In February of 1946, the Red Cross was offering an "equal opportunity" class in home nursing at Clover Park High School. Instructor Mrs. John Steele, RN, was trekking to the school four days a week to teach three classes of nursing students. One of the classes was made up only of boys, the first all male home nursing class in Pierce County. In the photograph, the group of male students surrounded the bed where a Red Cross nurse, possibly Mrs. Steele, was tucked in. One of the boys brought a tray of medicines to help treat her. Many of the boys wear aprons. An unidentified man watched from the far right as the good natured nurse played an invalid. (TT 2/19/1946, pg. 10- article)
American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Nursing; Teenagers; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clover Park High School (Lakewood);
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;
On Sunday April 11, 1948, 20 members of Tacoma Painters' Union, Local 64, helped to kick off the Clean-up Tacoma campaign by giving the Tacoma totem pole a fresh coat of paint. Working to the music of Max Frolic and 27 of Tacoma's union musicians, the painters finished the job in just 72 minutes. Einar Nelson, head of Tacoma's Steelworkers' Union, and his men, put up the steel scaffold used by the painters on Saturday. In comments by Mayor Fawcett, he stated: "Tacoma can well be proud of the part labor, as represented by the tree participating unions, plays in our community life". (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)
Men painting totem pole, Times, Burt McMurtrie. It took the twenty members of Painters' Union Local 64 (AFL) 72 minutes to paint Tacoma's totem pole at 10th and A Streets as they kicked-off the Clean-up Tacoma Campaign for 1948. Max Frolic and 27 of Tacoma's union musicians played for 90 minutes finishing their performance with the Star Spangled Banner just as the painters were finishing painting the totem pole. The totem pole was a famous old landmark at this time, standing in Fireman's Park at 10th and A Streets. (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)
Totem poles--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma; Painters Union Local No. 64 (Tacoma); Scaffolding--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Barn yard dance at Woodbrook Hunt Club, Lakewood Orthopedic Club, Mrs. VanWinkle. "Calico Capers" was sponsored by the Lakewood Orthopedic Association on April 24, 1948. Hay and spring flowers decorated the club. "Gals in gingham and lads in jeans" danced to old-time music and more contemporary music. Here we see Thelma and William M. Busch dancing to the music. Bob Hager led the group in square dances. The Lakewood Guild was one of the newer of the 37 guilds associated with the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. Part of the proceeds were used by the association for maintenance of the orthopedic clinic at Pierce County Health Center. (T.Times, 4/21/1948, p.7; 5/1/1948, p.10)
40 et 8 Parade, Times, Sandegren. The 40 et 8 auxiliary of the American Legion was known as the fun group. As part of the Goof Parade men, dressed as women wearing mops for hair, dresses, and on one case, women's underwear on top of long johns, march and play drums and cymbals. They are seen here along Pacific Avenue in front of Puget Sound Auto Electric (wholesale radios at 707 Pacific Avenue) and Bergh-Griggs Company (plumbers at 709 Pacific Avenue).
American Legion (Tacoma); Veteran's organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; 40 et 8 auxiliary (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Goof Parade (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Cross dressing--Tacoma--1940-1950;
College of Puget Sound's National Professional Music Fraternity, the Beta Delta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, had recently installed new members for the coming school year. Mary Jo Frlan (left) and Alda Heath (right) were returning to Tacoma in late June of 1948 after having represented their fraternity in a national meeting. View of Alpha Iota fraternity girls leaving Union Depot after returning from their summer travel.
Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Frlan, Mary Jo; Heath, Alda; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sigma Alpha Iota (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Poggie Derby at Pt. Defiance Picnic Beach, Isaah Walton League, Erling Bergerson. 24 boys and girls fished in the Father-Mother-Son-Daughter dog fish derby held August 15, 1948, at Point Defiance Park. They brought in 60 dog fish. The Erling Bergerson and Bob Foz trophy and 1st prize went to David Scott with a 35" dog fish. Bobby Scott took 2nd place with a 33" dog fish. 3rd place went to Bill Schneider, 4th place to Raymond Cox and 5th place to Buzzy Cain. Two boys in the back row are holding up a ray as well as some of their dog fish. (T.Times, 8/16/1948, p.9) TPL-586
Poggie Club (Tacoma); Children fishing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fish; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Beaches--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Post #138, auxiliary and men in joint installation, American Legion Post #138. 14 women from the auxiliary pose in front of the stage at the American Legion Hall. Bessie Potter, in the center of the front row wearing a dark dress, was the new auxiliary president and Ann Dale, third from the right, was the first vice president. Each of them wears a corsage. They wear pretty dresses of the longer street length with necklaces, a brooch or earrings.
