Governor Clarence D. Martin looks unsmilingly into the camera at December 28, 1937's Community Achievement Dinner. He is seated directly under a large poster of FDR entitled "Our President." Joining him at the head table are Sixth District Congressman John Coffee, Puget Sound Bank's Reno Odlin, and U.S. Senator Homer T. Bone. Governor Martin would later address the 1000+ diners on the reawakening of the industrial spirit in our state. He would also advocate a renewed push for vocational education for the state's children. (T.Times, 12-29-37, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Coffee, John; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bone, Homer Truett, 1883-1970; Legislators--Washington--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Posters;

Civic and political leaders join in song at the Community Achievement Dinner held at the Masonic Temple. L-R are Sixth District Congressman John Coffee, Governor Clarence D. Martin, Puget Sound National Bank president Reno Odlin, U.S. Senator Homer T. Bone and Tacoma Mayor George Smitley. Over one thousand people attended the achievement dinner which was combined with the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet. Governor Martin predicted a brighter future for our state with the initiation of a million dollar advertising campaign to bring more people, industry and payrolls to this area. (T. Times, 12-29-37, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Coffee, John; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bone, Homer Truett, 1883-1970; Legislators--Washington--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Posters; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma Mayor George A.Smitley (L) shaking hands with Harold A. Allen, retiring president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Allen had held the post for two years. The Chamber of Commerce combined their usual banquet with the city's Community Achievement Dinner on December 28, 1937, in the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. Governor Clarence D. Martin and a host of political and civic leaders attended the dinner, as did approximately 1000 residents. Toastmaster Reno Odlin presented Mr. Allen with a framed check for $2 as a humorous gesture for his years of service. (T.Times, 12-29-37, p. 1) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Allen, Harold A.; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Ivanhoe Commandery of the Knights Templar. Members of the Knights Templar are dressed in decorated robes, uniforms, hats and crowns in front of a stage hung with a large cross at the Masonic Temple. York Rites delegates to the annual state convention arrived Saturday, May 10, 1947, for meetings of the three grand bodies. The meetings of the twenty-eight commanderies of the Knights Templar was highlighted by a parade from the Masonic Temple to the First Christian Church on May 11th, 1947. This was the 60th conclave of grand commandery of Knights Templar of Washington (T.Times, 5/9/1947, p.1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Knights Templar (Tacoma); Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar (Tacoma);

Rainbow Convention. Pierce County Rainbow Girls hosted the 21st annual session of the Grand Assembly of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls June 22, 23 and 24, 1947. 1,500 girls from Washington, Idaho and Alaska met for the 25th anniversary of Rainbow in Washington State. Fifteen young women wearing floor length gowns and heart-shaped hats. A piano and flower decorations can be seen on the stage behind them. (T.Times, 6/19/1947)

Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns; Hats--1940-1950; Teenagers--1940-1950;

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.

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar (Tacoma);

The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. Groups from Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, Portland and many others were going to participate in the Northwest Temples March. The Afifi Temple will host the event. View of Shriners lined up and ready for their parade.

Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Flags; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);

Pat Billing was photographed with an unidentified accompanist as she rehearsed the song "My Bill" for the Junior League Follies of 1947. The show, scheduled for November 12th and 13th at the Temple Theatre, was produced to raise money for the Junior League's occupational therapy workshop. Several women in one of the shows dance routines can be seen practicing in the background. (T. Times, 10/25/47, p. 9).

Rehearsals--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Pianos; Singing--Tacoma; Junior League (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma); Billings, Pat;

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);

Daughters of the Nile, Mrs. Shotwell installation at Fellowship Hall, Don Shotwell. The Daughters of the Nile held their annual installation of officers of the Zora Temple No. 5 March 26, 1948, in Fellowship Hall of the Masonic Temple. These thirteen women wear evening gowns, above-the-elbow lace, fingerless gloves, and floral headpieces. The purpose of the order is to pursue "a philosophy of living which will enable them (the members), when shadows lengthen, to look back on a life well spent." The order also assists the Shriners in their work pertaining to crippled children. (T.Times, 3/20/1948, p.9; Fraternal Organizations, Alvin J. Schmidt, 1980)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Lillian M. (Mrs. J.Donald) Shotwell was installed as Queen of the Zora Temple No. 5 of the Daughters of the Nile in a ceremony held at Fellowship Masonic Hall on March 26, 1948. The room had been transformed into a scene of Oriental splendor with the river Nile flowing in the background. The Egyptian chorus and Egyptian dancers performed. Queen Lillian Shotwell carried a shower bouquet of baby orchids for the installation. Mrs. Shotwell is shown seated on the throne, which is covered with oriental carpets. She is wearing an evening gown, robe with a long train and a crown. Ordered by Don Shotwell. (T.Times, 3/20/1948, p.9) TPL-6478

