The beautiful Miss Washington and Miss Wisconsin were visiting Tacoma's Big Bear Stores, they were promoting apples and cheese week. Everyone was invited to participate in the fun, free samples would be available. View of Miss Washington, Libby Aldrich (right) of Kelso, Washington and Miss Wisconsin, Marveen Fischer (left) with an unidentified man at Union Station; Wisconsin cheese barrel in background (T.N.T., 10/14/49, p. B-3).
Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Fischer, Marveen; Aldrich, Libby;
Dorothy Ann Eichhorn and Spencer Kenyon Hopkins, Jr., were married September 26, 1952, at St. Luke's Memorial Church. Dorothy is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Eichhorn of Puyallup and Spencer is the son of Spencer and Jean Hopkins of Tacoma. Dorothy wore a gown of Chantilly lace and satin with a fitted bodice and full skirt. Her veil was caught to a sweetheart lace cap. She carried a bouquet of white carnations and green orchids with ivy streamers and she wore a strand of pearls that belonged to the bridegroom's mother. (TNT, 10/12/1952, p.D-7)
Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eichhorn, Dorothy Ann--Marriage; Episcopal churches--Tacoma; St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Tacoma);
Marilyn Bickel and Michael Courtney were married October 4, 1952, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Sumner. The bride wore a gown of brocaded satin. Nearly 300 guests attended the ceremony and reception held later in the church social hall. (TNT, 10/17/1952, p.C-6)
Weddings--Sumner--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Bickel, Marilyn--Marriage; St. Andrew's Catholic Church (Sumner); Altars--Sumner; Wedding attendants;
Leona V. Ostrander and S/Sgt. Fred J. Novetti were married September 5, 1952, at Chapel 1, McChord Field. Chaplain Val Strander officiated. Irvin and Susan Sysum of Tacoma served as best man and matron of honor. The bridegroom was formerly of Monterey Park, Callifornia. He was serving with the U.S. Air Force. Mrs. Novetti was employed at McChord Field. (TNT, 10/4/1952, p.C-3)
Joyce Carole Hanson and Perry Malcolm Mills were married December 20, 1952, in the Methodist Church, Puyallup. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore L. Hanson, Puyallup, and the bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elbert R. Mills, Clinton, Kentucky. Joyce wore a white satin and Chantilly lace gown with a bouquet of white chrysanthemums and yellow orchids. (TNT, 1/4/1953, p.D-4)
Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Weddings--Puyallup--1950-1960; Hanson, Joyce Carole--Marriage; Mills, Perry Malcolm; Methodist Church (Puyallup);
Rose Marie Murphy and Bruce Courtney Dennis were married November 30, 1952, at the Gail Pauline Day Memorial Chapel at the College of Puget Sound. Rose Marie wore a white suit and a dark hat. She carried a bouquet of orchids. Bruce chose a light, double-breasted suit. Bruce and Rose Marie were to make their home in Seattle after December 15th. Rose Marie's photograph was featured in a wedding special in the Tacoma News Tribune. (TNT, 11/9/1952, p.D-1 & 12/2/1952, p.10 & 12/7/1952, p.E-2))
Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Murphy, Rosemarie--Marriage; Dennis, Bruce; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;
Whitmore-Chandler wedding. The Little Church on the Prairie was decorated in a Christmas motif of white chrysanthemums, gladiolus, and poinsettias for the wedding of Marjory Anne Whitmore and Charles Theodore Chandler III on December 27, 1952. The bride is wearing a beautiful Chantilly lace and net over satin wedding gown which includes a long sleeved lace bolero jacket. A diamond and platinum brooch belonging to her mother is pinned onto the jacket. She has a fingertip veil which is fastened to a lace cap. Her bouquet consists of stephanotis and white orchids. Both bride and groom studied at the College of Puget Sound. They honeymooned in Sun Valley, Idaho. (TNT 1-4-53, D-1)
Guests at the Columbia Breweries' Christmas party for the handicapped listen attentively as a brewery official speaks on December 21, 1952. Apparently the party was well attended with men, women and children present. Besides refreshments, music was also provided. Most of the guests are seated, some in wheelchairs, while one woman lies on a lightweight transportable bed.
Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas decorations; Handicapped persons--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wheelchairs; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;
Santa joined the festivities at the Columbia Breweries' Christmas party for the handicapped on December 21, 1952. He is standing behind a row of guests in wheelchairs. There is an enormous decorated Christmas tree against the room's rear wall; it appears that it is about ten feet high.
Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wheelchairs; Handicapped persons--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;
Wedding portrait of bride, Beverly Tropiano, daughter of Domenico and Mary Tropiano. Bride seated wearing lavish gown of Chantilly lace, scalloped hemline and veil. She carried a bouquet of pink roses and white and yellow orchids. Marriage to Donald Arthur Johnson at St. Rita's Church. Reception in Wedgewood Room at Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 2-15-1953, D-4-article only)
Double-ring wedding ceremony of Beverly Tropiano and Donald Arthur Johnson at St. Rita's Catholic Church on February 14, 1953. Beverly is the daughter of Domenico and Mary Tropiano and Donald is the son of Mrs. Alveta Johnson and the late C.O. Johnson. Rev. Father Anthony Buffaro administers vows at altar. Biblical statues adorn the sanctuary. Pews filled with invited guests. (TNT 2-15-1953, D-4-article only)
Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tropiano, Beverly Mary--Marriage; Johnson, Donald Arthur; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding clothing & dress--1950-1960; Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Ritas Catholic Church (Tacoma);
Packed attendance at the Lorne F. Fox Party, the city wide salvation and healing campaign held at the Tent Cathedral at So. 23rd & Steele in August of 1953. The Rev. Lorne F. Fox was a traveling evangelist who appeared in Tacoma sponsored by the Full Gospel Fellowship of Tacoma. His traveling ministry offered music, prayer for the sick and claimed conversion of thousands. Rev. Lorne F. Fox was the primary speaker and musician. He played the piano, organ, accordion and Hawaiian guitar. Ruth L. Fox was the song leader and contralto soloist. Joe & Gerry Pontrello filled in as organist, trumpeter and vocalist. The Crusade had taken the internationally known musicians and evangelists to Alaska, Mexico, the West Indies and South America. The revival opened August 16, 1953 at 3 & 7:30p.m. and would continue nightly, except for Mondays. (TNT 8/8/1953, pg. 4 & 8/15/1953, pg. 4)
Revivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #97 by Tacoma Boatbuilding. A.M.S. #97 would be the last minesweeper to slide into the water as the company fulfilled its contract of five. All five vessels were in various states of completion with the first completed one to be delivered to the Navy in the fall. Mrs. Henry F. Agnew was the sponsor of #97 and Capt. J.R. Topper was the speaker. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. C-12)
Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Three Army Q-boats were launched within minutes of each other on April 20, 1954. These 63' crafts were built by Tacoma Boat Building for the Army under Navy supervision. View of several women and small children in front of Q-630; these were members of the christening party. From left to right are: Barbara Rutledge (flower girl), Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, sponsor of Q-630, Shanna Roley (flower girl), Mrs. Wilbert N. Nelson, sponsor of Q-628, Mrs. Alf R. Dahl, sponsor of Q-629, and Linda Dahl (flower girl). (TNT 4-21-54, A-5)
Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The Tacoma Elks were perennial entrants in the Daffodil Parade. In 1954, their float was festooned with blossoms, including the elks' reins and sides of the wagon. Washington "vacation land" seemed to be their theme that year; members involved are wearing fishing and skiing attire. There were 52 floats entered; awards were given in many categories. While the Tacoma Naval Station won the Sweepstakes award, the Elks entry did capture first place in Fraternal Groups. (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);
The annual Daffodil Parade attracted participants from all over the state. Entry #55 in the 1954 parade belonged to the Hanford, Washington, Knights of Pythias organization. A flower bedecked and fringed automobile slowly pulled a daffodil covered pyramid with the large letter "C" along Pacific Avenue past spectators in front of the National Bank of Washington building.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Knights of Pythias (Hanford); Fraternal organizations;
Steve Pease, owner of the popular Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant in South Tacoma, often had an entry in the city's Daffodil Parades. His buggy is decorated with hundreds of blooms as it is pulled along Pacific Avenue during the 1954 Daffodil Parade. Two "street cleaners" in white uniforms stand behind an equally dazzling white wheeled trash can and a sign proclaiming "Steve's smorgasbord" as the "cleanest in town!"
