On July 10, 1940, a group of teenagers at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, located at 502 Bourough Rd., were enjoying a game of croquet on one of the lawns. The game was sandwiched between the matches of the annual Pacific Northwest Tennis Tournament. The venerable club was celebrating its Golden Anniversary. Pictured, left to right, were Budge Patty of Los Angeles, Patricia Greenup of Tacoma, Donald Harris of LA, Jo Ann Schwalen and Juliette Schwalen of Tacoma. (T. Times 7/13/1940, pg. 5)

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Croquet--Tacoma; Tennis rackets; Tennis players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Greenup, Patricia; Schwalen, Jo Ann; Schwalen, Juliette;

Fiftieth Anniversary portrait of Mr. & Mrs. Clarence O. Lynn, owners of the C.O. Lynn Mortuary. The Lynns were honored at a reception on June 19, 1955 held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club by their sons and daughter in laws. The Lynns had two sons, C. Nathan and J. Marvin, who continued in the funeral business. Both of the Lynns were active in the First Lutheran Church of Tacoma. Mrs. Lynn was noted for her volunteer, lodge and philanthropic work. Mr. Lynn was a Mason and a Kiwanian as well as a past president of the Washington State Funeral Directors. (TNT 6/12/1955, pg. D-1)

Lynn, C. O.; Lynn, Hilma; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Tennis Club, at 502 Borough Road, held its second annual steak fry on June 12, 1955 for the members of the club and their families. These six volunteer chefs, dressed in sparkling white aprons and tall chef's hats, were on hand to grill each steak to perfection. Standing from left to right are: Robert Earley, Mayor Harold Tollefson, Phil Horther, James M. Koon, Carl Conrad and Fred Osmers, president of the Club. (TNT 6/12/1955, pg. D-1 & 6/19/1955, pg D-7) TPL-8621

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Cookery--Tacoma; Cooks; Earley, Robert; Horther, Phil; Koon, James; Conrad, Carl; Osmers, Fred;

Young women pose around the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club pool in the latest summer swimwear. The girls on either side wear strapless one piece suits. The girl in the center is attired for tennis. The girls are, left to right, Sharon Nourse, Clarissa Smith, Patricia Greenup, Margaret Strachan and Mary Mellinger. The Club is busy with activity as the members celebrate the second annual Tennis Club Steak Fry June 12, 1955. The weather in June of 1955 was unusually hot, even cresting at 90 degrees on one occasion, making a June swim very attractive. (TNT 6/12/1955, pg. D-1 & 6/19/1955, pg. D-7))

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bathing suits--1950-1960; Nourse, Sharon; Smith, Clarissa; Greenup, Patricia; Strachan, Margaret; Mellinger, Mary;

Several members of the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club lend a hand in cooking for the large turnout celebrating the club's second annual steak fry in June of 1955. These women are stirring the food inside the electric rectangular cookers. Club members and their families would be able to enjoy dining out under beautiful sunny skies and later cooling off in the club's new swimming pool.

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Cookery--Tacoma;

Many members of the upscale Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club turn out for a pool side fest. The occasion is the second annual Tennis Club Steak Fry on June 12, 1955. Serving tables are set up behind the deep end of the pool. The pool is surrounded by members dining at small tables. Spectators sit on benches to watch the children swimming and diving in the pool. The occasion is made even more festive this year by the Club's addition of new umbrellas set up for the first time around the pool and on the lawn. June of 1955 was sweltering, with temperatures in the 80's and the poolside party was a welcome respite. Scores of families braved the heat to spend time at the new pool, tennis courts, croquet grounds or seated on the green lawns. (TNT 6/12/1955, pg. D-1& 6/19/1955, pg. D-7))

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

University students pose for group portrait. The Delta Delta Delta sorority from the College of Puget Sound honored all senior women on campus with a special tea. A Pansy Ring was created, using fresh flowers, and placed at the location of the tea. In 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. The large circle of flowers made a perfect picture frame which could hold several people. (1954 Tamanawas, p. 138, TNT 5-2-54, D-4))

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Group portraits;

