During World War II, the US military was still segregated. Despite the fact that they fought side by side, servicemen of color were not allowed in the whites only USO clubs. In Tacoma, a group of prominent religious, community and civic leaders addressed this problem by opening USO #2 at 713-15 Commerce St. and dedicating it for the use of African American servicemen and women. This photograph is of an unidentified violinist and accompanist performing at USO #2.
Three young women are ready for the fashion show and auction of items donated for the seventh war loan drive. The young women on either side are "War Stamp Minute Maids" and carry war bonds and stamps to sell. They wear "V" for victory halo hats. The band is seated behind them. Admission to the auction was through the purchase of a $50 war bond. The fashion show and auction is being held at the Crystal Ballroom at Hotel Winthrop. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3) TPL-9091
War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Fred C. Hoffstetter drapes a mink fur around the shoulders of two unidentified "War Stamp Minute Maids." The first big event in connection with the Seventh War Loan campaign was held on May 4, 1945 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. The program, to raise money for the continuing war, included a fashion show, music, and an auction of over 120 articles donated by Tacoma merchants. Mr. Hoffstetter, owner of the Tacoma Avenue Auction House at 923 So. Tacoma Ave., was the auctioneer for the evening. Admission was by purchase of a $50 bond for $37.50. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3)
War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fur garments; Hoffstetter, Fred C.;
Two unidentified women were photographed while looking at the window display of some of the items scheduled to be sold at the elaborate 7th War Loan fashion show and war bond auction to be held on May 4, 1945 in the Crystal Ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. Articles to be auctioned off ranged in value from $25 to $325, to be given to the highest bidders, and included lamps, cigarettes, Nalley's food products, clothing and paper products. Admission to the show was by the purchase of a $50 war bond for $37.50, one ticket per bond. The event also featured entertainment provided by Fort Lewis including a band, an act from the army show "Kapers in Khaki" and four bathing suit models. (T.Times 5/3/1945 p.7)
War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Window displays; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Charles Fowler, age 7, a first grader at Grant School, spreads the 5,100 "iron" war pennies he has collected for the war effort on the table in front of him during School Bond Day. He had saved almost enough pennies to buy three war bonds. During the first two weeks of the "Mighty Seveth" war loan campaign, in May of 1945, the students in Pierce County schools were attempting to buy or sell 36,000 war bonds. Charles lived at 3115 No. 12th St. with his parents Dr. and Mrs. Harold N. Fowler. Dr. Fowler was a dentist. (TNT 5/18/45 p.16)
War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Grant School (Tacoma);
In May of 1945, six-year-old Robert Leeman Hess, a first grade pupil at Mary Lyon grade school, sold his gently used, miniature car to Lana Cook, age 2 1/2. Robert planned to use the money from the sale of his car to buy a war bond and stamps to fill a book to buy a second bond. Miss Cook promised she would drive carefully and take the best care of her new car. Robert was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Hess, and Lana was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. D.K. Cook. (T.Times, 5/21/1945, p.2)
World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Progress photographs at 86th Street and South Tacoma Way for Wick & Dahlgren. War housing project Wash 45326. This is the site of the proposed Lakeview Housing Project at the naval advance base depot at Lakeview. The contract was awarded to Wick & Dahlgreen Construction Company. (T.Times, 7/10/1945, p.1)
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lakeview Housing Project (Tacoma);
The Telephone Center at the Fort Lewis staging area. Soldiers are using the two phone booths that stand outside the corrugated metal covered building. A sign in the front window advertises Western Union. A soldier is walking toward the center along a boardwalk from the right. The phone companies have been handling many thousands of local and long distance calls of service man and women coming through the army posts and Madigan hospital center. Telephone equipment factories have only now begun to manufacture switchboards and dial apparatus instead of war materials. (TNT, 9/12/1945, clipping) TPL-10370
World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Public Telephone Center (Wash.);
Colonel Harry P. Cain, Mayor of Tacoma and future US Senator (at left in photo) at arrival of the troop transport USS Admiral Eberle on September 25, 1945. The mayor had arrived home on September 16th. Jerry Geehan is to Cain's right, along with a man tentatively identified as T/Sgt. Sterling Hendricks of Little Rock, Arkansas, and a radio reporter. Hendricks was the high point man aboard the ship, with a total of 175 points on two war fronts, and had the honor of being the first man of the nearly 5000 veterans ashore. He was awarded a $100 war bond. (TNT 7-26-45, p. 8) ALBUM 13.
