ca. 1935. Masonic Temple at 2nd and St. Helens, with the adjoining Temple Theatre. The Temple opened in 1927. It was designed by A.J. Russell, architect, and is on the City Registry. The interior is Greek with Egyptian detail. The theatre was originally known as the Heilig Theatre, but became Hamrick's Temple Theatre in 1931. It could seat 1800. At the time of the photograph, the theatre is showing Charlie Chan's Greatest Case plus Myrt & Marge. The Kernel Mosely big white popcorn wagon is parked across the street from the theatre. A sign on the wagon advises lovers of good popcorn that they will be popping corn at night. On the ground floor of the Masonic Temple, left to right, is the Harter Dance of Dance and the Clark Cafe, serving lunch and dinner and Clark's Tobaccos, selling Kools and cigars. TPL-822
Grand Officers of the M. W. Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. (Free and Accepted Masons) of Washington in front of the Masonic Temple. Building by Ambrose J. Russell, Architect, 1925. (filed with Argentum)
Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Group of men photographed in June of 1932 wearing Masonic costumes on the steps of the Masonic Temple. The "Shriners" were founded in 1872 as a fun fraternal organization for men who had completed their requirements in the Scottish or Knights Templar (York rite) Masonic organizations. (filed with Argentum)
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);
Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Group of men in Masonic costumes on steps of the Masonic Temple. This circa 1932 group photo has been superimposed against a background of Mount Rainier. The "Shriners" were founded in 1872 as a fun fraternal organization for men who had completed their requirements in the Scottish or Knights Templar (York rite) Masonic organizations.
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);
Group of men in Afifi costumes inside the Masonic Temple; photograph taken in June of 1932. This is possibly the same group of men as images 1 & 1A. (filed with Argentum).
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma);
This is the Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, photographed within the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave., in June of 1932. It is the same photograph as 411, image 9 except that part of the background has been lightened.
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma);
Afifi Mounted Divan. Thirteen men in Afifi capes and hats on horse back in front of Masonic Temple during a ceremonial and festival of music on July 23, 1932. Names printed by horses, left to right, Leverenz, Densmore, Hill, Allen, Carnahan, Colton, Sutter, Ford, Millard, Whitman, Callow, McKenzie and Middlesworth. (filed with Argentum)
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Horses;
Approximately 1000 Northern Pacific Railroad Veterans were treated to a scrumptious banquet at the Masonic Temple on June 29, 1957, during the group's 33rd annual convention. There is a large banner welcoming the 1957 Veterans posted on pillars. Special Pullmans and coaches left St. Paul on June 25th to bring members from Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Washington to the two-day convention. There are approximately 3500 members of the Veterans group, consisting of employees and former employees with a minimum of 30 years of service. Dean Eastman of Seattle, Northern Pacific vice-president, was scheduled to speak at the banquet. Photograph ordered by Northern Pacific Railway. (TNT 6-19-57, C-9)
Grand Officers of the Eastern Star on stage in June of 1942. Flags of several nations, including the United States, and silhouettes of Presidents Lincoln and Washington serve as decorations. 1500 Eastern Star members attended the organization's 59th annual meeting held at the Masonic Temple. Mayme Harmony was elected worthy grand matron and Irwin Jones, worthy grand patron. (T.Times 6-17-42, p. 8-article; T.Times 6-19-42, p. 9-article)
Order of the Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Flags; Silhouettes; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
The Grand Chapter of the State of Washington, Order of the Eastern Star, opened their "Victory Session" at Fellowship Hall in the Masonic Temple on June 18, 1942. The Grand Officers posed for a group portrait for the 59th annual meeting. Hanging above them are flags from many nations. Since America was at war then the flags shown are from some of their allies, including Great Britain and the USSR. Silhouettes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln flank the officials on stage. 1500 Eastern Star members attended the meeting. Mayme Harmony of Seattle and Irwin Jones were selected as worthy grand matron and worthy grand patron, respectively. (T.Times 6-17-42, p. 8-article; T.Times 6-19-42, p. 9-article)
Order of the Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Flags; Silhouettes; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Approximately 900 employees and guests of Northern Pacific Railway enjoyed the company's annual awards dinner on April 25, 1962. It was held in the Fellowship Hall of the Masonic Temple. View of head tables on stage; rows of people eating. Some men have ribbons pinned to their lapels while some women are wearing corsages. The South Tacoma Shops had won the annual President's Safety Award for the fifth time since the award's inauguration. Each year one railway shop between Tacoma and St. Paul was judged to have the best safety working record. (TNT 4-26-62, B-9)
The Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall was packed with employees of the Northern Pacific Railway, their wives, railway officials, representatives of city, chamber and the South Tacoma Business Club, and railway medical staff on April 25, 1962, as the company enjoyed the annual awards banquet. Approximately 900 people were in attendance. View of long rows of tables; dais in background where dignitaries were seated. The South Tacoma Shops had won for the fifth time the annual President's Safety Award. Photograph ordered by Northern Pacific Railway. (TNT 4-26-62, B-9)
A large crowd watched as June Holladay (in private life Peggy Robinson), a Washington Natural Gas home economist, provided a cooking demonstration at the Temple Theatre in early October, 1964. The audience, primarily women, were attending the 3-day Homemakers Fall Festival sponsored by the Gas Company and the Tacoma News Tribune. June Holladay demonstrated equipment, appliances and cooking techniques on stage twice a day at the free festival. The latest products were highlighted, plus Andrews Women's Apparel presented a fashion show. Photograph ordered by Washington Natural Gas.
