A crowd of over 300 Elks members and their guests gathered for the dedication of the new Elks Temple at 1965 South Union Avenue on September 3, 1965. Built on a 20.5 acre site on the west side of Cedar close to So. 19th St. at a cost of approximately $2,000,000, the temple was designed by Tacoma architects E.L. Mills & Associates and erected by Strom Construction. It took 1 1/2 years to complete the project. Constructed of reinforced concrete and structural steel, the new Elks Temple's 76,000 square feet contained a theater-style lodge room seating 1,000, administrative offices, handball courts and other athletic facilities, and dining facilities, including a cocktail lounge. During dedication ceremonies, a copper box was sealed behind the cornerstone; among items contained in the box was a copy of the Tacoma Elks Charter. (See C145725-1 for view of the charter.) (TNT 4-25-65, p. 2, TNT 9-3-65, p. 1, TNT 9-4-65, p. 1) TPL-9357
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Spectators--Tacoma--1960-1970;