The Y.M.C.A. provided a comfortable setting in their lobby for reading and tinkling the keyboards. Four unidentified men are pictured on September 2, 1924, enjoying some free time by perusing the latest newspapers and books and performing a duet on the organ and piano. The $5000 pipe organ was donated to the Young Men's Christian Association's convalescent ward at the Camp Lewis base hospital by Mrs. W.R. Rust of Tacoma. When the building was dismantled in 1919, the organ was moved to the lobby of the Market St. Y.M.C.A. building. The organ was made by the Estey Organ Co. of Brattleboro, Vt., and was equipped with a mechanism similar to one on a "player piano" that made it possible for anyone to play it. TPL-8755; G68.1-136
Young Mens Christian Association (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Reading--Tacoma; Pianos; Organs;
The Ladies Musical Club presented its regular concert on Tuesday afternoon, March 2, 1920, in the drawing room of the Tacoma Hotel. The program featured pianist George Congdon Bailey of Seattle. Mr. Bailey, who is blind, is a student at the University of Washington. Marjorie Miller, also of Seattle, entertained the club with a violin solo. Mr. Bailey may be the man seated in the front row with Miss Miller, holding a large bouquet of flowers, next to him. (TNT 2-28-20, p. 8-article)
The Red Cross Salvage Department headquarters at 1123 A Street was built in one day on April 7, 1918, with materials donated by local businesses and labor donated by local unions. Over 75 union carpenters worked from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to erect the structure, with the finishers, electricians and plumbers to report later in the week. The Salvage Department was an auxiliary of the Red Cross and this building served as its warehouse and office. The community was asked to donate to the Department any waste items of value that could be salvaged for cash. The money raised went to the Red Cross for their work at the front overseas. The motto of the Department was "Ask for no money, Pay no money." TPL-742, BU 13188, Boland #B1151. (TDN 4/5/1918, pg. 1; 4/8/1918, pg. 14)
American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Salvage; World War, 1914-1918--Scrap drives--Tacoma;
Members of the 13th Minnesota Society of Puget Sound are pictured at the new Duenwald's Delicatessen & Bakery, 915-17 Broadway, on August 13, 1922. They met to make arrangements for the reception of the Minnesota veterans of foreign wars who were expected in Tacoma on August 14th, on their way to Seattle for the national Veterans of Foreign Wars convention. The local group is composed of former members of the 13th Minnesota regiment of the Spanish-American War. G23.1-026 (TNT 8-12-22, p. 5-article)
13th Minnesota Society of Puget Sound (Tacoma); Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;
ca. 1922. YWCA residence located at 610 Broadway. This structure was built in 1889 from a design by Pickles & Sutton, architects, for Theodore Hosmer. It was used as a residence for the YWCA from 1922-1928. In 1946, the home was razed to construct a parking lot. Boland B3466, BU-13177, TPL-1780
A labor convention was held in Olympia in mid-July of 1924. This unidentified man from Tacoma was a delegate representing the state Culinary Workers. He is wearing several badges/ribbons pinned to his three-piece suit. G38.1-002
Five unidentified Boy Scouts help with the Tacoma Federation of Social Agencies' first Community Chest Drive for the needy in March of 1922; the slogan--"Tacoma Cares. Do Your Share." The boys would be distributing stacks of reminders in the way of red and white placards to be placed on windshields of every car they spotted downtown. $271,478.68 was set as the goal for the fundraising drive that would help 28 relief and social agencies. U.S. District Court Judge Edward Cushman was named chairman of the drive. United Good Neighbor Fund replaced the Community Chest in 1952, and in 1972 the name was changed to United Way of Pierce County. G23.1-056; TPL-5994 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-29-22, p. 1-article; TNT 2-7-22, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-19-22, 8-E)
Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fund raising--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Members of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine posed for a group portrait on April 30, 1922. Better known as the Shriners from Afifi Temple, they were dressed in traditional uniform. A total of 139 uniformed nobles would be journeying to San Francisco by special train in June for the 48th annual imperial council session. That was expected to be one of the largest delegations in attendance. The Afifi Shriners were led by Frank D. Oakley, Tacoma attorney, who was elected in December of 1921 as the temple's leader or potentate. G23.1-081 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-4-22, 8-E)
Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Four members of the Afifi Shrine, wearing traditional costume and fezzes, posed outdoors on April 30, 1922. The group may have included attorney Frank D. Oakley of Tacoma, who was Afifi Shrine's potentate. G23.1-079
Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;
The Afifi Temple Band, with instruments, posed in front of the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave., on April 22, 1928. They are uniformly dressed complete with fezzes. G23.1-078
Afifi Temple Band (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);
In June of 1936, members of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union collected food for their striking brothers in Omak, Wa. The first load of food was being loaded into a truck and shipped from the District Council's headquarters at 748 Market St. It would be followed by two more truck loads dispatched on June 27th. The local union had emerged from their own bitter and extended battle in 1935 victorious. The workers in Omak had been on strike since early May. The strike was dangerous with the plant heavily guarded and guards and strike breakers armed. The plant had the support of Omak area merchants and the strikers were suffering greatly. TPL-2452 (Tacoma Labor Advocate 6/12/1936, pg 4; 6/26/1936, pg. 1- picture & pg. 2 story)
