A large contingent of Master Builders met at the Top of the Ocean restaurant on November 29, 1950. The group was composed of local contractors and others in the building industry who were proud of their craftsmanship. They had their association headquarters at 1103 1/2 Division Ave.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Master Builders combined the installation of their 1951 officers and their Christmas Party for 1950 at the New Yorker Cafe. Ten men and their wives are seated or standing behind the head table. Mel Pedersen, retiring president of the organization, is seated behind the podium. Rex N. Harrington, to the right, was the newly installed president. Ordered by J. Howard Kane, executive vice-president. Other names were listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 12/17/1950, p.C-14)

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Pedersen, Mel; Harrington, Rex N.; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Various Masonic chapters met on August 5, 1950, in a Tenino sandstone quarry for ceremonies conferring the Mark Master degree. Members are scrambling over rocks at the quarry. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26) TPL-6406

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

Grand officers of the Royal Arch Masons of Washington and Oregon were among Masons gathered at the sandstone quarry in Tenino on August 5, 1950. They were present to confer the Mark Master degree. The ritualistic work of the Mark Master degree is built around a legendary incident which took place during the quarrying of stone for the building of King Solomon's temple. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26)

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

Various Masonic chapters met on August 5, 1950, in a sandstone quarry in Tenino. The men in overalls kneeling are officers of the Centralia Chapter #44, Royal Arch Masons, sponsors of the gathering which conferred the Mark Master degree that day. Third from the left is Francis J. Paulus, high priest. In the back row standing are officers of the Sunset Chapter #23, Royal Arch Masons, who opened the Lodge of Mark Masters. Third from the right in top hat is Ted Miller, high priest. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26)

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

Various Masonic chapters met on August 5, 1950, in a Tenino sandstone quarry for ceremonies conferring the Mark Master degree. Members from Washington and Oregon gathered for the event sponsored by the Centralia Chapter #44 of the Royal Arch Masons. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26) TPL-6407

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

Masonic ceremony in quarry. Members of the Royal Arch Masons with regalia pose in the sandstone quarry at Tenino in August, 1950. Various chapters met to confer the Mark Master degree to more than one hundred candidates. This ceremony was for members only; the general public was not admitted. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26)

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

ca. 1950. Interior photograph of club. It is five minutes to one and the dance floor is empty. The piano, drums and jukebox are silent at the Tacoma Aerie No. 3 chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The grand opening of new club rooms at 13th and Fawcett Avenue was on October 4, 1940. Barely a year later, the Eagles celebrated the opening of the club's completely remodeled lounge and basement quarters. It was necessary to have additional space due to the large increase of members who would be able to enjoy the new furnishings and modernistic furniture. (TNT 10-4-40, Tacoma Progress edition, p. 15-20; TNT 12-20-41, p.11)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3 (Tacoma); Jukeboxes;

Tacoma Master Builders Association meeting. J. Howard Kane, executive vice president of the Tacoma Master Builders Association, points to a location on a Tacoma city map. He is seated before a group of association members, possibly preparing for the National Home Week to be held the week of September 10th. Third from the left in glasses is Mel Pedersen, president of the association. (TNT 9-10-50, p. B-2)

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Kane, J. Howard; Pedersen, Mel;

ca. 1950. Mel Pedersen holds on to a Tacoma Master Builders Association desktop sign and jointly grips a warranty deed with probably Edward Miller in 1950. Pedersen is the president of the association which prided itself on quality workmanship. Each year the Master Builders sponsored the National Home Week, generally held in September.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Pedersen, Mel;

A doll house for reproduction by the Harriet Deering Orthopedic Guild. The two-story doll house has been finished with floral wallpapers, wooden and upholstered furniture in the living room, dining room, master bedroom, and the nursery, and the kitchen includes a washer and ironing machine along with a table and chairs - a girl's dream house. Ordered by Shirley Laird.

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Harriet Deering Guild (Tacoma); Dollhouses;

The American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post Number 2 was located at 407 South G Street in Tacoma. Tacoma also had three other posts and an auxiliary unit. Interior view of the Edward B. Rhodes Post Number 2 American legion building; view of stairway that leads into a waiting area with two wick sofas, room in back has a piano, possibly the lounge area.

