ca. 1939. Photograph taken at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, showing attendance. (filed with Argentum)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple, circa 1938. Men being served by waitress, fireplace with head of an elk above it. (filed with Argentum)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma;

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple circa 1938. Men being seated in dining room. (filed with Argentum) (photo damage upper left corner?)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma;

Five of the oldest members of the Tacoma Elks Club gather to discuss the Good Old Days on Old Timers' night held in January of 1938. They are, left to right, S.J. Maxwell, member #2, whose career was in shipping; George L. Palmer, in the printing business and served once as Deputy Sheriff; S.A. Perkins, member #3, newspaper publishing; Major Charles O. Bates, law; and Calvin S. Heilig, member #1, theater owner in Tacoma and Portland. "Sam" Perkins served as master of ceremonies at the meeting where many memories were shared and enjoyed. (T. Times 1/20/1938, pg. 8) (filed with Argentum)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Perkins, S.A.; Maxwell, S.J.; Palmer, George L.; Bates, Charles O.; Heilig, Calvin S.; Older people--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1931. Several men stand outside the door of the Tacoma Elks (BPOE- Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) Temple admiring the Elks Magazine Studebaker President 8. Tom Truly has been identified as the young man in the cap at the far left of the photograph. He was one of the drivers on this Studebaker/Elks tour. The automobile according to lettering on its side was travelling from New York to Seattle for the Elks National Convention, July 6-9th. The automobile is believed to be a 1931 Studebaker President 8 Roadster convertible. At the wheel is thought to be W.C. O'Donnell, Studebaker advertising manager from NYC. The Elks National Grand Lodge Convention site was Seattle in 1931. (filed with Argentum) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Studebaker automobile; Truly, Tom;

This motley collection of characters was the entertainment at the Elks Club on March 28, 1928. "High Society, " "cooks," "hoboes" and "cops" all mixed easily together that evening. Tacoma's Elks Lodge presented seasonal "entertainment" where Elks polished their acting and musical skills for the benefit of fellow members.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Entertainers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Elks Temple. June, 1926, view of the Elks Temple as seen from Commerce Street. At this time, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174, had been at this location for 10 years. The elegant structure was one of Tacoma's showcases and its 64 Spanish steps, built to serve as a fire escape, were designed after the Scala di Spagna of Rome, steps that once led to the Spanish Embassy. The Tacoma Elks Lodge and Puyallup Lodge would be hosting the 1926 state Elks convention in Tacoma later in June. TPL-635; G17.1-046; BU-10,638 (TNT 6-17-26, 1-C)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. A group of law officers, dressed in uniforms with badges and topped off with straw skimmers, pose in front of the B.P.O.E. (Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) lodge. The man to the left is possibly Pierce County Sheriff John Bjorklund. The picture is probably related to the celebration of Straw Hat Day circa 1925. (WSHS- negative A844-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--1920-1930; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. A float cruises in front of the Elks Lodge. The truck chassis has been covered with straw-like material and sports a straw skimmer hat and carries a Dixieland band, also wearing straw hats. A banner on the float reads "Park your new straw- under a seat at the Colonial and see 'A Kiss in the Dark'." "A Kiss in the Dark" was a silent film adaptation of the comic play "Aren't We All." It was released April 6, 1925 and starred Adolphe Menjou, Lillian Rich and Aileen Pringle, with a cameo appearance by Herbert (Zeppo) Marx. The float was possibly intended for the Straw Hat Day celebrations. Straw Hat Day in Tacoma was the date that gentlemen officially put away their heavy winter hats and donned straw ones for the warmer weather. (WSHS- negative A845-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Seven soldier members of the Salt Lake No. 85 Elks Lodge pose in front of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 on August 16, 1918. They are wearing military uniforms with most carrying flags. A large sign is held by two Elks "warning" others to "Watch Your Girls We're From Salt Lake No. 85." The soldiers represented their lodge during the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention held in Tacoma during August of 1918. They would march in the massive downtown parade along with Elks from lodges across the state and including several Montana Elks stationed at Camp Lewis. G68.1-109 (TDL 8-17-18, p. 7-article)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Salt Lake Lodge No. 85; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Signs (Notices); Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Visiting Elks. The Everett Elks Band pose on the famous Spanish Steps next to the Elks Lodge, 565 Broadway, on August 16, 1918. A service flag with "In God We Trust" is lofted up high in the background. There was one gold star included which signified the loss of an Elks member in war. The Everett band was one of several in town for the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention which had opened on August 15th. The highlight of the convention was the massive downtown parade in which the bands and thousands of Elks marched. ( TNT 8-16-18, p. 1-article; TNT 8-17-18, p.2-article)

Stairways--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Marching bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;