Visitation Villa Academy 1938 May Day exercises. Six girls dressed in formal attire holding umbrellas (parasols), and balloons. The afternoon was reserved for drills and dances performed by Visitation students for parents and guests. (T. Times 5/28/1938, p. 9).

Visitation Villa Academy (Lakewood); Private schools--Lakewood--1930-1940; May Day--Lakewood; Holidays--Lakewood--1930-1940; Festivals--Lakewood--1930-1940;

Visitation Villa Academy 1938 May Day exercises. Young women, grouped in pairs, walking in the traditional procession from the Main building after the coronation of the May Queen. The coronation would be held on the north lawn. They pass a two-story building with balcony and covered porch as they proceed into a crowd of visitors seated in chairs under large fir trees.

Visitation Villa Academy (Lakewood); Private schools--Lakewood--1930-1940; May Day--Lakewood; Holidays--Lakewood--1930-1940; Festivals--Lakewood--1930-1940;

This photograph taken in 1938 shows Mayor George A. Smitley buying a "Buddy Poppy" from Mary Lee Burrows (left) and Elizabeth Armstrong, the youngest members of the American Legion Rhodes Post Auxiliary, at his office in (Old) City Hall. Mayor Smitley was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1872, and although his formal education was limited to four years in a country school, he went on to be a successful businessman and Mayor of Tacoma from 1934 through 1938. Buddy poppies date to the early 1920s. They were inspired after WWI by the poem "In Flanders Fields" and are sold by the VFW to raise funds for disabled and needy veterans and their dependents.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1930-1940; Burrows, Mary Lee; Armstrong, Elizabeth;

On May 25, 1938, Mayor George A. Smitley, in his office at (old) City Hall, bought a "Buddy Poppy" from Mary Lee Burrows (L) and Elizabeth Armstrong, the youngest members of the American Legion Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Buddy Poppies were assembled by disabled and/or needy veterans and proceeds used for veterans welfare. (T.Times).

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Burrows, Mary Lee; Armstrong, Elizabeth;

On August 27, 1938, Capt. Edmund Clarence Weaver, one of Tacoma's more colorful characters, celebrated his 100th birthday. Born in Minneapolis, Minn, he left home at 13 and, until a few years before this picture was taken, adventured through every continent and most countries. The retired sea captain made many flamboyant career choices, including time spent as a fighter, explorer and soldier of fortune. The loss of his right arm in a train wreck directly after the Civil War did not hamper Capt. Weaver. He was the only surviving Pony Express Rider, came across Stanley and Livingston in Africa and was acquainted with Trader Horn. Relaxing at his home prior to his special day, he recounted that he was good for another 50 years. Unfortunately, Capt. Weaver was killed by a city bus near his East Side Drive home on September 15, 1938. Although much more vigorous than a man many years his junior, he became confused and misjudged the direction of the oncoming bus. (T. Times 8/26/1938, pg. 10; T. Times 9/15/1938, pg. 1)

Postal service employees--Tacoma; Pony Express; Weaver, E.C.; Centenarians--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Visitation Villa Academy, 1938 May Day exercises. A group of young women dressed in formal attire gather on the front steps of a two-story brick building. Mary Jane Haniger reigned as Queen of the May Day festivities. (T. Times, 5/28/38, p.9).

Visitation Villa Academy (Lakewood); Private schools--Lakewood--1930-1940; May Day--Lakewood; Holidays--Lakewood--1930-1940; Festivals--Lakewood--1930-1940;

Visitation Villa Academy, 1938 May Day festivities. The royal court poses surrounded by baskets of flowers. Mary Jane Haniger reigned as May Day Queen. Standing in the back row are the Maids of Honor, left to right, Marie Eskstein, Muriel Mullin, Phebe Pierce, Susan Manley and Paula Haniger. Standing by Queen Mary Jane is Jerome Rosenberger. The front row, left to right, is composed of Sharon Ann Mazza, Leslie Haniger, Margaret Haniger and Nadine Lee Gillis. (T.Times, 5/28/1938, p. 9).

Visitation Villa Academy (Lakewood); Private schools--Lakewood--1930-1940; May Day--Lakewood; Holidays--Lakewood--1930-1940; Festivals--Lakewood--1930-1940; Haniger, Mary Jane;

Visitation Villa Academy,1938 May Day exercises. Young women dressed in formal attire holding maypole streamers. The coronation of the May Day Queen was followed by an afternoon program of drills and dances, including the traditional May pole dance, performed by Visitation students. (T. Times, 5/28/1938, p. 9).

