Americans listened intently to radios on August 14, 1945, for word that the Japanese had surrendered. The message came at 4 p.m. on the West Coast, "The war is over!" Emotions ran high--people yelled; horns honked; bits of paper poured down from business buildings; downtown streets were jammed with cars and sidewalks were crowded with jubilant people. The excitement continued the following day with a Surrender Day parade on Pacific Avenue. The marching soldiers are one of the four platoons from Fort Lewis. (T.Times, 8/15 & 8/16/1945, p.1) TPL-804.

Victory celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Surrender Day Parade; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma;

The North West Junior Livestock Show was held in Auburn, Washington on April 5, 1946. Carsten's Packing Co. sold a total of 69 steers, 37 hogs and 8 lambs. Many Tacoma restaurants and clubs attended the show and placed orders, in order to serve their customers award winning meat. View of Louis Jones, University Union Club Chef (left) and Ralph Nolte, University Union Club Manager admiring an award winning angus steer (T. Times, 4/10/46, p. 2).

Beef cattle--Tacoma; Meat industry--Tacoma; Cooks; Awards; Carsten's Packing Co. (Tacoma);

The North West Junior Livestock Show was held in Auburn, Washington. Carsten's Packing Co. sold a total of 69 steers, 37 hogs and 8 lambs. Many Tacoma restaurants and clubs attended show and placed orders, in order to serve their customers award winning meat. University Union Club Chef, Louis Jones second from right and Ralph Nolte, University Union Club Manager, center admire award winning angus steers (T. Times, 4/10/46, p. 2).

Beef cattle--Tacoma; Meat industry--Tacoma; Cooks; Carsten's Packing Co. (Tacoma);

The 10th annual 1946 Daffodil parade drew one of the largest crowds in parade history. Many Pierce County businesses, organizations and schools signed up to appear in the parade. View of Puyallup Chamber of Commerce "The Pioneer Spirit"carriage. TPL-8697

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup;

Rhodes provided the spring and summer fashions and helped the Shipmates' Club with planning their annual style show in April of 1946. These ladies are wearing the latest in spring fashions, skirts just below the knee with matching midriff tops, the perfect outfits for yacht trips (T. Times, 4/13/46, p. 2).

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & Dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

Nine members of the Shipmates modeled a variety of bathing suits for the annual Shipmates' Tea and Style Show held in April of 1946 at the Tacoma Yacht Club. For the style show, the Rhodes Sports Shop provided a selection of outdoor clothes suitable for sailing Puget Sound and Canadian waters. The bathing suit models are standing in front of the "Santa Rosa" owned by Jewell and Edna Lerum; Edna was a club member. Tacoma Yacht Club member Eva Seymour has been tentatively identified as posing fourth from the right. She and husband August Seymour were owners of the "April Ann" which was moored at the Club. (T. Times, 4/13/46, p. 2). TPL-8811

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & Dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Bathing suits;

The annual Shipmates' Club is planning to participate in the Pacific International Yachting Association races to Nanaimo in July of 1946. Member Alice Hodgert is wearing outdoor clothes suitable for sailing around Puget Sound and Canadian waters. Model ship in background (T. Times, 4/13/46, p. 2).

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & Dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Hodgert, Alice;

ca. 1943. Memorial Day exercise at Liberty Center. Large group of people on platform. The Liberty Center structure displays "V"'s on each upper corner. A "Union Jack" flag and an unidentified flag are also displayed at the upper corners in the front. Buildings in 700 block of Broadway visible on both sides of street.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. Memorial Day exercise at Liberty Center. Large group of people on platform with band playing music in foreground. Band members are seated, wearing uniforms. The band fills the entire street. The Liberty Center structure displays "V"'s on each upper corner. A "Union Jack" flag and an unidentified flag are also displayed at the upper corners in the front. Buildings in 700 block of Broadway visible on both sides of street.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Military bands;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. The 65-foot tugboat with a 16-foot beam was one of two tugs launched at McNeil Island on June 17, 1943, under a revived shipbuilding program. The tugs were built of Douglas fir except for the stem, sternposts and trim. They ran on Diesel engines. The ships were built using prison labor and there was much anticipation of the launchings by the 100 guests from the mainland plus the proud builders. No ships locally had been built by prisoners since 1907 when Capt. Neil Henley of Steilacoom directed that last construction. Capt. Henley had founded the shipbuilding industry at McNeil prison in 1883. With America now entered into WWII, the necessity of more ships resulted in the revival of the shipbuilding program. T-88 and T-89 were the second and third built for the Army Transport Service by McNeil with the first ship turned over to the Army in November of 1942. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island;

