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;

Elks, Father and daughter night. Several girls pose with the carousel used to decorate the Elks club along with hearts for Father and Daughter night.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Merry-go-rounds--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Parties; Children's parties;

Three two-man crews of painters work from platforms suspended on the south wall of the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, in August of 1947. The temple, dedicated on February 22, 1916, was designed by E. Frere Champney. The staircase next to the building, that connects Broadway with Commerce St., is known as the Spanish steps, and were intended to serve as a fire escape for the building. The Elks Temple has fallen into disrepair, and its future is in question. TPL-8446

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Historic buildings--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1940-1950; Streets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A memorial service and tribute was held for Walter Sutter at the Elks Club, where fellow Elks members, family and friends paid their respects to their beloved friend. The Elks Club was planning a musical show in Walt's honor, to be presented on stage with new sets produced for this occasion. View of portrait of Walt Sutter, with new stage props on right side (T. Times, 10/1/47, p. 8).

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

The Elks Club was having their annual Father-Daughter program at the Elks Temple in March of 1947. A large number of club members and their daughters and granddaughters would be performing. The show's main attraction was a six year old pianist. View of two Elks club members doing a dancing cow puppet show act (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puppets; Puppet shows--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Four men stand by one of the displays at the one-day convention of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association showing some of the post-war requirements of the plywood industry. Among the displays at the convention were samples made by the Plywood Research Foundation showing new uses and new products from plywood. (T.Times, 6/11/1947, p.1)

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

Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Four men stand by one of the display boards at the DFPA conference referring to the advertising done by the association on behalf of the plywood industry. All 33 of the Douglas Fir plywood factories in the western parts of Oregon and Washington were then participants in the plywood industry's quality control program. (T.Times, 6/11/1947, p.1)

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

Exalted Ruler and trustee at Elks Club, Jack Brouillard, Elks Club. Two men are playing handball at the Elks Club. They are both wearing tee shirts, shorts, court shoes, and special gloves. The walls of the handball court show the marks of the ball hitting the surface over and over again.

Elks Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Handball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sport clothes; Athletes--Tacoma;

New officers were installed at the Tacoma Lodge of Elks for 1951-1952 May 5, 1951, at an impressive ceremony under the direction of the past exalted rulers. The new exalted ruler was Harold L. (Bud) Duncan. Other officers were John S. Roberts, leading knight; Arthur J. Emery, lecturing knight; E.O. Johnson, secretary; Walter E. Leggett, treasurer; Arthur Stolen, trustee; and Swan Johnson, tiler. (TNT, 4/6/1951, p.C-7)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Inaugurations--Tacoma;

The Community Chest "Kick-off" dinner was held at the Elks Ballroom on October 1, 1950. The annual dinner preceded the official start of the volunteer campaign; the Community Chest wanted to raise funds for the support of 21 Red Feather agencies. Over 1200 workers were involved in the Community Chest campaign; many of whom attended the event. View of several guests at the dinner; Brig. Gen. LeRoy H. Watson, commanding general of Fort Lewis, is believed to be on the far right. Governor Arthur B. Langlie delivered the main address. The goal of the Community Chest was to raise $372,142 by October 23rd. (TNT 10-1-50, p. 1, TNT 10-4-50, p. C-2)

Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

One of the skits for the 1956 Elks Extravaganza, March 14 & 15, involved a crooning duo, backed up by the All Girl Elks Band. Some of these "girls" look quite muscular handling those instruments because they are really Elks brothers. Once a year, Elk members could doll themselves up for the amusement of fellow members, friends and families. The Wednesday show, the more risque of the two, was viewed by members only. The Thursday show was open to members, ladies and friends. In 1956, the show was once again directed by old time vaudeville star Max Frolic, who had been prevented from participating in 1955 by ill health. (TNT 3-11-1956, pg. A-3)

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

ca. 1956. Back view of a skit performed for the Elks Banquet. The Elk members appear in long johns, sailor hats, black socks and shoes; dancing with feather fans. The backs of their union suits are emblazoned with numbers or the words city and lake. They are using the fans as a modest covering for their, or others, privates. For the first time in 30 years, 3,000 Washington state Elks and their wives descended on Tacoma for the 54th annual state convention June 14-16. Lots of social and business activities, plus some high-jinks were planned for their three day stay. Although the Elks were noted for their ability to have a good time, they also funded much needed social projects, such as mobile cerebral palsy treatment and training, the blood banks, traffic safety and civil defense. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Burlesque shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In June of 1956 six unidentified Elks members wearing sailors' hats, union suits and garters performed a 1950s version of the "Full Monty" as part of the entertainment at the Elks convention banquet. Over 3,000 Elks and their wives were in Tacoma for the 54th annual state convention held June 14- 16, 1956. The convention host, Tacoma's Lodge #174, was the third largest in the nation with 5,600 members. Statewide, the fraternal organization had 56,000 members. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Burlesque shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Corsages are worn by the incoming and outgoing officers of the American Legion Auxiliary on August 2, 1958, as they posed for a group portrait in the Elks Temple. The woman seated to the extreme right lacks a corsage but wears a ribbon and name tag labeled "Greetings from Tacoma." All the women are dressed in white and wear dark narrow sashes. Mrs. Everett Eaton of Battleground, was elected as new department president, succeeding Mrs. Frank S. Evans of Sedro Woolley. In addition, twelve new district auxiliary presidents were chosen. $74,000, the amount earned through the sale of veteran made paper poppies, was spent by the auxiliary for rehabilitation of the veterans. Photograph ordered by the American Legion Auxiliary. (TNT 8-3-58, A-11)

