State and local education leaders and Army officers pose at the February 13, 1943 opening of the "mechanic learner" program at the Clover Park vocational shop. The program will train women to work as mechanics at the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot. Over 30 women were enrolled in the first class. (T. Times 2/18/1943, pg. 2)
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Clover Park High School (Lakewood); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;
On February 16, 1943, the Clover Park Vocational School began its first classes for women learning to be auto mechanics. This pictured group checking under the hood of a dented military vehicle was on hand for the opening ceremonies. They are, left to right, Lt. C.L. Booth, Capt. F.A. Rose, Ed Erickson, Mrs. Pearl Wanamaker and A.G. Hudtloff. There were 21 women in the first class. (TNT 2/17/1943, pg. 19) TPL-10379
World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Clover Park High School (Lakewood); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;
On February 16, 1943, twenty one women took up wrenches and became the first females to study auto mechanics at the brand new Clover Park Vocational School plant. On hand for the opening ceremonies and photographed in the hands-on classroom were, left to right, Lt. C.L. Booth, Capt. F.A. Rose, Ed Erickson, Mrs. Pearl Wanamaker and A.G. Hudtloff. The Clover Park plant was designed to train women in predominantly male vocations and guarantee them placement in the war industries on completion, thus freeing men for fighting duty. (TNT 2/17/1943, pg. 19)
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Clover Park High School (Lakewood); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Program coverage. U.S.O. Unit #2. A group of African American soldiers are sitting on stage looking out at the audience. In the 1940's, the military service was still segregated and the USO club on Commerce St. was intended for servicemen of color. [Also dated 02-29-1943] TPL-1958
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Social life--1940-1950;
Program coverage. U.S.O. Unit #2. A group of mostly service men are seated in the audience. Other unidentified individuals are seated on the stage. In 1943, the Army was still segregated and the USO Club art 713-15 Commerce was intended for servicemen of color. [Also dated 02-29-1943]
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Social life--1940-1950;
Program coverage. U.S.O. Unit #2. A group of women standing and seated. Lady seated in front on left has a badge stating: Senior Hostess, U.S.O., No.2, Tacoma. USO #2 was located at 713-15 Commerce St. and was intended for use by servicemen of color. [Also dated 02-29-1943]
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Social life--1940-1950;
By 1943, there were five USOs in Tacoma. Because the United States Armed Services were still segregated, African American enlisted men had a separate U.S.O. This photograph from March 1943 is of a group of service men and hostesses at U.S.O. #2 which was located at 715 Commerce St. (Also dated 02-29-1943]
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Social life--1940-1950;
Ruth Zdillae (right), home on furlough, dropped into the Army Recruiting Office in the Washington Building on February 25, 1943 to talk about her love for the Army life. She was stationed as a cook at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Jean Hunnewell (left), in charge of WAAC recruiting here, was on duty. Miss Pauline Gregoryk, who had stopped in for information, was so impressed that she signed up for duty. (T.Times, 2/26/1943, p.4)
World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Zdillae, Ruth; Hunnewell, Jean; Gregoryk, Pauline;
WAAC's at Headquarters. Lt. Jean Hunnewell (left) and Ruby Zdillae saluted each other on the roof of the Washington Building, 1019 Pacific Ave, that housed the Recruiting Office. Auxiliary Zdillae was home on furlough from her duties as cook stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and stopped in at the Army recruiting headquarters in late February of 1943. (T. Times 2-26-43, p. 4-alt. photograph)
World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Zdillae, Ruth; Hunnewell, Jean;
During the war, different organizations and companies would take turns entertaining the military men at the USO Clubs. On the last day in February, 1943, Northern Pacific played host at the 13th and Fawcett USO. Soldiers appear to be crowding behind a piano for a sing-a-long. (photograph damaged at right side)
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);
Northern Pacific Railway hosts and hostesses at 13th & Fawcett U.S.O. Several of the hosts and hostesses are holding lanterns and Northern Pacific logo signs. Different social organizations and companies would take turns acting as hosts at the USO Clubs. [Also dated 02-28-1943]
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Group portraits--1940-1950;
A man dressed as a train engineer has captured the attention of many soldiers crowding the room as Northern Pacific plays host at 13th and Fawcett USO.
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);
Portrait of Ted Bishop and his wife taken outside Turner Richards' Photography Studio. Mr. Bishop is wearing a sailor's uniform in this February, 1943 photograph.
