• Known as the Music Box from 1933 until it was destoyed by fire in 1963, the Tacoma Theater Building was built in 1889.
• Printed on front: Tacoma Theatre Building. Tacoma, Wash.

• Prominently featured in this areial view are the 17 story Medical Arts Building (now the Municipal Building) and the Music Box Theater with the distictive turrets. circa 1940.
• Printed on front: Aerial view of Broadway and St. Helens Tacoma, Wash.

Circa 1925.

• Built in 1889 at 902-14 Broadway, this was known as the Music Box Theater from February 1933 until April 1963 when it was destroyed by fire. circa 1908.
• Printed on front: Tacoma Theater Building, Tacoma, Wash.

About 300 Tacoma firemen, Pierce County Civil Defense workers and volunteers fought for hours to quell the massive fire that destroyed the four-story Music Box Theatre on April 30, 1963. Originally known as the Tacoma Theater, the building at the corner of South 9th & Broadway had been a city landmark since its grand opening in 1890. The audience of about 100, there to watch an early evening show of Hitchcock's "The Birds," exited the theater without panic after smoke was discovered. The cause of the fire was determined to be a burned out bearing in a ventilating fan. There were only three reported injuries, none to the movie patrons. The theater was demolished later in the summer. (TNT 5-1-63, A-1+)

Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1960-1970; Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A Naturalizer shoe display at Lloyd-Friesen, Inc. on 9th and Broadway was photographed for Family Circle magazine on September 23, 1954. Small posters advertising Naturalizer's Scottie twins are placed on and in front of the tables holding the shoes. The shoes are displayed at an angle, with some lifted as if an invisible woman were in the process of walking. Only six pairs are on display, leaving the tables relatively uncrowded, with a copy of Family Circle magazine upright in the center. Photograph ordered by Family Circle Magazine, New York.

Shoes; Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lloyd-Friesen, Inc. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Family Circle Magazine (New York);

View of five unidentified Townsend Club members standing outside of Tacoma's Music Box Theatre in November of 1948. They are proudly wearing "Townsend" hats and displaying their club banner with the theater movie ticket window in background. The Townsend Plan called for a $200 a month pension for every retired person over 60. The Club's slogan was "work for youth and age for leisure." Support for the Townsend Plan fueled President Franklin D. Roosevelt's support for the Social Security Act. Townsend Clubs continued to be popular until 1950 when social security benefits finally overtook welfare payments.

Clubs--Tacoma; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; Banners--Tacoma; Meetings--Tacoma; Motion picture posters; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Townsend Clubs of America (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Chapter of Townsend Clubs of America had its State Headquarters located in the Bernice Building in downtown Tacoma at 1108 Pacific Avenue, room 506. View of Townsend Club members standing outside of Tacoma's Music Box Theatre, "When My Baby Smiles At Me" movie poster is hanging above group, the club members are wearing hats the read "Townsend", and their club banner is proudly displayed. In 1933, Dr. Francis E. Townsend proposed a government sponsored old age pension plan. During the Depression, his plan was supported by five thousand Townsend Clubs across the country, boasting five million members. Although never enacted, the support for his plan coerced Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt into supporting the Social Security Act in 1935. The Clubs were still thriving until 1950, when Social Security benefits finally exceeded welfare payments.

Clubs--Tacoma; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; Meetings--Tacoma; Motion picture posters; Banners--Tacoma; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Townsend Clubs of America (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. When the grand Tacoma Theater was built in 1889, it had the largest stage on the Pacific Coast, measuring 67 feet by 42 feet and 55 feet to the loft. The sheer size and elegance of the stage can be seen in this circa 1925 photograph with a large Baptist choir in attendance. The orchestra is seated and waiting to perform in the orchestra pit below the stage. The building at 9th & Broadway was built by the Tacoma Opera House Company to seat 1,300 (later enlarged to 1,800) and opened in January of 1890. The boards of the Tacoma Theater were trod by such greats as Sarah Bernhardt, Al Jolson and Harry Houdini. When the theater sold in December of 1925, it was the largest single realty transaction in the city's history. The theater closed down for a remodel and reopened in 1927 as the Broadway Theater. In 1933, under new management, it became the Music Box. It was destroyed by fire in April of 1963. (WSHS)

Theaters--Tacoma; Tacoma Theater (Tacoma); Broadway Theater (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1920-1930; Orchestras--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Fort Nisqually Dedication parade, Labor Day 1934. Motorcycles, most carrying two people, follow automobiles and trucks in the parade as it moves south on Broadway past the Tacoma Theater Building, the Pythian Temple, and Rhodes Brothers. (WSHS)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Business districts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Theatre (Tacoma);

ca. 1928. Orchestra on stage in front of a giant "Top Hat and Moon" backdrop at the Broadway Theater. Fourteen musicians and director. (WSHS)

Broadway Theater (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma;

Orchestra on stage in front of a giant "Top Hat and Moon" backdrop at the Broadway Theater. Fourteen musicians and director.

Theaters - Tacoma - Tacoma Theater ( Broadway Theater, Music Box Music Ensembles - Orchestras

College of Puget Sound pep rally at Broadway Theatre, circa 1927. Crowd of students in front of box office at South 9th and Court C. Building by J.M. Wood and A.F. Heide, Associated Architects; John Galen Howard, Designer; Sydney Lovell, Interior Designer, 1889. (Argentum)

Theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Broadway Theater (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1928. Oliver Wallace's farewell party at Broadway Theatre. Orchestra and people on stage, painted backdrop of stars and planets. Building by J.M. Wood and A.F. Heide, Associated Architects; John Galen Howard, Designer; Sydney Lovell, Interior Designer, 1889. (Argentum)

Theaters--Tacoma; Broadway Theater (Tacoma);

Selection of Golden Jubilee Royalty. Amy Lou Murray, 21, (R) was selected "Miss Hostess Queen" of the Golden Jubilee celebration on July 10, 1939, at the Music Box Theater. The runner-up to the title, Margaret Franich, 23, (L) won the title of "Miss Pierce County." A decision was made to send both contestants to the Miss Washington pageant the following week, instead of the winner alone, since the voting was so close. Harry P. Cain, Jubilee general chairman, is flanked by the two contest winners. ALBUM 12. (TNT 7-11-39, p. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Franich, Margaret; Murray, Amy Lou; Evening gowns--Tacoma;

The royalty for Tacoma's celebration of the 1939 Washington State Golden Jubilee were selected on July 10th at the Music Box Theater. 35 girls from Pierce County entered the contest to become the celebration's "Hostess Queen." 21-year-old Gravelly Lake resident Amy Lou Murray, (at right) was chosen "Hostess Queen" and Margaret Franich, 23, was selected as "Miss Pierce County." Both winners are standing with Jubilee director (and future Mayor and Senator) Harry P. Cain. Both queens were wearing lovely evening gowns with Miss Murray's delicately covered in lace. Because the voting was so close, both women were sent to the Miss Washington competition the following week. Tacoma's Golden Jubilee celebrated 50 years of statehood with events occurring July 16-23, 1939. (TNT 7-11-39, p. 1-alt. photograph; T. Times 7-10-39, p. 1-cropped photograph) ALBUM 12.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Franich, Margaret; Murray, Amy Lou; Evening gowns--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Royalty, Hostess Queen, selected on July 10, 1939. Two contestants, Margaret Franich, left, and Amy Lou Murray pose with a replica of the state seal. 21-year-old Gravelly Lake resident Amy Lou Murray was crowned Miss Hostess Queen at the Music Box Theater with Margaret Franich, 23, as Miss Pierce County. Because the voting was so close, both women would be sent to the Miss Washington competition the following week. (TNT 07/11/39, p. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Franich, Margaret; Murray, Amy Lou; Evening gowns--Tacoma;

Bob Newman, newcomer and clarinet player with the Brad Bannon Orchestra. The popular band played for local dances and on December 28, 1940, they would be opening the newly decorated and remodeled Century Ballroom to standing room only crowds. (T. Times 12/27/1940, pg. 4; 1/3/41, pg. 11)

Brad Bannon Orchestra (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Wind instruments; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Newman, Bob;

Walt Olsen and "Celeste." Walt is the musician and "Celeste" is his electric piano. The pair are members of the eleven piece Brad Bannon Orchestra, playing locally at the Century Ballroom in Fife. (T. Times 12/27/1940, pg. 4)

Brad Bannon Orchestra (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Pianists; Pianos; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Saxophone quartet, part of the Brad Bannon Orchestra, wails at the Music Box Theatre. The quartet is comprised of three altos and one tenor. The musicians are, left to right, unidentified (possibly Bob Newman, usually featured on the clarinet,) Bob Earle, Art Doll and Hal Gullett. Mr. Gullett had played with the orchestra from its origination and Mr. Earle for five years. Art Doll wrote and arranged much of the music. Mr. Doll also taught music in the Puyallup School District for 30 years until he retired in 1982. He performed with the Art Doll Trio from 1950 until his death and took over the baton of Max Frolic as conductor of the official band of the Western Washington Fair. He died in March of 1986 at the age of 65. (T. Times 12/27/1940, pg. 4; 1/31/1941, pg. 11)

Brad Bannon Orchestra (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Saxophones; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Earle, Bob; Doll, Art; Gullett, Hal;

Brad Bannon in formal evening dress with conductor's baton poses at the Music Box Theater. Mr. Bannon was the leader of his own popular local dance band, the Brad Bannon Orchestra. The eleven piece orchestra would be opening the newly decorated and remodeled Century Ballroom in Fife on December 28, 1940. As dance music sank from popularity, Mr. Bannon became a successful insurance broker. (T. Times 12/27/1940, pg. 4)

Brad Bannon Orchestra (Tacoma); Bannon, Brad; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Conductors; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Johnny Quinn, drummer of Brad Bannon's Orchestra at the Music Box Theatre. Quinn is pictured at his drum set, with the bass drum marked "J.Q" and "B.B." Bannon and his eleven piece orchestra played local dances and the Century Ballroom. (T. Times 12/27/1940, pg. 4)

