On January 13, 1943, Tacoma took part in the first unexploded bomb civil defense drill in the Pacific Northwest. Mock unexploded and gas "bombs" fell in each of the city's civil defense zones. At 9th & Broadway, facing the Winthrop Hotel, a genuine 500 pound bomb was planted in a manhole. Civil Defense workers blocked off the area, placing signs reading "UXB" and "Do Not Enter" on a Police Department folding barricade."UXB" stands for unexploded bomb. Man in a light colored military-type uniform stands by a Fire Truck in background. (T. Times 1/14/1943, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

In 1943, as war raged in Europe and the Pacific, Tacoma's civil defense workers and public works units practiced their response to an attack. On Wednesday night January 13th mock attacks hit each of the city's eight civilian defense zones. Boy Scouts became "evacuees" who had to be safely removed from areas threatened by unexploded bombs and contaminated with mustard gas. The Tacoma emergency preparedness drills were the first of their type held in the Pacific Northwest.(T. Times 1/14/1943, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

On January 13, 1980, Tacoma participated in the Pacific Northwest's first unexploded bomb drill. A "bomb" was found in each of Tacoma's eight civil defense zones and Army bomb disposal units and Public Works decontamination units were required to render them harmless. Here wardens inspect fragments of the unexploded 500 lb. bomb around the "crater" that it made at 9th and Broadway, in front of the Winthrop Hotel. (T. Times 1/14/1943, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

Leona (Mrs. E.F.) Burton tried her hand at spotting enemy airplanes with binoculars from the deck of the Crestview Tower. She and Mrs. S.E. Peterson, right, were volunteering as civilian spotters. The tower, one of the tallest watching points in Tacoma, was formally dedicated and turned over to the Army October 29, 1942 in a ceremony at the Browns Point Community Hall. The tower was situated on a hill between Browns and Dash Points and commanded a sweeping view of the Puget Sound area around Tacoma Harbor. It was used as a unit in the aircraft warning system. (T. Times 10/28/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Observation towers;

Mrs. S.E. Peterson pointed out an item of interest to Leona (Mrs. E.F.) Burton from the deck of the Crestview Tower. The women were acting as civilian spotters from the Tower, one of the tallest watching points in Tacoma. It would be formally dedicated and turned over to the Army as a unit in the aircraft warning system October 29, 1942 at the Browns Point Community Hall. Located on a hill between Browns and Dash Points, it commanded a sweeping view of the Tacoma Harbor. (T. Times 10/28/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Observation towers;

In October of 1942, Mrs. E.F. Burton (left), Mrs. S.E. Peterson, and an unidentified man stood on the deck of the new Crestview lookout tower searching the skies over Tacoma for enemy aircraft. The newly constructed warning service facility was turned over to the army at a ceremony held at the Brown's Point Community Hall. The tower, situated on the hill between Brown's and Dash Points, had a sweeping view of the Puget Sound area around the Tacoma harbor. (T. Times 10/28/1942 p.3) TPL-793

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Observation towers;

Aircraft spotters' shack at Browns Point. Built on a hill between Browns and Dash points, Crestview Tower commanded a sweeping view of the Puget Sound area around Tacoma harbor. It was formally dedicated and turned over to the Army October 29, 1942 as part of the aircraft warning service.

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Observation towers;

Surrounded on all four sides with an observation deck, Crestview Tower became an essential cog in the network of aircraft warning observation towers. It was dedicated and turned over to the Army on October 29, 1942. Located on a hill between Browns and Dash Points, it was one of the tallest watching points in Tacoma and commanded a sweeping view of the Harbor. TPL-1982 (T. Times 10/28/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Observation towers;

The Civil Defense "Block Ladies" met at Stewart School, in January of 1943. In order to disseminate information quicker and facilitate civil defense training, the city was divided into "blocks." Each block had one volunteer representative who attended meetings and was in charge of getting the information out to those residing in his/her section. The representative was usually a woman, since many men were either at war or working odd and long hours in the wartime industries.

