Tacoma Elks handball team. Most men are wearing white Tshirts with the Elk logo and the Lodge number, 174 along with shorts, court shoes and special gloves in this January 5, 1940 photograph. There were apparently more than one handball team among the Elks members. In June of 1940, the News Tribune in a special Elks insert, paid tribute to a Tacoma Elks handball team who had gone undefeated in Class B Puget Sound league that season. Although not the team pictured above, the victorious Elks proved the popularity of the sport. (TNT 6-13-1940, p. 8-special insert)

Elks Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Handball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sport clothes; Athletes--Tacoma;

Each troop of Tacoma's Girl Scouts had chosen a project for Christmas 1939, in order to make it a happier time for children and underprivileged adults. These three Girl Scouts, all from different troops, display the dolls they have dressed. From left to right are: Barbara Ann Brotherson, Fern Hill Troop 15; Patsy Kelly, Washington Troop 13 and JoAnn Fitch, Jason Lee Troop 11. (T.Times 12-23-39, p. 4-alt. photograph)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dolls; Christmas presents; Gifts; Christmas trees--1930-1940; Brotherson, Barbara Ann; Kelly, Patsy; Fitch, JoAnn;

The unidentified young women in this photograph from June, 1938 are probably the drill team from the Knute Rockne Lodge, Daughters of Norway. Over 1,000 members of the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway, representing lodges in Washington, Oregon,California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, attended the four day convention in Tacoma from June 23 - 28. The drill team members, and their little "mascot," are attired in jodhpurs and holding what appear to be polo mallets. The male team leader in the center is wearing a United States Marines uniform. (T. Times 6/23/1938, pg. 9)

Daughters of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma;

Hatasu Dancers, June of 1938. Large group of women in hall, attired in matching costumes. The Hatasu Temple was a group name used by Daughters of the Nile. Queen Hatasu was an Egyptian monarch. The Daughters of the Nile are the female offshoot of the Shriners, or Masons. The group was founded in 1913 in Seattle. The Hatasu #1 Temple still meets in Seattle. The annual session of the Supreme Temple of the Daughters of the Nile was held in Tacoma June 6-10, 1938. It was the first convention of this group to be held in Tacoma since 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Daughters of the Nile (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Photograph taken at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, showing attendance. (filed with Argentum)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple, circa 1938. Men being served by waitress, fireplace with head of an elk above it. (filed with Argentum)

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

Twenty-one members of the Normanna Male Chorus, wearing the group's distinctive white pants, dark blazers and nautical hats, posed for a formal portrait on the steps of the Masonic Temple in 1938. The Chorus was to be very busy in September of 1938 as they were celebrating their Golden Jubilee. Norwegian singing societies from across the Northwest were coming to Tacoma to help the group celebrate their 50th anniversary at Normanna Hall, 47 Saint Helens Avenue, on September 10-11th. The singing society had organized in 1888 with John Soquest as the director. They originally met in the old school house between I and J streets; their publicity was handled by the publishers of the Norwegian newspaper "Tacoma Tidende." The group reorganized in 1895 and has been active since that date. The singers were led by Carlo A. Sperati, churchman and musician, until 1904; he was succeeded by George Johnson, still the director in 1938. (T. Times 9/9/1938, pg. 3) TPL-9519

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma; Singers;

Over 1,000 members of the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway, representing lodges in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, attended the four day convention in Tacoma from June 23 - 28, 1938. These sixteen men in uniform with their leader were probably a visiting chorus. Group performances were part of the activities of the four day convention held in Tacoma. This particular group is attired in jaunty nautical costumes with brass buttons, bow ties and service bars, or stripes, on their sleeves.

Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma;

College of Puget Sound sororities plan dances in April of 1939. L. to r: Frances Hoss, Alpha Beta Upsilon; Erna Brenner, Delta Alpha Gamma; Dorothy Shaw, Kappa Sigma Theta; Marjorie Wickens, Lambda Sigma Chi; Kathleen Sherrill, Alpha Beta Upsilon. (T.Times 5/6/1939, p.7)

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Girl Scout Day Camp at Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Thirteen young girls, Brownie age, work on crafts at a picnic table. The Brownies came to camp on Fridays. They are decorating covers for their mother's telephone directory. The Tacoma Day Camp was entering its fourth season and for the first time it was located at the abandoned CCC camp below Ft. Nisqually. Girls 7-18, whether they were Girl Scouts or not, were invited to attend. The girls are, beginning in the foreground, Marlene Frieshem, Betty Ogden, Eleanor Jones, Barbara Packard, Amelia Stacy, Alice Condon, Delores Wright, Frances Thorness, Joanne Cinilli, Patsy Buffum, Delores Foster, Gwen Adams and Rosemary Neidum. (T. Times 6/18/1939, pg. 9; picture 7/8/1939, pg. 6)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

Girl Scouts Day Camp on June 27, 1939, held at the Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Three teenage girls busily work at a picnic table, assisted with macrame projects by two women wearing "gypsy" costumes. 1939 was the fourth season for the Tacoma GS day camp and the first year that it was held at the abandoned CCC camp below Ft. Nisqually. It began on June 19th and ran for five weeks. Girls, aged 7-18, were invited to attend. (T. Times 6/13/1939, pg. 9 article only)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Teenagers--1930-1940;

