Publicity for Community Chest. Dedication of U.S.O. designated for servicemen of color at 715 Commerce. Pvt. George F. Miller of New Orleans was a big hit at the September 4, 1942, dedication of the newest U.S.O. facility in Tacoma. His barefoot style of dancing wowed the standing room only crowd. (TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miller, George F.; Dance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie, center, in conversation with guests at the formal opening of the U.S.O. club for servicemen of color on September 4, 1942. He may be holding the elbow of the center's director, Ray C. Vaughn. Governor Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain were among the dignitaries present at the dedication ceremonies. The U.S.O. center was standing room only; those in attendance were able to listen to music from a Fort Lewis post band, watch the formal presentation of the flag to the U.S.O. by a flag detail from Fort Lewis, listen to remarks by Governor Langlie, Mayor Cain, and Mr. Vaughn, and enjoy dancing. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Conversation; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

View from stage during dedication ceremonies at the new U.S.O. for soldiers of color on Commerce St. The new U.S.O. opened on Friday, September 4, 1942, and was filled with soldiers and their guests. Governor Arthur B. Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain were on hand to participate in the formal opening of the center. Civic and religious leaders served on the program committee, including Rabbi Rosenberg, Rev. D.C. Stephenson, Dr. E.E. Elmore and Brown & Haley founder, J.C. Haley. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Rhodes Bros., Tacoma's premiere department store, offered quality merchandise and a plethora of services. One of those services was the 6th floor podiatrist's office of Dr. August C. Mirenta where downtown shopper's aching feet received attention. In this publicity photograph, Dr. Mirenta is describing his trade-marked shoe insert to an unidentified woman patient. Dr. Mirenta was born in Italy and came to Tacoma with his family in 1896. The enterprising podiatrist manufactured foot remedies and deodorants as the A. Mirenta & Co. and the In-No-Scent Corp., served as president of several organizations, and raised peaches at Peach Acres, his property near Chambers Creek where the Charles Wright Academy is located today.

Department Stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Medical offices--Tacoma; Health care; Mirenta, August C.,1888-1951;

At the end of December of 1942, Rhodes Brothers Department store devoted its windows to the sale of war bonds and stamps. The Tacoma Parent Teacher Association staffed the Victory Window, selling stamps and bonds from 11-4 each day.

Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

These young ladies had parents who were members of the Tacoma Country & Golf Club in 1942 and who themselves were avid golfers. From left to right: Virginia Dravis, Henrietta "Tooty" Foss and Billie Rust. Tuesdays at the club was designated as Ladies Day(s) when the female members teed off. D13055, image 6, is a cropped version of this photograph. (T.Times 7-4-42, p. 5)

Dravis, Virginia; Foss, Henrietta; Rust, Billie Jean; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golf--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior of the remodeled Great Northern Railroad Ticket Office in November of 1942. Pictured are the long, curved ticket counter with the agents' desks lying beyond. Three large landscape paintings decorate the walls. The office was located in the Drury building. It was part of "Transportation Row," 112-18 So. 9th St., which housed the ticket offices of all area railroads.

Railroad companies--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ticket offices; Great Northern Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Chicago Milwaukee Picnic at Wapato Lake-people under trees

On February 28, 1943, the Kappa Delta sorority alumnae presented a Sunday afternoon coffee hour at the USO center at 13th and Fawcett as their February war project. Each month during the war years, the group came up with a different war- related service project. Mrs. Louis P. Smith, president of the organization, was pictured left presiding over the silver coffee service surrounded by appreciative members of the military. The woman on the right holding the tray of cookies is Ethel Corfield. The lace covered collation table had a silver coffee service at either end, spring flowers and candles in crystal holders. (T.Times 3/5/1943, pg. 8)

Alumni & alumnae--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Louis P.--Family; Corfield, Ethel;

Members of the Red Cross Motor Corps load materials into their vehicle for transportation to Ft. Lewis. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Lyle Abrahamson, Mrs. Hazel Rushmore, Mrs. D. M. Woods and Mrs. Clinton Reynolds.

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Volunteer home defense units in Fircrest and University Place were equipped and trained to defend their home territory. By the beginning of April, 1943, firefighting equipment had been purchased and volunteers trained to operate the equipment. Pictured, left to right, are Leo Ashe, Chief of Fircrest Unit, H.J. Jueling, zone commissioner, 6th District Pierce County, Lesley McGaw, UP chief. (T. Times 4/7/1943, pg. 18)

Ashe, Leo; Jueling, H.J.; McGaw, Lesley B.; Fire engines & equipment; Fire fighters--Fircrest; Fire fighters--University Place;

Queen and Court of Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

Birthday party for Bill at Olsen's. "Bill's" full name was not provided but another photograph in this series indicated that he was a corporal in the military. He and his guests are seated around a table prepared to dine. The party occurred on February 16, 1943.

Birthday parties--1940-1950;

Birthday party for Bill at Olsen's. "Bill's" full name was not provided. He is pictured blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. "Bill" was a corporal in the military.

