Thousands thronged the streets to view the 1950 Daffodil Parade which featured 70 floats including this one from the Carstens Packing Company. Two chefs are seen "cooking" giant bacon. The parade was over two hours long and not even a short burst of morning rain dampened the parade watchers' enthusiasm.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);

The College of Puget Sound's entrant in the 1950 Daffodil Parade was a floral shoe surrounded by students, a reference to the "little old lady who lived in a shoe" nursery rhyme. The float emphasized "build with CPS" as the student body outgrew their campus and the College entered into a period of capital expansion. One student played a bass from the window of the shoe providing music as well. Prime viewing space for the parade belonged to owners and employees of the closed stores along Pacific Ave. who watched the parade from inside the storefront windows, avoiding the often inclement Northwest weather. Other prime viewing areas were the tops of buildings and fire escapes.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

The Tigerannas drill team, from Stadium High School in Tacoma, marches sharply down Pacific Avenue during the 1950 Daffodil Parade, despite the umbrellas held up by spectators to ward off spring showers. The 1950 parade was the largest ever, with 125 units- 70 floats, 18 bands, 26 marching organizations and several comic units, mounted groups and decorated automobiles. The parade in Tacoma was well attended by over 100,000, braving cold winds and scattered showers to cheer the parade on.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Drill Teams;

Children drive this daffodil "carriage" down Pacific Ave. in the 1950 Daffodil Parade, holding onto streamers attached to an giant ornamental bag of flour labelled with the float's sponsor Centennial Flouring Mills Company. Early invitations went out to area businesses and organizations from the Board of Directors of the Daffodil Festival asking them to sponsor floats in the parade. The parade itself had a very small budget and relied on donations, contributions and volunteer workers.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial Flouring Mills Co. (Tacoma);

This daffodil bedecked automobile was sponsored by the Honolulu Conservatory of Music, at 617 No. 2nd. This popular studio owned by F. J. Piper taught the music of the islands to willing students and performed throughout the area. The Conservatory's specialty was musical instruction on accordion and guitar. Young students in native costume and leis perform from the decorated trailer as it proceeds down Pacific Ave. pulled by the automobile.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma);

A fallen grave marker from the Pioneer Catholic Cemetery, a four acre plot on the corner of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery, at the end of South Villard. This is one of the oldest cemeteries in the county. The land was originally donated for burials by John and Eliza Rigney. No written records exist for the Pioneer portion which had been in use since about 1850, and there are probably even earlier graves that lie unmarked.. ("A History of Pierce County, Washington 1992", vol. 3)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Tombs & sepulchral monuments; Pioneer Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma);

The Normanna Male Chorus performed at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way, on June 2, 1950 for the first annual "Night of the Northern Lights," featuring a genuine Scandinavian smorgasbord, music and dancing. The evening was arranged by the Tacoma Athletic Commission for its members and guests to honor the Scandinavian peoples in Tacoma. The Normanna Male Chorus was one of the oldest vocal groups in the Northwest. Their 30 members were directed by Gunnar Malmin of the Pacific Lutheran College music faculty. (The names of the men pictured are listed in the News Tribune, May 28, 1950 p.B-2.) Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, Mr. Metcalf. (TNT, 5/28/1950, p.B-2)

Choirs (Music)--1950-1960; Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Singers; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Churchill's Kidy-Vil for trade journal. A young girl helps a young gentleman select the best socks to go with his new outfit. She likes the striped ones but it looks like he's not sure. The large display of children's socks is made to look like shingles on the roof af a small cottage. Ordered by Mrs. Churchill TPL-9334

Churchill's Kidy-Vil (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Churchill's Kidy-Vil for trade journal. This children's clothing store has even provided a play area for children while their parents shop in the store. One boy is climbing onto a slide, another rides a rocking horse while a girl and another boy are sitting this one out. The wall in the play area has been painted with a circus theme with a tent and large animals. Ordered by Mrs. Churchill