World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Geehan, Jerry;
Aerials and aboard U.S.S. Admiral Eberle. The Eberle docked at Port of Tacoma piers September 25, 1945, the first troop transport to dock at Tacoma since 1938. She brought 134 officers and 4,369 enlisted men back from the Pacific. (T.Times, 9/20/1945, p.14)
World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); War ships--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Aerials and aboard U.S.S. Eberle. The Eberle, her decks crowded with soldiers returning from the Pacific, is landing at the Port of Tacoma piers. The City of Tacoma sent out an official welcoming boat to escort the Eberle into port. The Red Cross will be there supplying milk and doughnuts. (T.Times, 9/22/1945, p.1) TPL-2004
World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); Warships--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Bill Edwards plays the piano for Irish tenor Gabe Keith in this photograph from January 1944. Edwards and Keith were two of the performers in a series of shows put on by the employees of the Seattle-Tacoma Ship Building Corp. to support the Fourth War Loan drive. Although most of their performances were to entertain their fellow workers during lunch periods for the first and second shift, they were also invited to perform for the Young Men's Business Club at the Hotel Winthrop. (T.Times, 1/21/1944, p.3; 1/27/1944, p.10)
War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Pianists--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Lincoln Heights War Housing. The exterior of a one story building with automobiles and a delivery truck with signs for Lucky Lager, Rainier Beer and Double Cola on it are parked in the parking lot. A sign for a barber's shop is hung in one of the doorways.
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Buildings; Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln Heights Housing Project (Tacoma);
Salishan - Interiors and Exteriors. The new Baptist Church, the Portland Avenue Chapel, in Salishan had its first services February 13, 1944. The building was converted from the office of the construction company. Classrooms have been added for Sunday school. (T.Times, 2/12/1944, p.7) TPL-6418
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Salishan Housing Project (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Portland Avenue Chapel (Tacoma);
Winthrop Christmas Party. A large group of young adults gather near the Christmas tree in this photograph from December of 1943. Most of the young men are wearing uniforms.
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Traveler's Aid and USO at Union Depot. Two enlisted men talk with two women behind the counter at the Traveler's Aid station at Union Depot in January of 1944. A telephone booth with a blackboard hung along side for messages is seen in the background. All Tacoma USO's held open houses celebrating their 3rd anniversary. The Union Station USO was also called the "Troops-in-transit Lounge." (T.Times, 2/4/1944, p.8) TPL-10331
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Travelers Aid (Tacoma);
Mrs. Fay G. Cooley of Spanaway had six of "her boys" in the service in January of 1944. This photograph of Mrs. Cooley sitting next to photographs of five of her six boys was taken for the 4th War Loan drive. The photographs on her piano are: (top l to r) her sons Robert D. Cooley and Earl L. Cooley, (lower row, l to r) Fern M. Cooley, her third son, and her two foster sons, Arthur Skaar and John Skaar, who lived with the Cooleys for the previous 15 years. Mrs. Cooley's other "boy", her son-in-law, is not shown. Arthur Skaar, Robert and Fern Cooley all left to report for service on the same day. (T.Times, 2/4/1944 p.1)
St. Joseph's nurses. Nine young women received nurses' diplomas from St. Joseph's Hospital. They will soon be on their way to new duties, possibly Army hospitals in Europe and the South Pacific. Front row, L-R, Dicksie Mapes, Esther Weaver, Muriel Daun and Bonnie Martin. Back row, L-R, Margaret Rhyner, June Seymour, Beverly Adams, Ardis Hojem and Margaret Good. (T.Times, 1/20/1944, p.10)
World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950;
ca. 1943. One year old Pat Finnegan for New Year's. One-year old Pat Finnegan sits on the couch with a toy rifle, a real rifle, a soldier's hard hat, and a toy lamb and dog.
