On September 29, 1942, a German made field gun was being removed from the grounds of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion by the Army. It was donated by the Legion members to be broken down and used to make weapons to fight its original manufacturers, the Germans. The cannon was a 1906 Krupp-Essen of World War I vintage. It was presented to the Post in the early 1920's by Hugh Wallace, then ambassador to France, who had a home in Tacoma. It had graced the grounds of their post on "G" St. for many years. Despite the good example set by the Legion members and a plea from Mayor Cain, the Park Board decided to keep all of its display cannons for the time being, rather than having them dismantled for scrap. (T. Times 9/29/1942, pg. 2)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Cannons; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;

October 15-30, 1942 was the fund raising campaign for Tacoma's War Chest. The War Chest was a branch of the Community Chest that specifically funded wartime charities, such as the USO and refugee relief groups. Part of the publicity for the upcoming drive was a play that emphasized that volunteers would be going to homes and businesses to collect donations and pledges for the drive.The campaign was very successful, it went over the top of the goal at $369,822, two days before the end of the drive.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On July 13, 1942, the dance committee gathered to plan the upcoming Delta Theta Sorority dance. The dance, held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, would have a nautical theme and benefit the Navy Relief fund. Committee members, left to right, are Kathryn McDonald, Dee Whitham, Jeanne Johnson, and Doris Nelson. (T. Times 7/18/1942, pg. 2)

Delta Theta Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma; McDonald, Kathryn; Whitham, Dee; Johnson, Jeanne; Nelson, Doris;

Young Men's Business Club Auxiliary committee meeting at home of Mrs. Marvin (Miriam) Lynn. [Also dated 04-18-1941] (T. Times)

Organizations - Tacoma - Young Men's Business Club - Auxiliary

Military demonstration during Fourth Annual Young Men's Business Club Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Many Army personnel and one Naval Officer on a dock with three heavy machine guns set up at the water edge. (T.Times) [Also dated 06-23-1941]

Organizations--Tacoma; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Soldiers--Tacoma;Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma;

Edward B. Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Group of women and two men pose for portrait in front of a Coast Lines, double-deck bus. One of the men wipes the brow of the other with his handkerchief.

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Double-decker buses--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On Thursday September 25, 1941 the members of Sea Scout Ship No. 100 were the happy recipients of a 40-foot boat donated by the Tacoma Active Club. The boat was an old U.S. Navy sailor. The Sea Scouts planned to rebuild it into a cabin Cruiser. Standing at the bow of the vessel, temporarily named the "Active Scout" is Boatswain Doug White. Standing on top of the cabin are Skipper D.K. Cook and S.R. Hopkins, first mate. After it was rebuilt, the Sea Scout vessel Active became the SES Viking, and served into the early 1970s when she was sold. (T. Times 9/25/1941, pg. 12)

Tacoma Active Club (Tacoma); Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Boats;

On March 29-30, 1941, the Woodbrook Hunt Club hosted a joint spring hunt with the Columbia Hunt Club from Portland. Thirty five riders and their mounts journeyed to the Lakewood Club to participate. Riders, horses and hunting dogs loiter, waiting for the hunt to begin. (T. Times 3/19/1941, pg. 10)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses--Tacoma;

Interior of Moose Hall-room w/2 lg. windows,vinyl chairs, thick carpet. Photograph taken in July of 1941.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Chairs;

Moose Hall hallway w/chairs and flag at rear. Paneled walls, thick carpet.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Flags--United States;

Annual meeting of the American Legion, Edward B. Rhodes Post's Last Man Club, Hotel Winthrop, on December 3, 1941. Three empty chairs are draped with American flags and 19 men sit and stand by them. The draped chairs are in honor of Club members who have died. The Club was organized December 5, 1938 by World War I veterans who were past Commanders of the Post. A bottle of 1917 Hennessey Five Star cognac was set aside for the last surviving member to drink a toast to his comrades. The first to die was Tacoma Mayor Dr. John Siegle on April 13, 1939. The sole survivor was Capt. Chester Chastek. By February of 1992, he had outlived all his fellow club members. He died February 23, 1997 at the age of 97.

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

On June 3, 1942, "Gray Ladies" from Fort Lewis presented the first of a series of afternoon radio request programs at station KMO, located in the Keyes building. The programs were being given for the patients at Fort Lewis. The Gray Ladies were part of the Red Cross Hospital and Recreation Service; the Gray Lady nickname referred to their gray uniform. The people pictured appeared in the first week's program. Around piano: Mrs. E.P. McCormick, Dorothy Nelson and Lawrence Christiansen on guitar. Pictured standing, left to right, Mrs. A.O. Fay, Louise Foster, Virginia Meyer, Iris DeRocher, Emery Asbury, Marthajean Sandin, Milton J. Evans, Donna McCormick, Mrs. A.W. Paulsen, Mrs. C.F. Grover and Mildred K. Moore. (T. Times 6/4/1942, pg. 9)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Radio stations--Tacoma; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma);

