ca. 1959. The Castle Hall at the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. This Italian Renaissance Revival structure was built in 1906-1907 of Tenino stone from a design by architect Frederick Heath and hailed as the "most elaborate and perfectly furnished lodge building in the West." The building was constructed at a cost of $55,000. The building is on both the city and national historical directory. In accordance with design principles of the day, the main floors were built to contain commercial space with the lodge facilities on the top two floors. Carefully preserved since its dedication, Castle Hall is believed to be one of the most beautiful lodges in the country. It has mahogany walls, Ionic columns, elliptical leaded glass skylights and murals depicting the story of the fast friendship of Damon and Pythias, on which the beliefs of the order are based. Although plagued by dwindling membership, the Knights are still active. The fraternal order was founded in 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone on the principles of friendship, charity and benevolence, or "FCB" the letters inscribed on the triangles that make up the group's emblem. Secret meetings were held in the hall, where members donned robes indicating their rank in the group. They gathered to honor God, America and make friends in a celebration of brotherhood. (TNT 10/3/1989 "Lifestyles" section; "Tacoma Rediviva" by Kipp Associates, pg. 72-73)

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two Bluebirds stand inside a cutout heart, advertising the February finish for the sale of their traditional chocolate covered mint candies, being offered by another Bluebird member in the photograph. The Bluebirds are a junior branch of the Camp Fire Girls. Their insignia shows on their caps and on their vests. Camp Fire Girls would be selling candy from the end of January through February 13th. 1960 was the Golden Jubilee of the Camp Fire Organization; the first group formed in March of 1910. Proceeds from the sale were used to help defray costs incurred in maintaining their residential camp Camp Wakoma and their day camp sessions. Money was also retained at the local level to help benefit local groups, providing revenue for field trips, supplies and functions. (TNT 1/24/1960, pg. D-5)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970; Candy--Tacoma--1960-1970;

21 women in evening gowns pose at the USO Center on May 17, 1960, along with one military officer. These women belonged to the Navy Mothers Club, a national organization, and quite active here.

Navy Mothers Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Grand Officers of the Eastern Star on stage in June of 1942. Flags of several nations, including the United States, and silhouettes of Presidents Lincoln and Washington serve as decorations. 1500 Eastern Star members attended the organization's 59th annual meeting held at the Masonic Temple. Mayme Harmony was elected worthy grand matron and Irwin Jones, worthy grand patron. (T.Times 6-17-42, p. 8-article; T.Times 6-19-42, p. 9-article)

Order of the Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Flags; Silhouettes; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Grand Chapter of the State of Washington, Order of the Eastern Star, opened their "Victory Session" at Fellowship Hall in the Masonic Temple on June 18, 1942. The Grand Officers posed for a group portrait for the 59th annual meeting. Hanging above them are flags from many nations. Since America was at war then the flags shown are from some of their allies, including Great Britain and the USSR. Silhouettes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln flank the officials on stage. 1500 Eastern Star members attended the meeting. Mayme Harmony of Seattle and Irwin Jones were selected as worthy grand matron and worthy grand patron, respectively. (T.Times 6-17-42, p. 8-article; T.Times 6-19-42, p. 9-article)

Order of the Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Flags; Silhouettes; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

One of the greatest changes in the conversion of the Baker Hotel, 1355 Market St., into the Labor Temple was the addition of a private club and restaurant for the use of A.F.of L. members only. View of bar and part of lounge.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

In April of 1941, the Tacoma Central Labor Council acquired the Baker Hotel, at 1355 Market St., and set about making it their new home. The Council, representing over 60 A.F. of L. unions with a total membership of over 35,000, ordered $75,000 in renovations on the building. The refurbishment included nine meeting halls, with seating capacities from 50- 600. The structure, including improvements, was completely paid for 17 months after it was acquired. It was operated on a co-operative non-profit basis by the unions. (TNT 1/7/1942, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

