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;

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;

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;

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);

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;

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;

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;

This fetching quintet of Clover Park High School upcoming seniors dressed as hula dancers and performed at the Tyac Club anniversary dance held in the Tacoma Armory at 715 South 11th Street on Saturday June 17, 1944. Two of the girls have been identified: farthest right is Joyce Woodward (Toso); second to right is Phyllis Lofgren. The Tyac Club was started in 1943 to give the students in Tacoma's high schools the opportunity to organize and run their own cooperative recreational program. To celebrate their success as an organization they sponsored the first anniversary dance, complete with a top dance band, floor show numbers provided by each of the high schools, and a birthday cake and punch for refreshments. (T. Times, 6/16/44, p. 6). (Additional information provided by a reader)

Hula dancing--Tacoma; Tyac Club (Tacoma); Women--Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Woodward, Joyce; Toso, Joyce Woodward; Lofgren, Phyllis; Youth organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tyac dance and council. The Tyac Club, a recreational club, hosted their first anniversary dance. Club members consist of high school student council members, they have self governed themselves since the club began. In honor of the first anniversary dance, floor show numbers would be put on by the different high schools. Sixteen unidentified Tyac Club members smile as they get ready to celebrate their first anniversary (T. Times, 6/16/44, p. 6).

Student organizations--Tacoma; Youth organizations--Tacoma; Tyac Club (Tacoma);

Armory civilian fire trucks. The State Armory also participated in assisting Pierce County reach the Fifth War Loan Drive goal of $22,000,000 by exhibiting Army equipment. View of Army/Civilian Defense fire trucks on display at State Armory.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

Bricker, Gov. and party coverage. Washington State Governor Arthur B. Langlie on left with Ohio State Governor John W. Bricker on right. Gov. Bricker is here for the Pierce County Republican Convention being held at the State Armory (T. Times 4/12/44, p. 1).

Political conventions--Tacoma; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Bricker, John W.;

Governor Bricker's party coverage. Governor Bricker was in Tacoma to attend the Pierce County Republican Convention being held at the State Armory. Left to right view of Ohio State Governor John W. Bricker, Mrs. Bricker, Mrs. Langlie and Washington State Governor Arthur B. Langlie (T. Times 4/12/44, p. 1).

Political conventions--Tacoma; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Bricker, John W.; Political campaigns;

ca. 1943. Unit of soldiers marching in street past the National Guard Armory in this photograph taken sometime in 1943. Large shade trees line the parking strip in front of the Armory.

Marching--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma);

Group of uniformed men sitting and standing in front of armory

Lincoln High School 1943 Graduation at Armory. Orchestra and Chorus performing. (T.Times)

Public Schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Stadium High School Class of 1943 graduation at Armory. (T. Times)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Lincoln High School 1943 Graduation at Armory. Orchestra and Chorus performing. (T. Times)

Public Schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Stadium High School Class of 1943 graduation at Armory. (T. Times)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Jing Ho Ling (at left) was Stadium High School Class of 1943's co-valedictorian and was among the 541 graduates honored at ceremonies held at the State Armory on June 2, 1943. Miss Ling, of Chinese descent, posed that night with her parents and eight brothers and sisters. The children are probably standing in order of age; from left Shun Chih, Jing Noe, Shun Hung; Shun Chow, Jing Chuan, Jing Chu, Shun Mei, Ling Yet Sze (mother), Shun Lein and Ling Yunan (father). Miss Ling also received the College of Puget Sound scholarship of $50 per semester and plans a nursing career. (T.Times 6-3-43, p. 1-alt. photograph)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ling, Jing Ho; Ling Yet Sze; Ling Yunan; Families--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chinese American families--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chinese Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Stadium High School Class of 1943 graduation at Armory. (T. Times)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Stadium High School Class of 1943 graduation at Armory. (T. Times)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A photograph is taken on September 5, 1942 of the Buick Eight ambulance, purchased for the American Red Cross with the proceeds of the "Victory Varieties," parked at 11th and Yakima. Three men watch as Marjorie Cain, wife of Mayor Harry Cain, hands key to to Jessie (Mrs. Clinton) Reynolds of the Red Cross Motor Corps. The three men are, left to right, Al Copp, Irving Thomas and Ed Michlitsch. The $1600 vehicle was purchased with only a portion of the Varieties $6,000 in ticket sales. Funds also went to the purchase of blood plasma and blood donation equipment, first aid equipment and the Tacoma Public School immunization program. Armory and Pierce County Courthouse in background. (TNT 9/5/1942, pg. 1- picture, T. Times 9/5/1942, pg. 3)

