On September 7, 1942, over 8,000 people gathered in downtown Tacoma for the dedication of the modernistic Liberty Center at 1000 Pacific Ave. The outdoor theater was designed by Herbert Bell, architect, and was intended to serve as a stage for bond sales. In November of 1942, it was moved to 800 Broadway to improve the flow of traffic to and from the shipyards.

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

A crowd of over 8, 000 gathers at the corner of 10th and Pacific for the September 7, 1942 dedication of the Liberty Center, at 1000 Pacific Ave. On hand for the festivities were actors Adolph Menjou, Walter Pidgeon and Joan Leslie.

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

Mrs. R.H. Pugh, left, purchased a war bond from Esther (Mrs.Clinton) Beal at the Rhodes Bro. annex on July 3, 1942. Mrs. Pugh was currently residing in Tacoma. On December 7th, she had been living with her husband, an 27 year veteran of the Army, in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks. She witnessed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Lying on the counter in the background between the two women is a piece of a Japanese plane that she saw shot down during the raid. (T. Times 7/6/1942, pg. 2)

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Beal, Esther;

On July 3, 1942, Mrs. R.H. Pugh, left, purchased a war bond from Esther (Mrs. Clinton) Beal at the Rhodes Brothers Annex during the Retail War Bond Sales Drive. Mrs. Pugh witnessed the December 7th attack on Hawaii by the Japanese. She showed Mrs. Beal one of her most precious mementos, a piece of a Japanese plane that she saw shot down during the raid. The metal was painted bright red, once part of the rising sun insignia on the plane. At the time of the raid, Mrs. Pugh was living with her husband, a 27 year veteran Army Sergeant, in a cottage at Schofield Barracks. (T. Times 7/6/1942, pg. 2)

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Beal, Esther;

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;

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;

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;

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;

Donation by fishermen of rubber tires used as bumpers on their boats. Port Piers. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;

In July of 1942, the "Gallant Lady II" made weekly pleasure cruises, taking out a full load of servicemen and USO junior hostesses for an evening of cruising and dancing under the stars.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest. Open House at South Tacoma U.S.O. One uniformed military man appears to be sanding a long piece of wood. The other man holds one that is already sanded and sharpened and a pouch of arrows. The long pieces of wood may possibly be for fashioning into bows.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

Several service men were photographed in January of 1943 leaving the USO building at 13th and Fawcett carrying skiing gear. They were on their way to Mount Rainier for a day of winter recreation. The women in the photograph may have been USO hostesses. This building is now the home of the Beacon Senior Center.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Skiers;

Despite wartime rationing, service men on leave could stop by the USO Club at 415 South 13th Street and get a soda fountain treat prepared by on of the Junior Hostess volunteers who worked behind the counter. In December of 1942 Jean Beardemphl (2nd from right) practiced her sundae making techniques with E. Barlow standing at her side. Junior hostess volunteers kept the fountain open 65 hours a week. Learning how to make concoctions despite the shortages of ice cream and sugar are: (left to right) Mary Jasper, Catherine Dougherty, Reh Robinson, Anne Pirger, Janet Picard, Eileen Fletcher, Marion Bartley, and Elaine Maurice. (TNT 1/6/1943, pg. 7) TPL-1998

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Soda fountains--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ice cream & ices;

A group of union and city officials gather on September 18, 1942 to light the new outdoor fireplace outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was being formally dedicated. It was built of donated time, materials and labor. Pictured left to right are Paul Lucht, John Meyers, serviceman Phillip K. Pohl. Kneeling on right- Nick Feldman Jr., A.J. Cecchi, John Lewtas. Standing behind- George Haggerty, John McClintock, F.E. Lehman and C.E. Rudd. (TNT 9/21/1942, pg. 5)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma;

Flag raising at the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way, in July of 1942.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Flags; Flagpoles;

The flag is raised by visiting servicemen at the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way, on July 22, 1942. Publicity photo for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Flags; Flagpoles;

Publicity for Community Chest. Several servicemen and USO junior hostesses step up to the bat in a friendly game of softball in July of 1942 at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;

In July of 1942, several servicemen and a few USO junior hostesses join in a lively game of volleyball in the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO. Because of its unique location in a park, the South Tacoma USO was able to sponsor an outdoor sports program. Publicity for Community Chest. (TNT 8/2/1942, pg. A-7)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Volleyball; Sports;

A group of six teenagers posed on the Spanish steps at the downtown Elks Temple. These young people have been chosen by the War Chest, a branch of the Community Chest, to represent their schools and to speak at fund raising functions throughout the community. Pictured left to right are Jack Brouwer (Mason), Bud Cairns (Gault), Gloria Swanberg (Jason Lee), Kathryn Hultgren (Stadium), Bud Berland (Stewart) and Frank Rossiter (McCarver). (TNT 10/14/1942, pg. 14; T. Times 10/14/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma; Hultgren, Kathryn; Cairns, Bud; Rossiter, Frank; Swanberg, Gloria; Berland, Bud; Brouwer, Jack; Elks Temple (Tacoma);

In an effort to speed up the transportation of workers to the shipyards, the city of Tacoma constructed two of these covered bus loading platforms on So. 10th St., between A and Pacific, in January of 1943.The covered platforms were used only for the loading of buses bound for the shipyards. Fares were collected as men entered the sheds, speeding up the loading process. (TNT 1/7/1943, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Bus stops--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--1940-1950;

In October of 1942, the driver of a 1942 De Soto convertible stood behind the steering wheel of his car and watched in amazement as a team of nine women service attendants at the Maxwell Super Service Station at 910 Puyallup Avenue completely encircled his car. Dressed in neat white blouses and dark slacks, they filled the car's gas tank, added air in his tires, checked under the hood, and polished his headlights. One almost invisible attendant even got into the front seat and dusted off the dashboard. The war was on and many Tacoma men were either in uniform or were working in the defense industries, such as the shipyards. Women entered the work force, taking over what had traditionally been male jobs. When the Maxwell Super Service Station on Puyallup opened in February of 1941, advertised as the "nation's first all glass service station," it employed twenty men as service attendants. The 1942 De Soto had concealed headlights called "airfoil lights."

