Tacoma Vocational School was offering free classes in aircraft construction in August of 1942. Applicants had to be over the age of 18 and graduates would be placed in positions with Boeing. Evelyn Keeney and Norma Lavorini practice their lessons on a mock up of an airplane.

Lavorini, Norma; Keeney, Evelyn; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma); Aircraft industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On December 17, 1942, the Tacoma Lions Club held its annual Christmas party at the new Tacoma Boys Club, 711 So. 25th Street. Welcoming the Lions to the Club is Vincent Russell, center, managing director of the Boys Club. Pictured left to right are Paul Newman, Harry J. Lynch, Russell, Maj. Earl Williams of the Salvation Army and A. T. Norman. Forty underprivileged boys were the guests of the Lions at the banquet and received gifts as well. The Lions also dedicated the locker room at the Club that they had equipped and furnished. (TNT 12/18/1942, pg. 9; 12/16/1942, pg. 13)

Lions Club (Tacoma); Salvation Army (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boys Club (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest. Informal office portrait of Paul Lucht, Business Agent of Plasterers and Cement Finishers Union Local 71, AFL., at the Labor Temple in August of 1942. Mr. Lucht had accepted the chairmanship of the labor personnel group in the War Chest campaign. His group's job was to solicit funds from the business agents and staff at the Central Labor Council. (T.Times 8/11/1942 p.2)

Lucht, Paul; Plasterers & Cement Finishers, Local 71 (Tacoma);

Wedding of Nadellia Weglin and Throne J. Eggan at Luther Memorial Church. Bridal party at altar. Rose window was a gift to the church from the architect Emanuel J. Bresemann and his siblings in memory of their mother, Bertha. The church was also known as St. John's English Lutheran Church.

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma); Weglin, Nadellia--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Leaded glass windows--Tacoma;

On Friday July 3rd, 1942, Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain and his wife Marjorie got up early to practice their berry picking skills in a neighbor's back yard. They were preparing spend the 4th of July weekend picking raspberries in the Puyallup Valley. The forced evacuation of Japanese-Americans in the spring led to a labor shortage in the fields and all local citizens were asked to help the war effort by volunteering on the Independence Day weekend to harvest the ripe raspberry crops. Mayor Cain suggested that Tacomans pack a lunch, make some lemonade, load up the kiddies and make the harvesting a family affair. He stated that "You couldn't possibly find a better way of living up to the true meaning of Fourth of July. Let's all celebrate it that way." (T. Times 7/3/1942, pg. 1)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Harvesting;

In October of 1942, volunteer Alice McFadon spoke to an unidentified employee of the Tacoma Engraving Co. about his War Chest donation.

McFadon, Alice; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Tacoma Engraving Co. (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

Despite a hard day hitting the pavement, a smiling Alice McFadon turned over her filled out pledge cards and monies collected to Ethel Jones, one of the workers at the War Chest campaign headquarters. Mrs. McFadon was a volunteer solicitor in the October 1942 campaign. It was her job to go door to door to businesses asking for donations. The War Chest funded those charitable organizations related directly to the war. Tacoma's goal for 1942 was $365,000. (TNT 10/18/1942, pg. 1)

McFadon, Alice; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Jones, Ethel;

Ed Michlitsch, right, was the first recipient of "War Chest," the voluble duck that inspired most War Chest workers to "duck the duck." When Mr. Michlitsch replied to chairman Bartlett Rummel's inquiry at the report luncheon October 20, 1942 that he had collected "a goose egg," he was awarded "War Chest." He was required to feed and care for the duck until he could do better on his financial report then pass the duck on to the next low man on the financial totem pole. Apparently, he had other ideas because he had his butcher Fred Corbet, left, weigh the duck, perhaps planning to have it for dinner rather than as a guest for dinner. Mr. Michlitsch was the business manager for the Packing House Workers Union #554. (TNT 10/20/1942, pg. 1)

Michlitsch, Ed; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ducks;