Coverage of twin launchings at McNeil Island. On June 17, 1943 Mrs. H.W. Algeo served as sponsor of one of the two tugboats launched at McNeil Island. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr., was the other sponsor. Mrs. Algeo is pictured above in the act of christening the boat with a firm smash against her prow. It was reported that both she and Mrs. Delmore were drenched by the exploding champagne bottles. KMO radio broadcast the event as a twin launching was rare and launchings of any sort of prisoner-built vessels even rarer. As the United States was now at war, a revival of using prison labor in boat construction had commenced. 1907 had been the last time locally that a ship was built by inmates. The two tugs would become the second and third built under the revived shipbuilding program at McNeil. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Algeo, H.W.--Family;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. James V. Bennett (second from left), Seattle Mayor William F. Devin (second from right) and Warden P.J. Squier of McNeil Island (far right) were identified in this group of men who were attending the twin launching of tugboats for the U.S. Army Transport Service on June 17, 1943. The tugs were built with prison labor during a revival of the shipbuilding industry on McNeil, and were highly praised by military and civilian officials. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1,3- various photographs)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Bennett, James V.; Devin, William F.; Squier, P.J.;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Mrs. L. Delmore, Jr., smashed a bottle of champagne against the prow of one of the two tugs launched at McNeil Island on June 17, 1943 during the tradition of christening the vessel. Since she did so before the tug slid down the ways, the force of the bottle exploding drenched her from head to toe. The tug was to be turned over to the Army transport service. She was built with labor from McNeil Island inmates. (T. Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Delmore, L.--Family;

Coverage of twin launching at McNeil. Two sister tugs, T-88 and T-89, slid down the ways on Thursday, June 17, 1943 to loud cheering from spectators. The two ships launched were the second and third under the revived shipbuilding program during WWII. Both of them were to be turned over to the Army. Present at the event were prison officials and honored guests: (from left) master of ceremonies A.F. Lykke, James V. Bennett, Richard McGee, LTC D.M. Jacques of the Army Transport Corp, Seattle Mayor William F. Devin and Warden P.J. Squier of McNeil Island Penitentiary. The point was heavily emphasized that both vessels were built by McNeil Island prisoners. (T.Times 6-18-1943, p. 1, 3)

Launchings--McNeil Island; Boat & ship industry--McNeil Island; Tugboats--McNeil Island; Lykke, A.F.; Bennett, James V.; McGee, Richard; Jacques, D.M.; Devin, William F.; Squier, P.J.;

Queen and Court of Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma;

Daffodil Parade, Times. Queen Doreen Moody and Princesses Joy Lundgren and Jerene Fly are seated on the royal float. They have had a busy week. The 15th annual Daffodil Festival began March 29, 1948. Coronation took place on March 2nd at Sumner High School. Parades through Tacoma, Sumner and Puyallup and a flower show took place March 3rd. The yacht parade and sail boat races on Commencement Bay took place March 4th and a ski race at Paradise Valley on Mount Rainier also took place on March 4th. (TNT, 3/30/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Moody, Doreen; Fly, Jerene; Lundgren, Joy; Queens; Princesses; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The crowd is dispersing after the parade along Pacific Avenue. The parade had a 2 mile march line. The Cameo Theater and Bragets Auto Supply are seen on the left. A large number of people are crossing Pacific in the background at 11th Street. TPL-9923

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The Amvets float represented a tank and a young woman waves to the crowd from the top. A band is in front of Peoples store heading past the Puget Sound Bank Building along Pacific Avenue. In all 1/2 million daffodils were used in the parade. One hundred floats, bands, mounted posses, and marchers appeared in the fifteenth annual parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Amvets Club (Tacoma); Veterans organizations--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Daffodil Parade, Times. The Golden Arrow Archery Club depicted Robin Hood and his merry band with several members on the float in costume. A large circular target is shown at the rear of the float. Several members are walking ahead of the float pulling ropes. Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant and Tavern is seen on the opposite side of the street as well as an entrance to a pool parlor.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Golden Arrow Archery Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma; Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant & Tavern (Tacoma);

Cecil B. DeMille's "King of Kings" was presented at the Roxy (Pantages) Theater March 22 - 26, 1948. Admission was free as sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The theater was nearly filled for the showing of the film when this photograph was taken on the 26th. The Pantages was built as a vaudeville theater in 1917. Motion pictures replaced vaudeville shows and the name was changed to the RKO Orpheum in 1930 and changed again in 1932 when the new Roxy opened. The Pantages was rededicated after restoration in 1983. Ordered by, Council of Churches, Loyal Vickers. (TNT, 3/21/1948, p. A-12). TPL-1773

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion pictures; Motion picture audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Twenty seven students were graduating from Annie Wright Seminary, and eighteen members of Class VIII were graduating to the High School Division in June of 1948. Commencement exercises were being held in Keator Hall and Raynor Chapel. Rt. Reverend Lane W, Barton, Bishop of Eastern Oregon, would deliver the commencement address, and Rt. Reverend Steven F. Bayne Jr., President of School Board of Trustees, would present the diplomas; music would be provided by the vested choir. View of Annie Wright graduating students (T.N.T., 6/3/48, p. 6).

Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious services--Tacoma; Benedictions--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Raynor Chapel (Tacoma);

The Daughters of Pioneers of Washington were holding their convention at the Winthrop Hotel in May of 1948. Margaret Smith (left) and Mrs. T. A. Lund were the hostesses. Margaret is wearing a wedding gown worn by her mother and later worn for her own wedding. The gown is made of white wool challis with lace inserts. Mrs. Lund is wearing a gay nineties black lace and velvet over two chiffon petticoats gown. View of Margaret Smith (left) and Mrs. T. A. Lund wearing pioneer costumes at the Winthrop Hotel, portrait of George Washington in background (T. Times, 5/13/48, p. 11).

Meetings--Tacoma; Smith, Margaret E.; Lund, T. A.--Family; Costumes; Wedding clothing & dress; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Daughters of Pioneers of Washington (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Monday Civic Club was planting the first seedling trees at Franklin Park near So. 12th St. and So. Puget Sound. The trees would be known as "The Monday Civic Club Memory Grove", the trees were a gift from the Washington State Forestry Department. Over 100 members of the Civic Club were participating in the ceremonies, which would begin with a luncheon at the New Yorker Cafe. Mrs. Percy Creath was the event's Chairman, view of club member planting a tree seedling, she is kneeling by an American Flag (T. Times, 6/3/48, p. 10).

Tree planting ceremonies--Tacoma; Parks--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Franklin Park (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma; Monday Civic Club (Tacoma);

Elks Christmas Dance Committee was making arrangements for their annual dance. The committee's Chairman was Lowell and Evelyn Wasser, they were in charge of the event. The Elks would be collecting Christmas gifts for needy children between the ages of one and 14 years. The Elks were planning to distribute 600 gifts to children during the holiday season. Dance committee members are wrapping gifts and deciding on the dance decorations (T. Times, 12/5/47, p. 15).

Meetings--Tacoma; Christmas presents; Wasser, Evelyn L.--Homes & haunts; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Renamed Veterans Day in 1953, November 11 was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. That year, on November 13, John Philip Sousa's band played in the Washington National Guard Armory in Tacoma and President Woodrow Wilson spoke there two months earlier. In 1947, a Military Ball was held on Armistice Day at the Armory, where more than 1,500 people were expected to attend. The presentation of colors to the local reserve units of the Army and Army Air Corps highlighted the evening. Army and Navy dignitaries and prominent civilian guests attended the event. View of ceremonies under way at the Armory (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 7).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

The Junior Council of Tacoma's Country Club was hosting their first formal ball. The dance was planned by a special committee that was organized during "Junior Week". Left to right view of Juniors wearing their lovely ball gowns for the dance, Gloria Patterson, Kay Klopfenstein, Jean Link, Janis Clark, Anne Martin, Norma Wilder, Betty Satterlee, Christy Scott and Virginia Boldt, staircase in background (T. Times, 12/31/47, p. 9).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Ball dresses; Stairways--Tacoma; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma);

Donna J. Angle and Donald O. Cronemiller were married in Tacoma, view of Donna in her beautiful wedding gown with four bridesmaids and her maid of honor; the flowers are likely from Angle's Flowers. Donna is the daughter of Ralph E. and Anna Angle, the family owns Angle's Flowers located at 953 Commerce Street, Donna was an apprentice at the family flower shop. Donald is the son of Austin and Grace Cronemiller, Donald was a serviceman for Swift & Company, wholesale meat distributors. (Note: 1949 Tacoma City Directory had Aaron & Grace Cronemiller listed, rater than Austin & Grace Cronemiller.)

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Angle, Donna J.--Marriage; Love; Altars--Tacoma; Churches--Tacoma; Bridal bouquets--Tacoma; Angle's Flowers (Tacoma);

Lincoln High School's Junior-Senior prom was held in the school's gymnasium on January 21, 1949 with Keith Rader and John Hreha as the event's chairmen. The theme for the evening was "Top Hat Twirl" and the gym was decorated with a top hat, cane, white gloves and a New York City skyline. A local orchestra played for the students. Parents of the Senior and Junior class officers were the honored guests. View of students with the orchestra's saxophonist, "Moonlight" music on music stand (T. Times, 1/20/49, p. 11).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Saxophones; Musicians--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gymnasiums--Tacoma; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);

The color guard of the 4th Infantry Regimental Combat Team led one of the five battalions of soldiers who marched down Tacoma's streets on February 22,1949. The hour-and-a-half Washington's Birthday parade, which is passing the 900 block of Pacific Avenue, was staged in observance of National Security Week under sponsorship of the Reserve Officers Association. A total of 4,000 troops participated in the parade. Old City Hall, 625 Commerce Street, with its tall bell tower can be seen in the distance. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flag bearers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. Four of the five infantry battalions that marched in the Washington Birthday one and one-half hour parade show a massed strength of 2,400 men. This view shows the battalions marching north along Broadway. Soldiers marching at the front are just turning the corner in front of the Roxy Theater onto South 9th Street. Several spectators are standing on the awning over the sidewalk in front of the Roxy. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950;