Three Tacoma chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (the Mary Ball, Virginia Dare and Elizabeth Forey) enjoyed a delicious luncheon in the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom when they honored Washington State Regent, Mrs. Starr Sherman of Walla Walla, on October 27, 1941. Seated above were Mrs. C.C. Mellinger, Mary Ball chapter regent, Mrs. Sherman, and Margaret Long, Elizabeth Forey chapter regent with the others in the photograph not identified. Mrs. Sherman was making an official visit to Tacoma and would later pay similar visits to Grays Harbor and Chehalis as well as northern chapters around the Sound. (T.Times 10-28-1941, p. 9-article only; T.Times 10-30-1941, p. 19-alt. photograph)

Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Melllinger, C.C.--Family; Sherman, Starr--Family; Long, Margaret;

Seven Lakewood-area ladies chose this way to promote the Tacoma Philharmonic Association's membership drive in September of 1940. Pausing in front of the Lakewood Community Center, 6100 Motor Ave. S.W. with their bicycles are (not in order): Mrs. R.W. McMahon, Mrs. Bert Sweeting, captain of the team Mrs. William Panman, Mrs. George Hellyer, Mrs. Brian Shera, Mrs. W.W. Williver, and (believed to be) Miss Anne Baker. A curious spotted dog has also joined the group.

Tacoma Philharmonic Association (Tacoma); Bicycles & tricycles--Lakewood; Membership campaigns--Lakewood;

Tacoma Sculpturing Club. Flanking instructor Karl Evers in this photograph dated July 22, 1940 are newly elected officers of the Tacoma Sculpturing Club (left to right) Mrs. Walter A. Heath, president; Mrs. Robert G. Hoffer, publicity chairman and Mrs. Merle E. Morford, librarian. Mr. Evers is displaying the life mask of Mrs. Heath's daughter, Helen, while giving pointers to his students. Club members meet five days a week for classes at Bryant School. The Tacoma Sculpturing Club was formed in late spring of 1939. (T. Times 7/25/1940 p.8- alt. photo)

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evers, Karl; Heath, Walter A.--Family; Hoffer, Robert G.--Family; Morford, Merle E.--Family;

The annual Orthopedic Association tea was held at the home of Mrs. George (Alice) Franklin, "Seamont." Tea was served on the terrace, followed by a musical program in the drawing room. Pictured are, left to right, Alice Webb (who sang,) Mrs. Harry Davis, Shirley Henricksen (another entertainer,) Mrs. John Steele, Mrs. Samuel Wilson and Mrs. Wallace A. Macpherson. "Seamont," 4301 No. Stevens St., was formerly known as "Haddaway Hall" when it was the home of John Phillip Weyerhaeuser. The Franklins purchased it in 1936, and were the last family to use it as a single family dwelling. It is now occupied by the Baptist Seminary. (T. Times 5/5/1941, pg. 9)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Women--Organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Franklin, Alice S.--Homes & haunts;

Members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 collected $700 from members to help locally during the 1942 Christmas season. The donated money was divided equally between the Elks Stocking Fillers and the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. Here a night deposit sack containing $350 is presented to the Elks to help pay for their annual Christmas morning party for needy children. Gathered around the big Stocking Fillers cash register are, from left according to the News Tribune: Harry J. Lynch, Erling O. Johnson, Fred Humbert, Carl Webb, Harry T. Salle, Carvel Leighton, Verne Johnson, Raymond T. Tarr, Paul Drake, Merrill C. Thompson and A.T. "Skipper" Delplaine. (TNT 12/22/1942, pg. 7)

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Cash registers;

R.A. Boedecker (left), the secretary of the Billposters Union, and Carl Escene, the union's business agent, hold several War Chest campaign signs in this photograph from September of 1942. The Billposters Union, Local 49, volunteered their help in posting signs throughout Tacoma's business district and in outlying shopping centers. The signs were a reminder that the War Chest campaign was in October. The Oct. 1942 goal was $385,000. The lamp post behind them, with a freshly mounted sign, is in front of the Medical Arts Building Garage at 474 Market. The 1st Baptist Church at 902 Market can be seen in the background.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Billposters Union, Local 49 (Tacoma); Boedecker, R.A.; Escene, Carl; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma);

A little to the left advises Carl Escene, on ground, as R. A. Boedecker mounts a War Chest poster on a street light near 747 Market Street in September of 1942. The two men are officers of Bill Posters and Billers Union No. 49. The union is volunteering labor to mount signs reminding that the War Chest fund raising campaign is coming in October. Automobiles on street and First Baptist Church in background. (T. Times 9/30/1942, pg. 11)

