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);

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;

Dr. S.F. Herrman, left, admired the May Wettern rose held by C.M. Murphy during the 30th annual Rose Show, held June 14-15th, 1941 at the Armory. However, judges from the Tacoma Rose Society, sponsor of the show, found the Angelus Mateu raised, and held, by Dr. Herrman to be the Best Rose exhibited. Mr. Murphy's rose was a close second. The pair are standing in front of the display fountain erected by Metro Parks and Tacoma Lights. (T.Times 6/26/2941, pg. 14)

Herrman, S.F.; Murphy, C.M.; Tacoma Rose Society (Tacoma); Roses;

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;

Group of uniformed men sitting and standing in front of armory

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;

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);

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);

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);

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;

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);

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 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);

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);

Photograph taken October 3, 1939 of the interior of the new addition to the National Guard Armory, 715 So. 11th St., showing soldiers in formation with a small band on the right. The new addition was constructed in August of 1939 with funds supplied by the state and the PWA. It was 100 by 200 sq. feet with a 30 foot ceiling. Its curved roof replaced the former pillars, providing an unobstructed view. After the extensive remodel, the size of the space had increased by 1/3, with vast improvements also in lighting, ventilation and acoustics. (T. Times 10/7/1939, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Uniforms--Washington National Guard--1930-1940;

Interior of new addition to National Guard Armory showing soldiers in formation with twelve wheeled artillery guns. The new addition was constructed in August of 1939 with funds supplied by the state and the PWA. It was 100 by 200 sq. feet with a 30 foot ceiling. Its curved roof replaced the former pillars, providing an unobstructed view. After the extensive remodel, the size of the space had increased by 1/3, with vast improvements also in lighting, ventilation and acoustics. (T. Times 10/7/1939, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Uniforms--Washington National Guard--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry);

Federal Old Line Life Insurance dinner at the Armory. People seated at three long tables. (filed with Argentum)

Federal Old Line Life Insurance Co. (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Exterior view of Washington National Guard Armory. (filed w/Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Outside view of National Guard Armory; old Pierce County Courthouse in the background. (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Lincoln High School Class of 1940 graduation at armory.

Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Stadium High School Class of 1940 graduation at the Armory. 649 students (318 boys and 331 girls) received their diplomas on June 6, 1940 as the third largest Stadium High School graduating class. It was the school's 57th graduation exercises. Graduates marched in to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance" while proud family members and friends cheered and applauded. Shirley Nyman was the school's valedictorian and Mills College scholarship winner and four students shared the honor of being salutatorians: Dorothy Selden, David Glenn, Jr., Ruthi Crain and Patricia Russell. (TNT 6-7-1940, p. 1, p. 15-article & photographs of winners)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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);