This large group posing at Island Lake Park on September 26, 1942, was composed of the staff and their families of the Bremerton Sun newspaper. The newspaper had been sponsoring an annual employees picnic since 1936. The location varied from year to year but remained in Kitsap County.

Picnics; Families--1940-1950; Bremerton Sun (Bremerton); Bremerton Sun--Employees;

On January 6, 1943 a Lotan Fuel Company truck was crossing the belt line tracks near 2500 East 11th Street on the tideflats when it was hit broadside by a Municipal Belt Line train engine. The engine was knocked off the tracks, and the truck ended up laying on its side, its load of fuel wood dumped onto the tracks. Surprisingly, no one in either the truck or the engine was injured. (T.Times, 1/7/1943 p.16)

Railroad accidents--Tacoma; Municipal Belt Line (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lotan Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Steam escaped from a Great Northern freight locomotive after the southbound train derailed at 24th and Bay St. on October 15, 1942, and fell over on its side. Six cars piled up behind the derailed engine. Over 100 feet of track were torn up in the mishap, but luckily no one was hurt. The locomotive, known as the Extra 3210, was scheduled only to pause in Tacoma for the coupling of a helper engine. The train was past the Reservation Junction, on the east city outskirts, and had reached the line leading to the drawbridge when the locomotive and tender turned over on their sides. The cause of the accident was unknown at the time the story ran in the newspaper. (TNT 10/16/1942, pg. 1; T. Times 10/16/1942, pg. 1)

Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Railroad accidents--Tacoma; Disasters--Tacoma; Railroad locomotives; Great Northern Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Richmond Towing poses with a wrecked automobile headed for Tacoma's scrap drive. Tacoma, like most of the country, was collecting scrap metal to convert to planes and ammunitions. The wrecked auto has been marked with a painted swastika.

Richmond Towing (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;

Interior of Safeway Store on South Tacoma Way.

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior of Safeway Store on South K Street. Empty of customers at the time of this late September, 1942, photograph, the store was still brightly lit with hanging lamps. Safeway in the 1940s had over 15 locations in the Tacoma area.

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior of Safeway Store on South K Street.

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Safeway Store in Downtown Tacoma with remodeled Art Deco facade.

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Looking south on South K Street from north of 11th Street. Mottau Building, Russell and Lance, Architects, 1934 at right center. Taken for Safeway Stores on September 28, 1942.

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mottau Building (Tacoma);

When a committee of interested citizens decided to play Santa to the men in the Armed Forces in 1942, they went to old St. Nick himself for a few pointers. Santa received them at the Rhodes Bro. Department store, where he was making his naughty and nice list. Tacomans were being asked to buy small inexpensive gifts to be handed out Christmas morning to soldiers in the Puget Sound area. Gift depots were set up all over town for them to leave the packages for distribution. Kneeling at Santa's feet are Mayor Harry P. Cain, left, and Col. Olivia Merrill. Standing, left to right, E.R. Fetterolf, Mrs. C. A. Davidson, Mrs. L. Chall, G.O. Rolstad, Mrs. Will J. Connor, Mrs. Anna M. Neilson, Wilma Zimmerman and Mrs. Wilfred E. Burrows. (T. Times 12/1/1952, pg. 9)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

A committee of interested citizens volunteered in 1942 to act as Santa's elves in bringing a little cheer to the members of the Armed Forces in Puget Sound, who were celebrating the holidays far from their homes and families. They are photographed grouped in front of the old guy himself at the Rhodes Bro. Department store. Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain is seated on the floor second from the right. Tacomans were being asked to buy small inexpensive presents to hand out on Christmas morning to soldiers. Gift depots had been set up all over town, in stores, schools and USO centers, for people to deposit these gifts. (T. Times 12/1/1942, pg. 9)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

In the early hours of the morning in November of 1942, Shirley Sawyer posed beside her Tacoma-Buckley-Enumclaw bus in the 800 block of Pacific Ave. The Tacoma Times was doing an article on women in the work force. During the war, women filled many jobs previously held by men. Miss Sawyer was surprised that the newspaper wanted to feature her. A divorcee and mother of a small daughter, she had previously driven a shipyard bus. Her city route started at 6:30a.m. when she carried passengers from Tacoma to Buckley. She then continued on to deliver the mail to the Post Office in Enumclaw. TPL-1965 (T. Times 11/18/1942, pg. 1)

Sawyer, Shirley; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Bus drivers; Buses;

