Senator Albert D. Rosellini and a panel of seven other legislators opened a vice probe at the Tacoma Armory November 26, 1951. Over 40 witnesses were scheduled to testify before the legislative committee investigating crime and vice in Tacoma. Testimony covered gambling, pinball, prostitution, narcotics activities and marijuana purchases. One woman stated that her husband committed suicide following accumulating heavy gambling losses. She had received threats to her and her children if she did not pay. One city official contended that Army authorities had asked him to keep "certain establishments open" to provide "relaxation" for troops. Two television cameras broadcast the hearing live. Murray Morgan is seated to the left of the man with headphones behind the KTBI broadcast equipment. (TNT, 11/27/1951, p.1; 11/28/1951, p.1) TPL-6489

State Armory (Tacoma); Governmental investigations--Tacoma; Morgan, Murray, 1916-2000;

Four Queens were crowned in the Queen of Trays and Keys contest sponsored by the Rhodes Post No. 2, American Legion, during a ball at the Armory. The ten women who won are shown wearing evening gowns and ribbons with the names of different businesses in Tacoma. In the front row are the four Queens: L-R, Rae Allen (Don's Grill) and Millie Broc (Joe's Tavern & Cafe), winners in a tie for Queen of Trays in the silver division; Lorna Schlanbusch (Park "n" Shop), first prize winner in gold division; and Dolores Simcich (Commonwealth Title Insurance), first prize winner and Queen of Keys. All four winners will leave by Hollywood by plane for four exciting days. The back row includes other prize winners, L-R, Patricia Merrill, Ruth Malskey, Myrtle Forgey, Joyce Dyer (Peoples Store), Maxine Knowles and Virginia Thompson (West Coast Grocery). (TNT, 5/1/1951, p.12)

Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; State Armory (Tacoma); American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Allen, Rae; Broc, Millie; Schlanbusch, Lorna; Simcich, Dolores; Merrill, Patricia; Malskey, R.; Forgery, M.; Dyer, J.; Knowles, M.; Thompson, T.;

Golden Gloves contest held at the Armory in January of 1949, sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Eight of the contestants stand inside the ring wearing satin robes, ready to take on all comers. The big two-day fistic feature was sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Seven rugged fighters from Vancouver, B.C., and others from across the Northwest were in attendance. The Tacoma Times reported that more than 70 boxers entered the competition. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.11, 1/27/1949 p.14)

State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The last Sunday of September has officially been declared Gold Star Mother's Day. In 1949 the Tacoma Chapter of Gold Star Mothers held a special meeting at the State Armory. The club installed new officers and held a special ceremony in their honor. Appointed as new officers were Beatrice Johnson as President; Pearl Joy as Vice-President; Jenny Benson as Second Vice-President; and Nell Sanford as Treasurer. The national organization American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 and is open to all mothers of fallen soldiers of all wars as well as those who died a service-related death. (T. Times, 1/17/49, p. 14)..

Awards; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military decorations--Tacoma; Mothers; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Chapter of Gold Star Mothers (Tacoma);

Henry A. Wallace, center, the candidate for President of the United States in 1948 from the Progressive Party spoke on October 9th, 1948 at the Tacoma Armory. In his speech he attacked the Taft-Hartley Act and the "hot war" being waged against labor unions. While in Tacoma, he met with a group of local Progressive Party candidates including: (l to r) John Green Jr., Vera Keating, Russell H. Fluent, Henry Wallace, Rodney Peterson, Ernest T. Olson, Thomas C. Rabbit. (T.Times, 10/11/1948, p.9)

Wallace, Henry A.; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Green, John; Keating, Vera; Fluent, Russell H.; Peterson, Rodney; Olson, Ernest T.; Rabbitt, Thomas C.;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, accepting a 23rd Anniversary cake from acting Mayor C. A. Erdahl during a campaign appearence in Tacoma. The Warren family looks on. Presentation of the cake at the end of Governor Warren's address came as a complete surprise to the Governor and his family. It was in honor of the couple's 23rd wedding anniversary. A moved Governor Warren remarked that they had spent their honeymoon in Washington state. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Warren, Nina; Warren, Dorothy; Warren, Virginia; Warren, Nina Elizabeth; Warren, Robert; Erdahl, C.A.; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

