Approximately 3000 teenagers enjoyed the "Youth Honor Day Dance" held at the Armory on Halloween, 1958. The M.C. or orchestra had been requested to stop the dance in order that this photograph might be taken. Overall view of crowded Armory; several girls still have on their coats and carry their handbags. Skirts are still worn long and bangs seem to be popular with the girls. While an occasional crew cut is seen, boys seem to be wearing their hair longer as well. Photograph ordered by the Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435.

Halloween--Social life; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dance parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

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 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;

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);

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;

Senator Albert D. Rosellini and a panel of seven other legislators opened a vice probe at the Tacoma Armory November 26, 1951. Over 40 witnesses were scheduled to testify before the legislative committee investigating crime and vice in Tacoma. Testimony covered gambling, pinball, prostitution, narcotics activities and marijuana purchases. One woman stated that her husband committed suicide following accumulating heavy gambling losses. She had received threats to her and her children if she did not pay. One city official contended that Army authorities had asked him to keep "certain establishments open" to provide "relaxation" for troops. Two television cameras broadcast the hearing live. Murray Morgan is seated to the left of the man with headphones behind the KTBI broadcast equipment. (TNT, 11/27/1951, p.1; 11/28/1951, p.1) TPL-6489

State Armory (Tacoma); Governmental investigations--Tacoma; Morgan, Murray, 1916-2000;

This photograph shows part of the crowd of 2,800 teenage Tacomans who spent their Halloween evening in 1951 at the Tacoma Armory, 715 South 11th Street. Working with the Metropolitan Park District and the Tacoma Police, the Tacoma Moose Lodge sponsored the third annual all-city high school dance to give Tacoma's young people someplace safe to go after dark. The dance was from 8 to 11:30 p.m. with music provided by Larry Carino and his orchestra, one of the best 10 piece bands in the area. Police later said that the evening was one of the quietist on record. (TNT 11-1-51, p. 1, p. A-8) TPL-9546

Halloween--Social life; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dance parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma);

Four Queens were crowned in the Queen of Trays and Keys contest sponsored by the Rhodes Post No. 2, American Legion, during a ball at the Armory. The ten women who won are shown wearing evening gowns and ribbons with the names of different businesses in Tacoma. In the front row are the four Queens: L-R, Rae Allen (Don's Grill) and Millie Broc (Joe's Tavern & Cafe), winners in a tie for Queen of Trays in the silver division; Lorna Schlanbusch (Park "n" Shop), first prize winner in gold division; and Dolores Simcich (Commonwealth Title Insurance), first prize winner and Queen of Keys. All four winners will leave by Hollywood by plane for four exciting days. The back row includes other prize winners, L-R, Patricia Merrill, Ruth Malskey, Myrtle Forgey, Joyce Dyer (Peoples Store), Maxine Knowles and Virginia Thompson (West Coast Grocery). (TNT, 5/1/1951, p.12)

Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; State Armory (Tacoma); American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Allen, Rae; Broc, Millie; Schlanbusch, Lorna; Simcich, Dolores; Merrill, Patricia; Malskey, R.; Forgery, M.; Dyer, J.; Knowles, M.; Thompson, T.;

Golden Gloves contest held at the Armory in January of 1949, sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Eight of the contestants stand inside the ring wearing satin robes, ready to take on all comers. The big two-day fistic feature was sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Seven rugged fighters from Vancouver, B.C., and others from across the Northwest were in attendance. The Tacoma Times reported that more than 70 boxers entered the competition. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.11, 1/27/1949 p.14)

State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The last Sunday of September has officially been declared Gold Star Mother's Day. In 1949 the Tacoma Chapter of Gold Star Mothers held a special meeting at the State Armory. The club installed new officers and held a special ceremony in their honor. Appointed as new officers were Beatrice Johnson as President; Pearl Joy as Vice-President; Jenny Benson as Second Vice-President; and Nell Sanford as Treasurer. The national organization American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 and is open to all mothers of fallen soldiers of all wars as well as those who died a service-related death. (T. Times, 1/17/49, p. 14)..

