Elks club members participated with high spirits when requested to do so during the annual Elks Club Extravaganzas held each spring. Humorous skits, song & dance, orchestral music were all part of the program. View of two members on stage; one is dressed in Scottish kilts while the other man has a ragmop hairstyle and keeps one foot on an uprooted stool. Deliberate or not, the warped candles on top of the piano certainly would have caught the audience's eye.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A very motley crew of entertainers pose on March 31, 1954, for the annual Elks club Extravaganza. "Uncle Sam", in the center, appears to be embracing representatives of various ethnic groups. This was probably the "United Nations Beauties", a big hit with the audience. The Elks Extravaganza was always greeted with much anticipation and provided hours of hilarious entertainment for its members. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. The man on the right is possibly John Hreha, who listed his occupation in the 1955 City Directory as "magician." Hreha was the husband of the former LaMoyne Barcott, of the pioneering Tacoma restaurant family. The other man and girl are unidentified. The girl is being lifted into a box "house." Perhaps Hreha intends to make her disappear. The annual talent show was put on by the Elks for their fellow members, family & guests.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

• Elks Temple at 565 Broadway, built in 1915. circa 1916.
• Printed on front: Lodge No. 174, B. P. O. E. Tacoma, Wash.

Circa 1916.

Elks Temple at 565 Broadway, built in 1915.

Elks Temple at 565 Broadway, built in 1915.

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;

This motley collection of characters was the entertainment at the Elks Club on March 28, 1928. "High Society, " "cooks," "hoboes" and "cops" all mixed easily together that evening. Tacoma's Elks Lodge presented seasonal "entertainment" where Elks polished their acting and musical skills for the benefit of fellow members.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Entertainers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Visiting Elks. The Everett Elks Band pose on the famous Spanish Steps next to the Elks Lodge, 565 Broadway, on August 16, 1918. A service flag with "In God We Trust" is lofted up high in the background. There was one gold star included which signified the loss of an Elks member in war. The Everett band was one of several in town for the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention which had opened on August 15th. The highlight of the convention was the massive downtown parade in which the bands and thousands of Elks marched. ( TNT 8-16-18, p. 1-article; TNT 8-17-18, p.2-article)

Stairways--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Marching bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;

United Good Neighbors. 30 executives on loan from various Tacoma businesses posed for a group portrait at the old Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, on November 3, 1971. Industry and government had loaned a total of 73 executives to the United Good Neighbors campaign who had been working since mid-August. The drive to collect funds for the UGN officially began on September 14th. The group's goal was to collect $1,928,000 in the campaign which was to end on November 12th, a bare two months away. The United Good Neighbors was a predecessor of United Way. Photograph ordered by the United Good Neighbor Fund of Pierce County. (TNT 11-12-71, p. 1 -article; )

United Good Neighbors (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1970-1980; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fund raising --Tacoma--1970-1980;

On December 30, 1971, eight members of the Unique Social & Community Club posed under an evergreen bower at the site of the sixth annual Red Rose Cotillion where college-age women made their debut into African American society. The event had previously been held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel; however, with the hotel's closing, the ball was moved to the 565 Restaurant on Broadway, the former Elks Temple. Color photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 1-1-72, p. 3-various photographs & article)

Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1970-1980; African Americans--Social life--1970--1980; African American women--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Fairyland and Christmas parade, November 29, 1935. Marching band in front of the Elks' Temple on Broadway. Three marching bands were scheduled in the parade, the Musicians' Union band, Stadium High School and Lincoln High School. This is most probably the Musicians' Union Band that was scheduled to start off the parade, accompanying Santa Claus. The Mother Goose float can be seen behind the band, followed by another marching band. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marching bands; Elks Temple (Tacoma);

ca. 1934. Portrait of the 148th Field Artillery band on the famous Spanish Steps of the Elks Temple in Tacoma. The 148th was attached to the Washington National Guard. (WSHS)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Stairways--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. Band (Tacoma); Military uniforms; Military bands;

