A large crowd of people, including young children, have gathered in Steilacoom in April of 1932. All seemed to be well-dressed for the occasion with even the boys wearing suits and ties. This is believed to be the informal reception hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Taylor of Fort Steilacoom on April 9th in the large dining room of Western Washington Hospital. Dr. and Mrs. Taylor had resided in the area for forty years. G73.1-126 (TNT 4-8-32, p. 14-article)

Crowds--Steilacoom; Receptions--Steilacoom;

The Washington State Department of Health, Division of Child Hygiene, sponsored a booth at the 1923 Western Washington Fair that was crowded with posters, baby clothing and other supplies. Posters seem to advocate for parental health as well as for babies. G74.1-052

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup;

The Republican Headquarters booth at the 1923 Western Washington Fair was manned by four unidentified matrons. Several U.S. flags made for a patriotic display, enhanced by the portraits of famous Republicans, including Presidents Lincoln and the recently deceased Warren G. Harding. The portrait of Calvin Coolidge, current President, was on display front and center. Republican fairgoers were able to register to vote at the booth and also take with them copies of the National Republican publication. G42.1-077; TPL-3207

Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Political parties--Puyallup; Signs (Notices); Flags--United States; Portrait photographs; Women--Clothing & dress--1920-1930;

Gig Harbor Fair. This is a sample of the garden exhibits at the 1925 Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair). Flowers, fruits and vegetables were neatly displayed as well as an exhibit of chickens. Signs posted at the rear indicated that the Puyallup Fair was soon to be held from September 21-27th. TPL-193; G72.1-160; G72.1-128

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Agricultural exhibits--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Signs (Notices);

Gig Harbor Fair. The Warren Improvement Club had an impressive assortment of fruits, vegetables and canned items on display at the 1925 Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair) . Long shelves were filled with exhibited produce. TPL-692; G72.1-131

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Agricultural exhibits--Gig Harbor--1920-1930;

4th annual Gig Harbor Fair. The Rosedale community had created a display packed with a variety of fruits and vegetables for the 1925 Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair). It reminded all that the friendly community of "Rosedale Always Has A Welcome." Rosedale, on Lay Inlet off Henderson Bay west of Gig Harbor, had been named in 1883 by W.E. White for the many roses that grew around the inlet. G72.1-148

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Agricultural exhibits--Gig Harbor--1920-1930;

Egg exhibit. Oscar H. Swanson and an unidentified man are posed beside the egg exhibit at the 1925 Gig Harbor (Peninsula) Fair. Mr. Swanson (at left) was the founder of the Gig Harbor Washington Co-operative Association. Cartons and boxes of eggs are on display as well as two posters filled with information regarding the exacting standards these eggs are held to. The exhibit was sponsored by the Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Association. The poultry division attracted great attention during the three day fair which ran from September 11-13, 1925. The area shipped several carloads of eggs and chickens each month, making it one of the largest industries in the mostly rural community. (TNT 9-10-25, p. 26-article)

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Eggs; Signs (Notices); Swanson, Oscar H.;

ca. 1919. Farmers, fruit growers and breeders of the Puyallup valley held an enthusiastic meeting on June 2, 1900, and formed the Valley Fair Association. Members changed the name to the Western Washington Fair Association on January 13, 1913. The purpose of the fair was to promote agricultural, horticultural, dairying, stock-raising and manufacturing industries of the valley. In this 1919 photograph, people in the small hamlets of Dieringer, Rhodes Lake, Connell's Prairie, and Milton exhibit their wares at the fair. Boland #B2321,

Fairs; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Exhibitions; Home food processing; Sewing--Puyallup; Art exhibitions;

This truck, adorned with large American flags, was believed to have participated in the 1918 Labor Day parade that swung through Tacoma's downtown streets on September 2nd. It carried an unidentified well-dressed man holding what may have been sheets of paper containing stamps. Signs urged people to buy US savings stamps to support the war. 18,000 workmen carried American flags, allied banners and union banners in what organizers believed was the largest Labor Day parade to date. (TDL 9-2-18, p. 1-article; TDL 9-3-18, p. 1-article)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920; Signs (Notices); Flags--United States;

On March 1, 1933 at around noon, a convoy of unemployed demonstrators, under the banner of the "United Front," passed through Tacoma on their way to Olympia. The Seattle leaders of the group planned the march to Olympia to present the problems of the unemployed to the State Legislature. The groups of marchers, in trucks and automobiles, were met at the Tacoma city limits by motorcycle officers who escorted them through the city. Once in Olympia the group, estimated to contain 2,000 persons, was denied entrance to the city. They camped in the rain at Priest Point Park on the outskirts of Olympia. They were denied the permit for a demonstration at the Capital, but a group of 20 was allowed to meet with Governor Clarence D. Martin and present their demands for jobless insurance and a cash dole. Governor Martin gave them an audience but declined their demands. The group peacefully returned to their homes. (TNT 3/1/33, pg. 1; 3/2/33, pg.1; 3/3/33, pg. 5; TDL 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 1)

