A radioman stretches his microphone toward President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, center in profile, who looks over the large crowd gathered at the Union Depot. He was preparing to leave on the Great Northern Railway for a tour of the Grand Coulee Dam project site. The small children behind the railing are his grandchildren, Anna Eleanor (nicknamed Sistie) and Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. The men are believed to be, left to right, Senator Homer T. Bone, Harold Allen, the President's son James, Tacoma Mayor George Smitley (waving to the crowd) and the President's bodyguard (in hat.) ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Dall, Anna Eleanor; Dall, Curtis;

On October 1, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made an early evening speech from the back of his train at Union Depot. The train made a 15 minute stop to allow the President to board. Roosevelt was being picked up after an automobile trip around the Olympic Peninsula and a motorcade from Olympia to Tacoma. It was estimated that over 50,000 Tacomans lined the street and crowded Union Station to catch a glimpse of the popular President. The President's next destination was the site of the Grand Coulee Dam project. Visible behind the President on the train car deck are believed to be Tacoman Harold Allen, the President's son James Roosevelt, Tacoma Mayor George Smitley and the President's grandson Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. At the time of this photograph, he was in his second term as President. He died April 12, 1945, during his fourth term, of a cerebral hemorrhage. (T. Times 10/02/1937, pg. 9) TPL-1999 ALBUM 1

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945;

Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad officials and christening of the Olympian. A large crowd gathered to see the Olympian Hiawatha, Milwaukee's new diesel liner, christened on June 28, 1947. Its inaugural trip to Chicago was June 29, 1947. The new train cut the time of the Tacoma to Chicago service to 45 hours, 14 hours faster than formerly. (T.Times, 6/27/1947, p.1) TPL-9765

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad officials and christening of the Olympian. Dignitaries at the Union Station. Mr. M.H. McEwen, Seattle, Western Traffic Manager, addresses the crowd gathered to christen the Olympian Hiawatha on June 29, 1947. All members of the train's crew wore fancy dress for the occassion. Others on the platform are, L-R, Mrs. Harold A. Allen who christened the train, Joshua Green, Seattle, Pioneer Transportation Executive and Capitalist; F.N. Hicks, Chicago, Passenger Traffic Manager, L.K. Sorensen, Seattle manager, J.B. Johnson, fireman, R.V. Hanicker, engineer, Mayor C. Val Fawcett and R.B. Craig, conductor. (T.Times, 6/30/1947, p.1) TPL-9764

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Johnson, J.B.; Hanicker, R.V.; Craig, R.B.; McEwen, M.H.; Sorensen, L.K.; Green, Joshua;

Junior League Peggy Strong's paintings at Union Depot. Thousands of people gathered at Union Depot in April of 1944 for the unveiling of two murals done by Peggy Strong. The Junior League presented the two murals to the Union Depot. View of massive Paul Bunyan figure. According to a reader, this mural and the accompanying mural of Babe the Blue Ox still exist and are hanging on the wall of the Wheelock Student Center dining hall on the campus of the University of Puget Sound. (T. Times, 4/10/44, p. 7).

Murals--Tacoma; Strong, Peggy; Paintings; Union Station (Tacoma); Junior League (Tacoma);

Leon Titus was allowed to ride in the cab of a 122 foot long locomotive, this train makes the Seattle--Tacoma--Portland run daily. Leon would get to ride to Seattle and back to Tacoma. Mr. Titus has been a longtime enthusiast about railroading. View of Leon Titus dressed in his train-wear, he is standing with the Union Pacific train conductor (T.N.T., 5/9/48, p. A-13). TPL-9868

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Businessmen--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.;

Members from Daughters of the Nile, Tacoma's Egyptian Patrol of the Zora Temple, were getting ready to board a train en route to Phoenix, Arizona. The women would be attending the supreme session of the Daughters of the Nile. They are boarding Northern Pacific Railway's Cascade Limited at Union Depot. Eunice C. Miller is the Captain of the Egyptian Patrol and Lillian M. Shotwell is the current Nile Queen. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 5/21/48, p. 1).

Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Passengers--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma)

College of Puget Sound's National Professional Music Fraternity, the Beta Delta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, had recently installed new members for the coming school year. Mary Jo Frlan (left) and Alda Heath (right) were returning to Tacoma in late June of 1948 after having represented their fraternity in a national meeting. View of Alpha Iota fraternity girls leaving Union Depot after returning from their summer travel.

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Frlan, Mary Jo; Heath, Alda; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sigma Alpha Iota (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Members from Afifi Temple and their spouses would be traveling to Denver, Colorado to attend a Shriner Director's meeting. The club members would be traveling aboard Union Pacific's "Portland Rose", they would be returning on April 4, 1949. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 3/29/49, p. 2).

Railroad stations--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroads--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma);

The Elks Band was playing and majorette Gloria Ellexson was performing while club members waited on July 7, 1949 at Union Station for the train taking them to the national convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tacoma Elks ritual team, which held the state championship, together with coach Russ Barlow, would also compete in Cleveland. It was reported during the convention that Gloria Ellexson, a student at the College of Puget Sound, had been named national champion drum majorette. Ordered by Harry Lynch, Elks Club. (TNT, 7/6/1l949, p.10; TNT, 7/13/1949, p.1)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Marching bands; Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ellexson, Gloria; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's semi-pro Coast Ice Hockey League team, the Tacoma Rockets, were returning from a series of five games, all of which they won. They were the first team in club history to win five straight. The Rockets had an upcoming game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Tacoma State Armory. View of Tacoma Rockets at Union Depot, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 11/19/48, p. 15). Founded in 1946, the Rockets ceased operations in 1953.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Luggage; Travel--Tacoma; Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma); Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The beautiful Miss Washington and Miss Wisconsin were visiting Tacoma's Big Bear Stores, they were promoting apples and cheese week. Everyone was invited to participate in the fun, free samples would be available. View of Miss Washington, Libby Aldrich (right) of Kelso, Washington and Miss Wisconsin, Marveen Fischer (left) with an unidentified man at Union Station; Wisconsin cheese barrel in background (T.N.T., 10/14/49, p. B-3).

Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Fischer, Marveen; Aldrich, Libby;

Charlotte Doud (at left) and Catharine Strong leaving for trip to California. Boarding train at Union Depot on January 8, 1940 with group of well-wishers or others waiting to board the railroad car. The women were going there to attend the Beverly Hills wedding of Mary Roberts and Alexander Baillie Ripley, former Tacomans, and Miss Strong would be the maid-of-honor. After the wedding Miss Strong and Miss Doud would take an apartment in San Francisco for the season. (T.Times 1-13-1940, p. 5-alt. photo)

Doug, Charlotte; Strong, Catharine; Union Station (Tacoma); Travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On May 17, 1942, 418 Tacoma citizens of Japanese ancestry gather at Union Station prior to being shipped to the Pinedale "Assembly Center," an internment camp near Fresno California. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 allowing the military to shortcut civil liberties and remove anyone they considered potentially dangerous from any area considered to be at risk. On March 2, 1942, the Western Defense Command unveiled its plan to banish all people of Japanese ancestry from the entire West Coast and incarcerate them in internment camps. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1; TNT 5/18/2003, pg. B8+ by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Japanese American families wait to board a train at Union Station. The 418 Tacoma residents are being sent to the Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno California, for "the Duration," until the war is over. In all, 859 people of Japanese descent left Tacoma May 17-18, 1942 for incarceration in the internment camp. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Friends bid farewell to the 418 Japanese American Tacoma residents departing by train from Union Station for the Pinedale "Assembly Center" in California. The following day, another 441 will join their friends on their way to the internment camp. The Tacoma residents are being evacuated under the veil of "national security." (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1+)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

The Olympia Centennial Queen Royal and her court, dressed in pioneer garb, appear in the 1950 Daffodil Parade to advertise their upcoming celebration May 1-7th. In the background spectators view the parade from the front of Union Station. The two hour parade was led by the U.S. Marine color guard, followed by the Governor's car, with the cars bearing the mayors and officials of the sponsoring cities of Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner immediately behind.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Union Station (Tacoma);

