Tacoma Art League reproduction. Two women prepare for the Tacoma Art League show in Jones Hall on the campus of the College of Puget Sound in late September, 1957. One woman holds up a drawing of an Asian multi-tiered building; a similar, or perhaps the same, architectural model is adjacent on the table. Also on the table is a landscaping design with small rocks placed among the geometric shapes. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Art League.

Tacoma Art League (Tacoma); Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mrs. Donald McLean and Mrs. Frank James, Jr., react with apparent surprise to Kenneth Fleming, who is holding two hand-puppets. The trio, part of the Boulevard Players, may have been rehearsing for a performance at the Unitarian Church at So. 12th & Bantz Blvd. on January 28, 1958. They will be presenting "The Toymaker" for the Saturday Explorers at Jones Hall on the campus of College of Puget Sound on February 8, 1958. The fantasy concerns two clowns who discover they are not exactly alike. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Art League. (TNT 2-2-58, D-11)

Tacoma Art League (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fleming, Kenneth;

Each year the Elks Club made full use of members' musical and acting talents in the Elks Extravaganza. Members were not shy in performing before other members and invited guests; their costumes often were women's clothing and wigs. View of participants in the 1958 Extravaganza before the well-known backdrop of businesses supported by the Elks. Each year the caricature in the center would change to feature another prominent Elk, in 1958, it would be "Vegas Swan." Photograph ordered by the Elks Club.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Labor Temple on Market St. was home to a variety of unions with each union having a designated room. Among the many unions were the Butcher Workmen Union Local #554, the Bakers Union Local #126, Bricklayers Union Local #1 and the Motor Coach Employees Union Local #758, in addition to the Pierce County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO and United Labor Advisory Committee of Pierce County. Formerly the Hiroshimaya Hotel, the Labor Temple was purchased in 1941 by the Labor Council and completely paid for by 1943. View of members of the Plumbers and Fitters Union Local #82 who met in Room 201 of the Labor Temple; on the wall near the men are signs from other unions. Photograph ordered by the Plumbers Union.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Plumbers & Fitters Union Local No. 82 (Tacoma); Labor Temple (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Corsages are worn by the incoming and outgoing officers of the American Legion Auxiliary on August 2, 1958, as they posed for a group portrait in the Elks Temple. The woman seated to the extreme right lacks a corsage but wears a ribbon and name tag labeled "Greetings from Tacoma." All the women are dressed in white and wear dark narrow sashes. Mrs. Everett Eaton of Battleground, was elected as new department president, succeeding Mrs. Frank S. Evans of Sedro Woolley. In addition, twelve new district auxiliary presidents were chosen. $74,000, the amount earned through the sale of veteran made paper poppies, was spent by the auxiliary for rehabilitation of the veterans. Photograph ordered by the American Legion Auxiliary. (TNT 8-3-58, A-11)

American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

These six ladies would be manning the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital booth at the Puyallup Fair in September, 1958. They represented three Valley District guilds belonging to the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. The women are posed with a large bulletin board. On the board are calendars, one for each month of the year, and each calendar has various tray favors pinned on it. The favors were made by junior volunteers, presumably belonging to the junior guilds sponsored by the Orthopedic Assocation. Seated from left to right are: Mrs. Everett Dickinson and Mrs. James Peterson, association president. Standing from left to right are: Mrs. George Eade, Mrs. R.A. Cross, Mrs. Howard Thomas and Mrs. Everett Peake. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Orthopedic Association. (TNT 9-5-58, A-6)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Calendars;

Annual photograph of the Last Man Club. The 21st reunion of the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2's Last Man Club occurred in the Peter Puget room of the Olympus Hotel on November 10, 1958. Each year the club met at varying locations in Tacoma for a reunion banquet. View of members posing with flags; flags draped over empty seats signify respect for deceased commanders. There would be one more flag-draped chair in memory of A. Walter Olson who died earlier in 1958. (TNT 11-9-58, A-19)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Ellen Abbott was crowned honored queen at a Job's Daughters ceremony on December 13, 1958. She, along with the other women in the group, were dressed in ceremonial regalia. Ellen Abbott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Abbott, is seated in the center of the five women. The letters of her name and title were hanging on the curtains behind the group. "Charity," the theme of the public installation ceremony of Bethel 8, International Order of Job's Daughters, took place in the Gothic Room on the third floor of the Masonic Temple. A dance and informal reception followed. A list of officers installed was mentioned in a News Tribune article dated December 12, 1958. Photograph ordered by Ellen Abbott. (TNT 12-12-58, p. 14)

International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Abbott, Ellen;

Job's Daughters installation, ordered by Ellen Abbott. Family and friends look on as Queen Ellen Abbott, kneeling with flowers before her, participates in Job's Daughters ceremonies held at the Masonic Temple. She, along with an attendant, make up the foot of a living cross. Other young women, dressed in white ceremonial robes, clapse their hands in prayer. Sepia photograph was taken on December 13, 1958.

