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);
This daffodil covered horse and buggy was the entry of Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant in the 1952 Daffodil Parade. The Pease family (l to r) Mary, Steve and Dorothy Jean rode in the buggy. The Pease family was very active in Tacoma, with Steve often called "the unofficial Mayor of South Tacoma." Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s), 5238-40 So. Tacoma Way, had their grand opening in April of 1951; it closed in 1977. Behind their carriage is a rider in one of the three mounted groups that participated in the 1952 parade. (TPL-8861)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Carriages & coaches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Mary; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Dorothy Jean;
Wedding portrait of Joyce Adele Nelson and Lt. Gordon Albert Arnold, U.S.A.F., and attendants. The Arnolds were married March 29, 1952 in the Ferguson Memorial chapel of the First Presbyterian Church. The bride wore a white satin gown with a lace Peter Pan collar. Her heirloom veil was fingertip length and was first worn by her great-grandmother. Mrs. George Edward Anderson, sister of the bride, was matron of honor and wore a green satin brocade gown. Miss Janet Nelson, cousin of the bride, was a bridesmaid and George Edward Anderson, brother in law of the bride, was best man. Ushers were Lt. William Schwehm, Richard Knipe and Richard Frederick. The bride was the daughter of the Irving Nelsons and the groom was the son of the Norman Arnolds of Nazareth, Pa. Their first home was made in Tacoma. Lt. Arnold had been serving for 15 months with the Korean airlift. Sepia portrait. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. D-2)
Virginia Lee Allen and her mother Lou Ella Allen select a china pattern at Gunderson's. TNT 1952 wedding layout. Miss Allen became the wife of Gene Gordon Pickering June 21, 1952 at the Christ Episcopal Church. The bride was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Nelson Allen and the groom the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy R. Pickering. The reception was held at the University Union Club. The Pickerings made their first home in Seattle. The bride attended Washington State College and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and Co-ed Club. Mr. Pickering obtained a degree in business administration from WSC and was president of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. (Tacoma Reporter 6-27-1952) TPL-9180
Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gunderson (Tacoma); Gift shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tableware; Allen, Virginia Lee; Allen, Lou Ella; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Dancing cadets in trim Navy white double breasted mess jackets, possibly the Bremerton "crew", followed by a band led by white clad majorettes in tall headgear, marches down the steep slope of 9th St. from Broadway to Pacific Ave. On the left can be seen the marquees for the Music Box (destroyed by fire in 1963) and the Roxy (now the Pantages.) The Winthrop Hotel can be seen on the right hand side.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Drill teams; Marching bands;
The Bon Marche float in the 1952 Daffodil Parade makes the turn from 9th onto Pacific Ave. followed by a flatbed truck full of young people.The Bon Marche was the third place winner in the commercial catagory. A Tacoma crowd estimated at 200,000 lined city streets in the sparkling sunshine to view the parade judged to be the "best ever." The crowd on 9th street is 9-10 deep, at one place looking like a human pyramid as the people in back stand on ladders. Others watch out of windows and from building awnings. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. 1)
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The L.L. Hess and Son Furniture Co. float in the 1952 Daffodil Parade has the theme "Harmony in the Home" as it transports four barbershop quartets down the parade route. The conductor not only directs the singing, but also acts the barber, shaving the customer in the chair when the float is quiet. The Ballard Commercial Club Drill Team from Seattle, dressed in western cowgirl outfits, makes the turn 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; L.L. Hess Furniture Co. (Tacoma);
Float sponsored by Tacoma Savings and Loan Association in the 1952 Daffodil Parade. This float with floral leaping goldfish and daffodil bedecked tall ship won the second place in the organization division. The parade kicked off in Tacoma at 10a.m. on Saturday April 5, 1952 with the 15 mile long parade moving north on Broadway to 9th Street, down 9th to Pacific Ave. and down Pacific to 19th Street. After Tacoma, the parade marched through Puyallup at 1p.m. and Sumner at 2:30p.m. The three sponsoring cities all elected princesses, and took yearly turns having the Queen elected from their ranks. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. 1)
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma);
ca. 1952. Float sponsored by the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot for an unidentified parade, possibly May Day or Armed Forces Day, circa 1952. The float is populated by people dressed in costumes of different countries. It features cutouts of tanks and mobile units rolling up to the top of a globe emblazoned with "Unity, Strength, Freedom." The float is hung with red, white & blue bunting. Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot was located approximately 13 miles south of Tacoma between Ft. Lewis, Madigan Army Hospital and McChord Air Force Base. MROD was established in 1942 as a motor base to supply motorized equipment to the Western Defense Command. In addition, it received and repaired all motorized equipment from the Orient and Alaska. It was comprised of 3 warehouses, each more that 1/4 of a mile long, housing 80,000 different items ready for immediate shipment, and two large buildings containing shops and headquarters. It employed approximately 1,600 civilians ( a number that doubled during wartime.) TPL-10389
Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot (Tacoma);
Commencement ceremony at Annie Wright Seminary. Perfect portrait of graduation exercises which were held on June 2, 1952. Young women graduates wear caps and gowns, behind them are rows of classmates, heads covered with veils. Three stand at altar, clergy and others equally placed,
Wedding portrait of Shirley Joan Trippel and Rolf Eric Lindstrom. The couple married June 13, 1952 at the Messiah Lutheran Church. The bride was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Trippel. The couple made their first home in California, where the bridegroom was stationed with the Navy. The bride is wearing an open necked satin and lace gown, with a cut out design on the train overlaid with lace. (TNT 8/23/1952, pg. 5)