Visitation Villa Academy (Lakewood); Private schools--Lakewood--1930-1940; May Day--Lakewood; Holidays--Lakewood--1930-1940; Festivals--Lakewood--1930-1940; May poles;

Max Frolic's, a distinctively modern "Dreamhouse" diner opened on May 26, 1938, on old Highway 99 in Lakewood. Max Frolic and William Thornburg, owners of the popular Art-deco-style roadside restaurant, provided service 24-hours a day. Frolic, a violinist and orchestra/band leader, decorated the interior with autographed photographs of show business and sports stars. Current owners call the place "Maxie's". Ordered by Johnson Cox Company. (TNT, 5/25/1938, p. 9). (filed with Argentum)

Restaurants--Lakewood--1930-1940; Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood);

W.P. Bonney, left, of the Washington State Historical Society, and Harvey Scofield, expert rifleman and small arms authority, examine an old, American-made "Kentucky Rifle" used by Levant Frederick Thompson in the Indian War of 1855. Mr. Thompson was the youngest member of the first territorial legislature and the oldest member of the first state legislature. (T. Times, 5/26/38, p. 2).

Bonney, William P.; Guns; Firearms; Scofield, Harvey;

On May 28, 1938, George L. Freestone stood in front of the Milwaukee Railroad ticket window where he had sold tickets for the past 26 years. Mr. Freestone was retiring and being replaced by Glen T. Russell, former baggage agent. The 76-year-old Steilacoom Lake resident had sold railroad tickets for a total of 44 years, the first 18 in Chicago for the Chicago, Western and Indiana Railroad. (T. Times 5/31/1938, p. 2-alt. photograph).

Freestone, George L.; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co.--Retirements;

Glen T. Russell holds a strip of Milwaukee Railroad tickets as he learns about his new job from best friend and retiring ticket agent George L. Freestone (at right) in late May of 1938. Mr. Freestone had sold tickets at the Milwaukee station since June 1, 1911, some 26 years. At age 76, the Steilacoom Lake resident was ready to retire. He had accumulated a total of 44 years in selling railroad tickets, the first 18 in Chicago. His successor, Mr. Russell, was promoted from baggage agent to ticket agent. (T. Times, 5/31/1938, p. 2).

Freestone, George L.; Russell, Glen T.; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co.--Retirements;

A trio of lawn bowlers, (l to r) George Fairbaine and Charles P. Middleton of Seattle and Eugene McNeal of Tacoma, crouch to measure the distance between a bowling ball and the "jack" on the green in Wright Park. On May 28, 29 & 30, 1938, eighty five lawn bowlers from Bellingham, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma competed in the Northwest Lawn Bowling Association's holiday tournament in Wright Park . The Scottish game had developed a large following in the Pacific Northwest and Wright Park held one of the finest manicured playing fields in the region. McNeal of Tacoma won the singles title with Fairbairn finishing third. The object of the game is to roll your ball as close to the "jack", the small white ball, as possible. (T. Times, 6/1/1938, p. 5).

Bowling--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Lawn bowlers compete in Northwest tournament at Wright Park. The ancient Scottish game attracted 85 bowlers, signifying growing popularity in the Northwest. Spectators watch bowler as he stands on lawn pad and rolls the ball. (T.Times, 6/1/38, p. 5).

Bowling--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Hood Street Reservoir. Taken from hill with city, tideflats and Holy Rosary Church in background. Ordered by Comfort & Davis.

City Views - Washington State - Pierce County - Tacoma - South End Facilities - Public Works - Water Sysrems - Reservoirs

1938 Haley wedding. At home. Frank Haley in stripe suit with tie; his bride Nell wearing dark dress, jacket with large corsage, and hat. (filed with Argentum)

Weddings--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings)--1930-1940; Haley, Frank; Haley, Nell; Haley, Frank--Family;

Haley wedding. Frank Haley, on his wedding day, is in the center of the front row; flanking him are his brother Richard Haley and his father, J.C. Haley, one of the founders of Brown & Haley Confectioners. In the back row, left to right, are the groom's brothers: Cliff Haley, Fred Haley, who succeeded his father in running the business, and Ted Haley. The man at the far right is unidentified. (filed with Argentum) (Additional information provided by a family member)

Weddings--1930-1940; Haley, J.C.; Haley, J.C.--Family; Haley, Frank; Haley, Clifford; Haley, Fred; Haley, Ted;

Young Dana Joseph Hunter holds lilacs, the symbol of May Day, and looks up at his mother, out of picture frame. His father, Charles D. Hunter, Jr., is law partner with Edgar Eisenhower, brother of future President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. (T.Times, 5/7/1938, p. 9).

Hunter, Dana Joseph; Lilacs;

On Memorial Day in 1938, W.P. Bonney, regional director in Washington for the Oregon Trail Memorial Association, presents a newly designed Pony Express flag to Capt. Edmund Clarence (E.C.) Weaver, center. Capt. Weaver was the last known living postal rider. The 99-year-old Weaver, who lived in Tacoma, rode between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming along the Oregon Trail. Scouts Herbert and Don Jensen observe the event held at Camp Kilworth, north of Dash Point. The new flag is white with a dark blue pony rider in an action pose with diagonal bars of red, white and blue. (T.Times, 5/31/1938, p.1)

Postal service--Tacoma; Postal service employees--Tacoma; Pony Express;Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Camp Kilworth; Weaver, E.C.; Jensen, Herbert; Jensen, Don; Bonney, William P.; Flags;

Copy of 1888 agreement between Northern Pacific Railroad and St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company for laying tracks to a mill. (Page One)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1880-1890; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma; Contracts--Tacoma;

Haley wedding. Frank Haley and his bride Nell peer out the window from the back seat of a two-door sedan after their wedding ceremony which took place in May of 1938.

