1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. Dr. Charles G. Trimble is receiving an award from Gordon E. Tatum commemorating his 30 years of selfless volunteer service with the Tacoma-Pierce County chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Trimble, Vincent A. Carlstrom, Chapter Chairman and Tatum, member of the Board of Directors. Carlstrom was also re-elected this evening as Chairman of the organization. He stated during his acceptance that the Red Cross was not a charity organization, it was a service organization. "When help is needed, the Red Cross is there to help." (TNT 2/20/1955, pg C-10)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Trimble, Charles G.; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Tatum, Gordon E.;

Delta Delta Delta sorority sisters from the College of Puget Sound have almost completed the giant ring of flowers for the Pansy Ring Tea ceremonies. The tea honors all senior women. Engaged and recently married seniors will be further honored by stepping through the seven foot ring of pansies. The sorority sisters wear dark sweatshirts adorned with the triple triangle logo of the Tri Deltas. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Bank of California; Rhododendron display in lobby. The Tacoma chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presented its 7th annual Rhododendron Show in the lobby of the Bank of California May 21-22, 1955. The show was free of charge and open to the public. For the show, the lobby was transformed into a Spring garden with evergreens disguising the tellers' cages and forming a backdrop for the colorful display of hybrid and specie rhododendrons. Statues adorned this flower "island" in the center of the lobby and another corner was transformed into a patio garden with a pool with running water. Exhibits were featured by the University of Washington Arboretum, Portland and Seattle chapters of the national organization, Northwest growers and local members. Attendance in 1955 was larger than ever before. (TNT 5/19/1955, pg. A-6 & 5/22/1955, pg A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

Tacoma District Council. Group of 39; present and past members for the last 20 years. The man in the front holds the framed charter for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. TPL-8379

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of the Loyal Order of Moose as Seattle Sea Fair Pirates. As part of Tacoma's Fun Fair, on the evening of July 22, 1955 the pirates would raid downtown Tacoma and battle the Indians for control of the city. The city had been returned to the tribes at the opening of the Fun Fair. Posed with the pirates is the platinum blonde "official Indian princess of the Tacoma Fun Fair," Princess Ah-Pu-Yaki, otherwise known as Reina Dougherty. Reina was the granddaughter of George J. Dougherty, the first territorial judge of Washington and the interpreter for Ezra Meeker, founder of Puyallup. The love of the judge's life was Anne Dougherty, a mute Indian girl who was well educated and loved music. He traded a portion of land, now at the heart of South Tacoma, for an organ for her to play. The B& I ad loosely translates Reina's Indian moniker as "Heap Big Smoke but No Fire." Pirate kneeling in the front row second from left has a trick dagger through his head. (TNT 7/21/1955, pg. B-6 B& I advertisement)

Loyal Order of Moose (Seattle); Dougherty, Reina; Pirates; Indians of North America--Tacoma; Daggers & swords; Costumes;

Five men, members of the "Moose Night" baseball committee of the Tacoma Moose Lodge #435, look at a Washington Cheney Stud program at the Moose Club. They are making plans for boosting attendance at the ballgame Saturday night between the Washington Studs and the Spokane Indians. All Moose members are being summoned to root for hometown baseball. Seated are Don Hughes (with program) and E.R. (Jeep) Johnson. Standing, left to right, are Charles C. Mikelson, Don Stewart and Clyde Ruoff. (TNT 8/11/1955, pg. A-15)

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Hughes, Don; Johnson, E.R.; Mikelson, Charles; Stewart, Don; Ruoff, Clyde;

Each year in November the Last Man Club of the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 met for a reunion banquet. Fifteen members were photographed on November 11, 1955; in front of them are flags draped over ten chairs, to honor deceased commanders. The 1955 reunion, the 18th, was held at the Olympus Hotel.

