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;

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;

In September, 1967, the Tacoma Elks Club sponsored their annual Salmon Derby, inviting members to participate for a chance to win valuable prizes. Three men are pictured preparing their boat for entry into the waters of Commencement Bay. They were part of the 1820 contestants who vied for over 150 prizes. 186 fish were caught that day, most at the mouth of the Puyallup River. (TNT 9-18-67, p. 16)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fishing; Contests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Elks Club members ready their boats in preparation for the 21st annual Salmon Derby sponsored by the Tacoma Elks Lodge on Sunday, September 17, 1967. 1820 contestants would take their chances to win valuable prizes including a boat, trailer and motor. Al Marano, fishing alone at Point Defiance, would come in first with a catch weighing in at 22 lb. 4 oz. He would drive away in a 1967 Jeep Universal, the grand prize. (TNT 9-18-67, p. 16, TNT 9-19-67, p. 14)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fishing; Contests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Santa had plenty of helping hands at the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes No. 2 Memorial Hall on December 23, 1967. Commander Wallace Walker, Sr. (far left), of the American Legion Post #222 was chairman of the event. Tacoma Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen (in glasses & hat) assisted Santa in making sure these small children had plenty to eat and drink, including pumpkin pie and milk. George W. Johnson, acting executive director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., is believed to be standing right of Mayor Rasmussen. 500 children enjoyed the hot dinner, music from Lincoln and Stadium High School, and received gifts. Santa arrived, not by reindeer, but with help from the Tacoma Fire Department. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (, TNT 12-10-67, A-4-article; TNT 12-22-67, p. 14-article)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Christmas--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Walker, Wallace; Santa Claus--Tacoma;

Children pour out of the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 Memorial Hall on December 23, 1967, at the conclusion of the post and Opportunity & Development, Inc., joint-Christmas celebration for the underprivileged. Turkey and ham with all the fixings and a visit from Santa brought smiles to the faces of the estimated 500 children in attendance. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 12-10-67, A-4-article)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Christmas--Tacoma;

New officers of Job's Daughters. Job's Daughters is an international fraternal organization for young women between the ages of 11-20 who are related to Master Masons. Photograph ordered by Ben Robertson, Federal Way.

International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Fraternal organizations;

Brewery Workers Union No. 328 gathered en masse on Pacific Avenue, north of City Hall, on September 6, 1915 to proudly march in the big Labor Day parade. This was the last hurrah for brewery workers before Prohibition began in Washington State in January of 1916. Tacoma had basically shut down with city, county, major businesses and industrial plants closed for the day. Union workers of all sorts - blacksmiths, machinists, boilermakers, cooks, bridge workers, pressmen, painters, carpenters and longshoremen, to name just a few, would be participating in the march that led from Pacific Ave., Broadway and Sixth Ave. to conclude at Wright Park. Thousands of spectators were anticipated. (TDL 9-6-1915)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Labor unions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Brewery Workers Union No. 328 (Tacoma);

Two pages helping out at the United Daughters of the Confederacy's annual convention posed together on October 10, 1928. Their names were not listed. The convention was held at the Tacoma Hotel with Tacoma's Dixie Chapter as host. Members were joined by the Robert E. Lee Chapter of Seattle and the Mildred Lee Chapter of Spokane. G24.1-002 (TNT 10-9-28, p. 16-article on convention)

United Daughters of the Confederacy; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Members of the Tacoma Sangerbund (Saengerbund) pose with their group banner on June 2, 1929, in front of an imposing stone building. A sangerbund was a German singing society. The Tacoma Sangerbund was organized in 1890 and would celebrate its 40th anniversary in March of 1930. There were only two original members alive then and both, Erick Siburg of Tacoma and Hans Fraehmke of Auburn, were invited to the celebration. In 1930 there were 44 active and 125 associate members. The organization was headed by Henry Kloepper. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-16-30, A-11-article on association)

Tacoma Sangerbund (Tacoma); Singers; Banners;

Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 won union recognition and an increase in wages to 50 cents an hour in the Northwest lumber strike of 1935. The bitter battle in the spring and summer of 1935 led to confrontations between striking mill workers and National Guard troops in the streets of Tacoma. Union members, family and friends gathered in May 1936 to celebrate the first anniversary of the victory. The First Anniversary Revue & Dance was held in the Coliseum Building at Thirteenth and Market streets. TPL-2443

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Dance parties--Tacoma--1930-1940; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Coliseum Building (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This photograph, taken on January 30, 1932 at what is believed to be the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 5 So. "G" St., is thought to be of the newly installed officers of Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple No. 5. The women are all dressed in long evening gowns and are clutching large bouquets of flowers. Mrs. C. D. Magenheimer was installed as the new head of Zora Temple before 1000 guests. (TNT 2-1-32, p. 6-article)

Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bouquets; Evening gowns--Tacoma;

Young women, believed to be members of the YWCA, are packed into this unidentified hall in this October, 1920, photograph. It appears that they have just finished having dessert. This may be the conclusion of the membership campaign of Stadium and Lincoln High School Reserve clubs of the YWCA which culminated in a dinner held at the YWCA on Saturday night, October 16, 1920. New membership totals were 170 members at Stadium and 220 members at Lincoln. G46.1-176 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-10-20, D-4-article on membership contest & upcoming dinner)

Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1931. The Junior Oddfellows of Tacoma gather in front of a bus that is parked at 602-06 Fawcett Ave. This building was the home to the Oddfellows, the Inaba Gotaro Grocery, and the F & M Transfer Co.

Fraternal lodges--Tacoma--1930-1940

ca. 1925. Fire Chief Carl Emil Carlson looks on as two unidentified Tacoma firefighters help prepare toys for the Elks Club's annual holiday charity campaign. The Elks Stocking Fillers program supplied Christmas gifts for needy girls and boys - such as these hand assembled wooden boats. Carlson was chief of the fire department from 1916 to 1932.

A young boy poses by the chain link fence of the old Central School playgrounds where mess tents have been erected to feed the more than 500 members of the 2nd battalion of the 161st Infantry of the Washington National Guard called out to Tacoma to restore peace during the 1935 Lumber workers' strike. The Guard was stationed at the nearby Armory. The troops had been in training at Camp A.H. Hankins at Camp Murray for the past two weeks when they were deployed to Tacoma. (TNT 6/24/1935, pg. 1 & 2)

Chief of Police Harold Bird poses with an officer of the Washington National Guard, deployed to Tacoma by Governor Clarence Martin to restore the peace during the 1935 lumber workers' strike. In June of 1935, as some workers prepared to return to the reopened mills, their efforts were met with violence. Returning workers were threatened, beaten, their homes and vehicles bombed and vandalized. Local authorities were unable to stop the violence. The Guard was called in to protect the workers and the mills. The strikers and sympathizers were joined in their protests by those who resented the armed troops in their midst. (TNT 6/24/1935, pg. 1 & 2)

This undated photograph featuring the Corner Club Girls rolling down Broadway at 9th Street is most probably of the historical pageant parade presented Labor Day 1934. The costumed lovelies are from Pioneer Days and are festooned in ruffles, bonnets and parasols. The Tacoma Corner Club was formed by Mrs. Percy C. Smith who served as advisor and was fondly referred to as "Mother Smith." The women of the Tacoma Corner Club hosted dinners, dances, plays, took classes in bookkeeping, first aid, shorthand, the Bible, among others, and supported one another. They presented a flag to the State Historical Society in 1933. The original club was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1917. (Additional information provided by a reader)

These solemn youngsters belong to the Daniel Boone schooner Boy Pioneers, a group made up of boys mostly from the Oakland Children's Industrial Home, 3000 So. Washington St. In January of 1926, they are posing at the Y.M.C.A. in Tacoma. The "Y" truck brings them every Saturday afternoon to participate in activities. Top row, left to right, Garnald Roney, Wesley Fellows, Floyd Wells, August Kross and Harold Rinker. Bottom row- Raymond McMann, Moriss Lawrence, Fred Martin, Edward Mitchell, Victor Cappa and Wally Streeter, Pioneer executive. The Boy Pioneers were organized by Dan Beard (1850-1941), American illustrator and naturalist, two years before the Boy Scouts started in England. The Children's Industrial Home was located in the former Harry M. Ball mansion at 3000 South Washington St. and housed children in distress, ages infant to 14. The original structure was damaged in a 1944 explosion and was replaced by a new ranch rambler in 1950. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 1/24/1926, pg. B-3)

Informal portrait of Wesley Stone, Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Washington. Grand Commander Stone was in Tacoma for the 1923 conclave of the Masonic group. Walter E. Carter of Vancouver, Washington, was chosen to succeed Mr. Stone as Grand Commander. Mr. Stone hailed from Spokane. (TDL 5-12-23, p. 3-article) (Although print is labeled "B7824," photographer Boland's notes indicate that the actual number is B7924)

Stone, Wesley; Knights Templar (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Frances and Violet (last names unknown) from the Childrens' Industrial Home appeared on the front page of the January 29, 1925 Tacoma News Tribune, along with a copy of their handwritten thank you letter and appeal for funds addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Tacoma." They were thankful for their happy home and asked for financial support for the upcoming Community Chest campaign, February 2-14. The Children's Industrial Home, located at 3000 So. Washington St., was supported by the Community Chest, a forerunner of the United Way. The home housed 70 youngsters, ages infant through 14; some were orphans and others were placed there when parents were unable to make a living and take care of the child. They had around 28 applications each month for only 2-3 vacancies. (TNT 1/29/1925, pg. 1)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Children's Industrial Home (Tacoma); Foster home care--Tacoma; Orphanages--Tacoma; Orphans--Tacoma; Abandoned children;

