First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade held August 5, 1938. Bird's-eye view of parade of bikes and people downtown. The parade started at 2:30p.m. Friday afternoon as hundreds of young people pedaled their decorated bikes from 8th and Commerce through downtown streets and ended up at the Stadium Bowl.
Hundreds of costumed children on gaily decorated bicycles filled the streets of Tacoma on August 5, 1938 as they took part in the First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade. The parade started at 8th & Commerce, wound through the downtown streets and ended at the Stadium Bowl. The riders were cheered by thousands of spectators. Kids without bicycles could get loaners so that they could take part in the races held in the Stadium Bowl. Prizes were given for best decorated bikes, funniest costumed riders, craziest looking bicycles and oldest bicycles. The top prizes were new, 1939 Schwinn "World" bicycles with all of the latest accessories. (T. Times 7/25/1938, pg. 1- 8/6/1938)
The First Annual Tacoma "Bike Meet" was held on Friday August 5, 1938. Hundreds of young Tacomans decorated their bicycles to participate in the parade that started downtown and ended at the Stadium Bowl. After the parade, there were competitive races held on the Bowl track. A Tacoma boy dressed like the comic strip character "Major Hoople," in baggy pants and a stuffed shirt, tips his hat as he stands astride his scooter "Leapin Lena." A young boy, in black mask and hat as the Lone Ranger, sits on a rocking horse, a banner with "Hi Ho Silver" on it, flies behind him. The boy on the right has a new take on "paper boy," his clothes are made out of the Tacoma Times. By the end of the day, three lucky Tacoma youngsters had won new bicycles as prizes.
The second annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta. Several wooden power motored yachts, including the "Blanche D," gather on Puget Sound. The day of the regatta, April 3rd 1938, proved to be an exciting one. It opened with a morning fire on one of the yachts, continued on with a collision during the power boat race and ended with a small cabin cruiser capsizing, spilling 5 people into the frigid Puget Sound. They were rescued by a Foss tug. (T. Times 4/4/1938, pg. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);
Alexander S. Melovidoff was the founder and president of the Tacoma Conservatory of Music. For many years he conducted a summer band concert series at Point Defiance Park. This picture shows Mr. Melovidoff and his All-Tacoma Band as they appeared in 1947. Their first concert in the park that year was on June 29th. They played 15 numbers. (T.Times, 6/26/1947, p.13)
Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; All-Tacoma Band (Tacoma); Cornets; Trombones; Tubas; Brass instruments; Saxophones; Wind instruments; Drums; Conductors; Melovidoff, Alexander S., 1897-1961;
Tacoma's Community Chest Parade officially kicked off the 1947 fund raising campaign. Thousands of people gathered on Pacific Avenue to enjoy one of the most colorful parades in Tacoma history. Tacoma businesses, organizations and community members gathered together in the hopes of making it a successful campaign. View of Tacoma's Junior Chamber of Commerce promoting "Keeping Tacoma Clean", as they march along Pacific Ave. and So. 9th. (T. Times, 10/4/47, p.1).
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Coffee Cup Restaurant (Tacoma);
First Aid Booth at Puyallup Fair, American Red Cross, Mrs. Thomson. 8" x 8". A young girl is crying while she looks at a young boy lying under blankets on a stretcher at the first aid booth at the fair. The boy's cowboy hat lies on top of him. Two boy scouts and two emergency medical aid men look after the boy.
Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); First aid--Puyallup; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Ambulances--Puyallup--1940-1950; Boy Scouts (Puyallup); Health care personnel; Children--Puyallup--1940-1950;
Bellarmine's annual Bazaar was a day filled with a variety of activities, including a theatrical production and an evening semi formal dance. The event was sponsored by the Philomathea Club. View of Bellarmine High School students and their guests, it appears they are standing behind the stage back drop, the girls are wearing ball dresses and the boys are wearing tuxedoes.
