This group of newly minted mermaids was photographed in the Y.W.C.A. pool, 405 Broadway, on August 27, 1942. For the first time, the pool remained open for the whole summer that year to expand the recreation facilities available to the children who spent their vacation at home. The youngsters pictured could not swim at all at the beginning of the season, but by the end of August they were all "at home in the water" according to Mrs. John McConnell, swimming instructor. Pictured clockwise, starting at the top center with the girl in the dark cap, are: Joyce Sheets, Jeanne Arkin, Patilou Babbitt, Margaret Ward, Laura Sheppard, Onnalee Dungan, Pat Sternberg, Ella Mae Goddell, mary Jean Harvel, Barbara Ann Combs, Carole Jenks, Virginia Gundstrom, Nancy Ann Wilhelmi and Mary Ann Norton. (TNT 8/31/1942 p.9)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma; Swimmers--Tacoma;

Modelling her latest formal creation on July 27, 1942, while standing on a stack of books at the YWCA, was USO Junior Hostess Dorothy Blanchfield. Lending a hand with the construction, left to right, were Carolyn Moore, (Miss Blanchfield,) Anna Mae Willman, Marian Allen and Myrl Van Den Heuvel. A USO Junior Hostess, in order to keep her permanent card and be a member in good standing, was required to attend one social function a week. The most popular functions were the dances. In order to have a wide variety of formal dresses and to keep costs down, some of the girls met weekly at the YWCA, with volunteer stylists from the department stores, to sew their own formals. Publicity for Community Chest. (TNT 8/2/1942 p.A-7)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Sewing; Seamstresses; Sewing machines; Blanchfield, Dorothy; Moore, Carolyn; Willman, Anna Mae; Allen, Marian; Van Den Heuvel, Myrl;

Interior of new Tacoma Labor Temple, 1355 Market St. View of meeting room taken from podium. American Federation of Labor (AFofL) symbol on back wall. $75,000 in remodeling was needed to turn the Baker Hotel, at 1355 Market St., into the Labor Temple, home of over 60 labor unions. Included were nine meeting rooms, such as this one, seating variously 50- 600 folks.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Central Labor Council obtained the Baker Hotel in 1941 for use as their new headquarters. They abandoned their cramped offices at the City Hall annex, where they had been for 17 years, and moved into the new 4 1/2 story cream colored brick structure. They then spent $75,000 remodeling the building to suit their purposes. This remodel included the construction of members-only recreation rooms and restaurant. (TNT 1/7/1943, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

More than 200 men attended the installation ceremonies creating the new Delta Phi chapter of Sigma Chi, college social fraternity, at the College of Puget Sound. National officers attended from Chicago, Seattle and Tacoma for the event. Ordered by the Magazine of Sigma Chi, Merrill E. Pritchard.

Sigma Chi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Order of Eastern Star Vida Chapter was having their annual installation of officers in the Gothic Room in Tacoma's Masonic Temple; an informal reception would be held in the roof garden with the Starlets serving as hostesses. View of members from the Vida Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, during the ceremony for the installation of new officers (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. D-8).

Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Masonic buildings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Order of Eastern Star Vida Chapter No. 35 (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Annual meeting of the American Red Cross at the Chapter House in Tacoma in July 1949. . The Pierce County chapter was offering free home nursing courses. The program had awarded 274 home nursing certificates to students, housewives and Army wives during the previous year. It was also the first year that classes were held for Army wives at Fort Lewis. (photo taken for Mrs. Thomson) TNT, 7/7/1949, p.6)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The 11th annual President's Anniversary Ball of the University-Union Club drew a large crowd on May 5, 1950. Two men, one older and one younger, wearing white dinner jackets and bow ties, stand behind the candy counter and in front of the cigarette and cigar display in the lobby of the club's building. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.D-5)

Clubs--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

White Shrine installation 1950. A newly installed officer of the White Shrine of Jerusalem holds a banner of the Mizpah Shrine, Order of the White Shrine, connected to a white shepherd's hook while she raises her left arm. Ordered by Mr. A.R. Emerson.

White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inaugurations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps from the Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2. The twenty-two members of the marching band pose with their musical instruments. The drum major stands on the right and the majorette is seen with her battons on the left. Ordered by Tom Hibben.

