California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, accepting a 23rd Anniversary cake from acting Mayor C. A. Erdahl during a campaign appearence in Tacoma. The Warren family looks on. Presentation of the cake at the end of Governor Warren's address came as a complete surprise to the Governor and his family. It was in honor of the couple's 23rd wedding anniversary. A moved Governor Warren remarked that they had spent their honeymoon in Washington state. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Warren, Nina; Warren, Dorothy; Warren, Virginia; Warren, Nina Elizabeth; Warren, Robert; Erdahl, C.A.; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

There is no doubt who is running on the Republican ticket for president in 1948. Large emblem-style portraits of Thomas Dewey and Earl Warren decorated the stage of Tacoma's State Armory on the occasion of California Governor Warren's brief visit on October 14, 1948. Governor Warren was photographed standing behind the decorated podium with his wife and children seated on an elevated portion of the stage directly behind him. An enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 warmly greeted Governor Warren, including hundreds of women who passed through a reception line earlier honoring the vice-presidential candidate and his family. Governor Warren's address touched principally on America's need for a merchant marine able to "make an honorable bid for its share of the world's commerce." (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Public speaking--Tacoma; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, and wife smile at each other while on the platform during rally at Tacoma Armory. Governor Warren was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of 5000 plus. Mrs. Warren was the former Nina Palmquist. Born in Sweden, she grew up in Oakland, California. Mother of six children, she outlived her husband Earl by nineteen years, dying at the age of 100 in 1993. She and Mr. Warren are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Sepia photograph taken on October 14, 1948. ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Nina; Governors; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The last Sunday of September has officially been declared Gold Star Mother's Day. In 1949 the Tacoma Chapter of Gold Star Mothers held a special meeting at the State Armory. The club installed new officers and held a special ceremony in their honor. Appointed as new officers were Beatrice Johnson as President; Pearl Joy as Vice-President; Jenny Benson as Second Vice-President; and Nell Sanford as Treasurer. The national organization American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 and is open to all mothers of fallen soldiers of all wars as well as those who died a service-related death. (T. Times, 1/17/49, p. 14)..

Awards; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military decorations--Tacoma; Mothers; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Chapter of Gold Star Mothers (Tacoma);

Golden Gloves contest held at the Armory in January of 1949, sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Eight of the contestants stand inside the ring wearing satin robes, ready to take on all comers. The big two-day fistic feature was sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Seven rugged fighters from Vancouver, B.C., and others from across the Northwest were in attendance. The Tacoma Times reported that more than 70 boxers entered the competition. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.11, 1/27/1949 p.14)

State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Four Queens were crowned in the Queen of Trays and Keys contest sponsored by the Rhodes Post No. 2, American Legion, during a ball at the Armory. The ten women who won are shown wearing evening gowns and ribbons with the names of different businesses in Tacoma. In the front row are the four Queens: L-R, Rae Allen (Don's Grill) and Millie Broc (Joe's Tavern & Cafe), winners in a tie for Queen of Trays in the silver division; Lorna Schlanbusch (Park "n" Shop), first prize winner in gold division; and Dolores Simcich (Commonwealth Title Insurance), first prize winner and Queen of Keys. All four winners will leave by Hollywood by plane for four exciting days. The back row includes other prize winners, L-R, Patricia Merrill, Ruth Malskey, Myrtle Forgey, Joyce Dyer (Peoples Store), Maxine Knowles and Virginia Thompson (West Coast Grocery). (TNT, 5/1/1951, p.12)

Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; State Armory (Tacoma); American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Allen, Rae; Broc, Millie; Schlanbusch, Lorna; Simcich, Dolores; Merrill, Patricia; Malskey, R.; Forgery, M.; Dyer, J.; Knowles, M.; Thompson, T.;

This photograph shows part of the crowd of 2,800 teenage Tacomans who spent their Halloween evening in 1951 at the Tacoma Armory, 715 South 11th Street. Working with the Metropolitan Park District and the Tacoma Police, the Tacoma Moose Lodge sponsored the third annual all-city high school dance to give Tacoma's young people someplace safe to go after dark. The dance was from 8 to 11:30 p.m. with music provided by Larry Carino and his orchestra, one of the best 10 piece bands in the area. Police later said that the evening was one of the quietist on record. (TNT 11-1-51, p. 1, p. A-8) TPL-9546

