Sons of Roberta and John William Wood Jr., Robert, age one, and John III, age two, sit in chair by fireplace waiting for Santa Claus. (T.Times, Society, 12/25/1937, p. 8).

People - Families - ChildrenEvents - Holidays - Christmas

This old upright piano joined the rubbish heap at the City dump in March of 1937. City worker John Sankovich (at left) helped Cooney Transfer & Storage employees Charlie Merchant and Gene Robinson in disposing of the piano. The once elegant instrument was crafted in London about 100 years before and came into the possession of Myron Clinton of Tacoma's Clinton Music House. Mr. Clinton decided to discard the piano once it had outlived its usefulness rather than permitting children to practice on such a dilapidated item. (T.Times 3-30-37, p. 14)

Pianos; Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1930-1940; Refuse disposal--Tacoma--1930-1940; Sankovich, John; Merchant, Charlie; Robinson, Gene; Clinton's Music House (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. "Beginning of Summer" picnic. A large adult group lounge around picnic tables under the shade of trees. (T. Times).

Picnics--1930-1940; Group portraits;

Bremerton Sun picnic at Seabeck. Several women with their children gathered in a conversational group on the lawn. Each year the Bremerton Sun closed for a day to allow the employees and their families to enjoy an all day picnic. (Bremerton Sun).

Picnics--Bremerton--1930-1940; Bremerton Sun (Bremerton); Newspapers--Bremerton--1930-1940;

On July 18, 1936, the Bremerton Sun held the first of their annual picnics at the Twanoh State Park on Hood Canal. They were celebrating the one year anniversary of the birth of the newspaper. Sun bathers, swimmers, and boaters were photographed enjoying the water and beach. A narrow dock for mooring boats and a tower for divers extends out into the water. Planned for the day's entertainment were baseball, swimming, eating and dancing in the evening. (Bremerton Sun 7/18/1936, pg. 1- info only).

Picnics; Twanoh State Park (Mason County); Anniversaries--Bremerton; Bremerton Sun--Commemorations;

Eighty three years after their immigrant train came to Puget Sound via the Naches Pass, Lee H. Baker and George H. Himes returned to part of the old trail. The men are the sole survivors of the 132 member group who arrived in this area in 1853. Standing with Mr. Baker and Mr. Himes are William P. Bonney, secretary of the Washington State Historical Society (far right), Ira S. Davisson, longtime Public Utilities Commissioner and Tacoma Times columnist E.T. Short (both back row). The two women, including one carrying a box camera under her arm, were not identified. Mr. Baker and Mr. Himes arrived in the Puget Sound region as small boys. They shared memories of their trip with others in the pictured group. Mr. Baker, 88, is a retired Portland educator and Mr. Himes, 93, is the secretary of the Oregon Historical Society. (T.Times, 11-19-36, p. 24)

Pioneers; Baker, Lee H.; Himes, George H.; Bonney, William P.; Davisson, Ira; Short, Edgar T.;

Seventy-nine year old Berthold A. Prengel celebrates this fine spring day in April of 1937 by sliding down the "chute-the-chute" that he built for his four year old granddaughter Patricia McLean. Mr. Prengel has used scrap lumber from the Tideflats to covert his yard into a carnival playground for "Pat" and her friends. In addition to the slide, there is a hand operated ferris wheel, merry-go-round, teeter-totter and other carnival games. Mr. Prengel learned his carpentry skills by going to work for the Milwaukee Railroad at age 13 as a cabinet maker and later as a railroad electrician. (T. Times 6/4/1937, pg.3)

Playgrounds; Sliding; Aged persons; Prengel, Berthold; Slides; Amusement rides--1930-1940; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940; Grandparents;

ca. 1937. Zoo keeper George Jones poses with "Jocko" at the Point Defiance Zoo. Jocko is a spider monkey originally from South America. He chatters away and imitates behavior, such as washing his face & hands. He is sure to be a favorite with zoo goers this summer. (T.Times 4/13/1937, pg. 1)

