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;

The sixth annual rhododendron flower show sponsored by the Tacoma Chapter, American Rhododendron Society was expected to attract more than 6000 individuals during its two day run in the Bank of California lobby in May, 1954. There were more than one hundred varieties of rhododendrons on display, many in tall planters, along with azaleas and a waterfall in a natural woodland setting. The colors of the flowers ranged from scarlet to deep white, soft yellows and gentle pinks. Rhododendrons ranged in size from twelve feet high to mere inches off the ground. Local growers were proud to exhibit their prize specimens although it was decided this year that the show would be noncompetitive in nature. 9TNT 5-12-54, B-1, TNT 5-16-54, A-2)

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

The White and Gold Baton Troupe. Twenty-eight girls dressed in satin costumes as drum majorettes and posed with batons in the Knights of Pythias Castle Hall in May of 1939. The head majorette, front and center, has been identified as Connie Francis Imus. Wallace Cory Imus, man on the extreme right back row, organized the White and Gold Baton Troupe along with Clara Imus. The White and Gold Baton Troupe, composed of girls 7-12 years old, would be performing at the Ray C. Roberts Hall at Sixth & Anderson Sts. on June 8, 1939. The entertainment would be free and open to the public. Beside the twirling, individual song and dance special numbers would be presented. Photograph ordered by Wallace Muir. (Additional identification provided by a reader) (TNT 6-8-1939 p. 6 -names of troupe included)

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Imus, Wallace Cory; Imus, Connie Francis;

ca. 1925. A group of law officers, dressed in uniforms with badges and topped off with straw skimmers, pose in front of the B.P.O.E. (Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) lodge. The man to the left is possibly Pierce County Sheriff John Bjorklund. The picture is probably related to the celebration of Straw Hat Day circa 1925. (WSHS- negative A844-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--1920-1930; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. A float cruises in front of the Elks Lodge. The truck chassis has been covered with straw-like material and sports a straw skimmer hat and carries a Dixieland band, also wearing straw hats. A banner on the float reads "Park your new straw- under a seat at the Colonial and see 'A Kiss in the Dark'." "A Kiss in the Dark" was a silent film adaptation of the comic play "Aren't We All." It was released April 6, 1925 and starred Adolphe Menjou, Lillian Rich and Aileen Pringle, with a cameo appearance by Herbert (Zeppo) Marx. The float was possibly intended for the Straw Hat Day celebrations. Straw Hat Day in Tacoma was the date that gentlemen officially put away their heavy winter hats and donned straw ones for the warmer weather. (WSHS- negative A845-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Eastern Star Convention in Tacoma, June 23, 1939. Eighteen women wearing formal dresses, some holding large bouquets of flowers. For John D. Morris. (filed with Argentum)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dinner honoring Nancy Hewitt at University Union Club on June 26, 1939. Party was probably in honor of her upcoming marriage on June 28, 1939. (filed with Argentum)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hewitt, Nancy;

View of Market St, taken on September 15, 1954. Across the street from the future home of United Pacific Insurance Co. was the Young Men's Christian Association. Designed by architects Bullard & Hill, it was built and completed by R.B. Teeter in 1909. It was dedicated in October, 1909, completely paid for. Neighboring businesses included Spillman Insurance, Tribune Cleaners, Tribune Barber Shop, JT's Tavern and further down the street, B & B Glass. Photograph ordered by Comfort, Davis & Blangy. TPL-8749

Young Men's Christian Association (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Photograph taken on July 12, 1939 of a Cooney Transfer and Storage Co. flatbed truck in front of Titus Motor Company, decorated for the Rainbow Girls Parade. Ten girls with " Yakima Assembly No. 1" banner posed on and around the truck. A decoration labelled "Fountain of Youth" was also featured on the truck. [Also dated 07-13-1939] (filed with Argentum)

Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainbow Girls (Yakima); Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford trucks; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Pausing in front of the Titus Motor Co., 618-24 Broadway on July 12, 1939, was a Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. flatbed truck with a bevy of young women aboard. They were taking part in the Rainbow Girls Parade and represented Yakima Assembly. The truck carried a basin labeled "Fountain of Youth" that was carefully tendered by the girls.

Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainbow Girls (Yakima); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford trucks; Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

A packed house is on hand to view the Shriners from Afifi Temple in the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on December 4, 1954. Potentate John H. Galbraith, Jr., and his staff are to the foreground; long rows of Shriners wearing Masonic regalia extend to the fieldhouse doors. This was the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Tacoma's grand entry ceremony. 5000 Shriners from around the Northwest converged upon Tacoma to attend the semi-annual ceremonial and initiation of new members. In addition, Floyd C. Kinnear, recorder for Afifi Temple for the past twenty five years, was honored in special ceremonies. (TNT 12-3-54, p. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Uniforms; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Memorial Field House (Tacoma);

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;

Pioneer Association meeting at Steilacoom Town Hall; Federal Revival style building by Emanuel J. Bresemann, Architect, built in 1930. On October 11, 1939, the Pierce County Pioneer and Historical Society held their fall meeting in Steilacoom at the Town Hall. The members dressed in their ancestor's period clothing for the event. Between 1850-1858, Steilacoom was home to the first territorial court and the first Protestant Church north of the Columbia river. It was the first area north of the Columbia River to incorporate as a town and had the first public library. (T. Times 10/12/1939, pg. 12) (filed with Argentum)

