ca. 1908. Battleships in what is probably Commencement Bay - off Tacoma with the tree covered cliffs of Browns Point in the background.

ca. 1910. Cannon emplacement probably at Fort Casey,Whidbey Island, Washington.

Cobbler at sole stitching machine in a work coat.

Fort Lewis buffet featuring fruit salad, dips, cake and a large roast.

Ft. Lewis Training Center group portrait. Soldiers are holding up a painted wooden sign saying, "Bravo Bums."

Group of Japanese American soldiers standing in an auditorium. There is a no smoking sign and a smoking room pictured in the background.

Soldiers wearing tear gas masks and long brimmed hats walking through a fog.

"The Four Horseman, Capt. C.W. Van Rooy"

"Medical Detachment, 148th Field Artillery - Major Wood, C.O. Camp Norway, 1931."

"Japanese Americans Eating Meal." Uniformed Japanese American Army members eating bento boxes with other soldiers. Unlabeled soda bottles and tea cups are on the table.

Crown gathered around man speaking in front of industrial architecture. In the distance, a man appears to be installing a utility pole.

Explosion on test site.

"Camp Hankens - 1935." Group of soldiers pose with tents in the background.

"Camp Hankens - 1935." Group of soldiers pose with tents in the background.

"Co.1 - 186th infantry - Camp Hankens - 1935, Capt. Anderson, C.O." Group of soldiers pose with tents in the background.

"Co.1 - 186th infantry - Camp Hankens - 1935, Capt. Anderson, C.O." Group of soldiers pose with tents in the background.

Military Band plays outdoors with two tubas and a flute. Tents and coniferous trees are pictured in the background.

Army officers pose in a line to get food outside. Cooks hold wooden buckets and a plate of doughnuts.

Three Army officers balancing on a horse with other officers looking on. Men in suits also watch from a covered areas in the distance.

Army officers pose in front of the Mess Hall, taking plates of pie from the tray of a cook. Sign in the background reads, "1418 MESS ENL. MEN."

U.S.O. #2, 713-15 Commerce St., circa 1946. During World War II, although black and white soldiers fought side by side, the United States Army was still segregated. In Tacoma, African American service men and women had their own USO Club at 713-15 Commerce. It was dedicated on September 4, 1942 and closed late in March of 1947. The Kaufman-Wolff building where it was located had previously housed the Soldiers and Sailors Clubhouse during World War I. USO #2 was enlarged in 1944 by adding an annex in the building to the north of the original club. The enlarged structure provided the following facilities: dark room, music room, hobby room, game room, showers, sleeping accommodations, library and snack bar. It was operated by the YMCA and staffed primarily by volunteers. (brochure from Recognition Ceremony USO Number Two on 3/30/1947; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma).

On October 22, 1945, this group of unidentified individuals were photographed seated around a table after what appears to be a dinner at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

On Sunday February 3, 1946, a dinner was held at the Tacoma USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., honoring the 5th anniversary of USO operation. The United Service Organizations, or USO, was incorporated in New York Feb. 4, 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed it was important for private citizens to take responsibility for the on-leave recreation needs of service members. One of the guests of honor for the Tacoma celebration was Mayor Harry Cain, standing center, who attended with his wife Marjorie, last woman seated left. Seated to the right of Mayor Cain was Mr. Arthur Hayes, chairman of the club's operating committee. The other individuals at the table were unidentified. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1: photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

The performance by the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the highlights of the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance. The festival was held in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert drew over 7,000 listeners. It was also broadcast over the Mutual Network by KMO. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2) Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

An unidentified majorette performs with the Seattle Elks Band at the USO Music Festival at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The band was one of many performers in the concert attended by over 7,000. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

ca. 1947. Orson Welles (standing), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, conferred with an unidentified African American pianist in this undated photograph. Two women in hats looked on from the drawing room beyond. The occasion was possibly in March of 1947, when Mr. Welles spoke to 5,000 persons in the Armory as a guest of the Tacoma Jewish Association in observance of Brotherhood Week.

Audrey Moon and Morris Mahoney with two unidentified people, possibly their best man and maid of honor, get their photograph taken at Richard's Studio. Audrey is wearing a wedding band, Audrey and Morris were possibly married recently. The women are wearing corsages and knee length dresses. Morris is wearing his Navy uniform.

Military uniforms; Portrait photographs; Couples--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Moon, Audrey; Mahoney, Morris;

ca. 1944. War Street. Downtown display of World War II artillery and military equipment circa 1944. A serviceman, with his wife and daughter, looks over promotional information at War Bond booth: "Win a ride to Vancouver, B. C. aboard aircraft carrier 'M.S. Reaper'."

Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Signs (Notices);

Puget Sound Boat (Mann). US Army Transport Corps LT 214. This side view shows three men along the railing of the upper deck and someone looking out of the helm. TPL-6389

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Lieutenant George Rapin, on leave in March of 1944, crouches to kiss his daughter, Barbara. He was on his first trip home since she was born. George Rapin graduated from Bellarmine High School in 1934. He and his family moved to California shortly after WWII. TPL-1987,

Military personnel--Tacoma; Fathers & children--Tacoma; Rapin, George--Family;