Members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 collected $700 from members to help locally during the 1942 Christmas season. The donated money was divided equally between the Elks Stocking Fillers and the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. Here a night deposit sack containing $350 is presented to the Elks to help pay for their annual Christmas morning party for needy children. Gathered around the big Stocking Fillers cash register are, from left according to the News Tribune: Harry J. Lynch, Erling O. Johnson, Fred Humbert, Carl Webb, Harry T. Salle, Carvel Leighton, Verne Johnson, Raymond T. Tarr, Paul Drake, Merrill C. Thompson and A.T. "Skipper" Delplaine. (TNT 12/22/1942, pg. 7)

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;

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;

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;

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

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);

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;

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;

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;

Elks Club, publicity for Stocking Fillers. A new organization in the Tacoma Lodge of Elks is the F.K.S. Construction Company to rehabilitate the Elk's facilities and construction at the Temple. F.K.S. comes from the names of their three officers, L-R above, Max Frolic, Rinaldo Keasal and Walter Sutter. These men are studying plans submitted by the building committee which called for a $250,000 expenditure for a new addition and modernization throughout. (T.Times, 10/14/1946, p.8) TPL-9827

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Architectural drawings; Blueprints; Frolic, Max; Keasal, Rinaldo; Sutter, Walter H.;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

1967 Richards stock file. The venerable Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, stands empty in 1967. The membership of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174, had moved to a brand new temple at 1965 So. Union two years before. The building's famous Spanish steps are to the right of this August 2, 1967, photograph. A large monkey puzzle tree, next to the steps, reaches toward the building's roofline.

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Trees--Tacoma;

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;

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;

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;

ca. 1931. Several men stand outside the door of the Tacoma Elks (BPOE- Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) Temple admiring the Elks Magazine Studebaker President 8. Tom Truly has been identified as the young man in the cap at the far left of the photograph. He was one of the drivers on this Studebaker/Elks tour. The automobile according to lettering on its side was travelling from New York to Seattle for the Elks National Convention, July 6-9th. The automobile is believed to be a 1931 Studebaker President 8 Roadster convertible. At the wheel is thought to be W.C. O'Donnell, Studebaker advertising manager from NYC. The Elks National Grand Lodge Convention site was Seattle in 1931. (filed with Argentum) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Studebaker automobile; Truly, Tom;

Seven soldier members of the Salt Lake No. 85 Elks Lodge pose in front of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 on August 16, 1918. They are wearing military uniforms with most carrying flags. A large sign is held by two Elks "warning" others to "Watch Your Girls We're From Salt Lake No. 85." The soldiers represented their lodge during the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention held in Tacoma during August of 1918. They would march in the massive downtown parade along with Elks from lodges across the state and including several Montana Elks stationed at Camp Lewis. G68.1-109 (TDL 8-17-18, p. 7-article)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Salt Lake Lodge No. 85; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Signs (Notices); Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1939. Photograph taken at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, showing attendance. (filed with Argentum)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple, circa 1938. Men being served by waitress, fireplace with head of an elk above it. (filed with Argentum)

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

On December 30, 1948, the Elks Temple at 565 Broadway opened its doors to members, wives and ladies to see the newly renovated building. The club room, very popular with the majority of the membership, was just one of the rooms that was completely redone. Everything - chairs, tables, floor coverings, light fixtures - was new and modernized. Even the billiard tables were completely overhauled. All the funiture was custom made in Tacoma. (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Billiard parlors--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

Old Timers nite at Elks Club, Harry Lynch. All members of the Elks with 25 years or more service were honored with dinner at the Elks Club on January 26, 1949. After dinner the Old Timers marched to the lodge room and, after a short business session, they were treated to a two-hour professional vaudeville show and surprises. More than 400 members and their guests were expected. A band sits at the edge of the floor for the performance. A stuffed elk stands by one of the exits and a mounted elk head is over one of the doors at the rear on the room. Murals decorate the walls. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.2)

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

Raymond Farr and John Anderson at desk for Elks Magazine, Elks Club, Jack Brouillard. Both men are reviewing the list of names of people registering for the Christmas Committee from 1946. Raymond Farr and John Anderson are helping make the 1948 Elks Stocking Fillers' annual Christmas benefit for Tacoma's under-privileged children a success. The activities this year include dinner for the blind and the annual Christmas morning party for children at the Elks Temple. (T.Times, 12/8/1948, p.2)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Farr, Raymond; Anderson, John H.;

The goal of the Stocking Fillers project of the Tacoma Elks Club in 1948 was to insure that every child in Tacoma would be remembered on Christmas day. To help reach their goal, the Elks worked closely with Tacoma's 1,900 Girl Scouts. The scouts made sure that each of the 120 dolls that were given as gifts came with a full wardrobe of handmade clothes. Sitting with a selection of the dolls that were given away are: (l to r) Mirth Geiselman of Troop 14, Horace Mann school; Kay Mernaugh of Troop 63, St. Patrick's school; and Sharon Hodges of Troop 14. The adults behind them are: (l to r) Lloyd Wynans, loyal knight of the Elks and member of the Elks Christmas committee; Sheila Lamar, district director of the Tacoma Girl Scout staff; and Andy Johnson, member of the Elks Christmas committee. (TNT 12/22/1948 p.23).

Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dolls; Christmas presents; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Christmas--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

John H. Anderson, Exalted Ruler of the Tacoma Elks and future Mayor, holds a big salmon for another man to measure in front of the Elks Temple on Broadway. Third man holds some smaller fish. ALBUM 14.

Anderson, John H.; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Salmon;

Over 800 members enjoyed the seventh annual Elks club Extravaganza held on March 31, 1954. Members participated in skits, played in the Elks orchestra, sang and danced under the direction of well known vaudevillian, Max Frolic. View of "police officers" surrounding a well-dressed "lady" on stage; the Elks orchestra accompanies the skit. Pianist on left is believed to be Bert Kool, who produced and led the musical portion of the program. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

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