On December 30, 1971, eight members of the Unique Social & Community Club posed under an evergreen bower at the site of the sixth annual Red Rose Cotillion where college-age women made their debut into African American society. The event had previously been held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel; however, with the hotel's closing, the ball was moved to the 565 Restaurant on Broadway, the former Elks Temple. Color photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 1-1-72, p. 3-various photographs & article)

Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1970-1980; African Americans--Social life--1970--1980; African American women--Tacoma--1970-1980;

United Good Neighbors. 30 executives on loan from various Tacoma businesses posed for a group portrait at the old Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, on November 3, 1971. Industry and government had loaned a total of 73 executives to the United Good Neighbors campaign who had been working since mid-August. The drive to collect funds for the UGN officially began on September 14th. The group's goal was to collect $1,928,000 in the campaign which was to end on November 12th, a bare two months away. The United Good Neighbors was a predecessor of United Way. Photograph ordered by the United Good Neighbor Fund of Pierce County. (TNT 11-12-71, p. 1 -article; )

United Good Neighbors (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1970-1980; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fund raising --Tacoma--1970-1980;

Civil Defense Night, sponsored by Elks Lodge 174, at the Elks Club. Lloyd Wynans, Exalted Ruler, appointed Harold Duncan, Leading Knight, to preside at the meeting intended to help coordinate civil defense divisions and further the Elks aim to support, uphold, and defend the American way of life. Wynans stated that adequate civil defense requires thousands of residents volunteering time and energy to minimize death and casualties in the event of a disaster. The film "Pattern for Survival" was shown. Civil defense officials, headed by Mayor John Anderson and Civil Defense Director Frank S. Evans, were in attendance. The Elks Temple underwent a $80,000 remodel the previous Fall, with over half of it going to renovations on this hall. One of the changes was the new wall to wall Saxony Wilson broadloom carpet in green and ivory. (TNT 1-22-1951, pg. 5) TPL-8450

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

New tile floor at Elks Club kitchen, Stebner's Inc., Ed Keenan. Interior view of the new kitchen, Head Chef Mitchell Pentel will be preparing meals for the Elks; everything has been remodeled and all the appliances are new, including an automatic dishwasher, sterilizers and a walk-in quick freeze storage room (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Elks were celebrating the completion of their new building with an open house; all members and their wives were invited to attend. Interior view of the Elks Temple dining room, the dining room offers the members a spacious and redecorated are to enjoy lunch and dinners. The famed Stag table is on the left side; this room is predominantly decorated in green tones (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is not just a club, it is a national fraternal organization with over 1,500 lodges in the United States. Interior view of the new kitchen, Head Chef Mitchell Pentel will be preparing wonderful meals for the Elks; everything has been remodeled and all the appliances are new, including an automatic dishwasher, sterilizers and a walk-in quick freeze storage room (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

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;

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;

Ben Cheney, president of Cheney Lumber Company, at Elks Club with daughter Sandra. The young girl is wearing a crisp, striped dress with matching organdy pinafore. Her father is gently holding her gloved hand.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Sandra; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Family; Fathers & children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The unidentified dancers in this chorus line from the Elks Club Extravaganza of 1953 were not afraid to show a little leg. The Extravaganza was produced and directed by Max Frolic (far right), well known former vaudevillian and band leader. Each of the heavily made up dancers has a distinct mole painted on his face, ala Marilyn Monroe. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Frolic, Max

October of 1953 was officially designated as "Restaurant Hospitality Month." The celebration in Tacoma culminated in a luncheon for the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and industry leaders on October 21st at the Elks Temple. 400 guests were expected to attend the banquet sponsored by the Washington State Restaurant Assn. and Culinary Local No. 61. Pictured L-R behind a display of food are E.J. Zarelli, Poodle Dog Cafe & Pres. of the Washington State Assn., Joe Carbone, a national director of the Int'l Stewards & Caterers Assn., Jimmy Osenton, chief instructor Tacoma Vocational School culinary dept., Archie Douglas, sec. Culinary Local 61, C. Vern Powell, Vern's Sandwich Shop & pres. Pierce County Assn., Wes Jensen, Louise Davelaar, John W. Swan, Medical Arts Coffee Shop & past pres. Wa. State Assn., John Honan and H.B. Crawford, sec-mgr of Pierce County unit. Excess delicacies were distributed to three childrens' homes: Childrens' Home on the Hill, Girls Club & Dyslin Boys Ranch. (TNT 10-23-53, C-4)