Girl Scout Day Camp at Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Five young girls from the "Pioneer" unit roasting hotdogs on sticks over an open fire, learning the art of stick cookery. Others prepare the lemonade supply. For the first time, the four year old day camp would be located at the abandoned CCC camp near Ft. Nisqually. Intended to give the girls a real outdoor experience, the camp included instructions and practice on preparing your own meal over an open fire. The Scouts around the fire are, left to right, Lucy McIntyre, Laydel Green, Juanita Clark, Phyllis Elsworth, Ruth Strom and Dorothy Allen. (T. Times 6/13/1939, pg. 9; picture 7/8/1939, pg. 6)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Outdoor cookery--Tacoma; Campfires; Frankfurters--Tacoma; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma);

Seven members of the Spinsters Club met on April 23, 1940, to finalize plans for the second annual Dixie Ball to be held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on Saturday, May 11, 1940. The Old South of "Dixie Land" was the ball's theme. Backdrops would include river steamers and cotton fields. The black servant dolls shown above would be used to hold table reservation cards. Seated on the floor were Susan Simpson and Valdene Hazelton (left to right). In the background were from left, general chairman of the ball Jane Allstrom, Nan Weber, Doris Nisonger, Lea Mills and Roberta Walker. (T.Times 4-27-40, p. 4)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Committees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Simpson, Susan; Hazelton, Valdene; Allstrom, Jane; Weber, Nan; Nisonger, Doris; Mills, Lea; Walker, Roberta; Dolls;

Spinster Club Dixie Ball committee. Seven young women gathered in living room around poster announcing the Second Annual Dixie Ball occurring on May 11th at the Crystal Ballroom in the Winthrop Hotel. This was an eagerly awaited event for Tacoma's young set in the spring of 1940. From left to right are Valdene Hazelton, general chairman of the dance Jane Allstrom, Lea Mills, Susan Simpson, Doris Nisonger, Roberta Walker and Nan Weber. (T.Times 4-27-40, p. 4-alt. photograph)

Spinsters Club (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posters; Hazelton, Valdene; Allstrom, Jane; Mills, Lea; Simpson, Susan; Nisonger, Doris; Walker, Roberta; Weber, Nan;

University-Union Club formal dance. Group of four society couples gathered for informal portrait in front of large, American flag. The four people in the center of the photo are tentatively identified as Augusta (Mrs. Bartlett) Rummel, Barbara Ball Hewitt, Bill Brown and Henry Hewitt.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

University-Union Club formal dance. Party-goers in overcoats standing by long, striped canvas awning at entrance. Several women are wearing fur coats, one has her hands tucked inside a matching fur muff.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Gathering of men at the Tacoma Club in the Washington Building to celebrate Sam Perkins 73rd birthday. Group of men seated and standing around dinner table, Perkins far left; Mayor Smitley third from left.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.--Commemoration; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Nearly 1,200 representatives of the Rainbow Girls from around the state met in Tacoma from July 12 through July 15, 1939 for their 13th annual Grand Assembly. On Wednesday the 13th, members met at the Masonic Temple at 47 St. Helens Ave. and march down St. Helens and Broadway. The convention ended on Saturday with a picnic at Pt. Defiance Park. The building in the center of this photograph is the Bostwick Building, 755-71 St. Helens Ave., home, at that time, to the Kress Malted Milk Shop. (T.Times 7/13/1939 p.13)

Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940

Dance hosted by the Spinster Club at the Winthrop Hotel. Margaret Franich poses with her date on the right in this photograph dated May 30, 1939.

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Franich, Margaret; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Part of the membership of the Tacoma Amateur Astronomers poses on the College of Puget Sound campus. Their photograph will be exhibited in the planetarium at the New York World's Fair. The group organized in 1931and has built 30 telescopes of varying size and power. The membership has spread and now boasts members as far away as Yakima, Seattle, LaGrande and Wollochet Bay. The group currently meets at CPS, but has plans to build a clubhouse and observatory on McKinley Hill. Pictured, left to right, are W.H. Crump, George Imoe, L. Herbert Love, J.R. Wiborg, James Wiborg, Fred Myers, Earl Sowles, Walter Imme, Edward Imme, R.S. Seward, Evelyn Hazelton and Albert Morrison. (T. Times, 5/16/39, p. 16. Names listed)

Tacoma Amateur Astronomers (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Astronomers; Astronomical instruments; Telescopes; Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annual spring Scottish Rite Reunion, held in Tacoma, May 15-18, 1940, at the Tacoma Masonic Temple. Names listed on photograph, Front row, left to right: George E. Clace, Gus T. Olson, Wallace A. Richardson, Wm O. Jeffery (class director), Thomas T. Grigsby, Wm B. Reed (Secretary), Edward A. Dye, Harold L. Haskins. Back row, left to right: Weston DeMaris, Harold P. Miller, John B. Cooper (Hoquiam), Norman R. Galloway, Theodore E. Faulk, Raymon W. Moore, Howard W. Taylor (Wenatchee). The four days of degree work would draw several hundred members from Southwest Washington and visitors from the entire Northwest. (T. Times 5/14/1940, pg. 3)

