International Rally of I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), Tacoma, Washington, September 4-6, 1926. Representatives from 300 lodges in Washington and British Columbia gathered in Tacoma for the 7th annual gathering of encampments. The kick off was a parade on Sept. 4, 1926 with over 2,000 participants. The parade formed at 7th & Commerce. Pictured is a parade float with a banner reading "Both Old And Young Are Protected By The I.O.O.F. Home in Walla Walla, WA." in front of the Colonial Hotel at South 7th and Commerce. The Washington Odd Fellow home was established in 1897 in Walla Walla. It provided care for the widows and orphans of members of the fraternal organization. (TDL 9/4/1926, pg. 3; 9/5/26, pg. 4-A) (filed under Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

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;

The tireless women of the Pierce County Red Cross marshall up their forces and head out to raise money for the War Fund Drive, held during the month of March, 1943. The money will be used to help the Red Cross reach its goal of serving the armed forces at home and abroad, their families and the prisoners of war. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Keith Goodman, Mrs. Clarence Shank, Mrs. Vern Johnson, Mrs. O.F. Brunswick, Mrs. Douglas C. Welch, Mrs.C.O. Lynn, and Mrs. G. Elmore McMaster. (TNT 3/7/1943, pg. A-8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In March of 1943, the untiring women of the Pierce County American Red Cross were doing double duty, performing their regular duties as well as raising money for the March War Fund Drive. Their local goal was $194,000, part of the national 125 million quota. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Morley Brotman, Mrs. Charles F. Grover, Mrs. James P. Macpherson, Mrs. A.D. Fay and Mrs. Otto Drum. They wear the suits of the Motor Corps, the white shirtwaist and veil of the Production Service and the gray cotton uniform of the Hospital and Recreation Service. (TNT 3/7/1943, pg. A-8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

During the month of March 1943, the tireless ladies of the Pierce County American Red Cross performed double duty. They filled their usual volunteer positions with the Red Cross and raised money for the War Fund Drive as well. Grace Holt Larsen (Mrs. Orrin B. Larsen), left, holds one of the posters promoting the work of the Red Cross Nurses' Aides. Also admiring the poster are, left to right, Mrs. Albert Miller and Mrs. Gus W. Viert. Mrs. Larsen was an outstanding nurses' aide; from the time of her capping in November to March, she had served 730 volunteer hours in the area hospitals. (TNT 3/7/1943, pg. A-8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Photographs from the Metal Trades convention for the Labor Advocate. The Metal Trades Council was the negotiating body for all the unions involved in working with metal, such as the shipyards.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Metal Trades Council (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Two men standing outside the C.I.O. Hall (Congress of Industrial Organizations). The hall is in a store front with large glass windows. Both men wear business suits, one holds up a folded newspaper.

Labor unions--Tacoma; C.I.O. (Tacoma);

Four members of the College of Puget Sound Minute Maids, under the direction of Kay Woods, pose in a jeep during the city wide bond rally April 24, 1943 at the Liberty Center. They are at the rally to sell war stamps and convert stamp albums into "Avenge Tokyo Raiders' Bonds." For purchasing a series E bond ($18.75 and up), a citizen got a free ride in a jeep. For the purchase of a $1,000 bond, one could have any name (except that of a commercial organization) painted on a jeep. (TNT 4/23/1943, pg. 1; TNT 4/25/43, pg. 1)

National Organization of Minute Maids (Pierce County); War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

South Tacoma U.S.O. Group of wives. The women are pictured seated at tables with plates and cups after a meal. The walls have a distinctive large brick pattern. Photograph damaged on edges. [Also dated 05-19-1943]

