The Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau seems to have transported this float directly from the Arabian Nights to the Daffodil Festival. Two harem girls in black two piece outfits adorn the front of the float, while the sultan sits cross legged in the rear. The two Nubian slaves appear to be floral mannequins. The flower bedecked float adheres to the 1956 theme of "Storytime in Daffodils" and won first place in Division 6, other clubs and organizations.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau (Tacoma);

The S & S Builders booth at the 1956 Home Show features their new residential development at Tyee Park. Tyee Park was a new million dollar suburban residential community being developed in Lakewood. The new homes had five basic designs and were designed to be the epitome of indoor/outdoor living. The developers planned a community of 99 homes with curving roadways designated with Indian names. Over 15,000 people showed up to view the new homes on their Grand Opening. The 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show was held May 11-20th at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. The 8th annual exhibition was sponsored by the Tacoma Master Builders. Over 100 local and national firms participated, setting up booths and displays of interest to the home owner or buyer. (TNT 5/10/1956, section C)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; S & S Builders (Tacoma); Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Song stylist Helen O'Connell at the May, 1956, Greater Tacoma Home Show exhibit booth sponsored by John E. Amberg Co., distributors for Admiral-Hamilton appliances. Miss O'Connell holds open the door to an Admiral dual temperature refrigerator. To her right is a 1956 Admiral television set. The TV is topped by an Admiral portable radio. Helen O'Connell was an internationally known chanteuse who had recently returned to the music business after retiring to become a homemaker and mother of three daughters. She would be headlining the Broadway style revue at the Home Show. After her father's death while she was still a young teen, she had supported her family by singing in clubs and shows. She sang with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and their recording of "Green Eyes" sold over 3 million copies. (TNT 5/10/1956, pg. C-2-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; O'Connell, Helen, 1921-1993; Singers--1950-1960;

Booth sponsored by the Honolulu Conservatory of Music at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show held May 11-20th.The Honolulu Conservatory was a franchise opened by Karolyn & Floyd Piper in their home at 617 No. 2nd St. They specialized in Hawaiian music, teaching ukulele, guitar and accordion. They taught music lessons by the Conservatory method with numbers diagrammed inside notes, sold instruments, music and accessories and ran a studio in their home. At the exhibit booth, a posed mannequin band strikes up a tune on banjo, accordion, clarinet and guitar. Instruments are displayed, including accordions, a guitar and a triple neck steel guitar. Another guitar is available to the right to deposit entries for the free drawing for a ukulele, guitar and accordion.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stringed instruments; Ukuleles;

ca. 1956. Combination kitchen and dining room of the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show Model Home "The Klahanie," from a Chinook Indian word meaning "out of doors." The dining room sits on a slate floor. The model home was built with an open floor plan, where living room, dining room and kitchen merged together and then flowed out onto a wooden deck. (TNT 5/10/1956, Section C- Home Show feature)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Kitchens--University Place--1950-1960; Dining rooms--University Place--1950-1960;

A crowd of spectators await the launching of the minesweeper #489, the U.S.S. Gallant, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding on the evening of June 4, 1954. Martinac Shipbuilding had received a contract to built nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy during the early 1950's. Those observing the launching heard Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, give the principal address. Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac, was the ship's sponsor. Music for the ceremony was provided by the McChord Air Force Band. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Green, Marlene and Darlene Green, were married in a joint wedding ceremony at the Little Church on the Prairie, 6310 Motor Ave. S.W. in Lakewood, on August 11, 1954, their birthday. The two brides posed side-by-side in identical wedding gowns in front of the church altar. Both are wearing gowns heavily decorated in lace and satin covered with net. They appear to be carrying stephanotis bouquets and they have matching pearl necklaces. Marlene Green married Claude Flansburg while Darlene wed William Melville. (TNT 6-20-54, D-9, engagement picture, and information provided by family)

Twins; Weddings--Lakewood--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Bouquets;

Millsap and Nichol wedding at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Bride and groom greet guests as they leave the church following the wedding ceremony. The couple were wed on Friday evening, September 4, 1953.

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding clothing & dress--1950-1960; St. Ann's Catholic Church (Tacoma);

Waterous Co. booth at the Fire Chief Convention. The Fire Chiefs from the nine western states, Alaska, Hawaii and the Philippines met in Tacoma for the 58th annual Conference of the Pacific Coast Inter-Mountain Association of Fire Chiefs. On Sept. 9th, 1953, the 600 Fire Chiefs and their wives commenced three days of business meetings, shoptalk and social activities, including a fire fighting exhibition at the Lincoln Bowl that was open to the public. Business meetings were held at the Elks Temple, where papers were delivered on fire fighting and prevention. Pictured are Tacoma Fire Chief Harold C. Fisk, 2nd from left, and J.W. Stevens of San Francisco, secretary-treasurer of the organization on the right. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. B-1 & 9/8/1953, pg. 1)

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fisk, Harold C.; Stevens, J.W.; Pacific Coast Inter-Mountain Association of Fire Chiefs (Tacoma);

Stolder and Lemmer wedding. Groom with bride in arms at threshold of building in this late 1953 photograph. Building has high, Colonial embellished entry and transom over double entry doors. Metal railing and steps are covered with light snow and ice.

