The Golden Anniversary of the Union Club was celebrated September 22, 1938. It was attended by two of the charter members, John S. Baker and Alexander Baillie, as well as members of the "Old Guard" and current members. The Club came into being in the summer of 1888, when a need was recognized for an organization to further the fledgling Tacoma's growing business interests and for a place to entertain distinguished guests. It was organized by the late George Browne, who met with 30 local business men to form the first club. Soon the club had 100 members, paying dues of $250 each. Proceeds were used to build the Clubhouse. (T. Times 9/23/1938, pg. 18)

Union Club (Tacoma);

This photograph from March of 1938 shows the Vermont Marble Company plant which was located near the southeast foot of the 11th Street (Murray Morgan) Bridge from 1908 to 1941. The marble plant in Tacoma was the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi River. While 80 % of the stone worked there came from Tokeen, Alaska, fine mables were also shipped in from Vermont, New York, Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere. Over $900,000 worth of worked stone from the plant was used for the interior of the Washington state capitol building. The Northwest Door Company (1203 East D St.) , Norwood Plywood and Mount Rainier can be seen in the background.

Vermont Marble Co. (Tacoma); Northwest Door Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Norwood Plywood Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1938. Drum and Bugle Corps. of the Elias J. Messinger Post No.1428, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in front of South Tacoma V.F.W. building. Group of approx. 40. The hall was built and dedicated in 1930. (Argentum)

Veterans of Foreign Wars, E.J. Messinger Post No. 1428 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Drums; Marching bands; Bugles; Brass instruments;

ca. 1938. Dock scene during recent Seattle port closings. Crates in a warehouse. (T. Times)

Warehouses--Seattle; Crates; Shipping--Seattle--1930-1940;

Construction of Tacoma Municipal Water Works Building. I.F. Laukes (Pacific Banknote Company). Exterior showing two sides of building. (filed with Argentum)

Waterworks--Tacoma; Municipal services--Tacoma; Painting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public utility companies--Tacoma; Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Water Division (Tacoma);

Mrs. Pearl Britton Lees is shown at her loom in this photograph from November 1938. Because of a high degree of interest in traditional crafts in the Tacoma area, Mrs. Lees started the Wayside Arts and Crafts School. The classes for the school were taught at her home at 3520 So. 10th St. In her weaving, she used yarn made from wool produced by sheep raised in Pierce County. Her wool dyes came from locally grown plants and trees. (T. Times, 11/11/1938, p. 4)..

Wayside Arts and Craft School (Tacoma); Weaving--Tacoma--1930-1940; Looms; Lees, Pearl Britton;

1938 Haley wedding. At home. Frank Haley in stripe suit with tie; his bride Nell wearing dark dress, jacket with large corsage, and hat. (filed with Argentum)

Weddings--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings)--1930-1940; Haley, Frank; Haley, Nell; Haley, Frank--Family;

Haley wedding. Frank Haley, on his wedding day, is in the center of the front row; flanking him are his brother Richard Haley and his father, J.C. Haley, one of the founders of Brown & Haley Confectioners. In the back row, left to right, are the groom's brothers: Cliff Haley, Fred Haley, who succeeded his father in running the business, and Ted Haley. The man at the far right is unidentified. (filed with Argentum) (Additional information provided by a family member)

Weddings--1930-1940; Haley, J.C.; Haley, J.C.--Family; Haley, Frank; Haley, Clifford; Haley, Fred; Haley, Ted;

Staff at Western Auto Supply Company. The men are, standing left to right, H. F. Sturtridge, Cecil Albers, William McCallum and Arnold Blatt. Kneeling are, left to right, John Davis and Willis Peters. (T. Times, 7/13/1938, pg. 2).

Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma)--People; Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This was how the Western Auto Supply Co., located at 715-17 Pacific Ave., appeared on July 11, 1938. Western Auto had operated at this same location near 8th and Pacific for about twenty years. They started out with a small storeroom on the corner and expanded steadily. Their newest business venture was a service department that worked on customers' cars. The entrance was located to the left in the photo. Personnel at the downtown store included manager H.F. Sturtridge, William McCallum, John Davis, Cecil Albers, Arnold Blatt and Willis Peters. (T. Times 7/13/1938, pg. 2)

Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Three Roy news carriers enjoy a day on skis in the snow. Fir trees in background are heavily laden with snow. (T. Times)

Skiers--1930-1940; Snow; Newspaper carriers--Roy;

Standing in stark contrast with the white snow, a large group of skiers are pictured outside the lodge at Paradise where the February, 1938, ski races and winter carnival are being held. This would be the seventh annual Tacoma winter sports carnival of ski races held at Paradise Valley. Olympian Don Fraser and Virginia Bowden (Boden), both of Seattle, would be the respective men's and women's slalom champions. Thousands of spectators and skiers would enjoy not only the races of varying categories, but also exhibition skiing by Austrian Otto Lang, skiing under floodlights, and a free carnival dance. Trophies and prizes would be awarded the victors. (T.Times 2-14-38, p. 1, 11)

Skiers; Athletes;

Ski races at Paradise Valley, Mount Rainier National Park. Spectators wait for the February 13, 1938, races to begin, surrounded by the scenic, snow-covered valley, lodges and mountains. The events were expected to attract 5000 skiers and spectators from all over the Pacific Northwest. Eventual winners of the open slalom races would be Don Fraser in the men's category for the second straight time and University of Washington student Virginia Bowden (Boden) in the women's. Future Olympic gold medalist Gretchen Kunigk (later Fraser) would vacate her Carnival Queen throne to place 5th.

Skiers; Athletes;

February, 1938, ski races and winter carnival at Paradise Valley, Mount Rainier National Park. A long line of skiers gather near the lodge. Trees and lodge roof are laden with fresh snow. 5000 skiers and spectators were expected to gather for the seventh annual Tacoma Winter Sports Carnival held during two days in February, 1938. Besides races for different abilities, there was exhibition skiing and skiing under floodlights.

Skiers; Snow;

On March 27, 1938, the Silver Skis race was cancelled due to a 60 mile an hour gale wind whipping snow particles into the skiers' faces above McClure's Rock on Mt. Rainier. It was a second year in a row that the race was cancelled and its future did not look promising. A near record crowd of 8,000 settled in to watch an exhibition slalom race that promoters put together as a substitute, as well as stunt antics of some of the ski stars on a special jump. The Silver Skis was a grueling race that required skiers to trek by foot at daybreak up to Camp Muir, 10,000 feet above sea level, and ski down. The survivor with the best time won. (T.Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Paradise Inn (Wash.); Skiers; Winter sports;

Burr Anderson, promising new skier, skis over crest of hill at Mount Rainier. Mountaintop in distance. (T.Times 1/18/1939, p. 7).

Skiing--Tacoma; Skiers; Anderson, Burr; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

On March 11, 1939, the Bachelor Club of Tacoma hosted a large ball and style show at the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. Shannon Smith, center, modeled a wedding gown. (T.Times 3/18/1939, pg. 9)

Smith, Shannon; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bachelor Club (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Industrial sections of the city of Tacoma as viewed on February 15, 1938. Wood industry with extensive one-story, shed-style buildings on the Tacoma tideflats.

Smokestacks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Men put the final touches on diorama promoting the Washington Fruit Growers. The animated oil painting illustrates a large orchard in Eastern Washington. Smyser Display Service prepared the World's Fair exhibits. (T. Times, 1/6/1939, p. 11).

Smyser Display Service (Tacoma); Dioramas; Exhibitions--1930-1940; Shipping;

Stadium High School 1939 Basketball Team. The team, under the direction of Coach V.G. Lowman, was on top of the Tacoma prep standings. Considered short for a basketball team, they made up for their lack of altitude with sheer attitude. The fighting Tigers, in at least six of their games, came from far behind to win. Team members are, front row left to right, Art DeMaris, Matt Kapovich, Bob Loftness, Wes Hudson, Marion Klarich and Russ Soper. Back row, Dick Donelson, Dave Livingston, Dave Doud, Coach Lowman, Fred Angus, Warren Harvey and George Warfer. The team won the school its 10th consecutive city championship and placed second in cross state play. (T. Times 2/24/1939, pg. 14)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--Sports; Basketball players--1930-1940; Basketball-- Tacoma--1930-1940;

Stadium High School's undefeated 1939 Swim Team. Coach Vincent Keyes poses with his tank team at the school's indoor swimming pool. Bob Early stays afloat in pool. Other team members are, front row, left to right, Ralph Ervin, Phil Cedarcrans, Louis Formuzis, Richard Malott and Jim Fisher. 2nd row: Bliss Croft, Jack Bloomfield, Dean Daughtry and Ralph Burnett. Back row: Richard Hescox, Coach Keyes, Wally Bookwalter, Captain Earl Stuard and Jack Graham. Kneeling on the diving board is Ed Hoppen. Sitting on the board, left to right, are Jack Alvord, Jimmy Diedrick and Dick Strinsky. (T. Times, 1/30/1939, p. 11, names listed).