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

During WWII, the USOs in Tacoma did much more then sponsor dances and provide "r and r" for the troops at home - as important as those services were. This photograph from January 1943 shows "mending night" at the Tacoma USO at 415 So. 13th St. Trousers were hemmed, patches were sewn on, and caps were mended with a motherly touch and a warm smile. Left to right, back row: Mrs. John Troutt is doing some mending for Seaman Chuck McCoy while PFC Richard Botelho looks on; next is Pvt. Andrew Motes. Front row: Seaman 1st Class Dean McCullough holds the spool of thread while Mrs. Ethyle Ferris mends his cap. Marcella (Mrs. Frank) LaFleur is seen at the sewing machine and Corp. Allen Hults stands on a box while Mrs. Ruth Christensen mends the hem of his trousers. (T.Times 2/3/1943 p.16)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; McCoy, Chuck; Botelho, Richard; Motes, Andrew; McCullough, Dean; Ferris, Ethyle; LaFleur, Marcella; Hults, Allen; Christensen, Ruth; Sewing;

In August of 1941, a group of officers from the Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizens League met with Raymond West of the National Bank of Washington to invest in defense savings bonds. The valley chapter of the league started in 1930 with 25 young American citizens of Japanese parentage. By 1941, the group had grown to 182 members. Seated are Satoru Sasaki, chapter president, and Lillian Mizukami. Standing are (l to r) Tad Yoshida, Tadako Tamura and Betty Sato. The young man standing behind Lillian Mizukami has been identified as Daizo (Dyke) Itami. (T. Times 08-07-1941 p.10)

Organizations--Japanese American--Puyallup--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizens League (Puyallup); War bonds & funds; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)

Edward B. Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Group of women and two men pose for portrait in front of a Coast Lines, double-deck bus.

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Double-decker buses--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The new officers for the Spinster Club pose on the roof of the Winthrop Hotel. The Medical Arts Building can be seen in the background. The Spinster Club was a social club composed of prominent young Tacoma girls. The officers for the coming year were, left to right, Lea Mills (president), Ann Baillargeon (vice pres.), Virginia Austin (secretary) and Valdene Hazelton (treasurer.) (T. Times 3/15/1941, pg. 5)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Mills, Lea; Baillargeon, Ann; Austin, Virginia; Hazelton, Valdene;

Riders enjoy a traditional "Hunt Breakfast" while seated on the steps of the Woodbrook Hunt Club clubhouse, balancing plates on their knees. The hunt breakfast actually follows the hunt, making it more of an afternoon meal. The members of Woodbrook were the hosts for a joint hunt with the Columbia Hunt Club from Portland. Pictured, front row, two unidentified men, Mrs. Jack Loehr, Miss Jen Eckelsen, Errol Ostrum and Clark Fay, all of Portland. Back row, two unidentified men, Dorothy Faber of Portland, Fred Kenworthy, Richard Hall, Mrs. Helen Keho Woods, Miss Ethel Hacker, two unidentified children. The four unidentified men from Woodbrook on the left are believed to be, top row, John Muddlesworth and Don Cameron and, front row, Burwood Kennedy and Arthur Hannum. These four men were not identified in the Tacoma Times. (T. Times 3/19/1941, pg. 10; 3/29/1941, pg. 5; picture in T. Times 4/5/1941, pg. 5)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood);

Members of the Woodbrook Hunt Club, wearing English riding habits, set out in spring of 1941 on a hunt. The Club had hosted two fellow clubs from neighboring cities to a joint hunt during the spring. This image was captured by the Richards Studio photographer during one of those hunts. Their hunting grounds, located on the current Fort Lewis grounds, were highly prized.

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses--Tacoma;

On May 21, 1941, an unidentified rider at the Woodbrook Hunt Club tested the jumping skills of a "Tennessee Walking Horse" by having it jump a human barrier. The unidentified human "cross bar" apparently survived the risky stunt. Mrs. Thomas Overland of Seattle brought the horse to Lakewood so that the club members could get a chance to see and ride the distinctive breed.