Audiences--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cookery--Tacoma--1960-1970; Temple Theatre (Tacoma); Holladay, June; Robinson, Peggy; Washington Natural Gas Co. (Tacoma);
A full house at the Temple Theatre. This October, 1964, photograph was taken from the balcony of the Temple Theatre. The large group of primarily women were present to view the latest products and cooking techniques from Washington Natural Gas. The Homemakers Fall Festival, sponsored by the Washington Natural Gas Co. and the Tacoma News Tribune, also featured a style show by Andrews Women's Apparel. Groceries were provided by Shop-Rite Food Centers. Admission to the 3-day festival was free. On stage, demonstrating equipment and appliances twice a day, was gas company home economist June Holladay (in private life Peggy Robinson). Photograph ordered by Washington Natural Gas. (TNT 9-20-64, D-11)
Scottish Rite. Scottish Rite degrees were conferred at the 78th annual spring reunion at Masonic Temple May 15, 1945, according to J. Earl Horton, Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection. (T.Times, 5/14/1945, p.9)
Group portraits--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Horton, J. Earl; Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);
Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4 was the local chapter of the Knights Templar of Washington. View of Ivanhoe club members gathered together for their April, 1946, meeting at the Masonic Temple. Man in front row, second from left is wearing the grand commander cloak, cap and sash.
Forty Women at Masonic Temple, Daughters of the Nile, Mrs. Shotwell. These women are wearing a variety of costumes. In the very front five women are dressed as belly dancers with sheer skirts, midriff exposed and egyptian head pieces. Women in the middle are wearing white cossack-style costumes with blouson pants, cumberbund and high-necked, long, full sleeved blouses. They also wear matching head pieces.The women around the edges and back row are wearing evening gowns.
Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes--Egyptian; Costumes--Russian; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Headdresses; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma);
Forty Women at Masonic Temple, Daughters of the Nile, Mrs. Shotwell. The Zora Temple No. 5, Daughters of the Nile, were honored by the official visit of the supreme queen, Mrs. Ray Hoble of Rockford, Illinois. The decorating committee chose an oriental theme. The program included an exhibition drill by the Egyptian patrol and the dancing girls presented an Egyptian number. These women are wearing a variety of costumes and stand on the stage at the Masonic Temple. The formation of the Daughters of the Nile originated in the home of Mrs. Mable R. Krows, Seattle, Washington. She and a number of other Shriners' wives on February 20, 1913, formed the Ladies of the Nile Club. The first local unit (temple) was named "Hatosu" in honor of an Egyptian queen. (TNT, 2/29/1948, p.B-5; Fraternal Organizations, Alvin J. Schmidt, 1980)
Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes--Egyptian; Costumes--Russian; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Headdresses; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma);
Sunrise service, Ivanhoe Commandry, Lorenzo Mansfield. The girls of the Jason Lee school chorus stand on risers on the stage at Temple Theater. The director stands at the left end of the stage. The girls wear white blouses, black bows and black skirts for the sunrise service. They took part in the Easter Sunrise Service at Temple Theater sponsored by the Knights Templar and the Council of Churches. (TNT, 3/27/1948, p.1)
Choirs (Music); Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950; Conductors--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Sunrise service, Ivanhoe Commandry, Lorenzo Mansfield. The boys from the Jason Lee school choir all wear sweater vests with a note on the chest. The notes have the word "Glee" written on them. They are wearing dark bow ties. The choir conductor stands on the right and a few of the girls in the choir are seen behind her. They took part in the Easter Sunrise Servive sponsored by the Knights Templar and the Council of Churches at Temple Theater. (TNT, 3/27/1948, p.1)
Choirs (Music); Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Religious services--Tacoma--1940-1950; Conductors--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Scottish Rite reunion, Mr. Farnsworth. Scottish Rite bodies of Freemasonry in the Tacoma district held their 84th semi-annual reunion the week of May 16, 1948, and dedicated it to the memory of the late Felix Robinson, 33rd degree, in appreciation for his 27 years of activity in the Masonic order. Over 100 petitioners were expected to form the reunion class for the ritualistic induction. The Scottish Rite of the Freemasons appears to have been organized in the United States in 1801. It offers higher Degrees to a Master Mason (the third and highest of the traditional degrees, and as far as he can go in his Blue Lodge). The Scottish Rite is open to Jews and others. (T.Times, 5/14/1948, p.9 and International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Alan Axelrod, 1997)
