On June 5, 1937, over 1,000 Shriners gathered in Tacoma for a spring reunion. They kicked off the get together with a parade. A long line of Shriners waited behind their drill leader for the parade to begin. Winthrop Hotel and Roxy theater on Broadway are in background.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Roxy Theatre (Tacoma);

Greek picnic held by the Order of Ahepa and its affiliated organizations, the Maids of Athens and Sons of Pericles, at Five Mile Lake. Group of men dancing outdoors in a circle. Two men are wearing a fez. Crowd and automobiles in background. The Order of Ahepa, a national society of Americans of Greek descent, was holding its annual district convention in Tacoma at the Hotel Winthrop. Over 1500 delegates attended. Sunday was highlighted by special services at St. Nicholas and this lively picnic at Five Mile Lake. (T. Times 6/26/1936, pg. 18)

Order of Ahepa (Tacoma); Greek Americans--Tacoma; Folk dancing; Ethnic groups--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Eleventh Annual Conclave of the Order of DeMolay, held in Tacoma in August of 1935. Over 800 members of the organization assembled for the convention. One of the highlights was the parade held on August 31st. A group of young men wearing white uniforms was photographed parading up 13th Street in Tacoma. From the appearance of the uniforms, this appears to be the Bremerton chapter of DeMolay. The Mecca restaurant and tavern and Knapp College are in buildings on left.

Order of DeMolay (Bremerton); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

DeMolay Eleventh Annual Conclave, held in Tacoma in August of 1935. A parade was held on August 31st, participating in the parade were 7 DeMolay patrols, 25 floats, the Shrine Band and Patrol and the Tacoma Rainbow Girls. A band group was photographed marching up 13th Street, Tacoma. Buildings and smoke stacks visible on the left.

Order of DeMolay--Meetings--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Eleventh Annual Conclave of the Order of DeMolay, held in August of 1935 in Tacoma. One of the highlights was the downtown parade held on the 31st. The route was down St. Helens Ave. to Pacific, to 13th and up Broadway. A parade of young men were photographed marching along Broadway, 1100 block, toward the Elk's Temple, Tacoma. Buildings and signage visible.

Order of DeMolay--Meetings--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Eleventh Annual Conclave of the Order of DeMolay, held in Tacoma in August of 1935. One of the highlights of the convention was a parade held on August 31st. Taking part in the parade were 7 DeMolay patrols, 25 floats, the Shrine band and patrol and Tacoma's Rainbow Girls. The Afifi Shrine band was photographed marching up 13th Street.

Order of DeMolay--Meetings--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Marching bands;

DeMolay Eleventh Annual Conclave, held in Tacoma in August of 1935. Tacoma Assembly of Rainbow Girls, dressed in uniforms, parade up 13th Street during the August 31st parade.

Order of DeMolay--Meetings--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainbow Girls (Tacoma);

In March of 1937, Lillian Morey, left, and Laura Ellis were ably handling the publicity for the one of the most anticipated society events for the younger set in Bremerton, the Rainbow Girl-DeMolay ball held at the end of March. The Masonic Temple was slated to be the site of the Spring 1937 ball. (Bremerton Sun 03-27-1937, pg. 2).

Rainbow Girls (Bremerton); Fraternal organizations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Teenagers--1930-1940; Morey, Lillian; Ellis, Laura;

Unidentified Scottish Rite Mason seated in an office with a booklet in hand. Photograph was taken on March 26, 1937.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Two unidentified Scottish Rite Masons seated in an office looking at pamphlets. Both are wearing distinctive headgear. Photograph was taken in late March of 1937.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Two unidentified Scottish Rite Masons carrying garments. The men are in the lodge's storage room where candelabras, architectural columns, and other ritual paraphernalia are stored. They were photographed on March 26, 1937.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1925. A group of law officers, dressed in uniforms with badges and topped off with straw skimmers, pose in front of the B.P.O.E. (Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) lodge. The man to the left is possibly Pierce County Sheriff John Bjorklund. The picture is probably related to the celebration of Straw Hat Day circa 1925. (WSHS- negative A844-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--1920-1930; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

ca. 1926. East Tacoma, IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) #89. "Degree Staff," lodge members in regalia, some holding shields. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clubs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 89 (Tacoma);