In the early hours of the morning in November of 1942, the photographer caught Shirley Sawyer in a close up as she drove her Tacoma-Buckley-Enumclaw bus in the 800 block of Pacific Ave. The Tacoma Times was doing an article on women in the work force. During the war, women filled many jobs previously held by men. Miss Sawyer was surprised that the newspaper wanted to feature her. A divorcee and mother of a small daughter, she had previously driven a shipyard bus. Her city route started at 6:30a.m. when she carried passengers from Tacoma to Buckley. She then continued on to deliver the mail to the Post Office in Enumclaw. (T. Times 11/18/1942, pg. 1)

Sawyer, Shirley; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Bus drivers; Buses;

Traffic scenes at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation near Hooker Chemical Company. Parking lot full of buses, many people walking. Ordered by General Insurance Company.

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mass transit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

This was the powerful Teamsters softball team photographed at Jefferson Park in July of 1942. The Teamsters were the City League champions and one of eight teams participating in the Pierce County Sectional State Playoffs. The winner would represent the County at the state playoffs later in the summer at Seattle. The Teamsters roster consisted of Robert Myles, Warren Parkhurst, Tom Cross, C. Edmunds, Bob McWilliams, Gus Harkey, Paul Scott, Harley Jensen, Frank Pavolka, Frank Morrone, Heine Hademan, Wally Brebner, Marvin Pease, Willard McWilliams, Marty Besaw and Robert Huegel, manager. The Teamsters were defeated by the Quartermaster All-Stars 1-0 in the playoffs. (T. Times 7/20/1942, p. 10-article; 7/18/1942, pg. 8-article)

Softball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Softball--Tacoma; Labor unions; International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Tacoma);

Lincoln students painting out sign at Stadium Bowl.

Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Lincoln students painting out sign at Stadium Bowl.

Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Annual ball, held on July 17, 1942, following the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club tournament

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Annual ball, held on July 17, 1942, following the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club tournament

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Tacoma Playground Department staff poses in front of the South Tacoma USO building, ready to start their summer work. They will be in charge of summer activities offered through Tacoma's Metropolitan Parks. (T.Times 6/22/1942 p.11- see caption for names)

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

Philharmonic Society. Wearing tuxedos and practicing for orchestra: left to right: George Johnson, violinist/concert master; Harold Whelan, violinist/assistant concert master; Carl Svedberg, percussionist and pianist; Eugene Linden, conductor. Most of the musicians in the Philharmonic held second jobs in the war effort during the war years. They continued to make music, rehearsing on Sundays, and playing for reduced salaries. The orchestra weathered the war years and emerged stronger artistically and with more community support. (TDL 9/6/1942)

Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pianos; Violins; Johnson, George; Whelan, Harold; Svedberg, Carl; Linden, Eugene;

Fritzie Herrmann proudly displayed the luscious box of raspberries that she picked herself on the Hesketh farm, 2 miles east of Puyallup, in July of 1942. Miss Herrmann, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Siegfried F. Herrmann, was one of eight YWCA Girl Reserves combining vacation and helping the war effort by residing at the farm for a month and helping with the berry harvest. The girls picked berries, swam in the river, bought and cooked their own food, did their own housekeeping and were paid $1.00 per crate for berries they picked. They resided in the pickers quarters and enjoyed being entirely self sufficient. (T. Times 7/16/1942, pg. 11)

Teenagers; Girls; Berries; Fruit industry; Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma); Farms--Puyallup; Berry pickers; Herrman, Fritzie; Girl Reserves (Tacoma);

Record summer temperatures brought an early ripening crop of raspberries in July of 1942. A shortage of laborers made it a patriotic duty to help get it picked. Eight YWCA Girl Reserves from Tacoma lived at the Hesketh farm near Puyallup for a month to help harvest the crop. They brough a light hearted sense of fun and had a good time while they worked. Four of the girls are pictured bringing in their berries. One of the girls rides on the cart while another pushes. Walking down the path are Marie Reynolds, Carolyn Lee (pushing cart), Fritzie Herrmann (riding in cart) and Beverly Skaugset. On the right in the background picking berries is Janice Mechnik. The Tacoma Times liked this picture so much that they ran it again in March of 1943 (T.Times 3/9/1943, pg. 2). By that time, the harvest of produce had become a critical problem. The manpower shortage affected the crops being harvested in time and the growing military needed the produce. Farmers depended heavily on youth groups as labor.