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Drums; Bugles; Marching bands; Band uniforms--Tacoma;

Tacoma's delegates to Alpha Iota's Silver Jubilee convention are seen at Union Station with their luggage reviewing time tables from Union Pacific Railroad as they head for San Francisco. Alpha Iota was the business women's sorority. They are, L-R, Sophie Forslund, Mrs. Keith Melendy, Frances Carmichael, May Meyer, Anna Pursley and Mary Frian. Lela Young is seated on the suitcase. (TNT, 7/9/1950, p.D-9) TPL-8403

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alpha Iota (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The interior of Normanna Hall was decorated as an outdoor setting for the Camp Fire Girls' General Council Meeting and Grand Council Fire. The ceremonies included a Fire Lighting dance by the Tacoho girls in Indian costume. The awarding of ranks and honors was given by Janice Stenson, executive director. The Blue Birds, junior organization of the Camp Fire Girls, "Flew-up" into Camp Fire with the Camp Fire Girls removing the blue ties and replacing them with Camp Fire ties. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.19)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Normanna Hall (Tacoma);

Regional Banquet at First Baptist Church, Camp Fire Girls, Miss Bently. Leaders in Camp Fire Girls activities attended a regional training institute for Washington and Oregon leaders. More than 200 leaders met November 8, 1948, at the First Baptist Church. The assembled leaders are shown attending a banquet and several Camp Fire Girls model uniforms on the stage. (T.Times, 11/9/1948, p.1: TNT, 11/9/1948, p.7)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The "March of Dimes" was starting their fundraising campaign, "Mile O' Dimes", in January of 1949. All special events for the organization were under the direction of Norton Gordon. View of Tacoma Fire Department's new 100 foot ladder extending to the Winthrop Hotel's seventh floor where climber Fireman Scotty Miles, a member of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, will accept one of the first donations for the "March of Dimes" campaign (T. Times, 1/15/49, p. 1).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Poliomyelitis--Prevention; National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); March of Dimes (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Miles, Scotty; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma)

These volunteers are working on packaging up food, clothing and toy donations received by the Tacoma Times, the gift boxes will be given to families in need. The volunteers are working at the Central Lutheran Church, the family names were provided by the Tacoma Community Chest. Left to right, G. W. Lasham, Mrs. Hill, Ted Osborne, Joan Osborne, Leona Ingman, A. Johnson, Dick McCulloch and Marjorie Webster (T. Times, 12/27/48, p. 14).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Charity--Tacoma; Food relief--Tacoma; Christmas--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

The Progressive Italian American Club was appointing and installing their new officers for 1949. The club was located at 741 Saint Helens Avenue, the club's Manager and Secretary was Rocco Manza. View of Progressive Italian American Club members at their clubhouse; the women are wearing dresses and hats typical of the late 1940's (T. Times, 1/6/49, p. 5).

Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Italian Americans--Tacoma; Progressive Italian American Club (Tacoma);

Bartenders going through the Bartenders' Union bar course will be better qualified to serve their customers. Bartenders will learn a number of drinks to properly and rapidly serve, starting with the twelve most popular drinks ordered, including Manhattans, Tom Collins, Dry Martinis, Cuba Libres and Daiquiris. Left to right, Al S.Taylor, Ted Mason and Dale Porter; Ted is reading a book while trying to serve an irritated customer, played by Dale Porter. (T. Times, 1/4/49, p. 1). TPL-8851 (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Taylor, Al S.; Mason, Ted; Porter, Dale;

Bartender Ward Doucette, surrounded by the tools of his trade, studies a book on the art of mixology in this photograph from January 1949. One of the immediate results of Initiative 171, which had just passed in the November elections, was that all bartenders in Washington had to prove their knowledge of their trade by passing a test. The Bartenders' Union in Tacoma set up a school for their members to help them get past this new hurdle. (T. Times, 1/4/49, p. 1). TPL-8850 (Identification provided by a reader)

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drinking vessels; Corkscrews; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Doucette, Ward;

The first annual Poggie Club Izaak Walton League dog fish derby was held at Point Defiance on August 15, 1948. 24 boys and girls fished in the Father-Mother-Son-Daughter dog fish derby. They brought in 60 dog fish. Clyde Thornley, far left, caught the smallest fish, a 9" dog fish. Bill Schneider, second from the left had the largest catch with 14 fish. David Scott, in the Cub Scout uniform on the right, holds up his prize winning, largest fish caught a 35" dog fish. The boy on the stripped shirt is probably Bobby Scott Jr. He caught a 33" dog fish and won second prize. (T.Times, 8/16/1948, p.9; TNT, 8/16/1948, p.9)

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; Schneider, Bill; Scott, David; Thornley, Clyde;

Several of the membership are taking an oath at an Eagles meeting in Olympia. Members hold up their right arms with their palms open. An older man in the front row holds his right arm with his left hand. Governor Mon C. Wallgren attended the meeting this evening.

