Puyallup Coordinating Council was working with the local and regional American Red Cross disaster relief services to bring assistance to their residents after the big April 13, 1949 earthquake. Red Cross would be using recently collected funds from their annual fund raising campaign to assist with community needs in Pierce County. The National Red Cross would be helping the communities affected by yesterday's earthquake as well, including those in Washington, Oregon and Idaho (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. B-4).

Charitable organizations--Puyallup; Disaster relief--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

American Red Cross Disaster Relief committee was meeting in Puyallup with the Puyallup Coordinating Council to plan disaster relief activities for victims of yesterday's earthquake. Perry Cox was the Red Cross committee chairman, his team would be working with Richard F. Gordon, Director of Red Cross Disaster Relief Service for the Pacific area (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. B-4).

Charitable organizations--Puyallup; Meetings--Puyallup; Disaster relief--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Tradition still ruled the fashion of Red Cross dress in March of 1949 when these surgical dressings workers were photographed for an article in the Tacoma News Tribune. They are all wearing white uniforms, with a veil centered in a little embroidered cross of red. March was American Red Cross month and the Tacoma-Pierce County chapter was getting ready to begin its 1949 fund raising campaign. Caught by the camera organizing surgical supplies for military hospitals were: (l to r) Leona McCune, Lucille Branchflower, Eleanora Price, Jessie K. Bacon and Eleanore Bertheau. (T. Times, 3/13/49, p. 24).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medical equipment & supplies; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); McCune, Leona; Branchflower, Lucille; Price, Eleanora; Bacon, Jessie K.;

American Cancer Society would be providing free cancer detection screenings at their clinic in Tacoma during the month of April. April had been proclaimed Cancer Awareness month by Mayor C. Val Fawcett; everyone was encouraged to participate. The Cancer Society would be raising funds for their organization during April, a quota of $20,000 had been set. Fred F. LeVeque was Chairman of the Pierce County Cancer Campaign Committee; view of unidentified members of the Pierce County unit Cancer Society (T. Times, 3/27/49, p. 3).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Preventive medicine--Tacoma; Health care facilities--Tacoma; Clinics--Tacoma; American Cancer Society, Pierce County Unit (Tacoma);

On Sunday April 11, 1948, 20 members of Tacoma Painters' Union, Local 64, helped to kick off the Clean-up Tacoma campaign by giving the Tacoma totem pole a fresh coat of paint. Working to the music of Max Frolic and 27 of Tacoma's union musicians, the painters finished the job in just 72 minutes. Einar Nelson, head of Tacoma's Steelworkers' Union, and his men, put up the steel scaffold used by the painters on Saturday. In comments by Mayor Fawcett, he stated: "Tacoma can well be proud of the part labor, as represented by the tree participating unions, plays in our community life". (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)

Totem poles--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma; Scaffolding--Tacoma;

Men painting totem pole, Times, Burt McMurtrie. It took the twenty members of Painters' Union Local 64 (AFL) 72 minutes to paint Tacoma's totem pole at 10th and A Streets as they kicked-off the Clean-up Tacoma Campaign for 1948. Max Frolic and 27 of Tacoma's union musicians played for 90 minutes finishing their performance with the Star Spangled Banner just as the painters were finishing painting the totem pole. The totem pole was a famous old landmark at this time, standing in Fireman's Park at 10th and A Streets. (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)

Totem poles--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma; Painters Union Local No. 64 (Tacoma); Scaffolding--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Richards' Building. Known as 734-36 Pacific Avenue on the Pacific Avenue side of the building and 735 Commerce Street on the upper side of the building which housed the Rudder Club in 1948. The surface of the lower story is highly reflective surrounding corrugated metal. A neon sign hangs over the doorway. The upper level of the building has arched windows and an ornamented cornice.

Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buildings--Tacoma;

Pausing in front of the Titus Motor Co., 618-24 Broadway on July 12, 1939, was a Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. flatbed truck with a bevy of young women aboard. They were taking part in the Rainbow Girls Parade and represented Yakima Assembly. The truck carried a basin labeled "Fountain of Youth" that was carefully tendered by the girls.

Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainbow Girls (Yakima); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford trucks; Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1939. The Normanna Male Chorus attired in their distinctive dark blazers, white slacks and captain's hats posed for a group portrait circa 1939. The men's chorus would be performing in a concert with the Tacoma Swiss Singing Society at Normanna Hall. (T. Times 3/31/1939, pg. 11) (filed with Argentum)

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma; Singers; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Eastern Star Convention in Tacoma, June 23, 1939. Eighteen women wearing formal dresses, some holding large bouquets of flowers. For John D. Morris. (filed with Argentum)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Pioneer Association meeting at Steilacoom Town Hall; Federal Revival style building by Emanuel J. Bresemann, Architect, built in 1930. On October 11, 1939, the Pierce County Pioneer and Historical Society held their fall meeting in Steilacoom at the Town Hall. The members dressed in their ancestor's period clothing for the event. Between 1850-1858, Steilacoom was home to the first territorial court and the first Protestant Church north of the Columbia river. It was the first area north of the Columbia River to incorporate as a town and had the first public library. (T. Times 10/12/1939, pg. 12) (filed with Argentum)

Pioneer Association (Steilacoom); Steilacoom Town Hall (Steilacoom); Historical societies--Steilacoom;

In May of 1940, Ruth Babbit was photographed swinging into the spring golfing season at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. Every Tuesday was Ladies' Day at the Club, and over 50 female members took the opportunity to practice their follow through on the links. Ruth Kennedy Babbit was the wife of Alexander Babbit, then assistant manager of the Bank of California National Association. Mrs. Babbit also excelled in figure skating, later becoming an international skating judge, and was a well known water color artist. She passed away on August 31, 1992, at the age of 89. (T. Times 5/18/1940, pg. 5; TNT 9-2-92, B-4-obituary)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Babbit, Ruth Kennedy; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Country clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Every Tuesday in May of 1940 was Ladies' Day at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. Teeing up on the practice green in front of the Clubhouse are, left to right, Mrs. Thomas Curran, Mrs. Harry Andrews, Mrs. O.A. Tucker, Mrs. Lowell T. Murray, Mrs. Fred Davis, Mrs. Charles Peterson and Mrs. Henry Foss. ( T. Times 5/18/1940, pg. 5- photograph reversed in paper)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Country clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Co-Ed Club barn dance at Dash Point Community House. (T. Times).

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma);

Tacoma Elks handball team. Most men are wearing white Tshirts with the Elk logo and the Lodge number, 174 along with shorts, court shoes and special gloves in this January 5, 1940 photograph. There were apparently more than one handball team among the Elks members. In June of 1940, the News Tribune in a special Elks insert, paid tribute to a Tacoma Elks handball team who had gone undefeated in Class B Puget Sound league that season. Although not the team pictured above, the victorious Elks proved the popularity of the sport. (TNT 6-13-1940, p. 8-special insert)

Elks Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Handball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sport clothes; Athletes--Tacoma;

Each troop of Tacoma's Girl Scouts had chosen a project for Christmas 1939, in order to make it a happier time for children and underprivileged adults. These three Girl Scouts, all from different troops, display the dolls they have dressed. From left to right are: Barbara Ann Brotherson, Fern Hill Troop 15; Patsy Kelly, Washington Troop 13 and JoAnn Fitch, Jason Lee Troop 11. (T.Times 12-23-39, p. 4-alt. photograph)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dolls; Christmas presents; Gifts; Christmas trees--1930-1940; Brotherson, Barbara Ann; Kelly, Patsy; Fitch, JoAnn;

Gathering of men at the Tacoma Club in the Washington Building to celebrate Sam Perkins 73rd birthday. Group of men seated and standing around dinner table, Perkins far left; Mayor Smitley third from left.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.--Commemoration; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Nearly 1,200 representatives of the Rainbow Girls from around the state met in Tacoma from July 12 through July 15, 1939 for their 13th annual Grand Assembly. On Wednesday the 13th, members met at the Masonic Temple at 47 St. Helens Ave. and march down St. Helens and Broadway. The convention ended on Saturday with a picnic at Pt. Defiance Park. The building in the center of this photograph is the Bostwick Building, 755-71 St. Helens Ave., home, at that time, to the Kress Malted Milk Shop. (T.Times 7/13/1939 p.13)

Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940

Dance hosted by the Spinster Club at the Winthrop Hotel. Margaret Franich poses with her date on the right in this photograph dated May 30, 1939.

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Franich, Margaret; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Part of the membership of the Tacoma Amateur Astronomers poses on the College of Puget Sound campus. Their photograph will be exhibited in the planetarium at the New York World's Fair. The group organized in 1931and has built 30 telescopes of varying size and power. The membership has spread and now boasts members as far away as Yakima, Seattle, LaGrande and Wollochet Bay. The group currently meets at CPS, but has plans to build a clubhouse and observatory on McKinley Hill. Pictured, left to right, are W.H. Crump, George Imoe, L. Herbert Love, J.R. Wiborg, James Wiborg, Fred Myers, Earl Sowles, Walter Imme, Edward Imme, R.S. Seward, Evelyn Hazelton and Albert Morrison. (T. Times, 5/16/39, p. 16. Names listed)