Demonstrations--1930-1940; Activists; Protest movements--1930-1940; Unemployment--Wash.--1930-1940; Unemployed--Wash.--1930-1940; Depressions--1929;

Soldiers from the 148th Field Artillery, Fort Lewis on horseback in the 1931 Tacoma 4th of July Parade. The parade is heading south on Pacific Ave. Stores and shops on the west side of Pacific in the 1100 block can be seen in the background. TPL-7091

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Soldiers--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Keystone Printing Co. exhibit. Their booth at the Western Washington Fair in 1922 provided fairgoers with samples of the printing company's products including cards and stationery and a large piece of machinery. The placard on display stated that although Keystone was not the oldest printing company in town, it did have modern facilities allowing the company to produce "high class printing at popular prices." The two men in the exhibit booth were not identified; however, they may have been E. I. Richardson and L.D. Waters, owners of the firm. Keystone Printing, according to the 1922 City Directory, was located at 1009 1/2 Pacific Avenue. G74.1-053

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Machinery; Keystone Printing Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

The Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. sponsored an outdoor exhibit of horsepower at the Western Washington Fair in 1922. A GMC two-ton truck, using a two-range transmission, is shown climbing to the top of a frame while hauling a 5,250-lb. load. C.A. Flanary, mechanic at the GMC truck service department of Mueller-Harkins, demonstrated the traction power of the truck as it easily managed the 90 degree incline. G32.1-001 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-22-22, C-5)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Puyallup--1920-1930; Flanary, C.A.;

Honey display. Cans and jars of honey were neatly displayed at the Superb Apiaries booth located at the 1923 Western Washington Fair. The company was based in Elma and the unidentified man standing next to the rows of honey was perhaps its owner. G74.1-046

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Honey;

Wool Native American blankets, wall coverings and clothing were on display at the 1923 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. All items shown above were produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills. The Oregon firm is still in business to this day. G74.1-054

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Blankets; Wool industry;

The Federated Improvement Clubs were "United for a Bigger and Better Tacoma" according to their entry in the 1925 Fourth of July parade. These clubs sought to not only improve their own neighborhoods but to boost the city as a whole. Clubs included the Union & 6th Ave. Club, Clement Ave. Club, Portland Ave. Club, and others throughout the city. Their vehicle, accompanied by a large wheel listing 32 clubs, was parked outside the Tacoma Hotel Annex.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Federated Improvement Clubs (Tacoma);

Gig Harbor Fair. An exhibit of caged poultry is highlighted by a painting or drawing of a chicken ranch set on grassy lawns with neighboring pond. These chickens were on display at the Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair) held from September 11-13, 1925. The poultry division attracted great attention as poultry raising was one of the largest industries in the peninsula. Signs placed nearby advertise the upcoming Western Washington Fair starting on September 21st. TPL-689; G72.1-128; G72.1-160 (TNT 9-10-25, p. 26-article)

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Chickens--Gig Harbor; Poultry--Gig Harbor;

ca. 1922. Western Washington Fair. Buckley girls holding flags. B---22, TPL-6338

Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Flags--United States;

A huge, predominantly male crowd on the Point Defiance deck and boat launch watches intently at the parade of beauties in the Tacoma Yacht Club Bathing Girl Revue on the 4th of July, 1924. Two intrepid young men have even climbed onto the rooftop of the Point Defiance Pavilion in order to get a better look. A day at the park back then still meant that gentlemen wore jackets, ties, straw hats or caps and women in dresses and hats. A policeman is in the foreground, presumably to keep order, but his attention appears focused on the lovely ladies on parade below. TPL-1454

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Point Defiance Pavilion (Tacoma);

The first real "egg machine" ever displayed on the Pacific Coast drew lines of interested Western Washington fairgoers on October 2, 1924, Egg Day at the fair. Visitors were encouraged to take a free peek at the "most wonderful mechanism in all the world." No one appeared disappointed in discovering the secret behind the enclosed stand: the remarkable "egg machine" was a Leghorn hen on her nest. The "egg machine" was on display at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup from September 29 to October 5, 1924. G74.1-079 (print has been damaged) (TNT 10-3-24, p. 15)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Puyallup--1920-1930;

Smoker - K.C. Bldg. Cushman Hospital This large hall in the "K.C.Bldg." was used for multiple events including dances and on this day in July of 1921, wrestling or boxing matches. A large crowd has gathered for this "smoker." They may have been employees or patients of the Cushman Hospital, a hospital for veterans located on the site of the former Puyallup Indian School, 2002 E. 28th St. If the two men in the ring are going to box, they will do so sans gloves. G53.1-128