Weddings--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding clothing & dress--1950-1960;

Members of the Tacoma Master Builders Association annually sponsored the Tacoma Home Show for many years. It was a good opportunity to acquaint Tacomans with the newest in home styles and conveniences and good advertising for local contractors and businesses. Here, Tacoma Home Show princess Jackie Durant of Lincoln High School models a strapless evening gown adorned with daisies on May 19, 1954; she is gazing at photographs of homes constructed by various Master Builders, including the Peltier Construction Co. (TNT 5-20-54, C-2)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Durant, Jackie;

Two horsemen representing the Tacobat Grotto fraternal organization lead the way for a small horse and cart publicizing the benefit show for the handicapped to be held on May 16, 1954. The tiny cart is well covered with daffodils, including the wheels, as it marches along in the 21st annual Daffodil Parade. There were 135 marching units of all varieties taking part in addition to 52 floats.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacobat Grotto (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Horses--Tacoma;

Bathing beauties on the Rhodes Brothers Department Store ocean-themed float wave happily to the packed reviewing stands during the 1954 Daffodil Parade. Over 100,000 people turned out to watch the 21st annual parade and television stations provided access to thousands more. The Rhodes entry was awarded first place in the Retail division. (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Members of the Marcetta-Ki drill team from Lincoln High School perform a snappy maneuver for the thousands watching the 1954 Daffodil Parade. The unpredictable spring weather brought a day of sunshine after several days of rain; the parade enjoyed plenty of sun and 50 degree temperatures. View of drill team pausing in front of Puget Sound National Bank on Pacific Avenue; total length of the parade route in Tacoma was two miles.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marcetta-Ki (Tacoma); Drill teams;

Crowds of 5-20 people deep lined the streets of downtown Tacoma for the 1954 Daffodil Parade. Thousands jammed the windows in stores and office buildings; it was estimated that over 100,000 people saw the parade. Brilliant sunshine and 50 degree temperatures greeted parade participants and watchers alike. There were 52 floats and 135 marching units involved; view of military and auxiliary groups marching along the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue. (TNT 4-10-54, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Suitsus, owned by Harold Thompson of Tacoma, its sails decorated with thousands of daffodils, won an honorable mention in the 1954 Puget Sound Daffodil Regatta. More than 200 boats participated in the parade, including sailboats, purse seiners, and the City fireboat which tossed thousands of gallons of colored water into the air for a beautiful water fountain effect. The surrounding hillsides, Old Tacoma Dock and Ruston Way were crammed with spectators enjoying the impressive procession of vessels. Photograph ordered by the TNT. (TNT 4-12-54, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;

Thousands were expected to line the city waterfront to watch the 200+ daffodil adorned boats proceed from the Tacoma Yacht Club to the City Waterway. This would be the final activity in the 1954 Daffodil festivities. Flags and flowers decorate the purse seiners Joann and Memories, among others, as they file in single formation past a reviewing yacht containing the Daffodil queen, Mary Carlile, and guests. The Joann, owned by George J. Peterson of Peterson Boat Co., won a special award. The festival would officially end when the last boat vanished from view. (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1, TNT 4-12-54, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;

A style show featuring a bride's trousseau occurred at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club during the time of the annual Delta Delta Delta Pansy Ring Tea in May, 1954. Models portraying the bridal party stand in front of the Ring of flowers. Both attendants and the bride carry wreaths of flowers, perhaps dahlias, to correspond with the circular theme. Mrs. Paul Whitcomb, the former Janet Erickson, models a wedding gown with flowing train. Mrs. Whitcomb was the former 1953 chapter president of Delta Delta Delta. Her groom in the photograph is Warren Hunt of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Mr. Hunt is a graduating senior from Puyallup, a business administration major, and former student body president. The bridal attendants were Barbara Schaller and Nancy Cranston. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Whitcomb, Janet; Hunt, Warren; Schaller, Barbara; Cranston, Nancy;

Loye A. McGee (left), dressed as a circus ring master, stands next to his wife in this photograph taken March 14, 1953 at the Lakewood Recreation Hall. Mr. McGee managed the arrangements for the special Lakewood Dance Club party, based on a circus theme, held at the hall. Invitations to "The Greatest Show on Earth" were designed to look like old-fashioned circus bills. Refreshments at the dance included hot dogs and pink lemonade. Besides dancing, the evening included clowns, animals, trapeze artists and a side show. From left to right are: Mr. and Mrs. L. A. McGee, ringmaster, George Boldt, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Miller. Photograph ordered by TNT. (TNT 3-18-53, p. 23)