Churchill's Kidy-Vil (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children playing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Churchill's Kidy-Vil for trade journal. Kidy-Vil carried children's clothing from frills to sophisticated for girls, short pants to western clothes for boys. The playful decorations invite everyone to join in a celebration of children. A neon sign in the window as well as over the facade announce the store. Ordered by Mrs. Churchill

Churchill's Kidy-Vil (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Show windows--Tacoma;

Churchill's Kidy-Vil for trade journal. This view shows the exterior of the children's clothing store at night. A neon sign hangs perpendicular to the facade of the store and the lights outline a young girl in a pretty dress. The display windows are well lit and show children's clothing in playful settings. Ordered by Mrs. Churchill

Churchill's Kidy-Vil (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Show windows--Tacoma;

Members of the graduating classes of Tacoma and vicinity schools were guests of honor at tea Saturday afternoon, April 15, 1950, at the Great Hall at Annie Wright Seminary given by Tacoma Panhellenic members. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 4/19/1950, p.8)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Panhellenic Committee (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tea parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New officers for 1950-1951 are shown at the Elks Temple. Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler, is hanging an insignia around the neck of Lloyd L. Wynans as he was installed as the new exalted ruler of Tacoma lodge. Others installed were Harold L. Duncan, leading knight; John S. Roberts, loyal knight; Burritt B. Anderson, lecturing knight; Erling O. Johnson, secretary; Walter E. Liggett, treasurer; Swan Johnson, tiler; Sterling Carmichael, trustee. Ordered by Erling Johnson. (TNT, 4/5/1950, p.4)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.; Wynans, Lloyd L.; Johnson, Erling O.; Duncan, Harold; Anderson, Burritt B.;

Gene Grant's wife, Esther, and their two daughters, Kristine and Karen, pose for their home portrait next to the fireplace. Mrs. Grant is wearing a two-piece knit dress and the girls are wearing matching dresses with ruffles at the edge of the yoke and above the hem. Both daughters have on beaded necklaces. R. Gene Grant was vice president of Cheney Lumber Company.

Grant, R. Gene--Family; Grant, Esther; Grant, Kristine; Grant, Karen; Mothers & children--Lakewood--1950-1960; Grant, R. Gene--Homes & haunts; Women--Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960; Children--Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The two daughters of R. Gene and Esther (nee Ness) Grant perch on a couch alongside their parents in a May, 1950, photograph. Kristine and Karen Grant are wearing identically styled ruffled dresses The Grants resided at Steilacoom Lake. Mr. Grant was a longtime executive with the Cheney Lumber Co. TPL-8777

Grant, R. Gene--Family; Grant, R. Gene; Grant, Esther; Mothers & children--Lakewood--1950-1960; Grant, R. Gene--Homes & haunts; Women--Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960; Children--Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Father Martin Duggan was honored by his parish at Holy Cross Church on his 25th anniversary as a priest. He is seen here, second from the right, surrounded by well-wishers, near the table set for cake and coffee. Silver tea and coffee service as well as candelabra decorate the table and a four-tiered cake is ready to be cut. Ordered by Liberal Engraving Company, Joe Lovely.

Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Duggan, Martin J.; Priests--Tacoma; Anniversaries--Tacoma; Cakes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Holy Cross Church presented a new automobile to Father Martin Duggan for his 25th anniversary as a priest. The automobile came complete with virtually every accessory possible. Jim McMenamin, chairman of the silver jubilee committee, hands Father Duggan the keys while members of the congregation look on. Ordered by Liberal Engraving Company, Joe Lovely. (TNT, 5/9/1950, p.19)

Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Duggan, Martin J.; Priests--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; McMenamin, James H.;

Studio portrait of Gene Jones wearing a Hawaiian shirt, wide brimmed hat and a lei. He has been learning to play the ukelele at the Honolulu Conservatory of Music. Ordered by Mr. F.J. Piper.

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Ukeleles; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jones, Gene; Boys--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Before picture of the exterior of the farmhouse style bungalow, home of W. Kostick, at 115 7th St. in Auburn for Linwood Siding. Siding was often added to older homes in the 50's to protect the exterior and improve the value of the home.

