A move is on to revive what many claim is a forgotten part of Tacoma's history.
The City of Tacoma is teaming up with the University of Washington on a project to review city landmarks and historic districts in South and East Tacoma -- to nominate buildings for the National Register Historic District.
Christopher Staudinger said this could set things right for forgotten parts of Tacoma.
"I think east Tacoma gets a bad reputation because it doesn't have all of the grand sandstone structures that you get on the north side of town but what makes it so special and so worthy of preservation is it was built by the craftsmen that were building those buildings," said Staudinger, a neighborhood tour guide who started Pretty Gritty Tours, a Tacoma based company.
He's working with the city to make sure parts of this neighborhood are remembered and be able to thrive. Right now, most of the City's landmarks and historic districts are located on the north end, a wealthier part of town. But Christopher says the eastside has important stories of working-class immigrants
"They were carpenters, craftsmen, railcar repairmen. They built these beautiful craftsman homes."
In the middle of the McKinley neighborhood sits the Top of Tacoma Bar which, at times, is the busiest spot in the middle of the old neighborhood business district.
"So funny, people that come in here and say I came in here when it was Harrys. I mean this bar is pretty old. This building has been here since the 30s," said Monica Warden who has worked at the bar for nearly a decade.
"I honestly think one of the best things for this neighborhood has been our bar. I really do think we've kind of cleaned up the neighborhood. We've come in and worked here. We've bought homes here," she said.
The goal is the protect a legacy, increase tourism and deliver a nod to those who lived here.
"I mean every day when I drive down these streets. You know, if only these walls could talk," said Todd Sliva who grew up in the neighborhood.
"I feel that we're often forgotten. I felt that way for many years so it will be nice to see more on the eastside that has historical preservation," he said.
Staudinger is leading a tour of the east side Saturday at 1 p.m. starting outside of the Top of Tacoma.
