In July of 1942, several servicemen and a few USO junior hostesses join in a lively game of volleyball in the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO. Because of its unique location in a park, the South Tacoma USO was able to sponsor an outdoor sports program. Publicity for Community Chest. (TNT 8/2/1942, pg. A-7)

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

South Tacoma U.S.O. Group of wives photographed outside the entrance to the USO Club. Photo damaged upper right corner. [Also dated 05-19-1943]

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

South Tacoma U.S.O. Group of wives. The women are pictured seated at tables with plates and cups after a meal. The walls have a distinctive large brick pattern. Photograph damaged on edges. [Also dated 05-19-1943]

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

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. People in costume; military band on bandstand.

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

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Two guitar players wearing sombreros serenade the audience.

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

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Four young women carry baskets of cut flowers while two soldiers look on. They are standing behind large urns full of flowers and a bird bath.

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

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Dressed in Spanish costumes, a group of women serenade the audience.

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

The popular dance team of Joyce Sheets and Richard Fechko performed several dances at the Mexican Fiesta held for servicemen at the So. Tacoma USO on Friday, July 16, 1943. The gala affair was the USO's most ambitious undertaking of the season. Junior and senior hostesses wore authentic Spanish costumes, real chili and tortillas were available from booths, and peanut vendors, flower girls and musicians strolled from table to table. The So. Tacoma USO was at 4851 So. Tacoma Way in the South Park Community Center building.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sheets, Joyce; Fechko, Richard;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Three soldiers gather around while a young woman reads the palm of another soldier.

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

On February 9, 1945, 24 young couples gathered in the recreation room of the South Tacoma Community Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, under the watchful eye of an instructor, to tune up their dance skills for the upcoming Valentine's Day parties. Ballroom dancing was at its peak during World War II. The young dancers prepared to Swing, Lindy Hop and Foxtrot; bringing smiles of joy to the young ladies and only a few grimaces to the faces of the young men. The South Tacoma Community Center is operated by the Metropolitan Park District and is located at the corner of the 14 acre South Tacoma Park. TPL-9387

Children dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community centers--Tacoma; Children--Social life--1940-1950; South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma);

The South Tacoma Community Center was built in 1941 as a U.S.O. building by the federal government at a cost of approximately $50,000. It was taken over by the Metropolitan Park District in June of 1944. The center offered teen dances, drama, crafts and other recreational activities. As this photograph from February of 1945 shows, it is easier to give a teen dance then it is to get boys out on the dance floor.

Children dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community centers--Tacoma; Children--Social life--1940-1950; South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma);

Theater Guild. Child speaker at South Tacoma Community Center. c/o Mrs. Glastetter. Naomi J. (Mrs. Howard) Glastetter led a group of children in learning how to speak properly, wield a gavel and conduct meetings in groups called "Toast Tots", similar to Toastmasters for adults. L-R, Rex King, Dennis Reeves, Donna Vaaler, Rollin Eberly, Marilyn Parrott and shirley Larson. (T.Times, 7/5/1947, p.12)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; King, Rex; Reeves, Dennis; Vaaler, Donna; Eberly, Rollin; Parrott, Marilyn; Larson, Shirley;

A large group outside the Tacoma Metropolitan Park District Recreation Department at the Community Center on South Tacoma Way. These are the individuals chosen to serve as leaders for the summer 1947 parks and recreation programs. Names listed in newspaper. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.7)

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

The South Tacoma Community Center was having many types of arts and crafts classes for community members. The community center was operated by Tacoma's Metropolitan Park District. These class participants were working with ceramics, two older women appear to be making a vase.

Aged persons--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Social life--1940-1950; Pottery--Tacoma; Vases; Community centers--Tacoma; South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma);

The South Tacoma Community Center is operated by the metropolitan Park District. It is located at the corner of the fourteen acre South Tacoma Park. It was built by the federal government and cost approximately $50,000. View of women participating in an Arts and Crafts class at the South Tacoma Community Center.

Women--Arts & crafts; Women--Social life--1940-1950; Community centers--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Recreation rooms--Tacoma; South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma);

The South Tacoma Kiwanis club honored several junior high school award winners at their annual awards banquet held at the South Tacoma Community Center on May 26, 1954. Two plaques mounted on the wall behind the award recipients list previous sportsmanship winners. There are also two circular trophies with the giant letter "K' posted as well. Those winning inspirational and sportsmanship awards from Robert Gray and Dupont Junior Highs were: First row--Don Ranking (Gray), Sandra Bodin (gray), Glee Liddle (Gray), Beverly Latimer (Dupont), Jeanne Hardy (Dupont) and Scott Drysdale (Dupont). Back Row--Dr. Earl Bird, Wendell Laughbon, Dupont principal, Robert Gray (Dupont); Klaus Wills (Gray), Emory Whitaker, Gray principal, Steve Pease, Kiwanis club president and Herb Ford, club secretary. (TNT 5-27-54, D-5)

Awards; Plaques--Tacoma; South Tacoma Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

Art Johnson, Lincoln High School linebacker, accepts his school's Most Inspirational individual trophy in a ceremony held at the South Park Community Center on January 14, 1953. Lt. Les Richter, an All-American from the University of California, congratulates Johnson. Harry Esborg, president of the South Tacoma Kiwanis Club, holds the imposing Inspirational Trophy which is given annually to the most worthy high school football player. (TNT 1-15-53, B-10)

Awards; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Johnson, Art; Richter, Les; Esborg, Harry;

Members of the Theatre Guild cast discuss the set and the script for their upcoming production of "You Touched Me", one of Tennessee Williams' earlier plays. On Broadway this comedy drama featured Edmund Gwenn as the irascible old sea captain, whose futile rages and sly plotting against the domineering ways of his old-maid sister provided high comedy. The play was to be presented at the South Tacoma Community Center. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 11/21/1950, p.30)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Theatre Guild (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Actresses; Theatrical producers & directors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Director Doreen Hopper watches as her husband, C.Galvin Hopper tests a new dimmer at the South Tacoma Community Center that would be used in the Tacoma Theatre Guild production of "You Touched Me", one of Tennessee Williams' earlier plays. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 11/26/1950, p.D-1)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Theatre Guild (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hopper, Doreen; Hopper, C. Galvin; Theatrical producers & directors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stage lighting; Spouses--Tacoma;

Bette M. (Mrs. Vitor) Parber, left, and Mildred B. (Mrs. Harold) Keyser work on the set hanging curtains for the production of "You Touched Me", a comedy-drama by Tennessee Williams, to be presented by the Theatre Guild at the South Tacoma Community Center. The play was scheduled for November 30, December 1 and 2, 1950. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 11/26/1950, p.D-1)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Theatre Guild (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stage props; Parber, Bette M.; Keyser, Mildred B.;

ca. 1942. South end USO building shortly after it opened in 1942. The recreation center for servicemen was conceived and built just prior to the United States' entry into WWll. It offered both athletic and social activities in a serene park setting. In 1944 the building was turned over to Metropolitan Parks where it is still used as the South Park Recreation Center.

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