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Zoos--Tacoma--1930-1940; Zoo animals; Monkeys; Jones, George R.; Zoo keepers--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Glen Portrude, a Northern Pacific Railway engineer, stands in front of train engine number B-18 at Tacoma's Union Depot, 1717 Pacific Avenue. In March of 1936 Mr. Portrude decided to take a two month leave from his job as an engineer for the Northern Pacific Railway so he could take an ocean cruise to Japan, China, the Philippines and Hawaii. He was one of the oldest engineers employed by the Northern Pacific. He began as a fireman in 1898, and in 1901 was promoted to engineer. After his leave, he planned to return to work. "Can't retire yet", he said. "I've only been here 38 years - just a beginner." (T. Times 3/25/1936 p.3)

Portrude, Glen; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--People;

ca. 1937. Ed Mayer visits the "mother of Hoodlum Lake" at the front door of her old wooden house circa 1937. The woman has been identified by her great-granddaughter as Eva Lena Tuel Potter. Eva Potter was the great, great granddaughter of Levi Scott, one of the original Oregon pioneers who traveled on the Applegate Trail. (T. Times).

Potter, Eva Lena Tuel; Potter, Eva Lena Tuel--Homes & haunts; Mayer, Ed;

Seventy-nine year old Berthold A. Prengel slides down the "chute-the-chute" he built in his backyard at 4318 East "N" St. for his granddaughter Patricia McLean and her friends. Using scrap lumber, he has converted his yard into a carnival for the enjoyment of four year old "Pat." In addition to the slide, he built a hand operated ferris wheel, merry-go-round, teeter-totter and throwing game. Pat is now the most popular girl in the neighborhood! (T. Times 6/4/1937, pg 3)

Prengel, Berthold; Amusement rides--1930-1940; Slides; Sliding; Playgrounds; Aged persons; Grandparents; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940;

President Roosevelt addresses a large crowd from his train at Union Depot. On the car platform with the President are his granddaughter Anna Eleanor (nicknamed Sistie) Dall, 29 year old son James, daughter Anna (Mrs. John Boettiger), his bodyguard, and grandson Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. (T. Times, 10/2/1937, p. 9).

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Boettiger, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Dall, 1906-1975; Dall, Anna Eleanor; Roosevelt, James; Dall, Curtis; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945;

A radioman stretches his microphone toward President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, center in profile, who looks over the large crowd gathered at the Union Depot. He was preparing to leave on the Great Northern Railway for a tour of the Grand Coulee Dam project site. The small children behind the railing are his grandchildren, Anna Eleanor (nicknamed Sistie) and Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. The men are believed to be, left to right, Senator Homer T. Bone, Harold Allen, the President's son James, Tacoma Mayor George Smitley (waving to the crowd) and the President's bodyguard (in hat.) ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Dall, Anna Eleanor; Dall, Curtis;

On October 1, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made an early evening speech from the back of his train at Union Depot. The train made a 15 minute stop to allow the President to board. Roosevelt was being picked up after an automobile trip around the Olympic Peninsula and a motorcade from Olympia to Tacoma. It was estimated that over 50,000 Tacomans lined the street and crowded Union Station to catch a glimpse of the popular President. The President's next destination was the site of the Grand Coulee Dam project. Visible behind the President on the train car deck are believed to be Tacoman Harold Allen, the President's son James Roosevelt, Tacoma Mayor George Smitley and the President's grandson Curtis (Buzzie) Dall. At the time of this photograph, he was in his second term as President. He died April 12, 1945, during his fourth term, of a cerebral hemorrhage. (T. Times 10/02/1937, pg. 9) TPL-1999 ALBUM 1

Presidents; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Visits of state--Tacoma--Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945;

Albert Prickman from Canton Ohio posed in July of 1937 with his prize catch outside the Turner Richards photography studio. He landed the 13 pound salmon during his first foray into Point Defiance fishing and he's now a bona-fide member of the Bitten-By-Salmon-Fishing-Bug Club. Mr. Prickman was in town visiting his relative Mrs. Carl William Johnson, whose husband Dr. Johnson worked the oars while Mr. Prickman landed his catch. (T. Times 7/29/1937, pg. 13).

