Willie Ryan, right, appears lost in thought as he plays an exhibition game on the new mammoth checker board at the north end of Wright Park in August of 1936. The concrete board was 12 feet square with a playing surface of 8 feet square bordered by a green apron where players stood. Its squares were colored black and white. (T. Times 8/4/1936 p.14).

Checkers; Wright Park (Tacoma); Ryan, Willie;

Tacoma's Norwegian community hosted a trip to Mount Tacoma (Rainier) on August 9, 1936 for several hundred delegates to the Sons of Norway and Daughters of Norway Convention which had just concluded in Seattle. After the trip to The Mountain, the group came to Tacoma for a banquet at Normanna Hall. The group, which was comprised of Norwegian-Americans from all parts of the United States, is pictured on a rise at Paradise Valley with the Nisqually Glacier in the background. (T. Times 8/10/1936, pg. 10)

Norwegian Americans; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Daughters of Norway (Tacoma);

Norwegian Americans from the Eastern and Pacific Coasts on a sightseeing trip to Mount Rainier, after concluding their national convention in Seattle. Ten women standing and reading in a meadow with the mountain and trees framing the background. (T. Times 8/10/1936, pg.3)

Norwegian Americans; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Daughters of Norway (Tacoma);

Paradise Lodge with the ridge in the background. Photograph taken in conjunction with tour of the area by Norwegian Americans in Seattle for a convention in August of 1936. (T. Times 8/10/1936, pg. 3)

Norwegian Americans; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Daughters of Norway (Tacoma); Paradise Lodge (Wash.);

Five Norwegian Americans, moved by the beauty of Mount Rainier (called Mount Tacoma then by locals), express their sentiments in song while on a visit to The Mountain in August of 1936. They were part of a larger group that had attended a nationwide convention of the Sons and Daughters of Norway in Seattle. The men can also be seen in another photograph, D1719, image 3.

Singers; Norwegian Americans; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Sons of Norway;

Norwegian Americans seemed dwarfed by the immensity of Mount Rainier in this photograph taken in Paradise Valley. The group was here from across the nation for a convention in Seattle. It concluded with this tour of our natural wonders hosted by the Tacoma group. Vertical image of people at Mt. Rainier lodge, "Mount Tacoma" (name preferred by Tacomans) and trees in background. (T. Times 8/10/1936, pg. 3)

Norwegian Americans; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Daughters of Norway (Tacoma);

The hills are alive as a group of Norwegian Americans is moved to song by the grandeur of Mount Rainier in 1936. The group was hosted by Tacoma Norwegians. Group of 14 men and one woman singing in a meadow in the Paradise Valley. (T. Times 8/10/1936, pg. 3)

Norwegian Americans; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Daughters of Norway (Tacoma); Singers;

McKinley Playfield. Handicrafts instructor, Jack Svendsen, observes a recreation director working with a large group of children on a craft project. A dog relaxes in the shade of the table covered with an array of crafts. (T. Times 8/19/1936, pg. 1)

Svendson, Jack; Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; McKinley Playfield (Tacoma); Dogs; Handicraft--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arts & crafts;

In this photograph from August of 1936, Dolores Hansen sits on the wooden steps of her home next to her mother cat who is nursing five motherless puppies. The mamma cat protectively shields her charges from the photographer. The cat took over as the mother to the litter of puppies when their real canine mother was poisoned. The mother cat had recently given birth to a single kitten. (T. Times 8/18/1936 p.1)

Hansen, Dolores; Children & animals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cats; Dogs;

Dorothy Hill, 12, and her sister Jean, 10, display their Indian bead loom work. The older girl holds a bracelet that she has made, while the younger girl works on the loom. The girls are participating in a summer craft program at McKinley Playfield sponsored by Metropolitan Parks and the WPA Recreation Dept. (T. Times 8/19/1936, pg. 1)

Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; McKinley Playfield (Tacoma); Dogs; Handicraft--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arts & crafts; Hill, Dorothy; Hill, Jean;

Surrounded by an enthusiastic group of boys and girls, Jack Svendsen was one of the artists who took part in Tacoma's city wide art and handicraft program sponsored by the Metropolitan Park Board and the WPA Recreation Department during the summer of 1936. Mr. Svendsen, a Norwegian born architect and artist, was teaching the young people at McKinley Park how to make silhouette cut-outs. (T. Times 8/19/1936, pg. 1- see newspaper article for childrens' names.)

Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; McKinley Playfield (Tacoma); Dogs; Handicraft--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arts & crafts; Svendson, Jack;

Dolores Hansen sitting on the wooden steps of her home with her black and white house cat that is nursing five motherless puppies. The question is will the puppies learn to bark or meow? The Hansen's cat came to the rescue of the litter of puppies when the Hansen's mother dog was poisoned shortly after giving birth. The mother cat had recently given birth to a single kitten and welcomed the puppies as brothers and sisters to her only child. As the puppies grew, mamma cat also took over their training - teaching them to chase mice and such. The Hansens gave away all but two of the puppies. The pups still take their meals side by side with the kitten. The whole family is watching the puppies' behavior anxiously to see just how they turn out. (T. Times 8/18/1936 p.1)

Hansen, Dolores; Children & animals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cats; Dogs;

Seven-year-old Owen Dickson, with his dog, Coachie, is working on a picture tracing in this photograph taken at McKinley Playfield in August of 1936. Owen was taking part in a summer crafts program jointly sponsored by the Metropolitan Parks and the WPA Recreation Department. Children were taught drawing, handicrafts and other hobbies. (T. Times 08-19-1936 p.1).

Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; McKinley Playfield (Tacoma); Dogs; Handicraft--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arts & crafts; Dickson, Owen;

A trio of girls show off a completed basket. The girls learned basket weaving in a craft program at McKinley Playfield. The activity was part of a city wide program sponsored in Tacoma parks and playfields by the Metropolitan Park Board and the WPA Recreation Department. The girl in the center has been tentatively identified as Ruth Field. (T. Times 8/19/1936, pg. 1) TPL-9234

Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940; McKinley Playfield (Tacoma); Handicraft--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arts & crafts;

The 4-H Club ice cream stand was a popular stop on Friday August 21, 1936 at the 9th annual Washington Cooperative Association picnic held in Sumner. 2000-3000 farmers and grange members attended the all-day affair. Three county commissioners (l to r) A.A. Rankin, John Schlarb, and Harvey Scofield were all two-fisted cone eaters. They were served by (l to r) Marion McChesney, Elsa Wahlquist, and her sister Edna.

Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Picnics--Sumner--1930-1940; Ice cream & ices; 4-H Club, Pierce County Chapter; McChesney, Marion; Rankin, A.A.; Wahlquist, Elsa; Schlarb, John; Wahlquist, Edna; Scofield, Harvey;

The lounge at the Tacoma Yacht Club after the 1936 remodeling by Silas E. Nelsen, Architect. Glass cases holding trophies flank the brick fireplace, which has canvas and a model of a sailing ship above it. The fireplace is a representation of a ship's mast, complete with booms of oak and belaying pins. The sun porch over the waterway was accessible through the lounge. (T. Times 8/21/1936, pg.1) (photo filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Over the years the Tacoma Yacht Club has had several homes. This is the Yacht club as it looked in August, 1936. The club house was originally built around 1916 as the office for Seabourne Shipyards. It was moved to this site for the Yacht Club by scow in 1923, and remodeled by Carl August Darmer, Architect. In 1936 it was remodeled for a second time by Silas Nelsen, Architect, as a modern 3 story structure. The second floor featured a 50 x 35 foot sun porch, glassed in on 2 sides. The first floor contained the quarters of Capt. and Mrs. Swanson. Capt. Swanson was the club caretaker. The 2nd floor contained the lobby, lounge and billiard room. The upper floor was a dance hall. (T. Times 8/21/1936, pg.1) (photo filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Doris Lee and Bobby Seeber may not be riding a bicycle built for two, but she appears comfortable sitting in the front basket of the boy's bicycle. The pair enjoy ice cream cones at an area farmers' picnic in Sumner. A day off was declared by Pierce County farmers in August of 1936 as they and their families and friends attended the 9th annual picnic sponsored by area agricultural organizations and the County Agent's office. (T. Times 8/22/1936 p. 1) Series D1721, Image 6 has been enlarged and cropped to make the figures more prominent in this version.

Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Lee, Doris; Seeber, Bobby; Picnics--Sumner--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--Sumner--1930-1940; Ice cream & ices; Children eating & drinking--1930-1940;

The Cammarano Brothers firm, Tacoma-Seattle distributors of Schlitz beer, were honored at the Schlitz "Vitamin D" banquet held at "The Firs" on August 21, 1936. The Cammarano Brothers were longtime distributors and bottlers in Tacoma whose delivery trucks were a common sight in town. They also distributed other beers including Rainier, Pabst and Hamms as well as carbonated beverages. G33.1-044; TPL-214 (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection)

Banquets--Spanaway--1930-1940; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Firs (Spanaway);

This view of the boat moorage and clubhouse of the Tacoma Yacht Club, located at the east tip of Point Defiance Park just north of Ruston, dates from August of 1936. The clubhouse had just been remodeled from plans by Silas E. Nelsen, Architect. The three story building had a lounge, billiard room and 50 X 35 foot sun porch, with an unobstructed view of the Puget Sound, on the second floor; the top floor housed the dance hall. A completely new club building was built in 1971. (T. Times 8/21/1936, pg. 1)

Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

The billiard room at the Tacoma Yacht Club, interior of the building after remodeling by Silas E. Nelsen, Architect. A panorama of small craft moored in the Puget Sound is framed by the room's window. The billiard room is furnished in ivory and accented with blue upholstery. (T. Times 8/21/1936, pg. 1)

Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Oscar Danielson's Rock Garden with mountain view. Elaborate rock garden with miniature houses, bridge, and river. Mr. Danielson's daughter Lorraine can just barely be seen at the right rear of the photograph enjoying the miniature natural scene. Mr. Danielson built the miniatures as a hobby during the past winter and spring months. He is a factory worker at American Concrete Pipe Co. He plans as his new project to build an outdoor living room with a large native stone fireplace, native hardwood tables and chairs and walled in by box hedges. (T. Times 08-21-1936, pg. 17)

Danielson, Oscar--Associated objects; Rock gardens--Tacoma--1930-1940; Miniature cities & towns--Tacoma;

Washington Cooperative Association picnic at Sumner. Washington State Patrol officer directing traffic. (T. Times 8/22/1936 p.1).

Picnics--Sumner--1930-1940; Washington State Patrol (Sumner); Traffic police--Sumner; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);

Doris Lee appears to be comfortable as she sits in the basket on the front of Bobby Seeber's bicycle on August 21, 1936. The pair were enjoying ice cream cones at the 9th annual area farmers' picnic in Sumner. A day off was declared by Pierce County farmers as they and their families and friends attended the gathering sponsored by area agricultural organizations and the County Agent's office. (T. Times 8/22/1936 p. 1)

Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Lee, Doris; Seeber, Bobby; Picnics--Sumner--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--Sumner--1930-1940; Ice cream & ices; Children eating & drinking--1930-1940; Vehicles - Bicycles

This is a close-up of members of the Cammarano family taken at the Schlitz "Vitamin D" banquet held at "The Firs" on August 21, 1936. The Cammarano Brothers were the Tacoma-Seattle distributors of Schlitz Beer. The four brothers were James, William, Phillip and Edward. Phillip and Edward Cammarano are at the extreme right. For an extended view of the banquet and other guests, see series CAM, image 18. G33.1-043; TPL-213 (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection)

Banquets--Spanaway--1930-1940; Firs (Spanaway); Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);

Washington Co-operative Association No. 60 picnic at Sumner. Large group of people at picnic tables under trees. Co-op truck in background with side panels stating "Producers Own Marketing Agency. WE sell eggs, buy feed co-operatively." A day off was declared by Pierce County farmers as they and their families and friends attended the 9th annual picnic sponsored by area agricultural organizations and the County Agent's office. (T. Times 8/22/1936 p. 1)

Picnics--Sumner--1930-1940; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);

Two white horses pulling a four-wheeled sulkey and driver proceed up Ninth Street in the Cole Brothers- Clyde Beatty Circus parade. Palomino horses with riders carrying American flags follow behind the two-horse team. A large crowd of spectators watch the parade. This was the first circus procession in Tacoma in years and it was to announce the arrival by train of the Circus, which would be making a one day stop in Tacoma with performances in the afternoon and evening. The show would pitch tents on the Union Pacific RR circus grounds, opposite Union Station and across the 15th Street Bridge.

Circus parades--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Flags; Spectators--Tacoma;

A circus wagon pulled by an eight horse team turned the corner at South 9th Street and Pacific Avenue as hundreds of Tacomans lined the parade route and watched. The Cole Brothers-Clyde Beatty circus came to Tacoma in August of 1936 for a one day stop. With 1,080 performers and support staff and over 800 animals, including 30 elephants, the circus had the population of a good sized town. The featured performer is young Clyde Beatty, noted wild animal trainer. (T. Times 8/21/1936, pg. 13)

Circus parades--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Flags; Spectators--Tacoma;

Tacomans turn out in droves at 11 a.m. on August 22, 1936 to see the first circus parade in years, passing by the Roxy Theatre, 901 Broadway, now known as the Pantages. The Cole Brothers- Clyde Beatty Circus is in town, featuring young wild animal trainer Clyde Beatty. Marquees indicate the Roxy Theatre, the Music Box, at 902-14 Broadway, destroyed by fire 4/30/1963, and the Rialto, 310 So. 9th. In the back right of the photo is the First Baptist Church, 902 Market St.

Circus parades--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Flags; Spectators--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); First Baptist Church (Tacoma);

Washington Co-operative Association No. 60 picnic at Sumner. Large group of people at picnic tables under trees. Co-op truck in background. A day off was declared by Pierce County farmers as they and their families and friends attended the 9th annual picnic sponsored by area agricultural organizations and the County Agent's office. (T. Times 8/22/1936 p. 1)

Picnics--Sumner--1930-1940; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);