Marymount Military Academy, new east wing extension to grounds. Marymount, the only military school in the state of Washington, was located south of Tacoma and conducted by the Dominican Sisters. The Dominican Sisters, a teaching order, purchased "Shangarry," the 97 acre country estate of the late J. Shields, in 1920. Ground was broken on 7/1/1922 for a modern $200,000 Catholic school for boys. Architects Lundberg & Mahon of Tacoma contributed the plans. The school was dedicated in May of 1923 and the central building officially named St. Edwards Hall, Marymount. It replaced the Dominican St. Edwards Hall for Boys in Tacoma, which opened in 1907.
Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;
Marymount Military Academy, new east wing extension on grounds. Marymount was the only military school for boys in the state of Washington. The school was also a charter member of the National Rifle Association. The five building structure in the Lombardine Mission style was nestled in the trees on the original J. Shields estate "Shangarry," purchased by the Dominican Sisters in 1920. The Sisters ran the academic side of the school with a teacher-pupil ratio of 1-6. The academic standards were very high, while the military regimen and physical requirements were intended to mold the boys' characters.
Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;
Marymount Military Academy, new east wing extension on grounds. Marymount was dedicated to the development of its young male student's characters, using the military training to develop habits of obedience, neatness, promptness and self-reliance. Marymount was named for "Mary," the mother of Jesus, and the inspiring view of "Mount" Tacoma seen from campus. The school existed as an academic entity for 54 years, originally as a military academy for boys preschool - 9th grade. In 1974, the Dominican Sisters decided that the military, warlike aspect of the school was not the correct image for a Catholic school and the Academy became primarily a boarding school catering to the wealthy. It no longer took younger students, only those in the 6th - 9th grade and eventually took day students also. The school closed in 1976, but the Sisters retained the property for some time after that. TPL-9702
Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;
Marymount Military Academy. The $200,000 modern Catholic Boys School was dedicated in May of 1923. The original school was a spacious two story structure of five buildings in Lombardine Mission style. It had a modern gym, pool and infirmary, as well as horse trails and stables, shooting ranges and playing fields. In addition, almost all food consumed here was raised at the school. Enrollment fluctuated over the years, but the school was designed to accomodate 150 boarding students from age 6-16. TPL-9103
Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;
A small vehicle, resembling a jeep, is parked inside the Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot on November 2, 1954. This possibly could be a paint spray booth located within a warehouse on Fort Lewis. Hoses are attached to the sides of the booth which has doors that close. Photograph ordered by Sprayking, Inc., Los Angeles.
Sprayking, Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.); Military vehicles--Fort Lewis;
Portion of east wing extension, Marymount Military Academy, ca. 1963. Marymount was the only military school for boys age 6-16 in the state of Washington. Dedicated in 1923, the school was run by the Dominican Sisters, a Catholic teaching order. Marymount was specifically designed as a small boarding school with enrollment generally capped at 150; however, when enrollment dipped even lower, it was decided to close the school in 1976.
Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway
Posing on June 24, 1969, with an array of medals is Mark Phun. In addition to the medals, his wool jacket has gold epaulets. The young man also sports an impressive handlebar mustache. Photograph ordered by Mrs. John Schall, Puyallup.
Phun, Mark; Medals; Military decorations; Mustaches;
View of the Grand Rapids' stern taken on March 3, 1970. Tacoma Boatbuilding was nearing an end to the 12-boat contract with the Navy to build aluminum gunboats for the US Navy. The Grand Rapids would be launched on April 4, 1970, with then-House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford and family in attendance. The Grand Rapids, the second ship of that name in the Navy, was named for the city in Michigan, the hometown of Gerald Ford. She would be commissioned five months later in September, 1970, and decommissioned in 1977. (www.navsource.org/archives; Marine Digest, April 11, 1970) Photograph ordered by US Steel.
Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
This is the Grand Rapids PG-98 gunboat about a month before her launch date of April 4, 1970. She was the 11th of 12 gunboats built for the US Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Susan Ford, young daughter of Rep. (later President) and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford of Michigan, was the ship's sponsor. The Grand Rapids was named after the hometown of Rep. Ford. The vessel would be commissioned the USS Grand Rapids on September 5, 1970 and be decommissioned on October 1, 1977. Photograph ordered by US Steel. (www.navsource.org/archives)
Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
U.S.O. #2, 713-15 Commerce St., circa 1946. During World War II, although black and white soldiers fought side by side, the United States Army was still segregated. In Tacoma, African American service men and women had their own USO Club at 713-15 Commerce. It was dedicated on September 4, 1942 and closed late in March of 1947. The Kaufman-Wolff building where it was located had previously housed the Soldiers and Sailors Clubhouse during World War I. USO #2 was enlarged in 1944 by adding an annex in the building to the north of the original club. The enlarged structure provided the following facilities: dark room, music room, hobby room, game room, showers, sleeping accommodations, library and snack bar. It was operated by the YMCA and staffed primarily by volunteers. (brochure from Recognition Ceremony USO Number Two on 3/30/1947; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma).
On October 22, 1945, this group of unidentified individuals were photographed seated around a table after what appears to be a dinner at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
On Sunday February 3, 1946, a dinner was held at the Tacoma USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., honoring the 5th anniversary of USO operation. The United Service Organizations, or USO, was incorporated in New York Feb. 4, 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed it was important for private citizens to take responsibility for the on-leave recreation needs of service members. One of the guests of honor for the Tacoma celebration was Mayor Harry Cain, standing center, who attended with his wife Marjorie, last woman seated left. Seated to the right of Mayor Cain was Mr. Arthur Hayes, chairman of the club's operating committee. The other individuals at the table were unidentified. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1: photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
The performance by the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the highlights of the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance. The festival was held in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert drew over 7,000 listeners. It was also broadcast over the Mutual Network by KMO. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2) Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)
An unidentified majorette performs with the Seattle Elks Band at the USO Music Festival at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The band was one of many performers in the concert attended by over 7,000. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)
ca. 1947. Orson Welles (standing), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, conferred with an unidentified African American pianist in this undated photograph. Two women in hats looked on from the drawing room beyond. The occasion was possibly in March of 1947, when Mr. Welles spoke to 5,000 persons in the Armory as a guest of the Tacoma Jewish Association in observance of Brotherhood Week.
"Japanese Americans Eating Meal." Uniformed Japanese American Army members eating bento boxes with other soldiers. Unlabeled soda bottles and tea cups are on the table.
A copy was made by photographer Marvin Boland on May 18, 1934, of this picture of a tank running over a man-made wood-and-dirt obstacle during maneuvers at Fort Lewis. Date of original photograph is not known. G70.1-018