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Stephen O.; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Carriages & coaches--Tacoma--1950-1960;
All of the boats entered in the 1954 Daffodil marine parade were decorated with blossoms; this particular vessel even had its initials spelled out in daffodils. The name of the boat may have been the "Mony Boy". Hundreds of flowers were used to nearly cover the entire boat, leaving barely enough room for the two lounging riders.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;
Entry #76 in the 1954 Daffodil marine parade was a long, sleek craft with two large flowered butterflies on display. Three ladies are shown on board, with two waving gently to onlookers. Thousands of spectators watched the parade from Ruston Way, surrounding hillsides and the Old Tacoma Dock. More than 200 boats, all decorated with daffodils, proceeded from the Tacoma Yacht Club to the City Waterway. (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1, TNT 4-12-54, p. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;
For 56 years, in 2008, the annual Marine Parade has brought the Daffodil Festival season to a close. Entry #99 in the 1954 Puget Sound Daffodil Regatta was covered with literally thousands of blossoms, including windshield, making it truly a floating garden of daffodils. The boats passed, one by one, in front of a reviewing yacht carrying the Daffodil queen, Mary Carlile, and her guests. Once the last boat had passed from view, the Festival would officially end. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;
A small stage, decorated in red, white and blue bunting, was constructed to be used in the February, 1953, launching of the USS Energy, #436, built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Martinac had landed the contract to build a series of 171-foot mindsweepers for the Navy; this is the second completed after the USS Endurance the previous year. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding.(TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)
A man carefully dabs on paint on the "log" cabin as Lincoln Electric prepares its float for the 1953 Daffodil parade. A giant penny is located on one end of the float with Lincoln's head in silhouette; Lincoln Electric also used a silhouette of Lincoln on its building at South 38th and Park. Photograph ordered by Tony Ricono.
Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1953 : Tacoma); Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Silhouettes;
Shadows darken the interior of Tacoma Boat Building as dim figures of spectators stand and gaze upon the A.M.S. #96 afloat in the distance. The 144-foot mindsweeper was the fourth of five being built by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship had just been launched the late afternoon of May 1, 1953. The launching was captured on television; it was the first launching to be televised in the area. (TNT 5-3-53, B-10)
Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Oliver and Whittmann wedding. Wedding couple at altar with bridesmaid and best man receiving vows. Ceremony held in the Little Church on the Prairie, Lakewood, on April 11, 1953.
Weddings--Lakewood--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding clothing & dress--1950-1960; Wedding attendants; Little Church on the Prairie (Lakewood);
ca. 1953. Launching of naval ship #445, the U.S.S. Force, with the skyline of downtown Tacoma in the background. The all wood craft was the fourth of nine contracted 171 foot Naval minesweepers to be built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson, wife of a Navy Captain, served as sponsor and christened the ship with the ceremonial champagne. The band from the U.S.S. Essex played "Anchors Aweigh" as the ship slid down the ways. (TNT 6/21/1953, pg. B-2 & 6/27/1953, pg. 1)
As a part of the Northwest Territory Centennial celebration in 1953, it was "against the law" for Tacoma to shave from the beginning of August until the end of the celebration on August 29th. Those daring to shave were rounded up by the stubble patrol and transported to stubble pens where they awaited judgement by a bewigged Judge. Those found guilty of lacking appropriate facial hair could buy their way out of "jail" by showing a "stubble pass" or by paying a monetary fine. It was all in good fun, however, and all money collected was used to fund the celebrations. The Judge in this photo is probably either Bertil Johnson who was a real-life judge in Tacoma or Swan Johnson who was chairman of the Beard Committee. The Henry Block, 605 - 607 S. Pine, was pictured in the background. (TNT 8/2/1953, pg. 1)
Northwest Territory Centennial, "Stubble Patrol" removing a judge from the Courthouse in his chair. As a part of the Centennial celebration, Tacoman men were advised to throw away their razors and grow whiskers or pay the price. Clean shaven men were rounded up by the Stubble Patrol and taken away by paddy wagon to await trial in a kangaroo court. They had two choices; to buy their way out with a "stubble pass" or to pay the fine. All proceeds were used to finance the Centennial celebrations.
Marliss Jeanett Aarts and Sgt. James Isaac Davey were married January 19, 1952, at Holy Rosary Church with the Rev. Lawrence Piotrzkowski officiating. They pose with their bridesmaid, Georlen Burden, a cousin of the bride, and best man, Patrick Shilley, for this studio portrait. The bride is the daughter of John and Louise Aarts of Tacoma and her husband is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Davey of Matamoras, Pennsylvania. The bride wore a navy suit with red accessories. (TNT, 2/6/1952, p.10)
Kiwanis float in 1952 Daffodil Parade featuring the Soap Box Derby, sponsored by the Kiwanis & the Tacoma News Tribune.The Soap Box Derby was a coaster car race held in July, with prizes for the winning builders and racers. The Kappa Sigma float follows down the parade route turning from 9th onto Pacific Ave.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Coaster cars--Tacoma;
Entry from the Tacoma Vocational Technical School in the 1952 Daffodil Festival parade. Women with daffodil-shaped bonnets and clothing resembling the leaves and stems of the golden blossoms ride on the float along with a man with a "scarf" of daffodils. The float is parked outside O'Farrell Distributors, wholesale liquor dealers.
Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Tacoma Vocational Technical School (Tacoma);
