Golden Jubilee Parade, Carsten's Packing Company float, on July 22, 1939. Man is holding huge carving knife in front of a model of large ham; little girls are sitting on float. Old Chamber of Commerce Building on Pacific Avenue in background.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Entered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association (DFPA,) this float promotes the use of plywood, "modern miracle in wood," all over the world. The front is a warren of buildings all built of plywood, including a boat on the water. The buildings are followed by three young women sitting in front of a globe. This is perhaps the last float in the parade as the people in the crowd appear to be turning around and leaving. Someone, maybe a photographer, crosses the street carrying a ladder behind the float.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association (DFPA) submitted this float to the parade, extolling the use of plywood as a building material. The float is littered with replicas of buildings built of plywood. One of the swimsuit models sits close to the edge of the float, her foot resting on a side extension. The invention of plywood, several layers of wood bonded together, revolutionized the construction industry. The DFPA was a joint organization, composed of plywood manufacturers and dealers, that promoted the use of plywood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A pioneer couple rides in this crepe paper decorated wagon in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. He holds an axe, one side of the blade buried in a stump. She leans against him. The driver rides up front. One of the horses bears a large sign "The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be."

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Carts & wagons--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Birdseye view of cavalry troops on horseback. Crowd on sidewalk and in street is overwhelmingly large, estimated at 100,000. With 133 entries and 14 miles of parade route, it was the largest parade Tacoma had seen to date. The old brick street and streetcar tracks are still in place.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horses--Tacoma;

This horse drawn wagon loaded with pioneers was entered by the Pacific Match Co. in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. A sign on the side of the wagon reads" We don't make all the matches in the country... we just make the best of them." The sign on the front of the wagon identifies the driver as Mr. James E. Sales, born in 1853, the first white child born in Tacoma. He would have been 86 years old at the time of the parade. Pacific Match Co. was located at 3223 So. Union Ave.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, on Pacific Avenue. A group of six firemen, wearing false beards and replicas of the old firefighter uniforms and hats, pull the circa 1885 hose cart of the Alert Hose Company #2. The hose cart is topped by the word "Alert" in ironwork. The company, organized in 1885, was volunteer and operated out of a fire station at 13th and A.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1880-1890;

Roberta Rice, wearing a pioneer-style dress and bonnet, and Henry Graham, dressed in a cowboy hat and long coat, pose in front of Turner Richards Commercial Photography Studio in July of 1939. The couple apparently had joined in the spirit of celebrating the Washington State Golden Jubilee.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Photographic studios--Tacoma; Turner Richards Studio (Tacoma); Rice, Roberta; Graham, Henry; Costumes; Richards Commercial Photo Service (Tacoma);

Singing their hearts out is the Sibelian Male Chorus under the direction of Fritz Berntsen.Tacoma's most famous, and most nattily dressed, men's choral association was about to embark on a concert tour. They would be spreading the news of Tacoma's upcoming Golden Jubilee celebration across the state. (T.Times, 4/14/1939, p. 2- caption includes names)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Berntsen, Fritz; Singers; Choirs (Music);

