1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Three little girls dressed in look-a-like dresses stand on the fence rail to get a close look at the Durac Jersey. Other children and adults peer through and over the fence to see the animals.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Children--Puyallup--1930-1940;

The 19th century melodrama "United by Love" was being presented on August 23, 1938, on a Works Progress Administration (WPA) travelling stage to an appreciative outdoor audience in South Park. The "Theater on Wheels," a joint enterprise of the WPA and the Metropolitan Parks Board, had presented five complete shows a week since June 13th, playing six times around a circuit of ten Tacoma parks and playgrounds. Members of the Asbury Methodist Church WPA-coached drama club on stage were, left to right, Ruth Bristow, Milo Ernst, Pat O'Conner, Georgia "George" Kisor and Cyril Hansen. More than 100 performers presented shows featuring music by the 6-piece professional WPA orchestra, singing, dancing, dramatic sketches and sound movies. They played to more than 20,000 appreciative theater goers in June and July with August audiences slightly higher. Their season ended on August 31st, retiring the only travelling theater on the Pacific Coast for the year. (T. Times 8/24/1938, pg. 16)

Melodramas; Open-air theatrical productions; Depressions--1929; Bristow, Ruth; Ernst, Milo; O'Conner, Pat; Hansen, Cyril; Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma) --People;

Young girls in costumes pose with their decorated bicycles for the judges to decide on the best decorated and funniest at the August 5, 1938 1st Annual Bicycle Race Meet & Parade. The parade of decorated bikes and their riders started downtown and ended at the Stadium Bowl. The days fun was sponsored by the Tacoma Times and the Park Recreation Department of the Metropolitan Park District. The races and parade had over 1500 participants. (T. Times 7/25/1938, pg. 1 - 8/6/1938)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

1938 Haley wedding. At home. Frank Haley in stripe suit with tie; his bride Nell wearing dark dress, jacket with large corsage, and hat. (filed with Argentum)

Weddings--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings)--1930-1940; Haley, Frank; Haley, Nell; Haley, Frank--Family;

Haley wedding. Frank Haley, on his wedding day, is in the center of the front row; flanking him are his brother Richard Haley and his father, J.C. Haley, one of the founders of Brown & Haley Confectioners. In the back row, left to right, are the groom's brothers: Cliff Haley, Fred Haley, who succeeded his father in running the business, and Ted Haley. The man at the far right is unidentified. (filed with Argentum) (Additional information provided by a family member)

Weddings--1930-1940; Haley, J.C.; Haley, J.C.--Family; Haley, Frank; Haley, Clifford; Haley, Fred; Haley, Ted;

Commerce Street Dog Parade, April 22, 1939. Children and dogs anxiously wait to hear the winners' numbers announced for 70 prizes awarded after the parade. Nearly 1,000 dogs were shown. Participants wear baseball caps they received. Each participant received a cap, an ice cream treat and a treat for their dog. (T. Times, 4/24/1939, p. 1)

Commerce Street Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children & animals;

Nearly 1,000 dogs and their masters participated in the Commerce Street Dog (Mutt) Parade on Saturday morning April 22, 1939. Sponsored by the Commerce Street Business Men's Club, over seventy prizes were distributed to the winners in various catagories. No youngster went without some award, as each participant received a free ice cream bar, a baseball cap and a balloon - and every dog received a special treat. (T. Times, 4/24/1939, p. 1)

Commerce Street Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children & animals;

Commerce Street Business Men's Club Dog Parade, April 22, 1939. A large crowd of spectators line the sidewalks along Commerce St., north and south of Ninth St. "Dave's Lunches/Billiards" sign projects over the sidewalk in the foreground, Winthrop Hotel on left. (T. Times 4/24/39)

Commerce Street Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children & animals; Spectators--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

One of the strangest social events of the 1920's & 1930's was the "Tom Thumb wedding," a mock wedding of a child couple impersonating the 1863 wedding of P.T. Barnum's famous midget couple, Charles Stratton (exhibited as Gen. Tom Thumb) and his miniature bride, Lavinia Warren. The pictured double Tom Thumb wedding was held April 16, 1937 at the St. Paul Methodist Church as a fund raiser, with proceeds going to the missionary society. The participants were, left to right, Harrison Killian (best man), Curtis Killian (Tom Thumb, groom), Shirley Clark (Jennie June, bride), Eddie Goodenough (minister), Buddy Cross (best man), Billy Goettling (Fred Finger, groom) and Barbara Ann Bowen (Nellie May, bride.) All of the children, with the exception of Goodenough, were four years old. Eddie Goodenough was the son of Rev. Frank Goodenough. In all, over 100 children, ages 4-11, took part in the pageant, impersonating wedding members and guests, including Pres. & Mrs. Roosevelt, movie stars and local city officials and personalities. ( T. Times 4/16/1937, pg. 8- picture & article)

