On September 4, 1942, the U.S.O. Club at 713-15 Commerce St. held its formal opening. Because the US military services were still segregated in 1942, the club was dedicated for the use of servicemen of color. Music, singing and dancing were part of the entertainment planned for the gala evening. The unidentified young women pictured here were dressed in long evening wear with corsages, while their unidentified escorts were wearing their dress uniforms. Publicity picture ordered by the Community Chest.(TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American women--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie shakes hands with director Ray C. Vaughn on September 4, 1942, at the formal opening and dedication of the new U.S.O. unit for servicemen of color on Commerce Street. The new U.S.O. facility filled a long felt need in Tacoma for a club to be used by servicemen of color from the Fort Lewis area. Director Vaughn thanked Mayor Cain for facilitating the addition of the center to U.S.O. operations in Tacoma. The photograph includes, L to R, front row: Unidentified, Mayor Harry P. Cain, Otto Hoagland, Ray C. Vaughn, Governor Langlie, and Rev. D.C. Stephenson. Back row: Col. Alvie Merrill, two unidentified Fort Lewis officers, Chaplain Robert Doakes, J.C. Haley, unidentified man. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4-article, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Vaughn Ray C.; Stephenson, D.C.; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. Dedication of U.S.O. club for servicemen of color at 715 Commerce on September 4, 1942. An enthusiastic audience welcomed the new center. Governor Arthur B. Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain were both on hand to assist with the dedication ceremonies. Music was provided by a Fort Lewis post band and the Coleridge Taylor Music club entertained the standing room only crowd. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Hand clapping; Audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. Newly appointed U.S.O. club director Ray C. Vaughn addresses the large crowd gathered on September 4, 1942, for the dedication of the brand new U.S.O. opened to serve the recreational needs of servicemen of color during WWII in the Tacoma area. Mr. Vaughn was an outstanding athlete at Colgate University, served as athletic director of Atlanta University, taught health education in the New York City public schools and became the health education and recreational director for NYC schools before coming to Tacoma. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Vaughn, Ray C.; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

On July 13, 1942, the dance committee gathered to plan the upcoming Delta Theta Sorority dance. The dance, held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, would have a nautical theme and benefit the Navy Relief fund. Committee members, left to right, are Kathryn McDonald, Dee Whitham, Jeanne Johnson, and Doris Nelson. (T. Times 7/18/1942, pg. 2)

Delta Theta Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma; McDonald, Kathryn; Whitham, Dee; Johnson, Jeanne; Nelson, Doris;

In the wee hours of a Sunday morning in June of 1942, several soldiers are pictured still abed in the dormitory set up in the gymnasium of the First Congregational Church. Fort Lewis was swollen with soldiers preparing to leave for the battlefields of World War II and on weekend leave they came to Tacoma. There were not enough rooms in Tacoma for all of the soldiers, so area churches stepped up and provided beds over Saturday night and a hearty Sunday morning breakfast for a mere 55 cents. (TNT 7/5/1942, pg. 1)

Dormitories; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest. First Congregational Church showing soldiers' accommodations. A young woman is shown preparing breakfast by what appears to be a serving window.

Dormitories; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Kitchens; Cookery;

Beatrice Houdini, center, widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini admires Ray Gamble's elephant sundial during a party honoring her visit to Tacoma in July, 1941. Ray Gamble is to her left, Addie Gamble to her right. The sundial may have been made out of sandstone; it has the name "Joan" enscribed on the base. Mr. Gamble was known for his large collection of elephants; by the mid-1960's, his collection was viewed as the world's largest at over 3000 pieces. ALBUM 7.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Ray--Family; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts;

Beatrice Houdini, widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini, center behind sundial, and other guests at Ray Gamble's "Elephant House" during a visit to Tacoma in July, 1941. Mr. Gamble is at far right. He would be elected president of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians on July 25, 1941, at the group's ninth annual convention held in Seattle. Mr. Gamble and his fellow magicians would put on a show for 5000 soldiers at Fort Lewis on Saturday, July 26, 1941. ALBUM 7.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts;

Guests try their luck with the roulette wheel while attending a party at Ray Gamble's "Elephant House" honoring Beatrice Houdini in July, 1941. The Gamble's basement featured celestial painted walls, a stage, and gambling machines hidden in paneled walls. Their view home on No. 30th St. featured a large collection of elephants, including sandstone elephants at the entrance to their rumpus room. ALBUM 7.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts; Gambling--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Harry P. Cain samples a doughnut at (old) City Hall on April 5, 1941, with Camp Fire Girls Margaret Turner, Ruthella Raver, Joan Thrasher and Billie Mellis. These Camp Fire Girls club presidents were interested in selling Mayor Cain the first ticket for their current doughnut drive. Participants could enjoy a week's outing at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island. ALBUM 12. (TNT 4-7-41, p. 9)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Doughnuts; Turner, Margaret; Raver, Ruthella; Thrasher, Joan; Mellis, Billie;

