ca. 1948. Governor (or Republican candidate) Arthur Langlie and his wife Evelyn, Congressman Thor Tollefson, and Puget Sound National Bank chief Reno Odlin on the platform at the Tacoma Armory, likely during the 1948 Republican State Convention.

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Legislators--Washington--1940-1950; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Political elections--Tacoma;

Printed on front: Armory and Court House, Tacoma, Wash 611.

Printed on front: The State Armory Showing Court House, Tacoma, Wash.

Printed on front: No. 6 State Armory, Tacoma, Washington

Printed on front: The State Armory and Court House, Tacoma, U.S.A.

Current location of Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch with the Armory and Courthouse in the background. Printed on front: Carnegie Library, Court House and State Armory, Tacoma, Wn.

Printed on front: Washington State Armory, Tacoma, Wash.

Printed on front: No. 7 State Armory, Tacoma, Washington.

Lincoln High School Class of 1935 Graduation at the Armory. (WSHS)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma);

• The Washington National Guard Armory at 715 So. 11th, built in 1908, was added to the Tacoma Historical register in 1976. The Pierce County Court House in the background was built in 1892, and was located at 1012 So. G Street. circa 1910.
• Printed on front: State Armory, Court House in background, Tacoma, Wash.

Supervised by a Tacoma police officer, an unidentified nurse tests her skills as a motorist on a driving simulator at the Tacoma Safety Council Show held March 1 - 6, 1937 at the Tacoma Armory. The public was invited to view exhibits and try various modern gadgets that were designed to test their driving skills. This machine was sponsored by the Aetna Life Insurance Company.

Examinations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Police--Tacoma--1930-1940; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Award winners at Lincoln High School 1940 Graduation at the Armory. Four men and three girls with flowers. There were 666 graduates in the Class of '40 who received diplomas on June 5, 1940. Several were honored with scholarships and medals including (in no particular order) John Krutilla, Reed College scholarship winner and valedictorian; Bonnie Busch, American Association of University Women honorary award; Norma Johnson, Marylhurst College scholarship winner; Jack Godfrey, Richard Graff honorary award; Rose M. Pesacreta, College of Puget Sound scholarship award; and Carl Dial, Rotary Club winner. (T. Times, 6-4-1940, p. 3-article; T. Times 6-6-1940, p. 20, photographs of four winners; TNT 6-6-1940, p. 1, p. 11-photographs of winners)

Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma); Awards; Busch, Bonnie; Godfrey, Jack; Pesacreta, Rose M.; Dial, Carl; Krutilla, John; Johnson, Norma;

The Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard sponsors the first horse show of the season on November 29, 1937 at the Armory. Two soldiers watch a white horse perform a trick with a very young rider on the horse's back. Tacoma's famous Cavalry unit was known locally as "Troop B." It was the oldest military organization in the state. (T. Times, 11/30/1937, p. 5).

Horse shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Show horses; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma); Trick riding;

An addition to the State Armory, South 11th & Yakima, was under construction in August of 1939 with scaffolding surrounding the new barrel-shaped, nine-ton steel roof truss structure. A sign indicates that this is a P.W.A. (Public Works Administration) federal project. The addition would supply the National Guard with an expanded drill hall and the city with a much needed Public Auditorium with room for 5,000. $47,000 was being spent to complete the remodeling program that had a total cost of approximately $163,000. The Pierce County Courthouse with its distinctive clock tower is in the background. (T. Times 8/3/1939, pg. 1)

Progress photographs; State Armory (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

The new Civic Auditorium addition was being added to the Armory in August of 1939. The new construction added a 20,000 sq. ft. National Guard drill hall, that could serve as a public auditorium seating 3,500 on the main floor, and 1,500 in the side balconies. This photograph clearly shows the 9-ton rounded steel trusses that support the new roof, replacing the pillars and providing an unobstructed view the entire length of the hall. The remodel and addition, which cost a total of $163,000, was a P.W.A. project. (T. Times 8/3/1939, pg. 1)

State Armory (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The new Civic Auditorium addition was being added to the Armory in August of 1939. The new construction, funded by the state and the Public Works Administration, added a 20,000 sq. ft. National Guard drill hall, that would also serve as a public auditorium that could seat 3,500 on the main floor, and 1,500 in the side balconies. The new auditorium would be 100 x 200 feet with a covered ceiling 30 feet above the floor. The rounded steel trusses would replace the current pillars and provide unobstructed view all the way down the hall. In regular use, the Armory housed units of the 148th Field Artillery, the Headquarters Troop, 24th Calvary division, the federal instructor and various veterans organizations. The turrets of the old Pierce County Courthouse can be seen in the background. (T. Times 8/3/1939, pg. 1)

State Armory (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Norwegian Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha at the Tacoma Armory. During his May 23, 1939 address, he spoke of their visit to the U.S., stating that it was well known that "a large number of our countrymen have found Tacoma a pleasant place in which to live and work" and he "was not surprised that you should have chosen this place." The prince spoke in English but concluded his speech in Norwegian, in deference to the mostly Scandinavian audience. The royals' trip encompassed two days, including time for a review of Fort Lewis, visit to Pacific Lutheran College, and some private time at Mount Rainier. (TNT 5-24-39, p. 2, p. 6)

Olav V, 1903-1991; Martha, Crown Princess of Norway; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940

Elderly group at Armory. A group of women surround one of Tacoma's early pioneer men at a banquet held at the Armory in September of 1937. Portraits of United States Presidents hang on the wall; a single lightbulb dangles on a knob wire above the group. (T. Times).