American Legion (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jewelry; Necklaces; Earrings; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma; American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); Potter, Bessie; Dale, Ann;
Richards' Building. Known as 734-36 Pacific Avenue on the Pacific Avenue side of the building and 735 Commerce Street on the upper side of the building which housed the Rudder Club in 1948. The surface of the lower story is highly reflective surrounding corrugated metal. A neon sign hangs over the doorway. The upper level of the building has arched windows and an ornamented cornice.
Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buildings--Tacoma;
On December 30, 1948, the Elks Temple at 565 Broadway opened its doors to members, wives and ladies to see the newly renovated building. The club room, very popular with the majority of the membership, was just one of the rooms that was completely redone. Everything - chairs, tables, floor coverings, light fixtures - was new and modernized. Even the billiard tables were completely overhauled. All the funiture was custom made in Tacoma. (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).
Old Timers nite at Elks Club, Harry Lynch. All members of the Elks with 25 years or more service were honored with dinner at the Elks Club on January 26, 1949. After dinner the Old Timers marched to the lodge room and, after a short business session, they were treated to a two-hour professional vaudeville show and surprises. More than 400 members and their guests were expected. A band sits at the edge of the floor for the performance. A stuffed elk stands by one of the exits and a mounted elk head is over one of the doors at the rear on the room. Murals decorate the walls. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.2)
Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Lou Plante was president of the Tacoma Gun Club when it sponsored the Washington Birthday Classic held on Saturday and Sunday, February 19 & 20, 1949 at the club on Highway 99 in Lakewood. Shooters came to Tacoma for the annual shoot from all parts of the Northwest and parts of California. A keen trap man, Mr. Plante was a life member of the Tacoma Gun Club. He moved to Tacoma in 1911, and was a member of the Plaster Contractors Association. (T.Times, 2/19/1949, p.5)
Tacoma Gun Club (Tacoma); Smoking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tobacco pipes; Rifles; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plante, Louis H.
Puyallup Coordinating Council was working with the local and regional American Red Cross disaster relief services to bring assistance to their residents after the big April 13, 1949 earthquake. Red Cross would be using recently collected funds from their annual fund raising campaign to assist with community needs in Pierce County. The National Red Cross would be helping the communities affected by yesterday's earthquake as well, including those in Washington, Oregon and Idaho (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. B-4).
Charitable organizations--Puyallup; Disaster relief--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);
American Red Cross Disaster Relief committee was meeting in Puyallup with the Puyallup Coordinating Council to plan disaster relief activities for victims of yesterday's earthquake. Perry Cox was the Red Cross committee chairman, his team would be working with Richard F. Gordon, Director of Red Cross Disaster Relief Service for the Pacific area (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. B-4).
Charitable organizations--Puyallup; Meetings--Puyallup; Disaster relief--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);
Tradition still ruled the fashion of Red Cross dress in March of 1949 when these surgical dressings workers were photographed for an article in the Tacoma News Tribune. They are all wearing white uniforms, with a veil centered in a little embroidered cross of red. March was American Red Cross month and the Tacoma-Pierce County chapter was getting ready to begin its 1949 fund raising campaign. Caught by the camera organizing surgical supplies for military hospitals were: (l to r) Leona McCune, Lucille Branchflower, Eleanora Price, Jessie K. Bacon and Eleanore Bertheau. (T. Times, 3/13/49, p. 24).
Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medical equipment & supplies; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); McCune, Leona; Branchflower, Lucille; Price, Eleanora; Bacon, Jessie K.;
American Cancer Society would be providing free cancer detection screenings at their clinic in Tacoma during the month of April. April had been proclaimed Cancer Awareness month by Mayor C. Val Fawcett; everyone was encouraged to participate. The Cancer Society would be raising funds for their organization during April, a quota of $20,000 had been set. Fred F. LeVeque was Chairman of the Pierce County Cancer Campaign Committee; view of unidentified members of the Pierce County unit Cancer Society (T. Times, 3/27/49, p. 3).
Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Preventive medicine--Tacoma; Health care facilities--Tacoma; Clinics--Tacoma; American Cancer Society, Pierce County Unit (Tacoma);
The American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post Number 2 was located at 407 South G Street in Tacoma. Tacoma also had three other posts and an auxiliary unit. Interior view of the Edward B. Rhodes Post Number 2 American legion building; view of stairway that leads into a waiting area with two wick sofas, room in back has a piano, possibly the lounge area.