Awards; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military decorations--Tacoma; Mothers; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Chapter of Gold Star Mothers (Tacoma);

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;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, making a campaign appearance at Tacoma Armory. View of elaborate decorations above the platform. His evening address attracted overflowing crowds of over 5000 which filled the Armory to its rafters. It was the largest indoor crowd to greet Governor Warren on his tour of 31 states except for Chicago. The Dewey-Warren ticket unexpectedly lost in the 1948 elections to Truman-Barkley. Sepia photograph taken on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Public speaking--Tacoma;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, and his family, with former Governor Arthur Langlie, and his family, and two drum majorettes, on platform during rally at Tacoma Armory. Governor Warren was met by an enthusiastic audience of over 5000 on October 14, 1948. He was introduced by Arthur Langlie, former governor who was running for election. Governor Warren's wife Nina and four of his children accompanied him on this tour of the Pacific Northwest. Sepia photograph was taken on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) TPL-183 ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966--Family; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

An overflowing crowd of over 5000 filled the State Armory to the rafters to hear California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice. Local Republicans had anticipated large crowds to hear the popular governor; an additional 1000 seats were borrowed from the College of Puget Sound and the Seattle Armory. Oversized posters of Governor Warren and Presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey decorated the Armory walls. According to the clock wall, this sepia photograph was taken at 9:50 p.m. on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-14-48, p. 1, TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political Elections - Presidential Elections - Vice Presidential Candidates (Republican) - United States - 1948 - Earl Warren (1891-1974) - Washington (State) - Tacoma

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, speaks from the podium during rally at Tacoma Armory. Large poster of Gov. Thomas Dewey, the Presidential nominee, behind Warren. Former Governor Arthur Langlie, who was running once more for election, and his wife are seen, blurred, in the background. Mr. Langlie had introduced Governor Warren to the overflowing crowd of over 5000. It was the largest indoor crowd to greet him on his tour of 31 states except for Chicago. Sepia photograph was taken during the evening speech of Governor Warren on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Public speaking--Tacoma;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, accepting a 23rd Anniversary cake from acting Mayor C. A. Erdahl during a campaign appearence in Tacoma. The Warren family looks on. Presentation of the cake at the end of Governor Warren's address came as a complete surprise to the Governor and his family. It was in honor of the couple's 23rd wedding anniversary. A moved Governor Warren remarked that they had spent their honeymoon in Washington state. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Warren, Nina; Warren, Dorothy; Warren, Virginia; Warren, Nina Elizabeth; Warren, Robert; Erdahl, C.A.; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

There is no doubt who is running on the Republican ticket for president in 1948. Large emblem-style portraits of Thomas Dewey and Earl Warren decorated the stage of Tacoma's State Armory on the occasion of California Governor Warren's brief visit on October 14, 1948. Governor Warren was photographed standing behind the decorated podium with his wife and children seated on an elevated portion of the stage directly behind him. An enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 warmly greeted Governor Warren, including hundreds of women who passed through a reception line earlier honoring the vice-presidential candidate and his family. Governor Warren's address touched principally on America's need for a merchant marine able to "make an honorable bid for its share of the world's commerce." (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Public speaking--Tacoma; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, and wife smile at each other while on the platform during rally at Tacoma Armory. Governor Warren was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of 5000 plus. Mrs. Warren was the former Nina Palmquist. Born in Sweden, she grew up in Oakland, California. Mother of six children, she outlived her husband Earl by nineteen years, dying at the age of 100 in 1993. She and Mr. Warren are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Sepia photograph taken on October 14, 1948. ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Nina; Governors; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry A. Wallace, center, the candidate for President of the United States in 1948 from the Progressive Party spoke on October 9th, 1948 at the Tacoma Armory. In his speech he attacked the Taft-Hartley Act and the "hot war" being waged against labor unions. While in Tacoma, he met with a group of local Progressive Party candidates including: (l to r) John Green Jr., Vera Keating, Russell H. Fluent, Henry Wallace, Rodney Peterson, Ernest T. Olson, Thomas C. Rabbit. (T.Times, 10/11/1948, p.9)

