The Spinster Club held their annual tea at the University - Union Club on October 19, 1941. A young unidentified woman is pictured here with a floral piece in shape of an "S." Despite its name, the club was not restricted to unmarried women. It served as a social club for Tacoma girls, many from prominent local families. (T. Times, 10-25-41, p. 3) [Also dated 10-18-1941]

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Members of the planning committee for the University Union's Club pre-Christmas tea, scheduled for December 2, 1941, pose for this publicity shot at the Club. Standing, left to right, are Katherine (Mrs. John) Mueller, Mrs. Harry A.D. Smith, Kathryn (Mrs. H.R.) Pirret and Antoinette (Mrs. Harold K.) Nichols. Seated, L to R, Dorothy (Mrs. Jess) Read, Jane (Mrs. Edwin) Warren, Esther (Mrs. C.M.) Langhorne, and Marian (Mrs. J. Corning) Todd. (T.Times 11/29/1941, pg. 5)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Mueller, Katherine; Pirret, Kathryn; Nichols, Antoinette; Read, Dorothy; Warren, Jane; Langhorne, Esther; Todd, Marian;

Publicity for Young Men's Business Club (Y.M.B.C.) sponsored wrestling matches at Armory. The matches were scheduled for October 24, 1941. The money raised would go to the athletic fund of the 103rd Anti Tank Unit at Fort Lewis. The poster promises All Star Army - Civilian matches in both boxing and wrestling. The officer seated at right has been identified as William M. Adams. He joined the National Guard in 1931 and stayed 44 years, retiring as a full colonel. (Identification provided by a reader)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Adams, William M.;

October 15-30, 1942 was the fund raising campaign for Tacoma's War Chest. The War Chest was a branch of the Community Chest that specifically funded wartime charities, such as the USO and refugee relief groups. Part of the publicity for the upcoming drive was a play that emphasized that volunteers would be going to homes and businesses to collect donations and pledges for the drive.The campaign was very successful, it went over the top of the goal at $369,822, two days before the end of the drive.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest, photograph taken at the Tacoma Community Chest office, Room 409, Provident Building. A new committee of educators had recently been formed to introduce Tacoma public school students to the War Chest and its aims. Frank Gorow, director of the Department of Visual Education in Tacoma Public Schools, displays one of the War Chest posters at a committee meeting on August 12, 1942. Pictured, left to right, are Gorow, Miss Mary T. Pakenham, Mrs. Myrtle MacLennan, Miss Lola E. Friars and Mrs. M.D. (Blanche) Wilkinson. (T.Times 8/13/1942 p.4)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Teachers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gorow, Frank; Pakenham, Mary; MacLennan, Myrtle; Friars, Lola; Wilkinson, Blanche;

Tacoma's first senior hospital aides. 15-18 year old Girl Scouts are receiving intensive training to become Senior Scout Hospital Aides. They will assist nurses at Tacoma General with hospital duties. Group portrait of 14 young women and nurse. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 6/21/44, p. 4).

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Nursing--Tacoma; Uniforms; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

In April of 1944 the U.S.O. Travellers Aid Service at 13th and Pacific hosted a special Easter egg hunt. The two lucky winners who found the golden eggs that were hidden in the service center each received the special prize of a free telephone call home. As four service men and two travellers aid employees listened in, Pvt. H. Shaboby (left) of Chicago, Illinois and Seaman 1/c Michael V. Moauro of Canton, Ohio waited for their calls to go through. When Seaman Moauro's mother heard her son's voice she wept, and couldn't talk to him; his father came to the phone. (The woman at the far right is Mrs. Louise Rohrback, assistant director at the center.) (T. Times, 4/11/44, p. 16).

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Easter egg hunts--Tacoma; Telephone booths--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In August of 1944, Camp Fire Girls Donna Lee Schaller, Nancy Lee Coons, and Florence Neu helped prepare campaign supplies for the upcoming Community War Chest drive. These girls decided to volunteer for the campaign and spend their last few days of summer vacation helping the Tacoma Community Chest and Council office. Camp Fire Girls giving ten hours of community service were eligible for the National Service emblem, with a Red Star added for each additional twenty five hours. (T. Times, 8/25/44, p. 5; TNT 8-26-44, p. 14-alt. photograph).

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Schaller, Donna Lee; Coons, Nancy Lee; Neu, Florence;

Members of the Red Cross Motor Corps load materials into their vehicle for transportation to Ft. Lewis. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Lyle Abrahamson, Mrs. Hazel Rushmore, Mrs. D. M. Woods and Mrs. Clinton Reynolds.

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

Tacoma Central Labor Council donation to Pierce County Foundation. [Also dated 02-17-1943]

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Central Labor Council (Tacoma); Pierce County Foundation (Tacoma);

In 1943 the Poggie Club raffled off an Evinrude Zephyr outboard motor to raise money for their annual Father-Son Derby. Eugene Rubattino, right, was the proud winner. He received his prize at the Washington Hardware Company, 921-23 Commerce Street, from (l to r) Clarence Johnson, Club president, and Everett L. "Tiny" Reynolds, Club Sec. (T. Times 5/5/1943 p.14)

Poggie Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat engines; Rubattino, Eugene; Johnson, Clarence; Reynolds, Everett L.; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

Three couples smile for the camera on February 23, 1943 at the social event following the installation of new officers at the Rudder Club, 1131 Commerce St.

Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

The new Board of the Spinster Club. Officers are, left to right, Virginia Austin, Ann Baillargeon, Katherine Foss and Mary Marush. Members of the Club will be hosting a dance honoring the Officers of the Army Air Corps at McChord Field. The dance will be held Friday in the Junior ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. Music will be supplied by the Brad Bannon Orchestra. The decorating theme will be silver bombers against a sky of blue. (T. Times 3/13/1943, pg. 4)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Austin, Virginia; Baillargeon, Ann; Foss, Katherine; Marush, Mary;

Three members of the Spinster Club are hard at work in May of 1943 on the "Mammy" dolls that will adorn the tables at the 5th annual Dixie Ball, to be held at the Roof Garden of the Hotel Winthrop. The women are, left to right, Mrs. James Hayes, Katherine Foss and Penny (Mrs.H.J.) Croteau.The dolls are made out of cones covered with red gingham fabric. The event in 1943 would also be a benefit for the Army/Navy relief fund. (T.Times 5/5/1943, pg.4; TNT 5/8/1943, pg. 4)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Dolls; Foss, Katherine; Croteau, Penny;

Mayor Harry P. Cain, center right, shakes hands with Lee Croft, Tacoma delegate to the Eagles National Convention in Chicago, in front of Eagles Hall before his departure. Aerie Pres. Joseph Karpack, left. Aux. Sec. Isabelle Severson and Sec. Fred Race, right. Lee Croft, past president of the Tacoma Eagles, would leave by plane on August 12, 1942 for Chicago where he would represent the local aerie at the National Convention, August 13-16. Only past presidents were able to be representatives to the convention and Mr. Croft had filled all stations at the Aerie. He joined the Eagles in Aberdeen in 1900. In deference to the war, the convention would be very streamlined, no parades, pageants or outdoor gatherings. (TNT 8/13/1942 p.9)

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Croft, Lee; Karpack, Joseph; Severson, Isabelle; Race, Fred;

Guests enjoy the opening of the Labor Temple Recreation Club in June of 1942. Developed for the use of A.F.of L. union members only, the club had the most modern design in the city. Located in the Labor Temple on Market Street, the site of the former Baker Hotel properties, club members used the side entrance on S. 15th. Harry "Red Carnation" Switzer was the Recreation Club manager. (TNT 6/25/1942, pg.8)

Labor Temple Recreation Club (Tacoma);

Grand opening of the Labor Temple Recreation Club was held in the summer of 1942. The club was run for the benefit of A.F.of L. union members only. Harry "Red Carnation" Switzer was the club manager; he is seated holding a clock. Mr. Switzer was celebrating his 54th anniversary which coincided with the grand opening. He had long been associated with the movie business in Tacoma, having managed the Colonial, Rialto, Broadway and Cameo theaters.

Labor Temple Recreation Club (Tacoma); Switzer, Harry; Clocks & watches;

A man and three women, one in uniform, pose by a sedan. They were attending the grand opening of the Labor Temple Recreation Club in June of 1942. The club, located on Market Street with side entrance at 15th, was part of the Labor Temple purchased by the unions in 1941. Entrance to the club was limited to A.F. of L. members only. (TNT 6-25-42, p. 8)

Labor Temple Recreation Club (Tacoma); Uniforms;

On December 17, 1942, the Tacoma Lions Club held its annual Christmas party at the new Tacoma Boys Club, 711 So. 25th Street. Welcoming the Lions to the Club is Vincent Russell, center, managing director of the Boys Club. Pictured left to right are Paul Newman, Harry J. Lynch, Russell, Maj. Earl Williams of the Salvation Army and A. T. Norman. Forty underprivileged boys were the guests of the Lions at the banquet and received gifts as well. The Lions also dedicated the locker room at the Club that they had equipped and furnished. (TNT 12/18/1942, pg. 9; 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);

New officers of the Tacoma Club pose after their election October 19, 1942 in their clubrooms located in the Washington Building. Seated, left to right, are Lyle Abrahamson, vice president, and Fred Walker, president. Standing are James E. Fowler, treasurer, E.N. Eisenhower, trustee, and L.R. Bonneville, secretary. (T. Times 10/20/1942, pg. 3)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Abrahamson, Lyle; Walker, Fred; Fowler, James E.; Eisenhower, Edgar;

ca. 1943. Publicity for St. Patrick's Stag Night at University-Union Club. (work order dated 1/13/1943) Picture possibly from March of 1943.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Men--Clubs--Tacoma;

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. 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;

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;

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.;

This group of Tacoma youngsters has been "diving" into swimming instruction all summer long at the YWCA pool and they are getting along "swimmingly." For the first time, the pool had remained open all summer long to provide recreation for those kids spending their long vacation days at home. The children pictured standing left to right, looking pretty identical in swim caps, are Larry Nell, Wilma Hartnack, June Otto and Nancy Lee Coons. Seated are Noble Halladay, Kenneth Robinson, Dale Anderson and Sonja Strauman. (T. Times 08-31-1942 p.10)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma; Swimmers--Tacoma;

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);

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);

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);