Pioneer Association (Steilacoom); Steilacoom Town Hall (Steilacoom); Historical societies--Steilacoom;

Pioneer Association meeting at Steilacoom Town Hall; Federal Revival style building by Emanuel J. Bresemann, Architect, built in 1930. On October 11, 1939, the Pierce County Pioneer and Historical Society held their fall meeting in Steilacoom at the Town Hall. The members dressed in their ancestor's period clothing for the event. Between 1850-1858, Steilacoom was home to the first territorial court and the first Protestant Church north of the Columbia river. It was the first area north of the Columbia River to incorporate as a town and had the first public library. (T. Times 10/12/1939, pg. 12) (filed with Argentum)

Pioneer Association (Steilacoom); Steilacoom Town Hall (Steilacoom); Historical societies--Steilacoom;

On October 11, 1939, the fall meeting of the Pierce County Pioneer and Historical Society was held at the Steilacoom Town Hall. Members are dressed in period costumes, ca. 1880, saved in trunks from their ancestors. Steilacoom is historically important to Pierce County, being the first shipping port on the upper Puget Sound, the location of the first territorial court, the first Protestant Church north of the Columbia River, first area north of the Columbia to incorporate as a town and the home to the first public library. (T. Times 10/12/1939, pg. 12)

Pioneer Association (Steilacoom); Steilacoom Town Hall (Steilacoom); Historical societies--Steilacoom;

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);

ca. 1939. Ladies musical club taken at YWCA - about 50 ladies on stage with man in center holding book. Book on music stand open.

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

University - Union Club. General view of clubhouse by Whedden and Lewis, Architects; 1888. (filed with Argentum)

Clubhouses--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma)--Buildings;

ca. 1940. Dormitory, chapel, combination dining room and kitchen at Tacoma Rescue Mission - group of people in chairs, speaker at podium. Photograph is circa 1940. TPL-9084

Tacoma Rescue Mission (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In January of 1940, nine men were photographed while looking over the dormitory in the new Tacoma Rescue Mission at 1510-12 Pacific Avenue. The Tacoma Rescue Mission provided clean beds in a wholesome, Christian surrounding to transient and homeless men, most referred by the Pierce County hospital, the welfare office or the Police Department. The Mission's "new" building had previously been a tavern and small two story hotel. The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel was built on the site where the Rescue Mission used to stand. (T. Times 2/27/1941, pg. 13) TPL-9085

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

These 60+ Eagle Scouts and adult leaders met at the First United Presbyterian Church (now Trinity Presbyterian Church) on January 30, 1940 to take the first step in organizing the former 15,000 Boy Scouts of America who had called the Tacoma area home into an alumni group. It had been decided that the Eagle Scouts, the highest ranking in scouting, would be the first group formed in the new alumni organization. Among those attending were four sets of brothers who were all Eagle Scouts: Mike & Pat Brendel, Bill & Charles Rohrs, Dick & Frank Clinton and Harold & Don Foster. The Tacoma Area Council of Boy Scouts were formed about 1918 although a few troops had been organized in earlier years. (T.Times 1-31-1940, p.3- article & photo of the four sets of brothers)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Eagle Scouts (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Room inside Tacoma Club. The Tacoma Club, located on the 17th floor of the Washington Building, was organized and incorporated in November, 1936. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Dining room w/many tables set, believed to be inside the Tacoma Club. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Dining room w/many tables set, believed to be in the Tacoma Club. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Card room w/small tables and piano in corner, believed to be inside the Tacoma Club. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Card room w/card tables and piano in corner, believed to be inside the Tacoma Club. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Sitting room inside Tacoma Club (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Cooks and Waiters Union, Local 61, Cabaret Ball at Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. (filed with Argentum)

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

ca. ,1925. In 1925, the building at 1221-23 Pacific Ave. housed the 4 L Hall, home to the "Loyal Legion of Loggers & Lumbermen." The National Department Store was located at 1223 Pacific and sold camping and outdoor goods, as well as shoes and furnishings. The store is littered with signs advertising a "going out of business" sale. The address also included 113-23 So. 13th St. This structure, originally built for the National Bank of Commerce, was remodeled in 1922 for the 4-L's, apparently including the removal of several upper floors. The building was later demolished. (WSHS)

Loyal Legion of Loggers & Lumbermen (Tacoma); National Department Store (Tacoma);

Annual spring Scottish Rite Reunion, held in Tacoma, May 15-18, 1940, at the Tacoma Masonic Temple. Names listed on photograph, Front row, left to right: George E. Clace, Gus T. Olson, Wallace A. Richardson, Wm O. Jeffery (class director), Thomas T. Grigsby, Wm B. Reed (Secretary), Edward A. Dye, Harold L. Haskins. Back row, left to right: Weston DeMaris, Harold P. Miller, John B. Cooper (Hoquiam), Norman R. Galloway, Theodore E. Faulk, Raymon W. Moore, Howard W. Taylor (Wenatchee). The four days of degree work would draw several hundred members from Southwest Washington and visitors from the entire Northwest. (T. Times 5/14/1940, pg. 3)

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reunions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits;