Destination •• Tacoma, Washington
Nestled on the shores of Puget Sound
incorporated on November 12, 1875
Tacoma was dubbed
"City of Destiny" when it was
designated .. instead of Seattle
by the Northern Pacific Railroad
to be part of the transcontinental route in 1873.
Last weekend the skies were turquoise blue and the sun was shining.
We had the itch to get out and do something!
Off we went to do a bit of exploring in Tacoma, about 30 miles east.
Tacoma is smaller & less crowed than Seattle.
It's a working port and a railroad town,
but for all its roughness it has definite glamour as well.
Greek immigrant, Alexander Pantages, dreamed of owning beautiful and successful vaudeville theater
with some helpful financial assistance
from his mistress and business partner
Kate Rockwell .. a.k.a. Klondike Kate or Queen of the Yukon
they built the lovely Pantages Theater in 1918.
Kate brought grace and style to the dance halls
and saloons of the Pacific Northwest.
She held miners spellbound with her flame dance
and took their breath away
when she appeared her $1,500 French gown.
Her lush ballads brought tears to their eyes and inspired a shower of gold nuggets.
Did you know ...
Bing Crosby (1903-1977) was born in Tacoma?
♦♦
Gary Larson - creator of "The Far Side"
grew up here as well?
♦♦
Frank C Mars - maker of M&Ms
started making butter cream candies from his kitchen in Tacoma.
W.W. Seymour botanical Conservatory
at Wright Park
opened in 1908
Thank you for joining us on our little trip ............ ♦♦