a tumble, and that the “boom” would collapse. Even in the “hard times” of 1884-5 these predictions were not realized. Values were fully sustained, and as soon as the nation began to recover from its financial depression, Tacoma real estate again started upward, and is still steadily advancing. The lot that was “too high” at $50 in 1883, and again declared “too high” at $200 in 1886, is now worth $500. The same opportunities exist to-day to buy lots at $50 and $100 that will in a few years be worth ten times their present value. Property in residence sections is a safe investment. The Sawyer addition lies near the center of the residence portion and contains one hundred and ninety lots, sixty-five of which are sold. Water is on the ground and street cars are within two blocks, while the Methodist university will be erected within one block. Oakland addition lies in the southwestern portion of the city overlooking the natural park, and is most desirable residence property. Traver’s addition is but one-half mile from the city limits, easy of access by good roads, and near the present terminus of the steam motor line. This is most desirable property, and is selling at $100 per lot on easy terms. White & Ouimette’s addition lies one and one-half miles from the limits, near the line of Hart’s railroad, and lots are sold at $50 each on the installment plan. Five years from now those who fail to invest in this class of residence property will be regretting it as keenly as do those now who made the same mistake about $50 and $100 lots five years ago. The increase in real estate values is best shown by the city assessment roll. In 1880 it was but $517,927; in 1886, $4,092,119; and in two years has increased to a total of $6,555,433. There has been a general advance in all classes of property, and no matter how high it has ever seemed to be, it is higher now and will be still higher a year hence.

COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGES OF TACOMA.

Many advantages are possessed by Tacoma which can not fail to result in building up here a large commercial city. A very large wholesale business is already established in many important lines of trade, and some of the largest and most complete retail stores to be found on the Pacific coast are located here. As an index of the condition of trade here the banking statistics are valuable. There are four national banks, one large private bank and a savings bank. The combined capital stock of these institutions is $630,000. The four national banks have $1,930,000 deposits, $1,892,000 discounts and $120,000 surplus and undivided profits. Such a showing of banking business indicates a volume of trade of large proportions, and as deposits have nearly doubled during the past year, the growth of trade is certainly remarkable. Tacoma’s position as the terminus of a great overland railway, as well as the terminal port on Puget sound for all local and ocean steamer lines, is one that assures it an enormous jobbing trade throughout the entire northwest. As a port of shipment for the coal, lumber, grain, iron, minerals and manufactured and agricultural products of an immense region, it must necessarily be the chief commercial point of the same section, and this is the cause of the marvelous increase in business during the first year after the completion of the railroad across the mountains. Foreign commerce already seeks this port for entrance into the United States. The sails of a clipper ship from China and Japan is a common sight in the harbor, and will be more frequent in the future. A line of steamers connecting the Northern Pacific with the ports of China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand is one of the certainties of a not distant future. Having the advantage over San Francisco of a much shorter route to China, Tacoma, as the chief port on Puget sound, can not fail to be a formidable rival to that city for the Oriental trade.

WATER FRONT AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

Between the harbor of Tacoma as it was in 1880 and as it is to-day there is as strong a contrast as between a wilderness and a walled city, and yet the harbor of the city of ten years hence will present a still stronger contrast. Along the western shore of Commencement bay run the numerous tracks of the Northern Pacific, along which have been erected most costly wharfs, warehouses, docks, coal bunkers and numerous other commercial facilities. Saw mills have multiplied and other factories are being located. On the opposite page is given an engraving of a portion of the water front, showing coal bunkers, saw mill and other features. Between the row of piles on the right of the foreground and the city, which lies to the left, is the channel of Puyallup river, not accessible to vessels at low tide. Here most extensive improvements have been planned, consisting of dredging the channel and constructing deep water docks along both sides of it. An immense area of mud flats lies back of the row of piling mentioned, which will be cut off from water by this work, and rendered available for commercial purposes. Here will be located factories, warehouses and wholesale stores of the future city. A mammoth saw mill is already being constructed on the flats. By this means large additions will be made to the water front, already six miles in length, and the docks and channel will pierce the heart of the city. Objection has sometimes been made to the fact that the harbor is so deep that vessels can not anchor near the docks. There is good holding ground farther out in the bay, and the docking facilities being provided will remove any possible objection. In its harbor Tacoma has all that is required by the largest city in the world.

GREEN RIVER HOT SPRINGS.