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain reads the city charter to CCC boys who took over the running of city government for a day. Mayor Cain had proclaimed March 29, 1941, as "CCC Day in Tacoma." Howard Hembree of Spata, Tennessee, believed to be kneeling on the left, was named mayor for that day. The CCC would be celebrating its eighth anniversary with open houses the following week. There were 300,000 boys in 1500 camps nationwide. The northwest area district had 27 Washington and two Alaskan camps. The 55,000 boys trained in eight years planted 20 million trees, fought fires, built trails and telephone lines and manned lookout towers. Names and camps of the CCC participants shown above were listed in the News Tribune's March 28, 1941, edition. (TNT 3-28-41, p. 1) ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma);

As mayor, Harry P. Cain bought his fair share of tickets to benefits and balls. He is pictured here at the Hotel Winthrop on September 2, 1941, buying a ticket to the Army vs. Air Corps baseball game from Frank Gillihan of the Y.M.B.C., sponsors of the event. Morale Officers Capt. Cal Butterworth of the 41st Division and Capt. R.L. Bell of McChord Field look on. The game was played in the pouring rain at Athletic Park on September 9th. A soaked crowd of 400 watched the 41st Division All-Stars defeat the McChord Bombers 3-2. (TNT 9-5-41, p. 17, 9-10-41, p. 11) ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Gillihan, Frank J.; Butterworth, Cal; Bell, R.L.;

City Finance Commissioner and future mayor Val Fawcett poses with members of V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Auxiliary for Poppy Sale publicity. Taken in front of Rhodes Memorial Hall on April 29, 1941. Each year in the springtime veterans' groups took to the streets to sell the tiny red flowers in memory of those who fought and died to protect freedom. Proceeds from the poppy sales went to support veterans' programs including rehabilitation. (T. Times) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Veterans of Foreign Wars (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

This Red Cross committee met at the home of Mrs. Leo McGavick on April 24, 1941. From left to right: Mrs. E.E. Perkins, Marcella (Mrs. Leo) McGavick, Mrs. A.D. Fay and Mrs. Paul Mellinger. They were preparing for the Red Cross roll call occurring May 1-10, 1941. More than 500 enthusiastic volunteers would begin canvassing the Tacoma area for Red Cross memberships in hopes of reaching a quota of 15,000 members for the Pierce County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mrs. Fay was the chairperson of the women's division while the other ladies headed various committees. (T. Times 4-24-41, p. 5-alt. photograph; T.Times 5-1-41, p. 10-article)

McGavick, Leo A.--Homes & haunts; McGavick, Leo A.--Family; McGavick, Marcella; Perkins, E.E.--Family; Mellinger, Paul--Family; Fay, A.D.--Family; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Membership campaigns--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bremerton Day at Mount Rainier. Three skiers hold their trophies from the skiing competition. On March 22-23, 1941, the Bremerton Ski Cruisers took over the activities at Paradise for the annual Bremerton Winter Sports Carnival. Competitive races included a downhill and a slalom, with a skiing and jumping exhibition also planned. Photographs ordered by the Bremerton Sun. (T. Times 3/14/1941, pg. 15)

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Skiers--Bremerton--1940-1950; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1940-1950; Winter sports; Awards;

Tall oak tree silhouetted against the bright sky in July of 1941. A fence and shrubs are close by. Location of this photograph was not provided.

Oaks; Trees; Fences;

Young Men's Business Club Auxiliary committee meeting at home of Mrs. Marvin (Miriam) Lynn. [Also dated 04-18-1941] (T. Times)

Organizations - Tacoma - Young Men's Business Club - Auxiliary

Military demonstration during Fourth Annual Young Men's Business Club Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Many Army personnel and one Naval Officer on a dock with three heavy machine guns set up at the water edge. (T.Times) [Also dated 06-23-1941]

Organizations--Tacoma; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Soldiers--Tacoma;Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma;

In June of 1941, Harriett Peterson, a Pacific Telephone and Telegraph employee, was photographed while perched on top of a stack of 2,000 copies of the new Tacoma telephone directory. Eighty five distributors began delivering the directories on June 26, 1941. The July, 1941 directory had more telephone listings, more pages in it, and more copies printed than any previous phonebook in Tacoma history. The information in the book did not become effective until Sunday morning the 29th, when approximately 4,000 phone numbers changed overnight and became dial operated. (T. Times 6/26/1941, pg. 7)

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Telephone directories; Peterson, Harriett;

Edward B. Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Group of women and two men pose for portrait in front of a Coast Lines, double-deck bus. One of the men wipes the brow of the other with his handkerchief.