American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Washington State Restaurant Assn. held their annual luncheon at the Elks Club on October 15, 1958. The meal was prepared entirely by Chef James Osenton's class at the Tacoma Voctional School and served by the waitresses of Local #61. Names of those pictured can be found in the News Tribune's October 16, 1958, issue. October was deemed National Restaurant Month; the Washington State Restaurant Assn. traditionally had offered a free meal to the city's leaders to demonstrate the importance of restaurants to the area's economy. Over 500 Chamber of Commerce and civic leaders attended. (TNT 10-5-58, B-3; TNT 10-9-58, C-5; TNT 10-16-58, p. 23)

Group portraits; Cooks; Waitresses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Restaurant Association (Tacoma);

Elks; ritualistic team on stage. The Tacoma Elks Lodge Ritualistic team won top honors at the state contest in Pasco in 1955. They would be competing at the national convention in July in Philadelphia. The trophy is for Washington State Elks Association championship ritualistic team (for 1949-1950, not yet engraved for the current year.) Team members wear tuxedos with ornamental neckpieces. Team members were as follows (listed in no particular order) : A.J. Emery, Exalted Ruler, W.E. Bysegger, leading knight, Norbert Grove, loyal knight, Swan Johnson, lecturing knight, Dr. Ray Magnusson, esquire, Frank F. Smith, inner guard, and Wesley Holmberg, chaplain. E.O. Johnson, lodge secretary, was the coach of the team. The man in the photograph standing fourth from the left has been identified as W.E. Bysegger. (TNT 1/22/1955, pg. 2)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Grove, Norbert; Johnson, Swan;

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition, the hand painted opening curtain for the show. The curtain features advertising from many Elk-owned businesses, with Art Emery's American Outdoor Advertising featured prominently in the center. Many of the ads have caricatures of the business owners. Rinaldo Keasal's reads simply "Out of Business. Retired to the Farm on I Street. Take your problems some where else."

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

Washington State Restaurant Association; lunch at the Elks Club. These are members of the Culinary Alliance and Bartenders' Union, Local #61 and staff and students of Tacoma Vocational School that served and prepared the meal. The free meal was offered to over 500 business, labor and political leaders to kick off National Restaurant Month. The annual hospitality luncheon was intended to give a clear impression of the gigantic strides made each year by Tacoma area restaurants in the preparation and serving of food. Over 17 billion dollars would be spent nationally in restaurant meals in 1956. The lunch consisted of baked ham, candied sweet potatoes, string beans, green salad and Bartlett pear pie. (TNT 10/4/1956, pg. D-3, 10/9/1956, pg. B-1, 10/11/1956, pg. A-4 photo- see caption for names.)

Cooks; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Waiters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Restaurant Association (Tacoma); Culinary Alliance Union Local 61 (Tacoma); Elks Club (Tacoma);

An unidentified beaming little girl clutched a reindeer made of balloons at the Elks Club 1956 Christmas Day party for children. Another balloon creature, a dog, faced the child from a chair. Each year the Elks Club sponsored a Christmas party for children; in 1956, 800 children were sent invitations to attend the party at the Elks Lodge at 565 Broadway. A Christmas tree, candy, nuts and fruit plus entertainment were provided. The girl in the photograph is wearing a pretty flowered dress and her hair is neatly parted and held back with a shell clasp. Photograph ordered by the Elks Club. (TNT 12-18-56, p. 9)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Balloons--Tacoma;

Elks Club members with 25 years of service or longer were being honored by the club on January 26, 1949. Cecil Walrath, Elks Exalted Ruler, stated the club would be honoring over 400 men. "Old Timers" would march to the lodge room and after a short business section, a two hour entertainment program would begin. The program would include a professional vaudeville show, Elks band performances and surprises. View of ten Elks Club members all of whom may be officers of the club. First row, second from left is John H. Anderson, future mayor of Tacoma; third from left is Cecil Walrath, second from right is Lloyd L. Wynans and at extreme right is Harold Duncan. At far right, standing, is Erling O. Johnson, longtime secretary. Also standing, second from left, is believed to be John S. ("Jack") Roberts. Mr. Roberts would be elected exalted ruler of the Tacoma Elks in 1952. He was then the city's public works commissioner. (T. Times, 1/24/49, p. 2).