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shotwell, Lilian M.; Stage props; Fellowship Hall (Tacoma);

The "1947 Follies" by Tacoma's Junior League was said to be an outstanding show. The Temple Theatre was filled up both nights and all contributions were donated to the Occupational Therapy Workshop. View of Junior League members performing "Squaws in Hollywood," which was one of the audiences' all time favorites. Performers are wearing full head dress, matching dresses and no shoes. (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 15).

Actresses; Feathers; Head-gear--Tacoma; Costumes; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Junior League (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (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;

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);

Daughters of the Nile. Five members of the Zora Temple are wearing matching evening gowns of shimmering satin and carry bouquets of carnations.

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carnations--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bouquets;

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);

Tacoma's Temple Theatre advertised they had the "widest proscenium arch of any theater or hall on Pacific Coast". Throughout the years the Temple Theatre had a number of movie stars making special appearances, including Tallulah Bankhead and Lucille Ball. The Temple Theatre was later renamed the Saint Helens Convention Center in 1992 and the Landmark Convention Center in 1995. View of unidentified man backstage at the Temple Theatre, by the curtain and props control area.

Theaters--Tacoma; Theatrical producers & directors--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Stage props; Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

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.

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

The original Black Hills Passion Play was said to one of the most colorful ever presented on a Tacoma stage. The show was sold for most of the matinee and evening performances. The play takes us through the last supper, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension. View of one of the actors in full costume, possibly Pontius Pilate; he was part of the Black Hills Passion Play (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 8).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Historical dramas; Biblical events; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

Joseph Meier came from Germany during the 1930's, he has been a part of biblical plays for many years, and has won the reputation of being the world's outstanding "Christus" portrayer. View of actor, Joseph Meier, portraying Christ; he is fully dressed in his costume for the Black Hills Passion Play (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 8).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Historical dramas; Biblical events; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma); Meier, Joseph;

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).

Newspapers--Tacoma; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Delivery boys--Tacoma; Children--Employment--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma News Tribune Publishing Co. (Tacoma); Fellowship Hall (Tacoma);

Scottish Rite officers.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

In 1951, the Retail Clerks Union Christmas party was held at the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. Santa Claus by the towering Christmas tree passed out bags of goodies to the large group of children whose parents were members of Local 367. (TNT 12-13-1951, C-11-article only)

Retail Clerks Union, Local 367 (Tacoma); Christmas trees--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas--Tacoma; Gifts; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Fellowship Hall (Tacoma);

Group portrait of Swiss singers. The United Swiss Singing Societies of the Pacific Coast met in formal concert at the Temple Theater on Friday, July 21, 1950. It was the start of a three day festival of singing and yodeling. Seven cities, including Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Modesto, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Tacoma sent delegations to the festival. Tacoma's Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society, under the direction of Erich Koker, hosted. (TNT 7-22-50, p.3)

United Swiss Singing Societies of the Pacific Coast; Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society (Tacoma); Tuxedoes; Evening gowns;

Scottish Rite group of fourteen men in the Corinthian room of the Masonic Temple.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Alice Wilson was installed as worthy adviser of the Tacoma assembly of Rainbow Girls in April of 1951. She is seen seated third from the left. The Gothic Room of the Masonic Temple was decorated with sea horses and fish. Margaret Ruff was the retiring worthy adviser. Other installing officers were Joyce Anderson, Ruth Brown, Ann Cox, Donna Moore, JoAnne Neff, Nadean Taylor, Carol Wallace and Joan Wilson. Other elected officers were: Carolyn Wahlberg, Ann Friberg, Jane Mueller, Donna Bradley, Carol Munro, and Joan Bennett. Ordered by Mrs. W.E. Wilson. (TNT, 5/26/1951, p.16)

Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wilson, Alice; Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evening gowns;

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);

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);

Miss Mercer; Children's Party. Large group of children standing on steps of the theater at the Masonic Temple in June of 1934. (filed with Argentum)

Temple Theatre (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

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

Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Temple Theatre (Tacoma);