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--Sports; Swimmers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Swimming--Tacoma--1930-1940; Swimming pools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Business section of the city of Tacoma. View of 11th Street from Court D looking east toward the Eleventh Street Bridge. Sylvan Apartments and Anderson's Public Market in foreground.

Streets - Tacoma - South 11th StreetBuildings - Commercial Buildings - Tacoma

Studio stock photographs. Night time scene of neon signs along Broadway, looking south from 11th Street. Included are The Owl Drug Company, Feist & Bachrach, Blue Mouse Theater, Sears, and Benders.

Streets - Tacoma Streets - Broadway Advertising - Signs - Neon Signs

Studio stock photograph. Night time scene of neon store signs along Broadway south of 9th Street.

Streets - Tacoma Streets - BroadwayAdvertising - Signs - Neon Signs

On June 8, 1938, Lincoln High School bestowed 709 diplomas on its graduating class. The graduates sit on a raised platform; the orchestra sits on the floor. Relatives here to see the ceremony sat on either side.

Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Walter Sutter. Group (inter.) in his home.

Sutter, Walter H.--Homes & haunts;

In February of 1939, the Tacoma Times ran this photograph of Lincoln High School swimming Coach Sheldon Brooks posed poolside with 24 members of the swim squad, the defending champions of Washington's prep ranks. The boys were, on the elevated portion, left to right, Harry Schramm, Bert Barber, Chuck Rohr, Don Ellis, Johnny Krutilla, Kenny Platzer, Bud Solum and Wallace Tuckey. Middle row: Coach Brooks, Bob Wheeler, Mel Malone, Tom Brotherton, Fred Mcneil, Roy Lindstrom, Harvey Berg and Walt Berry. Front Row: Leonard Hoveland, David Evans, Frank Maivliox, John Swanberg, Ed Ianson, Dale Slolum, Bob Reed, William Rohr and Joe Dowsett (seated.) The season soon came under a pall as 18 year old diver Robert Nack, absent when this picture was taken, died February 13, 1939 in a local hospital as he was being prepped for surgery on an abscess in his brain. The abscess was the result of a punctured ear drum he suffered when diving. (T. Times, 2/2/1939; T. Times 2/14/1939, pg. 1) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Swimmers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Swimming--Tacoma--1930-1940; Swimming pools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);

Gathering of men at the Tacoma Club in the Washington Building to celebrate Sam Perkins 73rd birthday. Group of men seated and standing around dinner table, Perkins far left; Mayor Smitley third from left.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.--Commemoration; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Resting between tennis games in front of the Country Club clubhouse are Anne Weyerhaeuser (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Weyerhaeuser), Mary Heard (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George F. Heard) and Vera Fraser (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Audsley Fraser.) (T. Times 7/2/1938, pg. 9)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Tennis players; Tennis rackets; Weyerhaeuser, Anne; Heard, Mary; Fraser, Vera;

The Pierce County airport became a thing of the past as on March 30, 1938, county officials signed a deed conveying the title of Tacoma Field, 900 acres of land with buildings, to the War Department to be used as part of a giant airbase. The airbase would soon be known as McChord Field. John Schlarb, seated left, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, turned over the deed to County Auditor S. Clifford Davis, 2nd from left, to be recorded. Interested spectators included, left to right, Col. Frank W. Wright, commander of the new airbase; Davis; Commissioner Guy Melton; Frank J. Walsh, industrial engineer of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce; and Wilbur Raleigh. Seated on the right is County Commissioner AA Rankin. Tacoma lost its air mail and passenger terminal and efforts were made to lease the Mueller-Hawkins Field.

Tacoma Field (Lakewood); McChord Field (Tacoma); Schlarb, John; Davis, S. Clifford; Melton, Guy; Walsh, Frank J.; Rankin, A.A.;