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The West Coast of the United States braced itself for a possible invasion during the early years of World War II. In Tacoma, sand bags were distributed throughout downtown as part of the wartime precautions. Two unidentified Boy Scouts are seen in this photograph from June 1942 placing sand bags in front of the Washington Cigar Store near South 11th Street & Pacific Avenue. Instructions on the barrel lid read "Place Filled Sack on Burning Bomb during Blackout. Any Other Use Prohibited" ! (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Washington Cigar Store (Tacoma); Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

On June 19, 1942, barrels of 25 pound sand bag "mats" were placed throughout downtown Tacoma by the Public Works Department and Cub Scouts. During the early years of World War II, Tacoma, like other cities up and down the West Coast, was preparing for a possible invasion. Jack Schutzman (left) and Jack Sandstrom, both 11, were photographed on the back of a truck at 11th and Pacific placing a bag in a barrel being steadied by PWD driver William Anderson. The Washington Cigar Store and the Rust Building are in the background. Each barrel contained five bags for use in handling incendiary bombs in case of an air raid. The idea came from similar use in London. The instructions printed on the barrel were simple; place the mat over the bomb and run. (T. Times 6/20/1942, pg.1- picture)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Washington Cigar Store (Tacoma); Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Schutzman, Jack; Sandstrom, Jack; Anderson, William;

Five volunteer War Savings Bonds salesgirls, (lt to rt) Rose Colombini, Madlyn Piper, Arlene Johnson Keller, Nancy Carlson and Radie Cramer, posed with one of the Bond sales booths used in Tacoma in July, 1942. The War Bond quota for Pierce County for July of 1942 was $1,723,693. Bonds were sold throughout Tacoma from "Victory Booths" set up both inside stores and on the sidewalks in front of stores. On the first day of the sale nothing could be sold in Tacoma stores, with the exception of restaurants, from 12 noon to 12:15 except bonds. On the first day of July, Tacoma unions bought $21,000 worth of bonds. (T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1- picture, 7/1/1942 p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie;

Six women pose in front of the Sears Roebuck and Company building at 1148 Broadway with a July war bond thermometer chart, prepared to "heat up" the Tacoma Retail Stores Bond & Stamp Sale to be held throughout July 1942. The salesgirls each wear a cap marked "I'm Selling Stamps and Bonds." Pictured standing are, left to right, Madlyn Piper, Rose Colombini, Arline Keller,and Radie Cramer. Kneeling are, left to right, C lella McElroy and Nancy Carlson. The retail sales bond goal for July was $1,723,693. Sears opened their store on Broadway in May of 1936. They were a major retail presence downtown until they moved to the Tacoma Mall in 1981. (TNT 6/30/42, pg. 9-picture, T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1 & 7/1/1942, p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie; Department stores--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma);

Six women wearing military type "overseas" caps marked "I'm Selling Stamps and Bonds" with a "Tacoma Retail Stamp and Bond Sales - July" chart outside Sears, Roebuck and Company. The Tacoma salesgirls were posing for publicity pictures announcing the kickoff July 1, 1942 of the Tacoma Retail Stores Bond and Stamp Sale. The sales goal for July was $1,723,693. Pictured left to right are Rose Colombini, Madlyn Piper, Arline Keller, Nancy Carlson, C lella McElroy and Radie Cramer. (T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1; 7/1/1942 p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie; Department stores--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma);

On June 20, 1942, a young soldier donned an apron and offered to help with the dishes after dining and rooming at the First Congregational Church, 209 So. J St. In answer to an urgent call by Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain for weekend housing for the soldiers swelling the area military bases and coming to Tacoma for weekend entertainment, the Tacoma Ministerial Association opened three of the larger churches as dormitories. The first three to offer this service were First Presbyterian, First Congregational and First Christian. (T. Times 5/21/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest; First Congregational Church showing soldiers' accommodations. Several soldiers prepare to eat a hearty Sunday breakfast of pancakes, coffee and juice after spending Saturday night at the church. With a shortage of weekend housing in Tacoma for soldiers on leave, the First Congregational Church, as well as others, offered temporary weekend bed and breakfast.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest. James and Zelma Garvin residence showing soldiers' accommodations. The Garvins had opened up their home to accommodate soldiers on weekend leave in Tacoma. Some of the soldiers pose outside the house in June of 1942.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

In June of 1942, soldiers bow their heads in prayer before eating Sunday breakfast at the home of James and Zelma Garvin, 10 Mare Vista Terrace. The Garvins had also housed the soldiers over the Saturday night. The couple was responding the the call for overnight housing for soldiers in Tacoma on weekend leave with no place to stay. (TNT 7/5/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Publicity for Community Chest. James and Zelma Garvin residence showing soldiers' accommodations. Larger private homes offered extra living space to men in uniform in Tacoma for the weekend. Soldiers will be bunking overnight on couches and cots in the Garvin's rec room.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