Washington State Restaurant Association (Tacoma); Zarelli, E.J.; Powell, Vern; Carbone, Joe; Osenton, Jimmy; Douglas, Archie; Swan, John W.; Crawford, H.B.; Jensen, Wes; Davelaar, Louise; Honan, John;

The faces of three girls can be seen through the valentines that decorate the stage at the Elks Temple for the annual Father and Daughter Valentines party. Cutouts of butterflies decorate the draperies and swags of tinsel hang over the stage.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Children's parties; Valentines;

Max Frolic, owner of a popular roadside cafe on Pacific Highway in Lakewood, plays violin in March of 1952 at the Elks Temple despite the complaining antics of five club members.

Frolic, Max; Violins; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Tacoma Police Department graveyard shift on the Spanish Steps at the Elks lodge. Police officers display beards and mustaches in keeping with the request for Tacoma men not to shave during the month of August. The city sponsored a beard contest as a part of the ceremonies celebrating the Northwest Territory Centennial. TPL-8748

Police--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Fairyland and Christmas parade, November 29, 1935. Marching band in front of the Elks' Temple on Broadway. Three marching bands were scheduled in the parade, the Musicians' Union band, Stadium High School and Lincoln High School. This is most probably the Musicians' Union Band that was scheduled to start off the parade, accompanying Santa Claus. The Mother Goose float can be seen behind the band, followed by another marching band. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marching bands; Elks Temple (Tacoma);

ca. 1934. Portrait of the 148th Field Artillery band on the famous Spanish Steps of the Elks Temple in Tacoma. The 148th was attached to the Washington National Guard. (WSHS)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Stairways--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. Band (Tacoma); Military uniforms; Military bands;

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;

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 presented a check for $350 to the Elks to be used in their December 1942 Christmas party for needy children. Fred Humbert is pictured emptying a money bag of donations into the big Elks Stocking Fillers cash register outside the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway. Watching him are Elks and union members including Harry J. Lynch, chrm. of the Elks Christmas committee (at front - left) and Erling O. Johnson, Elks secretary-manager (at extreme right.) Other names are listed in the News Tribune article dated 12-22-42. Thanks to the generosity of these union members and other caring Tacomans, 650 children enjoyed a happy Christmas morning filled with fun and gifts. (TNT 12-22-42, p. 7-alt. photograph; TNT 12-26-42, p. 9-article on party)

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Cash registers; Lynch, Harry J.;

Mayor John Siegle pretends to light fuse of giant advertising fire-cracker for a Junior Chamber of Commerce "big bang" publicity for July 4th fireworks at Stadium Bowl. Spanish steps from Commerce to Broadway and (Old) Elks Temple in background.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Firecrackers; Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma);

Five of the oldest members of the Tacoma Elks Club gather to discuss the Good Old Days on Old Timers' night held in January of 1938. They are, left to right, S.J. Maxwell, member #2, whose career was in shipping; George L. Palmer, in the printing business and served once as Deputy Sheriff; S.A. Perkins, member #3, newspaper publishing; Major Charles O. Bates, law; and Calvin S. Heilig, member #1, theater owner in Tacoma and Portland. "Sam" Perkins served as master of ceremonies at the meeting where many memories were shared and enjoyed. (T. Times 1/20/1938, pg. 8) (filed with Argentum)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Perkins, S.A.; Maxwell, S.J.; Palmer, George L.; Bates, Charles O.; Heilig, Calvin S.; Older people--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Costumed publicity photographs for the "Saga of the West" presentation for the Golden Jubilee. Six young women wearing satin gowns and headdresses with stars pose for the portrait, sitting on the ornate railing of the Spanish Steps outside the Elks Temple. They are part of the "one hundred glorious girls" who will act as the Jubilee Queen's princesses in the finale of the pageant. The girls are, left to right, Anita Sherman, Bettianne Wasserman, Pat Brandt, Betty Anger, Thelma Dean Swift and Lucille Clark. (T. Times 7/18/1939, pg. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Historical pageants--Tacoma; Elks Temple (Tacoma); Sherman, Anita; Wasserman, Bettianne; Brandt, Pat; Anger, Betty; Swift, Thelma Dean; Clark, Lucille;