A crowd listens to a speaker before touring General Electric's "More Power to America Special" on the tracks of Tacoma's Union Station. The ten car silver streamliner was on a 30,000 mile tour of America, stopping in 150 industrial centers in 44 states for tours by invited guests. Approximately 1500 industrial, utility and civic leaders were invited in Tacoma. The train carried exhibits of new ways electrical power could be produced and then put to work. Over 2000 exhibits highlighted atomic power, weather research, city power and lighting fixtures, railroad equipment and industrial innovations. Since the train carried no consumer products, it was not open to the general public. Behind the tracks can be seen the business industrial area beginning with Dock St. (TNT 4/15/1951, pg. A-5, 4/16/1951, pg. 28 & 4/18/1951, pg. 23)

General Electric Co.; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad cars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Korean War, 1950-1953--Exhibitions; Korean War, 1950-1953--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

Five members of the Tacoma Quota Club are packed and ready to go to their 10th annual conference in Eugene, Oregon in October of 1950. They stand by the Union Station ticket counter reviewing schedules while the agent, Ivan Bond, waits to help them. Styles in clothing and hats have changed as well as eyeglasses and the use of makeup. These women are wearing the smaller hats and using more cosmetics that were part of the change in fashion. They are, L-R, Rose (Mrs. Arthur) Hertz, Mary Ann Wilson, Ethel Barnes, Minnie H. (Mrs. Gordon) Chase (seated) and Elda B. Conly. Ordered by the Tacoma Quota Club. (TNT, 10/19/1950, p.25)

Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats--1950-1960; Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bond, Ivan; Tacoma Quota Club (Tacoma); Hertz, Rose; Wilson, Mary Ann; Barnes, Ethel; Chase, Minnie H.; Conly, Elda B.;

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Shadows are creeping up on the venerable Union Station, 1717 Pacific Ave., in this 1975 aerial view. By 1975, the magnificent structure was showing its age. A proposed $14,000,000 shopping center/transportation complex sought to restore the station to its former splendor. "Depot Galleria" hoped to add two large buildings to the north and south of the station which would house department stores or perhaps include a major hotel. The Union Station interior would have had a remodeled "Gay '90s" look with the glass dome skylight admitting light to central atrium gardens. Three parking levels would provide parking for 1500 cars. The station would continue to serve as an Amtrak passenger terminal. These ambitious plans by Malls North and BNL Development Corporation (subsidiary of Burlington Northern) would not be realized. (TNT 2-23-75, A-1 article)

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Tacoma Mayor George Smitley with President Roosevelt on his train at Union Depot. Posed on the platform with the President were, left to right, Senator Homer T. Bone, Tacoman Harold Allen, granddaughter Anna Eleanor (called Sistie) Dall (at the railing), Roosevelt's son James, the President's bodyguard (wearing hat) on his left side, and Tacoma Mayor George Smitley. The President's next stop was the Grand Coulee Dam project. (T. Times, 10/2/1937, p. 9). ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Roosevelt, James; Dall, Anna Eleanor;

This photograph of six year old Yukie Suekawa and Pvt. Howard L. Loudermilk at Union Station was chosen to grace the front page of the May 17, 1942 Tacoma Times with the caption "Goodbye for the Duration." As Pvt. Loudermilk adjusts the bonnet on the head of the little girl's doll, they are surrounded by a group of smiling Japanese adults. The smiles were considered the proper face to put on the hard facts that 859 Tacoma residents of Japanese ancestry were being removed from their homes and shipped by train to the Pinedale Assembly Center near Fresno California, despite the fact that many of them were US citizens. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1; TNT 5/18/2003, pg B8+, by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Suekawa, Yukie; Loudermilk, Howard;

Bing Crosby arrived at Tacoma's Union Station in August of 1942 to help out with WWII bond sales in the town of his birth. Harry Lillis Crosby was born in Tacoma in May of 1903 when his family lived at 1112 North J Street. While in town with a USO troupe to entertain the soldiers at Fort Lewis, he graciously agreed to headline a show on August 6th at 12 noon at the Liberty Center in an effort to promote bond sales. The Paramount Studios star sang a number of popular songs. Also appearing were Hollywood comedians Phil Silvers and Rags Ragland. The Tacoma local of the Boilermakers union were noted as buying $50,000 worth of war bonds. (T. Times 8-5-42, p. 1; T. Times 8-6-42, p. 1-article)