International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Abbott, Ellen;

Robert Hall, Kenneth Johnson, and C. M. Wienker present gifts on behalf of the Young Men's Business Club to young children at the Tacoma Indian Hospital. The Y.M.B.C. was a civics organization that performed many charitable works including supporting the Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch. Just prior to Christmas, 1958, they traveled to the Tacoma Indian Hospital with gifts for the young patients. Many of the children came to Tacoma from out-of-state and would not be able to return home for the holidays, including Keith Pocatilla of Fort Hall, Idaho, and Thelma Jones of Poplar, Montana. Photograph ordered by the Young Men's Business Club. (TNT 12-23-58, p. 11)

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hall, Robert; Johnson, Kenneth; Wienker, C. M.; Pocatilla, Keith; Jones, Thelma;

Group portrait of Daughters of the Nile. These women belong to the Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple No. 5. In the foreground are the temple dancers dressed in Arabian gear. The women in the background are possibly the Nile patrol and chorus. Mrs. Robert Hunt was the temple's reigning queen. Photograph was taken on January 6, 1959, at the Masonic Temple as the Daughters of the Nile met to honor the Supreme Queen, Mrs. Adam T. Neen of Vancouver, B.C., during the winter ceremonial. Dinner would be held later at the Winthrop Hotel. Color photograph ordered by the Daughters of the Nile. (TNT 1-2-59, p. 11)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

White jacketed dance band onstage at the Puyallup Elks Club. The band members appear to play the bass, accordion and a number of different saxophones. The PE on the band stands possibly stands for Puyallup Elks.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 1450 (Puyallup); Musicians--Puyallup--1950-1960;

These eight Tacoma Elks Lodge members were planners of the 13th annual Elks Salmon Derby held on September 20, 1959. Displayed around them are the generous prizes awarded to the top fishermen. First prize was the 16-foot Starlet boat and trailer valued at $1,500, second, the 35 HP Mercury outboard and third, the hunting rifle. Various other prizes are displayed hung on the fishing net, mostly lures and rods and reels. The 1959 Derby drew 894 entrants who caught 101 fish. First prize was won by Morris Clausen. His 12 lb. 3 oz. salmon, caught at the mouth of the Puyallup River, was lured with some herring left over from a Westport fishing jaunt the week before and preserved in the freezer. Chuck Horjes, football player from Stadium High, University of Washington and the College of Puget Sound, took second place with a 12-pounder and Emil Tietje was third. (TNT 9/13/1959, pg. D-18; 9/21/1959, pg. 17)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Salmon; Fishing; Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Boats--Tacoma; Rifles;

ca. 1959. The Castle Hall at the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. This Italian Renaissance Revival structure was built in 1906-1907 of Tenino stone from a design by architect Frederick Heath and hailed as the "most elaborate and perfectly furnished lodge building in the West." The building was constructed at a cost of $55,000. The building is on both the city and national historical directory. In accordance with design principles of the day, the main floors were built to contain commercial space with the lodge facilities on the top two floors. Carefully preserved since its dedication, Castle Hall is believed to be one of the most beautiful lodges in the country. It has mahogany walls, Ionic columns, elliptical leaded glass skylights and murals depicting the story of the fast friendship of Damon and Pythias, on which the beliefs of the order are based. Although plagued by dwindling membership, the Knights are still active. 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. Secret meetings were held in the hall, where members donned robes indicating their rank in the group. They gathered to honor God, America and make friends in a celebration of brotherhood. (TNT 10/3/1989 "Lifestyles" section; "Tacoma Rediviva" by Kipp Associates, pg. 72-73)