Clubhouses--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma);
Eagles. The Eagles had an all-accordion band, the first organized since before World War II. They presented a recital May 25, 1949, at Eagles Temple. The band was part of the Eagles' youth guidance program and was under the direction of Louis Nomellini (standing center, first row). The Eagles Temple, which was dedicated August 8, 1908, was at 1305 Fawcett Avenue. Names listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 5/24/1949, p.25)
Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Accordions; Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nomellini, Louis; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Tacoma Sculpturing Club would be exhibiting their work at the Washington State Historical Society museum in May of 1949. The club was celebrating ten years of wood carving sculpture. View of Walter A. and Grace L. Heath; Grace carved a life-size wood bust of her husband, Walter (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).
Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma; Wood carving--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Heath, Walter A.--Family;
The Tacoma Sculpturing Club celebrated their tenth anniversary in May 1949. A celebration exhibit at the Washington State Historical Society museum displayed members' works. Grace L. Heath carved a life-size wood bust of her husband, Walter A. Heath. Grace compares her work with its real life model, husband Walter. (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).
Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma; Wood carving--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Heath, Walter A.--Family;
The Elks Band was playing and majorette Gloria Ellexson was performing while club members waited on July 7, 1949 at Union Station for the train taking them to the national convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tacoma Elks ritual team, which held the state championship, together with coach Russ Barlow, would also compete in Cleveland. It was reported during the convention that Gloria Ellexson, a student at the College of Puget Sound, had been named national champion drum majorette. Ordered by Harry Lynch, Elks Club. (TNT, 7/6/1l949, p.10; TNT, 7/13/1949, p.1)
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Marching bands; Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ellexson, Gloria; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Forrest M. LaSuer, secretary of the Tacoma Moose Lodge, won a membership drive contest in June 1949. Harold Jordan, secretary of the Kelso-Longview Moose Lodge, lost the contest and was required to push LaSuer in a wheelbarrow, wearing a feed-sack dress with bonnet. LaSuer enjoyed the ride - he is wearing his own bonnet and night shirt, is holding a baby bottle and smoking a cigar. Jordan pushed the triumphant LaSuer past the Moose Lodge quarters at 737 Commerce St. (7/5/1949, p.2)
Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Wheelbarrows; Bottle feeding--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cigars; Bonnets; Dresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; LaSuer, Forrest M.; Jordan, Harold;
For the second November in a row, the Tahoma Guild of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association in 1947 set out "Wishing Candles" in many restaurants as a fund raiser for a much needed children's hospital in Tacoma. People were asked to donate coins as they made a wish. From left to right, guild members Mrs. Betty Vogel, co-chairman of the project Hazel B. (Mrs. Arthur) York, and Myra J. (Mrs. E.R.) Fetterolf light one of the "Wishing Candles" at an unidentified restaurant. (T. Times 11-21-47, p. 15)
Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Candles; Vogel, Betty; York, Hazel B.; Fetterolf, Myra J.;
The Steel Workers Organizing Committee later became known as the United Steel Workers of America, including a chapter located in Tacoma, Washington. The United Steel Workers of America Local Number 2626 had members throughout the iron, steel and metallurgical industries in Tacoma. View of Permanente Metals employees in plant, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.
Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;
Tacoma Art League was presenting the work of Colonel C. Ross Greening at the Washington State Historical Building. Colonel Greening painted his graphic paintings while in a German Prison Camp. Colonel Greening was the inventor of the "10 Cent Bomb Site", this technique was used by Colonel James Doolittle in his Tokyo raid. View of Colonel C. Ross Greening explaining his art work to a member of the Tacoma Art League (T. Times, 1/24/48, p. 5).
Tacoma Art League (Tacoma); Art exhibitions--Tacoma; Art; Painting--Tacoma; Artists--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Veterans; Greening, C. Ross;
The Tacoma Girl Scouts held a Fashion Revue at the Temple Theater on March 20, 1948. The proceeds would benefit the St. Alban's Girl Scout Camp. The Girl Scouts showed traditional and new scouting clothes as well as sports outfits and fashion clothes furnished by Rhodes Brothers Department Store. Background music was provided by Arnold Levenenze at the organ. Four young girls and boys wearing their Sunday best and two teenage girls wearing two-piece bathing suits wait in the sidelines, with four women organizers, for their turn on the runway. Ordered by Jerry Hurley, Rhodes Brothers. (T.Times, 3/12/1948, p.6; 3/23/1948, p.5)
Raymond Farr and John Anderson at desk for Elks Magazine, Elks Club, Jack Brouillard. Both men are reviewing the list of names of people registering for the Christmas Committee from 1946. Raymond Farr and John Anderson are helping make the 1948 Elks Stocking Fillers' annual Christmas benefit for Tacoma's under-privileged children a success. The activities this year include dinner for the blind and the annual Christmas morning party for children at the Elks Temple. (T.Times, 12/8/1948, p.2)
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Farr, Raymond; Anderson, John H.;