Children playing adults; Weddings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Wedding clothing & dress--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings)--1930-1940;

G. L. Cornforth, left, of the Tacoma Racing Pigeon Club, holds the best hen and J. V. Fordan, right, the best cock racing pigeon. The two birds are the winners at the 44th Annual All-Northwest Winter Poultry Show held the Henry Mohr Hardware building, 1141-43 Broadway. This is the first time racing pigeons have been shown. Competitors come from Washington, Oregon and California. (T. Times, 12/14/38, p. 3)

Animal shows--Tacoma; Poultry; Tacoma Racing Pigeon Club (Tacoma); Pigeons;

International flavor Military Reserve Officers Ball, sponsored by the Tacoma chapter of the Reserve Officers Association February 18, 1939 at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom. Army, Navy and Marine officers from Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and nearby cities, as well as officers of the famed Seaforth Highlanders of British Columbia, dance with their partners under row of flags representing the two countries and their various regiments. Over 500 persons were expected to attend the dance. Canada was represented by officers of the Irish Fusiliers and British Columbia Hussars, as well as the Highlanders in their bright plaids. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Navy Ball held July 6, 1938 during Fleet Week in the Crystal Ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. Rear Admiral A. E. Watson, left, and Navy Captain wearing military tuxedo with gold braid draped on left shoulder. (T. Times, 7/9/1938, p. 9).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military officers--1930-1940; Watson, A.E.; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

International-style Military Ball held February 18, 1939 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. Military officers and wives or guests converse under the guard of three men in uniform, perhaps the Color Guard. Elaborate wallcoverings in background. Over 500 persons attended the ball hosted by the Tacoma chapter of the Reserve Officers Association. The officers represented every military branch in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia and surrounding cities. Guests from Canada included 55 officers from the famed Seaforth Highlanders as well as the Irish Fusiliers and the British Columbia Hussars. The color guard was drawn from Ft. Lewis and the National Guard. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p.1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military uniforms;

While ashore during Fleet Week, July 5th-11th, 1938, two unidentified Marines seem to have lost their hats, if not their heads as well, over two young Misses, also unidentified. During Fleet Week, the military landed with force in Tacoma, bringing four battleships and their 5200 officers and men into the city. The week long celebration included parties, a parade, tours of the ships and nightly searchlight drills. TPL-9149

Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marines (Military personnel);

Narrows Bridge celebration at the Stadium Bowl. Bremerton Mayor Jesse A. Knabb, center, and two other men take part in the festivities surrounding a $2,700,000 Progress Works Administration grant to build a bridge across the Narrows. A crowd of over 5,000 attended the celebration. (T. Times 7/1/1938, pg. 1).

Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Narrows Bridge Celebration (Tacoma); Knabb, Jesse A.; Mayors--Bremerton--1930-1940;

During Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair. Boy Scouts perform a first aid exercise in the infield of the grandstand . (T. Times 9/22/1938, p. 1)

Events - Fairs - Washington State - Puyallup - Western Washington Fair Organizations - Youth Organizations - Boy Scouts of America

Lois Jo Strong, 2nd from right, Wenatchee's 19th Apple Blossom Festival queen, and her two princesses. Susan Hilt and Doris Ames, visit with Bliss Lundrigan, 2nd from left, Daffodil Festival queen. (T.Times, 4/13/1938, p. 10.).

Events - Festivals - Washington State - Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival, Daffodil Festival - Queens and Princesses

Mike Shea marathon. 1937's winner of the Cooks & Waiters annual "bunion derby" -a 4.6 mile high-paced walk from Tacoma to Fife's Century Ballroom- covered the distance in 57 minutes. Mike Shea (left in photograph) felt that the distance was too short to test a man's walking ability. Whitey Flemish disagreed and bet that Mike could not walk the same distance in an hour. Whitey felt confident as the Cooks & Waiters winner was a younger man and presumably fitter. The bet was on and Mike started his heeling-and-toeing from the Olympus Hotel at 12:30 a.m. on February 16, 1938. 20 carloads of fans followed Mike who was paced by policeman Bill Turner (believed to be at right above). Mike won the $10 bet as he completed the feat in 59 minutes, 38 seconds. (T.Times 2-15-38, p. 11-article; T.Times 2-16-38, p. 11-article)

Events--Fife--1930-1940; Men--Social life--1930-1940; City & town life--Fife--1930-1940; Shea, Mike; Walking races; Marathons;

Children shout and wave as contestants compete in the first annual Times Bicycle Contest. The event began at Jefferson Park at No. Ninth St. and Monroe St. with District No. 1 primaries. Three primaries concluded with an All-City meet at Stadium Bowl. (T.Times, 7/29/1938, p.16)

Events--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma; Jefferson Park (Tacoma);

Two men in three piece suits seriously discussed the outcome of the shuffleboard game on the first day of Spring, 1938, in Wright Park. Another man kept score with chalk on a rough wooden surface behind them. (T.Times, 3/21/1938, p.1).