Interior of new Tacoma Labor Temple, 1355 Market St. View of meeting room taken from podium. American Federation of Labor (AFofL) symbol on back wall. $75,000 in remodeling was needed to turn the Baker Hotel, at 1355 Market St., into the Labor Temple, home of over 60 labor unions. Included were nine meeting rooms, such as this one, seating variously 50- 600 folks.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

New Tacoma Labor Temple, interior of bar. Tables and chairs in foreground, cash register behind bar, slot machines at right. The Club Rooms were located in the new Labor Temple, 1355 Market St., and were for the exclusive use of A.F. of L. members. The Club was operated co-operatively on a non profit basis.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Central Labor Council obtained the Baker Hotel in 1941 for use as their new headquarters. They abandoned their cramped offices at the City Hall annex, where they had been for 17 years, and moved into the new 4 1/2 story cream colored brick structure. They then spent $75,000 remodeling the building to suit their purposes. This remodel included the construction of members-only recreation rooms and restaurant. (TNT 1/7/1943, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

After the Tacoma Central Labor Council obtained the Baker Hotel in 1941 for use as their new meeting structure, they allotted $75,000 for improvements to the 4 1/2 story building. This price included the Labor Temple Club and restaurant. The club rooms were located on the mezzanine floor. The building also contained 46 offices, occupied by affiliated unions, nine meeting halls and a printing plant of the first floor, used for the publication of the Labor Advocate. (TNT 1/7/1942, PG. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

Caption on photograph reads "The Bodyguard Escorting His Royal Highness 'The Umpire.' July 19, 1925." Members of the Kuh-Ala-Dagh Lodge of the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (DOKK), a Seattle temple, held a summer picnic on the shores of Spanaway Lake at the home of C.G. Grosser on July 19, 1925. The featured event was a baseball game. Mr. Grosser served as the umpire and was zealously guarded by an escort of seven young "DOKKIES" with rifles on their shoulders. The escort remained during the game. The DOKK is a Knights of Pythias side degree identified by its lean toward comedy. (WSHS) TNT 7/20/1925, pg. 3

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Play (Recreation)--1920-1930; Knights of Pythias (Tacoma); Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (Seattle); Baseball umpires--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Lions Club held its annual Christmas party on December 17, 1942 at the new Tacoma Boys Club located at 711 South 25th Street. Forty boys were guests of the members attending the luncheon. Each boy received a gift from Santa. The Lions also took this opportunity to dedicate the new locker room at the club that was furnished and equipped by the Lions. (TNT 12/16/1942, pg. 13)

Lions Club (Tacoma); Salvation Army (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boys Club (Tacoma);

Orpheus Club. Director of the male chorus was Paul B. Oncley. The sole female is Vivian Venables, accompanist. The chorus was founded in 1903 in Tacoma. In the 1930's, membership in the chorus reached a high of 72 active participants. (History of Pierce County Washington, Vol. 1, p. 27- article)

Orpheus Club (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Oncley, Paul B.; Venables, Vivian;

Over 50 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha attended the luncheon held in the Capri Room of the Americana Motor Hotel at 242 Saint Helens Avenue on September 4, 1965. They were in Tacoma to attend the 36th Far Western Regional Conference of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held on September 3 & 4, 1965. Sorority members from Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington attended the two day event. Mrs. Frank Russell, past president of the local Zeta Omega Omega Chapter was mistress of ceremonies. The Rev. Dr. John Adams, pastor at Seattle's First African Methodist Episcopal Church spoke on the theme "Advancement through Knowledge and Action". Founded in 1908 by women of Howard University, this national sorority endeavored to uplift the African-American community through leadership, service and scholarship. (TNT 9/1/1965 p.B-8) TPL-9152

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Group portraits;

ca. 1926. A full house is gathered at the Scottish Rite Cathedral to hear Harland McCoy, diet lecturer.