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses; Jumping (Horsemanship);

One of the highlights of the 4th annual Water Carnival, held on June 15th, 1941 at Point Defiance and sponsored by the Young Men's Business Club, was a swimsuit parade and crowning of the Queen of the Carnival. The judges, reflecting the military theme of the '41 Carnival, were five Army and Navy officers. Pictured left to right in the front row are unidentified man, Charlotte Stipanich (crowned Princess of Bremerton Navy Yard), unidentified officer, Marguery Roscoe (crowned Princess of McChord Field), unidentified officer, Charleen Anderson (crowned Princess of Fort Lewis), Major Lilburn Stevens and Janet Wolters (crowned Queen of the Carnival.) (T. Times 6/16/1941, pg. 1)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Bathing beauties; Bathing suits--1940-1950; Beauty contests--Tacoma; Military officers--Tacoma--1940-1950;Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Wolters, Janet;

Nine of the seventeen contestants vying for election as Queen of the 4th Annual Water Carnival posed with a member of the sponsoring Young Men's Business Club on June 12th, 1941. The carnival was held Sunday June 15th at Point Defiance. Janet Wolters (top row, far right in black and white bathing suit) was crowned Queen of the Water Carnival. The contestants are, seated left to right, Frances Davey, Doris Davey, unidentified YMBC member, Carol Lind and Dolores Van Arnam. Top row, left to right, Phyllis Kennedy, Betty Williams, Margery Roscoe, Florence Anderson and Janet Wolters. Each girl was sponsored by her employer. 1941 was the first year that a water carnival queen was selected. (T. Times 6/13/1941, pg. 3-alternate photograph; T.Times 6-14-41, p. 2-article on contestants)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wolters, Janet; Bathing suits--1940-1950; Bathing beauties;

Young Men's Business Club trip to Clemmons Tree Farm. An unidentified club member joyfully waves his hat as he climbs a power pole during the YMBC's visit to the Clemmons Tree Farm on August 1, 1941.

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Hats--1940-1950;

Mrs. H. V. Davies (far left), in her Red Cross uniform, directed the activities of the volunteers at the new Red Cross production department on Commerce Street in April of 1942. The woman third from the right, in the pattern dress, is Mrs. J. L. Giseburt, chairman of the volunteers. The theme of the annual meeting of the Pierce County Red Cross, held on April 14th, was volunteer service. Tribute was paid to the over 15,000 persons in Pierce County who contributed their time and effort to the Red Cross. (T. Times 4/13/1942 p.8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community Service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Eight hundred Masons from all parts of the state gathered in Tacoma June 16-17th, 1942 for the 85th annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Washington. The newly installed officers are pictured on the steps of the Masonic Temple. They are, left to right, Horace W. Tyler of Tacoma, J.W.J. Stedman of Tacoma- the newly elected Grand Master, John A. Emigh of Walla Walla- retiring Grand Master, Don F. Kizer of Spokane and Ford Q. Elvidge of Seattle. (T. Times 6/18/1942, pg. 7-picture; 6/17/42, pg. 10; 6/13/1942, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Free & Accepted Masons (Tacoma); Tyler, Horace W.; Stedman, J.W.J.; Elvidge, Ford Q.;

On April 7, 1942, the recently elected Junior League board members pose outside the home of Mrs. Charles Ingram, 414 No. 7th St. Pictured left to right are Dorothy (Mrs. James Mack) Koon (maiden name La Gasa), Phoebe (Mrs. Charles Jr.) Lea, Ruth (Mrs Paul) Graff, Edna (Mrs. John Bates) Roberts, Charlotte (Mrs. Walter) Baumann, Mrs. John Wood Jr. and Mrs. Thomas Henderson. (T. Times 4/11/1942, pg. 4)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Koon, Dorothy La Gasa; Lea, Phoebe; Graff, Ruth; Roberts, Edna; Baumann, Charlotte;

Mrs. Eleanor Dockeray, Mrs. James C. Ferguson, and Mrs. Dorothy Bottcher (l to r) of the Tacoma Junior Women's Club, examine one of the posters created by the club's art committee for the "Rice Bowl Party" that was scheduled to be held on December 12, 1941 at the First Baptist Church. The party and show, which was to include vaudeville numbers by prominent Chinese entertainers from Tacoma, Seattle and Portland, was part of the Tacoma - Pierce County campaign to raise money for China relief. The event was part of a national United China Relief Campaign to raise 5 million dollars; Pierce County had already raised $10,000, half of the County's goal. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the event was postponed. (TNT 12/7/1941 p.A-4)