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sports spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The staff of the Tacoma Hotel stood ready to serve the 348 hungry diners at the P.C.A.C.A. annual banquet held on July 7, 1921 on the grounds of the famous hotel. Waitresses were prepared to hoist large round trays filled with plates of chicken and vegetables which had been kept warm by steam tables. Diners were able to admire the 11th Street (now Murray Morgan) Bridge and the hotel's gardens. The Pacific Coast Advertising Clubs Association held their annual convention in Tacoma from July 3-10, 1921. Delegates were headquartered at the Tacoma Hotel and were treated to rounds of business meetings, excursions and picnics. The annual banquet was followed by a dance. (TDL 7-7-21, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-10-21, A-12-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On May 2, 1922, a group of entertainers identified as the Hick Minstrels posed on stage during dress rehearsal before Mrs. D.E. Fleming, musician, and G.H. Wallace, director, at the piano. The men's club of St. Mark's Episcopal Church was presenting its annual minstrel show on May 3rd and 4th at the church's community house. An Abe Lincoln look-alike is in the center of the photograph in front of the American flag. The introduction of live chickens, ducks and geese on stage during the show emphasized the bucolic setting and theme. Six "vaudeville" acts followed the minstrel show. Names of the men's club participants were listed in the News Tribune article dated 5-3-1922. (TDL 5-1-22, p. 7; TNT 5-3-22, p. 6) G64.1-037

Minstrel shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hick Minstrels (Tacoma); Fleming, D.E.--Family; Wallace, G.H.; St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Tacoma);

Hick Minstrels. St. Mark Episcopal's men's club was dressed and ready to rehearse its annual minstrel show in May of 1922. Fake whiskers, bright plaid shirts, kerchiefs and straw-chewing were all in evidence. The men were preparing for their May 3rd and 4th performances at the church's community house. An "Honest Abe" stand-in and the American flag lent a patriotic touch to the proceedings. Seated at the piano was Mrs. D.E. Fleming with G.H. Wallace, the program's director, at her side. G40.1-049 (TNT 5-3-22, p. 6-article & alternate photograph)

Minstrel shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma; Hick Minstrels (Tacoma); Fleming, D.E.--Family; Wallace, G.H.;

The staff of Haering's Grocetorium enjoyed a fine dinner in the Stone Room of the Tacoma Hotel on May 18, 1922. The occasion was Haering's annual appreciation banquet for its employees. 50 employees and officers of the grocery chain were in attendance; names are listed in the Tacoma Daily Ledger's May 22, 1922, edition of the newspaper. Haering's, founded by Nicolaus Haering in 1913, was a chain noted for "help yourself service." G31.1-003 (TDL 5-22-22, p. 9)

Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Haering's Grocetorium (Tacoma); Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

As an added attraction at the 1931 Home Products Show, a public wedding was held on May 22, 1931. Grace McCollum and Noel Carreau were the first couple to volunteer to wed in front of a large attentive audience at the State Armory. The Independent Merchants Association, sponsors of the exhibition, paid for the wedding expenses including the marriage license, wedding clothing, flowers, and gifts. C.F. Mason, president of the association, even gave the bride away. The new Mrs. Carreau was dressed in an early summer gown of white chiffon and white hat and was attended by Mrs. Flora Niccoli. Cecilia Coleman was the flower girl with Albert Morris as best man. The marriage was solemnized by Justice Blanche Funk Miller. G32.1-014 (TDL 5-23-31, p. 12-article)

Weddings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings); McCollum, Grace; Carreau, Noel; Niccoli, Flora; Coleman, Cecilia; Morris, Albert; Wedding attendants--Tacoma; Wedding clothing & dress--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma);

Officers Training School Banquet at Commercial Club. The young officers may have been celebrating the conclusion of their training at this banquet held in August of 1918 at the Tacoma Commercial Club. 243 had graduated from the 4th officers training camp on August 24th at Camp Lewis. The officers had come from nearly every western state, with California having the largest number of graduates. G70.1-011 (TNT 8-24-18, p. 3-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1910-1920; Military officers--Tacoma--1910-1920;

1919 Labor Day parade. Five uniformed motorcycle policemen lead the 1919 Labor Day parade down Pacific Avenue before waiting crowds. Grand marshal of the parade, Charles Richmond, secretary of the Building Trades Council, rode on horseback. Bands and marching units follow. Streetcars move along adjacent to the parade activity. Businesses along this stretch of Pacific were thickly bundled together including banks, hotels, dentists, and drugstores. G38.1-019

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Business districts--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920;

More than 6,000 Tacoma union men took part in the Labor Day Parade down Pacific Ave. in September of 1919. The parade of Tacoma organized labor through downtown began at the City Hall, 625 Commerce, and proceeded south on Pacific Ave. Charles Richmond, a labor leader, led the parade as marshall mounted on a horse; he was followed by the Railway Brotherhood, policemen and firemen. Next came this float from the Teamsters, an old-time coach mounted on a horse drawn wagon. It was decorated with a banner reading, "Does the man who delivers your goods belong to the Teamsters Chauffeurs Union #313." Union 313 consisted of Tacoma drivers from many industries. Many union members followed the float carrying American flags. One of the goals of the Labor Day celebration was to reach the $30,000 goal set for the Labor Temple building fund. Labor Temple buttons were being sold to raise the funds. (T. Times 9/1/1919, pg. 1) G38.1-018 TPL-10094

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Labor unions; International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 313 (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920;