Crosby, Bing; Singers; Entertainers; Celebrities--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

Two police officers stand by Patrol Car Number 12 along curb of Pacific Avenue south of 19th Street, Union Depot in background. Ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company

Union Station (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Traveler's Aid, "10,000th" person placed. When Pvt. and Mrs. Lowell Haines checked in at the Travelers Aid desk at Union Depot they became the 9,999th and 10,000th visitors to be given temporary housing by the USO - Travelers Aid since April 1, 1942. Edith Clayton was behind the counter to assist them. Flight Officer and Mrs. John Wilmering are waiting in the background. (T.Times, 6/4/1945, p.1) TPL-6420

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Travelers' Aid (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Clayton, Edith; Wilmering, John; Haines, Lowell; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Traveler's Aid and USO at Union Depot. Two enlisted men talk with two women behind the counter at the Traveler's Aid station at Union Depot in January of 1944. A telephone booth with a blackboard hung along side for messages is seen in the background. All Tacoma USO's held open houses celebrating their 3rd anniversary. The Union Station USO was also called the "Troops-in-transit Lounge." (T.Times, 2/4/1944, p.8) TPL-10331

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Travelers Aid (Tacoma);

Comedian and actor Jack Benny shakes hands with fan Donna Mae Murphy at Tacoma's Union Station on April 18, 1944. Benny's wife, Mary Livingston, former Seattle showgirl, is to his left, Eunice Sumblin is at front right. Even though Mr. Benny's train only stopped for two minutes in Tacoma and was not publicized, his fans, reporters and photographers somehow managed to arrive at the scene in time for greetings. The Benny troupe was on its way to British Columbia to open a War Bond show. Also aboard and playing pinochle when the train pulled into the depot were bandleader Phil Harris and comedian Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. (T.Times 4-19-44, p. 1) ALBUM 7.

Benny, Jack, 1894-1974; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Comedians; Livingston, Mary; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Murphy, Donna Mae; Sumblin, Eunice;

Mrs. David W. Wood, Nell C. (Mrs. T.C.) Beardsley, Millie J. (Mrs. George) Hubman, Eva (Mrs. James F.) Stewart and Ethel J. (Mrs. Edward T.) Bowman, L-R, are leaving to attend the 1950 convention of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers in Long Beach, California. They are seen here at the train station just before they left. Ordered by the Tribune. (TNT, 5/22/1950, p.5)

Beardsley, Nell C.; Hubman, Millie J.; Stewart, Eva; Bowman, Ethel J.; Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Brownie Scouts Patty Ann Anderson and Beverly Hasfjorde and Girl Scout Jane Ewart are helping carry bags for the women who are on their way to the Pacific Northwest Region XI Girl Scout Conference at Sun Valley, Idaho, leaving from Union Station. The women are, L-R, Barbara E. (Mrs. Richard) Annis, Ruth (Mrs. Philip) Slayden, Mrs. Wilbur Roberts, Edna E. (Mrs. Len) Christianson, Margaret M. (Mrs. C.A.) Sims, Mrs. Lyle Parker, Wyoma A. (Mrs. Luther D.) Moore, Beryl C. (Mrs. E.A.) Manfull, and Dorothy (Mrs. M.J.) LaVelle. Ordered by Margaret E. (Mrs Fred) Roth. (TNT, 10/26/1950, p.10)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma);

In March of 1949, 57 children from the morning and afternoon kindergarten classes of the Fern Hill school took a 40 mile roundtrip train ride from Tacoma's Union Station to Auburn. Ninety percent of the children had never been on a train before. After the ride, they were given a tour of the station by the stationmaster, and all 57 children climbed onto a giant scale in the baggage room. The entire group weighed 2,880 lbs. (T.N.T., 3/27/49, p. A-7). TPL-8804

Railroad stations--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;