Ambulances--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Reynolds, Jessie; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The keys to the $1,600 Buick Eight ambulance, purchased for the Red Cross Motor Corps with proceeds of the "Victory Varieties" show, were presented by show director Al Copp to Mrs. Clinton S. (Jessie) Reynolds of the Motor Corps in September of 1942. Mrs Marjorie Cain, the show's producer and wife of the mayor, is looking on. The other men attending the ceremony are business manager Irving Thomas and Ed Michlitsch of the Tacoma Central Labor Council. The "Victory Varieties" was a Red Cross benefit show given several weeks earlier in the Temple Theater. Ticket sales raised over $6,000. The proceeds were also used to purchase blood plasma and equipment, first aid equipment, and assist the Tacoma Public Schools immunization program. The ambulance was to remain permanently in the hands of the local motor corps to be used to transport materials and people for the Red Cross and Civilian Defense work. Armory and Pierce County Courthouse in background. (T. Times 9/5/1942, pg. 3; TNT 9/5/1942, pg. 1)

Ambulances--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Reynolds, Jessie; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma);

A young soldier, carrying his possessions, happily prepared to board a military transport at the Armory, bound for the Olympic Peninsula. Thirty Washington State Guardsmen and their commander were called into active duty, the first in Washington. They were leaving on June 18, 1942 for their new headquarters at Forks, where they would fan out to man coastal air raid warning posts. They would be working with the Fourth Fighter Command, US Army Air Corps. (T. Times 6/18/1942, pg. 1)

Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Military uniforms--Washington State Guard; World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations;

A group of State Guardsmen are pictured leaving the Armory and loading into motor lorries on June 18, 1942. Thirty men and one officer of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Volunteer Infantry, Washington State Guard had been called into active duty, the first in the state of Washington. They were travelling to the Olympic Peninsula where they would man coastal air raid warning stations. (T. Times 6/18/1942, pg. 1)

Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Military uniforms--Washington State Guard; World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Military vehicles;

Tacoma's new "C" Company was inducted into the Washington State Guard during public ceremonies held October 20, 1941 at the National Guard Armory at 715 South 11th Street. Mustering officer Lt. Col. George W. McKenzie is seen issuing orders to the new unit. 72 men had been recently recruited to replace Guardsmen assigned to active duty. They would be drilling once a week. (T. Times 10/21/1941, pg. 4; TNT 10-21-41, p. 4-article)

Oaths--Tacoma; Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Washington State Guard (Tacoma); McKenzie, George W.;

On September 25, 1941, three of the four commissioned officers of Tacoma's units of the Washington State Guard posed for this portrait. They are, left to right, Lt. Lloyd Sell Jr. (Company D), Capt. W. B. Hamilton (Co. C), and Lt. Charles T. Sweet (Co. C.) Tacoma's units were heavily recruiting for 100 men to replace those now serving in active duty. For the most part, recruits were those ineligible for active army service. They currently had 80 volunteers. Capt. Hamilton was a local insurance agent, married and had two sons who were privates in Company C. He had served as a private in the first World War. He enlisted in the Guard as a private and rose to the rank of Captain. (T. Times 9/26/1941, pg. 1)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington State Guard (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Military uniforms--Washington National Guard; Sell, Lloyd; Hamilton, W.B.; Sweet, Charles;

Two young men, small in stature, reported to the Tacoma draft board offices in the State Armory on September 4, 1941. Harold C. Kirkendall, 23, responds to Mrs. W.B. Dickinson, Jr., while Kayo M. Erickson, 22, awaits his turn. It was all in good fun, however, as part of a prank played by the Tacoma Times newspaper. The two were actually entertainers appearing in the Rubin & Cherry Exposition, a traveling sideshow. (T.Times 9-5-41, p. 1)

Kirkendall, Harold C.; Erickson, Kayo M.; Dwarfs--Tacoma; Draft--United States; Dickinson, W.B.--Family; State Armory (Tacoma);