ca. 1925. A group of law officers, dressed in uniforms with badges and topped off with straw skimmers, pose in front of the B.P.O.E. (Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) lodge. The man to the left is possibly Pierce County Sheriff John Bjorklund. The picture is probably related to the celebration of Straw Hat Day circa 1925. (WSHS- negative A844-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--1920-1930; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Costumed publicity photographs for the "Saga of the West" presentation for the Golden Jubilee. Six young women wearing satin gowns and headdresses with stars pose for the portrait, sitting on the ornate railing of the Spanish Steps outside the Elks Temple. They are part of the "one hundred glorious girls" who will act as the Jubilee Queen's princesses in the finale of the pageant. The girls are, left to right, Anita Sherman, Bettianne Wasserman, Pat Brandt, Betty Anger, Thelma Dean Swift and Lucille Clark. (T. Times 7/18/1939, pg. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Historical pageants--Tacoma; Elks Temple (Tacoma); Sherman, Anita; Wasserman, Bettianne; Brandt, Pat; Anger, Betty; Swift, Thelma Dean; Clark, Lucille;

Mayor John Siegle pretends to light fuse of giant advertising fire-cracker for a Junior Chamber of Commerce "big bang" publicity for July 4th fireworks at Stadium Bowl. Spanish steps from Commerce to Broadway and (Old) Elks Temple in background.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Firecrackers; Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma);

Five of the oldest members of the Tacoma Elks Club gather to discuss the Good Old Days on Old Timers' night held in January of 1938. They are, left to right, S.J. Maxwell, member #2, whose career was in shipping; George L. Palmer, in the printing business and served once as Deputy Sheriff; S.A. Perkins, member #3, newspaper publishing; Major Charles O. Bates, law; and Calvin S. Heilig, member #1, theater owner in Tacoma and Portland. "Sam" Perkins served as master of ceremonies at the meeting where many memories were shared and enjoyed. (T. Times 1/20/1938, pg. 8) (filed with Argentum)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Perkins, S.A.; Maxwell, S.J.; Palmer, George L.; Bates, Charles O.; Heilig, Calvin S.; Older people--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple circa 1938. Men being seated in dining room. (filed with Argentum) (photo damage upper left corner?)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma;

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 presented a check for $350 to the Elks to be used in their December 1942 Christmas party for needy children. Fred Humbert is pictured emptying a money bag of donations into the big Elks Stocking Fillers cash register outside the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway. Watching him are Elks and union members including Harry J. Lynch, chrm. of the Elks Christmas committee (at front - left) and Erling O. Johnson, Elks secretary-manager (at extreme right.) Other names are listed in the News Tribune article dated 12-22-42. Thanks to the generosity of these union members and other caring Tacomans, 650 children enjoyed a happy Christmas morning filled with fun and gifts. (TNT 12-22-42, p. 7-alt. photograph; TNT 12-26-42, p. 9-article on party)

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Cash registers; Lynch, Harry J.;

New officers for 1950-1951 are shown at the Elks Temple. Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler, is hanging an insignia around the neck of Lloyd L. Wynans as he was installed as the new exalted ruler of Tacoma lodge. Others installed were Harold L. Duncan, leading knight; John S. Roberts, loyal knight; Burritt B. Anderson, lecturing knight; Erling O. Johnson, secretary; Walter E. Liggett, treasurer; Swan Johnson, tiler; Sterling Carmichael, trustee. Ordered by Erling Johnson. (TNT, 4/5/1950, p.4)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.; Wynans, Lloyd L.; Johnson, Erling O.; Duncan, Harold; Anderson, Burritt B.;

Civil Defense Night, sponsored by Elks Lodge 174, at the Elks Club. Lloyd Wynans, Exalted Ruler, appointed Harold Duncan, Leading Knight, to preside at the meeting intended to help coordinate civil defense divisions and further the Elks aim to support, uphold, and defend the American way of life. Wynans stated that adequate civil defense requires thousands of residents volunteering time and energy to minimize death and casualties in the event of a disaster. The film "Pattern for Survival" was shown. Civil defense officials, headed by Mayor John Anderson and Civil Defense Director Frank S. Evans, were in attendance. The Elks Temple underwent a $80,000 remodel the previous Fall, with over half of it going to renovations on this hall. One of the changes was the new wall to wall Saxony Wilson broadloom carpet in green and ivory. (TNT 1-22-1951, pg. 5) TPL-8450

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

John H. Anderson, on right, presents the gavel to Lloyd L. Wynans, the newly elected Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. The installation ceremony for the new officers was one of the biggest nights on the organization's calendar. For the first time in sixty years, the ceremony was officiated by the Grand Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O.E., Emmett T. Anderson. ALBUM 14.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Wynans, Lloyd L.; Anderson, John H.; Gavels;