An overflowing crowd of over 5000 filled the State Armory to the rafters to hear California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice. Local Republicans had anticipated large crowds to hear the popular governor; an additional 1000 seats were borrowed from the College of Puget Sound and the Seattle Armory. Oversized posters of Governor Warren and Presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey decorated the Armory walls. According to the clock wall, this sepia photograph was taken at 9:50 p.m. on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-14-48, p. 1, TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political Elections - Presidential Elections - Vice Presidential Candidates (Republican) - United States - 1948 - Earl Warren (1891-1974) - Washington (State) - Tacoma

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, and wife smile at each other while on the platform during rally at Tacoma Armory. Governor Warren was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of 5000 plus. Mrs. Warren was the former Nina Palmquist. Born in Sweden, she grew up in Oakland, California. Mother of six children, she outlived her husband Earl by nineteen years, dying at the age of 100 in 1993. She and Mr. Warren are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Sepia photograph taken on October 14, 1948. ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Nina; Governors; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, speaks from the podium during rally at Tacoma Armory. Large poster of Gov. Thomas Dewey, the Presidential nominee, behind Warren. Former Governor Arthur Langlie, who was running once more for election, and his wife are seen, blurred, in the background. Mr. Langlie had introduced Governor Warren to the overflowing crowd of over 5000. It was the largest indoor crowd to greet him on his tour of 31 states except for Chicago. Sepia photograph was taken during the evening speech of Governor Warren on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Public speaking--Tacoma;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, and his family, with former Governor Arthur Langlie, and his family, and two drum majorettes, on platform during rally at Tacoma Armory. Governor Warren was met by an enthusiastic audience of over 5000 on October 14, 1948. He was introduced by Arthur Langlie, former governor who was running for election. Governor Warren's wife Nina and four of his children accompanied him on this tour of the Pacific Northwest. Sepia photograph was taken on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) TPL-183 ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966--Family; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

There is no doubt who is running on the Republican ticket for president in 1948. Large emblem-style portraits of Thomas Dewey and Earl Warren decorated the stage of Tacoma's State Armory on the occasion of California Governor Warren's brief visit on October 14, 1948. Governor Warren was photographed standing behind the decorated podium with his wife and children seated on an elevated portion of the stage directly behind him. An enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 warmly greeted Governor Warren, including hundreds of women who passed through a reception line earlier honoring the vice-presidential candidate and his family. Governor Warren's address touched principally on America's need for a merchant marine able to "make an honorable bid for its share of the world's commerce." (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Public speaking--Tacoma; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, making a campaign appearance at Tacoma Armory. View of elaborate decorations above the platform. His evening address attracted overflowing crowds of over 5000 which filled the Armory to its rafters. It was the largest indoor crowd to greet Governor Warren on his tour of 31 states except for Chicago. The Dewey-Warren ticket unexpectedly lost in the 1948 elections to Truman-Barkley. Sepia photograph taken on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Public speaking--Tacoma;

Reserve Officers from Fort Lewis, McCord Field and the Navy were feted with a unification ball at the State Armory on July 17, 1948. The officers will be going to serve in maneuvers in the Australian waters. Prior to the ball, E. C. Anderson will lead the Second Infantry Division Band concert. View of officers and their spouses that attended the Reserve Officers' Ball at the State Armory (T. Times, 7/16/48, p. 6).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Military officers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military spouses--Tacoma; Military service--Tacoma; Military uniforms; Events--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma);

The College of Puget Sound basketball team played against Pacific Lutheran College to determine the city's champions in December of 1947. College of Puget Sound beat Pacific Lutheran College with a score of 45 to 38. The game was well attended and was played at the State Armory. View of basketball teams in action, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 12/18/47, p. 11).

Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Pacific Coast League profession basketball team, the Mountaineers, were ready for their first game in December 1947. There were six northwest teams in the league, including Seattle and Portland. Tacoma played their home games in the State Armory. Left to right, Helen Hayes, team's leader and half time show performer, J. Katica, H. Vallee, S. Sigurdson, B. Graf, Ernie Endress, B. Voelker, J. Voelker, T. Werner, Coach, and Milton Bay, Co-owner and Club President (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 8; Endress identified by an acquaintance). TPL-8550

Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Coast League (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team); State Armory (Tacoma);

Tacoma's professional basketball team, the Coast League Mountaineers were getting ready to play their first game. The home games would be played at the State Armory. Their first game was against Bellingham and would be played at home, their next game was against Astoria's Royal Chinook's and would be in Oregon. View of Mountaineer number seven in action (T. Times, 11/25/47, p. 7).

Balls (Sporting goods); Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team);

Tacoma's professional basketball team, the Coast League Mountaineers, consisted of, Irv Leifer, Bob Graf, Jack Roffler, Johnny Katica, Bob Voelker, Sig Sigurdson, Ernie Endress, Jack Voelker and Hank Vallee. The team was getting ready to play their first game at the State Armory. View of Mountaineer number five in action (T. Times, 11/25/47, p. 7).

Balls (Sporting goods); Basketball--Tacoma; Jumping--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team);

Renamed Veterans Day in 1953, November 11 was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. That year, on November 13, John Philip Sousa's band played in the Washington National Guard Armory in Tacoma and President Woodrow Wilson spoke there two months earlier. In 1947, a Military Ball was held on Armistice Day at the Armory, where more than 1,500 people were expected to attend. The presentation of colors to the local reserve units of the Army and Army Air Corps highlighted the evening. Army and Navy dignitaries and prominent civilian guests attended the event. View of ceremonies under way at the Armory (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 7).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Tacoma's National Guard recruits are being sworn in at the Armory. The Washington National Guard had a recruiting campaign going on throughout the State. These new recruits will start training at the Armory and in late November the Guard was planning an open house for the public, where they would show and demonstrate the equipment being used by the Tacoma National Guard units. The State Armory was also being remodeled at this time, a new day room for guardsmen was being added to the facilities (T.N.T., 11/5/47, p. 6).

Oaths--Tacoma; Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Eastern Star Convention at Armory. Mrs. Arthur W. Slayer, fifth from the left in the front row, is Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star for 1947. She presided over the 3-day state convention. (T.Times, 6/19/1947, p.11)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Eastern Star Convention at Armory. Mrs. Eva Holland Hamilton of Chicago is on the right. She was the Most Worthy Grand Matron of the General Grand Chapter and was a visitor throughout the 59th annual session of Order of the Eastern Star held in Tacoma in June 1947. Mrs. Stephen J. Chadwick of Olympia, a past Most Worthy Matron of the General Grand Chapter, was affectionately known as "the First Lady" in Washington Eastern Star. She is wearing an overblouse of lace and crochet. Both women wear corsages. (T.Times, 6/28/1947, p.12)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hamilton, Eva Holland; Chadwick, Stephen J.--Family;

Eastern Star at the Armory. This session was the Order of Eastern Star's 59th annual session. They expected 2,000 to attend representing 45,000 in the state from 225 chapters. (T.Times, 6/17/1947, p.6)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Rita Hermsen, a 1947 graduate of Lincoln High School, at the Tacoma Armory with her family. Rita Hermsen was one of the honored students that year. She was the winner of the Janet Hufford memorial award. (T. Times, 6/13/1947, p.1)