Clubhouses--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma);

Eagles. The Eagles had an all-accordion band, the first organized since before World War II. They presented a recital May 25, 1949, at Eagles Temple. The band was part of the Eagles' youth guidance program and was under the direction of Louis Nomellini (standing center, first row). The Eagles Temple, which was dedicated August 8, 1908, was at 1305 Fawcett Avenue. Names listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 5/24/1949, p.25)

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Accordions; Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nomellini, Louis; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Sculpturing Club would be exhibiting their work at the Washington State Historical Society museum in May of 1949. The club was celebrating ten years of wood carving sculpture. View of Walter A. and Grace L. Heath; Grace carved a life-size wood bust of her husband, Walter (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma; Wood carving--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Heath, Walter A.--Family;

The Tacoma Sculpturing Club celebrated their tenth anniversary in May 1949. A celebration exhibit at the Washington State Historical Society museum displayed members' works. Grace L. Heath carved a life-size wood bust of her husband, Walter A. Heath. Grace compares her work with its real life model, husband Walter. (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma; Wood carving--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Heath, Walter A.--Family;

The Elks Band was playing and majorette Gloria Ellexson was performing while club members waited on July 7, 1949 at Union Station for the train taking them to the national convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tacoma Elks ritual team, which held the state championship, together with coach Russ Barlow, would also compete in Cleveland. It was reported during the convention that Gloria Ellexson, a student at the College of Puget Sound, had been named national champion drum majorette. Ordered by Harry Lynch, Elks Club. (TNT, 7/6/1l949, p.10; TNT, 7/13/1949, p.1)

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

Forrest M. LaSuer, secretary of the Tacoma Moose Lodge, won a membership drive contest in June 1949. Harold Jordan, secretary of the Kelso-Longview Moose Lodge, lost the contest and was required to push LaSuer in a wheelbarrow, wearing a feed-sack dress with bonnet. LaSuer enjoyed the ride - he is wearing his own bonnet and night shirt, is holding a baby bottle and smoking a cigar. Jordan pushed the triumphant LaSuer past the Moose Lodge quarters at 737 Commerce St. (7/5/1949, p.2)

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Wheelbarrows; Bottle feeding--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cigars; Bonnets; Dresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; LaSuer, Forrest M.; Jordan, Harold;

White Shrine installation 1950. Retiring worthy high priestess, Stella (Mrs. Lee) Whitney, and watchman of shepherds, Fred Ballou, presided at the opening and gave the address of welcome at the installation of the White Shrine of Jerusalem's installation of officers at the Masonic Temple, April 15, 1950. Mabel E. (Mrs. Nels J.) Peterson would be the newly installed worthy high priestess. Ordered by Mr. A.R. Emerson. (TNT, 4/9/1950, p.D-11)

White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inaugurations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

White Shrine installation 1950. Nadine E. (Mrs. O.H.) Ridgeway was the installing officer. Assisting her were Ed Bever, worthy chaplain; Mrs. William Jones Rogers, worthy scribe; Stella F. (Mrs. Thurman) Givens, worthy herald; Marie C. (Mrs. LeRoy R.) Vaughn, worthy organist; Emma L. (Mrs. H.F.) Love, worthy guardian and Mrs. May Williams, inviting worthy herald. Ordered by Mr. A.R. Emerson. (TNT, 4/9/1950, p.D-11)

White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inaugurations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

White Shrine installation 1950. New officers who were installed at the White Shrine of Jerusalem's meeting April 15, 1950, were: Mabel E. (Mrs. Nels J.) Peterson, worthy high priestess; Alonzo R. Emerson, watchman of shepherds; Mrs. Wallace Morrisette, noble prophetess; Fred R. Stockbridge, associate-watchman of shepherds; Avis G. (Mrs. Warren) Gilman, worthy scribe; Mrs. Olive I. Hibbard, worthy treasurer; Jessie M. (Mrs. Alvie) Burnett, worthy chaplain; Rosemary B. (Mrs. Lorenzo) Mansfield, worthy shepherdess; and Stella F. (Mrs. Thurman) Givens, worthy guide. Ordered by Mr. A.R. Emerson. (TNT, 4/9/1950, p.D-11)

White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inaugurations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Five of the adult leaders who attended the Camp Fire Girls' General Council Meeting at Normanna Hall pose in front of a tipi. The three candles in the foreground represent the watchwords of Camp Fire Girls: Work, Love and Health. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.19)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Tipis--Tacoma;

