Tacoma: SR 509 at MP 2.7: 40th Ave E

2 47.25°, -122.38°
About location

Few places in Washington have a history as closely tied to maritime trade and industry as Tacoma. On Commencement Bay at the southern end of Puget Sound, the city grew as a rail and port center after Northern Pacific chose it as its western terminus in 1873. The SR 509–40th Avenue East corridor crosses the Tideflats, a low-lying working district shaped by freight routes, warehouses and port activity. The Port of Tacoma remains central to the local economy. Downtown, Union Station, completed in 1911, recalls Tacoma’s rail era, while the Museum of Glass reflects the city’s long association with studio glass.

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Tacoma
City Tacoma

Commencement Bay defines the setting of Tacoma — this sheltered inlet of Puget Sound has long concentrated the city’s working waterfront, port activity and maritime trade. Downtown climbs from the bay beneath the profile of Mount Rainier on clear days, while the Puyallup River reaches the Sound nearby. Tacoma was chosen as the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1873, a decision that helped establish its role as a major Pacific Northwest port. The Museum of Glass and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass reflect the city’s prominent contemporary arts scene, and Point Defiance Park occupies a broad peninsula above Puget Sound. Find related webcams in the surrounding area to build a fuller picture of Tacoma and Puget Sound.

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Washington
Region Washington

Washington’s terrain runs from Pacific coastal lowlands in the west to the dry Columbia Plateau in the east, with the Cascade Range creating a marked climatic divide. Central Washington lies on the plateau side of the Cascades, where the Columbia River has cut broad valleys and irrigation supports orchards and vineyards. The state also includes Puget Sound, the intricate marine inlet around Seattle, and the volcanic cone of Mount Rainier. Seattle’s Space Needle, built for the 1962 World’s Fair, remains one of its most recognisable landmarks. Move on to other webcams in the region to compare landscapes and settings around Washington.

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United States
Country United States

The Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts define much of the United States — their ports, fisheries and trade routes have long tied the country’s economy to the wider world. Between them, the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains and Mississippi River basin form sharply different regions, from high western ranges to broad agricultural heartlands. Cities carry much of the national story: New York’s Statue of Liberty, a gift from France dedicated in 1886, remains an enduring symbol, while Washington, DC concentrates major federal institutions. Indigenous nations have shaped these lands for millennia, and their living cultures remain essential to the country’s identity. Find related webcams in the surrounding areas to build a fuller picture of the United States.

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