Elks Club installation of new Exalted Ruler. Group of men seated at banquet tables in this photograph dated April 1, 1953. Among those officials standing at rear is Burr (Burritt B.) Anderson who had been elected as the club's new exalted ruler. He is second to the left, next to his father Emmett T. Anderson (third from left) who was a past Grand Exalted Ruler and served as Lt. Governor of the State of Washington 1953-57. According to the News Tribune, Lt. Gov. Anderson was the installing officer, making it the first time in history that a national officer of the Elks had installed his son in the presiding position of a local organization. About 600 Elks members saw the induction. Burritt Anderson succeeded John S. Roberts (standing, third from right) as head of the Tacoma Elks Lodge No. 174. (TNT 4-2-1953, C-4, photograph of the two Andersons)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Men--Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, Burritt B.; Anderson, Emmett T.; Roberts, John S.;

A large crowd of girls fills the auditorium and the balcony at the Elks Temple for the annual Father and Daughter Valentine's party. TPL-8451

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Children's parties; Crowds--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Elks Club staff Christmas party was held on Christmas Eve in 1951. The women wore gardenia corsages and many of the people held presents. A tiny Christmas tree has been decorated and placed on the carpet before the group.

Fraternal lodges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubhouses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Christmas trees--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In honor of Flag Day 1951, the Tacoma Elks held special services at their Lodge at 565 Broadway. Preparing for the rites were, L-R, Erling O. Johnson, secretary and speaker for the occasion; Harold L Duncan, exalted ruler; and Burritt B. Anderson, Loyal Knight and Flag Day chairman. The centerpiece for the ceremony was a replica based on Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II. The observance of Flag Day originated with the Elks organization in 1907. In 1949, President Woodrow Wilson, himself a member of the Elks, made June 14th a day of national observance for that symbol of our country. Photograph ordered by the Elks. (TNT, 6/13/1951, p.9; www.elks.org)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Burritt B.; Johnson, Erling O.; Duncan, Harold;

A large crowd is in attendance at the Elks Temple. Members of the orchestra are seated at the front of the auditorium near the stage. Murals decorate the walls above large panels. A statue of an elk is seen on the far side of the room. Several people are seen standing in the balcony at the back of the room. TPL-8448

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Audiences--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Each year the Elks Club made full use of members' musical and acting talents in the Elks Extravaganza. Members were not shy in performing before other members and invited guests; their costumes often were women's clothing and wigs. View of participants in the 1958 Extravaganza before the well-known backdrop of businesses supported by the Elks. Each year the caricature in the center would change to feature another prominent Elk, in 1958, it would be "Vegas Swan." Photograph ordered by the Elks Club.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Elks Club appears packed on November 28, 1956, as members wait for promised entertainment on Old Timers Club night. The orchestra is seated, sheet music open and ready. The piano bench is empty although there is an organist at his keyboard. Elks members with 25 or more years of service were honored annually with dinner at the Elks Club plus an evening of music and skits. Photograph ordered by the Elks Club.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks Temple. June, 1926, view of the Elks Temple as seen from Commerce Street. At this time, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174, had been at this location for 10 years. The elegant structure was one of Tacoma's showcases and its 64 Spanish steps, built to serve as a fire escape, were designed after the Scala di Spagna of Rome, steps that once led to the Spanish Embassy. The Tacoma Elks Lodge and Puyallup Lodge would be hosting the 1926 state Elks convention in Tacoma later in June. TPL-635; G17.1-046; BU-10,638 (TNT 6-17-26, 1-C)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Armed Forces Night at the Elks Club. On May 24, 1961, the Tacoma Elks Club hosted various members of the military to a formal dinner. Guests included both high ranking brass and younger uniformed men. Seated in rear of photograph are L-R John H. Anderson, former mayor of Tacoma, Major General William Train, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, and Robert Holder, Elks exalted ruler. Photograph ordered by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. (TNT 5-25-61, A-3)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Anderson, John H.; Train, William; Holder, Robert;