Wallace, Henry A.; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Green, John; Keating, Vera; Fluent, Russell H.; Peterson, Rodney; Olson, Ernest T.; Rabbitt, Thomas C.;

Reserve Officers from Fort Lewis, McCord Field and the Navy were feted with a unification ball at the State Armory on July 17, 1948. The officers will be going to serve in maneuvers in the Australian waters. Prior to the ball, E. C. Anderson will lead the Second Infantry Division Band concert. View of officers and their spouses that attended the Reserve Officers' Ball at the State Armory (T. Times, 7/16/48, p. 6).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Military officers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military spouses--Tacoma; Military service--Tacoma; Military uniforms; Events--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma);

The College of Puget Sound basketball team played against Pacific Lutheran College to determine the city's champions in December of 1947. College of Puget Sound beat Pacific Lutheran College with a score of 45 to 38. The game was well attended and was played at the State Armory. View of basketball teams in action, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 12/18/47, p. 11).

Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Pacific Coast League profession basketball team, the Mountaineers, were ready for their first game in December 1947. There were six northwest teams in the league, including Seattle and Portland. Tacoma played their home games in the State Armory. Left to right, Helen Hayes, team's leader and half time show performer, J. Katica, H. Vallee, S. Sigurdson, B. Graf, Ernie Endress, B. Voelker, J. Voelker, T. Werner, Coach, and Milton Bay, Co-owner and Club President (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 8; Endress identified by an acquaintance). TPL-8550

Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Coast League (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team); State Armory (Tacoma);

Tacoma's professional basketball team, the Coast League Mountaineers were getting ready to play their first game. The home games would be played at the State Armory. Their first game was against Bellingham and would be played at home, their next game was against Astoria's Royal Chinook's and would be in Oregon. View of Mountaineer number seven in action (T. Times, 11/25/47, p. 7).

Balls (Sporting goods); Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team);

Tacoma's professional basketball team, the Coast League Mountaineers, consisted of, Irv Leifer, Bob Graf, Jack Roffler, Johnny Katica, Bob Voelker, Sig Sigurdson, Ernie Endress, Jack Voelker and Hank Vallee. The team was getting ready to play their first game at the State Armory. View of Mountaineer number five in action (T. Times, 11/25/47, p. 7).

Balls (Sporting goods); Basketball--Tacoma; Jumping--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team);

Renamed Veterans Day in 1953, November 11 was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. That year, on November 13, John Philip Sousa's band played in the Washington National Guard Armory in Tacoma and President Woodrow Wilson spoke there two months earlier. In 1947, a Military Ball was held on Armistice Day at the Armory, where more than 1,500 people were expected to attend. The presentation of colors to the local reserve units of the Army and Army Air Corps highlighted the evening. Army and Navy dignitaries and prominent civilian guests attended the event. View of ceremonies under way at the Armory (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 7).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Tacoma's National Guard recruits are being sworn in at the Armory. The Washington National Guard had a recruiting campaign going on throughout the State. These new recruits will start training at the Armory and in late November the Guard was planning an open house for the public, where they would show and demonstrate the equipment being used by the Tacoma National Guard units. The State Armory was also being remodeled at this time, a new day room for guardsmen was being added to the facilities (T.N.T., 11/5/47, p. 6).

Oaths--Tacoma; Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Eastern Star Convention at Armory. Mrs. Arthur W. Slayer, fifth from the left in the front row, is Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star for 1947. She presided over the 3-day state convention. (T.Times, 6/19/1947, p.11)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Eastern Star Convention at Armory. Mrs. Eva Holland Hamilton of Chicago is on the right. She was the Most Worthy Grand Matron of the General Grand Chapter and was a visitor throughout the 59th annual session of Order of the Eastern Star held in Tacoma in June 1947. Mrs. Stephen J. Chadwick of Olympia, a past Most Worthy Matron of the General Grand Chapter, was affectionately known as "the First Lady" in Washington Eastern Star. She is wearing an overblouse of lace and crochet. Both women wear corsages. (T.Times, 6/28/1947, p.12)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hamilton, Eva Holland; Chadwick, Stephen J.--Family;