Sigma Alpha Epsilon banquet. On March 11, 1955, over 100 members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon from Tacoma and Southwest Washington gathered for a dinner at the University Union Club to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the fraternity's founding. Albert Balch, member of the Master Builders and community designer, was the guest speaker. His topic was "Building for Tomorrow." During his speech, Balch predicted a population boom for the Northwest. (TNT 3/2/1955, pg. A-11)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Tacoma); University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a strapless Spring formal, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. The Pansy Ring Tea honored all senior women at the College, but only engaged or recently married senior women stepped through the seven foot ring of pansies. Part of the festivities was a fashion show. (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;
A young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a Spring suit, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. The suit is of a gingham check with a full skirt, peplum jacket, wrist length white gloves, wide brimmed hat, opened toed shoes and square dark handbag. The Pansy Ring Tea was an annual affair honoring senior women of the College. Engaged and recently married seniors will step through the seven foot ring of pansies as part of the ceremony. (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;
A dark haired young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a Spring suit, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. She wears a dark linen look suit with a straight skirt and long top belted at the waist. A sprig of lilly of the valley is pinned at the hip height pocket and a picture hat and matching dark shoes and handbag complete the look. The third annual Pansy Ring Tea was held on the College campus. The tea honored all senior women, with engaged and recently married seniors stepping through the flower ring. (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;
The Tacoma Elks installed new officers in early April of 1954. Burritt B. Anderson, left, is the retiring exalted ruler. He has passed the gavel and symbol of office on to Arthur J. Emery. Both men are wearing tuxedoes and boutonnieres. Mr. Anderson was honored with a no-host party held recently at the Fircrest Golf Clubhouse with 250 people in attendance. (TNT 4-4-54, A-11, TNT 4-8-54, A-5)
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Emery, Arthur J.; Anderson, Burritt B.; Tuxedoes;
Members of Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound had almost finished creating the Pansy Ring, a large circle of flowers, on May 2, 1954. Each year the sorority honored all senior women on campus with the Pansy Ring tea. The tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club on Borough Road. The senior women would be photographed individually with the ring as a backdrop. (Tamanawas, 1954, p. 138)
Each year the Delta Delta Delta sorority from the College of Puget Sound sponsored a Pansy Ring Tea to honor all senior women on campus. Also especially honored were the senior women who had become engaged or married during the past year; they were eligible to step through the Pansy Ring. Young women would dress in lovely spring outfits and pose in front of the colorful ring of flowers. Skirt lengths were apparently knee length in 1954 and hats and gloves often worn even among college students. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)
This young college student's floral decorated dress blends perfectly with the large ring of flowers behind her. The Delta Delta Delta sorority from the College of Puget Sound annually held a Pansy Ring Tea in the spring to honor all senior women on campus, whether Greek-affiliated or not. In 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club where a large ring of flowers was erected and people were able to have their photographs taken in front of it. The young woman in this picture may have been Dorcas Marshall of the Tri-Delts. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)
The Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club on Borough Road was the scene of the 1954 Pansy Ring Tea sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority. The Tri-Delts from the College of Puget Sound annually held a spring tea which was open to all senior women on campus. All the young ladies present wore their spring finery, which often included hats, handbags, gloves and pumps, as modeled by an unidentified college student in front of the large ring of flowers. Dr. R. Franklin Thompson, president of the college, was there to present scholarships offered by the sorority. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)
A young women holds a small bouquet of pansies as she poses in front of the Delta Delta Delta Pansy Ring on May 2, 1954. The sorority from the College of Puget Sound each year held a special tea, called the Pansy Ring Tea, for all senior women on campus. In 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. The women attending were all dressed conservatively, most with hats, gloves and purses to complement their spring dresses. Both Dr. R. Franklin Thompson and Mrs. Thompson attended the tea; Dr. Thompson, president of the college, presented scholarships awarded by the sorority. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)
The Tacoma Elks Club held their annual Extravaganza in the spring of 1953. Elks members owned many businesses in Tacoma; view of billboard with signs listing individual member-owned businesses, many signs have caricatures. The largest sign is that of Jack Roberts, co-owner of Narrows Marina.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Caricatures;
Members of Tacoma Lodge 435, Loyal Order of Moose ride on a float entered in Tacoma's parade to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Washington Territory. The Tacoma Moose lodge was chartered in 1911 with the initiation of 800 members. In 1917, the group moved to new quarters at 737 Commerce Street to accommodate their growing membership. With a focus on youth, the organization, in 1953, supports Mooseheart, Illinois, the world-famous child city of the Loyal Order of Moose whose principal citizens are children ranging from babies through high school age.