Birthday parties--1940-1950; Cakes;

Rudder Club. Birthday party for Johnny Davis (Davies). Mr. Davis and a woman in evening dress are standing in front of the bar and two bartenders are working behind it. The Rudder Club had opened the previous year as a social club catering to Shipyard employees. The Club had a restaurant, bar, Club room and lounge. [Also dated 03-27-1943 and 03-29-43]

Birthday parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Davis, John--Commemoration;

Early in 1943, scaffolding still surrounds the dry dock and ways built at 223 East F St. for Peterson Boat Building. The small shipyard was founded by father and son partners George and John Peterson. They remained at this site until it burned to the ground in 1969. TPL-9442

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

Dressed in matching dark dresses are the 1943 champion womens' team of the Ruston Bowling League, which played on its own community lanes. Pictured left to right are Grace Murphy, Lena Larsen, Lois Oberg and Margaret Velacich. (Times 4/20/1943, pg. 15)

Bowlers--Ruston--1940-1950;

Buffelen Lumber and Manufacturing Company.

Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Harry P. Cain, about to leave for Army service, outside the "New" Tacoma Hotel in May, 1943. Fittingly, there is an Army vehicle parked next to the city's chief executive. He was preparing to depart for a 16-week military school stay in Virginia. He would later fight in Italy, serve the Allied Control Comm. at Naples on Gen. Eisenhower's staff, and would be promoted to Full Colonel for valor in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 1944. Cain would return to Tacoma in 1945 and assume the duties of mayor. (T.Times 5-6-43, p. 1) ALBUM 13.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Campanoli birthday party for three children. Dick, Joe and Donny Campanoli, sons of Aldo and Phyllis Campanoli, all had March birthdays. In 1943 the boys celebrated with a joint birthday party held at the family's home located in the Midland area. Here the many cousins and friends of the Campanoli children posed for a group portrait in front of the residence. The birthday boys are in the front row with little Donny standing. Seated next to his big brothers is Aldo, Jr. (in glasses), who was 3 1/2 at the time. [Aso dated 03-06-1943] (Additional information provided by a reader)

Campanoli, Aldo--Homes & haunts; Campanoli, Aldo--Family; Children--Domestic life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children's parties;

Campanoli birthday party for three children. In 1943 the Aldo Campanoli, Sr. family celebrated the March birthdays of Donny (b.1941), Dick (b.1936) and Joe (b.1937) with a festive gathering of friends and relatives at their home located at 93rd & Portland Ave. The boys, along with brother Aldo, Jr. (b.1939), posed outdoors with a three-layer cake. From left to right were Donny, Dick, Joe and Aldo, Jr. The Campanolis would later move to 1402 South Lawrence St. where they lived for many years. [Aso dated 03-06-1943] (Additional information provided by a reader)

Campanoli, Aldo--Homes & haunts; Campanoli, Aldo--Family; Children--Domestic life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children eating & drinking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children's parties; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. In April of 1943, the U.S. War Production officials presented two awards to Washington State at Olympia for their efforts in collecting scrap metal for salvage. (T. Times)

Capitols--Olympia; Government facilities--Olympia;

Tacoma Central Labor Council donation to Pierce County Foundation. [Also dated 02-17-1943]

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Central Labor Council (Tacoma); Pierce County Foundation (Tacoma);

Women attending welding class at Clover Park High School. The vocational program, which started a year ago for men, is now opened to women affording them an opportunity to aid in the war effort. The program offers classes 24 hours a day.

Clover Park High School (Lakewood); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma;

Women attending welding class at Clover Park High School. The classes had been offered to men wishing to enter the defense industry for over a year, but now for the first time the school was also training women.

Clover Park High School (Lakewood); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma;

College of Puget Sound Associated Students at KMO Radio, located in the Keyes Building. The Campus Workshop of the Conservatory of Music was presenting a program entitled "America Sings" under the direction of Leoard Jacobsen. Singers pictured left to right are Mel Novikoff, Don Robins, George Lutz, Paul Pruitt, Mary Kay Hager, Paul Raymond, Marion Clendeman, Sam Batt, Thelma Smith, Art Hansen, Peggy Doubek, Betty Heidinger Smith and Carol Webb on the piano. (T.Times 2/19/1943 p.5)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Singers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pianos;

The early Gothic facade of the First Congregational Church was built 1907-1908. It was designed by architect George W. Bullard and is of brick faced with Tenino sandstone. Ordered by Rev. Harold Booch, Pastor. [Also dated 04-18-1943]

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Stone buildings;

The cornerstone for the Tudor First Congregational Church was laid September 5,1907 and the adjacent educational building was added in 1928. The buildings are of brick faced with Tenino sandstone.

Congregational churches--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Stone buildings;

This photograph from February 1943 shows the sleeping quarters in the Ruston Terrace Dormitory at N. 51st and Winifred. The dormitory was built by the Tacoma Housing Authority to help fill the need for adequate housing for single men who were moving to Tacoma to fill the manpower demands in Tacoma caused by the war. It could house up to 60 men. Inspecting one of the bunk beds are (l tor) Fred Shoemaker, chairman of the Tacoma Housing Authority; Harold Bergerson; Leo Wingard, manager of the dormitory; and W. C. Taplin. (T.Times 2/24/1943 p.3)

Dormitories--Ruston--1940-1950; Ruston Terrace Domitory (Ruston); Beds

Midland School, view of gymnasium. Original school by Hill and Mock, Architects, 1926. Complex remodeled 1943. (T. Times)

Elementary Schools--Midland; Midland School (Midland);