Initiating officers of the Knights of Pythias posed at Cushman Dam on August 8, 1926. From L-R: Ben Lunan, Charles Rohrs, Ed Beamer, George Ball, R. Ray, Arthur Rowen and Ralph Towne. They had brought several candidates including Tacoma mayor M.G. Tennent and Winthrop Hotel manager Ray Clark to the new dam. The Knights of Pythias had established a custom of initiating candidates in unusual places, including on a high peak adjacent to Mount Tacoma (Rainier). The initiating officers are standing next to Mr. Ball's Chrysler and by a bronze marker which lists the name of the project, chief engineers and contractors, and also proclaims "Built by the Light Department City of Tacoma 1925." Cushman Dam was officially opened on Monday, May 24, 1926 when President Calvin Coolidge pressed a telegraph key manufactured by Lincoln High School and brought to Washington D.C. by high school baseball star James Mosolf. G24.1-150 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-15-26, 14-G-article & alternate photograph)

Knights of Pythias; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Chrysler automobile; Cushman Dam #1 (Lake Cushman); Dams--Lake Cushman; Historical markers;

Delegation of carpenters to a labor convention held in Olympia. The ten men who posed for a group picture on July 16, 1924, were not identified. G38.1-020

Meetings--Olympia--1920-1930; Labor unions; Carpenters; Carpenters' union;

Delegates to the Washington State Federation of Labor convention in Olympia posed for a group portrait on July 16, 1924. Many wear campaign endorsements for Edward Clifford as Republican Governor of Washington. Lumber magnate Roland Hartley would go on to win the Republican candidacy that year and capture the governor's race. G76.1-039

Meetings--Olympia--1920-1930; Labor unions; Political campaigns;

The Y.M.C.A. provided a comfortable setting in their lobby for reading and tinkling the keyboards. Four unidentified men are pictured on September 2, 1924, enjoying some free time by perusing the latest newspapers and books and performing a duet on the organ and piano. The $5000 pipe organ was donated to the Young Men's Christian Association's convalescent ward at the Camp Lewis base hospital by Mrs. W.R. Rust of Tacoma. When the building was dismantled in 1919, the organ was moved to the lobby of the Market St. Y.M.C.A. building. The organ was made by the Estey Organ Co. of Brattleboro, Vt., and was equipped with a mechanism similar to one on a "player piano" that made it possible for anyone to play it. TPL-8755; G68.1-136

Young Mens Christian Association (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Reading--Tacoma; Pianos; Organs;

The Ladies Musical Club presented its regular concert on Tuesday afternoon, March 2, 1920, in the drawing room of the Tacoma Hotel. The program featured pianist George Congdon Bailey of Seattle. Mr. Bailey, who is blind, is a student at the University of Washington. Marjorie Miller, also of Seattle, entertained the club with a violin solo. Mr. Bailey may be the man seated in the front row with Miss Miller, holding a large bouquet of flowers, next to him. (TNT 2-28-20, p. 8-article)

Ladies Musical Club (Tacoma);

The Red Cross Salvage Department headquarters at 1123 A Street was built in one day on April 7, 1918, with materials donated by local businesses and labor donated by local unions. Over 75 union carpenters worked from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to erect the structure, with the finishers, electricians and plumbers to report later in the week. The Salvage Department was an auxiliary of the Red Cross and this building served as its warehouse and office. The community was asked to donate to the Department any waste items of value that could be salvaged for cash. The money raised went to the Red Cross for their work at the front overseas. The motto of the Department was "Ask for no money, Pay no money." TPL-742, BU 13188, Boland #B1151. (TDN 4/5/1918, pg. 1; 4/8/1918, pg. 14)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Salvage; World War, 1914-1918--Scrap drives--Tacoma;

Members of the 13th Minnesota Society of Puget Sound are pictured at the new Duenwald's Delicatessen & Bakery, 915-17 Broadway, on August 13, 1922. They met to make arrangements for the reception of the Minnesota veterans of foreign wars who were expected in Tacoma on August 14th, on their way to Seattle for the national Veterans of Foreign Wars convention. The local group is composed of former members of the 13th Minnesota regiment of the Spanish-American War. G23.1-026 (TNT 8-12-22, p. 5-article)

13th Minnesota Society of Puget Sound (Tacoma); Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;