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Barbara Heil points out the circled March 17 on a 1959 calendar as a reminder of the opening day of the 11th annual Greater Tacoma Home Show. Three area contractors assist her in this promotional photograph. The show was to be held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse from March 17-22, 1959. Backing Miss Heil are, from left to right, R.L. Johnson - president of the Masonry Contractors Association, Robert J. Sproul - president of the Tacoma Master Builders and Roger Trolson - President of Unit Masonry Company. (TNT 3/12/1959, pg. C-5, TNT 3/15/1959, pg. B-2, TNT 3/16/1959, pg. 27+, TNT 3/2/1959, pg. 11) Ordered by the Tacoma Master Builders Association.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Heil, Barbara; Johnson, R.L.; Sproul, Robert J.; Trolson, Roger; Calendars;

ca. 1959. Apparently in 1959, Las Vegas was still viewed as a "cowboy" town by the women of Tacoma. This photograph, which ran in the News Tribune in October of that year shows (l to r) Mrs. Warren Peterson, Lucille (Mrs. Maurice) Finnigan, Mrs. Robert Holder, Dorothy (Mrs. Norbert) Knecht, Jean (Mrs. William) Jepsen and Patricia (Mrs. Jay) Dahl. They were all dressed in Western attire to help promote the two "Las Vegas Comes to Elks" parties that were being held at the Elks Club on October 23 and 24. (TNT 10/18/1959, pg. D-4)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Finnigan, Lucille; Knecht, Dorothy; Jepsen, Jean; Dahl, Patricia;

Corinthian Room at the Masonic Temple, 47 St. Helens. Fifteen women in the Tacoma Order, Social Order of the Beauceant. The Social Order of Beauceant is composed of the wives and widows of Sir Knights, of Ivanhoe Commandery (Knights Templar). The national order was founded in 1890 in Denver with the purpose of aiding the Knights Templar. In 1959, it had a national membership of 22, 000. Their main project was the Eye Foundation, although the local order also supported the Rainier School and Remann Hall. The women are dressed in white robes adorned with large black crosses. (TNT 11/8/1959)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic buildings--Tacoma; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma;

Two Bluebirds stand inside a cutout heart, advertising the February finish for the sale of their traditional chocolate covered mint candies, being offered by another Bluebird member in the photograph. The Bluebirds are a junior branch of the Camp Fire Girls. Their insignia shows on their caps and on their vests. Camp Fire Girls would be selling candy from the end of January through February 13th. 1960 was the Golden Jubilee of the Camp Fire Organization; the first group formed in March of 1910. Proceeds from the sale were used to help defray costs incurred in maintaining their residential camp Camp Wakoma and their day camp sessions. Money was also retained at the local level to help benefit local groups, providing revenue for field trips, supplies and functions. (TNT 1/24/1960, pg. D-5)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970; Candy--Tacoma--1960-1970;

21 women in evening gowns pose at the USO Center on May 17, 1960, along with one military officer. These women belonged to the Navy Mothers Club, a national organization, and quite active here.

Navy Mothers Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A man gives an encouraging pat on the back to a boy in swimming trunks on August 22, 1960. He was probably a member of the Active Club who sponsored a Child Guidance club at Camp Seymour. These youngsters pictured above are surveying the water, perhaps deciding whether or not to take a refreshing swim. 55 children attended a special 10-day camp for emotionally disturbed youngsters, ages 7-13. The camp was the first of its kind in the nation and one of only four or five in existence in 1960. The big difference was that there was one professionally trained counselor for every two campers. Photograph ordered by the Active Club. (TNT 8-23-60, p. 4)

Tacoma Active Club (Tacoma); Camp Seymour (Glen Cove); Bathing suits;

Armed Forces Night at the Elks Club. On May 24, 1961, the Tacoma Elks Club hosted various members of the military to a formal dinner. Guests included both high ranking brass and younger uniformed men. Seated in rear of photograph are L-R John H. Anderson, former mayor of Tacoma, Major General William Train, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, and Robert Holder, Elks exalted ruler. Photograph ordered by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. (TNT 5-25-61, A-3)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Anderson, John H.; Train, William; Holder, Robert;

The Tacoma Advertising Club met at the Elks Club on January 10, 1962. Two men are photographed with a television set; they are watching themselves on camera. Max Bice, general manager of KTNT-TV, is on the left; Larry Roberts on the right.