Commemoration--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, John H.; Walrath, Cecil; Wynans, Lloyd L.; Johnson, Erling O.; Duncan, Harold;

More than 150 boys were sworn in as School Patrol Officers, taking their oaths and joining the 600 other student officers in Tacoma. The Tacoma School District initiated the student safety program 20 years ago and since that time there have been about 10,000 patrol officers. View of boys standing on the Spanish Steps next to the Elks Temple after they took their oaths, Bob Hager (second row, right side) received a certificate of appreciation from the Automobile Association of Washington for 20 years of service to the patrol. The uniformed officer on the left is Don Davies, coordinator of the School Safety Patrol. (T. Times, 2/6/49, p. 28).

School children--Tacoma; Oaths--Tacoma; Guards--Tacoma; Elks Temple (Tacoma); Boys--Tacoma; Tacoma School Patrol (Tacoma);;

Elks Club. Members of the Elks are starting work on their 1949 Elks Stocking Fillers' annual Christmas benefit for Tacoma's under-privileged children. Three men review a long list of names of those Elks who have already signed up to work on the project.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Elks were organized to inculcate the principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity; the club promotes members' welfare and enhances the happiness of its members. The Elks believe they can increase American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship. Interior view of Tacoma's Elks Lodge No. 174's clubroom, the clubroom is near the Secretary's office, the room has new billiard tables and Christmas decorations (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas decorations; Billiard parlors--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elks Club (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Elks Club was having their annual "Extravaganza" event. This year's show would include a short concert by the Elks band, ten all-Elks acts, and a minstrel show. All benefits from the show would be used to help send the local Elks Band to the Grand Lodge Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The newly appointed Elks Exalted Ruler, John H. Anderson would give the welcome address for the "Extravaganza". Names appear in newspaper (T.N.T., 4/26/49, p. 5).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Cross dressing--Tacoma; Female impersonators--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Tacoma Elks lodge band on the Spanish Steps, with two drum majorettes .

Organizations - Fraternal Organizations - Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Music Ensembles - Bands - Marching Bands

950 fishermen took part in the Elks 1952 salmon derby in Commencement Bay. A prize board was completed for the winning fish with fifty-four prizes. First prize, a 14-foot boat motor, was awarded for a 26 pound, 8 ounce salmon brought in by Frank Lippincott. H.H. Mounsey was runner-up with a 21 pound, 6 ounce salmon. (TNT, 9/9/1952, p.18)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Awards; Fishing;

Publicity photo of a group of 5 for Elks Extravaganza, Elks Auditorium. The 5th annual Tacoma Elks Extravaganza, under the direction of old time vaudeville star Max Frolic, was presented March 25-26, 1952. The Wednesday performance was exclusively for local lodge members and the Thursday performance was open to all Elks, their ladies and friends. The show featured 15 attractions: singers, dancers, dramatic acts and a 15 piece orchestra under the direction of Bert Kool. Pictured, left to right, are Mike J. LaVelle, Ballet Director, Max Frolic, with violin, E.J. "Bud" Weller, hero in the drama "Never Weigh the Hand," Joe Gorman, Irish Tenor and Rinaldo Keasal, First Assistant. (TNT 3/23/1952, pg A-14)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Frolic, Max; LaVelle, Mike J.; Weller, E.J.; Gorman, Joe; Keasal, Rinaldo;

The Tacoma Elks Club apparently had a wide variety of entertainers and skits in their annual Extravaganza. View of group portrait of Elks members in 1953; some are heavily made up and costumed. There is even a "hula" dancer to the far left of the picture, complete with lei, strapless top, and grass skirt. Well known vaudevillian, Max Frolic, produced the two-night extravaganza, with a cast of over 50 and a 35-piece Elk band. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

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

The Tacoma Advertising Club met at the Elks Club on January 10, 1962. Two men are photographed with a television set; they are watching themselves on camera. Max Bice, general manager of KTNT-TV, is on the left; Larry Roberts on the right.

Tacoma Advertising Club (Tacoma); Televisions; Bice, Max; Roberts, Larry;

Members of the Tacoma Ad Club show off their awards during luncheon at the Elks Club on October 21, 1964. Man seated in the center of the group holds a certificate given to the Cole Weber Advertising agency. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Ad Club.

Tacoma Advertising Club (Tacoma); Awards;