Tacoma

Tacoma is a port town in Washington that spreads across hills between Puget Sound and the foothills of Mount Rainier, with residential streets climbing above Commencement Bay and a working harbor below. The town mixes older brick commercial blocks downtown with newer residential developments stretching toward surrounding suburbs.

The Northern Pacific Railroad chose the site in 1873 as its western terminus, transforming a small lumber mill camp into a fast-growing port town. Timber and shipbuilding drove its economy until the mid-20th century when harbor trade and military installations became central to local employment.

Residents gather at neighborhood markets on weekends where vendors sell produce from nearby farms and homemade goods reflecting the region's mix of Scandinavian, Italian, and Asian communities. Families spend afternoons at waterfront parks where food trucks and open-air stages host live music throughout warmer months.

A light rail line connects downtown with the museum district, while commuter trains run regularly to Seattle on weekdays. Most museums and waterfront areas lie within walking distance or short bus rides from the center.

A high school overlooking the bay began as a grand hotel in 1891 that never opened, until the city purchased the shell and converted it into a school building in 1906. Its French Renaissance stone walls and towers shape the waterfront skyline and have served as a filming location for movies about American high schools.

Location: Pierce County

Inception: 1875

Elevation above the sea: 61 m

Shares border with: Gig Harbor, Fife

Website: https://cityoftacoma.org

GPS coordinates: 47.24550,-122.43833

Latest update: December 3, 2025 07:30