In 1926, S. Ed Munson opened the Munson Motor Company at 5622 South Tacoma Way. This photograph from June, 1942 shows five women, four in uniforms, working on a 1942 Oldsmobile B44. After the war, Ed Munson went into partnership with Alberta Smith and opened Munson-Smith Motors down the road at 4101 South Tacoma Way. TPL-1382

Munson Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Oldsmobile automobile; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Frances (Mrs. Marcus) Nalley poses with proud mama "Cookie," a pedigreed red cocker spaniel, and her nine little puppies. Cookie gave birth to six males and three females at the Nalley home at 3106 No. 29th. The sire was Art Bostwick's hunter, Speck. (T.Times 7/11/1942, pg. 8)

Nalley, Frances; Dogs;

American Red Cross volunteers provided vital service to the war effort back home. These volunteers are pictured on September 1, 1942, rolling surgical dressings. The women are dressed in the uniform of the Red Cross Nurse's Aide. They are, seated left to right, Joyce (Mrs. Herbert) Syford, Vera (Mrs. Francis) Albro and Anna (Mrs. Rufus) Christian. Standing- Esther (Mrs. Clifford) Langhorne, Mercedes (Mrs. Frederick) Haines, Mrs. J.A. Mitchell and Mrs. Clara M. Fraser. (TNT 9/4/1942, pg. 20)

Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Syford, Joyce; Albro, Vera; Christian, Anna; Langhorne, Esther; Haines, Mercedes; Fraser, Clara;

On September 9, 1942, the Tacoma General School of Nursing held its 46th annual commencement exercise at the First Baptist Church. The class consisted of 33 nurse graduates. The ceremony was presided over by Sam M. Jackson, who was concluding his 30th year as President of the hospital.

Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Friends and family watch from the floor and balcony of the First Baptist Church as 33 nurses from Tacoma General's School of Nursing receive their diplomas on September 9, 1942.

Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Thirty three nurses stand for recognition after receiving their diplomas during the Tacoma General Hospital Commencement exercise at First Baptist Church on September 9, 1942. It was the school's 46th annual commencement exercise.

Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); First Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In August of 1942, steeplejack Jack O'Brien was photographed while standing on the top ledge of the Puget Sound National Bank building at 1119 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. He had been hired to paint the bank's flag pole which was mounted at the top of its steep, pyramidal roof. When the building was built in 1910 it was the tallest building on the West Coast. When asked about working hundreds of feet in the air, Mr. O'Brien said, "Aw shucks, there's nothing special about me or my job. I can make a living, I guess, just because the world must be full of sissies."(T. Times 8/14/1942 p.1)

O'Brien, Jack; Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Steeplejacks;

The newly promoted USO Program Director at 13th & Fawcett, Bernice O'Denny, poses outside the USO Club. Miss O'Denny was promoted from secretary to the director to director in September of 1942. She was born in Seattle and graduated from Washington State College. The USO hired her away from H.J. Heinz & Co.'s advertising department. (T. Times 9/16/1942, pg. 18)

O'Denny, Bernice; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Launching of "Pride of America" at Peterson Boat Building. The Peterson shipyard was owned by the father and son team of George and John Peterson. The yard was devoted entirely to the construction of fishing vessels. The site of their yard adjoined the Foss yard at the outer edge of the Middle Waterway. The shipyard was rebuilt in 1943 and the company remained at this site until it burned in 1969.

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

In September of 1942, Peterson Boat Building was preparing to launch the "Pride of America." The small shipyard was operated by father and son team George and John Peterson. It was located at 223 E. F St., a site that adjoined the Foss Yard (225) at the outer edge of the Middle Waterway. The busy shipyard specialized in the construction of fishing vessels. The shipyard was rebuilt in 1943 and remained at this location until it was destroyed in a fire in 1969.

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Employees of the Milwaukee Railroad pose for a group picture during their picnic at Wapato Lake on August 8, 1942.

Picnics--1940-1950; Wapato Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

The employees of the Milwaukee Road get ready for a tug of war at their employee picnic on August 8, 1942 at Wapato Park. In the tradition of the day, males are dressed in long sleeved shirts, tie, jacket and hat despite the fact that it is August and an outdoor event.

Picnics--1940-1950; Wapato Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

A tug of war "pull" is in progress at the Milwaukee Road employee picnic at Wapato Park on August 8, 1942.

Picnics--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wapato Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

This family of four is enjoying the Bremerton Sun picnic at Island Lake Park in Kitsap County. The newspaper invited its employees and their families to have a day of fun and frolicking at its annual picnic. In 1942, the picnic took place on September 26th.

Picnics; Families--1940-1950;

Bremerton Sun picnic. Island Lake Park. Employees of the Bremerton Sun newspaper enjoyed annual picnics sponsored by the company. This family of four enjoyed the day at the serene Island Lake Park in early fall of 1942.

Picnics; Families--1940-1950; Bremerton Sun--Employees;

Richards Studio notes label this picture as an "Informal studio portrait of Mr. J.E. Ford." The man is tentatively identified as Joseph E. Ford who was the Chief Deputy County Auditor and Recorder. Mr. Ford resided at 1518 No. Steele St. and later became the County Auditor.

Portraits;

Congressman John Coffee, center in overcoat and scarf, posed on November 21, 1942 in front of Clover Park High School with a group of men and women. Congressman Coffee was visiting the school to view the construction of a new addition, the result of a federal grant that he had fought hard to obtain. The $225,000 addition would add eight classrooms, a gym and a cafeteria.

Public schools--Lakewood--1940-1950; Clover Park High School (Lakewood); Coffee, John;

Congressman John M. Coffee, center with mortar, was photographed helping with the construction of an addition to Clover Park High School November 21, 1942. His biggest aid was his assistance in obtaining the federal grant that made the $225,000 addition possible. Pictured left to right in front of the wall are Superintendent A.G. Hudtloff, Congressman Coffee, Olai Hageness, Clarence Rueger and Walter Hedlind. Back of the wall are Paul Olson, Charles Rueger, Stanley Lytle and Pete Hansen. The addition was scheduled to be ready for occupancy by mid-late Spring 1943 and would include eight classrooms, a gymnasium and a cafeteria. (T.Times 11/23/1942, pg. 6)

Public schools--Lakewood--1940-1950; Clover Park High School (Lakewood); Construction--Lakewood--1940-1950; Coffee, John; Hudtloff, A.G.; Lytle, Stanley;

While taking photographs of a railroad accident at 24th and Bay St., the Richards photographer captured this image of railroad cars and tracks on the Tideflats in October of 1942.

Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma;

On October 15, 1942, a southbound Great Northern freight engine derailed and fell over on its side at 24th and Bay St. Six railroad cars piled up behind the derailed engine. Luckily the train was moving slowly and the engineer and the crew had time to leap to safety. Engineer R. Ritter and Fireman August Zueger, both of Seattle, were able to crawl out of the cab of the locomotive. (T. Times 10/16/1942. pg. 1; TNT 10/16/1942, pg. 1)

Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Railroad accidents--Tacoma; Disasters--Tacoma; Railroad locomotives; Great Northern Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Ethel Ranger and Dolore Gilligan wedding at the Church of the Visitation. The newly married couple talks to their guests outside of the church. Dolore B. Gilligan was employed as a welder at the Seattle Tacoma Shipyards. Ethel Ranger was a beauty operator at the Little Paris Beauty Salon. (Also dated 08-10-1942)

Ranger, Ethel--Marriage; Gilligan, Dolore; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Church of the Visitation (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

In October of 1942, companies and private citizens were scrounging for any spare metal that could be used to make weapons of war. Richmond Towing donated a wrecked automobile to the Salvage Drive and labelled it to the "Japs" with white spray paint.

Richmond Towing (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;