Scottish Rite Cathedral (Tacoma); Audiences; Crowds; Spectators;

Eagles receive visit from National President in January of 1944. Large group portrait of men, those in front wearing uniforms, and several on stage behind and beside an Honor Roll plaque. Eagles' National President, Robert W. Hansen, is the man on the far right in the back row. (T.Times, 1/10/1944, P. 5; 1/18/1944, P.18)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hansen, Robert W.;

University Union Club Honor Roll, Mr. Ireland. An outdoor plaque lists the names of the University Union Clubs members in service titled "Honor Roll".

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Women are seated at tables having a coffee break. Many of them wear white cloth head coverings and white uniforms. The Red Cross Building Committee has arranged for the Red Cross building to be completely remodeled. The building will be reopened March 1, 1944. (T.Times, 2/28/1944, p.7)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Eating & drinking; Employee eating facilities;

Red Cross. Officials and officers of the Red Cross pose for a group picture. Seated second from left is the Captain of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps, Iris Bryan.

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. By February of 1944 there were over four million Red Cross volunteers throughout the United States. Although many worked as typists, clerks, and ambulance drivers, there were also volunteers that supported the war with needle and thread. These Tacoma women, seated at tables fitted with sewing machines, standing at an ironing board and seated with hand sewing, are sewing garments for hospitals and refugees. Several finished garments are hanging at the back of the room. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Sewing--Tacoma; Sewing machines;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Registered nurses donate their time as instructors in home nursing. Red Cross classes are provided to train over three million people in home nursing to ease the doctor and nurse shortage due to the war. (T.Times, 2/16/1944, p.6), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1).

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Health education; Nursing; Medical equipment & supplies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Many women wearing red cross uniforms are seated at tables with small pieces of fabric and templates folding bandages. This is the surgical dressing room. Two other women are seen through a doorway working with ledgers. Red Cross workers make surgical dressings, drive ambulances, work as typists, clerks, and visit the sick in their efforts to help people in need. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Medical equipment & supplies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Seven women are knitting and two other women are working at a typewriter and desk. A roll of paper is on a stand at the end of one of the tables ready to assist in wrapping packages. Money alone would never complete the tremendous task the Red Cross has in helping people in need. Over four million Red Cross workers sew garments for hospitals and refugees and knit sweaters. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Knitting; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Two older women are seated while knitting sweaters. They are surrounded by baskets and shelves full of skeins of dark colored yarn. An enlisted man after being wounded wrote in a letter home, "Only God and the Red Cross can help me now".

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aged persons--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Knitting; Yarn;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Miss Charlotte Alspaugh is seated at a table next to a display of articles made by students for the Fort Lewis hospital. Posters and other framed materials are hung on the walls. The newly remodeled Red Cross building will reopen March 1, 1944. (T.Times, 2/28/1944, p. 7), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Alspaugh, Charlotte; Handicraft;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Three women and two men sit around a table reviewing plans for the fund raising campaign that will begin March 1, 1944. March was proclaimed as Red Cross War Fund Month by the President of the United States. 90% of all money raised will go directly into services for the armed forces. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Fourteen women, seated and standing, hold envelopes, ready to begin the Red Cross 1944 fund-raising campaign. They hold packages of stickers and pins. Back row, L-R, Grace M. Davies, four unnamed women, Lula M. Shank, unnamed, Nettie E. Paulsen. Front row, L-R, Hazel D. Slater, unnamed, Lunella McMaster, unnamed, Frances M. Goodman, and unnamed. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Women are standing at large tables working in the production room with fabric and clothing. Bolts of fabric lay on shelves at the back of the large work room and wrapped bundles are ready on the table at the front. Over four million Red Cross workers make surgical dressings, sew garments for hospitals and refugees, knit sweaters, drive ambulances, etc., to help during war time. (T.Times 2/29/1944, p.1), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

Eagles ending membership drive. The Tacoma Aerie No. 3 Fraternal Order of Eagles began on December 4, 1898, in Chickering Hall, located on then known "C" Street, now called Broadway. View of Eagles Club Room, remodeled in 1941 and said to be one of the finest in the nation.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3 (Tacoma);