Clayton’s Memories
Early-day Tacoma remembered as a busy, pleasant place Clayton Rubidge was born in Tacoma in 1902 and lived here all his life. His recollections give us a look at the city at the time. A lifelong Tacoman, Clayton Rubidge dictated his memories about the Tacoma of his boyhood to Joan Hokanson Harelson an unknown number of years ago. In 2015 she sent the memoir to … Continue reading Clayton’s Memories
Nettie Asberry: Keeping Harmony in Tacoma
— by Hannah Currie Nettie Asberry was a shining public figure and musician in Tacoma history. She paved the way for many people of color and was never afraid to speak her mind. Her social activism permeated all facets of her life, including her music. This article addresses her life, her affects on her community and her connection to her art and her purpose. Nettie was … Continue reading Nettie Asberry: Keeping Harmony in Tacoma
Temple of Music, Center of Yesteryear
— by Kim Davenport In February of 1967, an article appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune and Sunday Ledger under the headline: Temple of Music, Center of Yesteryear, Intact on BroadwayFeatures Included Stained Glass, Wine-Colored Carpets Before I delve into more of the history of the grandly-named Temple of Music, a few paragraphs from that article will set the stage for today’s Tacoma music mystery: … Continue reading Temple of Music, Center of Yesteryear
Silas and his Mandolin
–by Kim Davenport Silas Seth Weeks was born in Vermont, Illinois in 1868. His father Thomas, a barber, recognised his musical talent early and encouraged him to pursue a musical education. Seth began with the violin, but soon gravitated towards the guitar, and would eventually focus his attentions on his favorite instrument, the mandolin. After fifteen years of devoted study, he would go on to a … Continue reading Silas and his Mandolin
The Legendary Jerry Miller
— by Melissa Garcia Tacoma is home to legendary rocker, Jerry Miller. Born in 1943, Miller has spent his life dedicated to music. Playing guitar primarily, he is prized for his solo work, as well as work with famous bands. Miller’s career is admirable, to say the least, but what is even more astonishing is his ever-present musical connection to the Pacific Northwest. To start off, … Continue reading The Legendary Jerry Miller
The Boys from Tacoma: The Fabulous Wailers
— by Abbi Kanouse-Schaefer The Fabulous Wailers were a garage band formed in Tacoma, Washington in 1958 and are an integral part of the area’s musical history. Often considered one of the first garage bands, The Wailers and other local groups of the time laid the foundation for the grunge scene in the Pacific Northwest. In Tacoma and beyond, The Wailers were an inspiration for … Continue reading The Boys from Tacoma: The Fabulous Wailers
A Dome of our Own
— by Reyna LaMere A man by the name of E. Taylor Gardner was ahead of his time in 1925. Gardner was a Tacoma engineer and architect. His vision of a great Tacoma stadium made the newspaper on December 17, 1925. He proposed “a great indoor auditorium under the world’s largest pillarless roof, capable of accommodating gatherings of thousands…” Gardner was a dreamer and a … Continue reading A Dome of our Own
Small Town Start for an Icon of the 20th Century
— by Stacey Bugg In 1903, an American legend was born in a small town barely known outside the Pacific Northwest. The town of Tacoma was up and rising and had grown from its mere 100 residents at the time of its founding in 1872, to approximately 37, 000 residents in 1900. It was in this town of Tacoma on May 3rd, 1903 that Harry … Continue reading Small Town Start for an Icon of the 20th Century
Dusty Old Jewel
— by Stephanie Constable Our beloved Tacoma tends to get a bad reputation. Known for an unavoidable unpleasant smell, high crime rate, and having many rundown areas, we are often considered to be the wayward younger sibling of Seattle who could never quite find their way. While many people will set aside these shortcomings and look toward the brighter spots of our city, it is … Continue reading Dusty Old Jewel
Nirvana’s Forgotten Tacoma Connection
— by Quinten Stewart As a lifelong resident of the Northwest who grew up outside of the Puget Sound region, it always rubbed me the wrong way that my favorite band was so strongly associated with a city which they had little connection to. I am, of course, talking about Nirvana. The grunge band has become an icon of Seattle, but looking back on their … Continue reading Nirvana’s Forgotten Tacoma Connection
Tales of Tacoma 