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple circa 1938. Men being seated in dining room. (filed with Argentum) (photo damage upper left corner?)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma;

Initiation of SeattleTacoma Shipbuilding Corporation employees at Elk's Club. Man at microphone on stage. [Also dated 03-29-1943]

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elks Club (Tacoma);

Don P. Tyler and George Nischan, meat specialists from the National Livestock and Meat Board conducted a program for retail meat dealers in Tacoma at the Elks Temple. The Meat Packers of the Northwest sponsored the program with Karl J. Maxwell of Carstens Packing Company as chair. A group of 35 people gather in front of the stage. (T.Times, 5/6/1947, p.18) TPL-8115

Meat Packers of the Northwest (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Stages (Platforms);

Two men and a woman view a large cut of meat while a man describes the uses and additional cuts for this piece. A variety of cuts of meat cover a table in front of them. Don P. Tyler and George Nischan, meat specialists from the National Livestock and Meat Board conducted a program for retail meat dealers in Tacoma at the Elks Temple. The Meat Packers of the Northwest sponsored the program with Karl J. Maxwell of Carstens Packing Company as chair. (T.Times, 5/6/1947, p.18)

Meat Packers of the Northwest (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meat; Meat cutting;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Two men stand by a display for K-Veneer and its uses. Numerous new plywood products were exhibited such as surfacings for panels and combination products, some manufactured from sawdust and other substances previously considered waste. (T.Times, 6/11/1947, p.1)

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A memorial service was held for Walter Sutter at the Elks Club on October 3, 1947. Although one of Walt's last requests was that no flowers be sent, many arrangements were sent in his honor. Money that would have been spent on flowers was asked to be donated to the Tacoma Boy's Club. The Elks Club was planning a musical show to be presented on stage with new sets produced for this occasion. View of portrait of Walt Sutter, with two fellow Elks members paying their respects (T. Times, 10/1/47, p. 8).

Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Sutter, Walter H.--Commemoration; Portraits; Bouquets; Flowers--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Emmett Anderson, the past Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks No. 174, is visiting Tacoma and will be delivering the eulogy at the annual Elk's memorial services. The public is invited to attend the memorial services. Max Frolic is the event's chairman and the ritual will be conducted by Jerry Geehan, the current Grand Exalted Ruler. View of Emmett T. Anderson standing in front of his caricature, other Elks members are standing by him (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 18).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Caricatures; Visiting; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.;

Gloria Ellexson, of Sumner, performed her award winning majorette routine for the Tacoma Elks Lodge on Wednesday June 30, 1948. A student at the College of Puget Sound, she had recently won the title of state champion in the majorette competition held in Aberdeen at the Elks' State Convention. She was the majorette for the Tacoma Elks Band, which , under the leadership of J. R. Gress, was also awarded state champion that year. (T. Times, 6/28/48, p. 1).

Baton twirling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Majorettes--Tacoma; Contests--Tacoma; Drum majoring--Tacoma; Costumes; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Ellexson, Gloria;

Exterior view of Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. The Elks building had just been painted and repaired, additional remodeling would also be done on the interior of the building. Elks members chose this site in 1914 and it was officially opened in 1916. The stairs are spanish style and have a decorative balustrade between Broadway and Commerce Street. The style of the building could be classified as part of the Beaux-Arts movement with many classical and renaissance features including the symmetrical facade, grand arched openings, medallions and decorative swags. The Elks relocated to a new temple on So. Union Ave. in 1965.

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Balustrades--Tacoma; Balusters; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Elk's Temple (Tacoma);