I love driving around Point Defiance Park. It soothes my soul. Today I stopped at the Pagoda at 5801 Trolley Lane and took a couple of rainy photos. It was sensibly locked, but looking through the windows worked pretty well. One window shot makes it look like Mother Nature is taking over the building!
Per the Metro Parks Tacoma website “the Pagoda was built in 1914 as a replica of a 17th century Japanese Lodge. It was originally a waiting room for streetcars. Now this magnificent structure functions as a rental facility for weddings and other private parties as well as a venue for garden shows, lectures and concerts.”
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=62
Update 4/15/2011 the pagoda was badly damaged by a suspicious fire.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/04/15/1627154/report-tacoma-fire-responding.html
Update 12/5/12 A community grand re-opening celebration is scheduled for January 12, 2013.