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Double-decker buses--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On June 28, 1941, Clara Joan Peterson and LaVern Kolstad were married at 9p.m. by candlelight at the Christ Episcopal Church. The bridal party is pictured at the Altar. Building by Daniels and Cook, Architects, constructed in 1889 as Trinity Episcopal and demolished circa 1969. (T. Times 7/15/1941, pg. 9)

Peterson, Clara--Marriage; Kolstad, LaVern; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Wedding clothing & dress--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Christ Episcopal Church (Tacoma);

Wedding of Clara Peterson and LaVern Kolstad at Christ Episcopal Church. Members of Wedding Party. Building by Daniels and Cook, Architects, constructed in 1889 as Trinity Episcopal and demolished circa 1969.

Peterson, Clara--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christ Episcopal Church (Tacoma);

Wedding of Bessie Bryan and R. J. Cerveny at First Presbyterian Church. Bride and groom stand in front of building.

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Bryan, Bessie--Marriage; Cerveny, R.J.;

Wedding of Margaret Elizabeth (Betty) Wetherby and Connor E. Gray, Jr. in the Ferguson Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church. The bride is pictured in her wedding gown of white net over satin. It has a sweetheart neckline. She is wearing a bonnet of pleated and shirred net with an attached fingertip veil. The new wedded couple made their home in Seattle. (T. Times 7/14/1941, pg. 7; 7/12/1941, pg. 4)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Wetherby, Margaret Elizabeth--Marriage;

Lou Henry (Mrs. Herbert) Hoover, Honorary Vice- President of the Girl Scouts, flanked by Tacoma Girl Scout Commissioner Dorothy (Mrs. B.E.) Buckmaster, left, and Girl Scout National President Mrs Paul Rittenhouse, right. Mrs. Hoover had traveled with Mrs. Rittenhouse to attend the Northwest conference of Girl Scouts in Seattle from May 7-9, 1941. They had attended the Rocky Mountain conference of Girl Scouts in Casper, Wyoming, on a previous stop. While in Tacoma, Mrs. Hoover stayed at the Hotel Winthrop. She had visited the Northwest on several prior occasions. (Tacoma Times, 5-5-41, p.1. ALBUM 1

Presidents' spouses; Hoover, Lou Henry, 1875-1944; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Buckmaster, Dorothy G.; Rittenhouse, Paul--Family;

Pierce County Health Department launches a program to test the hearing of pupils in the county's schools. An audiometer, in the suitcase on the right, contains a record player connected to 20 sets of earphones. Children write down the numbers they hear over the recording. Lillian Biehner, right, supervisor of county school nurses, conducts the test at Ruston School. Students in the left row are Frankie Girolami, Marjorie Dimmen, Ned Face, remainder of the row unidentified. Right row: Jimmy Tallman, Donna Canada, Margaret Norton, Vida Fraley, unidentified girl and teacher. The Pierce County Health Department was believed to be the most modernly equipped in the state for testing hearing. (T.Times, 5/9/1941, p. 11).

Public schools--Ruston; Ruston School (Ruston); Biehner, Lillian; Medical equipment & supplies; Health care--Tacoma; Pierce County Health Department--Tacoma; School children--Ruston;

A davenport and easy chair are photographed for the Tacoma Times fall fashion edition. The furniture was being sold by the Puget Sound Furniture Company at 1309 Broadway. The store offered the latest in fashionable furnishings. (T. Times 9/10/1941, pg. 11- this picture was not used with article)

Puget Sound Furniture Co. (Tacoma); Sofas; Seating furniture;

A little mischief is being perpetrated as three young adults pose on a cannon statue on September 3, 1941 for the Tacoma Times Fall fashion edition. Pictured left to right are Judy Fraser, Don Rasmussen and Doug Howe. Miss Fraser is wearing a camels hair "Season Skipper" coat. Mr. Rasmussen is wearing a double breasted Hart Schaffner & Marx plaid suit. Mr. Howe has donned a camel hair coat, with the new long lines and draped "swagger sleeve," as he prepares to fire the cannon. (T. Times 9/10/1941, pg. 9 - this picture not used)

Rasmussen, Don; Howe, Doug; Fraser, Judy; Clothing & dress--1940-1950;

Pictured left to right are Hattie (Mrs. Ernest C.) Richards, Edith (Mrs. J. Carroll) Richards and Mrs. Robert Richards. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Richards are visiting from their home in Honolulu, Hi. Mrs. Robert Richards is the daughter-in-law of Hattie Richards. Ernest Richards is the president of Hunt & Mottet and his brother J. Carroll Richards is the secretary. (T.Times 4/17/1941, pg. 15)

Richards, Hattie M.; Richards, Edith; Richards, Ernest C.--Homes & haunts;