Tacoma (Wash.)

Scope Note: Tacoma, one of the major cities of the Pacific Northwest, is on Commencement Bay at the mouth of the Puyallup River in north central Pierce County, Washington. The pioneer settlement began in 1852 with a saw mill at the south end of Commencement Bay. A number of Indian names were given to the site by various peoples include Che-bau-lip, Ta-co-be, Ta-co-pe, T’kope, Ta-qo-bid, Ta-co-bud, and Tsa-la-te-litch. Before 1868, Tacoma had several names including Commencement City, at least on paper. The name was adopted through the influence of Gen. Morton Matthew McCarver, who is considered the father of Tacoma. The name resembles many of the Indian names that were given to the site before the first settlers arrived. Tacoma was incorporated November 12, 1875.