In July of 1942, servicemen and USO junior hostesses line up in a picnic "chow line" after a busy afternoon playing outdoor sports. Due to its unique location in a park, the South Tacoma USO, at 4851 South Tacoma Way, was able to offer an extensive program of outdoor sports. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

The "Gallant Lady II" heads back into Municipal dock on July 23, 1942, returning from one of her weekly cruises for military personnel and USO hostesses. Western Boat Building and Northwest Door Co. can be seen in the background. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Harry P. Cain chats with three servicemen at the Community Chest Open House at the South Tacoma U.S.O.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In July of 1942, hungry boys and girls eagerly heap their plates at a picnic supper at the South Tacoma USO, following an exciting afternoon of paddle tennis, volleyball and archery on the grounds. Tacoma's USO Jr. hostesses were charged with providing morale boosters for soldiers in town, not only as dance partners but also by taking enthusiastic part in sports and hobbies. (TNT 8/2/1942, PG. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Picnics--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 18, 1942, Tacoma officials and South Tacoma residents gathered for the Dedication Ceremony for the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated money, materials and labor from a design by Silas E. Nelson, architect. Pictured at the ceremony are, left to right, John Lewtas, Bricklayers Union; Paul Lucht, Cement Finishers and Plasterers Union; South Tacoma USO Director Eva Hancock, Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, and John Meyers, Northern Pacific Railway shops. On the floor is mascot "Taffy." (T. Times 9/21/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma; Lewtas, John; Lucht, Paul; Hancock, Eva; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meyers, John;

Publicity for Community Chest. Several servicemen and USO junior hostesses step up to the bat in a friendly game of softball in July of 1942 at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;

Women employees at Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corporation. As more men enlisted or were drafted into the service, women stepped forward to take their jobs, both in offices and in non-traditional labor positions.These two unidentified women are workers in the factory itself. The Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. was constructed on the Tideflats in 1941. They produced ferro-chrome alloys that were used for armor plate on tanks and other weapons during the war.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. (Tacoma); Metallurgical industry--Tacoma;

During World War II, the US military was still segregated. Despite the fact that they fought side by side, servicemen of color were not allowed in the whites only USO clubs. In Tacoma, a group of prominent religious, community and civic leaders addressed this problem by opening USO #2 at 713-15 Commerce St. and dedicating it for the use of African American servicemen and women. This photograph is of an unidentified violinist and accompanist performing at USO #2.

Three young women are ready for the fashion show and auction of items donated for the seventh war loan drive. The young women on either side are "War Stamp Minute Maids" and carry war bonds and stamps to sell. They wear "V" for victory halo hats. The band is seated behind them. Admission to the auction was through the purchase of a $50 war bond. The fashion show and auction is being held at the Crystal Ballroom at Hotel Winthrop. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3) TPL-9091

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Fred C. Hoffstetter drapes a mink fur around the shoulders of two unidentified "War Stamp Minute Maids." The first big event in connection with the Seventh War Loan campaign was held on May 4, 1945 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. The program, to raise money for the continuing war, included a fashion show, music, and an auction of over 120 articles donated by Tacoma merchants. Mr. Hoffstetter, owner of the Tacoma Avenue Auction House at 923 So. Tacoma Ave., was the auctioneer for the evening. Admission was by purchase of a $50 bond for $37.50. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fur garments; Hoffstetter, Fred C.;

Two unidentified women were photographed while looking at the window display of some of the items scheduled to be sold at the elaborate 7th War Loan fashion show and war bond auction to be held on May 4, 1945 in the Crystal Ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. Articles to be auctioned off ranged in value from $25 to $325, to be given to the highest bidders, and included lamps, cigarettes, Nalley's food products, clothing and paper products. Admission to the show was by the purchase of a $50 war bond for $37.50, one ticket per bond. The event also featured entertainment provided by Fort Lewis including a band, an act from the army show "Kapers in Khaki" and four bathing suit models. (T.Times 5/3/1945 p.7)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Window displays; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Charles Fowler, age 7, a first grader at Grant School, spreads the 5,100 "iron" war pennies he has collected for the war effort on the table in front of him during School Bond Day. He had saved almost enough pennies to buy three war bonds. During the first two weeks of the "Mighty Seveth" war loan campaign, in May of 1945, the students in Pierce County schools were attempting to buy or sell 36,000 war bonds. Charles lived at 3115 No. 12th St. with his parents Dr. and Mrs. Harold N. Fowler. Dr. Fowler was a dentist. (TNT 5/18/45 p.16)

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Grant School (Tacoma);

In May of 1945, six-year-old Robert Leeman Hess, a first grade pupil at Mary Lyon grade school, sold his gently used, miniature car to Lana Cook, age 2 1/2. Robert planned to use the money from the sale of his car to buy a war bond and stamps to fill a book to buy a second bond. Miss Cook promised she would drive carefully and take the best care of her new car. Robert was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Hess, and Lana was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. D.K. Cook. (T.Times, 5/21/1945, p.2)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Progress photographs at 86th Street and South Tacoma Way for Wick & Dahlgren. War housing project Wash 45326. This is the site of the proposed Lakeview Housing Project at the naval advance base depot at Lakeview. The contract was awarded to Wick & Dahlgreen Construction Company. (T.Times, 7/10/1945, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lakeview Housing Project (Tacoma);

The Telephone Center at the Fort Lewis staging area. Soldiers are using the two phone booths that stand outside the corrugated metal covered building. A sign in the front window advertises Western Union. A soldier is walking toward the center along a boardwalk from the right. The phone companies have been handling many thousands of local and long distance calls of service man and women coming through the army posts and Madigan hospital center. Telephone equipment factories have only now begun to manufacture switchboards and dial apparatus instead of war materials. (TNT, 9/12/1945, clipping) TPL-10370

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Public Telephone Center (Wash.);

Colonel Harry P. Cain, Mayor of Tacoma and future US Senator (at left in photo) at arrival of the troop transport USS Admiral Eberle on September 25, 1945. The mayor had arrived home on September 16th. Jerry Geehan is to Cain's right, along with a man tentatively identified as T/Sgt. Sterling Hendricks of Little Rock, Arkansas, and a radio reporter. Hendricks was the high point man aboard the ship, with a total of 175 points on two war fronts, and had the honor of being the first man of the nearly 5000 veterans ashore. He was awarded a $100 war bond. (TNT 7-26-45, p. 8) ALBUM 13.

