When President Benjamin Harrison visited Washington on May 6, 1891, Tacoma spared no expense in showcasing the many products shipped from its port and rail facilities. Four huge arches spanned Pacific Avenue when the ‘City of Destiny’ welcomed the President. Harrison arrived by train at 8:00 am from Portland to the roar of a 21-gun salute. Despite a heavy spring rain, thousands flocked to Tacoma’s commercial center to glimpse the nation’s leader.
Tacoma has been known as the City of Destiny for more than 140 years. The name is usually credited to George F. Train, an eccentric newspaper man who visited Tacoma in 1869. At the time, the Northern Pacific Railway was considering where to locate the western terminus of its transcontinental railroad. When Tacoma was the chosen in 1873, Seattle’s city leaders sulked, especially Arthur Denny who tried to convince Northern Pacific to change its mind. Thus was born a rivalry and mutual dislike between two cities competing to be the premier shipping terminal in the Washington Territory.
This particular arch was built of coal from Roslyn’s mines and stood near South 13th Street on Pacific Avenue. Near its base was a single lump of coal weighing 16,000 pounds or eight tons. The other three arches, one can barely be seen in the distance, were constructed of varied materials: iron ore from Ellensburg; wheat and flour from Eastern Washington; and timber from Puget Sound forests. This image number TPL-2263 comes courtesy of the Northwest Room of the Tacoma Public Library with photo enhancements by Andy Newell of Mancraft Graphics.
