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;

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);

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;

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;

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);

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;

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.;

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);

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 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);

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 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);