American Legion Club (Tacoma); American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Five women, dressed in Hawaiian attire with fresh flower leis, pose before a Polynesian backdrop in late October of 1955. Mrs. Swan Johnson, Mrs. Norbert E. Grove, Mrs. Ray Magnuson, Jeanne (Mrs. Jack) Walters and Grace (Mrs. William E.) Bysegger (from left) were preparing for the Tacoma Elks Lodge's annual luau. Native dishes of poi and kalua pig would be served on November 10 and 11th, accompanied by Hawaiian music and decorations. Their spouses were officials of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. William Bysegger was the exalted ruler of the Tacoma Lodge No. 174. (TNT 11-6-55, D-3)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Leis; Johnson, Swan--Family; Grove, Norbert--Family; Magnuson, Ray--Family; Walters, Jeanne; Bysegger, Grace;

Several men have joined the fund raiser for the Orthopedic Guild and the Tacoma Day Nursery at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Two men arrive in a Capri convertible dressed as Adlai Stevenson (Hollis Day) and Dwight Eisenhower (Din Fuhrmeister), waving to the crowd in an election-year spoof.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Tacoma Day Nursery (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Satires (Visual works); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

950 fishermen took part in the Elks 1952 salmon derby in Commencement Bay. A prize board was completed for the winning fish with fifty-four prizes. First prize, a 14-foot boat motor, was awarded for a 26 pound, 8 ounce salmon brought in by Frank Lippincott. H.H. Mounsey was runner-up with a 21 pound, 6 ounce salmon. (TNT, 9/9/1952, p.18)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Awards; Fishing;

A smiling Frank Freese, bartender at the Moose Club, prepares to donate a dollar bill to the March of Dimes' canine representative in January, 1953. The pedigreed Great Dane, Diane Katherine O' Donnell, has one paw on the bartender's hand as she focuses her attention on the dollar. There are two March of Dimes coin banks in the shape of iron lungs strapped on either side of the dog's body. She is accompanied by Police Chief Jack Elich. Diane was the official mascot of the Tacoma Police Department. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis sponsored the March of Dimes campaign annually to raise funds for polio research and treatment. Photograph ordered by the Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435. (TNT 1-16-53, p. 7)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; March of Dimes (Tacoma); National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coin banks; Freese, Frank; Elich, Jack; Bars--Tacoma;

Publicity photograph for the Neva Lyness Orthopedic Guild's "Fanfare" Dance. Co-chairmen Mrs. Robert Lynch and Diane (Mrs. Chris) Turlis put the finishing touches on flowering branches that will be used, along with lanterns and fans, as decorations for the dance to be held August 1st at the Towers. Colorful fans and champagne would be given as party favors. All proceeds from the dance will go to the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. The Orthopedic Guilds were instrumental in the establishment of Mary Bridge and funded part of its ongoing operation costs. (TNT 5/29/1956, pg. 9)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Neva Lyness Guild (Tacoma); Fans; Flowers; Turlis, Diane;

The remodeled chapel of the Tacoma Rescue Mission. The Mission was founded in 1912 to provide aid, spiritual counseling and shelter to transient men drawn to the area by the lumber and maritime industries. In the beginning, it consisted of a soup line and chapel services. Services were expanded over the years to include women, children and families and to provide dormitories and dining rooms for transients. The mission acquired this facility on Pacific at two different times and remodeled them in 1956 to appear as one structure. It consisted of the Keown Building, at 1512 acquired in 1940, and the Grays Harbor Hotel Building, at 1510 acquired in 1946. The site also included 1511 Commerce St. The facility included the main chapel, a prayer room, a recreation room, library, kitchen and a 67 bed dormitory. In 2002, the building was demolished to make way for the new Convention Center project site. An emergency shelter was built on South Tacoma Way and other services are spread throughout the city. The Rescue Mission has repeatedly been recognized locally and nationally for the outstanding work that they do helping people to help themselves. (TNT 1/1/1956)

Tacoma Rescue Mission (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Chapels--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Rescue Mission kitchen after the 1956 remodel. A large soup pot and a coffee pot occupy the huge black stove to the left. On the long counter rest more soup pots and coffee pots. On the end of the counter hang a bottle opener and the dinner bell. At 9 every evening, the kitchen was thrown open and a hot, nourishing stew prepared by chief cook Richard Reed was served to 65-85 hungry men. (TNT 1/1/1956) TPL-9086

Tacoma Rescue Mission (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma;