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reunions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits;

On June 17, 1942, a Junior League member, believed to be Helen Hurley, helped to register blood donor Mrs. Gene Courtney (left). The club women were serving as receptionists at Tacoma General Hospital and St. Josephs Hospital as a blood drive took place to build up the plasma stores for US Armed Forces. Tacoma had registered 640 volunteer donors. The goal was 2,000 across the county. (T. Times 6/24/1942, pg. 10)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Medical aspects--Tacoma;

Women from Tacoma's Junior League served as receptionists at Tacoma General and St. Joseph's Hospitals during a few weeks beginning at the end of June 1942. They were assisting in the volunteer blood drive for the US Armed Forces. When volunteers went to the hospitals to donate, the Junior League ladies would greet, assist and direct them to the doctors. Pictured left to right are Martha Gonyea, Charlotte Rowland, Helen Hurley, Jean Marion, Kathryn King and Jessie McCormick. Over 640 persons had registered as blood donors; the goal was 2,000. (T. Times 6/24/1942 p.10)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Medical aspects--Tacoma; Gonyea, Martha; Rowland, Charlotte; Hurley, Helen; Marion, Jean; King, Kathryn; McCormick, Jessie;

On June 17, 1942, three members of Tacoma's Junior League volunteer as receptionists for a blood drive. They are, left to right, Kathryn King, Charlotte Rowland and Jean Marion. The blood donated will be used for the US Armed Forces. Junior League volunteers were receiving and caring for donors at both Tacoma General and St. Josephs. The county goal was 2,000 donors. (TNT 6/24/1942, pg. 1)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Medical aspects--Tacoma; Rowland, Charlotte; Marion, Jean; King, Kathryn;

Mrs. H.A. Anderson (left) and Mrs. J.L. M'Keenan posed at the home of Mrs. Espeland for a publicity picture for the Navy Wives Club. Mrs. Espeland is probably Elvira Espeland whose husband Berger was in the United States Navy. The two ladies pictured are co-chairmen of a card party to be given by the Club on June 30th at the Elks Club. The public was invited. (T. Times 6/27/1942, pg. 4)

Navy Wives Club (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

The Spinster Club held their annual tea at the University - Union Club on October 19, 1941. A young unidentified woman is pictured here with a floral piece in shape of an "S." Despite its name, the club was not restricted to unmarried women. It served as a social club for Tacoma girls, many from prominent local families. (T. Times, 10-25-41, p. 3) [Also dated 10-18-1941]

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Members of the planning committee for the University Union's Club pre-Christmas tea, scheduled for December 2, 1941, pose for this publicity shot at the Club. Standing, left to right, are Katherine (Mrs. John) Mueller, Mrs. Harry A.D. Smith, Kathryn (Mrs. H.R.) Pirret and Antoinette (Mrs. Harold K.) Nichols. Seated, L to R, Dorothy (Mrs. Jess) Read, Jane (Mrs. Edwin) Warren, Esther (Mrs. C.M.) Langhorne, and Marian (Mrs. J. Corning) Todd. (T.Times 11/29/1941, pg. 5)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Mueller, Katherine; Pirret, Kathryn; Nichols, Antoinette; Read, Dorothy; Warren, Jane; Langhorne, Esther; Todd, Marian;

Publicity for Young Men's Business Club (Y.M.B.C.) sponsored wrestling matches at Armory. The matches were scheduled for October 24, 1941. The money raised would go to the athletic fund of the 103rd Anti Tank Unit at Fort Lewis. The poster promises All Star Army - Civilian matches in both boxing and wrestling. The officer seated at right has been identified as William M. Adams. He joined the National Guard in 1931 and stayed 44 years, retiring as a full colonel. (Identification provided by a reader)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Adams, William M.;

October 15-30, 1942 was the fund raising campaign for Tacoma's War Chest. The War Chest was a branch of the Community Chest that specifically funded wartime charities, such as the USO and refugee relief groups. Part of the publicity for the upcoming drive was a play that emphasized that volunteers would be going to homes and businesses to collect donations and pledges for the drive.The campaign was very successful, it went over the top of the goal at $369,822, two days before the end of the drive.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest, photograph taken at the Tacoma Community Chest office, Room 409, Provident Building. A new committee of educators had recently been formed to introduce Tacoma public school students to the War Chest and its aims. Frank Gorow, director of the Department of Visual Education in Tacoma Public Schools, displays one of the War Chest posters at a committee meeting on August 12, 1942. Pictured, left to right, are Gorow, Miss Mary T. Pakenham, Mrs. Myrtle MacLennan, Miss Lola E. Friars and Mrs. M.D. (Blanche) Wilkinson. (T.Times 8/13/1942 p.4)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Teachers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gorow, Frank; Pakenham, Mary; MacLennan, Myrtle; Friars, Lola; Wilkinson, Blanche;