Virtual Tour of the McKinley Neighborhood

[@margarethenderson7319]

The Mc Kinley Park Theater was owned by my grandfather Charles Schuler. When the theater closed my grandfather donated the pipe organ to Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he and his family belonged. My sister played that organ for many years until her passing in a car accident in 1971 at age 19. My mother..Charles Schuler's youngest daughter is still alive at age 92. She would have pictures and a wealth of stories from Mc Kinley Hill. My father was also raised on the Hill. Mom and dad married at Sacred Heart and we all attended grade school there. Dad was a firefighter whose last station was 11's on 38th Street. He remodeled the old McKinley Park Theater into the Parkway Hall in the late 1960's. There is a memorial to my dad on the corner of Wright and McKinley.. Joel Odegard

[@PrettyGrittyTours]

Thank you! This was exactly the info I was looking for.

[@jamesreding6336]

I got married at sacrad Hart my parents too and thay renewed their vows with same priest that married them 50 years later

[@briankady1456]

I lived in the McKinley Hill neighborhood as a kid. Lived on E. Division Lane, up the street from the Indian Baptist Church. The Lutheran Church on the corner of E. G and Harrison was an Open Bible church when I attended in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

[@jamesreding6336]

I was walking o school at sacrad Hart in 1964 when earthquake hit houses were shaking

[@tommcgowan525]

I was in church as Father Hamilton said mass

[@jamesreding6336]

@tommcgowan525 he gave us our report cards every time to bad he had a drinking problem

[@Musabe009]

My uncle owned El Hucho’s restaurant on McKinley Ave. I got stabbed at The Gold Key.. I think that was the name back then

[@jamesreding6336]

I went to sacrad hart school until 3rd grade and Belermine prep 1975 till 1977

[@brigittehazelmyer605]

The Bismark standpipe at 64th and McKinley is the highest point in Tacoma. Certified by both GPS, as well as USGS countour maps..

[@PrettyGrittyTours]

I think the base elevation of the standpipe is 420ft relative to sea level and the top is 465ft. Bellermine Prep’s foundation sits at 425ft but honestly both are below Indian Hill in NE Tacoma (530ft.)

[@jamesreding6336]

I drive by fire station on 38th and McKinley every day on the way to work

[@briankady1456]

Went to McKinley Elementary and saw that old firehouse every day too.

[@jamesreding6336]

I WENT to Sacrad Hart school and Mary lions in the 60s and early 70s

[@marcispellman5555]

What about top of the ocean restaurant

[@jamesreding6336]

And I live on McKinley ave now

[@parkysplace4625]

You sped over St. Bridge too fast Since it was built people Architects and and Engineers have some from far away to study and marvel at it. You have a lot of gaps, missing parts of the story, you forgot the large Polish population, the porter build never had a Tavern a restaurant and bar, the first Tavern arrived from downtown in 1941, Parky's on the corner of Morton S. now in its 84th year, and 4th owner, my father was the 2nd from 1970 was the 3rd until last year Parky's was next to Harry's who arrived in 1952, Parky moved to the corner on Morton in 1958, . did you know in 1940 McKinley hill had 8 butcher shops? . And a big Polish population, Until the late 70's there were 3 Taverns, 2 restaurants with bars, Wileys was very famous for a few things starting with the best drinks in the city, FYI Taverns only serve Beer and Wine, they had booths for the ladies who were not allowed to sit at the bar until the blue laws were repealed in the late 60's. the last butcher shop closed in 2009, it's now the coffee shop. Keep looking there is a lot more to be found.

[@PrettyGrittyTours]

Well you know, it's only an hour. Thanks for the info!