Fraternal organizations--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia); Meetings--Olympia--1940-1950;

The Rudder Club held their first annual Football Formal on Saturday, October 2, 1948 in the Surf Room at the club, 735 Commerce St. The dance was limited to 100 persons. Members of the planning committee were, (l to r) Elizabeth L. (Mrs. Wendell) Duncan, Dorothy R. (Mrs. Larry) Huseby, F. Louise (Mrs. Victor) Vine, Mary E. (Mrs. Robert) Goodrich, and Everilda P. Shinn. The decorations for the dance followed a "football motif" with college pennants, goal posts, and "line markers". (TNT, 9/28/1948, p.5)

Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Committees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Huseby, Dorothy R.; Vine, F. Louise; Duncan, Elizabeth L.; Goodrich, Mary E.; Shinn, Kay;

A. Burwood Kennedy (left) on "Jeep" and Cyrus Happy, III, on "Kay Boy" were photographed in October of 1948 while going over the jumps at the Woodbrook Hunt Club in Lakewood. Co-founded in May of 1926 by Thomas H. Bryan and Major J.E. Mathews, the club divides its year between the informality of summer rides, picnics and gymkannas and the winter "drag hunts," where riders stream across the prairies behind the club's hounds. Both Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Happy are wearing traditional riding garb and are riding English saddles. (TNT, 10/24/1948, p.D-1, 6/6/1976 p.D-1)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses--Tacoma; Jumping (Horsemanship)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The newly remodeled Elks Temple was celebrating their new facilities with an open house for members and their wives. The Tacoma Elks Club was organized in 1890, the Tacoma Charter was presented by Deputy Exalted Ruler C. W. Niving. View of spacious and redecorated dining room of the Tacoma Elks Lodge; the Elks famed Stag table is in the background, this table seats fifteen members who have their daily lunch at the club (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

Publicity shots, trip to Spokane, Elks Club, Erling Johnson. The Elks committee for their annual trek to the Spokane Lodge staged a preview of "On to Spokane". They are seen in front of the observation car on the Olympian Hiawatha line of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad they would ride in on February 16th, 1949. Their names are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 2/6/1949, p.A-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Railroad observation cars--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Presentation of flag to Boy Scout Troop 55, Ray Hennessy, Salishan. The Rhodes Post No. 2, American Legion, presented an American flag on January 27, 1949 to Senior Patrol Leader Chuck Buck and the Salishan Boy Scout Troop 55 to celebrate Boy Scout week that year. After demonstrating how to properly fold the American flag, the members of the American Legion presented the folded flag to the troop. Names listed in the newspaper. (T.Times, 2/6/1949, p.6; TNT, 2/6/1949, p.A-4)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Teenagers--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Uniforms;

Tacoma's first annual Golden Gloves event was held in 1949. Bob Sanders, at right, watches as contestants weigh in at the YMCA. The big two-day fistic feature was sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Seven rugged fighters from Vancouver, B.C., and others from across the Northwest were in attendance. The Tacoma Times reported that more than 70 boxers entered the competition. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.11, 1/27/1949 p.14)

Young Men's Christian Association (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Scales; Men--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

American Red Cross Disaster Relief committee would be providing services to residents in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Red Cross would be collaborating with local and regional resources to provide people with immediate relief, and to address the community needs. View of damage cause in Puyallup home; Puyallup was one of the areas that suffered the most severe damage (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);

Red Cross had started their 1949 fund raising campaign in Pierce County, the organization was encouraging everyone to contribute. Pierce County's Red Cross had very talented volunteers in all of their departments, including Junior Red Cross which was established with student-age volunteers. View of Red Cross volunteers at Louise Bell's home in Fircrest; they will begin their solicitation of funds for the 1949 campaign (T. Times, 3/14/49, p. 1).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charity--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

John H. Anderson, Exalted Ruler of the Tacoma Elks and future mayor, exchanges handshakes with his Spokane counterpart during a week-long visit by a large Tacoma Elks contingent to the Lilac City. The Tacoma group had traveled by train and arrived at the Great Northern Station in mid-October of 1949. ALBUM 14.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Spokane--1940-1950; Men--Social life--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Great Northern Railway Co. (Spokane); Anderson, John H.; Shaking hands--Spokane

John H. Anderson, in cap with cigar, Exalted Ruler of the Tacoma Elks and future Mayor, at bar with fellow Elks on a private rail car equipped as a bar during a club trip to Spokane (T.N.T., 10/20/49, p. 13). ALBUM 14. (Photo is damaged at bottom)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad passenger cars--Tacoma; Events--Spokane--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, John H.;