Events--Tacoma; Spring--Tacoma; Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wright Park (Tacoma); Shuffleboard;

On July 21, 1938, Cub Scout Thomas Gallagher, from Troop 72, handed an advertising flier for the 12th annual Dash Point Dock Dinner and Dance to Andrew Anderson and his wife as they drove through Northeast Tacoma. The other Cub Scouts were, left to right: Tommy Thompson, Jerry Lerum and Benny Gallagher. The dinner was to be held at the Dash Point Dock on Saturday July 23rd. The program began at 2 pm with contests in swimming, diving and greased pole walking. At 9 pm a dance was held at the Dash Point Community Hall, with music provided by the Walter Rostedt Orchestra. The boys were on the staff of the Crestview Cub Reporter, which was published twice a month by Troop 72. (T.Times 7/21/1938, p. 3).

Festivals--Dash Point; Dance parties--Dash Point; Publicity--1930-1940; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cub Scouts, Troop 72 (Dash Point); Gallagher, Thomas; Anderson, Andrew; Thompson, Tommy; Lerum, Jerry; Gallagher, Benny;

The Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance on April 24, 1938. The New Ambassador, Commodore, and Westland were among the pleasure boats, fishing craft, power and sail boats competing in the annual event. Races were held in each classification of vessel. Although the day remained cloudy, it never rained on the crowd of 25,000 spectators. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p. 1).

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma;

Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. On April 24, 1938, the first water carnival was held as a farewell ceremony for the Tacoma built fishing vessel "Western Explorer," pictured center with flags. The event was planned by the Y.M.B.C. to promote Tacoma's shipbuilding industry, but it was so immensely popular that it became an annual event. Part of the day's activities were races, including the pictured tugboat race. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p. 1). TPL-9809

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma; Yachts--Tacoma;

Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Old boat house (1903) on right and crowds of people on platforms and piers. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p.1).

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Point Defiance Boat House (Tacoma);

Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Looking up to boathouse and boat storage area from water at crowd of people. Small row boats moored along the floating dock. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p.1).

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Point Defiance Boat House (Tacoma);

1938 Daffodil Parade. A colonial and native Americans populate a float entered in the parade by the Improved Order of Redmen stating "We organized the Boston Tea Party in 1773." The float is attributed to "The oldest American organization in the United States." The Order of Redmen is indeed one of America's oldest fraternal organizations not imported from another country. It is also chartered by Congress. The group was founded in 1765 as the Sons of Liberty. It was a secret society dedicated to throwing off the bonds of English tyranny. After the revolution, it assumed its current name. The group is devoted to inspiring a greater love of the United States of America and the principles of American liberty.

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

1938 Daffodil Parade. Participants on a float attributed to "The oldest American organization in the United States;" the Improved Order of Redmen. A colonial, representing the group's prerevolutionary background, shakes hands with a Native American, whose culture became the backbone of the society's organization and terminology.

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

Daffodil Pageant. Seven Rainbow Girls dressed in costumes to represent the seven colors of the rainbow stand beside their float. Henderson Machine Works and the Modern Apartments appear in the background. (T.Times, 4/2/1938, p.1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Rainbow Girls (Tacoma);

Hotel Greeters Convention, May 16-18, 1940. Group of five people in front of a large brick building with colonnaded entry. The Northwest Hotel Greeters Association had their 14th annual convention in Tacoma in May of 1940. Several hundred delegates and wives were expected to attend. Tours of the Narrows Bridge, McChord Field, Fort Lewis and Olympia were planned. The above photograph may have been taken on Fort Lewis. The association was led by Albert C. Gamer and Mrs. Gamer was in charge of the ladies' auxiliary. (TNT 5-16-1940, p. 5-article)

Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northwest Hotel Greeters Association (Tacoma);

1940 Daffodil Parade. Twenty six floats participated in the 7th annual Daffodil Parade on March 30, 1940. The sun only peaked occasionally through the clouds to view the floats covered in the sunshine yellow flowers. The Kiwanis Club float had daffodil seahorses hitched to a sea shell, the carriage of a beautiful blonde girl. (T. Times 3/30/1940, pg. 1))

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1940 :Tacoma);