Callaghan's Extreme History Tour
Peter Callaghan’s column in the TNT today takes us on a tour of some of Tacoma’s historic landmarks. More specifically, he takes us on a “Tour of Tacoma Endangered Landmarks … THAT COULD KILL YOU!” You know their names. Luzon. Elks. Murray Morgan. But don’t forget about the Old Town Dock or the, always fun, Asarco Tunnel.
With recent movement at the Elks, the Murray Morgan, and the Luzon nevermind, maybe there’s some hope.
Now about the Kalakala …
Link to The News Tribune
Filed under: History, tacoma-landmarks
10 comments
T tom waits September 2, 2009
tacoma has had a lot of successes in preservation and has a lot to be proud of (union station, uwt campus, north slope historic district, etc).
but that said, for a city that seems to always identify somewhat with its historic character, there is a lot to be pretty embarrassed about. callaghan’s list is a good start. there was also the muni dock, which may not seem like a lot to many people, but it was hugely central to tacoma’s history. the pacific avenue block that now consists of only the luzon was a national historic district. the north and south park garages destroyed what was a very intact main street, that, if it was present today, would be an incredible asset.
the marriot courtyard hotel is an eyesore that people thought would make a good replacement for a historically intact block that was torn down (inside of a conservation district). but in that case, at least something new was built.
the region has not been so economically depressed that we should be burdened with the issues callaghan raises. it is important to also realize most of these issues have been around a long time, not just since last october.
maybe soon we’ll stop making mistakes by letting our history go. each time, it seems like it is OK to tear down an important building for just this one project, or just this one time. too often we end up with either a vacant lot or another development bellevue residents would reject.
M Mofo from the Hood September 2, 2009
Call me over-cautious but whenever I walk next to the Winthrop, about every three steps I look up (no tellin’ what might drop from an open window).
T tom waits September 2, 2009
the winthrop is an appropriate addition to this and other lists. i was pissed when AF Evans got run out of town, but nonetheless, it should be a grand hotel. we lose a lot of regional business lacking something like a nice old, good service hotel.
the murano should be a secondary option for the hipsters at any convention. not our best downtown hotel.
D Douglas Tooley September 2, 2009
More of this and next thing you know the Cascade Land Conspiracy is going to start rewriting history…
C Christine September 3, 2009
Secret note: the winthrop currently has someone lighting off garbage cans in the refuse rooms. Will it have an “accident”?
J Jesse September 4, 2009
Glass half FULL: Old City Hall, Northern Pacific Building, MOST of Pacific Ave downtown, MOST of Broadway and St Helens downtown, Stadium HS, Rialto Theatre, Pantages, Union Station, many UWT buildings, Annie Wright Acadamy, Old Tacoma, The Bostwick, Lincoln HS, The Armory, City Stables…. more anyone???
Exciting saves: The Elks Temple, Spanish Steps, and the Winthrop is in ok shape, MM Bridge?
Possibly doomed: Kalakala, Luzon, Ruston Way tunnel.
There are more “wins” here than losses! Just thought I’d point that out…
T Thorax Z. O'Tool September 6, 2009
I wouldn’t call the Ruston Tunnel anything other than a tremendous pain. Maybe it could be preserved as a bike/pedestrian only route after Ruston Wy is moved around the Point Ruston development (if it’s ever completed). But as for a part of the main drag, no go. No one likes driving through that thing except for the guy behind you who always feels compelled to red-line his engine while in the tunnel.
VAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!
J Jesse September 8, 2009
Actually, I’d gladly say goodbye to that tunnel because they are running the road closer to the bay… but then again, I’m not a native Tacoman either so I carry little sentimental value for some structures.
E Eric September 8, 2009
There is no “possibly” where the Ruston Tunnel is concerned. And this is good. The reroute can’t happen soon enough.
T tom waits September 9, 2009
the ruston tunnel (nelson bennett tunnel) is going away, at least the automobile one (there is another for the trains upslope).
while the tunnel dates from the historic period of the ASARCO development (right around 1911-12 i think), i will not be that sad to see it go. and i am a wing nut hardcore preservationist. i am way more saddened by other losses on the ASARCO site.
i have been driving through that tunnel for decades and the only cool thing about it was when i was a kid and my parents honked the horn. i was always terrified (in a good way) we’d hit something on that tight corner.
but that is nostalgia, not history. i think it is a pretty dangerous piece of outdated infrastructure, not particularly compelling in its engineering or design, and not particularly informative about the history of that area.
the tunnel was an expedient structure and there are much better examples of the technology elsewhere.