On February 19, 1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. This action eventually led to the removal of some 110,000 Japanese-Americans to internments camps in remote areas of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. This little girl was photographed at Tacoma's Union Station as she and her family prepared to board a train to the Pinedale, California assembly center camp. 879 Japanese-Americans from the Tacoma "restricted area" left for Pinedale beginning on May 14, 1942. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Army soldiers speak with a couple at Union Station. On May 17-18, 1942, 859 residents of Tacoma of Japanese descent were forced to leave their homes and board trains to the Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno California. They were allowed to take a few approved possessions to their new "homes." This woman, dressed in her Sunday best for the trip, is transporting an irregularly shaped parcel and a First Aid kit, uncertain about the future. One of the soldiers inspects her package. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Miss Mary Fairhurst is pictured boarding a southbound train at Union Station for San Francisco, California where she has accepted a position with a nationally known concern. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril J. Fairhurst. (T. Times 8/26/1940, pg. 9)

Fairhurst, Mary; Union Station (Tacoma); Arrivals & departures--Tacoma--1940-1950; Farewells; Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On August 17, 1941, Tacoman Dwight Howell, Jr., the male Washington State entry in the national finals of the Ford Good Driver's League, and his mother, Mrs. D.E. Howell, set off from Union Station to travel East for the contest. They were pictured boarding the train for the trip to Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan. The Howells were being seen off by Leon Titus, 2nd from right, and an unidentified man. While in Michigan, the student drivers were given a series of driving tests over a six mile course laid out in downtown Detroit. They were also entertained by the Ford Motor Company. Dwight Howell won a $500 scholarship by placing third out of 49 contestants. (T. Times 8/15/1941, pg. 13-article; T.Times 8/26/1941, pg. 16-results)

Howell, Dwight; Howell, D.E.--Family; Union Station (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.;

Tacoma's traffic signal crew install newly designed signals at the crosswalk in front of the Union Depot train station on Pacific Avenue. Linemen Les Heineman and Bill Hansen adjust one of the new traffic signals while foreman Carl Somer balances a second signal which will also be hung above the street. Watching the installation are lineman helper Clare Gross, left, and Police Sgt. Bob Marshall, right. Other traffic revisions in downtown include the elimination of diagonal parking. (T. Times, 3/7/47, p. 1).

Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma; Streets--Tacoma; Crosswalks--Tacoma; Pedestrians--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

Community Chest Travelers Aid at Union Depot. Women are cleaning the location for the new men's lounge. The women's lounge will contain a nursery where mothers can care for their children's needs. (T.Times, 11/10/1943, p10)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Peggy Strong, with an unidentified man, looks up at one of two murals she had just completed. On Sunday afternoon April 9, 1944 the murals were unvailed at the Tacoma Union Depot. The murals depicted Paul Bunyan and Babe, his big, blue ox. The painting of Babe shows him pulling a plow and leaving behind a deep furrow that will become Puget Sound. The two paintings were commissioned by the Junior League. The larger mural, dominated by the massive figure of Paul Bunyan, included Mt. Rainier in the background. (T. Times, 4/10/44, p. 7).

Murals--Tacoma; Strong, Peggy; Paintings; Union Station (Tacoma); Junior League (Tacoma);

USO Union Depot. The United Service Organization Travelers Aid Service provided general information, assistance to new-comers and travelers, emergency overnight sleeping accommodations and activities for servicemen, military wives and others who were in need of services. View of five unidentified people in the Troop-in-Transit Lounge at the USO located in Union Depot on September 26, 1944. Background view of two murals featuring Paul Bunyan, painted by Tacoma artist, Peggy Strong. TPL-10380

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Murals--Tacoma--1940-1950;

During WWII part of Tacoma's Union Station at 1717 Pacific Avenue was set aside for use as emergency sleeping quarters by the Travelers Aid. This view, taken in September of 1944, shows the comfortable rest area set aside for women at the Depot. Cribs, twin-size beds with ruffled bedspreads, stuffed chairs and wooden chairs of all sizes were provided. The United Service Organizations - Travelers Aid Service provided general information, assistance to newcomers and travelers, emergency overnight sleeping accommodations for servicemen, military wives and others who were in need of services during WWII. TPL-10332

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Travelers Aid (Tacoma); Beds; Union Station (Tacoma);

College of Puget Sound students were getting ready for the upcoming homecoming football game against the San Jose Spartans in early October of 1947. The CPS Loggers would have their first post-war pep parade before the big game on Saturday. View of CPS students greeting the San Jose football team that has recently arrived at Union Depot (T. Times, 10/10/47, p. 7).

Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reunions--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

College of Puget Sound. The Loggers are ready to travel to San Jose, California, to play the San Jose Spartans October 1, 1948. L-R, Co-Captain Dick Hermsen, Yell Queen Cynthia Harris, Yell Duke Ed Hager, Coach John Heinrick, and Co-Captain Dick Brown are standing on the platform at Union Depot along with other people waiting for the train. The entire team would make the trip to get plenty of practice before the start of the Evergreen Conference season starting the next week. (T.Times, 10/1/1948, p.10)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heinrick, John; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

Under the leadership of Albert W. Taylor, illustrious potentate of Afifi temple, members of the director's staff attended the Shrine Directors Association of North America's annual meeting in San Francisco. The group is seen here on March 23, 1952 as they prepare to board their train at Union Station. Names are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 3/26/1952, p.19)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979; abandoned baggage cart under stairs near railroad tracks.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Interior view of Union Station, circa 1979; view of abandoned straw hat on steps leading from tracks to the waiting room.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Interior view of Union Station, circa 1979; view of photographer's shadow on steps beside station.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Interior view of Union Station, circa 1979; view of stairs down to tracks.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Interior view of Union Station, circa 1979; view of stairs down to tracks.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Exterior view of Union Station, circa 1979.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Exterior view of Union Station, circa 1979.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979, prior to remodel. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Interior shot of Union Station, circa 1979.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Interior shot of Union Station, circa 1979.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;