Walking Around the Eastside
Highlights of historic areas and structures in Tacoma, Washington
I love to walk; it has been my primary form of exercise for decades. I love the slower pace, looking at houses, trees, plants, and taking pictures of whatever grabs my attention. For me, there is no better way to become acquainted to the area in which I live.
Tacoma has many historical areas and structures. For my first GIS homework, I created a map of historical places that I live near in East Tacoma. Many of these I walked by without knowing they were historic sites. The final map is available as a download so you can walk these areas, too. Find it at the bottom of this story map.
My first GIS analysis homework.
To guide you I zoomed into certain map areas from the one above and added photos. I take several days to experience the entire circuit. Join me as we walk the dashed line. Let's begin at Holy Rosary Church, while it is still here...
Address: 424 S. 30th Street, Tacoma
Fig. 1
The glorious Holy Rosary Catholic Church, built in 1920 by the German community. Added to historic landmark designation in 1975. Photo Credit: (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/user:Jmabel)
Holy Rosary is currently threatened with demolition.
Updated news from July and September 2023:
Here is the organization working to save it. Please visit their website and help if you can:
Historic Tacoma is also working to preserve our historic architecture. They have a Watchlist and ways you can help. Visit their website to learn more:
Continuing on our walk let's head uphill towards Lincoln High, with its amazing clock tower.
Fig. 1 repeated
Lincoln High home of the Abes, built in 1914. On Tacoma Register of Historic Places (2006). Photo Credit: Drone photo (SouthSound Talk.com)
Visit the school's website: Lincoln High School Tacoma, Washington (tacomaschools.org)
Follow their sports teams: Lincoln Abes - Official Athletic Website – Tacoma, WA (lhsabes.com)
and from the UW Library: PCAD - Tacoma Public Schools, Lincoln, Abraham, High School, Tacoma, WA (washington.edu)
A block east we will admire the Claude Gray House and then continue through the Lincoln Business District where we can mail a letter, get groceries, have yummy food or bubble tea, and shop for gifts.
Fig. 2
Address: Corner of Tacoma Ave. S and S. 37th.
The Claude Gray House built in 1922. On Tacoma Register of Historic Places, Photo Credit: (Google)
Here is an interesting business article about Claude Gray: Gray Lumber: The Gray Way | News | southsoundbiz.com
This is a private home so please enjoy it from the sidewalk.
Lincoln Business District ( https://www.lincolndistrict.org/) has seafood and Asian restaurants, hamburger joints, a pharmacy, clothing stores, jewelry makers, shops with sundries and housewares, hair salon, beauty school, vacuum repair shop, auto repair shops, a few coffee shops and bars, and some of the most beautiful public art installations and murals in the city. Check out Moon Street at night.
38th Ave. through the historic Lincoln Business District, looking west towards sunset. Photo Credit: (MoveToTacoma.com)
After our rest and beverage break we head towards Whitman Elementary and Engine House No. 8.
Fig. 2 repeated
Address: 1120 S. 39th Street
Whitman Elementary School, home of the Wildcats. Photo Credit: (HistoricTacoma.org)
Visit their website: Whitman Elementary School - Whitman Elementary School (tacomaschools.org)
Whitman is also on the Historic Tacoma Watch List with threat of demolition! Why?!
You will also walk by the Gray Lumber Shipping Center. This business was started back in 1903 by the builder of the Claude Gray House you saw earlier in our walk. Cool, right?
Now we will head south towards the Engine House No. 8 building.
Address: 4301 S. 43rd Street
Engine No. 8, built in 1909. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Photo Credit: (wikipedia)
This is also a private residence, so please enjoy from a distance.
Heading toward Pacific Avenue, notice the adorable homes and neighborhoods along the way. How are the porches decorated? Are the trees changing color?
Fig. 3
The long strip boasts fast food and restaurants, schools, apartments and homes, repair shops, tattoo shops, and many other small businesses. We just found our favorite dim sum place there.
The Pacific Business District is currently in a study phase for giving a "Sense of Place" including pedestrian mobility safety and transit improvements. Check this link for more information from the City of Tacoma: Pacific Avenue Subarea Plan & EIS - City of Tacoma
From the Cityline TV report at 2:29, all about Picture Pac Ave.: Picture Pac Ave - Cityline - August 10, 2023 : City of Tacoma - TV Tacoma : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Heading east on 46th we will make our way up to McKinley Ave. and all the sites to see there on McKinley Hill.
Fig. 3
Along the way you may see eagles or hawks and McKinley Ave. has many places to eat in or take out. Pub food, Mexican, burgers, a bakery, coffee shops, Latin fusion, sandwiches, a few bars, a book and record store, local food bank, and artist housing.
The City of Tacoma has a McKinley Hill Neighborhood Plan in progress. Check it out here: McKinley Hill Neighborhood - City of Tacoma
- Engine House No. 11 is still an active firehouse that once had horse-drawn wagons. Built in 1909, it boasts a weathervane and bell tower atop it's one-and-a-half story height. Built in the Bungalow style, it is at 3802 McKinley Avenue, Tacoma, Washington.
Engine No. 11 (wikipedia), McKinley Elementary and McKinley Hill Business District (Angela Yoder), the Holgerson House (OldHouses.com), and 34th St. Bridge, (wikipedia).
The Holgerson House built in 1890. Address: 618 E. 35th Street. Follow this link with a few interior photos of the home, 1890 Folk Victorian in Tacoma, Washington - OldHouses.com
This is a private residence, so please enjoy from the sidewalk.
As we continue on 34th you'll see many great houses. Let's head towards the bridge for a great view of downtown Tacoma, Browns Point, and the Port area. You can stop and have a nosh and beverage at Stanley Seaforts, have coffee, or a beer on Pacific Ave.
Here is more information about the bridge, built in 1948: East 34th Street Bridge - Wikipedia . It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
After crossing the bridge, we pass St. Joseph Catholic Church. As we turn right on South G Street, the historic Hammond Knoll building is across the street at 3320. As we cross over I-5, we arrive back at Holy Rosary, completing our circuit. Wow, that was fun. :)
Thank you for joining me! I hope you found some new places to enjoy and that,
You'll Love Tacoma by Jessica Spring at Springtide Press
Click the button below to download the walking map featured in this story:
Tacoma's Eastside Walking Map
What I learned: how to improve the map layout after feedback. See the difference?
Left, first draft. Right, final map after feedback.
