ca. 1951. Buildings on 11th St. across from future Tacoma Public Library circa 1951. These structures would eventually vanish, making way for the new County-City Building. In the foreground are three dump trucks and an earthmover that were photographed on the excavation site for the new Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. So. After many decades and much discussion, the Main Library was expanding from the original Carnegie Library to a more spacious, accommodating building. Groundbreaking had occurred in March of 1951 and the library would be completed and finally dedicated in November of 1952. BU-11779

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Excavation--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1950. Simpler form of funnel snare woven of willowstems. Designed to trap the steelhead trout on its return downstream in the early spring of the year. The proportions of the snare are somewhat distorted owing to the nearness of the camera. (Caption taken from the typed note on the back of the photo) (Donated by Arthur Ballard) TPL-8042

Fishing nets--Washington;

ca. 1950. Tacoma Fire Department Truck Co. #3. Four unidentified firemen handle cleaning duties with their 65' aerial in this circa 1950 photograph. Truck Co. #13 would move into Station No. 13 in 1959. TAC 086

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Santa Claus with a group of children and three men at the Christmas party given by the Lumber & Sawmill Workers Union in Tacoma. One of the girls has an accordion.

Accordions; Parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Union (Tacoma); Santa Claus--Tacoma;

ca. 1948. Three deep sea Foss tugs based out of Port Angeles, left to right, the Arthur Foss, Mathilda Foss and Foss No. 21. These three ships were used periodically for deep sea tows to Alaska, but after the end of World War II that duty was taken over by Miki class tugs purchased as surplus from the military. The three were then used for log tows out of Port Angeles. The Arthur Foss is probably the most famous Foss tugboat. It began its life in 1898 in Portland Oregon as the steam tug "Wallowa." The 110 foot tug became a star when it appeared in the 1933 motion picture classic "Tugboat Annie" as the "Narcissus." The movie was based on Saturday Evening Post short stories written by University of Washington writing teacher Norman Reilly Raine and loosely based on the Foss family business legend. The vessel was overhauled in 1934 and renamed the "Arthur Foss." It served in World War II, returned to Port Angeles in 1948 and was retired in 1968. Donated in 1970 to the nonprofit "Save Our Ships," it was lovingly restored. The "Mathilda Foss" was built in 1909 as a US Army passenger and freight vessel, the "Captain Gregory Barrett." The 91 foot vessel was retooled in 1937 as an ocean going tug and renamed the "Mathilda Foss." It also served in World War II and entered Port Angeles service in 1946. It was sold in 1963 and sunk in 1978 as an eyesore. The "Foss 21" began life as the Tacoma built "Fearless." Built in 1900, the 80 foot tug was one of the most powerful tugs at the turn of the century. It was based out of Port Angeles and used primarily for tows on the Quillayute River. (photograph courtesy of the William T. Case collection) ("Foss: A Living Legend" by Bruce Johnson and Mike Skalley)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Port Angeles--1940-1950;

ca. 1948. Aerial view of ASARCO. Lying just beyond the smelter is the Tacoma Yacht Club, followed by the ferry dock. The residential area to the left top is Ruston and the wooded area beyond is Point Defiance Park. TPL-8656

Boathouses; Boats; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Mooring; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

ca. 1948. Building #5 at 12th & L St., Tacoma Medical Center, 1206 So. 11th St. Built in 1947, the Tacoma Medical Center was composed of several brick buildings on South 11th Street; each unit contained one or more medical personnel. Photograph taken for Paul A. Hungate, builder. The Center eventually grew to 40 buildings, with the site including 1202-24 So. 11th, 1102-24 So. L and 1101-25 So. M St.

Tacoma Medical Center (Tacoma);

Mrs. Joyce Ferguson, an employee at the Tacoma Public Library, was photographed in August of 1947 sitting behind the wheel of the library's new Plymouth wood panel station wagon. The new vehicle was purchased to be used to transport books and other library materials from one branch library to another. The library director, Aubrey F. Andrews, stated that any book in the library could be requested at any branch or station. If the book was not available at the local library, it would be secured and routed as soon as possible. The station wagon would also be used, as time permitted, to supply small collections of books to groups holding meetings or exhibits. (TNT 8-16-47, p. 2) TPL-217, TPL-9820

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Ferguson, Joyce; Plymouth automobile;

ca. 1947. The Tide Company, 1512 Center, Tacoma, circa 1947. Their sign identifies them as industrial electrical contractors.