Fraternal organizations; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anniversaries--Washington Territory; Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Centennial celebrations--Tacoma;
Ellen Abbott was crowned honored queen at a Job's Daughters ceremony on December 13, 1958. She, along with the other women in the group, were dressed in ceremonial regalia. Ellen Abbott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Abbott, is seated in the center of the five women. The letters of her name and title were hanging on the curtains behind the group. "Charity," the theme of the public installation ceremony of Bethel 8, International Order of Job's Daughters, took place in the Gothic Room on the third floor of the Masonic Temple. A dance and informal reception followed. A list of officers installed was mentioned in a News Tribune article dated December 12, 1958. Photograph ordered by Ellen Abbott. (TNT 12-12-58, p. 14)
International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Abbott, Ellen;
A motley crew of entertainers made up the Tacoma Eagles Aerie 3 band on October 12, 1963. The all-male band members would certainly turn heads in their startling costumes, including grass skirts, dresses, oversized glasses, wigs and fake mustaches, and variety of headgear. Photograph ordered by Mountain View Memorial Park.
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3 (Tacoma); Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Musical ensembles--Tacoma;
The Afifi Arab Patrol, headed by Glen F. Perkins, Capt., posed for a group picture on the steps outside the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave., on April 2, 1966. Four Arab Patrol leaders kneel in the front row: Ben Beuche, Glen F. Perkins, Gordon M. Korsmo and Harold W. Baird. Behind them stand members of the 1966 Patrol; all are wearing Masonic regalia. Names of the Shriners are printed on the bottom of the photograph. Photograph ordered by the Afifi Temple.
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Uniforms; Beuche, Ben; Perkins, Glen F.; Korsmo, Gordon M.; Baird, Harold W.;
ca. 1959. Apparently in 1959, Las Vegas was still viewed as a "cowboy" town by the women of Tacoma. This photograph, which ran in the News Tribune in October of that year shows (l to r) Mrs. Warren Peterson, Lucille (Mrs. Maurice) Finnigan, Mrs. Robert Holder, Dorothy (Mrs. Norbert) Knecht, Jean (Mrs. William) Jepsen and Patricia (Mrs. Jay) Dahl. They were all dressed in Western attire to help promote the two "Las Vegas Comes to Elks" parties that were being held at the Elks Club on October 23 and 24. (TNT 10/18/1959, pg. D-4)
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Finnigan, Lucille; Knecht, Dorothy; Jepsen, Jean; Dahl, Patricia;
In September, 1967, the Tacoma Elks Club sponsored their annual Salmon Derby, inviting members to participate for a chance to win valuable prizes. Three men are pictured preparing their boat for entry into the waters of Commencement Bay. They were part of the 1820 contestants who vied for over 150 prizes. 186 fish were caught that day, most at the mouth of the Puyallup River. (TNT 9-18-67, p. 16)
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fishing; Contests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Elks Club members ready their boats in preparation for the 21st annual Salmon Derby sponsored by the Tacoma Elks Lodge on Sunday, September 17, 1967. 1820 contestants would take their chances to win valuable prizes including a boat, trailer and motor. Al Marano, fishing alone at Point Defiance, would come in first with a catch weighing in at 22 lb. 4 oz. He would drive away in a 1967 Jeep Universal, the grand prize. (TNT 9-18-67, p. 16, TNT 9-19-67, p. 14)
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fishing; Contests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boats--Tacoma--1960-1970;
New officers of Job's Daughters. Job's Daughters is an international fraternal organization for young women between the ages of 11-20 who are related to Master Masons. Photograph ordered by Ben Robertson, Federal Way.
