A new International Harvester bus is parked in front of the DuPont School in this photograph from March 1940. The original section of the DuPont School was built in 1917 by the DuPont Company and held four classrooms and an auditorium. In 1920, three more rooms and a furnace room were added. Known as the DuPont Junior High until 1960, it became both the junior high and Laughbon High School. It was closed as a pubic school in 1975. The bus body was built by the Gillig Brothers manufacturing company in Hayward, California.

Schools--DuPont--1940-1950; School buses--DuPont;

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Building under construction on the old Todd Shipyards site in Tacoma's industrial Tideflats area. Photograph taken on January 31, 1940. (T. Times)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

Scenes at Commercial Dock. Interior of warehouse filled with crates and material. Matthewson Shipping Company. The cargo had been unloaded from the American freighter Wildwood. The vessel had been ordered to turn around in mid Pacific by F.R. Clark, president of the American Foreign Steamship Co., who feared her loss to a British blockade. The cargo consisted of 7,000 tons of copper, brass and machinery owned by the Russian trading organization Amtorg, who had sent representatives to Tacoma to claim it. Amtorg later sued the freighter Wildwood in a $350,000 libel suit. The freighter was placed under the custody of a deputy marshall. The American Foreign Steamship Co. of New York was forced to post a $250,000 bond in order for the marshall to be removed and to permit the loading of five million feet of lumber bound for the East Coast. (T. Times 4/8/1940, pg. 1; 4/13/1940, pg. 6; 4/18/40, pg. 3)

Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warehouses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ed Short's sister's cottage at Cromwell. Mr. Short, at right, Tacoma Times feature writer, on porch of one-story, shingled house, on February 18, 1940. Two men and two women are on front porch and steps of cabin with Short.

Short, Edgar T.; Houses--1940-1950;

New outside bulletin board installed at University Place School. The sign says "Built by Co-Operation." The University Place Improvement Club is responsible for the erection of the sign that will advise the community of activities at the school. Neon tubing will be installed on the inside of the board so that the interchangeable letters can be seen at night. Pictured, left to right, are Ruth (Mrs. Bud) Bolstad, "Bud" Bolstad, Anne Leland, George Curtis (school principal), Lester Morgan (designer of the board) and Pauline (Mrs. Mark) Bryant. University Place School was located on Bowman Ave. SW at the corner of Grandview. UP's Curtis Junior and Senior Highs were named after George Curtis, who later became district school superintendent and was an area educator for over 30 years. (T.Times 2/12/1940 p.5)

Signs (Notices); University Place School (University Place); Bolstad, Ruth; Bolstad, Bud; Leland, Anne; Curtis, George; Morgan, Lester; Bryant, Pauline;

Pet Parade at Spanaway School. Pets of all types were exhibited at the annual pet show May 15, 1940 at Spanaway School. Photograph shows most of the winners of the various events. Large group of children dressed in costumes with their dogs. Exterior of one-story school building in background. Active boys are climbing on building and hanging from roof while teachers concentrate on parade group. (T. Times 5/17/1940, pg. 8)

Spanaway Elementary School (Spanaway); School children--Spanaway; Pets; Animal shows--Spanaway; Parades & processions--Spanaway; Bicycles & tricycles--Spanaway; Costumes;

1940 Pet Parade at Spanaway Elementary School. In a turn from the usual, the boy is dressed in a dog suit with a paper mache head and long ears and the dog is dressed as a human.

Spanaway Elementary School (Spanaway); School children--Spanaway; Pets; Parades & processions--Spanaway; Dogs--Spanaway; Costumes;

Scene of automobile accident on what is now known as River Rd. just east of Tacoma. The Puyallup River can be seen on the far right. In 1940 this was South Levee Rd. or State Hwy #5. This June, 1940 photograph is looking west toward Pioneer Rd. and the Indian Cemetery.

Streets--Puyallup--1940-1950; Puyallup River (Wash.); Traffic accidents--Puyallup;

Lawrence Strong has a "fighting heart." The 23-year-old was severely injured in a car-motorcycle accident six months ago and authorities did not give him much of a chance to live. He has, through determination and lack of "quit," proven them wrong. An amateur pilot, his goal is to walk and fly again. To keep his muscles from atrophying, he uses a trapeze arrangement attached to his bed (with a rabbit's foot for luck) so that he can strengthen his back and arms. Hydro-therapy treatments in a tub provided by the Motorcycle club also help in his fight to regain his health. Although Mr. Strong had won a $15,000 judgment in the accident, he was not confident in actually receiving funds. He was eager to go back to work to pay his bills and was determined to ride his motorcycle again. (T.Times 12-14-39, p. 8)

Strong, Lawrence; Physical therapy--Tacoma; Sick persons;

Narrows Bridge Opening Ceremonies. Ribbons were cut on each end of the bridge on July 1, 1940. This photograph is believed to be of the "west pier" or Gig Harbor side of the bridge. Admiral E.B. Fenner, Bremerton Navy Yard commandant, had the honor of snipping the ribbon. Flanking him were Mayor Homer Jones of Bremerton and John Schlarb, chairman of the Pierce County Board of Commissioners. This photograph was used but flipped for the Tacoma Times issue on July 2, 1940. (T. Times 7-2-40, p. 1) ALBUM 15. TPL-1575

Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fenner, Edward B.; Jones, Homer; Mayors--Bremerton; Schlarb, John;

East end ribbon cutting of Tacoma Narrows Bridge, July 1, 1940. Among those present were State Highway Director Lacey V. Murrow (L, holding hat), Ralph Keenan of Pacific Bridge Co., Maj. A. P. Kitson, Col. Kenneth S. Perkins, Capt. R. S. McClenaghan, Consulting Engineer C. E. Andrews, Governor Clarence D. Martin, Ted Brown, Celebration Chair. Norton Clapp stands in the background. The 6.4 million dollar bridge took 1 1/2 years to complete and many years to get funded. It collapsed on November 7, 1940, four months after its dedication. (T.Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma; Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Murrow, Lacey V.; Keenan, Ralph; Kitson, A. P.; Perkins, Kenneth S.; McClenaghan, R. S.; Andrews, C. E.; Brown, Ted;

In February of 1940, the Boy Scouts of Tacoma Troop 11 purchased a 6 by 10 foot American flag to honor George Washington's Birthday. It was raised for the first time by scouts Russell Neff, Gerald Hartman and Forrest Jensen on the 22nd. A 45 feet tall cedar flagpole had been constructed the previous day near the east toll plaza of the first Narrows Bridge, which was under construction. Paul Young played the bugle at the ceremony, and Sea Scouts (l to r) Glenn Jones and Art Weber of Ship 110 and Glenn Nedervold of Ship 104 provided the color guard. (T. Times, 2/23/1940, pg. 18).

Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Flags; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 11 (Tacoma); Neff, Russell; Hartman, Gerald; Jensen, Forrest; Young, Paul; Jones, Glenn; Weber, Art; Nedervold, Glenn;

Narrows Bridge Opening Ceremonies. Convertible automobiles starting to line up for official ribbon cutting on July 1, 1940, as the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge was dedicated with great fervor. Crowd around rostrum represents some of the 7,000 people who had gathered to witness the opening of the new suspension bridge. After the welcoming speeches and musical entertainment by the naval and army bands, a 19-gun salute would be fired by the National Guard when Governor Clarence D. Martin officially opens the bridge to traffic. Part of the Narrows Bridge/McChord Field Celebration. (T. Times, 7-1-40, p. 1, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Spectators--Tacoma;

Mahncke Jewelers after 1940 remodel. View of Anzio Sutherland, certified watchmaker at Mahncke's. He is standing in front of a wall covered with watches and rests his hand on a large piece of machinery.

Sutherland, Anzio; Mahncke & Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clocks & watches;

Formally attired young folk at a dinner-dance held at the Tacoma Club on March 9, 1940. This was the first of Tacoma Club's formal dinner dances during the 1940 season. The event was held in the club rooms at the top of the Washington Building. President of the Tacoma Club was H.A. Christofferson. (T.Times 3-16-1940, p. 4-different photo, same series)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Teenagers--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tuxedoes;

Construction of the first Narrows Bridge. Automobiles parked on curved roadbed (bridge approach). Sightseers, adults and children, walking up road. (T. Times, Special Edition, 2/27/1940).

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridge construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Construction of the first Narrows Bridge. View of west end concrete cable anchor block and assorted machinery, from the south. (T. Times, Special Edition, 2/27/1940.)

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridge construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound (Wash.); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

Narrows Bridge opening day. Large crowd on West side of bridge from toll bridge to crest of hill. Thousands anticipated the opening of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge, later dubbed "Galloping Gertie," on July 1, 1940. Both ends of the bridge were packed with spectators, eager to have the chance to cross over the 5,979-foot structure.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Bridges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Spectators--Tacoma;

Tacoma Police at Night. An unidentified young police officer stands by Prowl Car No. 2 in South Tacoma on June 29, 1940. Prowler car officers were used to keep the peace during the night which included breaking up family disputes, street brawls and other routine calls. (T.Times 7-4-1940, p. 3- description of job of prowler car officers)

Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Times employee

Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma); Newspaper industry--1940-1950; Newspapers--1940-1950;

Frank W. Power, publisher and president of the Tacoma Times Publishing Co., sits at his desk at the new location of the paper, 919 Market St. He is surrounded by flowers from well wishers, congratulating the paper on its move. On the desk in front of Mr. Powers are the front page of the February 25, 1940 Times and one of the special editions from the February 27th paper. The paper on the 27th was 92 pages long, in five sections and weighed over 1 pound.

Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma); Newspaper industry--1940-1950; Newspapers--1940-1950; Power, Frank W.;

Unidentified woman sitting on top of switch board cabinet and talking into phone on February 10, 1940. All of the office equipment and furniture is being moved to the Tacoma Times newspaper's new location at 919 Market Street. For Mr. Voorhees.

Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma); Newspaper industry--1940-1950; Newspapers--1940-1950; Telephones;

In November of 1939, Paul Roberts and Augusta C. Semmern offered Tacomans something other then turkey from the Thomsen's Health Foods booth at the second annual Show of Progress sponsored by the Tacoma Lions Club. A hungry shopper could buy a large, freshly prepared glass of raw vegetable juice, or take home canned soybeans, raw honey, or "meat substitute". Tacoma manufacturers and distributors of all kinds had displays at the trade show; nearly every article useful in the home could be viewed. The show of Progress was held in the old Sears building at the corner of Pacific and South 24th. The regular Thomsen's Health Food stand and restaurant, which was founded in 1928, was located in the Crystal Palace Public Market at South 11th and Market Streets. (TNT 11/13/1939 p.7)

Thomsen's Health Foods (Tacoma); Nutrition--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Four women gaze out upon a peaceful lily pond at "Thornewood," one of Lakewood's exquisite estates, located at 8601 North Thorne Lane SW. In 1930, Thornewood was voted by the Garden Club of America "the most beautiful formal garden in America." The 35 acre gardens were originally designed by the world famous Olmsted Brothers and were maintained by a full time staff of 28 gardeners. This garden and two others in Lakewood are part of a 1940 caravan tour sponsored by the Y.W.C.A.. The tour includes visits to "Dower Dell" at 7517 Dowerdell Lane SW and " Waloma,"` located at 12718 Gravelly Lake Drive SW. (T. Times 6/29/1940, p. 4).

Thornewood (Lakewood); Gardens--Lakewood--1940-1950; Lily ponds--Lakewood; Water gardens;

Winner of Mercury Automobile Contest in front of Titus Motor Company. Man hands envelope to another man across the hood of a 1940 Mercury. Leon Titus at far right. Titus Motor Co. was offering a special prize for gasoline economy. Beginning January 27, 1940, contestants could drive a special Mercury 8 equipped with a gasoline meter. First prize in the contest, 50 gallons of gasoline, would be awarded to the driver with the best mileage. The new Mercury 8 averaged 20 miles per gallon.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.; Mercury automobile; Contests;

Automobile hit by train which killed Mrs. Hull of Steilacoom. A small group of men and teenagers stand at the railroad crossing to the wharf and Steilacoom ferry dock where the accident occurred on November 27, 1939. Mrs. William A. Hull, wife of a McNeil Island federal penitentiary guard, died when the vehicle she was driving was struck by a Union Pacific freight train as it crossed the railroad tracks. The 40-year-old woman was thrown clear upon impact. She had been on her way to pick up her husband who was returning to the mainland from the island. Mrs. Hull was thought to have been driving slowly and possibly did not see the train in time. (TNT 11-28-1939, p. 1-article & alt. photograph)

Traffic accidents--Steilacoom; Railroad accidents--Steilacoom; Railroad crossings--Steilacoom; Hull, William A.--Family;

Scene of traffic accident for insurance claim #700648, Allstate Insurance Company. Highway where road Ys into another road. Houses in background. Sign reads : "The Rosebud Groceries & Notions." This scene was photographed on April 24, 1940.

Traffic accidents; Roads;

Although threatened with both humiliation and physical harm by his fraternity brothers, Herman Kleiner survived "Hell Night" at the College of Puget Sound and became a member of Delta Kappa Phi. In this photograph from December of 1939, Johnnie Esthen (left) and Norman Burke force young Mr. Kleiner to board a Tacoma bus dressed in little more then a barrel. Kleiner went on to graduate from CPS in 1943 with a major in Sociology.

Universities & Colleges--Tacoma--1930-1940; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma); Hazing; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Buses--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Ruling over the merriment at the College of Puget Sound May Day Festival in 1940 was Queen Ruth, center, and her attendants; photographed here near the Seymour Conservatory in Wright Park. Pictured, left to right, are Doris Grandlund,attendant; Queen Ruth Raymond; and Beulah Eskildsen, attendant. On campuses across the country, May Day was celebrated on the first day of the month of May. (T.Times, 5/1/1940, pg. 1).

Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; May Day--Tacoma; Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grandlund, Doris; Raymond, Ruth; Eskildsen, Beulah; Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma);

New Bremerton-Tacoma bus. Three men, including bus driver, standing inside bus garage next to new bus signed: Bremerton-Tacoma Stages. Curtains on windows, blunt front end with open radiator grill. Ordered by Shaub-Ellison.

Vehicles - BusesTransportation