South Tacoma

Nestled snuggly against Lakewood on the southern side of Tacoma, South Tacoma is a vibrant neighborhood comprised of old and new. What was once a prairie where elk and deer roamed was first called Excelsior, later renamed Edison, and finally became known as South Tacoma in 1895. Beginning in the mid-1800s, the area was comprised of cemeteries used to bury Tacoma's deceased, but in 1890, Northern Pacific Railway made the monumental decision to move its railroad shops from downtown Tacoma to this prime prairie land south of the city. The community has evolved since these beginnings into a contemporary, vital addition to the city of Tacoma. Boasting third-, fourth-, and fifth-generation families and many family-owned businesses, South Tacoma is a small city within a big city, and its citizens are committed to maintaining its unique character for posterity.

Author Darlyne A. Reiter is a Tacoma resident and a Tacoma Historical Society member who is passionate about local history. The exceptional collection of images she has showcased here belongs to the people of South Tacoma. Families, businesses, churches, schools, clubs, and more eagerly shared their photographs and the stories behind them to help tell the history of this beloved community.