Ever wonder what Tacoma was like 100 or even 150 years ago?

On Aug. 14, Tacoma Historical Society will offer residents a blast from the past during a free history walk through some of Tacoma’s most notable neighborhoods.

“The South Tacoma That Was” begins at 10 a.m. at Northwest Motor Scooters, 5428 South Tacoma Way, with an opportunity to meet Darlyne Reiter, author of the book “South Tacoma” in the Images of America series.

Next, participants will meet railroad historian Jim Fredrickson, who will discuss the Northern Pacific Shops, a major employer in South Tacoma from 1891 until their closure in 1973.

Architect Gerald Eysaman will lead a walk through the historic business district. Tour participants will be invited to stop by 5312 S. Alder St. to view a recently discovered trove of stained glass and to learn about plans for a South Park Historic District, a community-based effort to preserve 1.8 square miles of urban forest, pioneer cemeteries, legacy commercial buildings and parks. The effort is modeled after similar efforts in Tacoma’s North Slope and Wedge neighborhoods.

Organizers were inspired to launch this tour to help usher efforts to make South Tacoma a historical district, explained Tim Smith, a volunteer with the Tacoma Historical Society.  

“We’re trying to get people involved upfront as soon as possible,” Smith said.

The South Tacoma resident noted that Tacoma is a large city that encompasses many smaller communities. The society hopes to highlight South Tacoma and garner support for local preservation efforts.

“Preservation is like saving the time and history of people that have come before us,” Smith said.

One highlight of the event will include a tour of the historic Oakwood Hill Cemetery and Columbarium led by Bill Habermann. The cemetery dates to 1874 and the columbarium features a unique stained glass dome. Time has taken its toll on the dome, which is in need of repairs. Smith hopes this tour will highlight the importance of the dome to local history and the importance of preserving the structure for future generations.

Tacoma Historical Society Vice President Dale Wirsing says it is not unusual for the organization to host this type of event. In recent years, organizers have hosted numerous summer tours of Tacoma neighborhoods, including North Slope Historic District.

“We felt like we’ve neglected South Tacoma,” Wirsing said. “There are so many interesting stories from this neighborhood. It’s an important part of Tacoma history.”

At the turn of the 20th century, South Tacoma was a hub for business and home to much of the city’s working-class families.

Highway 99 served as a main connector from north to south, before Interstate 5.

“It was the artery for western Washington,” Wirsing said.

Now, the district reflects the vanished Northern Pacific Railroad businesses that once employed more than 1,300 residents, Wirsing noted.

“Talk to any local Tacoma resident and they will probably have a grandparent who would have worked there,” he said.

Smith added that the goal of the tour is to get people interested in the district and push for more historical designations for the neighborhood’s buildings.

“We would like to balance the growth of mixed-use centers with the historical aspects,” Smith said. “The founders of this city made the original mixed-use neighborhood. During this tour, people will not only learn for the future, but see what’s already been done.”