The Knights Templar drill team stood at attention on April 20, 1930, outside the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave. They are wearing their stately uniforms including plumed hats. G23.1-077
The Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple held their winter ceremonial in the Gothic Room of the Masonic Temple on December 9, 1931. The women were members of an international fraternal order of women either married to or related to Shriners. 300 women were in attendance at the ceremonial that honored the Supreme Queen, Mrs. Lulu Ramage Phelps of Seattle. The Supreme Queen is the national head of the organization. Mrs. Glen Darling presided over the ceremonies. (TNT 12-10-31, p. 12-article)
Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Tacoma--1930-1940;
In October of 1936, members of the Scandinavian-American Democratic Club rallied for their party's candidates in the upcoming local and national elections. Portraits and signs for Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Clarence Martin line the walls. Both men were seeking re-election, Roosevelt for the presidency and Martin for Washington State governor. The rally was held at Valhalla Hall on October 14, 1936, with the general public invited. Initiatives and amendments on the general election ballot were discussed. G42.1-069 (T.Times 10-13-36, p. 10-article)
Scandinavian- American Democratic Club (Tacoma); Political participation--Tacoma; Political campaigns; Political elections--Tacoma--1930-1940;
American Legion members joined in a flagpole raising in Yelm on Armistice Day, November 11, 1923. The American Legion was chartered by the U.S. Congress on September 16, 1919, as a patriotic war-time veterans organization. The Yelm community, Yelm Legioneers, neighboring posts and volunteer workers from Olympia's building trades unions all came together to erect a $15,000 home for the Yelm post in one single day. It appears that the raising of the flagpole was the first business of the day. This would be the permanent home of the Joseph Redberg Post No. 164, American Legion, Yelm. G23.1-043A (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-11-23, 8-E-article; TDL 11-12-23, p. 1-article)
American Legion (Yelm); Patriotic societies--Yelm; Veterans organizations--Yelm; Flagpoles--Yelm;
The 6th Engineers band from Camp Lewis plays as the American flag flies on the new American Legion flagpole successfully raised in Yelm on November 11, 1923. Legion members and members of the community had worked together to raise and anchor the flagpole and build a new home for the Yelm Legioneers. The Yelm post did not have a permanent home until the one-day erection of their American Legion building on Armistice Day in 1923. The small group, numbering only 27 active members, was supplemented with help from other local American Legion posts, members of the Yelm community, and 150 members of the building trades union from Olympia in constructing their new home. The building was worth approximately $15,000 but just about all costs were covered with the donation of land from McKenna Mill Co. and architectural design by Tacoma architects Shaw & Shaw. Labor was also donated and supervised by skilled workmen from the Hurley-Mason Co. of Tacoma. Elmer Fristo was the commander of the Joseph Redberg Post No. 164, American Legion, Yelm. G23.1-043B (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-11-23, 8-E-article; TDL 11-12-23, p. 1-article)
American Legion (Yelm); Patriotic societies--Yelm; Veterans organizations--Yelm; Flagpoles--Yelm; Flags--United States; Military bands--United States;
Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar, band and marching unit in full regalia pauses on the bricked roadway of South 7th at Market St. looking west on April 12, 1925. Small groups of children have secured good viewing spots in order to watch the men parade by. April 12th was Easter Sunday and the members had attended special services that afternoon at the Masonic Temple downtown. Twice a year, on Christmas and Easter, the commandery would attend service as a group. G23.1-097 (TDL 4-13-25, p. 2)
Seven soldier members of the Salt Lake No. 85 Elks Lodge pose in front of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 on August 16, 1918. They are wearing military uniforms with most carrying flags. A large sign is held by two Elks "warning" others to "Watch Your Girls We're From Salt Lake No. 85." The soldiers represented their lodge during the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention held in Tacoma during August of 1918. They would march in the massive downtown parade along with Elks from lodges across the state and including several Montana Elks stationed at Camp Lewis. G68.1-109 (TDL 8-17-18, p. 7-article)
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Salt Lake Lodge No. 85; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Signs (Notices); Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;
The Castle Hall at the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. Members of the fraternal organization are posed wearing Romanesque regalia. The robes illustrate the story of Damon and Pythias, on which the beliefs of the order are based. The order was founded on the principles of friendship, charity and benevolence. Built in 1906-1907 and carefully preserved, the Pythian Lodge is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Lodge is currently on the city and national historical registry. TPL-1682, BU-12215, Boland #B3765
Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;
This motley collection of characters was the entertainment at the Elks Club on March 28, 1928. "High Society, " "cooks," "hoboes" and "cops" all mixed easily together that evening. Tacoma's Elks Lodge presented seasonal "entertainment" where Elks polished their acting and musical skills for the benefit of fellow members.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Entertainers--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Five sailors from the USS Tennessee pose with four men in suits on October 13, 1922. Photograph is inscribed "Class #33" and "32 degree members." Photographer Boland's notes indicate that this is pertaining to the Scottish Rite. It is not clear whether the sailors are also members of the Masonic group or just the four other men. The Scottish Rite had been holding their fall reunion in Tacoma from October 10-13 to culminate in the conferring of the 32nd degree. 71.1-038
This assembled crew helped to build the new American Legion hall in Yelm in November of 1923. American Legion members had raised the flag on the new flagpole planted on the building site. (see B8864 & B8865) The American Legion was then a fairly new veterans organization as it was founded in Paris in March of 1919 and then chartered by the U.S. Congress in September of the same year. The Yelm post had 27 active members situated in this small town of about 600 people. Their new hall was built in a single day (foundation being prepared the week before) with help from other American Legion posts and the Yelm community. The hall was on three acres of donated land from the McKenna Mill Co. There was virtually no cost to legion members as various companies donated their time and expertise to this veterans organization. More than 500 workers participated in the event, including 150 members of the building trades union from Olympia. G23.1-049 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-11-23, 8-E-article; TDL 11-12-23, p. 1-article)
American Legion (Yelm); Patriotic societies--Yelm; Veterans organizations--Yelm; Building construction--Yelm;
Rotary club members presented two productions of "Deestrik Skule," the first at Immanual Presbyterian Church on November 23, 1923, and another performance at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on December 6th. G23.1-137; G64.1-036
Rotary Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Comedies; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clubs--Tacoma--1920-1930;
On February 3, 1924, Eagles who were also employed by the McCormack Bros. department store posed for a group portrait in what is believed to be Eagles Hall, 1305-07 Fawcett Ave. The men, part of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, may have participated in a minstrels show.
Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clubs--Tacoma--1920-1930; McCormack Bros.--Employees;
A long row of Shriners from Afifi Temple was photographed on January 24, 1925, alongside the (old) Governor's Mansion in Olympia. Heading the line are leading officials, including the Potentate, Scott Z. Henderson. 32 car loads of Shriners had arrived in Olympia on Saturday, January 24th, to pick up Governor Roland Hartley and his staff on their way to Vancouver (Washington) and Portland. The Shriners had first stopped at the (old) Governor's Mansion but soon found out that Gov. Hartley had already left for his executive office in the Insurance Building. A photograph was taken anyway of members lined up outside the mansion; the woman is believed to be Mrs. Hartley. G23.1-076 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-25-25, p. 1, 4A-article)
Fraternal organizations; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Henderson, Scott Z.; Mansions--Olympia; Capitols--Olympia; Houses--Olympia--1920-1930;
The 6th Avenue Business Men's Improvement Club enjoyed a banquet on March 3, 1925. Group portrait also included dining room staff. Among matters being discussed, arrangements were made for a big parade, celebration and dance to mark the opening of the new Central Bank at 6th & Pine. The business district between Sprague and Cedar has grown extensively in just a few years. G31.1-095 (TNT 3-4-25, p. 13-article; TNT 3-5-25, p. 6)
6th Avenue Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clubs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Commercial organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Riding aboard the Aberdeen Elks stage were its "Pajama Saxophonists" on top and fellow Elks inside the vehicle, all in tune for the 1926 state Elks convention held in Tacoma during late June. The small band was lauded by the Daily Ledger for playing with enthusiasm and winning a "big hand all the way." The bus was an actual working stage which made normal stops in Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Centralia and Portland. (TDL 6-26-26, p. 3-article & alternate photograph of band)
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Aberdeen Lodge No. 593 (Aberdeen); Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930;
In February of 1922, several boys were pictured playing billiards at the Tacoma YMCA located at 714 Market St. Other boys gathered in pairs at small tables for a game of checkers, backlit by large uncovered windows. The Tacoma YMCA was organized on April 6, 1883 and has had continuous service since that date. It is the oldest social service agency in Tacoma. By the 1920's, work with boys was considered the most vital element of its outreach program. Activities and associations were offered to develop the Christian characters of the boys. They included gymnasium workouts, swimming, outdoor activities, Bible classes and the opportunity to serve others. This structure was built in 1909 for the YMCA from a design by Bullard & Hill, architects. The building is now located on the city and national registry. TPL-8754.
Young Men's Christian Association (Tacoma); Billiards--Tacoma--1920-1930; Checkers; Board games; Boys--Tacoma--1920-1930;
In August of 1924 the Tacoma Rotary Club sponsored 60 boys from Tacoma so that they could spend a week at Camp Seymour, the Y.M.C.A. camp at Glen Cove. This group of unidentified boys was photographed in front of the Y.M.C.A. building at 714 Market Street. Through gymnasium games, swimming, camping and Bible study, the Y worked to develop young men healthy in both body and spirit. The "bus" provided transportation to the Y.M.C.A. for many groups of boys, such as those from the Oakland Industrial Home. The Tacoma YMCA was organized in 1883 and has provided continuous service since that time. TPL-8753
A large group of Acacia Fraternity members and their guests congregate in front of Benbow Inn (Benbow Lakes Resort) on May 18, 1924. The fraternity was then relatively new as it had been founded by Masons attending the University of Michigan in 1904. Local chapters quickly spread nationwide as men were attracted by the fraternity's scholastic and moral appeal. (print has been damaged)