Junior Womens Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posters; Dockeray, Eleanor; Ferguson, James C.--Family; Bottcher, Dorothy;

The busy hands and needles of Red Cross volunteers prepare material in September of 1942 for servicemen in battlefields all across the world. The women in the cutting department are, left to right, Eva (Mrs. W.F.) Kerr, Cora (Mrs. George) Wing, Bessie (Mrs. W.C.) Wise, Hazel (Mrs. J.P.) Neville, Beatrice (Mrs. A.D.) Wise and Mrs. M.W. Blackiston. (TNT 9/4/1942, pg. 20)

+American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Kerr, Eva; Wing, Cora; Wise, Bessie; Neville, Hazel; Wise, Beatrice;

Members of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion bid farewell on September 29, 1942 to the cannon that had graced their grounds for many years. The cannon was being donated by the group to the Army for scrap metal. The cannon was a 1906 Krupp-Essen German made field gun. It was given to the Post by Hugh Wallace, then ambassador to France.The cannon was being removed by the Army from the Post building at 407 So. "G" St. and taken to Fort Lewis where it was cut up for scrap. (T. Times 9/29/1942, pg. 2)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Cannons; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;

Several women are pictured taking classes in September of 1942, most probably the ones required to become a Red Cross Nurses' Aide. They complete 80 hours of preliminary training and give 150 hours of service assisting graduate nurses in the wards of local hospitals, after which certificates will be issued. The aides can assist in hospitals or provide in-home nursing care.

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Health care--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nursing--Tacoma;

Every year the Co-Ed Club held a party to honor those members going away or returning to college, and the war years were no exception. A "Back to School" dance was planned for August 22, 1942 at the Fircrest Golf Club. In deference to world affairs, the party would have a patriotic theme and a war bond would be given as the door prize. Pictured, left to right, are Noreen Inveen (going to Stephens in Columbia, Missouri), Marian Willard, Mercedes Russell, Mary Thomas (all leaving for the University of Washington in Seattle) and Carolyn Scharf (heading out for Scripps in Claremont, CA.) Photograph was taken at the Scharf home. (T. Times 8/15/1942 p.5)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Inveen, Noreen; Willard, Marian; Russell, Mercedes; Thomas, Mary; Scharf, Carolyn; War bonds & funds;

Every year the Co-Ed Club held a party for all of the younger club members who were going away to college. The war years proved to be no different and the annual "Back to School" Dance was planned for August 22, 1942 at the Fircrest Golf Club. Influenced by local and world events, the dance had a patriotic theme and the door prize was a war bond. The five young women pictured are Co-Ed Club members who were going to college for the first time. Back row, left to right, are Noreen Inveen, Carolyn Scharf and Marian Willard. Seated at bottom are, left to right, Mercedes Russell and Mary Thomas. The photograph was taken at the Scharf residence. TPL-982 (T. Times)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Inveen, Noreen; Willard, Marian; Russell, Mercedes; Thomas, Mary; Scharf, Carolyn; War bonds & funds;

It was the tradition of the old University Club (newly reformed in 1939 as the University-Union Club) to entertain the Justices of the State Supreme Court at an annual dinner and entertainment. The 33rd annual event was held November 20, 1940 at the club with Mayor Harry P. Cain as toastmaster. The "entertainment" portion was turned over to the Tacoma Drama League. They are pictured portraying the Justices in rapt interest over the finer points of a divorce case. The "judges" are, left to right, J. Walley Showman (reading the Police Gazette), William L. Brown, E.E. "Bud" Bare Jr., J.K. "Jock" Gordon and Irving W. Thomas. (T. Times 11/20/1940, pg. 3)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Impersonation;