History of Tacoma

Tacoma is one of Washington's larger cities, conveniently located between Seattle and Olympia. The city has a variety of museums and cultural venues to entertain visitors and nearby are all kinds of recreational opportunities.

The first settlers, mainly lumbermen, began arriving in the early 1850s. Nicholas Delin built the first cabin and sawmill in 1852 on the waterfront near what is now downtown Tacoma. In 1864 Job Carr claimed land along Commencement Bay, hoping it would become the western terminus for a transcontinental railroad. Carr didn't realize that dream, but went on to become Tacoma's first mayor, postmaster and election officer. "Old Tacoma" (the area now called "Old Town") was settled in 1865.  Morton M. McCarver arrived in 1868 and purchased most of Carr's real estate. He then led a successful campaign to convince officials of the Northern Pacific Railroad to designate Tacoma as its western terminus -- over the competing towns of Seattle and Olympia.

Tourist Attractions in Tacoma

Children's Museum
The Children's Museum of Tacoma offers children a chance to learn and be creative while having fun. Some of the themes include art, gardening, neighborhoods, an area for parents to learn about entertaining ideas for children, and a regularly changing exhibit each week.

Commencement Bay Maritime Center
The Commencement Bay Maritime Center focuses on the history of Tacoma and the port. Presented at the recent Wooden Boat Festival, Cummings' talk highlighted the course the center is heading - one that started before he took the helm in January.

Karpeles Manuscript Library
The Karpeles Library contains some very famous documents and claims to be the "world's largest private holding of important original manuscripts & documents". However, they are not all at the Tacoma location, the Karpeles Library has buildings across the United States. At the Tacoma location visitors will find originals by Napoleon, Gandhi, Galileo Galilei, and more.