Model Maid Bread/Fletts Ice Cream display at the 1931 Home Products Show. The Armory was filled with exhibit booths showcasing locally made or sold goods. One of the displays was Model Maid Bread along with Fletts Ice Cream. Attendees could purchase a generous serving of Fletts ice cream and a slice of Model Maid cake for a mere dime. Model Maid cakes could be purchased for as little as 30 cents and they were guaranteed fresh. Model Maid had 18 delicious varieties of bread. The next booth to the right featured the Younglove Grocery with its Rock Dell pancake flour and syrup. G34.1-147

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cakes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bread--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dairy products; State Armory (Tacoma);

As an added attraction at the 1931 Home Products Show, a public wedding was held on May 22, 1931. Grace McCollum and Noel Carreau were the first couple to volunteer to wed in front of a large attentive audience at the State Armory. The Independent Merchants Association, sponsors of the exhibition, paid for the wedding expenses including the marriage license, wedding clothing, flowers, and gifts. C.F. Mason, president of the association, even gave the bride away. The new Mrs. Carreau was dressed in an early summer gown of white chiffon and white hat and was attended by Mrs. Flora Niccoli. Cecilia Coleman was the flower girl with Albert Morris as best man. The marriage was solemnized by Justice Blanche Funk Miller. G32.1-014 (TDL 5-23-31, p. 12-article)

Weddings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings); McCollum, Grace; Carreau, Noel; Niccoli, Flora; Coleman, Cecilia; Morris, Albert; Wedding attendants--Tacoma; Wedding clothing & dress--1930-1940; State Armory (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);

Lincoln High School Class of 1933 Graduation at the Armory. (filed with Argentum)

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

Stadium High School Class of 1934 Graduation at the Armory. Instead of the now traditional cap and gown, the boys wear suits and ties and the girls wear floor length formal dresses and large corsages. The orchestra sits in folding chairs directly in front of the stage with parents and family members beyond. Stadium opened its doors as a high school in 1906; it is still in use today. The gothic spires of the French chateau look-alike at 111 No. "E" have become a Tacoma landmark.

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

The Tacoma Better Home Exposition held at the Armory March 30- April 6, 1935. Tacoma's first federal housing exposition was designed to show Southwest Washington just what could be done under the federal housing act, which encouraged home modernization and new construction. Over 50 exhibitors from across the country contributed. This particular exhibit was sponsored by Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan Association and the Tacoma Society of Architects. It offers information on home loans- to buy, build or remodel and refinancing. Of special interest is the model home in the glass case built by then 13 year old budding architect Alan Liddle. Alan was the son of Abram and Myrtle Liddle at 821 No. Steele. We have the senior Liddle's occupation listed as real estate, mortgage loans, insurance and rentals. Alan Liddle went on to study architecture and returned to Tacoma to set up his firm. He has won many awards for his original Northwest homes. (TDL 3/31/1935, pg. 1; T.Times 4/1/1935, pg. 8-9)

Liddle, Alan C.--Associated objects; Architects; Architectural models; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Better Home Exposition (Tacoma);

Large sales booth sponsored by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association and the Tacoma Society of Architects with displays of house plans under signage: "Buy, Build, Remodel, Refinance." The Tacoma Better Home Exposition was held at the Armory March 30- April 6, 1935. Tacoma's first federal housing exposition was designed to show Southwest Washington just what could be done under the federal housing act, which encouraged home modernization and new construction. Over 50 exhibitors from across the country contributed. (TDL 3/31/1935, pg. 1; T.Times 4/1/1935, pg. 8-9) (Argentum)

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Better Home Exposition (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;

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);

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);

Standing outside the Tacoma armory are Comrade David L. Crossen (left) and Commander L.A. Wilcox. Both in their 90s when this picture was taken in 1937, they were officers in the G.A.R. and two of the last civil war veterans living in Tacoma. Mr. Crossen fought with the 11th Pennsylvania volunteers at Bull Run and Antietum. Mr. Wilcox was in Company F of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry. (T. Times, 5/29/1937, p.1)

Civil War, U.S., 1861-1865--Veterans--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Grand Army of the Republic (Tacoma); Crossen, David L.; Wilcox, L.A.; Flags--United States;

Lincoln High School 1937 Graduation Ceremonies at the Armory. Straight on view of crowd and stage.

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

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);

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;

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);

Lincoln High School Class of 1938 graduation at the Armory. Audience, band and graduates seated under Lincoln banner. (filed with Argentum)

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

Lincoln High School Class of 1938 graduation at the Armory. A girl is standing at the microphone in front of graduates delivering a speech. (filed with Argentum)

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

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);

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;

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;

ca. 1939. Exterior of Armory, 715 So. 11th St., for I.F. Lauckes Inc., Seattle, Wa. The Armory was constructed in 1908 as a home for the local National Guard. The gothic Pierce County Courthouse, 1012 So. G St., can be seen in the right background. This structure was demolished in 1959 after the construction of the current County City building. Its site is now a parking lot. (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

Music Conference - 600 piece Symphony Orchestra at the Armory - orchestra on raised wooden platform. Photograph ordered by Mr. Short at the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum)

Youth orchestras--Tacoma;

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

May, 1939, visit of Norwegian Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha. Interior of Armory showing large crowd, band and choir in front. Stage decorated with Norwegian and U.S. Flags, bunting on balcony and hanging from rafters.

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

Stadium High School's 56th annual graduation exercises, held June 8th at the Armory for the Class of 1939. Students at the back of the photograph, audience in foreground. The graduating class totalled 653 students and the ceremony was estimated to be attended by over 2500 persons. The sign "Education for What?" states the theme of the four student commencement speakers. Betty Binns, Helen Phill, and Robert Elliott tied for valedictory honors, each completing 3 years of study with straight A's. Class president Maynard Miller joined them as a speaker. (T.Times 6/7/1939, pg. 5; 6/9/39, pg. 1; 6/10/39, pg. 1)

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

Lincoln High School Class of 1939 graduation at the Armory, held June 9, 1939. The 707 graduating seniors are seated at the rear of the photograph, audience in the foreground. (T. Times 6/10/1939, pg. 11) (filed with Argentum)

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

Lincoln High School Class of 1939 graduation at the Armory, held June 9th, 1939. Girl and boy at microphone, students seated, audience in foreground. Lincoln graduated 707 seniors, who listened to a total of 26 speakers at the ceremony. For Leonard Langlow, Tacoma Times. (T. Times 6/10/1939, pg. 11)

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

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;

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;