The Wasp — 1888 — page 167: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **promotional rather than satirical**—it showcases scenes from Tacoma, Washington with the subtitle "The Territorial City of Destiny." The illustrations depict: - An interior view of a real estate office (E.L. Sawyer & Co.) - A commercial building storefront - "The Leading Business Block" with street activity - Tacoma National Bank - A real estate office run by C.A. Cavender Rather than political satire, this appears to be **boosterism content**—promotional material advertising Tacoma's commercial development and business opportunities. The "Wasp" publication evidently sold advertising space showcasing emerging Western cities to potential investors and settlers. The emphasis on banks, real estate offices, and bustling commercial activity reflects late 19th-century American optimism about Western expansion and urban growth.