Events--Tacoma; Bazaars--Tacoma; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Bouquets; Tuxedoes; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;
The Portland and Tacoma staff of the Tide and Bay Company were to attend a dinner and dance party. Over 200 people were expected at the festivities taking place at the Hotel Winthrop on Saturday. View of Tide and Bay Co. employee's banquet in the Crystal Ballroom at the Hotel Winthrop.
Banquets--Tacoma; Banquet halls--Tacoma; Tide & Bay Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Little Janet Louise Ellingson, age 2 1/2, has her attention distracted from her four new friends, white Easter bunnies, in this April 1, 1947, photograph. Her curly hair separated by two pert bows, Janet is seated on the grass while her new pets scamper about.
Easter, 1947, brought four new pets to Janet Louise Ellingson in the shape of white rabbits. 2 1/2 year-old-Janet softly pets one while two others roam in the background. Janet is the daughter of Oswald and Laura Ellingson of Parkland.
1947 Daffodil royalty. Hand-tinted portrait of Queen Joan 1, Joan Eidson of Puyallup High School (center) and her princesses, Patricia (Patsy) Buffum (L) of Lincoln High School and Patricia (Pat) McMahon of Sumner High School. All three young women were seniors at their respective high schools. (T.Times 3-25-47, p. 1-article and alternate picture) ALBUM 15.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Eidson, Joan; Buffum, Patricia; McMahon, Patricia;
Flavel ("Bizz") Beattie-Henrietta Foss wedding. The bride's attendants admire her train as they fan it out behind her. The bride is Miss Henrietta Foss. The bride's mother, Agnes S. Foss, stands second from the left. (T.Times, 9/28/1946, p.7) TPL-8714
Sadie Hawkins Dance. A young woman playing "Pansy Yokum" with a corn-cob pipe and two young men, one in long-johns, a false nose and bowler hat, the other with suspenders, a floppy wig and large moustache, sit below a sign, "Travlink?". The man on the right has been identified as C. Nathan Lynn. His wife, Grace, was "Daisy Mae" for the Sadie Hawkins Dance. (T.Times, 11/30/1946, p.11) (Additional identification provided by Mr. Lynn's son)
Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stardust Dance Club (Tacoma); Lil Abner (Fictitious character); Costumes; Comics; Lynn, C. Nathan;
Al Capp's popular comic strip, "Li'l Abner," was the inspiration for the Sadie Hawkins dance sponsored by the Stardust Dance Club in November of 1946. To help advertise the dance Grace M. (Mrs. C. Nathan) Lynn, as "Daisy Mae," tugs on a suspender of Harold Tollefson, "Li'l Abner," while he tries to make his getaway. Club members were invited to dance in true "Dog Patch" style at the Dash Point Community Hall in celebration of Sadie Hawkins Day, when bachelors stepped warily to avoid getting nabbed by marriage-minded girls. Mrs. Lynn and Mr. Tollefson are acting this scene in front of a large fireplace with a poster of "Our Hero" and "Our Heroine" over the mantel - Abner and Daisy Mae in color. Harold Tollefson would later be elected mayor of Tacoma three times. (T.Times, 11/30/1946, p.11)
Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stardust Dance Club (Tacoma); Lynn, Grace M.; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Li'l Abner (Fictitious character); Costumes;
The Tacoma Yacht Club's Shipmates were getting ready to host their annual Valentine's Day Dance. View of Shipmates dressed in Scandinavian costumes, they are deciding which costumes to wear for their upcoming Valentine's Day dance and smorgasbord. Their dance will be held at the University Union Club. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 2/1/47, p. 9).
Events--Tacoma; Masquerades--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Social life--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma; Costumes--Scandinavian; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);
Emma Coman reception at Pacific Telephone and Telegraph. Twenty-nine women and one man attend this reception. Two women serve tea and coffee and cookies are also provided. The table is covered by a large lace tablecloth. Candles and a bouquet decorate the table. As of November 1946 Pacific Telephone and Telegraph maintained 9 central offices to care for Tacoma's 7 districts.