Hermsen, Rita--Family; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The 1947 Lincoln High School graduating class at the Tacoma Armory. 885 students were graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947. Honored students are shown here: L-R; seated; Carol Wold, Norma DeBret, Patricia S. Murray, Georgia Damis, Joyse DeLoria and Alice Snodgrass. 2nd row; Paul Arlton, Joyce Northrup, Jean Singletary, Muriel Boston, Rita Hermsen, M. Blythe Callahan, Barbara Valli, and Don Hansler. Back row; Loomis Irish, Janet Summers, Roger Grummel, Karl Neugebauer, Chris A. Nickolas, Lorraine Carlson, Reed Sargent and William Easter. (T.Times, 6/13/1947, p.1)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Colonel Wesley B. Hamilton pins a service medal onto the dress uniform of Captain Harold F. Broomell in a decorations ceremony held at the State Armory on January 13, 1947. Medals were presented to 137 local guardsmen for the duties they performed during World War II. Assisting Col. Hamilton are Col. A. W. McMorris and (far right) Lt.-Col. John H. Potter. The guardsmen receiving recognition are (l tor) Capt. Lloyd Sell Jr., Captain Harold F. Broomell, Captain William H. Dennis, Lt. Samuel Cusato, Lt. Oliver A. Keene, and Lt. H. R. Swartz. (T. Times, 1/14/47, p. 3).

Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Medals; Awards; Washington State Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Henry A. Wallace tells a crowd of 3000 and a radio audience that a Communist "is a Democrat with a job a Republican wants" at a campaign rally at the State Armory. Mr. Wallace, VP 1941-45, called on Democrats to close ranks and elect progressive representatives in the upcoming November 5th election. Although he had been asked to resign his Secretary of Commerce post by President Truman just a month before, Mr. Wallace still considered himself to be a Democrat. The 3000 in attendance was the largest turnout in the county so far in that current campaign; a number of Republican party workers were seen among the audience that evening. Henry Wallace went on to make an unsuccessful run for the presidency in 1948 as a candidate of the Progressive Party. (T. Times, 10-29-46, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma; Wallace, Henry A., 1888-1965;

Stumping for his fellow Democrats, Henry A. Wallace tells a crowd of 3000 and a radio audience that a Communist "is a Democrat with a job a Republican wants" at a campaign rally held at the Armory on October 28, 1946. Wallace, Vice President 1941-45, went on to become the Progressive Party's candidate for President in 1948. He was a plant geneticist, agricultural leader, editor, cabinet member, as well as serving as Roosevelt's vice-president in his third term as president. He was asked to resign as Secretary of Commerce by President Truman due to his public criticism of the administration's hard-line policy toward the Soviet Union. Mr. Wallace was to make a run for the presidency in 1948 as the Progressive Party nominee, representing a newly organized third party with a pro-Soviet stance. He received only 2.4% of the vote and left the party in 1950 after disagreeing with its non-support of the Korean War. He withdrew from politics and resumed activity in the agricultural field. (T. Times, 10-29-46, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Wallace, Henry A., 1888-1965; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma;

Armory-Lincoln graduation. Lincoln High School had 706 students graduating in 1946, 226 were Veterans from World War II. The Veterans graduating will wear their military uniforms to the graduation ceremony. Ex-Mayor Harry P. Cain will deliver the graduation address. View of Lincoln High School's graduating Veterans at State Armory (T. Times, 6/6/46, p. 3).

Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms; Veterans; State Armory (Tacoma);

The Tacoma, Washington State Guard units were hosts to the Seattle, Washington State Guard units at the State Armory in late May of 1946. This was the last official ceremony for both units. The re-establishment of the Washington National Guard is expected in the near future. Seated left to right are: Nelson, Hamilton, McMorris and White. In back we have, left to right, Middlesworth and Cronander (T. Times, 5/28/46, p. 1).

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Military uniforms;

Lt. Commander Jack Dempsey, U.S.C.G, the former heavyweight champion of the world, was referee at the main event of a boxing night held at the Tacoma Armory on June 5, 1945 to raise money for the 7th War Bond drive. Johnny Ballange, U.S.M.C., right, defeated Pedro Montez, U.S. Army, in the bout. Jack Dempsey had also visited Tacoma in 1944 in support of a war bond drive. View of boxers touching gloves as referee Dempsey gives instructions; unidentified representatives of the Army and Marines flank their men. ALBUM 9.

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Referees; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ballange, Johnny; Montez, Pedro;