#movetotacoma

[tacomatalks]

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LISTEN~ Just with the little bit of rain the frogs are out in force! >>> #FrogsTalk #frog #frogs #FrogsSpeak #mating #frogsmating #nature #NatureInTacoma #TacomaTalks #LeeHeath # Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashington #tacoma_wa #MoveToTacoma #VisitTacoma #GetToKnowTacoma #GetOutAndEnjoytacoma #seattlesbackyard (at Tacoma, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv0m9vigjz9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dli7x69v4vos

[tacomawashingtonofficialblo-blog]

Gateway Park is a wonderful small park with incredible views of the South Sound. Watch as the sailboats play tag with the wind and the giant shipping container ships whisper their tales of worldwide travel as they disappear over the horizon. The multiple benches and gorgeous green grass are like two natural therapists who recommend having a seat and staying awhile. Located in Old Town and within walking distance to the paved waterfront walkway that spans over 5 miles, peppered with artwork, benches, and piers. The park is almost an acre and a half, and is one of 19 parks that are not maintained by Metro Parks but by The City of Tacoma. It is accessible from half hour before sunrise until half hour after sunset. The fish statue you see (which is covered with newspaper in this photo due to restoration) is 8 feet long and the piece is called "Soul Salmon. It was stolen and assumed to be returned in a short amount of time, but it was not to return to its spawning grounds for years, but made it back in 2016. The salmon is part of a larger project to raise awareness for salmon habitat. You may have noticed other salmon statues around Tacoma and beyond. They were distributed over a 10 year period. This one stands out for being covered in tiles featuring photos of Old Town's history. The tiles were originally grafted on by Artists team Bruce and Shannon Anderson. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful parks in Tacoma. Get out and enjoy our parks♡ ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashington #tacomawa #VisitTacoma #exploretacoma #movetotacoma #GetOutAndEnjoyTacoma #GetToKnowTacoma #TacomaParks #GatewayParkTacoma #OldTownTacoma #TacomaArt #TacomaStatues #StayStellarTacoma #StayStellar #LeeHeath @tacomatalks (at Gateway Park Tacoma Wa)

[tacomatalks]

This place reminds me of the old sitcom Sandford & Son. The back lot is usually packed to the rafters with a little of everything. Need a toilet? They have like 30 of them! lol The front building is pretty small when compared to the Goodwills we have, but treasures can be found. They also have a lot of special discount days. >>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> #TacomaTalks #LeeHeath #TacomaThriftShops #discountshopping #ThriftShop #recycle #Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashington #tacoma_wa #MoveToTacoma #VisitTacoma #ExploreTacoma #GetOutAndEnjoyTacoma #GetToKnowTacoma #SeattlesBackYard (at St. Vincent de Paul Tacoma-Pierce) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsJ5zYgg-bg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dhqlt7whz60p

[tacomatalks]

Always something interesting going on in T-town. Sunday we were driving by the Grand Staircase and saw this. Of course I had to stop and find out what was going on. Half had signs and the people next to them had tv's that were playing all the horrible ways the animals we eat for food are kept. If you're unfamiar with how our food is raised there are lots of great documentaries. The one that got my daughter and her friend to become vegetarians when they were about 10 is Food Inc. I stayed and chatted for a spell with one of the people on the side who were involved. If you are a Vegan or Vegetarian I learned of an app called Happy Cow. It locates restaurants that have these options. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> #TacomaTalks #LeeHeath #TacomaCares #happycow #vegetarian #vegan #animalcruelty #UWT #SocialStatement #Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashington #tacoma_wa #MoveToTacoma #VisitTacoma #ExploreTacoma #GetOutAndEnjoyTacoma #GetToKnowTacoma #StayStellarTacoma #StayStellar (at University of Washington Tacoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsHxKItARWq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t9jtsz6gcdg5

[tacomatalks]