This group of dandies is part of the cast of the historical drama "Saga of the West." The outdoor pageant would be produced July 20-22, 1939 as a part of the celebration of Washington's Golden Jubilee. Tacoma's Golden Jubilee had been designated as the "official statehood celebration." The "Saga" was directed by William Marlatt of the John B. Rogers Co., that specialized in pageants, and boasted a cast of 2,000. Tickets cost 50 cents or 3 for a dollar and the opening night audience totalled over 15,000. The history of Washington, from earliest times to 1939, unfolded on a 200 foot stage.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Cast members of the outdoor drama "Saga of the West," costumed to represent different time periods, pose in front of the reverse side of one of the massive sets used in the pageant. The outdoor pageant would be produced July 20-22, 1939 as a part of the celebration of Washington's Golden Jubilee. Tacoma's celebration had been designated as the "official statehood celebration" and it was easily the largest that Tacoma would ever see. The pageant, only one of many Jubilee events, had a cast of 2,000, an orchestra, 200 voice choir, a pipe organ and an opening night audience of 15,000. It would briefly cover the history of Washington from earliest times to 1939, with emphasis on the last fifty years of statehood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Cast members of the historical pageant "Saga of the West" pose in front of Stadium Bowl seating. The seats are only sparsely occupied for this preview performance, mostly by cast members; the opening night audience would number over 15,000. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. The pageant was directed by William Marlatt of the John B. Rogers pageant company, was fully costumed and had a cast of 2,000. It also had horses, stage coaches, covered wagons, automobiles and a fire engine.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Searchlights from the Pacific Fleet light up the night sky over the Stadium Bowl during the historical pageant "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. Also in port for the Jubilee were six US battleships and 8,000 sailors and officers. Search light drills would be performed nightly at 10:15p.m.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma; Searchlights--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, on downtown Tacoma streets. Tacoma Central Labor Council float, "Education, Equality, Justice, Liberty; 58 Years of Achievement in Human Betterment" was one of the more than 60 floats entered in the parade. The float was designed as a Greek temple and parked temporarily by Wright Park on a truck owned by Earl Sweet.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Wright Park (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Wide angle view of fairgrounds showing capacity crowds in the amusement area with wooden buildings in background.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup);

1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Three little girls dressed in look-a-like dresses stand on the fence rail to get a close look at the Durac Jersey. Other children and adults peer through and over the fence to see the animals.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Children--Puyallup--1930-1940;

Brustad - Vandenberg wedding at Fort Lewis. Florence Eleanor Brustad exchanged vows with Lt. Robert E. Vandenberg in the Fort Lewis Chapel on February 2, 1940. She is the daughter of the J.F. Brustads and he is the son of the Eben Vandenbergs, both of Tacoma. The bride is a member of the Beta Phi Kappa sorority at whose meeting her surprise engagement was announced in January of 1940. She is also a member of the Tacoma Ski Club of which Lt. Vandenberg is the president. He is currently an aide to Brig. General Maurice Thompson at Camp Murray. In the wedding portrait above, the bride is pictured with her attendants (order not determined): candlelighters Maryjean Brooks and Mrs. Hadley St. Clair, junior bridesmaid Ilene Brustad, bridesmaid Marjorie Espeland and maid of honor, Esther Cory. (T.Times 1-4-1940, p. 11-article only; T.Times 1-13-1940, p. 5-article only; T.Times 2-10-1940, p. 5-alt. photo of some attendants). (filed w/Argentum)

Weddings--Fort Lewis--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Wedding clothing & dress--1940-1950; Wedding attendants; Brustad, Florence Eleanor--Marriage; Cory, Esther; Espeland, Marjorie; Brustad, Ilene; Brooks, Maryjean; St. Clair, Hadley--Family;

On February 1, 1941, Gloria Duncan (seated center) reigned as the Queen of the 3rd annual Gold and Green Ball given by the Lincoln Ward of the Latter Day Saints Church. The formal dance was sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church and held at the Fern Hill Masonic Temple at 84th and Park. The event was named for the colors of the Association and was the social event of the winter season. Her Matron of Honor was Penelope Moore and her attendants (order unknown) were Maxine Thayne, Thelma Thompson, Barbara Magnuson, Jean Orth and Peggy Dickson. Charles Neagle was the Queen's escort and Patrick Moore was the escort for the Matron of Honor. The other escorts (not in order) were Rex Connell, Cornelius Maathuis, Harold Clarke, Dick Orth and Alan Wheeler. (T. Times 1/31/1941, pg. 2)

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma; Duncan, Gloria;

ca. 1927. Betsy Ross group. Many young women in decorated banquet hall, some wearing period costume, some in sailor type suits. (filed with Argentum)

Banquets--1920-1930; Betsy Ross Club (Tacoma);