Prickman, Albert; Salmon; Fishing--Tacoma--1930-1940; Turner Richards Studio (Tacoma); Richards Commercial Photo Service (Tacoma);

Annie Wright Seminary Junior Prom, held on Saturday April 17, 1937 in the Great Hall at the school. Two young couples, names not provided, photographed sitting on a davenport in what appears to be the school library. The prom honored the senior class graduating in June. A typical Dutch setting served as the ball's background where junior and senior girls danced with their escorts. (T.Times 4-24-37, p. 5-various photographs)

Private schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Dance parties--Tacoma--1930-1940; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day. The annual Field Day took place in May of 1936. Students are pictured engaging in a softball game with one girl at bat. The Tudor-styled school building is in the background.

Private schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma; Softball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Softball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day. Tennis courts, view from hill of game in progress. Neighborhood homes visible in background. Each year, generally in May, the student body of Annie Wright Seminary participated in a day full of activities including sports, music and the crowning of a queen and her court.

Private schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennis courts--Tacoma; Tennis--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day. Archery, girl shooting bow and arrow.

Private Schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Archery--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day. Field hockey game in progress, run on at goal post.

Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma; Field hockey--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day. Woman standing in loggia observing little girls in short dresses playing on slide and balance bar.

Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing outdoors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Playgrounds--Tacoma; School recesses--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day. Volleyball team in action on basketball court of gymnasium.

Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma; Volleyball--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities. Seven young women wearing costumes are performing a skit or dance. The scene is dramatized by the photographer's shadowy frame of spectators and trees in the foreground and landscape in the background.

Private Schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma; May Day--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities. A large group of girls dancing in pairs in a circle. The Maypole, school grounds, spectators, and neighborhood houses are in the background. Witch hat visible behind performers' screen of shrubbery.

Private Schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma; May Day--Tacoma; May poles--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities. Girls in costume dancing around the May Pole. School grounds, spectators and neighborhood houses visible in background. In lower left is a shrubbery screen that conceals performers.

Private Schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma; May Day--Tacoma; May poles--Tacoma;

The traditional Annie Wright Seminary Christmas Doll Bazaar, held December 4, 1937. Cowboy dolls and stuffed animals arranged in a "dude ranch" theme. Students, left to right: Catherine Cowell from Missoula, Barbara Gene Hufford, Jane Duell of Chehalis, Nancy Longstreth, Muriel Spofforth. (T.Times, 12/11/37, p.7)

Private Schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma; Bazaars--Tacoma; Dolls; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary Christmas Doll Bazaar held December 4, 1937. The Senior girls have arranged baby dolls in an old shoe; the theme is based on the nursery rhyme "Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe." Standing L to r: Margaret McGinnis, Shirley Robbins, Frances Young; kneeling, Ann Murray and Martha Turner. The seniors received an award of merit for their dolls and exhibit. (T. Times, 12/11/37, p.7)

Private Schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma; Bazaars--Tacoma; Dolls; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Murray, Ann; Robbins, Shirley; Young, Frances; McGinnis, Margaret; Turner, Martha;

Annie Wright Seminary's 1936 May Day celebration. Crown bearers and young flower girls in costume.

Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma; Girls--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities. Six young girls dressed in butterfly or bee costumes dancing around a young girl seated on the ground. Spectators watching event from loggia.

Private Schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day. Little girls in short dresses going down play yard slide and walking on balance bar. "Speed King" wagon next to slide.

Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing outdoors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Playgrounds--Tacoma; School recesses--Tacoma;