Tacoma Historical Society is located in the historic Provident Building at 919 Pacific Ave in downtown Tacoma. It is open Wed-Sat from 11-4:00 & other times by appointment. They have rotating exhibits, a mini museum, a gift shop, and my favorite, over 400 bound volumes of Tacoma newspapers going back to 1883. The ad in my photo is from an 1883 paper. These bound volumes are open to the public, as in, you actually get to touch them. It is free to go into, the volunteers & staff are knowledgeable & friendly, and parking close is usually not a problem. They rely heavily on volunteers, so make a difference and give back. There are numerous ways to volunteer. Their website can be found at www.tacomahistory.org & they are on FB. ~ #Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashington #tacomawa #VisitTacoma #exploretacoma #movetotacoma #TacomaHistory #tacomahistoricalsociety @Tacoma_History #StayStellarTacoma #StayStellar #LeeHeath @tacomatalks #TacomaHistoricPlaces #tacomahistorysociety (at Tacoma Historical Society)

[tacomatalks]

The Pythian Temple in Tacoma was built in 1906, and is Commencement Lodge No. 7 for the Knights of Pythias. It is located in the Theatre District in downtown Tacoma. Having been designed by famous Tacoma architect Frederick Heath, makes it all the more noteworthy. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. I highly recommend taking advantage of the free public tours that are often available. You can go to YouTube & see a tour of the Temple at Tacoma Talks #31 - Pythias Temple Tour . The Knights of Pythias were founded on Feb 19, 1864 in Washington D.C by Justus H. Rathbone. The name was inspired by a play about the legend of Damon and Pythias by an Irish poet John Banim.The Knights are incredible preservationists of History. They are a "secret society", in the sense that there are traditions and rituals that are only known to members. Membership is only $50 a yr & women can join as well. ~ #Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashington #tacomawa #knightsofpythias #pythiantemple #commencementlodge7 #taacomapythiastemple #StayStellarTacoma #StayStellar #LeeHeath @tacomatalks #VisitTacoma #exploretacoma #movetotacoma #GetOutAndEnjoyTacoma #GetToKnowTacoma #TacomaHistory #TacomaHistoricPlaces #TacomaHistoricBuildings (at Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7)

[tacomatalks]

On the corner of North 26th next to the Wheelock Library is Mason Pkaza. It's in memory of "Tacoma's Best Salesman", Allen C. Mason. There are 6 grand sandstone columns which came from Mason's 1890 mansion. There is a 4 ft diameter bronze recreation of The Star of Destiny that helped put Tacoma on the map.Mason was an Illinois school teacher & checked farmer who came to Tacoma in 1883 with $2.40 in his pocket. By the 1890's, his housing development had made him a multi-millionaire. He created the Tacoma Star of Destiny illustration as a marketing tool to reach people back east.The inside of the Star is filled with reasons to move to Tacoma. He built the 1st Street car line from downtown, through Proctor District on 26th & on to Pt. Defiance Park, which is the same route used by Pierce Transit today. He was the main developer of the North End. He also donated our 1st public library, developed several major bldgs, including the 1st Elk's Lodge. 1893 brought a financial panic & he personally bought back houses from anyone who asked and went broke doing so. ~ #Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashington #tacomawa #VisitTacoma #exploretacoma #movetotacoma #TacomaHistory #AllenCMason #StayStellarTacoma #StayStellar #LeeHeath @tacomatalks (at Tacoma, Washington)

[tacomatalks]

The 1880's were the beginning of incredible expansion for Tacoma, but not everyone came at once. In 1908 the Milwaukee Road came to town (which was one of the nation's most innovative railroad companies) and by 1909 they had built a huge freight warehouse on E 25th Street. It was the westernmost freight terminus. By 1980 the Company went bankrupt & ended all train service W of Montana. The building is now an 11,000 sq ft. urban shopping center. The building is over 1,000 feet long, stretching 3 city blocks & is 5 stories tall. The building is located 2 blocks down from the Tacoma Dome & LeMay Car Museum. ~ #Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashington #tacomawa #VisitTacoma #exploretacoma #movetotacoma #GetOutAndEnjoyTacoma #GetToKnowTacoma #TacomaHistory #FreightHouseSquare #StayStellarTacoma #StayStellar #LeeHeath @tacomatalks (at Freighthouse Square)