On October 30, 1941, all the stores downtown closed in the morning as Tacoma turned out for a massive parade of pre World War II military might. Over 10,000 men from the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis marched as well as a parade of mechanized strength. One of the most impressive sights was the mobile kitchens where military cooks prepared food as they moved down Broadway during the two hour parade. Here soldiers receive coffee in the early morning hours prior to the parade kick off.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, over 10,000 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis marched down Broadway in a tremendous military spectacle, the largest Army parade ever seen in Tacoma. The men march in step in mass formation, suggesting the enormous military power of the US. (T. Times 10/30/1941 p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, the Army parades showing its military muscle. This was the greatest military spectacle to date in the Northwest. On the left is the Cameo Theater, 1128 Pacific Avenue.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Men and artillery wait patiently for their turn to parade on October 30, 1941. The Fort Lewis show of military might was over 6 miles long and took two hours to pass.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, people stride across the ground liberally scattered with papers at the military parade, composed mostly of the 3rd Infantry from Fort Lewis and their tanks and fire power.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On April 6, 1942, Tacoma was host to the first wartime parade through downtown Tacoma. It was held on the 25th anniversary of the U.S. war declaration of World War I (4/6/1917.) It also demonstrated the fitness and readiness of the Army and its equipment. The focus of the parade was a full regiment of infantry, completely equipped with steel helmets, packs and gas masks. In this photograph they are led by a military band and stretch out down the street as far as the eye can see. The Army Parade wound its way down Broadway and Pacific Ave. Missing were the usual photographers, news photographers were allowed to only take shots that were of no value to the enemy. (T. Times 4/6/1942, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marching--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 15, 1941, Kathleen Marie Kelly and Archie Henry Pozzi married at the First Congregational Church in Everett. The bride was a former Tacoman. The wedding was followed by a reception in the Guild Hall. The couple is shown dodging rice as they leave the reception. The bride wears a garnet suit, black hat and corsage of orchids. The couple were alumni of the University of Washington and made their first home in Carson City, Nev. (T. Times 10/11/1941)

Weddings--Everett--1940-1950; First Congregational Church (Everett); Brides--1940-1950; Kelly, Kathleen Marie; Pozzi, Archie;

Guests at the newest U.S.O. in Tacoma line up for refreshments during the center's formal opening on September 4, 1942. The facility on Commerce St. was the first of the U.S.O. centers in Tacoma designated for servicemen of color. Ray C. Vaughn, director, expressed his appreciation for the creation of a U.S.O. club to meet the recreational needs of soldiers of color. It would especially be necessary due to the fact that a growing Fort Lewis would mean more soldiers of all races. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12).

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

On September 4, 1942, as part of the dedication of Tacoma's newest U.S.O., "topfight jitterbuggists" Pvt. Harold Williams and Elizabeth Brown demonstrated their fancy footwork for an appreciative audience. The facility was packed with members of the Armed Forces and their guests. Also in attendance were Governor Arthur B. Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain, who were both involved in the dedication ceremonies. Because the U.S. military services were still segregated in 1942, a separate U.S.O. was opened to serve servicemen of color. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, p. A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jitterbug dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Williams, Harold; Brown, Elizabeth; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. Dedication of U.S.O. designated for servicemen of color at 715 Commerce. Pvt. George F. Miller of New Orleans was a big hit at the September 4, 1942, dedication of the newest U.S.O. facility in Tacoma. His barefoot style of dancing wowed the standing room only crowd. (TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miller, George F.; Dance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie, center, in conversation with guests at the formal opening of the U.S.O. club for servicemen of color on September 4, 1942. He may be holding the elbow of the center's director, Ray C. Vaughn. Governor Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain were among the dignitaries present at the dedication ceremonies. The U.S.O. center was standing room only; those in attendance were able to listen to music from a Fort Lewis post band, watch the formal presentation of the flag to the U.S.O. by a flag detail from Fort Lewis, listen to remarks by Governor Langlie, Mayor Cain, and Mr. Vaughn, and enjoy dancing. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Conversation; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;