Tacoma Advertising Club (Tacoma); Televisions; Bice, Max; Roberts, Larry;

On a wet May evening in 1962, members of the Chamber of Commerce publicity and visitors committee posed with a Japanese delegation at the Totem Boat Haven. The Japanese women are wearing traditional kimonos, tabi and getas. All six women represented the Japanese village at the Seattle World's Fair. Two of them were professional pearl divers and the other four, beauty queens who had acted as hostesses in the village. The guests were to visit the County-City Building, downtown banks, Ft Lewis and McChord AFB, among other stops. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 5-24-62, D-1, 5-25-62, p. 8)

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Kimonos; Guests--Tacoma;

A motley crew of entertainers made up the Tacoma Eagles Aerie 3 band on October 12, 1963. The all-male band members would certainly turn heads in their startling costumes, including grass skirts, dresses, oversized glasses, wigs and fake mustaches, and variety of headgear. Photograph ordered by Mountain View Memorial Park.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3 (Tacoma); Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Musical ensembles--Tacoma;

Mrs. Robert D. Chamness, Mrs. Frank E. Kelly and Mrs. Wilbur J. Larson (l-r), members of the S.A. Perkins Orthopedic Guild, display handmade gilded wall decorations for purchase as possible gifts to brighten the 1963 holiday season. These, and other Christmas gifts, would be sold at the Holiday Bazaar held on November 13, 1963, at the home of Mrs. Kelly. The S.A. Perkins Orthopedic Guild was one of many Tacoma-area guilds who raised funds for charitable purposes. All proceeds from the bazaar would be earmarked for the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. (TNT 11-10-63, D-4)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, S.A. Perkins Orthopedic Guild (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chamness, Robert D.--Family; Kelly, Frank E.--Family; Larson, Wilbur J.--Family; Decorations--Tacoma; Christmas gifts;

Members of the Tacoma Ad Club show off their awards during luncheon at the Elks Club on October 21, 1964. Man seated in the center of the group holds a certificate given to the Cole Weber Advertising agency. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Ad Club.

Tacoma Advertising Club (Tacoma); Awards;

Orpheus Club. Director of the male chorus was Paul B. Oncley. The sole female is Vivian Venables, accompanist. The chorus was founded in 1903 in Tacoma. In the 1930's, membership in the chorus reached a high of 72 active participants. (History of Pierce County Washington, Vol. 1, p. 27- article)

Orpheus Club (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Oncley, Paul B.; Venables, Vivian;

Tacoma Country & Golf Club. Built using Weyerhaeuser's new engineered dry lumber, the new Tacoma Country & Golf Club stands serenely on the shores of American Lake in August, 1965. Its two-level, 26,000 square foot structure is surrounded by old and new growth landscaping. Fire destroyed its predecessor in 1961 as it did the original clubhouse in 1909. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Co.

Clubhouses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--Buildings;

Dedication of new Elks Temple. Elks and their guests stand at attention, hands over hearts, as the American flag is raised on the flagpole in front of the new Elks Temple on September 3, 1965. The flag was presented to the lodge by Emmett T. Anderson. The honor guard consisted of representatives of the 35th Engineers Battalion, Fort Lewis. Boy Scouts Kerk Ristroffer and Don King also assisted in flag ceremonies. After decades in downtown Tacoma, the Elks built a new 76,000 square foot temple on the west side of Cedar, 700 feet south of So. 19th St. Ground was broken in April, 1964, on the $2,000,000 project. Nearly 50 years later, the Elks temple remains at the same location. (TNT 9-4-54, p. 1, TNT 9-3-65, p. 1)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Flag salutes--Tacoma--1960-1970; Flags--United States; Flagpoles--Tacoma;

New Elks Temple dedication. An extremely large pair of shears, bedecked with ribbon, awaits ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the new Elks Temple dedication on September 3, 1965. (L-R) Grand Exalted Ruler R. Leonard Bush of Inglewood, California, Harry Potter, Tacoma Elks member, and H.A. Wollen, Exalted Ruler are posed, along with the scissors, behind the purple satin ribbon. They are standing beneath the cursive Elks signage. Mr. Potter, age 87, was a 42-year member of the Lodge No. 174 and had purchased the first building bond. When handed the scissors, he deftly snipped the ribbon so quickly that most photographers did not manage to catch him in action. Tacoma May Harold Tollefson, who was in attendance and had performed a number of ribbon cuttings himself, was reportedly green with envy at the speed and smoothness exhibited by Mr. Potter. (TNT 9-3-65, p. 1, TNT 9-4-65, p. 1)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bush, R. Leonard; Potter, Harry; Wollen, H.A.; Scissors & shears; Signs (Notices);