One of the favorite summer resorts of the northwest is situated on the line of the Northern Pacific, sixty-one miles east of Tacoma, in the Cascade mountains. This is the celebrated Green River Hot Springs, five in number, with a temperature varying from 118° to 122° Fahrenheit, which were discovered four years ago. A comfortable hotel, with accommodations for a large number of people, and ten cottages have already been erected. Green river is the most beautiful mountain stream in the west, and teems with trout and salmon. It derives its name from the green hue of its clear, transparent waters, brilliant in the sunlight and dark green in the shade. The mountains are full of deer, bear, mountain sheep, grouse and other game. No shooting is permitted within two hundred and fifty yards of the hotel, but the hunter and angler has not far to go to find employment for his rod and gun. Tourists will find this place the most delightful for a few days’ rest in the whole extent of their journey through the west. This has been recognized by hundreds, who have availed themselves of the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure and sport here afforded. Invalids, especially, find in the medicinal qualities of the water, the pure, bracing atmosphere of the mountains, the wholesome food, and the sense of rest and freedom from care, just the conditions necessary for their restoration to health. The waters are a specific for rheumatism, catarrh, kidney troubles, skin and blood diseases, etc., and their virtue is attested by hundreds who have been benefited by them. A post office and telegraph station have been established at the hotel, and the sojourner there need not feel that he is completely isolated from the world, while daily trains pass the hotel to carry him away in case of urgent need. Persons desirous of securing accommodations in advance of arrival should address, by mail or telegraph, I. G. McCain & Co., Hot Springs, W. T.

SCENERY OF PUGET SOUND.

From a picturesque standpoint, Puget sound possesses attractions of a high order. Its shores, which, in the main, come down in bluffy steeps to the very margin of the waters, are lined with verdant firs. Here and there the rolling hills are broken, where some stream pours down from the mountains and flows through a fertile valley, covered with a rank growth of forests of cedar, fir, maple, alder, cottonwood and creeping vines, save where the hand of man has cleared a way for the plow, and converted the forest wild into green meadows and fields of grain. Back from the shores, the forests rise in successive terraces as they climb the mountain sides, and soften their rugged outlines clear to their summits, save where here and there some giant snow peak thrusts its hoary head far above the green mantle of the mountains, and challenges the traveler’s eye from whatever direction he may be approaching. On a clear, warm, bracing day in early summer time, the traveler down the sound has almost constantly in view one of these snowy summits. Mount Tacoma to the southeast, Mount Baker to the northeast, and the long, serrated ridge of the Olympic range to the west, all hold their snowy crowns aloft for his inspection. The calm, deep waters of the sound, like the bosom of a mountain tarn, reflect the sun’s rays by day, and by night glisten under the shimmering light of the moon. A journey down its winding channels, through its narrow passages, among its hundreds of islands, past its cities, towns and busy mills, the eye constantly greeted by new and ever-changing landscapes of beauty, is one never to be forgotten by him who takes it when a clear sky and full moon combine to reveal its beauties, both day and night. Tacoma’s location renders it the best headquarters for tourists while enjoying the beauties of the sound.

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“JUSTICE” IS OUR MOTTO!

GROSS BROTHERS,

LEADERS IN

Dry Goods, Clothing, Carpets, Etc.,

906-908 PACIFIC AVENUE, 905-907 RAILROAD STREET,

Samples Sent to any part of the Country.

TACOMA, W. T.

SQUARE DEALING TO ALL.

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IMPORTERS OF JAPAN TEAS.

JNO. S. BAKER & CO.

WHOLESALE GROCERS AND COMMISSION MERCHANTS.

No. 914 Pacific Avenue, No. 913 Railroad Street, TACOMA, W. T.

IMPORTERS AND JOBBERS OF CIGARS AND TOBACCOS.

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C. LANGERT,

SOLE AGENT FOR

“OLD TAYLOR” WHISKEY

FOR THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST.

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C. LANGERT,

Importer and Wholesale Dealer in Wines, Liquors & Cigars.

Sole Agent for the Celebrated “Camille” Clear Havana Key West Cigars, Schlitz Milwaukee Bottled Beer, and Piper Heidseick Champagne.

EASTERN AND KEY WEST CIGARS A SPECIALTY.

Nos. 710 & 712 PACIFIC AVENUE, TACOMA, W. T.

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C. LANGERT,

SOLE AGENT FOR

FOREST KING OLD BOURBON

FOR

THE PACIFIC COAST.

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