If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 420

Map of Tacoma, Washington, 1893

Today’s postcard has a vintage an aerial panoramic map of the city of Tacoma from 1893.  The card was distributed by Lantern Press of Seattle and has the image number 4394.  I found this card in a museum gift shop.  In addition to the street layout the border around the map shows buildings that existed in the city in 1893.

Tacoma is a port city on Puget Sound and is the second largest city in the area.  Its name comes from Mt. Takhoma or Tahoma now known as Mt. Rainier.  While Seattle is called The Emerald City, Tacoma is called The City of Destiny because it was chosen to be the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s.  It is located 32 miles southwest of Seattle and 31 miles northeast the state capitol, Olympia. 

When I was little the saw mills and paper pulp mills in Tacoma exuded such a strong smell that combined with the smell of the muddy industrial tide flats earned the unfortunate “Tacoma Aroma” moniker.  It was not an altogether pleasant smell.  During the 1990s companies reduced the sulfur emissions by about 90% and that has mostly eliminated the ever-present odor.   In addition to the lumber products, such as pulpwood and linerboard, Tacoma also continues to operate an U.S. Oil refinery on the tide flats that produces 39,000 barrels of petroleum per day.  Tacoma is home to food and candy companies like Brown & Haley, Roman Meal, Mars. 

There are several parks in Tacoma including Point Defiance Park that has a Zoo and Aquarium.  Multi-use trails for biking and walking connect several public parks.  There are museums and historical sites within the city that are worth visiting such as the Museum of Glass where demonstrations of glass blowing are held and handmade glass items can be purchased. 

The bridge connecting the Washington State Museum of History and the Museum of Glass with the two glass pillars.  The museum is housed in what was the Union Station built in 1910 and an enduring emblem of the city of Tacoma.  The central copper covered dome is 90 feet high.  In the 1990s this building was used as a federal court house.  It was put on the register of National Historic Places in 1974.

One of several ceiling panels filled with blown glass

Glass blowing demonstrations are held several times a day

 A window display of hand blown glass ball ornaments

An outdoor pool with a clear glass exhibit

The Washington State Museum of History has a permanent model train display among other historical displays and items.   

 Model trains

Looking down on a life-sized display depiction of what Union Station looked like when it was in operation

For additional information, see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacoma_Washington
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Tacoma,_Washington)