Sales counter in lunch room at Union Depot. Two unidentified men and a woman stand behind case filled with cigars. Sign in background: "Read the Journal, It's Smar(t.)" Photographed on March 21, 1940.

Union Station (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cigars; Signs (Notices);

Group of people standing by Dining Room in Union Station; lunch counter can be seen behind group. (filed with Argentum)

Union Station (Tacoma);

Tacoma Marine Corps Reservists boarding the train at Union Station on November 7, 1940 for active duty in San Diego. A special train of fourteen cars carried Companies B & C of Tacoma, as well as Companies A & D of Seattle. America, although not formally in the war, had reinstated the draft and was calling up its reservists to enter active duty. (T. Times 11/7/1940, pg. 12)

Union Station (Tacoma); Marines (Military personnel)--1940-1950; Military uniforms--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations;

Dressed as a train engineer, wearing hat, jacket and gloves, Leon Titus, the president of Titus Motor Co. fulfilled a longtime dream on May 7, 1948. Mr. Titus was given special permission to ride in the cab of Union Pacific locomotive # 3981. The huge 122-foot long engine was the largest in the pacific northwest, and was used on the Seattle-Tacoma-Portland run. He was allowed to ride to Seattle and back in the cab. (T.N.T., 5/9/48, p. A-13). TPL-9867

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Businessmen--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.;

In September of 1944 five unidentified soldiers were photographed while resting in the temporary sleeping quarters provided in Tacoma's Union Station by the USO. During WWII the United Services Organization Travelers Aid Service provided assistance and general information to service men and their wives, newcomers, and other travelers in need of help. They could also provide spartan, overnight sleeping accommodations when called on.

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Beds; Military Personnel--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

Community Chest Travelers Aid at Union Depot. The War Chest in conjunction with the U.S.O. will be opening a men's lounge for service men to have a place to rest on the second floor of Union Depot with cots, a library, comfortable chairs, reading lamps, tabels and writing desks. (T.Times, 11/10/1943, p.10)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Community Chest Travelers Aid at Union Depot. The War Chest in conjunction with the U.S.O. council will be opening a servicemen's lounge at the Union Depot. Going over the plans on November 1, 1943, are, L-R, Dick Richer, Phoebe Lea, J.T. Kane, Rhoda Reynolds, and Andy Rome. (T.Times, 11/10/1943, p.10)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Richer, Dick; Lea, Phoebe; Kane, J.T.; Reynolds, Rhoda; Rome, Andy;

Comedian, radio star and actor Jack Benny signed an autograph for Eunice Sumblin (far right) at Tacoma's Union Station on April 18, 1944. Mr. Benny's wife, Mary Livingston, a former Seattle showgirl, stands next to him; Donna Mae Murphy is to the left. The Bennys, accompanied by comedian Eddie "Rochester" Anderson and bandleader Phil Harris, were on their way via train to British Columbia to open a War Bond show. Word had leaked out that their train would be passing through Tacoma. Although they paused in Tacoma for a mere two minutes, they were caught by both Miss Sumblin and the local press. (T.Times, 4-19-44, p. 1) ALBUM 7. TPL-143.

Benny, Jack, 1894-1974; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Comedians; Livingston, Mary; Autographing--Tacoma; Murphy, Donna Mae; Sumblin, Eunice;

Comedian and actor Jack Benny shakes hand with an unidentified man at Tacoma's Union Station on April 18, 1944. Benny's wife, Mary Livingston, former Seattle showgirl, is to the right. Mr. Benny and his troupe were on their way to British Columbia to open a War Bond show and had stopped at Union Station for a mere two minutes. Mr. Benny was surprised to see reporters, fans, and photographers since it was supposed to be a "secret" stop but he and his wife gamely stood on the platform in the chilly weather and greeted the crowd. (T.Times, 4-19-44, p. 1) ALBUM 7.

Benny, Jack, 1894-1974; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Comedians; Livingston, Mary; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

450 delegates from the Puget Sound area attended the 36th annual Washington Congress of Parents and Teachers in Yakima in May 1949. Members of the Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations posed for this photograph just before leaving for the Yakima convention. The group is about to board a Northern Pacific Railway passenger train at Union Station. (T.N.T., 5/3/49, p. 4).

