ca. 1908. Northern Pacific Railroad workers at South Tacoma Shops. Steam locomotive and crew

A group of African Americans look on for the cutting of a cake at an unidentified social event at the USO #2, 713-715 Commerce St., circa 1946. The cake has four candles, possibly indicating that it was in honor of the Club's fourth anniversary in September of 1946. In the group were Helen B. Stafford (second from left), Arthur Hayes (fifth from left), Maude Leonard (seventh from left) and Louise Beck (back of center, in hat.) (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

The second annual USO Music Festival was held at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. One of the featured performers was the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi. The concert took place around the temporary bandstand set up in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. It was attended by over 7,000 people. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

On July 29, 1945, the USO hosted its first Music Festival at Point Defiance Park. Over 6,000 spectators were on hand to enjoy the concert. The main feature was a performance of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by the 362nd Army Band of Fort Lewis. Cpl. William Sumner of New York City was the featured soloist. Cpl. Sumner was the solo pianist with the National Broadcasting Company before entering the Army. Other performers included the 29th Special Band directed by Sgt. Earnest Hayden and the 25 voice Naval choir from Bremerton, featuring baritone soloist Robert Brown. (TNT 7/29/1945, pg. 1; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

From September of 1942 until the end of March, 1947, 713-15 Commerce housed USO #2, a club reserved for the entertainment of servicemen and women of color. One of the unique activities in the club took place each year during "Be Kind to Animals" week. Servicemen assisted in the planning and production of a dog show with the pets of local children. Ribbons were presented to the best in each catagory. In this photograph dated September 16, 1945, unidentified children and servicemen pose with a variety of dogs at the club. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

ca. 1947. Orson Welles (right), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, posed in this undated photograph with a longtime friend and Army-Navy USO Club leader Bennie D. Brown. The occasion was possibly in March of 1947, when Mr. Welles spoke to 5,000 persons in the Armory as a guest of the Tacoma Jewish Association in observance of Brotherhood Week.

On July 28, 1946, over 7,000 people attended the second US Music Festival at Point Defiance Park. Featured performers were the Seattle Elks Band, the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, the Puget Sound Navy Orchestra, the 448th Special Service Band, Sharps and Flats led by Joe Jordan and the Three Dynamos. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Official photograph, U.S. Army Air Forces McChord Field)

1908/08. Group by peach tree. Krumm Farm. Three men, a woman and a horse stand next to a tree. There is a barn in the background.

ca. 1908. Miller residence at Manitou Park in South Tacoma, circa winter of 1908. Trees and ground are covered with snow. Icicles hang from the house eaves.

ca. 1908. People at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. It is raining, and people have umbrellas. Road is muddy.

Tacoma High School students parade to "Boost the Stadium." The campaign to raise $100,000 to build a beautiful high school stadium next to the school was successfully launched on October 6, 1908, when 2,000 school children ranging from 7th-8th grade to high schoolers marched in the "Boost for Stadium" parade. The school district cooperated by making the day a half-day so that the youngsters could march from Tacoma High School (later renamed Stadium High School) to the Union Club and then onto the downtown business district. Led by the Tacoma Musicians Union, who provided their services without charge, the marchers chanted "Boost for the stadium, stadium, stadium" and "Stadium, stadium, stadium, stadium" throughout the long walk. Paraders canvassed the business blocks of Commerce and "C" (now Broadway) and Pacific and would go on to canvas residential areas after school the next day. They asked businesses to contribute $10 promissory notes payable to the Board of Education. Each $10 entitled subscribers to one seat in the stadium for all entertainments there for the next five years. Supporters of the new stadium aimed to have it completed and ready for dedication and use by May 1, 1909. (TDL 10-6-1908, p. 5-article; TDL 10-7-1908, p.1-article)

ca. 1908. Garret W. O'Brien, contractor, and men laying pipe in South Tacoma.

ca. 1908. Water rushing though power generator at Electron Dam.

ca. 1908. Wooden bridge over Steilacoom Lake.

ca. 1908. Man standing next to Tacoma Steam Laundry wagon piled high with bags of laundry.

Mrs. Duthie, sitting in a rocking chair, on Prospect St., young girl and doll on porch of house. Probably house of George Duthie at 5124 So. Prospect. Mr. Duthie worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Verner Saffell house probably at 5814 South Tacoma Way or 5814 South Union Street. Two men and a woman stand in front of a house. There are large piles of chopped wood on the front porch.