Tide Co. (Tacoma);

The spring tournament of the Northwest Lawn Bowling Association was held in Wright Park May 30 through June 2, 1946. Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wood of Vancouver, B.C. dominated the tournament. Mr. Wood defeated George Wilkinson in the final of the men's event, and Mrs. Wood defeated Mrs. Lew Thomas of Tacoma to take the ladies title. (TNT 06/03/1946 p.7)

Wright Park (Tacoma); Lawn Bowling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northwest Lawn Bowling Association;

ca. 1946. Henry Foss (left) and William T. (Bill) Case held a discussion circa 1946 while leaning on the water pump of the Foss #12, used both as a fireboat and a tug. As the Foss Launch & Tug Co. expanded into new markets, Henry remained in Tacoma to run the local office. He served in World War II and returned once again to the company. He retired as president of the maritime company in the Northwest. Bill Case loyally worked for Foss from 1915 until his death in 1956. He started out as a deckhand and later skippered the Foss #12 during its tenure as Tacoma's fireboat. He was the Chief Dispatcher for the company when he retired due to illness. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case Collection)

Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Case, William T.;

ca. 1946. Motel Waltoma, 9200 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood. The motel was built in 1938 by Walt and Oma Kupfer, hence its unusual name. It was designed by Fred Michel and Fred Michel and Jos. Brewer were the contractors. The Waltoma consisted of six double cottages. Over 2500 persons attended its grand opening beginning July 31, 1938. The sign in front of the motel indicated that it was approved by Duncan Hines, in 1946, and the Automobile Club of Washington. Duncan Hines was a travelling salesman turned food and lodging critic who published a book called "Lodging for a Night" in 1938, extolling the best places to stay while on the road.

Motels--Tacoma; Motel Waltoma (Tacoma);

Copy of photograph of the Tacoma Little Theatre taken during the run of "The Philadelphia Story", January 31-February 24, 1945. Photograph appears in the book "The History of the Tacoma Little Theatre, 1940 - 1950" by Erna Spannagel Tilley, Tacoma, WA, 1967.

Theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Little Theatre (Tacoma)

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Sen. Harry S Truman stopped briefly in Tacoma on October 19, 1944, on his way from Portland to Seattle. The local Democratic committee had arranged to have South 12th St. between Pacific and A roped off for an open-air rally. Standing on the make-shift truck platform with Sen. Truman were Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mon C. Wallgren ( left), then a U.S. Senator, and Congressman John M. Coffee. Kneeling were Wallgren's Tacoma campaign manager and (state) 27th legislative district candidate Dwight Bunnell (left) and attorney John Binns, Pierce County Democratic party chairman. The vice-presidential candidate urged voters to send Warren G. Magnuson to the U.S. Senate, to return Coffee to his district's congressional seat, and to elect Mon C. Wallgren as Washington's governor. All the Democratic candidates shown above went on to victory in November's general elections. (TNT 10-19-44, p. 1; TNT 10-20-44, p. 1, T. Times, 10-20-44, p. 1, T.Times 11-8-44, p. 1) TPL-9900

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Coffee, John; Bunnell, Dwight; Binns, John; Whistle-stop campaigning--Tacoma; Political campaigns; Legislators--Washington--1940-1950; Political posters;

ca. 1944. Offices of Foss Launch & Tug Co. on the Middle Waterway and the Foss tugboats docked. In 1943, Foss moved their office building from its longtime location at 400 Dock St. (1902-1943) to this location. Their original building on Dock Street burned to the ground in 1932. It was replaced by an airplane hangar, brought from Seattle and converted to offices. By 1943, the Foss organization had a payroll of around 170 and a fleet of 60 tugs and 120 barges all over the Pacific Ocean. When Foss needed more space, they moved their office building to East F. Street, originally the location of their shipyard. They also brought a 85 x 120 foot warehouse from Seattle and reconstructed it on the site. A new restaurant was also built to serve Foss employees as well as their new neighbors, Peterson Boat Building at 223 E. F & Puget Sound Plywood at 230. All three companies relocated to this location at around the same time. TPL-8669 (T. Times 9/1/1943)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats;

ca. 1944. Tacoma Central Ward Aaronic Priesthood boys displaying their Standard Quorum Award with Bishop Franklin S. Harris and James Milligan. First boy on left is Robert E. Evans.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma);

