Signal Oil broadcast. Carnival of Fun held at the Jason Lee (now Middle) School in September of 1939. Actor Jack Carson (far left) playfully tilts the chin of a woman believed to be Kay St. Germain, a featured singer on the radio program, as they wait behind the curtains. She would become Mrs. Jack Carson in September of 1940. BOWEN 01-347

This is what 9th & Broadway looked like in the late afternoon of September 20, 1932, as throngs strain to catch a glimpse of Presidential candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Democratic candidate's open vehicle is led and followed by motorcycle police. Mr. Roosevelt, the governor of New York, had just concluded a speech to thousands at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. His motorcade arrived in Tacoma about a half-hour earlier than expected so hundreds missed their chance to see him swing through the streets of downtown Tacoma. TPL-2679 (TNT 9-20-32, p. 1-article; TNT 9-21-32, p. 1)

In the depths of the Great Depression, about 1,000 men and women waged a peaceful orderly march on City Hall in late February of 1931 to focus attention on immediate unemployment relief. Members of the Unemployed Council, the Trade Unity League and the Communist Party requested: 1) unemployment insurance at $15 per week with $5 extra per dependent; 2) an immediate relief fund of $1 million generated by reducing city officials' salaries; 3) non-ejection of unemployed not able to pay house rent; 4) free use of civic auditoriums for meetings of the unemployed and 5) full payment of war bonus. Mayor M.G. Tennent met with twelve chosen marchers to express his and the city council's concern but stated that their powers were limited. He did state that a $41,000 Sheridan Avenue project was approved that morning so that more men could be employed through city construction. After listening to a program of addresses by their leaders, the large crowd dispersed after about three hours. (TDL 2/26/1931, p.4-article). Bowen 03-914.

For many years, P. T. Barnum-type side shows were main features at carnivals and fairs. In 1921, at the Western Washington Fair, McGunning-Davis was presenting her "consolidated twin alive--one head and two bodies". Also, a "20th Century Enigma--Australia natives captured in the wilds of Western Australia--First time on exhibition in America".

Fisher's Department Store, 1104 Broadway. Crowd outside Fisher's store in June of 1931. Vaudeville act in window. Girls in costume, with trumpets, standing on marquee of store. Photo for Fox Broadway Theater. Bowen # 310-240a

For 17 years Al Pentecost, general foreman at the Milwaukee shops, had kept a single bottle of Rainier pale beer on ice in his ice box. He had purchased a case of the beer in 1915 before Washington State went dry. Only a single bottle remained of the case which Mr. Pentecost faithfully kept cool, replacing the ice frequently. With State Initiative 61 effective on December 8, 1932, repealing the bone dry law, Mr. Pentecost decided to finally crack open the beer bottle. He proclaimed it as good as the day he bought it with plenty of suds. Mr. Pentecost resided at 3708 North Madison St. (T.Times 12-8-32, p. 1,11)

Undated photograph of a very large group of children and a few adults who had apparently taken a special excursion. Three buses in background. Location unknown. Due to clothing styles, this photograph may have been taken roughly in the 1920s or 30's.