Three United Good Neighbors executives, including campaign chairman Robert P. Mallon (center) and Ft. Lewis commanding general Alexander R. Bollinger, Jr., hold up a white football labeled with the date "Nov. 12." Time was growing short to reach the $1,928,000 goal set by the United Good Neighbors Fund of Pierce County, a predecessor of United Way. The 1971 fund raising campaign would officially end on Friday, the 12th, and the goal had yet to be met. Business and military leaders in the county lent a hand to raise contributions that would form a large portion of the budget of worthy member agencies such as the Salvation Army and Children's Home Society. Photograph ordered by the United Good Neighbors Fund of Pierce County. The name of the executive at the far left is not known. (TNT 11-9-71, p. - article; TNT 11-12-71, p. 1-article; TNT 11-13-71, p. 9-article) TPL-10366

United Good Neighbors (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1970-1980; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fund raising --Tacoma--1970-1980; Mallon, Robert P.; Bollinger, Alexander R.;

ca. 1925. A float cruises in front of the Elks Lodge. The truck chassis has been covered with straw-like material and sports a straw skimmer hat and carries a Dixieland band, also wearing straw hats. A banner on the float reads "Park your new straw- under a seat at the Colonial and see 'A Kiss in the Dark'." "A Kiss in the Dark" was a silent film adaptation of the comic play "Aren't We All." It was released April 6, 1925 and starred Adolphe Menjou, Lillian Rich and Aileen Pringle, with a cameo appearance by Herbert (Zeppo) Marx. The float was possibly intended for the Straw Hat Day celebrations. Straw Hat Day in Tacoma was the date that gentlemen officially put away their heavy winter hats and donned straw ones for the warmer weather. (WSHS- negative A845-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Group of people, including children, on stage at the Elks Temple. This photograph was taken on July 1, 1940.

Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Stages (Platforms);

Emmett T. Anderson, ex-Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 174, is visiting Tacoma, and will deliver the eulogy at their annual memorial services. View of Elks members standing with Emmett Anderson, who is visiting from California, they are standing behind their shield and floral arrangements (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 18).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Visiting; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.;

Two clowns perform on the floor of the auditorium at the Elks Temple for the Elk's annual Father and Daughter Valentines party. Several of the girls stretch their arms hoping to be chosen for one of the evening's surprises.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Children's parties; Clowns;

A large screen announced the Elks annual "Extravaganza" for 1952. Thirty-four members are shown in caricature with information about their businesses.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The newly remodeled Elks Temple was celebrating their new facilities with an open house for members and their wives. The Tacoma Elks Club was organized in 1890, the Tacoma Charter was presented by Deputy Exalted Ruler C. W. Niving. View of spacious and redecorated dining room of the Tacoma Elks Lodge; the Elks famed Stag table is in the background, this table seats fifteen members who have their daily lunch at the club (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

The Elks Club Band and their majorette, Gloria Ellexson, posed next to the Elks Temple before leaving for Cleveland, Ohio, in July of 1949 for the Elks National Convention. The band, under the direction of L.R. Grass, had been the 1948 state champions and Miss Ellexson was the state champion majorette. The band performed at the convention in Ohio, and Gloria, a student at the College of Puget Sound, was named the 1949 National Champion Drum Majorette. (TNT, 7/6/1949, p.10)

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

Elks club members dressed as policemen look on in amusement as a "can-can girl", complete with garter and bonnet, demonstrates a bit of the famous dance during the Elks club 1954 Extravaganza. The man in bow tie is believed to be Max Frolic, well-known old-time vaudevillian entertainer. Mr. Frolic directed the Elks Extravaganza for several years. The Extravaganza generally ran for two nights; the first night was for members only and always ensured a full house, while the second night was for ladies only. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elks club members participated with high spirits when requested to do so during the annual Elks Club Extravaganzas held each spring. Humorous skits, song & dance, orchestral music were all part of the program. View of two members on stage; one is dressed in Scottish kilts while the other man has a ragmop hairstyle and keeps one foot on an uprooted stool. Deliberate or not, the warped candles on top of the piano certainly would have caught the audience's eye.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A very motley crew of entertainers pose on March 31, 1954, for the annual Elks club Extravaganza. "Uncle Sam", in the center, appears to be embracing representatives of various ethnic groups. This was probably the "United Nations Beauties", a big hit with the audience. The Elks Extravaganza was always greeted with much anticipation and provided hours of hilarious entertainment for its members. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

Visiting Elks. The Everett Elks Band pose on the famous Spanish Steps next to the Elks Lodge, 565 Broadway, on August 16, 1918. A service flag with "In God We Trust" is lofted up high in the background. There was one gold star included which signified the loss of an Elks member in war. The Everett band was one of several in town for the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention which had opened on August 15th. The highlight of the convention was the massive downtown parade in which the bands and thousands of Elks marched. ( TNT 8-16-18, p. 1-article; TNT 8-17-18, p.2-article)

