Vancouver, Washington in the 1920s and 1930s

Vancouver, Washington went through major changes in the 1920s and 1930s. The state had already been under Prohibition since 1916, years before the rest of the nation, and the loss of the brewing industry hit Vancouver hard. The city also saw the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, the opening of Bonneville Dam, and the economic strain of the Great Depression — all of which shaped the community captured in these photographs.

Three women and two men sit inside an open touring car, Vancouver, 1920

The policemen are standing in front of the police station. They are dressed in their uniforms with their badges on and wearing a high rounded hat with insignia.

Interstate Bridge Crossing Columbia River at Vancouver, 1925

The photo shows the business section and Pacific Highway Interstate Bridge. The Columbia River and Portland, Oregon can be seen in the distance.

Main Building School for the Deaf Vancouver, 1920

1st Presbyterian Church – Vancouver, 1920

A number of stained-glass windows can be seen in the photo.

Main Building State School for the Blind, Vancouver, 1920

The photo shows a large, imposing, three-story brick building with columned porches or entrances on the two sides that can be seen in the photo.

Pacific Highway Interstate Bridge across Columbia River between Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, 1920

A trolley car with the sign “VC Limited” is at the end of the bridge. A small speed limit sign, and another that reads partially “Must Walk,” are on one side of the bridge.

Fifteen male Ku Klux Klan members, wearing ceremonial robes and hats, stand posing with arms crossed in the center of the image, facing the photographer. A flag is draped against the upper wall behind them. A tall cross, with circular objects spaced along the center of the bars, is in the middle of the group. A small table, with a flag draped across the top, is in front of the cross.

Battle Ground High School Senior Class, 1924

The exterior of the Camas Paper Mill near the railroad tracks, 1920.

Caravan of Soldiers Heading to Camp Bonneville, 1929

The exterior of the Carmack building located at NE 4th Avenue and Cedar Street in Camas, 1920s

Students gather outside of Franklin School in Vancouver, 1920s

Hager's Theater located at 1905 Washington Street in Vancouver, 1920s — Hager’s Theater located at 1905 Washington Street in Vancouver, 1920s

The exterior of the Independent Lumber Company building located at 2615 Main Street off Fourth Plain Boulevard in Vancouver, 1928

People pose for a photo at the Lake Shore Grange in Vancouver, 1920

Postcard to Mrs. Al Pierce in Portland of the main street in Washougal with hardware and furniture stores.

The exterior of the American Legion community building in Vancouver, 1922.

[Factually Corrected] Bonneville Dam, 1938

A group of men, some with cameras, gather at the site of Bonneville Dam along the Columbia River Gorge.

A view of 6th Street along Esther Short Park, 1930s. The railroad bridge is visible in the distance.

Five men stand outside the door of a store near a railroad. The men are possibly railroad workers on the Vancouver Railroad Bridge.

Fred Booker rides a horse during a parade in Vancouver, Washington, 1930s

Students gather outside for a photograph at Harney school in Vancouver, 1932

The exterior of the Hotel St. Elmo which is located at 5th and Washington Street in Vancouver, 1930s

William Shoenig behind the bar at the Lehthle Saloon located at 502 Main Street in Vancouver, 1930s

Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Brougher with Worth Coulson, 1935

This house was located in an urban renewal area at 500 Franklin Street in Vancouver, Washington and had a Masonic Lodge upstairs. It was later converted to a school and is believed to be the first Masonic Lodge in Vancouver.