A century ago in Tacoma! In May of 1925, J.B. Ness posed with his new Overland Blue Bird touring car in front of his Ness Service Station No. 1, 3802 Pacific Ave. He recently purchased the auto from the Raudenbush Motor Co., Overland and Willys-Knight dealers, through their salesman W.A. Court. Mr. Court was pictured here beside an Overland coupe sedan. Mr. Ness tested the power of his new auto up the infamous South K St. hill climb from Center Street. Mr. Ness also operated a second service station at South 60th St. & Union Ave. Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library #TacomaHistory (fb)

On this date in two different years in Tacoma history, theatrical productions staged by Stadium and Lincoln high schools, respectively, premiered to much community enthusiasm. In the first photograph, we see nine students who were part of Stadium High School's Senior Class play, "Sherwood," in May of 1922. "Sherwood," by Alfred Noyes, told the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian in five acts. Directed by drama teacher Alberta Black, it played to packed houses on its two-day run. It was deemed a success by the News Tribune in their review of May 20, 1922, and acquired equal accolades noting "true talent combined with earnestness and enthusiasm" from the Tacoma Daily Ledger. The second photograph comes from May 20, 1938, when the Lincoln Boys' Glee Club presented their "pirate play." The students developed the show themselves, complete with original sea shanties and realistic swordplay. Pictured at the front of the stage are Dean McPhaden and Elton Ramage in a sword fight after McPhaden finds Ramage trying to plunder his treasure chest. Photographs courtesy Tacoma Public Library #TacomaHistory (fb)