Weddings--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings)--1930-1940; Haley, Frank; Haley, Nell; Haley, Frank--Family; Automobiles--1930-1940;

Built by Radner R. Pratsch in 1920, the Realart Theater, at 5415 So. Tacoma Way brought Hollywood movies to So. Tacoma for over 40 years. On May 16, 1938 the theater was showing a double bill of "Over the Goal" with June Travis and "West of Shanghai" starring Boris Karloff. Mr. Pratsch retired from the movie business in 1956, and the building has gone through a succession of owners.

Realart Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pratsch, Radner R.--Homes & haunts;

Built by Radner R. Pratsch in 1920, the Realart Theater, at 5415 So. Tacoma Way brought Hollywood movies to So. Tacoma for over 40 years. On May 16, 1938 the theater was showing a double bill of "Over the Goal" with June Travis and "West of Shanghai" starring Boris Karloff. Mr. Pratsch retired from the movie business in 1956, and the theater became the Realart Square Dance Hall in 1961. In 1971, the Golden Dragon Restaurant, which had been located next to the theater at 5413 So. Tacoma Way since 1951, expanded and took over the theater. Today the top floor of the theater can still be seen above the facade of the Fu Shung Restaurant.

Realart Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pratsch, Radner R.--Homes & haunts;

Detail of the front entrance and the neon marquee of the Realart Theater built by Radner R. Pratsch in 1920 at 5415 So. Tacoma Way. The Realart brought Hollywood movies to So. Tacoma for over 40 years. On May 16, 1938 the theater was showing a double bill of the football drama "Over the Goal" with June Travis and "West of Shanghai" starring Boris Karloff in oriental makeup. In 1971, the building was converted to the Golden Dragon Restaurant. It is still in use as a restaurant.

Realart Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pratsch, Radner R.--Homes & haunts;

In preparation for Mother's Day in May of 1938, Louise Hunter arranges lilacs in a vase with the help of her young son, Dana Joseph Hunter. Her husband, Charles D. Hunter, Jr., was an attorney with the Tacoma law firm of Eisenhower & Carlson, and was a law partner with Edgar Eisenhower, the brother of future President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mr. Hunter was a champion amateur golfer; he won the Tacoma city championship 10 times between 1931 and 1945. Mrs. Hunter, the former Louise Fox Huggins of Philadelphia, arrived in Tacoma on November 1, 1930. She had married Mr. Hunter on August 2, 1930. Her grandfather, Edwin Huggins, had ties with the Hudson's Bay Co. in the territory now occupied by the City of Tacoma. (T.Times, 5/7/1938, p. 9; TNT 11-1-30, p. 1-article on the Hunters).

Hunter, Charles D.--Family; Hunter, Louise; Hunter, Dana Joseph; Lilacs; Mothers & children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

First Lutheran Church, Graduating Sunday School Class, circa May of 1938. Twelve boys and girls with pastor. (filed with Argentum)

First Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Albert and Alfreda Gamin pose in front of their home at 6810 So. Yakima Ave.

Gamin, Albert; Gamin, Alfreda; Gamin, Albert--Homes & haunts;

Beginning in May of 1938, J. Clifford Haley Jr. wrote a series of articles for the Tacoma Times about the nine months he spent fighting with the Loyalists in Spain. He had recently returned to his wife and two small children in Tacoma after a harrowing escape from a Spanish prison. Mr. Haley had lent his services to the Loyalists because he believed in their cause. A radio technician by trade, he had ending up serving on a front line machine gun crew. He found the Loyalist army rife with disorganized leadership, unjust treatment, petty politics, bureaucracy and a disregard of human life; he also found that they were not living up to the Marxian doctrine that they held up to the world. He fled the Loyalist army using falsified documents, but was caught and imprisoned by the Spanish. He managed to escape. He sailed first to Africa and then on to New York - and finally Tacoma. Far from giving up his ideals, he still believed in the Loyalists' cause and their Marxist doctrine. (T. Times 5/14/1938, pg. 1 plus succeeding articles)

Haley, Clifford; War correspondents--Tacoma--1930-1940; Journalists; Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939--Communications;

View of port industries on City Waterway, taken from Stadium Way. Vermont Marble Company, Northwest Door Company, and Norwood Plywood among industries shown in this elevated May, 1938, photograph. City Waterway's name has been changed to Thea Foss Waterway.

City Waterway (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This is a view of a South End neighborhood taken in May of 1938. Road in photograph is unpaved and runs along undeveloped land. There is a glimpse of houses in background. Ordered by Comfort & Davis.

Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1930-1940; Land;