Halloween--Social life; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dance parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma);

Testimony at the legislative committee investigation into vice and crime in Tacoma continued into an overtime session hearing testimony regarding bookmaking operations, slot machines, a story of $20,000 vice payoffs to police in one month, prostitution, making gifts of money and liquor to named patrolmen, card rooms, bottle clubs paying protection money, amusement arcades making payoffs, and bribes for supporting political campaigns. Crowds of about 350 people partiallly filled the Armory day room, listening attentively. The newspaper coverage continued as front-page stories for six days. (TNT, 11/27/1951 - 12/3/1951)

State Armory (Tacoma); Governmental investigations--Tacoma;

Senator Albert D. Rosellini and a panel of seven other legislators opened a vice probe at the Tacoma Armory November 26, 1951. Over 40 witnesses were scheduled to testify before the legislative committee investigating crime and vice in Tacoma. Testimony covered gambling, pinball, prostitution, narcotics activities and marijuana purchases. One woman stated that her husband committed suicide following accumulating heavy gambling losses. She had received threats to her and her children if she did not pay. One city official contended that Army authorities had asked him to keep "certain establishments open" to provide "relaxation" for troops. Two television cameras broadcast the hearing live. Murray Morgan is seated to the left of the man with headphones behind the KTBI broadcast equipment. (TNT, 11/27/1951, p.1; 11/28/1951, p.1) TPL-6489

State Armory (Tacoma); Governmental investigations--Tacoma; Morgan, Murray, 1916-2000;

President Harry S.Truman with daughter Margaret and Rep. Hugh Mitchell, Democratic candidate for Governor, at the Tacoma Armory. The retiring President was stumping for Adlai Stevenson and other Democratic candidates during the 1952 fall campaign. He spoke to an overflowing crowd of loyal supporters. His appearance was heavily covered by newspaper, radio and television reporters. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Truman, Margaret; Mitchell, Hugh;

Harry S. Truman addresses an attentive crowd at the Washington State Armory in early October, 1952, as he hits the campaign trail for Democratic candidates. An enormous flag hung on Armory walls nearly dwarfs the President and local dignitaries. The President's appearance was big news in our area as noted by the presence of many newspaper, radio and television reporters. His daughter Margaret is seated behind him along with gubernatorial candidate, Hugh Mitchell. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Truman, Margaret; Mitchell, Hugh; Flags--United States;

President Harry S.Truman speaks at the Tacoma Armory during the 1952 fall campaign. Daughter Margaret and Rep. Hugh Mitchell, Democratic candidate for Governor, watch from platform. Despite Truman's help, Mitchell was defeated by incumbent Arthur Langlie. ALBUM 1. TPL-8050

Presidents--United States; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Truman, Margaret; Mitchell, Hugh; State Armory (Tacoma); Public speaking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Political campaigns;

President Harry S.Truman receives congratulations after speaking at the Washington National Guard Armory during the 1952 fall campaign. Prominent local civic leaders join in the applause. Reporters gather around the press tables in front of the podium. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Hand clapping;

No empty seats were visible in the Washington State Armory during President Harry S. Truman's speech in early October, 1952. Local dignitaries sat on the platform behind Mr. Truman while he addressed the massive crowd. Policemen stood guard on the upper deck of the armory. Radio and television covered the president's appearance for the benefit of local residents. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma);

Approximately 3000 teenagers enjoyed the "Youth Honor Day Dance" held at the Armory on Halloween, 1958. The M.C. or orchestra had been requested to stop the dance in order that this photograph might be taken. Overall view of crowded Armory; several girls still have on their coats and carry their handbags. Skirts are still worn long and bangs seem to be popular with the girls. While an occasional crew cut is seen, boys seem to be wearing their hair longer as well. Photograph ordered by the Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435.

Halloween--Social life; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dance parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;