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pioneers--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Armory has been transformed by the lavish displays of the flower show sponsored by the Northwest Florists' Association. (T. Times 4/12/1937, pg. 3)

Flower shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flowers; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma);

Two women holding bouquets of flowers, roses and carnations, at flower show held in the Tacoma Armory building in April of 1937. Name tags on flowers displayed: Talisman, Dictator, Melrose. (T. Times)

Flower shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flowers; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma);

1938 Stadium High School graduation at the Armory. The Class of '38 was the largest in the school's history, made up of 667 graduating seniors. Close up of graduates seated on the ground floor of the Armory; piano and floral display in front of them, backdrop on wall behind them. The girls are dressed in long formal dresses with flower corsages and the boys are dressed in suits. Parents and spectators sit on the mezzanine level on the sides, above the graduates. (T. Times 6/10/1938, pg. 24)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The 1938 graduation exercises for Stadium High School at the Armory. The 1938 graduating class was the largest in the school's history, 667 students. The photograph is taken from the viewpoint of parents and spectators seated in the mezzanine on either side of the graduates. (T. Times 6/10/1938, pg. 24)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On June 8, 1938, Lincoln High School graduated a record class of 709 at the Armory. The building was filled to capacity, with only parents and relatives of graduates allowed to attend. 1938 was the school's 24th annual graduation. After the graduation exercise, the Armory floor was cleared of chairs to provide room for dancing. (T. Times 6/8/1938, pg. 5; 6/9/1938, pg. 2)

Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

On June 8, 1938, Lincoln High School bestowed 709 diplomas on its graduating class. The graduates sit on a raised platform; the orchestra sits on the floor. Relatives here to see the ceremony sat on either side.

Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

President Harry S.Truman receives congratulations after speaking at the Washington National Guard Armory during the 1952 fall campaign. Prominent local civic leaders join in the applause. Reporters gather around the press tables in front of the podium. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Hand clapping;

No empty seats were visible in the Washington State Armory during President Harry S. Truman's speech in early October, 1952. Local dignitaries sat on the platform behind Mr. Truman while he addressed the massive crowd. Policemen stood guard on the upper deck of the armory. Radio and television covered the president's appearance for the benefit of local residents. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma);

President Harry S.Truman speaks at the Tacoma Armory during the 1952 fall campaign. Daughter Margaret and Rep. Hugh Mitchell, Democratic candidate for Governor, watch from platform. Despite Truman's help, Mitchell was defeated by incumbent Arthur Langlie. ALBUM 1. TPL-8050

Presidents--United States; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Truman, Margaret; Mitchell, Hugh; State Armory (Tacoma); Public speaking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Political campaigns;

Harry S. Truman addresses an attentive crowd at the Washington State Armory in early October, 1952, as he hits the campaign trail for Democratic candidates. An enormous flag hung on Armory walls nearly dwarfs the President and local dignitaries. The President's appearance was big news in our area as noted by the presence of many newspaper, radio and television reporters. His daughter Margaret is seated behind him along with gubernatorial candidate, Hugh Mitchell. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Truman, Margaret; Mitchell, Hugh; Flags--United States;

President Harry S.Truman with daughter Margaret and Rep. Hugh Mitchell, Democratic candidate for Governor, at the Tacoma Armory. The retiring President was stumping for Adlai Stevenson and other Democratic candidates during the 1952 fall campaign. He spoke to an overflowing crowd of loyal supporters. His appearance was heavily covered by newspaper, radio and television reporters. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Truman, Margaret; Mitchell, Hugh;

Testimony at the legislative committee investigation into vice and crime in Tacoma continued into an overtime session hearing testimony regarding bookmaking operations, slot machines, a story of $20,000 vice payoffs to police in one month, prostitution, making gifts of money and liquor to named patrolmen, card rooms, bottle clubs paying protection money, amusement arcades making payoffs, and bribes for supporting political campaigns. Crowds of about 350 people partiallly filled the Armory day room, listening attentively. The newspaper coverage continued as front-page stories for six days. (TNT, 11/27/1951 - 12/3/1951)

State Armory (Tacoma); Governmental investigations--Tacoma;