World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma; Bishop, Ted--Family; Turner Richards Studio (Tacoma);
On March 19, 1943, a long line quickly formed outside the Crystal Palace Market, 1101 Market St., when word spread that one of the merchants inside the market had received a shipment of butter. More and more Tacomans were feeling the pinch of the war and the effects of rationing. Meat was in short supply with many markets totally out of beef and pork, continuing to keep their doors open by offering fish and fowl. Butter, too, was in short supply, and shortly after this photo was taken, the butter at the Crystal Palace had been snapped up.(T.Times, 3/20/1943, p.1) TPL-1991
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Consumer rationing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Consumers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Markets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma);
Butter was in short supply in Tacoma in March of 1943. As soon as word leaked out that a merchant had received a shipment of butter, long lines of customers began to form. Two unidentified clerks behind the counter of one of the merchants in the Crystal Palace Market at 1101 Market Street had plenty of customers for their supply of butter on March 19th, within hours it had been snapped up. The unidentified man at the counter (far right) has just paid the clerk next to the cash register 56 cents, including 3 cents for a copy of that day's Tacoma News Tribune. The banner headline on the paper reads "Patton Gains 12 More Miles." (T.Times, 3/20/1943, p.1) TPL-3256
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Consumer rationing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Consumers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Markets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma);
On March 19, 1943, a line quickly formed to buy rationed butter at the Crystal Palace Market. Other rationed items included coffee, sugar, gasoline, rubber and shoes. Ration stamps were needed to purchase any of these items, as diets and travel plans underwent revisions based on these restrictions. (T.Times, 3/20/1943, p.1)
World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Consumer rationing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Consumers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Markets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma);
During a civil defense drill on March 21, 1943, members of Tacoma's Auxiliary Fire Service fought a fire that was deliberately set in the industrial district. The fire was started to give the Civil Defense fire fighters real life experience with their equipment. Taking part in the drill were Companies 2, 5 and 7. (TNT 3/24/1943, pg. 4)
World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950;
During a practice "incident" on Sunday March 21, 1943, the fire fighters hook up to a hydrant to battle a real blaze purposely set in an industrial area. The "incident" was being staged as a civil defense practice; it simulated a bombing of Tacoma. The Fire Service also took this opportunity to test the new fully equipped pumping unit of Company 7 of the Auxiliary Fire Service. Companies 2 and 5 also responded to the incident. (T. Times 3/24/1943, pg. 18)
World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950;
During a March 21, 1943 civil defense drill, members of the Auxiliary Fire Service fought a real blaze that had been purposely set in an industrial area. The purpose was to test out the new pumping equipment of Company 7. Companies 2 and 5 also took part in the drill that simulated bombs being dropped on Tacoma.
World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Boy Scout "victims" relax in a military ambulance after being rescued by Civil Defense unit members during a March 21, 1943 drill. The drill simulated the bombing of Tacoma by enemy forces. It opened with a squadron of P-38's flying low over the scene for realism.
On March 21, 1943 Tacoma's Civilian Defense units, an Army medical unit from Fort Lewis, and the city's departments of public works and public utilities took part in a civil defense drill to test their ability to respond to an enemy attack on the city. The medical unit was photographed as they carried a "casualty" out of the Florence Apartments at 414-22 Tacoma Avenue South after the building was "demolished" by an enemy bomber. The exercises reportedly went smoothly; Tacoma was well prepared to deal with the aftermath of any attack on the city from the air. (T.Times 3/24/1943, pg. 18)
World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Florence Apartments (Tacoma);
During a March 21, 1943 civil defense drill, men from the Army medical unit, wearing white arm bands with the red cross, lay out their field dressings and stretcher prior to entering a "bombed" building to bring out casualties. The drill simulated a bomb attack on Tacoma.
World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;
During a March 21, 1943 civil defense drill, "The Florence," an apartment building located at 414-22 Tacoma Ave. So., was designated as a building demolished by a bomb, where "casualties" needed to be evacuated. During the drill, residents smiled gamely down at the photographer. The Florence had been built in 1923 by William T. Post, who named it after his oldest daughter. It was designed by Lundberg & Mahon, architects.
World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Florence Apartments (Tacoma);
Two men in suits stand by their vehicles speaking into field phones, tracking the progress of the March 21, 1943 Civil Defense drill. The drill simulated the bombing of Tacoma, with attendant destruction of buildings and casualties.
Medical units rolled out during a civil defense drill on March 21, 1943, passing the historic Fire Station No. 1 at 425 Tacoma Ave. So. The drill, which simulated bombs being dropped on Tacoma, involved Civil Defense units, public works, public utilities and a medical team from Fort Lewis that was assigned to Tacoma in case of bombing. The drill began on the quiet Sunday afternoon with a squadron of P-38's flying low over the city to lend realism to the event. Fire Station No.1 was built in 1919 and is currently on both the City and the National Historic Registry.
World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Ambulances--Tacoma--1940-1950; Emergency medical services;
During a March 21, 1943 civil defense exercise, two uniformed motorcycle officers discuss the situation with a Civil Defense worker outside the Florence Apartments, 414-22 Tacoma Ave. So. The exercise simulated a strategic bombing of Tacoma and the Florence has been designated a destroyed building with "casualties" needing to be evacuated.
World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Florence Apartments (Tacoma);
Civilian Defense. Portrait of large group of men wearing uniforms with red cross armbands in front of first aid vehicles. Historic Fire Station #1 is in the background. The men are a medical team from Fort Lewis that has been assigned to Tacoma in the case of an attack, such as a bombing. The group portrait was taken during a March 21, 1943 drill that simulated just that occurrence.
World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Group portraits--1940-1950; Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950;
During the March 21, 1943 civil defense drill, two pumping trucks hooked up to a fire hydrant to fight the real blaze purposely set in an industrial area. Companies 2, 5 and 7 of the Auxiliary Fire Service responded to the call. The drill simulated a bombing raid on Tacoma. Cities on the West Coast were considered vulnerable to attacks.
World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950;
On March 21, 1943, Civil Defense units, public works, public utilities and a medical team from Fort Lewis all participated in a drill that simulated Tacoma being bombed by enemy planes. Such drills were common as Civil Defense units, especially in west coast cities, learned how to respond in case of emergency. White fire hoses snake across the ground where fire fighters fight a very real blaze set in an abandoned building. The fire had been purposely set for training reasons.