In June of 1942, several soldiers prepare to enjoy a Sunday morning breakfast at the home of James and Zelma Garvin, 10 Mare Vista Terrace. The soldiers have been the overnight guests of the couple in a makeshift dormitory set up in the rec room. Fort Lewis and McChord were brimming with increased wartime personnel. Thousands of these soldiers would pour into Tacoma on the weekend, with no hope of finding anyplace to sleep overnight. Weekend housing was offered at several of the larger homes, as well as at area churches and the Tacoma Mission. (TNT 7/5/1942, pg. 1) TPL-10330

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Several soldiers linger over Sunday morning breakfast at the home of James and Zelma Garvin, 10 Mare Vista Terrace. They spent Saturday night in the rec room of the home. By June of 1942, Fort Lewis and McChord were brimming with increased wartime personnel. Thousands of these soldiers would pour into Tacoma on the weekend, with no hope of finding anyplace to sleep overnight. In response to an emergency meeting called by Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, three churches threw open their doors as weekend dormitories. In addition, Tacomans were asked to contribute cots or beds, linens and towels. They were further asked to welcome military men who still could not find housing into their homes as guests. (TNT 7/5/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Publicity for Community Chest. James and Zelma Garvin residence showing soldiers' accommodations. The Garvin's gardens were highly prized and their weekend military guest are photographed admiring the pond. The Garvins had opened up their home to soldiers on weekend leave in Tacoma.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Publicity for Community Chest. As the war heated up, Fort Lewis was used as a staging and training base for soldiers shipping out. On weekends, many of these soldiers were released for leave in Tacoma. Tacoma just did not have enough hotel rooms to accomodate them, so Mayor Harry Cain asked the citizens of Tacoma to step up and provide housing. Many churches erected makeshift dormitories with some soldiers being housed in large homes like that of the Garvins.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Publicity for Community Chest. James and Zelma Garvin residence showing soldiers' accommodations. The Garvins opened up their home to soldiers from Fort Lewis, allowing them to bunk at their home during their weekend leave. Their recreation room has been set up as a temporary dormitory.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

In June of 1942, soldiers who spent the Saturday night at the Mason Methodist Church gather around the fire Sunday morning in the church's Club Room. There were not enough rooms in Tacoma to house soldiers on wartime weekend leave, so area churches stepped up and offered weekend dormitory housing and a hot breakfast. (TNT 7/5/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Mason Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma;

On June 20, 1940, soldiers crowd around the desk at the USO Center in the Rust Building. They are patiently waiting to sign up for beds. As soldiers on weekend leave from Fort Lewis during the war years poured into Tacoma; area churches, the mission and local homeowners set up makeshift dormitories to make sure they were not having to spend the night on the street.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

On June 20, 1942, smiling volunteers take soldiers' reservations for available beds. This was a typical scene at the USO center in the Rust Building on Saturdays during the war years. Temporary weekend dormitories were set up at area churches, homes and the Mission. For 35 cents a soldier could get a bed; a hot breakfast would cost 20 cents more. TPL-1974 (TNT 7/5/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. Tuesday Night Dance at U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett. Members of the armed forces and their hostesses for the evening, from the Tacoma Junior Women's Club, take a breather between dances, sitting on the apron of the Club's stage. Every Tuesday evening a dance was hostessed by a different women's club. The dance on August 4, 1942 was also a special celebration of the 152nd anniversary of the Coast Guard.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest; Tuesday Night Dance at U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett. Every Tuesday evening at the Club, a dance was organized and hosted by a different club. Doing the honors on August 4, 1942 was the Tacoma Junior Women's Club. Several formally dressed young ladies stand behind a table holding a large cake commemorating the 152nd anniversary of the Coast Guard, the special guest at this dance.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On August 4, 1942, servicemen and their hostesses from the Tacoma Junior Women's Club danced the night away at the Tuesday Night Dance held at the U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett (415 So. 13th St.) A dance was hosted by a different Tacoma women's club at this U.S.O. every Tuesday night . The members of the U.S. Coast Guard were the special guests at this Tuesday's dance, celebrating the 152nd anniversary of their military branch. August 4th is now celebrated as Coast Guard Day to honor the establishment on that day in 1790 of the Revenue Cutter Service, the precursor of today's Coast Guard.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Dance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--1940-1950;