Women--Social life--1940-1950; Passengers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad passenger cars--Tacoma; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's delegates to Alpha Iota's Silver Jubilee convention are seen at Union Station with their luggage reviewing time tables from Union Pacific Railroad as they head for San Francisco. Alpha Iota was the business women's sorority. They are, L-R, Sophie Forslund, Mrs. Keith Melendy, Frances Carmichael, May Meyer, Anna Pursley and Mary Frian. Lela Young is seated on the suitcase. (TNT, 7/9/1950, p.D-9) TPL-8403

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alpha Iota (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Signe Sutherland, Helen D. (Mrs. Larry) Harris and Elizabeth Robb (L-R) have their bags packed and are leaving Union Station for the 10th biennial convention of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's clubs in San Francisco. They are reviewing the schedule while waiting for the next step of their journey. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana.

Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Luggage; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Tacoma Business & Professional Women's Club (Tacoma); Sutherland, Signe; Robb, Elizabeth; Harris, Helen D.;

College of Puget Sound. 33 members of the 1948 College of Puget Sound Loggers football team left for San Jose, California with Head Coach John Heinrick (second row, far right) on the morning of September 30, 1948. They had already worked out on campus in preparation for the battle against the San Jose State Spartans on October 1st. The team and coach were met in California by several ex-Loggers including Al Ruffo, the Mayor of San Jose. (T.Times, 10/1/1948, p.10)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heinrick, John; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

A radioman stretches his microphone toward President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, center in profile, who looks over the large crowd gathered at the Union Depot. He was preparing to leave on the Great Northern Railway for a tour of the Grand Coulee Dam project site. The small children behind the railing are his grandchildren, Anna Eleanor (nicknamed Sistie) and Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. The men are believed to be, left to right, Senator Homer T. Bone, Harold Allen, the President's son James, Tacoma Mayor George Smitley (waving to the crowd) and the President's bodyguard (in hat.) ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Dall, Anna Eleanor; Dall, Curtis;

On October 1, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made an early evening speech from the back of his train at Union Depot. The train made a 15 minute stop to allow the President to board. Roosevelt was being picked up after an automobile trip around the Olympic Peninsula and a motorcade from Olympia to Tacoma. It was estimated that over 50,000 Tacomans lined the street and crowded Union Station to catch a glimpse of the popular President. The President's next destination was the site of the Grand Coulee Dam project. Visible behind the President on the train car deck are believed to be Tacoman Harold Allen, the President's son James Roosevelt, Tacoma Mayor George Smitley and the President's grandson Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. At the time of this photograph, he was in his second term as President. He died April 12, 1945, during his fourth term, of a cerebral hemorrhage. (T. Times 10/02/1937, pg. 9) TPL-1999 ALBUM 1

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945;

Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad officials and christening of the Olympian. A large crowd gathered to see the Olympian Hiawatha, Milwaukee's new diesel liner, christened on June 28, 1947. Its inaugural trip to Chicago was June 29, 1947. The new train cut the time of the Tacoma to Chicago service to 45 hours, 14 hours faster than formerly. (T.Times, 6/27/1947, p.1) TPL-9765

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad officials and christening of the Olympian. Dignitaries at the Union Station. Mr. M.H. McEwen, Seattle, Western Traffic Manager, addresses the crowd gathered to christen the Olympian Hiawatha on June 29, 1947. All members of the train's crew wore fancy dress for the occassion. Others on the platform are, L-R, Mrs. Harold A. Allen who christened the train, Joshua Green, Seattle, Pioneer Transportation Executive and Capitalist; F.N. Hicks, Chicago, Passenger Traffic Manager, L.K. Sorensen, Seattle manager, J.B. Johnson, fireman, R.V. Hanicker, engineer, Mayor C. Val Fawcett and R.B. Craig, conductor. (T.Times, 6/30/1947, p.1) TPL-9764

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Johnson, J.B.; Hanicker, R.V.; Craig, R.B.; McEwen, M.H.; Sorensen, L.K.; Green, Joshua;

Junior League Peggy Strong's paintings at Union Depot. Thousands of people gathered at Union Depot in April of 1944 for the unveiling of two murals done by Peggy Strong. The Junior League presented the two murals to the Union Depot. View of massive Paul Bunyan figure. According to a reader, this mural and the accompanying mural of Babe the Blue Ox still exist and are hanging on the wall of the Wheelock Student Center dining hall on the campus of the University of Puget Sound. (T. Times, 4/10/44, p. 7).

Murals--Tacoma; Strong, Peggy; Paintings; Union Station (Tacoma); Junior League (Tacoma);

Leon Titus was allowed to ride in the cab of a 122 foot long locomotive, this train makes the Seattle--Tacoma--Portland run daily. Leon would get to ride to Seattle and back to Tacoma. Mr. Titus has been a longtime enthusiast about railroading. View of Leon Titus dressed in his train-wear, he is standing with the Union Pacific train conductor (T.N.T., 5/9/48, p. A-13). TPL-9868

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Businessmen--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.;

Members from Daughters of the Nile, Tacoma's Egyptian Patrol of the Zora Temple, were getting ready to board a train en route to Phoenix, Arizona. The women would be attending the supreme session of the Daughters of the Nile. They are boarding Northern Pacific Railway's Cascade Limited at Union Depot. Eunice C. Miller is the Captain of the Egyptian Patrol and Lillian M. Shotwell is the current Nile Queen. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 5/21/48, p. 1).

Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Passengers--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma)

College of Puget Sound's National Professional Music Fraternity, the Beta Delta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, had recently installed new members for the coming school year. Mary Jo Frlan (left) and Alda Heath (right) were returning to Tacoma in late June of 1948 after having represented their fraternity in a national meeting. View of Alpha Iota fraternity girls leaving Union Depot after returning from their summer travel.

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Frlan, Mary Jo; Heath, Alda; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sigma Alpha Iota (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Members from Afifi Temple and their spouses would be traveling to Denver, Colorado to attend a Shriner Director's meeting. The club members would be traveling aboard Union Pacific's "Portland Rose", they would be returning on April 4, 1949. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 3/29/49, p. 2).

Railroad stations--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroads--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma);

The Elks Band was playing and majorette Gloria Ellexson was performing while club members waited on July 7, 1949 at Union Station for the train taking them to the national convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tacoma Elks ritual team, which held the state championship, together with coach Russ Barlow, would also compete in Cleveland. It was reported during the convention that Gloria Ellexson, a student at the College of Puget Sound, had been named national champion drum majorette. Ordered by Harry Lynch, Elks Club. (TNT, 7/6/1l949, p.10; TNT, 7/13/1949, p.1)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Marching bands; Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ellexson, Gloria; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's semi-pro Coast Ice Hockey League team, the Tacoma Rockets, were returning from a series of five games, all of which they won. They were the first team in club history to win five straight. The Rockets had an upcoming game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Tacoma State Armory. View of Tacoma Rockets at Union Depot, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 11/19/48, p. 15). Founded in 1946, the Rockets ceased operations in 1953.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Luggage; Travel--Tacoma; Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma); Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The beautiful Miss Washington and Miss Wisconsin were visiting Tacoma's Big Bear Stores, they were promoting apples and cheese week. Everyone was invited to participate in the fun, free samples would be available. View of Miss Washington, Libby Aldrich (right) of Kelso, Washington and Miss Wisconsin, Marveen Fischer (left) with an unidentified man at Union Station; Wisconsin cheese barrel in background (T.N.T., 10/14/49, p. B-3).

Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Fischer, Marveen; Aldrich, Libby;

Charlotte Doud (at left) and Catharine Strong leaving for trip to California. Boarding train at Union Depot on January 8, 1940 with group of well-wishers or others waiting to board the railroad car. The women were going there to attend the Beverly Hills wedding of Mary Roberts and Alexander Baillie Ripley, former Tacomans, and Miss Strong would be the maid-of-honor. After the wedding Miss Strong and Miss Doud would take an apartment in San Francisco for the season. (T.Times 1-13-1940, p. 5-alt. photo)

Doug, Charlotte; Strong, Catharine; Union Station (Tacoma); Travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On May 17, 1942, 418 Tacoma citizens of Japanese ancestry gather at Union Station prior to being shipped to the Pinedale "Assembly Center," an internment camp near Fresno California. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 allowing the military to shortcut civil liberties and remove anyone they considered potentially dangerous from any area considered to be at risk. On March 2, 1942, the Western Defense Command unveiled its plan to banish all people of Japanese ancestry from the entire West Coast and incarcerate them in internment camps. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1; TNT 5/18/2003, pg. B8+ by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Japanese American families wait to board a train at Union Station. The 418 Tacoma residents are being sent to the Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno California, for "the Duration," until the war is over. In all, 859 people of Japanese descent left Tacoma May 17-18, 1942 for incarceration in the internment camp. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Friends bid farewell to the 418 Japanese American Tacoma residents departing by train from Union Station for the Pinedale "Assembly Center" in California. The following day, another 441 will join their friends on their way to the internment camp. The Tacoma residents are being evacuated under the veil of "national security." (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1+)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

The Olympia Centennial Queen Royal and her court, dressed in pioneer garb, appear in the 1950 Daffodil Parade to advertise their upcoming celebration May 1-7th. In the background spectators view the parade from the front of Union Station. The two hour parade was led by the U.S. Marine color guard, followed by the Governor's car, with the cars bearing the mayors and officials of the sponsoring cities of Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner immediately behind.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Union Station (Tacoma);