Pierce County's port is born

On Nov. 5, 1918, Pierce County citizens voted to establish the Port of Tacoma. Citizens also elected the Port's first three commissioners: Chester Thorne, a banker; Edward Kloss, a longshore official; and C.W. Orton, a Sumner fruit and dairy farmer. The Port started on 240 acres of land on the Tideflats.

Port of Tacoma through the decades

Created in 1918 by Pierce County citizens, the Port of Tacoma has emerged as a leading North American seaport. Track the Port's evolution and growth through the decades:

Find more information about the Port's history at Historylink.org.

Research Credits:

• For the Record: A History of the Tacoma Public Schools, 1869-1984
  By Winnifred L. Olsen, copyright 1985
• South on the Sound: An Illustrated History of Tacoma and Pierce County
  By Murray Morgan, copyright 1984
• Tacoma Beginnings: The First 100 Years
  By Winnifred L. Olsen, copyright 1969
• Tacoma Headlines
  By Paul W. Harvey, copyright 1962
• The folks at the Northwest Room at the Tacoma Public Library, who know how to find all the answers.
• Ron Magden, who has researched and written extensively about Tacoma and its rich waterfront history.
• Ed and Wendy Isenhart, who created the Port's historical video, "A Proud Past, a Promising Future."