Tacoma Amateur Astronomers (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Astronomers; Astronomical instruments; Telescopes; Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The unidentified young women in this photograph from June, 1938 are probably the drill team from the Knute Rockne Lodge, Daughters of Norway. Over 1,000 members of the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway, representing lodges in Washington, Oregon,California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, attended the four day convention in Tacoma from June 23 - 28. The drill team members, and their little "mascot," are attired in jodhpurs and holding what appear to be polo mallets. The male team leader in the center is wearing a United States Marines uniform. (T. Times 6/23/1938, pg. 9)

Daughters of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma;

Hatasu Dancers, June of 1938. Large group of women in hall, attired in matching costumes. The Hatasu Temple was a group name used by Daughters of the Nile. Queen Hatasu was an Egyptian monarch. The Daughters of the Nile are the female offshoot of the Shriners, or Masons. The group was founded in 1913 in Seattle. The Hatasu #1 Temple still meets in Seattle. The annual session of the Supreme Temple of the Daughters of the Nile was held in Tacoma June 6-10, 1938. It was the first convention of this group to be held in Tacoma since 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Daughters of the Nile (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;

Twenty-one members of the Normanna Male Chorus, wearing the group's distinctive white pants, dark blazers and nautical hats, posed for a formal portrait on the steps of the Masonic Temple in 1938. The Chorus was to be very busy in September of 1938 as they were celebrating their Golden Jubilee. Norwegian singing societies from across the Northwest were coming to Tacoma to help the group celebrate their 50th anniversary at Normanna Hall, 47 Saint Helens Avenue, on September 10-11th. The singing society had organized in 1888 with John Soquest as the director. They originally met in the old school house between I and J streets; their publicity was handled by the publishers of the Norwegian newspaper "Tacoma Tidende." The group reorganized in 1895 and has been active since that date. The singers were led by Carlo A. Sperati, churchman and musician, until 1904; he was succeeded by George Johnson, still the director in 1938. (T. Times 9/9/1938, pg. 3) TPL-9519

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma; Singers;

Over 1,000 members of the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway, representing lodges in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, attended the four day convention in Tacoma from June 23 - 28, 1938. These sixteen men in uniform with their leader were probably a visiting chorus. Group performances were part of the activities of the four day convention held in Tacoma. This particular group is attired in jaunty nautical costumes with brass buttons, bow ties and service bars, or stripes, on their sleeves.

Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma;

College of Puget Sound sororities plan dances in April of 1939. L. to r: Frances Hoss, Alpha Beta Upsilon; Erna Brenner, Delta Alpha Gamma; Dorothy Shaw, Kappa Sigma Theta; Marjorie Wickens, Lambda Sigma Chi; Kathleen Sherrill, Alpha Beta Upsilon. (T.Times 5/6/1939, p.7)

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Girl Scout Day Camp at Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Thirteen young girls, Brownie age, work on crafts at a picnic table. The Brownies came to camp on Fridays. They are decorating covers for their mother's telephone directory. The Tacoma Day Camp was entering its fourth season and for the first time it was located at the abandoned CCC camp below Ft. Nisqually. Girls 7-18, whether they were Girl Scouts or not, were invited to attend. The girls are, beginning in the foreground, Marlene Frieshem, Betty Ogden, Eleanor Jones, Barbara Packard, Amelia Stacy, Alice Condon, Delores Wright, Frances Thorness, Joanne Cinilli, Patsy Buffum, Delores Foster, Gwen Adams and Rosemary Neidum. (T. Times 6/18/1939, pg. 9; picture 7/8/1939, pg. 6)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

Girl Scouts Day Camp on June 27, 1939, held at the Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Three teenage girls busily work at a picnic table, assisted with macrame projects by two women wearing "gypsy" costumes. 1939 was the fourth season for the Tacoma GS day camp and the first year that it was held at the abandoned CCC camp below Ft. Nisqually. It began on June 19th and ran for five weeks. Girls, aged 7-18, were invited to attend. (T. Times 6/13/1939, pg. 9 article only)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Teenagers--1930-1940;

Girl Scout Day Camp at Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Five young girls from the "Pioneer" unit roasting hotdogs on sticks over an open fire, learning the art of stick cookery. Others prepare the lemonade supply. For the first time, the four year old day camp would be located at the abandoned CCC camp near Ft. Nisqually. Intended to give the girls a real outdoor experience, the camp included instructions and practice on preparing your own meal over an open fire. The Scouts around the fire are, left to right, Lucy McIntyre, Laydel Green, Juanita Clark, Phyllis Elsworth, Ruth Strom and Dorothy Allen. (T. Times 6/13/1939, pg. 9; picture 7/8/1939, pg. 6)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Outdoor cookery--Tacoma; Campfires; Frankfurters--Tacoma; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma);