Blockbuster Video at 3833 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98418-7897 is closing. It is the last Blockbuster Video in Tacoma and once gone, the closest store will be in Kent. I use to get my dvds there and found the parking lot to be difficult to maneuver. This month (November 2013) it was announced that the remaining stores will be closing.
Burger Ranch at 820 South 38th Street, Tacoma, has been around for a long time. For such a long history, there is very little information on it. The public library lets me know that there use to be a Shank’s Shell Station on the site. And the Pierce Co. Assessor’s Office shows the building was constructed in 1967. I stopped in for a good burger, fried mushrooms and a really tasty vanilla shake.
The Tacoma Studio Tours happened on a rainy, windy weekend but I was determined to go to at least some of them. Tinkertopia at 1914 Pacific Avenue is really delightful and it would be easy to spend a great deal of time here, but not a great deal of money since everything is so reasonably priced. To get a sense of the place, check out the photos below and the website which has plenty of links to articles and a free mini poster! Tinkertopia is a Spaceworks Project and when their Spaceworks funding expires they will be able to continue with the generous support of University of Washington, Tacoma.
Wow, what a night. Cold with a strong breeze. But the stories we heard on the Terrified in Tacoma Tour were so fascinating and well presented that I (hardly) noticed the weather. We started at the Pantages Theater, strolled down to Fireman’s Park, crossed over to hear about Old City Hall (pictured), walked up the Spanish Steps and then through Antique Row back to the theater area. Along the way we heard about jealousy, murder, accidents, sightings, history and even UFOs! There was so much to take in that I would love to go again! Thanks to my good friend for this great idea! Terrified in Tacoma’s Facebook Page is here.
I was looking for a Halloween House because its Halloween when I got an email about this place off of A Street and South 58th Street on Tacoma’s eastside. I pulled up and thought, well that’s nice there are some big ghost in the yard and a couple of pumpkins and blowup creatures. But then I noticed the heads bopping around in the window! OK, that’s pretty cool. And the window behind the witch has zombie like creatures shuffling along. I hadn’t seen anything like it before! So, you should really click on the 5 second video to get the idea. The video is the link above the photo. The second time you watch it, you might notice the zombies 🙂
Last Sunday I went to visit the Tacoma Mausoleum. The hours listed were until 5, but it was closed at 4. It While it was locked, there was a window broken out (darn vandals), so I carefully aimed my camera through the opening. The sign inside the building states that the first unit was constructed in 1910, the second in 1917 and the third in 1925.
Their website is here.
Infinite Soups at 445 Tacoma Avenue South is one of those tiny Tacoma treasures that would be easy to miss. I lucked out on Friday and there was a parking spot nearby and many of the soups were available. They only sell soup and rolls/crackers, but they have a wonderful soup selection (19 today). I had a creamy, chicken soup to go, which is the only way to get it. Infinite Soups will be opening up a second location in the old post office building sometime soon. Look for the large hanging spoon or their neighbors Malarkey’s Pool & Brew to find them! Their Facebook Page, with the daily soups, can be found here.
 
Lister Elementary School at 2106 East 44th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404 is really a nice looking school that was built in 1996 (maybe 1997). The history of the school, which was gleaned from For The Record a History of Tacoma Public Schools, 1869-1984, is interesting. The school is located in the Salishan neighborhood, which had its origins as worker housing during World War II. The federal government paid for the original 1943, eight room school in the area, which was known as Salishan School. By 1948 the school had double the number of intended students and split shifts for the students were occurring. A new 24 room school was within two weeks of completion in 1950, when it burnt to the ground. The school was again built and opened in the fall of 1950. At that time, it was the largest elementary school in the Tacoma School District. In the For the Record book, the Citizen’s Committee for School Facilities Planning recommended demolition of the 1950 structure. That building was indeed demolished in the mid 1990s and the present day school pictured above was constructed. Lister’s mascot is a lion.
OK, it isn’t really a place, but the fog the past few days seems to have a presence! I snapped this photo of tree clocked in fog and then I couldn’t resist adding some Halloween cobwebs! Below is a photo of the fog this morning. It didn’t burn off until well after noon and we have four more days of it in the forecast.
I’ve been wanting to visit Salmon Beach ever since I learned that there was a Salmon Beach! Friday night I was invited to a soiree at one of the cabins. It was great! Good friends and food, and an amazing view of the Tacoma Narrows and the Narrows Bridge. We even saw a seal 🙂
From what I’ve read, the community started as fishing shacks, but in 1934 electricity was brought in and the shacks became cottages. They are an eclectic collection of homes accessed by going down a long series of stairs (more than 200) and then a path.
My only regret is that I didn’t walk down to find the mermaid sculpture. Guess I’ll just have to go back!
To read more about the history of Salmon Beach try this link.