Teenagers; Girls; Berries; Fruit industry; Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma); Farms--Puyallup; Girl Reserves (Tacoma);

In July of 1942, eight members of the YWCA Girl Reserves answered the call for berry pickers in the Puyallup valley fields. The crop was rotting on the vine and there was a shortage of laborers.The girls lived at the Hesketh farm during the month of July and supported themselves by picking berries. Four of the young women were photographed sitting on a log by the river eating lunch. They are Janice Mechnik, Carolyn Lee, Marie Reynolds and Beverly Skaugset.Publicity for the Community Chest. (T. Times 7/16/1942, pg. 11)

Teenagers; Girls; Fruit industry; Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma); Farms--Puyallup; Eating & drinking--Puyallup; Rivers--Puyallup; Berry pickers; Mechnik, Janice; Lee, Carolyn; Reynolds, Marie; Skaugset, Beverly;

During the month of July 1942, eight YWCA Girl Reserves resided in the berry pickers quarters at the Hesketh farm in the Puyallup Valley and helped harvest the raspberry crop. Four of the young young women are pictured sitting on a log by the river and eating lunch. They are, left to right, Janice Mechnik, Carolyn Lee, Marie Reynolds and Beverly Skaugset. Publicity for the Community Chest. (Also dated 07-03-1942]

Teenagers; Girls; Fruit industry; Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma); Farms--Puyallup; Berry pickers; Girl Reserves (Tacoma); Mechnik, Janice; Lee, Carolyn; Reynolds, Marie; Skaugset, Beverly;

Two baggage carts, loaded down with old tires, sit on the passenger platform at Tacoma's Union Station. In October of 1942, the U.S. Government began collecting all "excess" tires. By order of the Office of Price Administration, all motorists were required to sell or give to the Government all tires they had in excess of five. The Railway Express agencies at the nation's railroad stations collected the tires and sent them to Government warehouses. (T. Times)

Tires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railway Express (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Thor and Eva Tollefson getting handy in an informal "Home Portrait". They may have been placing decals on the wooden table. Mrs. Tollefson holds a decal of a dashing matador as her next selection. There is a hammer under Mr. Tollefson's hand; he seems to have been prepared for heavy-duty work. Carpentry was a Tollefson hobby; he had made the small round table pictured here and done most of the work on the basement rumpus room. Thor Tollefson had just been re-elected as Pierce County Prosecutor by a wide margin in 1942, an office he held for another four years before making a successful bid for a Congressional seat. (T. Times, 11-4-42, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Tollefson, Eva; Decals;

Community Chest. Portrait artist and subject at 13th and Pacific U.S.O. Volunteers provided many services for the military men stationed here. In January of 1943, portrait artist Laurie MacLeod posed with her painting of Chief Petty Officer Joe Catanzinto, of Punxsutawney, Penn., and the model himself. Mr. Catazinto drew the lucky number in the Wednesday contest at the USO Club at 13th & Pacific and won the sitting and portrait. He planned to send it to his family back home. Mrs. MacLeod held the drawing while her husband Robert MacLeod, also an artist, attended his Coast Guard Reserve meeting. The couple has a studio in New York until four years prior when they moved to this area and built a home at Lakota Beach. (TNT 2/3/1943, pg. 1)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma; Portraits; MacLeod, Laurie; Catanzinto, Joe;

Portrait artist Laurie MacLeod paused in her painting to admire her likeness of Chief Petty Officer Joe Catanzinto, of Punxsutawney, Penn. Mr. Catanzinto drew the lucky number at the USO Club at 13th & Pacific, winning the free sitting and portrait. He plans to send it back home to his family. Mrs. MacLeod held a drawing each Wednesday night while her husband Robert MacLeod, a marine artist, attended his Coast Guard Reserve meeting. The couple had a studio in New York until four years prior when they came to the area and built a home at Lakota Beach. (TNT 2/3/1943, pg. 1)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma; Portraits; MacLeod, Laurie; Catanzinto, Joe;

The Co-ed Club sponsored a social evening at the USO Club at 13th and Fawcett on Tuesday, July 21, 1942. Each Tuesday evening a different group took charge of the evening's entertainment and the late supper. Pictured around the punch bowl were club members and honored guests, left to right, Mrs. Kenneth Bourke, Mrs. Victor Vine, Pfc. LeRoy Strangeland, Marjorie Stewart, Peggy Shaw and Pvt. Sidney Jones. (TNT 7/25/1942, pg. 5)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Strangeland, LeRoy; Shaw, Peggy; Jones, Sidney; Stewart, Marjorie;