International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Fraternal organizations;
ca. 1931. The Junior Oddfellows of Tacoma gather in front of a bus that is parked at 602-06 Fawcett Ave. This building was the home to the Oddfellows, the Inaba Gotaro Grocery, and the F & M Transfer Co.
ca. 1925. Fire Chief Carl Emil Carlson looks on as two unidentified Tacoma firefighters help prepare toys for the Elks Club's annual holiday charity campaign. The Elks Stocking Fillers program supplied Christmas gifts for needy girls and boys - such as these hand assembled wooden boats. Carlson was chief of the fire department from 1916 to 1932.
Informal portrait of Wesley Stone, Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Washington. Grand Commander Stone was in Tacoma for the 1923 conclave of the Masonic group. Walter E. Carter of Vancouver, Washington, was chosen to succeed Mr. Stone as Grand Commander. Mr. Stone hailed from Spokane. (TDL 5-12-23, p. 3-article) (Although print is labeled "B7824," photographer Boland's notes indicate that the actual number is B7924)
Initiating officers of the Knights of Pythias posed at Cushman Dam on August 8, 1926. From L-R: Ben Lunan, Charles Rohrs, Ed Beamer, George Ball, R. Ray, Arthur Rowen and Ralph Towne. They had brought several candidates including Tacoma mayor M.G. Tennent and Winthrop Hotel manager Ray Clark to the new dam. The Knights of Pythias had established a custom of initiating candidates in unusual places, including on a high peak adjacent to Mount Tacoma (Rainier). The initiating officers are standing next to Mr. Ball's Chrysler and by a bronze marker which lists the name of the project, chief engineers and contractors, and also proclaims "Built by the Light Department City of Tacoma 1925." Cushman Dam was officially opened on Monday, May 24, 1926 when President Calvin Coolidge pressed a telegraph key manufactured by Lincoln High School and brought to Washington D.C. by high school baseball star James Mosolf. G24.1-150 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-15-26, 14-G-article & alternate photograph)
Knights of Pythias; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Chrysler automobile; Cushman Dam #1 (Lake Cushman); Dams--Lake Cushman; Historical markers;
Grand Officers of the Eastern Star on stage in June of 1942. Flags of several nations, including the United States, and silhouettes of Presidents Lincoln and Washington serve as decorations. 1500 Eastern Star members attended the organization's 59th annual meeting held at the Masonic Temple. Mayme Harmony was elected worthy grand matron and Irwin Jones, worthy grand patron. (T.Times 6-17-42, p. 8-article; T.Times 6-19-42, p. 9-article)
Order of the Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Flags; Silhouettes; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
On July 13, 1942, the dance committee gathered to plan the upcoming Delta Theta Sorority dance. The dance, held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, would have a nautical theme and benefit the Navy Relief fund. Committee members, left to right, are Kathryn McDonald, Dee Whitham, Jeanne Johnson, and Doris Nelson. (T. Times 7/18/1942, pg. 2)
Three Tacoma chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (the Mary Ball, Virginia Dare and Elizabeth Forey) enjoyed a delicious luncheon in the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom when they honored Washington State Regent, Mrs. Starr Sherman of Walla Walla, on October 27, 1941. Seated above were Mrs. C.C. Mellinger, Mary Ball chapter regent, Mrs. Sherman, and Margaret Long, Elizabeth Forey chapter regent with the others in the photograph not identified. Mrs. Sherman was making an official visit to Tacoma and would later pay similar visits to Grays Harbor and Chehalis as well as northern chapters around the Sound. (T.Times 10-28-1941, p. 9-article only; T.Times 10-30-1941, p. 19-alt. photograph)
Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Melllinger, C.C.--Family; Sherman, Starr--Family; Long, Margaret;
At noon on March 7, 1943, the Lady Eagles turned up at the Pacific Match Co. cafeteria to feed all the hungry Eagle workers at "Scrap Iron Acres," donating their time to sort salvage to go to the mill. Serving are Mrs. Clarence Peterson and Mrs. Clara Simpson. Enjoying the well deserved meal are Bill Stone, Amos Wilson and George Soule. (T. Times 3/8/1943, pg. 1)
Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma); Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950;