Stairways--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Marching bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;

United Good Neighbors. 30 executives on loan from various Tacoma businesses posed for a group portrait at the old Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, on November 3, 1971. Industry and government had loaned a total of 73 executives to the United Good Neighbors campaign who had been working since mid-August. The drive to collect funds for the UGN officially began on September 14th. The group's goal was to collect $1,928,000 in the campaign which was to end on November 12th, a bare two months away. The United Good Neighbors was a predecessor of United Way. Photograph ordered by the United Good Neighbor Fund of Pierce County. (TNT 11-12-71, p. 1 -article; )

United Good Neighbors (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1970-1980; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fund raising --Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1925. A group of law officers, dressed in uniforms with badges and topped off with straw skimmers, pose in front of the B.P.O.E. (Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) lodge. The man to the left is possibly Pierce County Sheriff John Bjorklund. The picture is probably related to the celebration of Straw Hat Day circa 1925. (WSHS- negative A844-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--1920-1930; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Five of the oldest members of the Tacoma Elks Club gather to discuss the Good Old Days on Old Timers' night held in January of 1938. They are, left to right, S.J. Maxwell, member #2, whose career was in shipping; George L. Palmer, in the printing business and served once as Deputy Sheriff; S.A. Perkins, member #3, newspaper publishing; Major Charles O. Bates, law; and Calvin S. Heilig, member #1, theater owner in Tacoma and Portland. "Sam" Perkins served as master of ceremonies at the meeting where many memories were shared and enjoyed. (T. Times 1/20/1938, pg. 8) (filed with Argentum)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Perkins, S.A.; Maxwell, S.J.; Palmer, George L.; Bates, Charles O.; Heilig, Calvin S.; Older people--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple circa 1938. Men being seated in dining room. (filed with Argentum) (photo damage upper left corner?)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma;

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 presented a check for $350 to the Elks to be used in their December 1942 Christmas party for needy children. Fred Humbert is pictured emptying a money bag of donations into the big Elks Stocking Fillers cash register outside the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway. Watching him are Elks and union members including Harry J. Lynch, chrm. of the Elks Christmas committee (at front - left) and Erling O. Johnson, Elks secretary-manager (at extreme right.) Other names are listed in the News Tribune article dated 12-22-42. Thanks to the generosity of these union members and other caring Tacomans, 650 children enjoyed a happy Christmas morning filled with fun and gifts. (TNT 12-22-42, p. 7-alt. photograph; TNT 12-26-42, p. 9-article on party)

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Cash registers; Lynch, Harry J.;

New officers for 1950-1951 are shown at the Elks Temple. Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler, is hanging an insignia around the neck of Lloyd L. Wynans as he was installed as the new exalted ruler of Tacoma lodge. Others installed were Harold L. Duncan, leading knight; John S. Roberts, loyal knight; Burritt B. Anderson, lecturing knight; Erling O. Johnson, secretary; Walter E. Liggett, treasurer; Swan Johnson, tiler; Sterling Carmichael, trustee. Ordered by Erling Johnson. (TNT, 4/5/1950, p.4)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.; Wynans, Lloyd L.; Johnson, Erling O.; Duncan, Harold; Anderson, Burritt B.;

John H. Anderson, on right, presents the gavel to Lloyd L. Wynans, the newly elected Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. The installation ceremony for the new officers was one of the biggest nights on the organization's calendar. For the first time in sixty years, the ceremony was officiated by the Grand Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O.E., Emmett T. Anderson. ALBUM 14.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Wynans, Lloyd L.; Anderson, John H.; Gavels;

Tacoma Elks Club was welcoming their past exalted ruler, Emmett T. Anderson, back home in late September of 1949. The club members had many activities planned for the national leader; Anderson had just visited lodges in the East and South, and was visiting the Tacoma lodge on official business. View of Elks members welcoming their past exalted ruler, Emmett T. Anderson (left), back to his home lodge; names appear in newspaper. Among those present were future Tacoma mayor John H. Anderson and Public Safety Commissioner Robert S. Temme. (T.N.T., 10/2/49, p. A-12).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Social life--1940-1950; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Anderson, Emmett T.; Anderson, John H.; Temme, Robert S.; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);