Labor Unions--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Billposters Union, Local 49 (Tacoma); Boedecker, R.A.; Escene, Carl; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma);

ca. 1940. The milkman prepares to leave a few bottles at the door of the University Union Club. He is driving a Diamond T dairy truck. The milk he's delivering is Jersey Milk, from the Grand Pre farm owned by Paul Hebb. Diamond T trucks were commercial trucks and were manufactured by the Diamond T Truck Co., 3811 South Tacoma Way. TPL-4730

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diamond T trucks; Milkmen & milkwomen--1940-1950; Milk;

On August 14, 1941, this unidentified youngster smiled at the camera as he waited by the Tacoma totem pole to board an automobile at 10th & A Street that would whisk him off to camp as the guest of the Kiwanis Club. Sixty underprivileged boys stayed at the YMCA's Camp Seymour at Glen Clove as guests of the Tacoma Kiwanis' Club.The following week it was the girls' turn as 50 girls, sponsored by the Kiwanis, departed for Camp St. Albans.

Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Tacoma Totem Pole (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop. The elegantly dressed Jessie and Walter J. Frankland and Dr. and Mrs. James Gourley practice a step or two before leaving the lounge for the dance floor on April 22, 1939. Mr. Frankland was listed in the 1939 City Directory as a department manager for Rainier National Park Co. (T. Times, 4/29/1939, p. 6).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940; Frankland, Walter J.; Gourley, James;

April, 1939, Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop. Two couples converse in the lounge near a large console radio. Frank R. Griffiths offers Archie Kimball a Camel cigarette. Wives Tim Kimball and Norma Griffiths look on. Mr. Griffiths was listed in the 1939 City Directory as the secretary/treasurer of the Rainier National Park Co. (T. Times, 4/29/1939, p. 7).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Griffiths, Frank R.; Griffiths, Norma; Kimball, Archie; Kimball, Tim; Cigarettes;

Ira L. Davisson, seated, Utilities Commissioner and Acting Mayor during the illness of Mayor Siegle, helps the Young Men's Business Club boost Tacoma by purchasing poster stamps of Tacoma and nearby scenes. The stamps are being sold by Ebner Mortenson, right, stamp chairman and Dr. H. V. Hoover, left, club president. The stamps will be affixed to 35,000 pieces of departmental mail. In April, Tacoma was in an uproar when Tacoma Postmaster George Fishburne, on order from Washington D.C., banned the Jubilee poster stamps on U.S. mail as being "illegally" similar to some postage stamps. The Post Office recommended that the present seals be withdrawn and larger ones issued, so postal authorities could accept them as "labels." (T. Times, 3/29/1939, p.18; T. Times 4/13/1939, pg. 1)

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Davisson, Ira; Mortenson, Ebner; Hoover, Harold V., 1896-1966; Postage stamps;

A unidentified young man holds one container of small milk bottles and has several more at his feet. At least fifteen troop ships brought 8,000 to 16,000 service men and women to Tacoma during December 1945. Each ship was met by Red Cross volunteers handing out milk, doughnuts and other items to the troops. (T.Times, 12/11/1945, p.1)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Milk;

University Union Club. On June 10, 1939 the Union Club, founded in 1888, and the University Club, founded in 1906, merged together. They became the University Union Club and had over 350 members. This building at 539 Broadway was designed by the architectural firm headed by Stanford White. His firm also designed the original Tacoma Hotel. White was shot and killed in 1906 by Harry Thaw, apparently out of jealousy over the relationship between Thaws's wife and White.

Clubhouses--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Flagpoles--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma)--Buildings;

This busy trio took time out for a coffee break in March of 1943. When not busy rolling surgical dressings or helping to run the canteens, they were raising money for the War Fund Drive. Pictured, left to right, are Mrs. Rufus Christian, Mrs. Francis H. Sweetland (pouring coffee), and Mrs. Henry DuFour. (TNT 3/7/1943, pg. A-8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Members of the Red Cross Motor Corps load medical supplies for Fort Lewis into their vehicle, as well as posters urging donations to the War Fund Drive. During March of 1943, the ladies of the Pierce County Red Cross were performing double duty, doing their regular duties plus seeking donations for the fund. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Clinton Reynolds, Mrs. D.M. Woods, Mrs. Hazel Rushmore and Mrs. Lyle Abrahamson. (TNT 3/7/1943, pg. A-8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In March of 1943, those tireless home front volunteers, the good women of the American Red Cross, were performing double duty- their regular job plus endless fund raising for the War Fund Drive. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Morley Brotman, unidentified, Mrs. James P. MacPherson, unidentified, Mrs. Otto Drum. (T. Times 3/7/1943, pg. A-8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

At noon on March 7, 1943, the Lady Eagles turned up at the Pacific Match Co. cafeteria to feed all the hungry Eagle workers at "Scrap Iron Acres," donating their time to sort salvage to go to the mill. Serving are Mrs. Clarence Peterson and Mrs. Clara Simpson. Enjoying the well deserved meal are Bill Stone, Amos Wilson and George Soule. (T. Times 3/8/1943, pg. 1)

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma); Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950;