A.B. Williams, Mrs. Max L. Maynard and Mrs. Harry Ketell admire prize-winning irises displayed at the Pierce County Iris Society's flower show in June, 1954. The event was held at the South Park Community Center. All three are gazing at the tall, stately Blue Rythmn iris entered by C.S. Shassey which had been awarded the "Best Specimen of Show". A ribbon had been placed on a smaller iris indicating that it had won the Artistic Sweepstakes category; it was Mrs. Ketell's entry. The theme of the show was "Iris on Parade." (TNT 6-3-54, B-2, TNT 6-6-54, A-9)

Pierce County Iris Society (Tacoma); Flowers--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Ribbons; Williams, A.B.;

The South Tacoma Kiwanis club honored several junior high school award winners at their annual awards banquet held at the South Tacoma Community Center on May 26, 1954. Two plaques mounted on the wall behind the award recipients list previous sportsmanship winners. There are also two circular trophies with the giant letter "K' posted as well. Those winning inspirational and sportsmanship awards from Robert Gray and Dupont Junior Highs were: First row--Don Ranking (Gray), Sandra Bodin (gray), Glee Liddle (Gray), Beverly Latimer (Dupont), Jeanne Hardy (Dupont) and Scott Drysdale (Dupont). Back Row--Dr. Earl Bird, Wendell Laughbon, Dupont principal, Robert Gray (Dupont); Klaus Wills (Gray), Emory Whitaker, Gray principal, Steve Pease, Kiwanis club president and Herb Ford, club secretary. (TNT 5-27-54, D-5)

Awards; Plaques--Tacoma; South Tacoma Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

Art Johnson, Lincoln High School linebacker, accepts his school's Most Inspirational individual trophy in a ceremony held at the South Park Community Center on January 14, 1953. Lt. Les Richter, an All-American from the University of California, congratulates Johnson. Harry Esborg, president of the South Tacoma Kiwanis Club, holds the imposing Inspirational Trophy which is given annually to the most worthy high school football player. (TNT 1-15-53, B-10)

Awards; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Johnson, Art; Richter, Les; Esborg, Harry;

Bette M. (Mrs. Vitor) Parber, left, and Mildred B. (Mrs. Harold) Keyser work on the set hanging curtains for the production of "You Touched Me", a comedy-drama by Tennessee Williams, to be presented by the Theatre Guild at the South Tacoma Community Center. The play was scheduled for November 30, December 1 and 2, 1950. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 11/26/1950, p.D-1)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Theatre Guild (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stage props; Parber, Bette M.; Keyser, Mildred B.;

Members of the Theatre Guild cast discuss the set and the script for their upcoming production of "You Touched Me", one of Tennessee Williams' earlier plays. On Broadway this comedy drama featured Edmund Gwenn as the irascible old sea captain, whose futile rages and sly plotting against the domineering ways of his old-maid sister provided high comedy. The play was to be presented at the South Tacoma Community Center. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 11/21/1950, p.30)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Theatre Guild (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Actresses; Theatrical producers & directors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Director Doreen Hopper watches as her husband, C.Galvin Hopper tests a new dimmer at the South Tacoma Community Center that would be used in the Tacoma Theatre Guild production of "You Touched Me", one of Tennessee Williams' earlier plays. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 11/26/1950, p.D-1)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Theatre Guild (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hopper, Doreen; Hopper, C. Galvin; Theatrical producers & directors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stage lighting; Spouses--Tacoma;

The South Tacoma Community Center was having many types of arts and crafts classes for community members. The community center was operated by Tacoma's Metropolitan Park District. These class participants were working with ceramics, two older women appear to be making a vase.

Aged persons--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Social life--1940-1950; Pottery--Tacoma; Vases; Community centers--Tacoma; South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma);

The South Tacoma Community Center is operated by the metropolitan Park District. It is located at the corner of the fourteen acre South Tacoma Park. It was built by the federal government and cost approximately $50,000. View of women participating in an Arts and Crafts class at the South Tacoma Community Center.

Women--Arts & crafts; Women--Social life--1940-1950; Community centers--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Recreation rooms--Tacoma; South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma);

A large group outside the Tacoma Metropolitan Park District Recreation Department at the Community Center on South Tacoma Way. These are the individuals chosen to serve as leaders for the summer 1947 parks and recreation programs. Names listed in newspaper. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.7)

Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community centers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Theater Guild. Child speaker at South Tacoma Community Center. c/o Mrs. Glastetter. Naomi J. (Mrs. Howard) Glastetter led a group of children in learning how to speak properly, wield a gavel and conduct meetings in groups called "Toast Tots", similar to Toastmasters for adults. L-R, Rex King, Dennis Reeves, Donna Vaaler, Rollin Eberly, Marilyn Parrott and shirley Larson. (T.Times, 7/5/1947, p.12)

South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; King, Rex; Reeves, Dennis; Vaaler, Donna; Eberly, Rollin; Parrott, Marilyn; Larson, Shirley;

On February 9, 1945, 24 young couples gathered in the recreation room of the South Tacoma Community Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, under the watchful eye of an instructor, to tune up their dance skills for the upcoming Valentine's Day parties. Ballroom dancing was at its peak during World War II. The young dancers prepared to Swing, Lindy Hop and Foxtrot; bringing smiles of joy to the young ladies and only a few grimaces to the faces of the young men. The South Tacoma Community Center is operated by the Metropolitan Park District and is located at the corner of the 14 acre South Tacoma Park. TPL-9387

Children dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community centers--Tacoma; Children--Social life--1940-1950; South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma);

The South Tacoma Community Center was built in 1941 as a U.S.O. building by the federal government at a cost of approximately $50,000. It was taken over by the Metropolitan Park District in June of 1944. The center offered teen dances, drama, crafts and other recreational activities. As this photograph from February of 1945 shows, it is easier to give a teen dance then it is to get boys out on the dance floor.

Children dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community centers--Tacoma; Children--Social life--1940-1950; South Tacoma Community Center (Tacoma);

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Dressed in Spanish costumes, a group of women serenade the audience.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. People in costume; military band on bandstand.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Two guitar players wearing sombreros serenade the audience.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Four young women carry baskets of cut flowers while two soldiers look on. They are standing behind large urns full of flowers and a bird bath.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Three soldiers gather around while a young woman reads the palm of another soldier.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Fortune telling--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The popular dance team of Joyce Sheets and Richard Fechko performed several dances at the Mexican Fiesta held for servicemen at the So. Tacoma USO on Friday, July 16, 1943. The gala affair was the USO's most ambitious undertaking of the season. Junior and senior hostesses wore authentic Spanish costumes, real chili and tortillas were available from booths, and peanut vendors, flower girls and musicians strolled from table to table. The So. Tacoma USO was at 4851 So. Tacoma Way in the South Park Community Center building.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sheets, Joyce; Fechko, Richard;

South Tacoma U.S.O. Group of wives photographed outside the entrance to the USO Club. Photo damaged upper right corner. [Also dated 05-19-1943]

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

South Tacoma U.S.O. Group of wives. The women are pictured seated at tables with plates and cups after a meal. The walls have a distinctive large brick pattern. Photograph damaged on edges. [Also dated 05-19-1943]

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

A group of union and city officials gather on September 18, 1942 to light the new outdoor fireplace outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was being formally dedicated. It was built of donated time, materials and labor. Pictured left to right are Paul Lucht, John Meyers, serviceman Phillip K. Pohl. Kneeling on right- Nick Feldman Jr., A.J. Cecchi, John Lewtas. Standing behind- George Haggerty, John McClintock, F.E. Lehman and C.E. Rudd. (TNT 9/21/1942, pg. 5)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma;

On September 18, 1942, Tacoma officials and South Tacoma residents gathered for the Dedication Ceremony for the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated money, materials and labor from a design by Silas E. Nelson, architect. Pictured at the ceremony are, left to right, John Lewtas, Bricklayers Union; Paul Lucht, Cement Finishers and Plasterers Union; South Tacoma USO Director Eva Hancock, Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, and John Meyers, Northern Pacific Railway shops. On the floor is mascot "Taffy." (T. Times 9/21/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma; Lewtas, John; Lucht, Paul; Hancock, Eva; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meyers, John;

A group of interested South Tacomans gathers on September 18, 1942 for the formal dedication of the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated materials, money and labor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma;

A group of interested South Tacomans gathers on September 18, 1942 for the formal dedication of the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated materials, money and labor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma;

Publicity for Community Chest. Open House at South Tacoma U.S.O. One uniformed military man appears to be sanding a long piece of wood. The other man holds one that is already sanded and sharpened and a pouch of arrows. The long pieces of wood may possibly be for fashioning into bows.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

Mayor Harry P. Cain chats with three servicemen at the Community Chest Open House at the South Tacoma U.S.O.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

USO Junior Hostesses and servicemen raise the flag on July 23, 1942 in honor of the Open House at the South Tacoma USO. Built in a park setting, the South Tacoma USO offered opportunities for sports activities as well as social activities. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

Flag raising at the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way, in July of 1942.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Flags; Flagpoles;

The flag is raised by visiting servicemen at the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way, on July 22, 1942. Publicity photo for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Flags; Flagpoles;

Publicity for Community Chest. Several servicemen and USO junior hostesses step up to the bat in a friendly game of softball in July of 1942 at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;