Elks Salmon Bake and water show. A long queue of people await their turns at the buffet table. The table is set up on a beach. The highlight of the 1956 Elks annual state convention, held in Tacoma, was the Saturday salmon bake. Ten native Americans, headed by Mrs. Mattie Matheson, baked 1,000 pounds of salmon over a beach fire. Five Indian dancers, led by Chief Rainbow aka Bill Young, performed. The Tacoma Outboard Association provided the water show with boats in intricate formations and water skiing maneuvers. The climax of the show was when all of the pleasure boats roared up onto the beach at 35 miles per hour. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma;

ca. 1956. Back view of a skit performed for the Elks Banquet. The Elk members appear in long johns, sailor hats, black socks and shoes; dancing with feather fans. The backs of their union suits are emblazoned with numbers or the words city and lake. They are using the fans as a modest covering for their, or others, privates. For the first time in 30 years, 3,000 Washington state Elks and their wives descended on Tacoma for the 54th annual state convention June 14-16. Lots of social and business activities, plus some high-jinks were planned for their three day stay. Although the Elks were noted for their ability to have a good time, they also funded much needed social projects, such as mobile cerebral palsy treatment and training, the blood banks, traffic safety and civil defense. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Burlesque shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In June of 1956 six unidentified Elks members wearing sailors' hats, union suits and garters performed a 1950s version of the "Full Monty" as part of the entertainment at the Elks convention banquet. Over 3,000 Elks and their wives were in Tacoma for the 54th annual state convention held June 14- 16, 1956. The convention host, Tacoma's Lodge #174, was the third largest in the nation with 5,600 members. Statewide, the fraternal organization had 56,000 members. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Burlesque shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Barbara (Mrs. Jerry M.) Sage is holding an empty jar to be used for collecting donations during the annual Mothers March for the March of Dimes Jan. 28, 1954. Her daughter Barbara Ellen Sage watches from the doorway. The Mothers March, under the direction of Mrs. Kenneth Finfrock, will wind up the March's month long campaign. The nationwide goal for the March of Dimes campaign was $75 million dollars. The funds from the campaign supported patient care, research, education and polio prevention. One third of all 1954 contributions in the drive were designated for prevention and the mass field trials of the new polio vaccine. The Mothers March was held Jan. 28th from 7p.m.- 8p.m. During this hour volunteers went door to door in every rural area, city & town in the county. Those who wished to contribute left their porchlight on or a lamp or candle in a front window. Apartment dwellers could also tie something to their doorknob. "Operation Porchlight" was an extremely successful fundraiser for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. (TNT 1/22/1954, pg. 5 & 1/24/1954, pg. D-1)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Poliomyelitis--Prevention; National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); March of Dimes (Tacoma); Sage, Barbara; Sage, Barbara Ellen;

Copy of the customers' drawing. The Carpenters Union Hall, for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local #470 in Tacoma. Building designed by McGuire & Muri, Architects. Built in 1954, the building was opened in April of 1955. The contractor was Concrete Construction Co.

Carpenter's Union Local No. 470 (Tacoma); Architectural drawings;

Young children at Remann Hall smile as they happily accept the gift of a new television set from the Eagles. The handsome console was presented to Remann Hall on March 28, 1954. The juvenile home housed delinquent and dependent children from newborns to seventeen year olds. Many children had been placed there due to the deaths or illnesses of their parents.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Televisions--1950-1960; Detention facilities--Tacoma; Juvenile delinquents--Tacoma; Abandoned children--Tacoma; Remann Hall (Tacoma);

The Pansy Ring Tea was a Delta Delta Delta tradition at the College of Puget Sound. Each year the sorority would honor all senior women on campus with a special tea. The women did not have to be Greek-affiliated. A large ring of flowers would be erected at the site of the tea; in the spring of 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. A young college student is demurely posed here in front of the Pansy Ring; she has on a small hat with veil, gloves, and a black purse to complement her black and white dress. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A beautiful selection by A.R. Hieneman of Milton was just one of the many entries in the sixth annual rhododendron show sponsored by the Tacoma Chapter, American Rhododendron Society in May, 1954. The more than 100 varieties of rhododendrons displayed in the Bank of California lobby on Pacific Avenue attracted thousands of interested flower aficionados. There were also azaleas and a waterfall in the natural woodland setting. Carl P. Skoog was listed as the staging chairman. (TNT 5-12-54, B-1, TNT 5-16-54, A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma;

In September of 1956, the Tacoma Elks held their 10th Anniversary Salmon Derby. Over 1,000 Elks competed for $2,500 in prizes. At the awards ceremony Exalted Ruler Norbert E. Grove (far left) posed with the derby winners: (l to r) Dave Martin, 1st prize; Earl Blodgett, 2nd prize; and Ray Parker, 3rd prize. The man holding the small salmon at the far right is Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks. Mr. Martin caught his prize 21 lb. 10 oz. fish at the mouth of the Puyallup River. His prize was a new 16 ft. boat with trailer and insurance. Mr. Blodgett caught his 18 lb. 7 oz. fish trolling off the claybank and won a new television set. Mr. Parker had recently changed his fishing tackle and technique on the advice of a friend; he caught his winning salmon trolling off Crab Point in the Point Defiance area. Parker won a new 5 1/2 horsepower outboard motor. (TNT 9/4/1956 pg. 11, 9/7/1956 pg. 23, 9/10/1956, pg. 19) TPL-9849

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Salmon; Fishing; Grove, Norbert; Martin, Dave; Blodgett, Earl; Parker, Ray; Tottler, Parker H.;

An unidentified beaming little girl clutched a reindeer made of balloons at the Elks Club 1956 Christmas Day party for children. Another balloon creature, a dog, faced the child from a chair. Each year the Elks Club sponsored a Christmas party for children; in 1956, 800 children were sent invitations to attend the party at the Elks Lodge at 565 Broadway. A Christmas tree, candy, nuts and fruit plus entertainment were provided. The girl in the photograph is wearing a pretty flowered dress and her hair is neatly parted and held back with a shell clasp. Photograph ordered by the Elks Club. (TNT 12-18-56, p. 9)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Balloons--Tacoma;

The Washington Federation of State Employees, AFL-CIO, held their 16th annual convention at the Winthrop Hotel on May 18, 1957. Members listened to speakers discussing pertinent issues of adequate wages, a state merit system, and how a state employees union meets the problems of a changing administration. View of speaker and extended microphone at podium; there is a large circular logo "American Federation State County Municipal Employees AFL-CIO" on the back of the podium. A can of Walla Walla green peas is next to a pitcher of water. Photograph ordered by Washington Federation of State Employees. (TNT 5-18-57, p. 4)

Washington Federation of State Employees (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Members of the Afifi Shrine examine a book of tickets to sell for the Shrine "All Star" Circus, to be held at the College of Puget Sound fieldhouse April 9-12, 1953. They are all wearing fezzes with the Afifi logo imprinted on them. Second man to the right is believed to be Mayor John H. Anderson who was persuaded to buy the first book of tickets. Behind the men is a large cutout of a Afifi clown holding a sign filled with circus information. The eighth annual Shrine Circus would have Jerry Colonna, famed comic, as master of ceremonies. There would be six performances held over four days and would be open to the general public. Colonna was expected to ride atop the Shrine's circus calliope in the Daffodil Parade on April 11th. (TNT 3-22-53, A-4, TNT 3-28-53, p. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

The Annie D. Bucsko Orthopedic Guild met at the home of member Judith Messenger on May 14, 1953. Judith was the daughter of Ernest A. Messenger, vice president of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association and resided at 611 No. Starr. The girls in this picture probably belonged to the Junior Guild which would have been composed of high school students in the area. All Junior Guilds had a parent guild to guide them and together would work to raise money for charitable causes. The Annie D. Bucsko Orthopedic Guide was a part of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association; the Tacoma Orthopedic Association was formed in 1921 and proved to be instrumental in establishing the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in 1955.

Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Annie D. Bucsko Orthopedic Guild (Tacoma); Group portraits; Messenger, Ernest A.--Homes & haunts;

Tacoma Rhododendron Society, Winthrop Motors display. Three men admire two rhododendron, burlap-wrapped shrubs in the DeSoto - Plymouth automobile dealership's showroom.

1967 Richards stock file. The venerable Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, stands empty in 1967. The membership of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174, had moved to a brand new temple at 1965 So. Union two years before. The building's famous Spanish steps are to the right of this August 2, 1967, photograph. A large monkey puzzle tree, next to the steps, reaches toward the building's roofline.

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Trees--Tacoma;

Zora Temple No. 5 members of the Daughters of the Nile organization posed with a wigged mannequin between them on October 7, 1967. Virginia Morgan and Darlyne Mazza were publicizing an upcoming Daughters of the Nile luncheon to be held at the Top of the Ocean on October 27, 1967. The wig was one of many wig fashions to be shown at Zora Temple's annual fall orthopedic luncheon. Proceeds from the luncheon were designated for materials which Nile sewing clubs used for articles to be sent to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. Photograph ordered by Zora Temple No. 5, Daughters of the Nile. (TNT 10-22-67, D-14)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wigs; Mannequins; Morgan, Virginia; Mazza, Darlyne;