Wedding portrait of Josephine Ellen Hagman and Herbert J. Birchman. The bride and groom are seen from the back and also from the front in the mirror. They both read a note sent upon this most happy occasion. The bride's veil allows a glimpse of her white satin gown. She is holding her bouquet of white carnations and stephanotis. They were married January 19, 1946, at the First Covenant Church. (T.Times, 2/6/1946, p.6)
Woman and girl riding horses in parade event dressed in Spanish style flat brimmed hats with fringed banner overhead. Puget Sound National Bank can be identified in the background.
Armory-Lincoln graduation. Lincoln High School had 706 students graduating in 1946, 226 were Veterans from World War II. The Veterans graduating will wear their military uniforms to the graduation ceremony. Ex-Mayor Harry P. Cain will deliver the graduation address. View of Lincoln High School's graduating Veterans at State Armory (T. Times, 6/6/46, p. 3).
Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms; Veterans; State Armory (Tacoma);
College of Puget Sound was holding a ground breaking ceremony for a new men's dormitory. The new dorms would be located on the south side of Jones Hall and will house 122 students. Left to right view of Weson, Thompson, Todd, Morrison, Dugan, Mock, Schryber and McDonald at ground breaking ceremony (T. Times, 7/16/46, p. 1).
Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma; Dormitories--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; College presidents--Tacoma;
Thousands gathered on Broadway in Tacoma to see the impressive Jubilee Parade. The parade went on as planned in spite of the heavy rainfall that fell upon Tacoma for a good part of the festivities. View of Tacoma's All Accordian Band, children of all ages play their accordions. Esther Vanderflute from the Music Studio is the music instructor (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Accordions; Music Studio (Tacoma);
The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. Public Safety Commissioner, Robert S. Temme will act as illustrious potentate. View of Shriners marching in their parade, Brown & Haley Almond Roca Candy billboard in background.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Marching--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);
The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. The Nile Temple from Seattle was featuring their 100 piece band and patrol in the parade. View of Shriners from the Nile Temple.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Marching--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);
The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine joined many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma on May 29, 1946. Groups from Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, Portland and many others participated in the Northwest Temples March. The Afifi Temple hosted the event. View of Shriners marching in their parade, American Red Cross building in background.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);
The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. Groups from Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, Portland and many others were going to participate in the Northwest Temples March. The Afifi Temple will host the event. View of Shriners ready to march in their parade.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);
Morris Jaffe-Edith Brodsky held their wedding and wedding reception at the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop on November 3, 1946. Eleven waitresses, a chef and kitchen manager stand behind the heavily laden banquet serving table. The bride was the daughter of Phillip and Anne Brodsky. The groom was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Jaffe of Seattle. The bride's cake, not shown, was surrounded by 100 gardenias and a sprinkling of silver sequins. (T.Times, 11/6/1946, p.8)
Surrender Day and parade, August 14 and 15, 1945. . People throw confetti from the upper floors of the downtown buildings celebrating the end of World War II.
After President Truman's announcement on August 14, 1945 that Japan had surrendered, the greatest mass celebration in Tacoma history took place on the downtown streets. People poured out of offices into the streets to celebrate the end of the war in the Pacific. Bottles appeared to toast the victory, but would not be replenished as the liquor stores also closed for the victory holiday. Maids and matrons of all ages bestowed "Victory kisses" on the willing servicemen to express their thanks. (TNT 8/15-16, 1945, pg. 1)
Americans listened intently to radios on August 14, 1945, for word that the Japanese had surrendered. The message came at 4 p.m. on the West Coast, "The war is over!" Emotions ran high--people yelled; horns honked; bits of paper poured down from business buildings; downtown streets were jammed with cars and sidewalks were crowded with jubilant people. The excitement continued the following day with a Surrender Day parade on Pacific Avenue. The marching soldiers are one of the four platoons from Fort Lewis. (T.Times, 8/15 & 8/16/1945, p.1) TPL-804.
Victory celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Surrender Day Parade; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma;