Brad Bannon Orchestra (Tacoma); Drums; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Quinn, Johnny;

Bill Conner, of the Music Box Theater, accepts a can of green beans from Leonard South while Dorothy South and Nonie Ontai (far right) wait to make their contributions to the Salvation Army food drive. The Music Box Theater, 902-14 Broadway, had a special "canned goods" matinee at 11:15 on Saturday, December 21, 1940. Children who brought one or more cans of food to donate to the Salvation Army received free admission to the double feature showing that day. Looking on are Virginia Bucklin, an usherette at the theater and Major Earl Williams of the Salvation Army. (T. Times 12/18/1940 p.3)

Salvation Army (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Conner, Bill; South, Leonard; South, Dorothy; Ontai, Nonie; Bucklin, Virginia; Williams, Earl;

On July 23, 1941, eleven Boy Scouts of Troop 42 from the Larchmont area of southeast Tacoma came downtown to contribute 135 pieces of scrap aluminum to the aluminum collection drive. The metal was needed to build bombers for the Army Air Corp. The main collection dump was at the corner of South 9th and Broadway, in front of the Music Box Theater. The Larchmont area centered near South 96th Street and Pacific Avenue; it was planned to be a select suburban community with streets named after famous colleges such as Harvard, Yale and Amherst. Boys taking part in the aluminum drive were: (in no particular order) Billy Bowlin, Walter Oden, Richard Ruth, Dickie Hansler, Don Lang, Elroy Burnett, Gerald Griffith, Raleigh Elkins, Stanley Vernon, Leslie Roley and Tomio Akimoto. (T. Times 7/25/1941, pg.3)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 42 (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Aluminum;

On July 23, 1941, Boy Scouts from Troop 42 (Larchmont) and Sea Scouts from the SSS Rainbow (McKinley Hill) debate how much muscle power is needed to heave the 50 lb. aluminum door into the collection enclosure. The high wire fence behind the boys, located in the 900 block of Broadway, was the central collection site for donations. The mountain of used aluminum would be donated to the national committee to be melted down and used to build airplanes. The door was a relic of an old submarine, scavenged from the scrap heap at the Bremerton Navy yard for use at Camp Hohobas on Hood Canal. Sea Scouts (in no particular order) Bud Christiansen, Arne Skaugset and Roy Ernsbarger helped toss the door over the wire. Music Box Theater in the background. (T. Times 7/25/1941, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 42 (Tacoma); Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Aluminum;

A couple of Sea Scouts, from the SSS Rainbow- McKinley Hill area, give a 50 pound aluminum door the old heave-ho on July 23, 1941, tossing it into the area set aside in the 900 block of Broadway for scrap aluminum donations. The aluminum will be melted down and put to use building airplanes. Bud Christiansen, Arne Skaugset and Roy Ernsbarger helped toss the metal, a relic from an old submarine, over the wire. (T. Times 7/25/1941, pg. 3) TPL-9145

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 42 (Tacoma); Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Aluminum;

This venerable Pierce Arrow rolled up to the defense metal "corral" at 9th and Broadway on July 23, 1941 and was donated to Tacoma's aluminum drive by Cole E. Oliver, owner of Oliver Taxi and Ambulance Company, and William E. Erickson, who worked with him. The vehicle was purchased as an ambulance and at its prime was valued at $9,000. Aluminum Drive Chairman Russell N. Anderson hoped to get 1,000 pounds of the metal out of the car, which was made almost entirely of aluminum. Pictured around the vehicle, left to right, are Cole E. Oliver, Tommy Burns, Kenny Johnson, William Erickson, Police Officer Ross Mowre and Russell Anderson. In the background is the Music Box Theater, 902-14 Broadway, showing Clark Gable and Rosalind Russell in "They Met in Bombay." For several years in the early to mid-1920s the Pierce Arrow was manufactured with bodies cast of aluminum. This appears to be a 1926 Model 80 4-door sedan. (T. Times 7/23/1941, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Pierce Arrow automobile; Oliver, Cole; Erickson, William; Anderson, Russell N.; Burns, Tommy; Johnson, Kenny; Mowre, Ross; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma);

The Music Box Theatre was built in 1889 by the Tacoma Opera House Company and was first known as the Tacoma Theater, it officially opened in January 1890. In 1925 the building was sold to S. R. Barkwill and a group of associates from the Tacoma Theater Building Company for $450,000, making this the largest single realty transaction in Tacoma, at this time. In 1927 it was renamed the Broadway Theater. View of new candy bar at the Music Box Theatre.

Snack bars--Tacoma; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; Confectioneries--Tacoma; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma);

In 1933 the theater was renamed the Music Box, and at one time it was known as John Hamrick's Music Box. In 1939 they featured the famous "The Wizard of Oz" with Judy Garland. Throughout the years the Music Box had special appearances made by Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Sally Rand. View of candy bar and candy girl at the Music Box Theatre, staircase view on upper left side. TPL-9263

Snack bars--Tacoma; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; Confectioneries--Tacoma; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma);