Sections of the New Tacoma Cemetery remained in its natural state with looming fir trees and tall grass. In 1954, the large Nativity scene was positioned on a rough wooden stand with evergreen boughs over its roof while the Three Wise Men approached under the shade of an enormous tree. The painted cutouts were made of plywood and could be used more than once. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Cemeteries--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Plywood; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Romantically stylized Nativity scene of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus surrounded by the animals and the shepherds underneath an evergreen bower, displayed at the New Tacoma Cemetary during the 1954 Christmas season. The life size figures were designed by Bill Knabel, well known artist from South Tacoma. The figures were made of durable all weather plyboard that had been richly painted and were part of lighted tableaus celebrating the Christmas story. The lighted exhibit, open to the public, was begun in the late 1940s and enlarged every year. (TNT 12/23/1953, pg. 9)

Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Cemeteries--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. This view of the New Tacoma Cemetery, with large firs on right and small bushes by gravesites, was taken circa 1943. The park-like surroundings provided a serene resting place for the deceased using non-intrusive flat markers. Opened in 1932, the 150-acre New Tacoma Cemetery overlooks the City of Steilacoom and the waters of Puget Sound. (www.newtacoma.com-information)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. The main wrought iron gate of New Tacoma Cemetery is open to allow traffic in this circa 1943 photograph. The New Tacoma Cemetery had already been in business at this serene location overlooking the City of Steilacoom and the waters of Puget Sound since 1932.

Ironwork--Tacoma; Gates--Tacoma--1940-1950; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. Tranquil view of the New Tacoma Cemetery, circa 1943. Large firs, small evergreens are prevalent in the photograph. There is also a water faucet at left of the grave sites.

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. New Tacoma Cemetery as seen circa 1943. A winding road leads to a wooden building which is probably the mausoleum. An abundance of trees and shrubs gave the memorial grounds a peaceful and tranquil appearance.

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma;

The New Tacoma Cemetery has just had many Memorial Day services and had hundreds of visitors during this weekend period in 1948. This cemetery was a division of the Tacoma Cemetery located on South Tacoma Way, both were owned by the Tacoma Cemetery Association. View of graves, some have an American Flag, in the New Tacoma Cemetery, a park bench is by a large tree.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Benches--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

New Tacoma Cemetery is located in the Southwest area of Tacoma, on 9221 Chambers Creek Road. The New Tacoma Cemetery is considered one of the finest in the Pacific Northwest, with a mausoleum and sacred sanctuary on the grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery is a division of the Tacoma Cemetery located on South Tacoma Way. Exterior view of the grounds, some graves are decorated with flowers and American flags.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Benches--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients 100 acres of beautiful peaceful resting grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery has been serving Tacoma families since 1932, they are under the administration of the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization. Exterior view of grounds, large trees and beautifully landscaped grounds offer peace and tranquility, sacred sanctuary in background.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients and families a tranquil serene final resting place. Families can choose from beautiful grounds landscaped with junipers, rhododendrons and azaleas, mausoleum, or an Urn Garden and Rockery constructed in three levels with a perpetual waterfall. View of entrance leading into the New Tacoma Cemetery, the gates are open, the mausoleum is located on the right side.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gates--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

The interior of the reception area at the New Tacoma Cemetery as pictured in November of 1950. The room has been decorated with floral draperies, a checked linoleum tile floor, and rag rugs. Ordered by Rill Reid.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

Funeral at New Tacoma Cemetery. Unidentified men waiting behind hearse and other parked cars on April 14, 1950. Ordered by C.O. Lynn & Co.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Hearses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ceremony at Grove, New Tacoma Cemetery, Wm. B. Reed. A memorial to the memory of the soldier dead of all wars was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1949, at the New Tacoma Cemetery where 300 war veterans were buried. The American flag was raised over the memorial and a wreath was placed upon it by Wellesley Bell, father of Captain Gordon Bell who was killed in Italy in 1944. Others in the picture are William B. Reed, manager of the cemetery, Mrs. Bell, and Ruth, Kathleen and Janice Bell, sisters of the captain. (TNT, 5/31/1949, p.7)

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma; Monuments & memorials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Bell, Wellesley; Bell, Wilhelmina V.; Bell, Ruth; Bell, Kathleen; Bell, Janice; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ceremony at Grove, New Tacoma Cemetery, Wm. B. Reed. A young girl places flowers on a grave for Memorial Day, May 30, 1949. Many flowers have been placed at graves commemorating lives given in defense of the United States.

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ceremony at Grove, New Tacoma Cemetery, Wm. B. Reed. A view of the New Tacoma Cemetery as of May 30, 1949, where many of the graves are decorated with flowers. 300 war veterans were buried here.

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ceremony at Grove, New Tacoma Cemetery, Wm. B. Reed. A memorial to the memory of the soldier dead of all wars was dedicated May 30, 1949, Memorial Day, at the New Tacoma Cemetery where 300 war veterans were buried. (TNT, 5/31/1949, p.7)

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma; Monuments & memorials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;