United Airlines office on Broadway at the Winthrop Hotel TPL-5541

Airlines--Offices--Tacoma--1940s; Winthrop; Broadway--Tacoma;

ca. 1944. Tacoma Central Ward. Seattle Washington Stake. Congregation in front of church during World War II. The church was located at 1603 North Steele St., the former home of Central Christian Church until 1917. A few members have been identified: Raymond N. Parker first row left, Roy McKinnon second on first row. Roy Baldwin third from right, first row and Franklin S. Harris fourth from right, first row.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Parker, Raymond N.; McKinnon, Roy; Baldwin, Roy; Harris, Franklin S.;

ca. 1942. Gravel pit operations conducted by Woodworth & Co. circa 1942. The location of the gravel pit was not given but may have been the large one above the Hylebos Waterway. Woodworth & Co. was a family-run business, established in 1921 as Albertson, Cornell Brothers & Walsh, a merger of three companies involved in building, dredging and road paving. It became Woodworth & Co. in 1940 as Harold Woodworth, originally paving manager, became president. The firm worked on the Narrows Bridge (both "Galloping Gertie" and the second bridge), barracks and road building at Fort Lewis, runway construction at Moses Lake Air Base, I-5 for the federal highway system, and many other projects. Woodworth & Co. is still in business and has diversified further into all phases of the heavy construction industry. (www.djc.com/special/century/wood)

Holes; Woodworth & Co. (Tacoma); Construction industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1942. William L. (Bill) Case and friends aboard his pleasure craft, the "Baby Dumpling." The vessel had a mysterious beginning. She is crafted from a 30 foot lifeboat found abandoned in mid Pacific by the Silveray, a British motorship of the Silver-Java-Pacific line, sailing from the Philippine Islands to Puget Sound. In the craft were oars, two casks of fresh water, empty sea biscuit cartons, a cigaret package from Sidney, Australia and several .38 caliber bullet slugs, but no people. The slugs had punctured the air tanks and made several holes in the craft. No name was on the boat and its original owner was unknown. Foss Tug and Launch purchased the boat from the crew and towed it to their repair yard where Bill L. Case converted it to a pleasure craft. (Photograph courtesy of the William T. Case Collection) (lifeboat story T. Times 8/23/1939, pg. 18)

Case, William L.; Sailboats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes gestures to diners attending the sold-out Elks Club banquet on September 5, 1941 where Secretary Ickes was the principal speaker. He had been vacationing with his wife on the Olympic Peninsula before arriving in Tacoma on Friday, the 5th. Secretary Ickes spoke on the subject of "Public Power and National Defense" before a crowd of 562. His speech was carried nationwide for the benefit of those unable to attend. Harold Ickes was to serve 13 years as Secretary of the Interior, most of which was during the Franklin Delano Roosevelt administration. While Secretary, he also served as director of the Public Works Administration. (T.Times, 9-4-41, p. 1-article)

Ickes, Harold L.; Cabinet officers--United States; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Standing among acres of colorful daffodils while holding a beribboned bouquet is Pauline Martin. Miss Martin would reign as the 1941 Daffodil Festival Queen. The 18-year-old blue-eyed, brown haired Sumner High School student is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Martin. Born in a log cabin in Montana, she has lived in Sumner for sixteen years. Five newspaper photographers unanimously chose Miss Martin from a field of eleven Sumner High School students as the new Daffodil Queen. (TNT 3-1-41, p. 1)

Martin, Pauline; Beauty contestants--Sumner; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Sumner); Daffodils;

Surrounded by blossoms is the 1941 Daffodil Queen, Pauline Martin. This portrait of the radiant 18-year-old Sumner resident was selected to be on the front page of the News Tribune on March 23, 1941, the night after her coronation. In 1941 the Daffodil Parade and activities fell in late March rather than later in April. Miss Martin and her two attendants, Maxene Maddex of Lincoln High School and Doris Simonsen of Puyallup, would have a busy week ahead of them. Besides riding in the Daffodil Festival Parade of March 29th they were scheduled to start the Daffodil Festival sailing regatta, appear at the opening of the National Flower & Garden Show in Seattle and listen to the University of Washington Band perform at Jason Lee Junior High. (TNT 3-23-41, p. 1)

Martin, Pauline; Beauty contestants--Sumner; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Sumner); Daffodils;

ca. 1941. Sepia photograph of Tacoma police officer Martin Joyce as he strides down a sidewalk. Background is softly muted as in a painting. Officer Joyce was killed while on duty in November, 1941, as he and Officer Paul Trent were rushing to the scene of a suicide attempt in the north end. The Tacoma officers collided in the intersection of 11th & Pacific Avenue with a Pierce County Sheriff patrol wagon on its way to River Road; both had requested dispatchers activate 4-way red light signals in order to pass through safely. Two Sheriff's deputies and Officer Trent were killed at the scene on November 23, 1941; Officer Joyce passed away from his injuries two days later. (www.ci.tacoma.wa/tacomapolice/AboutUs/historyDetail.htm#Joyce)

Joyce, Martin; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Uniforms;

Unidentified workers laying concrete at the foot of the first Narrows Bridge. Construction began on the first Narrows Bridge, better known as "Galloping Gertie," in November of 1938 and the bridge was open to the public on July 1, 1940. It collapsed in a fierce windstorm just four months later on November 7, 1940. It took ten years with WWII and lack of materials intervening, before the second Narrows Bridge was dedicated in October of 1950. TAC-326 ; TPL-2757

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

ca. 1940. A traveler, apparently from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, poses in downtown Tacoma near the Peerless Grill, 916-20 Pacific Ave., circa 1940. A small sign is attached to his military bag - "From Phila.Pa. Around the World America First." The "America First" portion of the sign may refer to the then growing anti-war pressure group that sought to prevent the United States' entry into the Second World War. The smiling man is wearing Calvary boots, doughboy hat and coat probably dating back to WWI. TPL-6632

Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1940. Primo's Restaurant, 8602 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood. Primo's, formerly Babe's Inn, opened in October of 1938. It was owned and operated by Primo Gasperetti. According to advertising, it was the "Home of the Singing Gondolier." The neon signage on the restaurant advertised their chicken dinners, dancing and tavern.

Restaurants--Lakewood--1940-1950; Primo's Restaurant (Lakewood);

ca. 1940. This building designed by Farrell & Darmer, architects, was built in 1890 as an addition to the Prager Bros. Mechanics Block at 1534-36 Commerce St. Photo shows view of Broadway side, 1537 Broadway. Occupants of the building over the years included a restaurant, coffee dealer, laundry and the infamous Hotel Ewen, described as "Tacoma's No. 1 vice spot." The Rose Rooms boarding house at 1537 1/2 Broadway and the Hotel Ewen at 1533 Broadway were the scene of many vice and prostitution raids. TPL-6554

Hotel Ewen (Tacoma);

Employees of the Pacific Match Company, Tacoma, Washington, pose for an outdoors group company photograph for Tacoma's Golden Jubilee celebration. Tacoma held a massive celebration in July of 1939 of Washington's fifty years of statehood with a grand parade, water carnival, air show and pageant. Everyone got into the spirit of the jubilee by wearing hats and bonnets as proudly worn by Pacific Match's employees shown above. (Ron Neslund Collection)

Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma)--People; Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma;

Norwegian Crown Prince Olav (later Olav V) and his wife, Princess Martha, are pictured on the stairs of "The Gray Church," in May of 1939. The brick and stone building was more formally known as Trinity Lutheran Church, just off the campus of Pacific Lutheran College. A special chapel assembly was held in which PLC's Choir of the West performed. The heir to the throne of Norway also visited Fort Lewis and Mount Rainier and was present at several fetes in his honor.

Olav V, 1903-1991; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940; Martha, Crown Princess of Norway; Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland);