Events in Tacoma

Tacoma
Tacoma is one of the most revered and esteemed cities of the western sphere of Washington State. The city has been the nations most important and largest lumbering facility till date. Millions of homes and furniture has been built by the hard work and timber from this particular region.

The city is uniquely located at the mouth of the Puyallup River and very close to the foothills of Mount Rainer. Mount Rainer has become the landmark of the community residing near these shores. In fact, the name Tacoma is derived from the word tahoma, the Puyallup term for Mount Rainier, and was chosen by General Morton M.

History narrates that Puyallup tribe were the early inhabitants of the Tacoma surroundings. The city started out its commercial activity as a small lumber town. Swedish settler Nicholas de Lin built the first sawmill and several other factories.

In 1873 the railway road interconnected the pathway to Tacoma providing a clear path of transportation and carriage. During the late 1800s and late 1900s; the city expanded enormously and grew to become of the largest industrial cities of the entire state.

Due to its unique setting alongside the river and near the foothills of valleys and mountains, the city had built a large shipping dock and shipping port. Due to its God gifted possession of an excellent natural harbor, it had grown to become one of the largest ports in the nation facilitating its lumber market.

The city also boasts of a very profitable manufacturing and industrial zone. Tacoma is home to one of the largest manufacturing units of paper products, processed foods, chemicals and even computer components. The city also has the McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis that adds to the financial prosperity and attraction of the city.

Tacoma was finally incorporated in 1884. Growth slowed due to the depression of 1893, but a gold rush in the Klondike region helped its recovery as prospectors bought supplies in the city before traveling north.

Educational institutions in Tacoma
Like many important cities of America, Tacoma is the heart beat of intellectual movement and educational institutions for that particular region. Tacoma is the seat of the University of Puget Sound (1888), Pacific Lutheran University (1890), a campus (established in 1989) of the University of Washington, and two community colleges.

Pacific Lutheran University is a private coeducational institution that has provided the community with its required resources of intellectuals, scientists and engineers that have fuelled the industrial and manufacturing zones of the city. University of Washington is also one of the top 5 medical colleges in the entire nation. The city is extremely proud of the natural beauty of the universities and the quality of education being imparted to the community.

Historical Sites and Recreational Areas
The city hosts the Washington State History Museum; which is also one of the largest historical museums in the country. Stored within the manuscripts and artifacts is the ancestral civilizations and colonies that resided in these hills. The Tacoma Art Museum is another visitors delight providing a unique blend of local and international art.

One of the major achievements that the government has done for Tacoma is the gift of the Childrens Museum of Tacoma. This has uplifted the quality of life for the younger generation and has provided a gateway of prosperity to the children of Tacoma. In addition to these two museums, each of the military bases has a museum on the premises that adds to the cultural value associated with the city.

Tacoma is legendary for its scenic routes; internationally acclaimed national parks and mystifying forest preserves. The location and climate of the region provides the city to cater to the god gifted lavish orchards, fields and densely located camping and forest grounds. Point Defiance Park is a spectacular park that is visited by thousands of locals and visitors alike.

The Park is one of the most prestigious and revered historical recreation parks that the city can boast of. Point Defiance Park contains an extensive section of old-growth forest, zoo, aquarium, a reconstructed logging camp, and Old Fort Nisqually, which was established nearby by Hudsons Bay Company in 1833 and moved to its present site in the 1930s. Old Fort Nisqually is a lovers point and a picnic spot for all the locals residing in the city. The Park hosts many of the cities elite festivals and music shows around the year.

Another historical National Park of Tacoma is the Mount Rainer National Park. The park is one of the largest national parks in the state providing the masses with an exciting array of activities ranging from mountain climbing to tracking up the hills. Olympic National Park is also another sensational park providing the community with recreation and outdoor activity.

Old City Hall, the Stadium-Seminary historic districts, and Wright Park Arboretum are also on the must see list while planning a visit to Tacoma. Several projects in the 1990s have adapted historic structures for new uses, including conversion of a stately domed railroad station into a federal courthouse. These projects have uplifted the architecture of the city and redefined the quality and superiority of the city.

Current Status
The city has now changed from a densely limber market magnet city to a well rounded cultural and industrial city. Tacoma and its citizens are extremely proud of the revamping of the older buildings and the establishment of the new buildings that have given life and meaning to the inner districts and major zones of the city.

The city has been extremely lucky with its breath taking surroundings and has sensibly used the grounds for recreational activities. According to a recent census, whites are 69.1 percent of the population, blacks 11.2 percent, Asians 7.6 percent, Native Americans 2 percent, and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders 0.9 percent.

The remainder is of mixed heritage or did not report ethnicity. Hispanics, who may be of any race, are 6.9 percent of the people. And the current population of the city is just under 300,000.