The Pansy Ring Tea was a Delta Delta Delta tradition at the College of Puget Sound. Each year the sorority would honor all senior women on campus with a special tea. The women did not have to be Greek-affiliated. A large ring of flowers would be erected at the site of the tea; in the spring of 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. A young college student is demurely posed here in front of the Pansy Ring; she has on a small hat with veil, gloves, and a black purse to complement her black and white dress. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A young women holds a small bouquet of pansies as she poses in front of the Delta Delta Delta Pansy Ring on May 2, 1954. The sorority from the College of Puget Sound each year held a special tea, called the Pansy Ring Tea, for all senior women on campus. In 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. The women attending were all dressed conservatively, most with hats, gloves and purses to complement their spring dresses. Both Dr. R. Franklin Thompson and Mrs. Thompson attended the tea; Dr. Thompson, president of the college, presented scholarships awarded by the sorority. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club on Borough Road was the scene of the 1954 Pansy Ring Tea sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority. The Tri-Delts from the College of Puget Sound annually held a spring tea which was open to all senior women on campus. All the young ladies present wore their spring finery, which often included hats, handbags, gloves and pumps, as modeled by an unidentified college student in front of the large ring of flowers. Dr. R. Franklin Thompson, president of the college, was there to present scholarships offered by the sorority. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This young college student's floral decorated dress blends perfectly with the large ring of flowers behind her. The Delta Delta Delta sorority from the College of Puget Sound annually held a Pansy Ring Tea in the spring to honor all senior women on campus, whether Greek-affiliated or not. In 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club where a large ring of flowers was erected and people were able to have their photographs taken in front of it. The young woman in this picture may have been Dorcas Marshall of the Tri-Delts. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Each year the Delta Delta Delta sorority from the College of Puget Sound sponsored a Pansy Ring Tea to honor all senior women on campus. Also especially honored were the senior women who had become engaged or married during the past year; they were eligible to step through the Pansy Ring. Young women would dress in lovely spring outfits and pose in front of the colorful ring of flowers. Skirt lengths were apparently knee length in 1954 and hats and gloves often worn even among college students. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound had almost finished creating the Pansy Ring, a large circle of flowers, on May 2, 1954. Each year the sorority honored all senior women on campus with the Pansy Ring tea. The tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club on Borough Road. The senior women would be photographed individually with the ring as a backdrop. (Tamanawas, 1954, p. 138)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma;

A style show featuring a bride's trousseau occurred at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club during the time of the annual Delta Delta Delta Pansy Ring Tea in May, 1954. Models portraying the bridal party stand in front of the Ring of flowers. Both attendants and the bride carry wreaths of flowers, perhaps dahlias, to correspond with the circular theme. Mrs. Paul Whitcomb, the former Janet Erickson, models a wedding gown with flowing train. Mrs. Whitcomb was the former 1953 chapter president of Delta Delta Delta. Her groom in the photograph is Warren Hunt of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Mr. Hunt is a graduating senior from Puyallup, a business administration major, and former student body president. The bridal attendants were Barbara Schaller and Nancy Cranston. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Whitcomb, Janet; Hunt, Warren; Schaller, Barbara; Cranston, Nancy;

Dick Bennett, formerly of California and now residing in Tacoma, prepares to smash one over the net in the July 1938 Pacific Northwest Tennis Tournament being held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. Bennett is favored to win the men's singles title. (T. Times 7/16/1938, pg. 13)

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Tennis players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennis rackets;

Rising tennis star Helen Gurley is caught in midair as she leaps over a tennis net at the end of her match. Miss Gurley of Sacramento is one of the one hundred plus young players competing at the Pacific Northwest Tennis Tournament being held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club in July of 1938. Buoyed by her victories, Miss Gurley will play Barbara Duncan for the crown. (T. Times 7/16/1938, pg. 13)

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Tennis players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennis rackets; Gurley, Helen;

Four young women carry wood-frame tennis rackets as they walk across lawn at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club to participate in tennis matches. The Club was hosting the Northwest Tennis Tournament in July of 1938. The girls are, left to right, Hazel Schenck of Portland, Lucille Price of Hood River, Wyona Diener and Virginia Welker of Tacoma. (T. Times 7/16/1938, pg. 9)

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Tennis players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennis rackets;

Five young adults relax in the evening on an outdoor swing at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club House where tennis matches are being held. The Club is hosting the Northwest Tennis Tournament. The young people are, left to right, Virginia Haines, Robert Stanford of Los Angeles, Betty Doud of Beverly Hills and Tacoma, Dorothy Buckell of Oakland and Edward Hamilton. (T. Times 7/16/1938, pg. 9)

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Doud, Betty;

Several young adults enjoy a game of croquet at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. They are taking a break between matches at the Northwest Tennis Tournament being held at the Club. Pictured are, left to right, Margaret McGinnis, Mary Jean Morris, Virginia Crowe, Ronald Edwards of San Jose, Helen Gurley and Robert Taylor. (T. Times 7/16/1938, pg. 9)

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Croquet--Tacoma;

Bob Weaver of Bellarmine prepares to use his backhand in a tournament at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. Bob is one of the rising net stars competing in the Pacific Northwest Tennis Tournament in July of 1938. He was defeated in the finals of the Boys's Singles. (T. Times 7/16/1938, pg. 13)

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Tennis players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennis rackets; Weaver, Bob;

Three girls wearing dresses of velvet and taffeta or velvet with lace ruffles, white anklets and black shoes with straps stand ready with baskets full of wedding favors during a wedding reception at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club.

Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma);

Women are ready to serve refreshments at the reception following Joan Thrasher's and Allen Jerome Morgan's wedding. The wedding took place June 14, 1952, at Christ Episcopal Church. The reception was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. The bride was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Thrasher. The groom's parents were the Allen B. Morgans of Seattle. (The Reporter, 6/21/1952, p.4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Receptions--Tacoma; Tea--Tacoma; Coffee--Tacoma; Thrasher, Joan--Marriage; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma);

Jacqueline Keller stands next to her bridesmaid, Dayle Hoegh, in front of the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club's massive fireplace which is decorated with chrysanthemums and candles in glass holders. The former Jacqueline Brown married College of Puget Sound student David Keller on October 7, 1950. The bride, wearing a pearl necklace, is dressed in a lovely ankle length gown of white French imported lace over net. She has a fingertip veil with satan cap and wears lace elbow length gloves. She appears to be carrying a large bouquet of stephanotis and ivy. Her sole attendant, Dayle Hoegh, is wearing an ankle length organza gown and a shirred cap. (TNT 10-15-50, D-7)

Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Fireplaces; Bouquets; Brown, Jacqueline; Keller, David; Hoegh, Dayle; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma);

Mary Elizabeth Morton and Donald Howard Wollett were married June 30, 1950, at the College of Puget Sound. This portrait shows the bride wearing an ankle-length gown with short sleeves, a V-neckline and several rows of lace in the skirt. She wears a broad-brimmed picture hat and stands in front of the large fireplace at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club where the reception was held. Large bouquets of flowers stand on either side and on the mantel. (TNT, 7/9/1950, p.D-2)

Brides--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fireplaces--Tacoma; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma);

350 guests gathered at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club for the McMath-Prentice wedding reception following their evening wedding at the First Presbyterian Church in June of 1950. Tables were set with carved melon, floral centerpieces and tableware for at least three courses. Janet Ruth McMath and Gordon A. Prentice had both been students at the University of Washington. (TNT, 6/19/1950, p.5)

Table settings & decorations; Tableware; Glassware; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; McMath, Janet--Marriage;

A banquet table has been set for the McMath-Prentice wedding reception with carved melon, floral centerpieces and silverware for at least three courses. Janet Ruth McMath and Gordon A. Prentice were married June 16, 1950, at the First Presbyterian Church chapel. They held their wedding reception at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. (TNT, 6/19/1950, p.5)

Table settings & decorations; Tableware; Glassware; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club matrons were hosting the second guest luncheon of the season. Creigh C. Fratt (right) was attending with her daughter, Mrs. Gaston Jennings; Mrs. Jennings was visiting from Greenville, South Carolina; she would be spending five weeks with her parents (T.N.T., 8/11/49, p. 24).

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Social life--1940-1950; Socialites--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mothers & children--Tacoma; Fratt, Creigh C.--Family; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma);

Rosemary Tollefson and Ardeis Harold Myers, Jr. held their wedding reception at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. The bride and groom are ready to cut their wedding cake. The large cake, in the shape of a cross, is made up of square cakes with four on each side of the central, highest tier of cakes. Flowers decorate the base of the cake and bride and groom figurines under a bell decorate the top. A gladiola bouquet is next to the cake table. The bride's satin dress shimmers in the light; her curved neckline is decorated with lace. Lace appliques have been added to her veil. Rosemary's bridal bouquet is seen on the table next to the cake. 600 guests were invited to the wedding, making it one of Tacoma's largest of the season. (TNT 8-21-49, D-1)

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Receptions--Tacoma; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tollefson, Rosemary--Marriage; Myers, Ardeis Harold--Family;

Tollefson-Myers Wedding. Congressman Thor Tollefson (far right) and wife Eva with Mr. and Mrs. Ardeis H. Myers of Kansas City, Missouri, visit during the reception held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club following the marriage of their children, Rosemary Tollefson and Ardeis H. Myers, Jr. The younger Myers is a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia and his new wife a graduate of Stephens College. This was one of Tacoma's largest weddings of the year with 600 invited guests. The bride's aunts served at the reception. (TNT, 8-21-49, D-1) ALBUM 4.

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Myers, Ardeis Harold--Family; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982--Family; Legislators--Washington--1940-1950; Receptions--Tacoma;

Congressman Thor Tollefson with his daughter Rosemary on the occasion of her marriage to Ardeis H. Myers, Jr., of Kansas City, MO, at Tacoma's Central Lutheran Church. They are seen here during the reception held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. It was one of the largest weddings of the season which saw 600 guests in attendance at the double-ring candlelit ceremony. The bride had ten attendants, all dressed alike in Empire-styled models of chartreuse velvet. She wore an ivory satin gown with fitted bodice and stand-up collar, accessorized by orange blossoms in her silk illusion fingertip veil. The new Mrs. Myers was a graduate of Stadium High School and Stephens College in Columbia, MO. After a three week honeymoon in the South, the newlyweds will be home in Columbia where they will continue studies at the University of Missouri. (TNT 8-14-49, D-2, TNT, 8-21-49, D-1) ALBUM 4.

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Tollefson, Rosemary--Marriage; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Legislators--Washington--1940-1950;