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; De Soto automobiles; Maxwell Super Service Station (Tacoma);

Nine female attendants dressed in trim uniforms of white shirts and tailored pants listen to a man in a suit extoll the virtues of Maxwell petroleum products. The women are posed in October of 1942 in front of the sleek glass and steel exterior of the Maxwell Super Service Station.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Maxwell Super Service Station (Tacoma);

Women employees at Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corporation. As more men enlisted or were drafted into the service, women stepped forward to take their jobs, both in offices and in non-traditional labor positions. The Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. was constructed on the Tideflats in 1941. They produced ferro-chrome alloys that were used for armor plate on tanks and other weapons during the war.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. (Tacoma); Metallurgical industry--Tacoma;

On Friday, April 17, 1942, Tacoma received its first shipment of steel helmets and armbands for their Air Raid Wardens. The shipment included 250 of each. Trying out the new equipment at the Civilian Defense Volunteer Office at the City Hall Annex are, left to right, Joseph Lanser, Frank Evans and George Russell. The "tin hats" were made of steel thick enough to protect the wearer from shrapnel splinters. (T. Times 4/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Lanser, Joseph; Evans, Frank; Russell, George; Helmets; Flags--United States;

On March 29, 1942, some of the proud Civil Defense workers of Precinct 37 posed on and in front of the new watch tower that they recently designed and built themselves. On top are, left to right, Ralph Turco, I.A. Youngberg and Nels Olsen. Below are R.J. Carino, R.P. Fulkerson, Kathryn Nelson and Elvira Espeland. Precinct 37 covered the area lying between So. 14th and 19th streets, and "L" to Sprague Ave. The tower sat on top of a hill and commanded an excellent view of the area. The material was donated by St. Paul and Tacoma and the tower was designed by chief fire watcher Youngberg, assisted by Mr. Olsen. The emblems painted on the tower are for Civil Defense. (T. Times 4/1/1942, pg. 3)

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

Five year old Toshiyuki Hattori shared a copy of the book "America on Guard" with Pvt. Nat Schwartz on May 17, 1942 in a train car taking on passengers at Tacoma's Union Station. The book was the story of America's armed services - army, navy and marines. The photograph was taken as Tacoma's Japanese Americans gathered to be shipped off, with their few approved possessions, to Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno, California. Despite the fact that almost 2/3 were American citizens, Japanese Americans were considered a security risk to the nation. This and other photographs appeared under the ironic banner headline "Smiles Prevail as Japanese Leave" in the Tacoma Times. Toshiyuki was the youngest in a family of seven. The Hattoris eventually relocated to Utah. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1+; TNT 5/18/2003, pg. B8+ by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Hattori, Toshiyuki; Schwartz, Nat;

This photograph of six year old Yukie Suekawa and Pvt. Howard L. Loudermilk at Union Station was chosen to grace the front page of the May 17, 1942 Tacoma Times with the caption "Goodbye for the Duration." As Pvt. Loudermilk adjusts the bonnet on the head of the little girl's doll, they are surrounded by a group of smiling Japanese adults. The smiles were considered the proper face to put on the hard facts that 859 Tacoma residents of Japanese ancestry were being removed from their homes and shipped by train to the Pinedale Assembly Center near Fresno California, despite the fact that many of them were US citizens. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1; TNT 5/18/2003, pg B8+, by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Suekawa, Yukie; Loudermilk, Howard;

Salvage for Victory meeting at Mayor's office in City Hall. Representatives of agencies interested in collecting scrap iron, rubber, waste paper and other salvageable items discuss plans for organization of a Tacoma committee with state chairman J.C. Haley and Mayor Harry Cain. Front row, left to right- Guy Thompson, Haley, Mayor Cain. Center row: Rev. H.W. Michener, J.H. Titcomb, Fred Hughes, George Russell, Elmer Nelson, J.R. Kiely. Rear: Chas. McIntyre, Ray Ecklund. The local committee would be the first to be formed in the "Salvage for Victory" program under Haley's control. The proposed committee would be made up of eight men representing local charitable agencies and three business men. Citizens with salvage materials to give to the nation's defense program would donate through one of these agencies. There was no official government agency for this purpose. Agencies represented in this picture are the Community Chest, Goodwill, St Vincent dePaul, Salvation Army, Youth Defense Committee, Volunteers of America and the Air Raid Wardens. (T. Times 3/5/1942, pg. 1, picture pg. 7; TNT 3/5/1942, pg. 8)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

By January of 1942, the new USO center at 4851 South Tacoma Way in South Tacoma was finished. It was dedicated on February 7, 1942. It was one of two new USO centers built at a combined cost of $101,60; the other center was downtown at 13th and Fawcett. The building was essentially completed by December 23, 1941, fifty days after ground breaking; however, the dedication was delayed by the late arrival of furnishings and fittings. By January the United States had officially entered WWII and the new recreation center received a lot of use over the next few years. In 1944, the center was given to Metropolitan Parks for use as the South Park Recreation Center. (TNT 2/7/1942, pg. 1) TPL-10328

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Tacoma girls providing hostess duties wait on the sidelines for an offer to dance.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;