Installation of officers, White Shrine Masonic Temple, studio spec. The White Shrine of Jerusalem was founded as a Christian auxiliary to Freemasons in the United States. There were 69,000 members in 1995. Until 1953 members of the White Shrine of Jerusalem were required to be members of the Eastern Star. The original White Shrine of Jerusalem was founded by Charles D. Magee in Chicago on October 23, 1894. Membership is open to Master Masons as well as their wives, mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters. Members are known as Sojourners; the head of the organization is the Supreme Worthy High Priestess. (International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Alan Axelrod, 1997)
White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inaugurations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);
Several groups at Masonic Temple, Ivanhoe Commandry, Lorenzo Mansfield. A group of 20 members of the Knights Templar are wearing their handsome uniforms and plumed hats. The Knight Templar is the 10th degree and the highest rank of the York Rite. The (Masons) Knights Templar was founded in 1816 as a fraternal service organization for Master Masons. The order flourishes in the Unites States, where there were 300,000 members in 1994. Lodges are called Commanderies; states with three or more lodges form Grand Commanderies. Since "none but Christians can be admitted, consequently it cannot be considered strictly as a Masonic body." (International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Alan Axelrod, 1997; Fraternal Organizations, by Alvin J. Schmide, 1980)
Bellingham American Legion Drum Corp at Elks Temple, Ed F. Herrman, Business Manager, Bellingham. The American Legion held their 30th annual convention in Tacoma August 25 - 28th, 1948. Approximately 5,000 members of the Legion, its auxilliary, the 40 et 8 and its auxiliary, the 8 et 40, were expected at the convention. The grand parade of the convention was held August 27th followed by the drum and bugle corps in the stadium. This view of the Bellingham drum and bugle corps including their drum majors is taken by the Masonic Temple. Farther in the background are Commencement Bay and the tideflats.
American Legion (Bellingham); Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drum majors--Bellingham; Marching bands; Band uniforms--Bellingham; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mrs. Emma Love, Masonic Temple, at request of Mrs. Love. Mrs. Herbert F. Love was one of the past Queens of Zora Temple No. 5. She and the other past queens assisted during the ceremonial dinner where the Zora Temple honored Supreme Queen Mattie E. Watson from Phoenix, Arizona, at the Masonic Temple. Mrs. Love stands in front of chairs draped with oriental rugs with sparkling fabric hung decoratively behind. She is wearing a crown and a long white robe with a sparkling, stand-up collar and she holds a bouquet of flowers. (TNT, 2/6/1949, p.D-6)
Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Love, Emma; Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma);
Order of Eastern Star Vida Chapter was having their annual installation of officers in the Gothic Room in Tacoma's Masonic Temple; an informal reception would be held in the roof garden with the Starlets serving as hostesses. View of members from the Vida Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, during the ceremony for the installation of new officers (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. D-8).
Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Masonic buildings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Order of Eastern Star Vida Chapter No. 35 (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);
Tacoma News Tribune newspaper carriers were honored at the 13th annual banquet, held at the Fellowship Hall. More than 400 boys and girls enjoyed a turkey dinner, ice cream and apple pie. The newspaper carriers were thanked for their hard work and dedication to their jobs. View of newspaper carriers sitting at their district tables (T.N.T., 10/29/49, p. 10).
Sorority program at Masonic Temple. Roomful of mostly women watch intently the proceedings in front of them in this photograph from March of 1950. Two men and two women are on a small stage. The event occurred at the Masonic Temple, probably the one at 47 Saint Helens Ave. in Tacoma.
1,200 delegates were expected at the 37th annual Washington Congress of the Parents and Teachers Association. A banquet at Fellowship Hall at the Masonic Temple highlighted the three-day conference. Mrs. John E. Hayes of Twin Falls, Idaho, president of the National Congress of P.T.A., was the national representative and the featured speaker at the convention. Music was supplied by the Puyallup High School Band and the Lincoln High School a cappella choir. (TNT, 5/4/1950, p.12)
Fellowship Hall (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Educational organizations--Tacoma; People associated with education & communication; Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (Tacoma);