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Geehan, Jerry;

Aerials and aboard U.S.S. Admiral Eberle. The Eberle docked at Port of Tacoma piers September 25, 1945, the first troop transport to dock at Tacoma since 1938. She brought 134 officers and 4,369 enlisted men back from the Pacific. (T.Times, 9/20/1945, p.14)

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); War ships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Aerials and aboard U.S.S. Eberle. The Eberle, her decks crowded with soldiers returning from the Pacific, is landing at the Port of Tacoma piers. The City of Tacoma sent out an official welcoming boat to escort the Eberle into port. The Red Cross will be there supplying milk and doughnuts. (T.Times, 9/22/1945, p.1) TPL-2004

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); Warships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bill Edwards plays the piano for Irish tenor Gabe Keith in this photograph from January 1944. Edwards and Keith were two of the performers in a series of shows put on by the employees of the Seattle-Tacoma Ship Building Corp. to support the Fourth War Loan drive. Although most of their performances were to entertain their fellow workers during lunch periods for the first and second shift, they were also invited to perform for the Young Men's Business Club at the Hotel Winthrop. (T.Times, 1/21/1944, p.3; 1/27/1944, p.10)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Pianists--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Lincoln Heights War Housing. The exterior of a one story building with automobiles and a delivery truck with signs for Lucky Lager, Rainier Beer and Double Cola on it are parked in the parking lot. A sign for a barber's shop is hung in one of the doorways.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Buildings; Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln Heights Housing Project (Tacoma);

Salishan - Interiors and Exteriors. The new Baptist Church, the Portland Avenue Chapel, in Salishan had its first services February 13, 1944. The building was converted from the office of the construction company. Classrooms have been added for Sunday school. (T.Times, 2/12/1944, p.7) TPL-6418

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Salishan Housing Project (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Portland Avenue Chapel (Tacoma);

Winthrop Christmas Party. A large group of young adults gather near the Christmas tree in this photograph from December of 1943. Most of the young men are wearing uniforms.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Traveler's Aid and USO at Union Depot. Two enlisted men talk with two women behind the counter at the Traveler's Aid station at Union Depot in January of 1944. A telephone booth with a blackboard hung along side for messages is seen in the background. All Tacoma USO's held open houses celebrating their 3rd anniversary. The Union Station USO was also called the "Troops-in-transit Lounge." (T.Times, 2/4/1944, p.8) TPL-10331

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Travelers Aid (Tacoma);

Mrs. Fay G. Cooley of Spanaway had six of "her boys" in the service in January of 1944. This photograph of Mrs. Cooley sitting next to photographs of five of her six boys was taken for the 4th War Loan drive. The photographs on her piano are: (top l to r) her sons Robert D. Cooley and Earl L. Cooley, (lower row, l to r) Fern M. Cooley, her third son, and her two foster sons, Arthur Skaar and John Skaar, who lived with the Cooleys for the previous 15 years. Mrs. Cooley's other "boy", her son-in-law, is not shown. Arthur Skaar, Robert and Fern Cooley all left to report for service on the same day. (T.Times, 2/4/1944 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Mothers

St. Joseph's nurses. Nine young women received nurses' diplomas from St. Joseph's Hospital. They will soon be on their way to new duties, possibly Army hospitals in Europe and the South Pacific. Front row, L-R, Dicksie Mapes, Esther Weaver, Muriel Daun and Bonnie Martin. Back row, L-R, Margaret Rhyner, June Seymour, Beverly Adams, Ardis Hojem and Margaret Good. (T.Times, 1/20/1944, p.10)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. One year old Pat Finnegan for New Year's. One-year old Pat Finnegan sits on the couch with a toy rifle, a real rifle, a soldier's hard hat, and a toy lamb and dog.

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Children playing with toys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Finnegan, Pat;

Tacoma Day Nursery, interior view. The Tacoma Times has sponsored the Jack Spratt Club in conjunction with the War Food Committee to lessen food waste during the war. Children at the Day Nursery may sign the Jack Spratt pledge. Several young boys and girls are seated at child sized tables eating. A kitchen is seen through a doorway at the back of the room. (T.Times, 8/27/1943, p.10)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Day care; Tacoma Day Nursery (Tacoma);

War housing. Salishan. 2000 units located on Portland Ave. Newly built one-story housing units, single-family, duplexes and four-family units. Newly graded. (T.Times, 1/21/1943, p.1; 2/25/1943 p3; and 8/26/1943, p. 21)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Salishan Housing Project (Tacoma);

Pile driver at scrap agency. Men processing metal tanks through on-site pile driver at "Scrap Iron Acres". One man operates the power machinery while others hold the salvaged tanks under a guillotine type structure. The impact sends dust into the air. (T.Times, 6/28/1943, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Refuse disposal--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. Women Block Leaders at scrap pile. Group of women and children sitting on a railroad flat car holding sign: "U.S. Government Scrap Pile. Do Not Transpass" (sp.). Scrap pile and two-story building in background. Photograph taken circa 1943.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Salvage--1940-1950; Recycling--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices);