The Elks held their annual "Extravaganza" in March 1952. The stage is filled with men, men dressed as women, and women for the event directed by old-time vaudeville star Max Frolic. There were 15 attractions, including singers, dancers, dramatic acts and a 15-piece orchestra under the direction of Bert Kool. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.A-14)

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

A group of musicians who will perform for the 1952 Elks Extravaganza are dressed in absurd costumes waiting backstage for their entrance. One of them is playing dead at the feet of the others and one of the musicians is playing an old toilet seat with strings for the occasion. Note: Lines in print due to diacetate film deterioration. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.A-14)

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The Elks held their annual "Extravaganza" in March 1952. The stage sets show a western-style street scene with a "Keystone Cop" character and a gentleman wearing a top hat and carrying a cane on the street level and another character looking out from an upper window. Names of local businesses have been used for the store fronts. Another man can be seen behind the stage props, possibly making his entrance.

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

A crowd of excited children gather around a member of the Tacoma Elks dressed as a clown during the 1950 Children's Christmas party at the Elks Temple sponsored by the Elks Stocking Fillers. 750 children attended the annual party in Tacoma where they received gifts purchased with donations. Five children from the Hall family are to the right of the clown: Joann, Ronnie, Connie, Gary and at far right, Nora. Free bus transportation was provided. A large contingent of Korean War veterans were also present. (TNT 12-23-50, p. 3-article) (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-10156

Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clowns; Hall, Joann; Hall, Ronnie; Hall, Connie; Hall, Gary; Hall, Nora;

Initiation of Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation employees at Elk's Club. Man on stage playing accordion. [Also dated 03-29-1943]

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elks Club (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Own Quiz Kids had all the answers as they posed at the top of the Spanish steps near the Elks Lodge at 565 Broadway in October of 1942. The ninth graders from Mason Intermediate School had written a script that explored the various agencies and functions of the War Chest. As the Agency prepared to enter its annual fund raising blitz, the group of students were available to attend functions and answer any questions. Pictured are, left to right, Jack Brouwer, Pat McCarthy, Marshall Day, Janet Hufford, Claire Duerfeldt, Jean McCrae and David Curtis. (T. Times 10/8/1942, pg.2)

Mason Junior High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brouwer, Jack; Duerfeldt, Claire; McCrae, Jean; Hufford, Janet; Day, Marshall; Curtis, David; McCarthy, Pat; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma);

V for Home and World Victory was the slogan of the War Chest of Tacoma, a branch of the Community Chest in 1942, during WWII. These boys and girls gave a spirited victory sign as they stood on the Spanish steps next to the Elks Club at 565 Broadway. Their spirit helped to get them chosen to represent their schools as speakers at community functions such as P.T.A. meetings and civic group luncheons. Left to right are: Kathryn Hultgren, Stadium High School; Bud Cairns, Gault Intermediate; Frank Rossiter, McCarver; Gloria Swanberg, Jason Lee; Bud Berland, Stewart; and Jack Brouwer, Mason. (T. Times 10/14/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma; Hultgren, Kathryn; Cairns, Bud; Rossiter, Frank; Swanberg, Gloria; Berland, Bud; Brouwer, Jack;

The Elks Club annual Christmas benefit for Tacoma's under-privileged children was approaching. The Elks Club has several children's club assist them with the gifts and other activities. View of boys who helped make toys for the 1948 Elks Christmas Stocking Fillers program, some boys are wearing Boy Scout uniforms, Elks Club members in background (T. Times, 12/8/48, p. 2).

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Toys; Boys--Tacoma; Christmas presents; Christmas--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The newly remodeled Elks Temple was celebrating their new facilities with an open house for members and their wives. The Tacoma Elks Club was organized in 1890, the Tacoma Charter was presented by Deputy Exalted Ruler C. W. Niving. View of spacious and redecorated dining room of the Tacoma Elks Lodge; the Elks famed Stag table is in the background, this table seats fifteen members who have their daily lunch at the club (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Elks Club's new officers included: John Anderson as their new Grand Exalted Ruler; Lloyd Wynans, Leading Knight; Harold L. Duncan, Loyal Knight; Jack Roberts, Lecturing Knight; E. O. Johnson, Secretary; Walter Liggett, Treasurer; Swan Johnson, Tiler; and Russ Michael, Trustee. View of John H. Anderson (left), newly appointed Elk's Grand Exalted Ruler (T.N.T., 4/5/49, p. 20).

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Mascots; Inaugurations--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, John H.;

The Elks Club was ready for their third annual salmon derby in September of 1949 and the public was invited to register for the big fishing event. Prizes would be awarded to the fishermen with the largest salmon. View of publicity photo used to promote the Elks' salmon derby; left to right: Andy Johnson with a 35 pound salmon, George J. McCarthy and Fran Skinner (T.N.T., 9/8/49, p. 24).

Salmon; Fishing; Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Johnson, Andy; McCarthy, George J.; Skinner, Fran;

The Elks Club Band and their majorette, Gloria Ellexson, posed next to the Elks Temple before leaving for Cleveland, Ohio, in July of 1949 for the Elks National Convention. The band, under the direction of L.R. Grass, had been the 1948 state champions and Miss Ellexson was the state champion majorette. The band performed at the convention in Ohio, and Gloria, a student at the College of Puget Sound, was named the 1949 National Champion Drum Majorette. (TNT, 7/6/1949, p.10)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Marching bands; Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ellexson, Gloria; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The entire cast of the 1956 Elks Extravaganza. Once a year, the Elks donned costumes, many masquerading as women, and cavorted for the amazement and amusement of their fellow lodge members, friends and families. This year, the cast includes some real women, as well as the Elks. The show in 1956 was once again under the direction of vaudeville and music star Max Frolic, who was unable to direct the previous year due to ill health. The show featured 20 outstanding acts. The backdrop depicts the "Damfino Saloon" and the Union Hotel, with the drawn window shades saluting Elk member businesses. (TNT 3/11/1956, pg. A-3)

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

Four members of the Tacoma Elks Club await the call to perform in the 1953 annual Elks Extravaganza. While all four are wearing tights and skirts, apparently two are supposed to be more masculine in nature--witness the buckskin jacket and derby hat. There were a variety of skits presented during the evening's entertainment, to the amusement of the large audience. Max Frolic, former vaudevillian, produced the two-night extravaganza, with a cast of over fifty individuals and a 35-piece Elk band. One performance was for members only. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

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

Elks club members dressed as policemen look on in amusement as a "can-can girl", complete with garter and bonnet, demonstrates a bit of the famous dance during the Elks club 1954 Extravaganza. The man in bow tie is believed to be Max Frolic, well-known old-time vaudevillian entertainer. Mr. Frolic directed the Elks Extravaganza for several years. The Extravaganza generally ran for two nights; the first night was for members only and always ensured a full house, while the second night was for ladies only. (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 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;