In April of 1925, members of the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (DOKK) were planning an initiation in which hapless new members would be fed to their voracious tiger mascot (pictured.) The DOKK was a side degree of the Knights of Pythias committed to fun and revelry. On his knees, chained to the tiger, and being prepared for slaughter was E.A. Dexter, chancellor commander of the Commencement Lodge of Tacoma. Surrounding him, left to right, were J.A. Falconer, A.N. Bostwick, Ted Strong and Ben Haverkamp. The grand initiation and ceremony was held at the Swiss Hall, 1902-04 Jefferson Avenue. Over three hundred members from across Southwest Washington were expected to attend. More than 50 initiates were being prepared for lunch. At this time, the DOKK had no temple of their own in Tacoma, so the Kuh-Ala-Dagh Temple of Seattle served as host at the initiation. (TNT 4/24/1925, pg. 11) (WSHS)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Play (Recreation)--1920-1930; Knights of Pythias (Tacoma); Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (Tacoma); Dexter, E.A.; Falconer, J.A.; Bostwick, A.N.; Strong, Ted; Haverkamp, Ben;

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;

International Rally of I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), Tacoma, Washington, September 4-6, 1926.The biggest event was a parade through downtown Tacoma with over 2,000 participants on September 4, 1926. The South Tacoma Lodge No. 89 float is bearing signs, "The God of Nations is the Father of All Men" and "All Men Are Brothers". Lefebvre Auto Laundry in background. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 89 (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;

International Rally of the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), Tacoma, September 4-6, 1926. The rally was a convention for the 300 Odd Fellow & Rebekah lodges in Washington and British Columbia. The East Tacoma Rebekah Lodge float was photographed on the 700 block of Commerce Street. Corner of Colonial Hotel, Tacoma Electrotype Company, Washington Florists truck, Gansen Electric Company, C.A. Beil office. (filed with Argentum)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; East Tacoma Rebekah Lodge (Tacoma);

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) held their seventh annual International Rally in Tacoma on September 4-6, 1926. The largest event of the rally was a parade with over 2,000 participants through the downtown business district that concluded at the Odd Fellows temple at Sixth & Fawcett. The Fern Hill Rebekah Lodge created a float for the parade on the back of a John Dower Lumber Company flatbed truck. The float was photographed in front of the Gansen Electric Company and C.A. Beil, General Contractors, offices at 709-13 Commerce St. The Rebekahs were the affiliated fraternal order of the Odd Fellows as well as a service organization. (TDL 9/4/26, pg. 3-article; 9/5/26, pg. 4-A-article) (filed in Argentum.)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fern Hill Rebekah Lodge (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. Lesson in Friendship by Tacoma Knights of Pythias at the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. The fraternal order was founded in 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone on the principles of friendship, charity and benevolence, or "FCB" the letters inscribed on the triangles that make up the group's emblem. One of the main themes in the group's ceremonies is the fast friendship of Damon and Pythias. (filed with Argentum)

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. A full house is gathered at the Scottish Rite Cathedral to hear Harland McCoy, diet lecturer.

Scottish Rite Cathedral (Tacoma); Audiences; Crowds; Spectators;

Odd Fellows, "Decoration of Chivalry at Tacoma," August 6, 1931. (filed with Argentum)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Grand Officers of the M. W. Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. (Free and Accepted Masons) of Washington in front of the Masonic Temple. Building by Ambrose J. Russell, Architect, 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Free & Accepted Masons (Tacoma);

Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Group of men photographed in June of 1932 wearing Masonic costumes on the steps of the Masonic Temple. The "Shriners" were founded in 1872 as a fun fraternal organization for men who had completed their requirements in the Scottish or Knights Templar (York rite) Masonic organizations. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Group of men in Masonic costumes on steps of the Masonic Temple. This circa 1932 group photo has been superimposed against a background of Mount Rainier. The "Shriners" were founded in 1872 as a fun fraternal organization for men who had completed their requirements in the Scottish or Knights Templar (York rite) Masonic organizations.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Group of men in Afifi costumes inside the Masonic Temple; photograph taken in June of 1932. This is possibly the same group of men as images 1 & 1A. (filed with Argentum).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma);

This is the Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, photographed within the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave., in June of 1932. It is the same photograph as 411, image 9 except that part of the background has been lightened.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma);

In June of 1936, members of the Afifi Patrol and Band line up on a residential street in Tacoma prior to a parade. Three motorcycles lead the procession and a streetcar is seen in the distance at the end of the parade. Several late 1800s houses in background. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Afifi Temple Band (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Afifi parade in June of 1936. Men lined-up in lodge regalia on old Tacoma street. Streetcar tracks in foreground, motorcycle at end of line, numerous late 1800s houses in background. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;