A.B. Williams, Mrs. Max L. Maynard and Mrs. Harry Ketell admire prize-winning irises displayed at the Pierce County Iris Society's flower show in June, 1954. The event was held at the South Park Community Center. All three are gazing at the tall, stately Blue Rythmn iris entered by C.S. Shassey which had been awarded the "Best Specimen of Show". A ribbon had been placed on a smaller iris indicating that it had won the Artistic Sweepstakes category; it was Mrs. Ketell's entry. The theme of the show was "Iris on Parade." (TNT 6-3-54, B-2, TNT 6-6-54, A-9)

Pierce County Iris Society (Tacoma); Flowers--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Ribbons; Williams, A.B.;

On November 24, 1941, the new South Tacoma USO Recreation Center at 4851 South Tacoma Way was under construction. It was one of two new USO centers, the other being downtown. The ridgepole and rafters rose from among the tall trees in South Park, making the building an artistic addition to the park. The 58 x 112 foot building was built by MacDonald Building Co. of Tacoma for $30,000. In 1944 the structure was given to the Metropolitan Parks Board. It is now the home of the South Park Recreation Center. (T. Times 11/22/1941)

Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

By January of 1942, the new USO center at 4851 South Tacoma Way in South Tacoma was finished. It was dedicated on February 7, 1942. It was one of two new USO centers built at a combined cost of $101,60; the other center was downtown at 13th and Fawcett. The building was essentially completed by December 23, 1941, fifty days after ground breaking; however, the dedication was delayed by the late arrival of furnishings and fittings. By January the United States had officially entered WWII and the new recreation center received a lot of use over the next few years. In 1944, the center was given to Metropolitan Parks for use as the South Park Recreation Center. (TNT 2/7/1942, pg. 1) TPL-10328

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. The back of the building provides some space for a little archery practice range.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Tacoma girls providing hostess duties wait on the sidelines for an offer to dance.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Two couples pull up a bale of hay for a seat between dances.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Members of the 183rd band form a jazz orchestra to supply plenty of swing for the dance. The addition of straw hats to their uniforms gives them a country flair.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military bands;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Members of the 183rd band form a jazz orchestra to supply plenty of swing for the dance. The addition of straw hats to their uniforms gives them a country flair.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military bands;

Barn dance held at South Tacoma U.S.O. in June of 1942. One clarinet player plays a swinging solo, surrounded by bales of hay.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military bands; Clarinets--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Playground Department staff poses in front of the South Tacoma USO building, ready to start their summer work. They will be in charge of summer activities offered through Tacoma's Metropolitan Parks. (T.Times 6/22/1942 p.11- see caption for names)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Tacoma Playground Department staff poses in front of the South Tacoma USO building, ready to start their summer work. They will be in charge of summer activities offered through Tacoma's playgrounds and beaches. The photograph was taken after a June 20,1942 meeting. Mayor Harry Cain addressed the group at the meeting and is in the front row on the right. (TNT 6/22/1942, pg. 13- names in caption)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The supervisory staff of the Tacoma Playground Department's summer employees posed on the steps of the South Tacoma USO building. They are, left to right, Al Hodges, Bob Hager, Sigrid Bergerson, Maude Wing, John Heinrick and Walter Anderberg. (T.Times 6/22/1942 p.11)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anderberg, Walter; Wing, Maude; Heinrick, John; Bergerson, Sigrid; Hodges, Al; Hager, Bob;

On June 20th, 1942, the supervisory members of the Tacoma summer playground staff posed in front of the South Tacoma USO building at 4851 South Tacoma Way. They are, left to right, Walter Anderberg, Maude Wing, John Heinrick, Sigrid Bergerson (seated), Al Hodges and Bob Hager. This group would be planning and supervising the summer activities offered at the USO through Tacoma's Metropolitan Parks. The USO building was acquired by the Metropolitan Park District in 1944 and is still in use. (T. Times 6/22/1942, pg. 11)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anderberg, Walter; Wing, Maude; Heinrick, John; Bergerson, Sigrid; Hodges, Al; Hager, Bob;

USO Junior Hostesses and servicemen raise the flag on July 23, 1942 in honor of the Open House at the South Tacoma USO. Built in a park setting, the South Tacoma USO offered opportunities for sports activities as well as social activities. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest. Open House at South Tacoma U.S.O. One uniformed military man appears to be sanding a long piece of wood. The other man holds one that is already sanded and sharpened and a pouch of arrows. The long pieces of wood may possibly be for fashioning into bows.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

In July of 1942, servicemen and USO junior hostesses line up in a picnic "chow line" after a busy afternoon playing outdoor sports. Due to its unique location in a park, the South Tacoma USO, at 4851 South Tacoma Way, was able to offer an extensive program of outdoor sports. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

Mayor Harry P. Cain chats with three servicemen at the Community Chest Open House at the South Tacoma U.S.O.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In July of 1942, hungry boys and girls eagerly heap their plates at a picnic supper at the South Tacoma USO, following an exciting afternoon of paddle tennis, volleyball and archery on the grounds. Tacoma's USO Jr. hostesses were charged with providing morale boosters for soldiers in town, not only as dance partners but also by taking enthusiastic part in sports and hobbies. (TNT 8/2/1942, PG. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Picnics--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On July 22, 1942, several sailors and USO junior hostesses enjoy a picnic under the trees. An archery target can be seen in the background.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

A group of interested South Tacomans gathers on September 18, 1942 for the formal dedication of the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated materials, money and labor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma;

A group of interested South Tacomans gathers on September 18, 1942 for the formal dedication of the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated materials, money and labor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma;

A group of union and city officials gather on September 18, 1942 to light the new outdoor fireplace outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was being formally dedicated. It was built of donated time, materials and labor. Pictured left to right are Paul Lucht, John Meyers, serviceman Phillip K. Pohl. Kneeling on right- Nick Feldman Jr., A.J. Cecchi, John Lewtas. Standing behind- George Haggerty, John McClintock, F.E. Lehman and C.E. Rudd. (TNT 9/21/1942, pg. 5)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma;

On September 18, 1942, Tacoma officials and South Tacoma residents gathered for the Dedication Ceremony for the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated money, materials and labor from a design by Silas E. Nelson, architect. Pictured at the ceremony are, left to right, John Lewtas, Bricklayers Union; Paul Lucht, Cement Finishers and Plasterers Union; South Tacoma USO Director Eva Hancock, Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, and John Meyers, Northern Pacific Railway shops. On the floor is mascot "Taffy." (T. Times 9/21/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma; Lewtas, John; Lucht, Paul; Hancock, Eva; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meyers, John;

Flag raising at the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way, in July of 1942.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Flags; Flagpoles;

The flag is raised by visiting servicemen at the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way, on July 22, 1942. Publicity photo for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Flags; Flagpoles;

Publicity for Community Chest. Several servicemen and USO junior hostesses step up to the bat in a friendly game of softball in July of 1942 at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;

Publicity for Community Chest. The photographer takes a grounds eye view of a friendly softball game between servicemen at the South Tacoma USO in July of 1942.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;

Publicity for Community Chest. Several servicemen and USO junior hostesses step up to the bat in a friendly game of softball in July of 1942 at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;

Publicity for Community Chest. In the foreground, a man snaps a picture of a serviceman and his friends or family. In the center, we can see the backs of a serviceman and a USO junior hostess taking their turns on the archery field.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports; Archery; Bows (Archery); Arrows;

In July of 1942, servicemen and USO junior hostesses were pictured playing volleyball in the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO Club. Due to its location in South Tacoma Park, the Club was able to offer an outdoor sports program. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Volleyball; Sports;