World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Children playing with toys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Finnegan, Pat;
Tacoma Day Nursery, interior view. The Tacoma Times has sponsored the Jack Spratt Club in conjunction with the War Food Committee to lessen food waste during the war. Children at the Day Nursery may sign the Jack Spratt pledge. Several young boys and girls are seated at child sized tables eating. A kitchen is seen through a doorway at the back of the room. (T.Times, 8/27/1943, p.10)
World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Day care; Tacoma Day Nursery (Tacoma);
War housing. Salishan. 2000 units located on Portland Ave. Newly built one-story housing units, single-family, duplexes and four-family units. Newly graded. (T.Times, 1/21/1943, p.1; 2/25/1943 p3; and 8/26/1943, p. 21)
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Salishan Housing Project (Tacoma);
Pile driver at scrap agency. Men processing metal tanks through on-site pile driver at "Scrap Iron Acres". One man operates the power machinery while others hold the salvaged tanks under a guillotine type structure. The impact sends dust into the air. (T.Times, 6/28/1943, p.1)
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Refuse disposal--Tacoma--1940-1950;
ca. 1943. Women Block Leaders at scrap pile. Group of women and children sitting on a railroad flat car holding sign: "U.S. Government Scrap Pile. Do Not Transpass" (sp.). Scrap pile and two-story building in background. Photograph taken circa 1943.
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Salvage--1940-1950; Recycling--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices);
ca. 1943. Women Block Leaders at scrap pile. Three women dressed in slacks and bandanas move an old stove at a junk yard where scrap metal is piled in this circa 1943 photograph.
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Salvage--1940-1950; Recycling--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Stoves;
On August 4, 1943, National "Molly Pitcher" Tag Day, members of the American Legion Auxiliary from both the Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 and the Tacoma Unit No. 138 planned to tag every man, woman and child who showed their support for our troops overseas during the War bond sale.The six women working with cards and string are: (l to r) Wahneatah Hough, Gertrude Champagne, Josephine Gillam, Hazel Slater, Maude Overdahl and Lillian Burrows. The Auxiliary had booths at department stores and stood at street corners to tag people. Pierce County's quota for stamp and bond sales was $1 for every man, woman and child. The fabled Revolutionary War heroine Molly Pitcher was evoked in a popular WWII ditty "Jolly Molly Pitcher," used to encourage citizens to buy treasury bonds and use ration cards. Two of the women pictured also appear in Series D14380 Image 3. (T.Times, 8/3/1943, p.16-article & alternate photograph)
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Women--Organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Patriotic societies; American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma);
A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Four young women carry baskets of cut flowers while two soldiers look on. They are standing behind large urns full of flowers and a bird bath.
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;
ca. 1943. In this photograph taken in 1943, Doris "Dorie" Miller (left) and an unidentified man posed resting on a jukebox in the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was assigned as a Mess Attendant First Class on the USS West Virginia when that vessel was bombed by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. He carried wounded sailors to safety and then fired an anti aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition. It was reported that he brought down four Japanese planes, without any artillery training. He was later lost in action when his escort carrier, the Linscome Bay, was sunk on November 24, 1943.
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Dorie;
ca. 1943. Dancing was one of the major pastimes at the Welcome Party held at the 713-15 Commerce St. U.S.O. for Pearl Harbor war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller. A large group of African American servicemen watch couples dance at Tacoma's Colored U.S.O. where a party was held to welcome the war hero.
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jitterbug dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950;