Houses--Auburn--1950-1960;

Abandoned house to be removed for construction near Puyallup Ave. in Tacoma. The planned construction is possibly the new sanitation plant for the City of Tacoma.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Abandoned buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two carpenters with C.F. Davidson, contractors, are applying "Welshboard" as shingles to a new house at 6th and Rochester. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association, John Rickie.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building materials; C.F. Davidson Co. (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

After photograph at house, 8437 South Park. The one-story home was recently resided. A concrete walkway leads to the front porch and around the side of the house. See photograph D48,922-1 for the "Before" version. Ordered by Linwood Sales Company.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Then & now comparisons; Linwood Sales Co. (Tacoma);

Silver anniversary party for William and Judith Knabel. Friends and family join the Knabels in lighting twenty-four long candles as part of their 25th wedding anniversary celebration. A large cake is set in front of the candle display with a single lit candle. The women all wear corsages and the men wear boutonnieres.

Knabel, William U.; Knabel, Judith E.; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Table settings & decorations; Candles; Lighting--Tacoma;

Launching of the "Bev Marie". The 113 foot tuna clipper was built for Captain Paul Lynn. She could carry a crew of 14 and a small seaplane, the first ship to be built in Tacoma with plans for a plane. She had a refrigerated capacity to carry 230 tons of fish. (TNT, 4/22/1950, p.7) TPL-9029

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Approximately 50 members of the Lions Club met in front of Washington Hardware on the Commerce Street side on May 10, 1950, to pick up tools they would need during Tacoma's Clean-Up, Paint-Up, Fix-Up week. The Lions' committee, headed by acting postmaster John McMonagle, had been working with the Painting and Decorating Contractors, Paint Salesmen's Club and the Lincoln Lions on a program to bring every civic, fraternal and garden club together on this year's clean-up. Ordered by the Tribune, Mr. Lynch. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.C-15)

Lions Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

Two workmen standing on scaffolding are removing plywood forms from a ceiling at Lowell School. A new building was necessary since the older school had been declared unsafe after the April 1949 earthquake. This was the second disaster survived by the school. The log cabin school at the corner of North 28th and Starr streets burned in a mysterious fire in 1875. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association, Mr. McCallum. (For the Record, Winnifred L Olsen)

Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma)--Buildings; Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Construction workers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Peggy McCarty and Don Pessemier look over their shoulders from the front seat of a convertible with the top down. The young couple were to be married April 29, 1950, at St. Patrick's Church with a reception following in the Tacoma Tennis Club. Peggy was the daughter of Murray W. and Ida E. McCarty. Don was the son of Walter H. and Gladys E. Pessemier. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 4/16/1950, p.D-7)

McCarty, Peggy Jan--Marriage; Convertible automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pessemier, Donald; Courtship; Couples--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Making the first block for their new church, Church of Jesus Christ LDS. Several members of the Mormon Church are learning to make the blocks from which they will build their new church. A man on the right is showing others how the soft materials are fed into forms at the base of an automated feeder.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Church membership--Tacoma; Building materials;

The Dixie Ball was the Spinster Club's annual spring event, this year with a "Gone with the Wind" theme. The Ball was held at the New Yorker Cafe's Rainbow Room. A spotlight focused on life-sized mammy and pappy dolls and miniature mammy dolls decorated the tables. Patrons and patronesses were Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Waiss, Mrs. Anna Ryan and Michael Harris. Two couples smile from across one of the tables. A brown paper bag is seen on the table along with bowls of ice, glasses and ash trays. Ordered by Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 4/24/1950, p.5; 4/30/1950, p.D-6)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma; Single women; Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Spinster Club (Tacoma);

St. Leo's High School and Bellarmine High School presented "The Spanish Belle", an operetta in two acts, at St. Leo's auditorium April 30 and May 2, 1950. Here we see two of the young male actors dressed as Spanish women and an English tourist as part of the humorous sketches that were worked into the action. Ordered by Sister Lavinia. (TNT, 4/30/1950, p.C-13)

Operas & operettas--Tacoma; Stage props; Costumes; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); St. Leo's Parochial School (Tacoma);