Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Fisher's Flouring Mills, maker of Fisher Blend Flour, contributed this delectable layered float featuring a three layer anniversary cake, complete with candles, for Washington State's fifty years of "progress," 1889-1939. Several young women in long white dresses with puffed sleeves ride on the float. Fisher Flouring Mills Co. was located at 1153 Dock St.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher Flouring Mills (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This horse drawn wagon loaded with pioneers was entered by the Pacific Match Co. in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. A sign on the side of the wagon reads" We don't make all the matches in the country... we just make the best of them." The sign on the front of the wagon identifies the driver as Mr. James E. Sales, born in 1853, the first white child born in Tacoma. He would have been 86 years old at the time of the parade. Pacific Match Co. was located at 3223 So. Union Ave.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma);

This truck covered in red, white and blue bunting and awnings was entered by one of the many "Townsend Clubs" in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. The sign on the top promotes "The Townsend Plan for National Prosperity." A sign on the side reads "The Townsend Plan is the only Recovery Plan." Other signs promote "Townsend Plan gives our youth a chance" and "Work for Youth." Directly behind the cab of the truck ride several young women and under the awning ride several of the seniors that supported the Plan. The Plan was formulated in 1934 by Dr. Francis E. Townsend and called for a $200 a month pension for each retired person over the age of 60. The money had to be spent within that 30 days, insuring circulation of funds. It would be financed by a 2% federal sales tax. The Plan had a strong following among seniors, many who had their savings and retirement funds wiped out by the Depression. Although never adopted, the movement had a strong political base.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This horse drawn wagon draped at the sides with evergreen boughs was entered in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade by the Defiance Lumber Co. The men on the platform are involved in some pioneer wood cutting techniques. In the center, one man hacks at the log with an axe, while another man sits atop cutting with a saw. A motorcycle with a side car rides along the side of the wagon. Defiance Lumber was located at 4601 Ruston Way . Lee L. Doud was president.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Defiance Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade, Tacoma City Light float at Jefferson and Market Streets, on July 22, 1939. Theme of float was Arabian Nights. The float featured a gilded youth as Aladdin, an electric lamp, and four maidens in huge jars. Four spectators in foreground make themselves comfortable by sitting on wooden rounds at the edge of the wooden sidewalk and curb. (TNT 7-23-39, p. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade, Tacoma City Light float, on July 22, 1939. The theme of the City Light float was Arabian Nights. The float featured a gilded youth as Aladdin, an electric lamp, and four maidens in huge jars. Spectators stand several rows deep to watch the parade. (TNT 7-23-39, p. 1) TPL-5198

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade, Tacoma City Light float, on July 22, 1939. The Arabian Nights themed float rolls past the photographer. The float featured a gilded youth as Aladdin, an electric lamp, four maidens in huge jars and a smoke machine. Spectators shield their heads from July sun with their Jubilee hats. (TNT 7-23-39, p. 1) TPL-5197

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This floral tribute, inhabited by young people performing various kinds of work, was contributed to the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade by the "National Youth Administration (NYA)." The program was a Works Progress Administration offshoot, heavily supported by Eleanor Roosevelt and intended to educate and start young people out in the workforce. Instituted in June of 1935, it covered youths ages 16-25. Those wishing to remain in school were given part-time jobs and those out of school were given on the job training. The program was abolished in 1943.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Old 1900 South End Transfer "Lock, McLean, Dean" wagon drawn by horses being loaded with "Paul Bunyon Loggers" signs for Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Richfield "Years Ahead" billboard in background.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carts & wagons--Tacoma; Horse teams--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Fisher Flouring Mills wishes Washington a special happy anniversary with this layered convection of a float, dotted with girls in white dresses. One girl is perched atop the cake while another is enthroned in the rear under a canopy. The float is colored white and decorated to look like frosting. Fisher Flouring Mills Co. was located at 1153 Dock St.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher Flouring Mills (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Old 1900 South End Transfer "Lock, McLean, Dean" wagon drawn by horses. A man with a moving picture camera on a tripod can be seen at the right hand side of the photograph.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carts & wagons--Tacoma; Horse teams--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Float sponsor Centennial was also celebrating their golden anniversary, growing from one small mill in Spokane in July of 1889 to an employer of 700 in four major mills in Tacoma, Wenatchee, Ritzville and Spokane. "Farm girls" ride the float next to golden shocks of wheat. In the back, a barefoot boy with his overalls rolled up leans against a small house. Centennial was located on Schuster Parkway, next to Sperry Mills. It was destroyed by fire in January of 1947.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Centennial Flouring Mills Co. (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A part of Tacoma's and our nation's past came rolling down Pacific Avenue on July 22, 1939, during the Golden Jubilee Parade. A man and woman dressed in vintage clothing drive a 1906 Model "N" Ford owned by Titus Ford. There is barely enough room for two. A sign on the Ford's roof reads, "50 Year Club." The driver of the car is Dick Frayne, superintendent of Titus Ford Service Department.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile; Frayne, Dick; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Fire Department participated in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade with their circa 1890 horse drawn steam pumper. (The photograph is damaged above the pumper.) People perch on the ledge outside of second floor windows to watch the parade.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1890-1900;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, on Pacific Avenue. A group of six firemen, wearing false beards and replicas of the old firefighter uniforms and hats, pull the circa 1885 hose cart of the Alert Hose Company #2. The hose cart is topped by the word "Alert" in ironwork. The company, organized in 1885, was volunteer and operated out of a fire station at 13th and A.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1880-1890;