Dance parties--Lakewood--1950-1960; Dancers--Lakewood; Signs (Notices);

A group of six men, two women and a little girl pose in front of the recently constructed USS Energy in preparation for its official launching on February 13, 1953. Four of the men are wearing naval uniforms; one woman is holding a large bouquet of roses. She may be the sponsor, Mrs. Alice McDonald Baughman of Seattle. Captain Clyde Jensen of the Bremerton Navy Yard was to give the principal address. The ship was built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, and was to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard. (TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Two majestic elk, festooned with blossoms, "pull" an old fashioned streetcar in the 1953 Daffodil parade. The float was entered by the Tacoma Elks Club; the surface of the float, including its sides and also the streetcar, are covered with daffodils. There is a policeman, dressed in an old-time uniform, and conductor on board along with several passengers. Photograph ordered by Jay Downs.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1953 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma; Elk; Street railroads--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Herb Erickson leads his students in a melody during the 1953 Daffodil parade. He was a teacher of the Honolulu Conservatory of Music; the school taught accordion and guitar to aspiring musicians. View of Erickson conducting his ensemble of accordionists, guitarists and bass player. Hundreds of daffodils cover the float, including a shell and two musical symbols, as well as a multitude of wooden notes. Photograph orderd by Floyd Piper.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1953 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Erickson, Herb; Accordions; Guitars; Daffodils--Tacoma;

Anderson and Niebergall wedding. Portrait of bride and groom beside two elaborate floral sprays. Mary Joan Anderson of Seattle wed Albert Durry Niebergall, formerly of Walla Walla, on June 13, 1953 in Puyallup. She is wearing a lace gown and carrying an orchid and statis (small white flowers) bouquet. The dark haired groom is in a white tuxedo. (TNT 6-25-1953, C-8)

Weddings--Puyallup--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Anderson, Mary Joan--Marriage; Niebergall, Albert Durry; Wedding clothing & dress--1950-1960; Flower arrangements;

The Tacoma Boat Building Company, 132 Sitcum Waterway, launched two 57-foot minesweepers within minutes of each other on May 15, 1953, Armed Forces Day. The MSB-16 was sponsored by Carmen P. Smith of Seattle and the MSB-17 was sponsored by Mrs. E.A. Watson of Tacoma. MSB grade minesweeping boats did not receive names, they were referred to by their hull number. The Tacoma Boat Building Company received major contracts with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard for over 40 years, building minesweepers, gunboats, and cutters. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Northwest Territory Centennial Parade. Float with covered wagon carrying State Centennial Queen Jackie. The float reads "They had faith and stout hearts" and represents the pioneering spirit of 1853. This was the most elaborate float in the parade. The covered wagon is being "driven" by State Centennial Queen Jackie Atkins of Port Orchard.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Atkins, Jackie;

A model home was built outside the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse to be displayed during the 1952 Home Show. Men are installing the siding on the home, some of which is set at an angle for a decorative effect. Ordered by St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company to show the use of their building materials.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Building materials;

Women are ready to serve refreshments at the reception following Joan Thrasher's and Allen Jerome Morgan's wedding. The wedding took place June 14, 1952, at Christ Episcopal Church. The reception was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. The bride was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Thrasher. The groom's parents were the Allen B. Morgans of Seattle. (The Reporter, 6/21/1952, p.4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Receptions--Tacoma; Tea--Tacoma; Coffee--Tacoma; Thrasher, Joan--Marriage; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma);

The Steve Pease family in daffodil-bedecked carriage. Owner of Steve's Cafe (more commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s), Steve Pease was a well-known figure in South Tacoma. His restaurant at 5238-40 South Tacoma Way was recognized for its homestyle cooking and rollicking family-oriented entertainment. With Mr. Pease in his horse-drawn buggy is wife Mary and daughter Dorothy Jean. They rolled along in front of a number of riders on horseback during the 1952 Daffodil Festival parade.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Carriages & coaches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Stephen O.--Family; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Mary; Pease, Dorothy Jean;

Pfaff sewing machine booth at the 1952 Home Show, operated by McClanahan's Blue Ribbon Appliance Center at 8404 So. Tacoma Way (Mrs. Mildred McClanahan pictured) and the Pfaff Sewing Machine Center at 781 Broadway. The fourth annual Home Show was held from April 3-6, 1952 and had 20,000 square feet of commercial exhibits designed to entice homeowners improve their standard of living and to spruce up their homes.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Sewing machines; McClanahan, Mildred;

Horseback riders proceed down 9th St. to Pacific in the 1952 Daffodil Parade. This is one of three mounted groups represented in the parade. Spectators perch on every available surface- fire escapes, windows, and even one precariously on the ledge of the roof of the building on the left.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma);