U.S.O. #2, 713-15 Commerce St., circa 1946. During World War II, although black and white soldiers fought side by side, the United States Army was still segregated. In Tacoma, African American service men and women had their own USO Club at 713-15 Commerce. It was dedicated on September 4, 1942 and closed late in March of 1947. The Kaufman-Wolff building where it was located had previously housed the Soldiers and Sailors Clubhouse during World War I. USO #2 was enlarged in 1944 by adding an annex in the building to the north of the original club. The enlarged structure provided the following facilities: dark room, music room, hobby room, game room, showers, sleeping accommodations, library and snack bar. It was operated by the YMCA and staffed primarily by volunteers. (brochure from Recognition Ceremony USO Number Two on 3/30/1947; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma).
On October 22, 1945, this group of unidentified individuals were photographed seated around a table after what appears to be a dinner at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
On Sunday February 3, 1946, a dinner was held at the Tacoma USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., honoring the 5th anniversary of USO operation. The United Service Organizations, or USO, was incorporated in New York Feb. 4, 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed it was important for private citizens to take responsibility for the on-leave recreation needs of service members. One of the guests of honor for the Tacoma celebration was Mayor Harry Cain, standing center, who attended with his wife Marjorie, last woman seated left. Seated to the right of Mayor Cain was Mr. Arthur Hayes, chairman of the club's operating committee. The other individuals at the table were unidentified. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1: photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
The performance by the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the highlights of the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance. The festival was held in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert drew over 7,000 listeners. It was also broadcast over the Mutual Network by KMO. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2) Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)
An unidentified majorette performs with the Seattle Elks Band at the USO Music Festival at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The band was one of many performers in the concert attended by over 7,000. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)
ca. 1947. Orson Welles (standing), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, conferred with an unidentified African American pianist in this undated photograph. Two women in hats looked on from the drawing room beyond. The occasion was possibly in March of 1947, when Mr. Welles spoke to 5,000 persons in the Armory as a guest of the Tacoma Jewish Association in observance of Brotherhood Week.
This undated photograph was taken in front of the snack bar at the USO No. 2 in Tacoma. At the head of the table was Arthur Hayes and at the end closest to the camera was Helen B. Stafford, local civic activist. USO No. 2 opened at 713 Commerce Street in September 1942 to serve Tacoma's African American servicemen and closed in March 1947. This location also served servicemen during World War I as the Army-Navy Club.
Undated photograph of the Matrons Club. The woman seated front left is Helen Beck Stafford, one of the founders of the group. Dr. Stafford moved to Tacoma in 1926 to marry Wendell P. Stafford on New Years Eve. Even though she had taught for a few years in Kansas schools, Tacoma school personnel directors refused to hire a black teacher. She stayed at home and cared for her husband and daughter. She and several other women who stayed home to rear their children would get together for a social outlet. In 1927, they formally organized the Matrons Club. The women who attended the meetings often brought their children along and the children would play together. (TNT 2/22/1982- NWR clipping file) (photograph by Liberal Engraving Co., 907 1/2 Commerce)
George F. Cram and Company 1 map; 34 x 51 cm. From page 292-293 of Cram's unrivaled atlas of the world. Relief shown by hachures. Shows counties, cities and railroads. Scale ca. 1:1,300,000 On verso: portion of "City of Portland, Oregon." In lower margin: 292, 293. Index on verso.
Chicago : Rand McNally. 1 map : col. ; 48 x 66 cm. State capitals and County seats identified by symbols. A key to Railroads is located in the lower left. Shows Railroads and Steamship lines. Includes index of cities with a population of 1,000 or more. At top: "Library atlas of the world." Relief shown by hachures and spot highlights. Scale 1 in. = 15 miles [ca. 1:950,400].
ca. 1979. Architectural detail on the Garretson-Woodruff-Pratt Building. The structure was built in 1890 and was home to the Peoples Store (1890's) and Sears (1920's), as well as other businesses. Today it is part of the University of Washington's Tacoma campus.
University of Washington (Tacoma); Garretson-Woodruff-Pratt Building (Tacoma);
ca. 1979. Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House, circa 1979. The structure was built in 1902. It is now part of the University of Washington Tacoma campus.
University of Washington (Tacoma); Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House (Tacoma);
ca. 1979. Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House, circa 1979. The structure was built in 1902. It is now part of the University of Washington Tacoma campus.
University of Washington (Tacoma); Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House (Tacoma);
ca. 1979. Architectural detail on the Garretson-Woodruff-Pratt Building. The structure was built in 1890; F.A. Sexton, architect. Today it is part of the University of Washington's Tacoma campus.
University of Washington (Tacoma); Garretson-Woodruff-Pratt Building (Tacoma);
ca. 1979. Photograph taken in 1979 looking north on Commerce from So. 19th St., toward the Commerce St. Pedestrian Bridge. On the left is the Commerce side of the 1700 Block of Jefferson, including left to right 1731-37 Tacoma Biscuit & Candy Co. building (now Old Spaghetti Factory) and 1721-25 "Dugan Block" (now One Broadway Square.) The middle left building is the Carlton Hotel, 1552 Jefferson.
Cityscapes--Tacoma--1970-1980; Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Building deterioration--Tacoma--1970-1980;
ca. 1979. View from the intersection of 13th St. and Tacoma Ave So. of the Bacon Building, 1151-55 Tacoma Ave. So. The structure was built in 1888 and has been home to many businesses; most recently, the Tux Shop (2000-2003) and Aster Technology Institute.
ca. 1979. Truck with camper top parked in unidentified garage, circa 1979. Other door on garage has "No Parking" sign. Houses in background are unidentified.
ca. 1979. Photograph taken in 1979 of the Aerie (hang gliders) located at 1527 Commerce, on the Commerce side of the Crystal Palace Building (1508-16 Jefferson), built in 1889. The Aerie was not listed in the City Directory, indicating that it was a short time business at this address. In fact, it appears to be boarded up and abandoned in the photograph.
Cityscapes--Tacoma--1970-1980; Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Building deterioration--Tacoma--1970-1980; Aerie (Tacoma);
ca. 1979. Back of unidentified houses, circa 1979. Houses sit on higher elevation. Discarded items lined up against wall on pallets at lower elevation, including a toilet.
ca. 1979. West Coast Grocery Co. building, 1732-38 Pacific Ave., circa 1979. The structure was built in 1890 from a design by Proctor & Dennis, architects. It is now part of the University of Washington Tacoma campus.
ca. 1979. Older man and young child standing on steps under an awning. The man appears to be holding a can and the girl appears to be eating off of a plate.
