Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with five fire barges during a May 7, 1943 drill with the city's Fireboat #1. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. The three larger barges could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. The two smaller vessels in the center were designed for fighting fires under docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T.Times, 5/8/1943, pg. 3; 5/10/43, p.14.)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, five Coast Guard fire fighting barges took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock, showing their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. Also participating in the drill was Tacoma's Fireboat #1. The three larger barges can be seen in the background with the two smaller ones, designed to fight fires under docks, in the center. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1, as well as five Coast Guard fire fighting barges, took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The group was showing their ability to effectively stamp out waterfront fires. They were also calling attention to the clean up drive along the front sponsored by the Waterfront Defense Committee. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, five fire barges from the Coast Guard took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The drill was intended to show their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. The three larger barges are pictured. They could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Tacoma's Fireboat #1, with several streams of water shooting into the air, demonstrates its ability to defend the waterfront from fire during a May 7, 1943 drill. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Heavy smoke billows from the remains of the C & S Foundry, 3018 So. Chandler St., destroyed by a fast burning fire on March 23, 1943. In 45 minutes, the fire was contained but the foundry was lost, sustaining $15,000 in damages. Quick work by 11 fire fighting companies, civilians and members of the Coast Guard stopped the fire from spreading to the surrounding Center St. industrial district. (TNT 03-25-1943 p.1)

Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; C & S Foundry (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain's crack down on gambling resulted in a second successful raid by the State Patrol on April 16, 1943. This time, it was the Good Luck Club at 1347 1/2 Broadway where eleven Chinese people were arrested in connection with the illegal gambling raid. Over seventy customers had their names recorded as a curious crowd grew in front of The Kennel Tavern and The China Inn, but they were not detained. The gambling club was located on the second floor and was not connected with the first floor businesses. The State Patrol netted $1415.50, a locked safe and gambling paraphernalia. Public Safety Commissioner Einar Langseth called it a publicity stunt by the Mayor. On April 19, Mayor Cain demanded Langseth's resignation. He refused but was later brought up on impeachment charges. (T.Times, 4/17/1943, p.1; TNT 4/17/1943, pg 1)

Gambling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Good Luck Club (Tacoma); Group portraits; Police raids--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Gordon Gray and family. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Gray pose with their three children. [Also dated 03-27-1943]

Gray, Gordon--Family;

Mr. Chaplin writes out a donation check for Mrs. Katherine Grover, vice President of the Pierce County chapter of the American Red Cross. On the right is Charles F. Grover, president of the Tacoma Central Labor Council.

Grover, Charles; Grover, Katherine; Central Labor Council (Tacoma); American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Joe Hazen. Passport portrait. The 1942 City Directory only lists one Joseph Hazen. He was a bottler at the Coca-Cola company.

Hazen, Joe;

War Housing; Housing facilities. During World War II, Tacoma was bursting at the seams with people- workers drawn by the lucrative defense jobs and families of military men stationed at Fort Lewis or McChord. Every available living space- room, apartment or house was occupied. Federal funds were available to convert buildings to living space. For example, this 1888 Colonial at 707-09 So. I St. which included six apartments was converted to 12. Ordered by Mr. H. Stubbs. (TNT 3/10/1943, pg. 19)

Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

War Housing; Housing facilities. During World War II, every unoccupied house, room, or out building was converted to housing for defense workers and their families. Ordered by Mr. H. Stubbs.

Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Six uniformed waitresses pose with a woman in a dark dress at the Husk Cafe, 1211 Pacific Ave., in January of 1943. The women wear little caps, almost like a small nurses cap, pinned in their hair.

Husk Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The cooks and waitresses of the Husk Cafe at 1211 Pacific Avenue posed at 3:30 pm on January 25, 1943 following the lunch hour rush. They are standing behind the lunch counter with its miniature juke box selectors. Mrs. C. Isabelle Hardwick and Thomas C. Hardwick opened the Husk in 1934. According to a posted sign under the clock, customers could not get counter service unless they were prepared to spend at least 10 cents. For 20 cents, you could get a bowl of hot chili or some pie and ice cream to go with your coffee. The Husk Cafe closed in the late 1950s.

Husk Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks; Counters;

Governor Arthur Langlie, 5th from left, and Mayor Harry Cain, 2nd fr. left, pose with civilians, military officers and Salvation Army personnel at the Community Chest U.S.O. Open House program on February 7, 1943.

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; White, Charles H.;

Governor Arthur Langlie addresses a crowd at the Community Chest U.S.O. Open House on February 7, 1943. The Open House was to celebrate the one year anniversary of the clubs at South Park, 4851 South Tacoma Wy, and 13th & Pacific,1221-23 Pacific Ave.

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; White, Charles H.;

Henry Mill, construction of prefabricated trusses. During the war, Henry Mill was active in lumber prefabrication.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain was one of 28 persons gathered for a special breakfast the morning of May 6, 1943 at the Tacoma Hotel. The group had gathered to meet Brigadier William Parker, of New York City, national director of the USO- Salvation Army. Brig. Parker was travelling around the country with his wife visiting USO operations and would be in Tacoma a short time. (T. Times 5/6/1943, pg. 20)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Salvation Army (Tacoma); United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Parker, William;

City Finance Commissioner and Acting Mayor Val Fawcett poses with V.F.W. Auxlliary Ladies for a Poppy Sale publicity photo in front of (Old) City Hall. The proceeds from the sale of the tiny red flowers go to support veterans' programs. (T. Times) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Veterans organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mrs. C.E. Murphy and children. The 1942 City Directory lists a Calvin E. and Vera Murphy at 3308 No. 27th.

Murphy, C.E.--Family;

On late April of 1943, the citizens of Tacoma gathered at the Liberty Center just north of South 9th and Broadway for a huge war bond sale. They purchased $10,000 worth of bonds to help fight the Axis. During the sale, they were serenaded by two Fort Lewis bands, the artillery band under the leadership of Chief Warrant Officer Joseph C. Hladik and the infantry band under the direction of Warrant Officer Seymour H. Magenheim. The average "man on the street" was patriotically urged to buy war bonds and stamps. Bond buyers were given free bone-rattling rides on "peeps" that day. In 1943 the Liberty Center was located in the middle of Broadway just north of South 9th in front of the Bostwick Bldg. Originally built in 1942, the Liberty Center was moved twice during the war as the city tried to find a centralized location for it that didn't block vital traffic. After being located at 100 Pacific Ave. and 800 Broadway, it was finally moved to 700 Commerce. (TNT 4/25/1943, pg. 1; T.Times 4-27-43, p. 1-article)

Musicians--Fort Lewis--1940-1950; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Military bands;

Henry Mill , box girder at end of new dock. Boards laid out in a diagonal pattern over straight boards, topped by boards going the opposite diagonal. Large nail-shaped spikes are shown near the edges. Large stacks of lumber on a pier, a shed, other buildings and a crane are seen in the background.

Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Girders--Manufacturing; Waterfronts--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

In 1943 the Poggie Club raffled off an Evinrude Zephyr outboard motor to raise money for their annual Father-Son Derby. Eugene Rubattino, right, was the proud winner. He received his prize at the Washington Hardware Company, 921-23 Commerce Street, from (l to r) Clarence Johnson, Club president, and Everett L. "Tiny" Reynolds, Club Sec. (T. Times 5/5/1943 p.14)

Poggie Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat engines; Rubattino, Eugene; Johnson, Clarence; Reynolds, Everett L.; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of shop building at the new vocational training center at Clover Park High School. Classes ran 24 hours a day at the new facility which opened in February of 1943, training skilled laborers for the defense industry.

Public schools--Lakewood--1940-1950; Clover Park High School (Lakewood); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

Lincoln High School 1943 Graduation at Armory. Orchestra and Chorus performing. (T.Times)

Public Schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Lt. Frances Rich, WAVE and daughter of famed actress Irene Rich, visited Tacoma on April 6, 1943. She is photographed with some Navy men as well as fellow WAVES Lt. Jane Horsfall and Ensign Carol Citron in front of the Navy Recruiting office at the City Hall Annex. Lt. Rich was one of the first 120 women to enter officer's training school at Smith College. She was currently attached to the Postal Commission of the Naval Dept. and touring the country on behalf of V-Mail. While in Tacoma, she was scheduled to attend a Kiwanis meeting, a Junior League meeting and interview prospective WAVES. Born in Spokane, Lt. Rich moved to Hollywood with her mom and was a sculptress before joining the service. (T. Times 4/5/1943, pg. 6)

Rich, Frances; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma;

Three couples smile for the camera on February 23, 1943 at the social event following the installation of new officers at the Rudder Club, 1131 Commerce St.

Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

On May 1, 1943, Salishan, a new 2,000 unit housing development for defense workers, was finally ready for occupancy. Ten families moved in the first day, with 25-30 more scheduled for move-ins daily until the units were fully occupied. The Yorges family, originally from Palouse, Wa., was pictured on moving day. From left to right are 10 year old Janice with the family dog, Mrs. Yorges and Ralph Jr., and Ralph Senior carrying a chair. (T. Times 5/3/1943, pg. 1)

Salishan (Tacoma); City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Housing developments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Yorges, Ralph; Yorges, Janice;

Standing tall and proud, the 1943 City Grade School Baseball Champions pose on the steps of their school along with their principal, Jack Arnold. The boys attended Edison Elementary School, then located in the city's southend at 3110 So. 58th St. Several of the team have gloves and bats in hand. (l to r, front row) Ronald Peterson, centerfield; Don Jones, utility; Eddie Darnell, utility; Jack Murphy, third base; Dave Ketter, left field; Bill Uren, shortstop; Neil Thornhill, utility, and Robert Roller, short field. (l to r, back row) Ronald Billings, pitcher/manager; Paul Harris, second base; Jack Butterfield, catcher; Glen Huffman, first base/captain; Principal and Coach Jack Arnold; Joe Devereaux, catcher; Tom Lucas, utility; Kenneth Patterson, right field, and Jack Hibb, utility. (T.Times, 6/2/43, p.12)

School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Edison Elementary School (Tacoma);

Miss Arlene Wilson of Stewart Jr. High School was declared the school's third annual "posture queen" at a school assembly on Friday May 7, 1943. Demonstrating the posture that made her the winner, Miss Wilson holds the recognition plaque that she received from Principal George Burlingame as she stands in front of her court of "posture duchesses". The twelve girls represented the twelve physical education classes taught by Miss Elsie Morris. Seated behind Miss Wilson are: (l to r) Phyllis Swanson, Katherine Redal, Cynthia Harris, Pat Peterson, Lois McDonald, June McFarland, Dolores Panter, Jacqueline Jones, Jean Marshall, Nan Hartley and Carolyn Shield. (T.Times 5/10/1943,pg. 1)

School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma); Pageants--Tacoma; Wilson, Arlene;