Old Timers nite at Elks Club, Harry Lynch. All members of the Elks with 25 years or more service were honored with dinner at the Elks Club on January 26, 1949. After dinner the Old Timers marched to the lodge room and, after a short business session, they were treated to a two-hour professional vaudeville show and surprises. More than 400 members and their guests were expected. A band sits at the edge of the floor for the performance. A stuffed elk stands by one of the exits and a mounted elk head is over one of the doors at the rear on the room. Murals decorate the walls. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.2)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Lou Plante was president of the Tacoma Gun Club when it sponsored the Washington Birthday Classic held on Saturday and Sunday, February 19 & 20, 1949 at the club on Highway 99 in Lakewood. Shooters came to Tacoma for the annual shoot from all parts of the Northwest and parts of California. A keen trap man, Mr. Plante was a life member of the Tacoma Gun Club. He moved to Tacoma in 1911, and was a member of the Plaster Contractors Association. (T.Times, 2/19/1949, p.5)

Tacoma Gun Club (Tacoma); Smoking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tobacco pipes; Rifles; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plante, Louis H.

Puyallup Coordinating Council was working with the local and regional American Red Cross disaster relief services to bring assistance to their residents after the big April 13, 1949 earthquake. Red Cross would be using recently collected funds from their annual fund raising campaign to assist with community needs in Pierce County. The National Red Cross would be helping the communities affected by yesterday's earthquake as well, including those in Washington, Oregon and Idaho (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. B-4).

Charitable organizations--Puyallup; Disaster relief--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

American Red Cross Disaster Relief committee was meeting in Puyallup with the Puyallup Coordinating Council to plan disaster relief activities for victims of yesterday's earthquake. Perry Cox was the Red Cross committee chairman, his team would be working with Richard F. Gordon, Director of Red Cross Disaster Relief Service for the Pacific area (T.N.T., 4/21/49, p. B-4).

Charitable organizations--Puyallup; Meetings--Puyallup; Disaster relief--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Tradition still ruled the fashion of Red Cross dress in March of 1949 when these surgical dressings workers were photographed for an article in the Tacoma News Tribune. They are all wearing white uniforms, with a veil centered in a little embroidered cross of red. March was American Red Cross month and the Tacoma-Pierce County chapter was getting ready to begin its 1949 fund raising campaign. Caught by the camera organizing surgical supplies for military hospitals were: (l to r) Leona McCune, Lucille Branchflower, Eleanora Price, Jessie K. Bacon and Eleanore Bertheau. (T. Times, 3/13/49, p. 24).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medical equipment & supplies; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); McCune, Leona; Branchflower, Lucille; Price, Eleanora; Bacon, Jessie K.;

American Cancer Society would be providing free cancer detection screenings at their clinic in Tacoma during the month of April. April had been proclaimed Cancer Awareness month by Mayor C. Val Fawcett; everyone was encouraged to participate. The Cancer Society would be raising funds for their organization during April, a quota of $20,000 had been set. Fred F. LeVeque was Chairman of the Pierce County Cancer Campaign Committee; view of unidentified members of the Pierce County unit Cancer Society (T. Times, 3/27/49, p. 3).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Preventive medicine--Tacoma; Health care facilities--Tacoma; Clinics--Tacoma; American Cancer Society, Pierce County Unit (Tacoma);

Tacoma's first senior hospital aides. 15-18 year old Girl Scouts are receiving intensive training to become Senior Scout Hospital Aides. They will assist nurses at Tacoma General with hospital duties. Group portrait of 14 young women and nurse. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 6/21/44, p. 4).

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Nursing--Tacoma; Uniforms; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

In April of 1944 the U.S.O. Travellers Aid Service at 13th and Pacific hosted a special Easter egg hunt. The two lucky winners who found the golden eggs that were hidden in the service center each received the special prize of a free telephone call home. As four service men and two travellers aid employees listened in, Pvt. H. Shaboby (left) of Chicago, Illinois and Seaman 1/c Michael V. Moauro of Canton, Ohio waited for their calls to go through. When Seaman Moauro's mother heard her son's voice she wept, and couldn't talk to him; his father came to the phone. (The woman at the far right is Mrs. Louise Rohrback, assistant director at the center.) (T. Times, 4/11/44, p. 16).

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Easter egg hunts--Tacoma; Telephone booths--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In August of 1944, Camp Fire Girls Donna Lee Schaller, Nancy Lee Coons, and Florence Neu helped prepare campaign supplies for the upcoming Community War Chest drive. These girls decided to volunteer for the campaign and spend their last few days of summer vacation helping the Tacoma Community Chest and Council office. Camp Fire Girls giving ten hours of community service were eligible for the National Service emblem, with a Red Star added for each additional twenty five hours. (T. Times, 8/25/44, p. 5; TNT 8-26-44, p. 14-alt. photograph).

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Schaller, Donna Lee; Coons, Nancy Lee; Neu, Florence;