The "Famous Reichmuth Family" plays Swiss tunes for the crowd from the back of a flatbed truck during the Golden Jubilee Parade, July 22, 1939. Their regular location to perform was the Swiss Village at 1318 Broadway, where they played old-time Swiss and Scandinavian tunes for the dancers' enjoyment. The parade entry was also sponsored by Whitworth Fuel Co., 2513 No. Proctor, and Oil Sales & Service Co., 764 Commerce St. A lone child stands in the street beside the truck. The crowd can be seen in the background, 5-6 layers deep.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The sponsor's name cannot be seen on float #46, but it is topped by a huge foil eagle bearing a United States flag in its beak. Signs around the edge of the float promote free speech and a free press. All around the float sit very young girls in white dresses, almost blending into the background. The driver can be seen almost directly beneath the flag.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This float was entered in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade by the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. In the back is a floral cornucopia with a young woman in a white or pastel dress sitting at the opening. Two other young women ride on the float and the driver's upper half, wearing a Jubilee hat, can be seen between the pair and the cornucopia, beside a bench. The float has a replica of the Narrows Bridge on the front. Around the sides are placards featuring Tacoma's accomplishments, either current or in the works in 1939, "The Nation's First Air Base" (McChord), "Portland Differential," "Highway Development," "Hylebos Waterway Development," "McNeil Island Purchased by Government," and "Tacoma Transportation Company."

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This evergreen bough covered float promotes two Tacoma and Northwest pioneers, Job Carr and Dr. Charles H. Spinning. A sign on the float states "1864. Dr. C. H. Spinning locates Job Carr on future townsite of Tacoma." In 1864, Job Carr set up a settlement on the waterfront on property he purchased from the federal government. This settlement was to become Tacoma. Dr. Charles H. Spinning is famous as the "canoe and saddle" Doctor. He settled in 1859 on the site of the present Fern Hill. He served for 9 1/2 years as doctor to the Indian Reservations. The float has a canoe on the front with two native Americans, pioneers in the center and a teepee in the back, almost shielded from view by trees.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Float #15 in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade seems to be constructed completely of foil. The float, entered by several service organizations, emphasizes their support programs for young people, "Dedicated to Youth." It has an undersea theme. A fish is pulling an unoccupied seashell throne, while waves lap at the sides of the float. The circles bear the names of sponsors: Rotary International, Gyro Club, Lions Club, Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) and Kiwanis International.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Evergreen boughs cover a wagon pulled by a Metropolitan Park District truck in this tribute to the jewel of Tacoma's park system, Pt. Defiance Park. In front of the standing map of the park on the wagon is something one would hope to never run into in the park- a bear. Actually bears were housed at the Pt. Defiance zoo and two had escaped the previous year. One of them actually roamed the North End for several weeks.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Float #19 was submitted to the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade by the Lumber Industries. A replica of our beloved Mount Rainier sits ringed by old growth forest. Tacoma was still holding out for the name Mount Tacoma in 1939. At the back of the float is a model house, built from wood cut and processed in the Northwest.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This horse drawn buggy emphasizes the frivolity of the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. Instead of being pulled by a horse, the buggy is hitched up to two people in a mule costume. The driver calmly observes the crowd shading himself with his parasol, leg dangling over the side of the conveyance. He is accompanied by two boys, one of whom is looking over the back at the following drill team. The flag bearer for the drill team marches beside the buggy.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carriages & coaches--1880-1890;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Covered wagon bearing words "Steilacoom 1854" being pulled by a team of four horses. It is being driven by two people in pioneer clothing. There is a man running alongside wagon with a camera in his hand. Steilacoom sent three floats and the city band to the Golden Jubilee Parade which commemorated fifty years of statehood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Carts & wagons--Tacoma;

A pioneer couple rides in this crepe paper decorated wagon in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. He holds an axe, one side of the blade buried in a stump. She leans against him. The driver rides up front. One of the horses bears a large sign "The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be."

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Carts & wagons--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. The graceful Washington State Capital building in Olympia, Wa., is depicted by this model mounted on a float. This float was the contribution to the parade by Thurston County and Olympia. (T.Times 7/24/1939, pg. 3)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Birdseye view of cavalry troops on horseback. Crowd on sidewalk and in street is overwhelmingly large, estimated at 100,000. With 133 entries and 14 miles of parade route, it was the largest parade Tacoma had seen to date. The old brick street and streetcar tracks are still in place.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horses--Tacoma;

A cavalry unit passes by the reviewing stand at the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. The officer salutes the stand. Tacoma's Mayor Kaufman, Jubilee Hostess Queen Amy Lou Murray, Miss Pierce County Margaret Franich, as well as several military officers can be seen on the stand.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horses--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee parade on July 22, 1939. View down Pacific Avenue, opposite the old Sears Roebuck building, looking north. Parade of approaching army trucks and artillery. Between 4,500-4,600 sailors, soldiers and marines participated in the Golden Jubilee parade. There were more than 60 floats, 20 of them entered by Washington counties, and numerous horses, antique automobiles, horse-drawn fire apparatus, bands and drum and bugle corps. Spectators, estimated at more than 100,000, lined the entire parade route. The parade was 14 miles long and took three hours to pass. It formed at 17th & Broadway, marched north on Broadway to Division, down Division to Stadium Way to Pacific and south on Pacific to 24th.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, on Pacific Avenue. Olympia and Thurston County were represented by a float with a model of the State Capitol Building, Washington State Seal and Jubilee Logo. Young woman with hat and robe riding on float and waving. West side, 1300 block of Pacific Avenue in background. (T.Times, 7-24-39, p. 3)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;