Mayor John Siegle pretends to light fuse of giant advertising fire-cracker for a Junior Chamber of Commerce "big bang" publicity for July 4th fireworks at Stadium Bowl. Spanish steps from Commerce to Broadway and (Old) Elks Temple in background.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Firecrackers; Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma);

Following the administering of oaths, Mayor John C. Siegle's name was inscribed on the door of room 303, also the office of C. Amos Booth, Refuse Superintendent. The name of his secretary, William J. Ganz, was also inscribed. Both Mr. Booth and Mr. Ganz were Dr. Siegle's personal appointees. Dr. Siegle's name would remain here only a short time; he died while serving as mayor the following year. ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Signs (Notices);

This photograph taken in 1938 shows Mayor George A. Smitley buying a "Buddy Poppy" from Mary Lee Burrows (left) and Elizabeth Armstrong, the youngest members of the American Legion Rhodes Post Auxiliary, at his office in (Old) City Hall. Mayor Smitley was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1872, and although his formal education was limited to four years in a country school, he went on to be a successful businessman and Mayor of Tacoma from 1934 through 1938. Buddy poppies date to the early 1920s. They were inspired after WWI by the poem "In Flanders Fields" and are sold by the VFW to raise funds for disabled and needy veterans and their dependents.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1930-1940; Burrows, Mary Lee; Armstrong, Elizabeth;

In July of 1938, Harlan McCoy was surrounded by children clamoring for his autograph when he visited Vashon Island. The kids didn't care that he was a radio and opera star, or that he had appeared in the movies. They gathered when they learned that he claimed to be one of the voices used for "Grumpy" in Walt Disney's "Snow White." In 1938, the film classic was released in 14 countries and dubbed in a wide variety of languages, requiring a full array of vocal talent. Mr. McCoy was due back at the Disney Studios in August to dub the new feature "Pinocchio" in French and Spanish. The son of a pioneer Tacoma family, Mr. McCoy was visiting at the home of Helen McAnally on Magnolia Beach, Vashon Island. The 6' 4" baritone had an extensive concert career in Europe (where he performed as Luigi Orlando) and the US, as well as appearing in the feature films "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," "Naughty Marietta" and "Rose Marie." (T. Times 7/29/1938, p.3)

McCoy, Harlan; Opera singers; Singers--1930-1940; Autographing--Vashon Island--1930-1940;

Ruth Mitchell, left, and Billie Jean Diedrich were drum majorettes for the junior band of Ray C. Roberts, Post No. 969, V.F.W. In February of 1939 they appeared in these new uniforms at the Washington Birthday Concert and Ball held at the post hall at 6th and Anderson. The proceeds from the event went toward new uniforms for the rest of the band members. The band was composed of fifty boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 17. (T. Times, 2/24/1939, p. 20)

Mitchell, Ruth; Diedrich, Billie Jean; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma); Veterans organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Band uniforms--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Mrs. Bess Duncan Wells of Portland, national president of the Gold Star Mothers, paid a visit to Tacoma on December 10, 1938, to install the Tacoma chapter of the Gold Star Mothers into the national organization. Mrs. Wells is standing third from the left. The installation was held at the home of Mrs. Nellie Mosier, 1633 E. 29th, before many charter members and guests representing various patriotic organizations. (T. Times 12-13-38, p. 3- alt. photograph)

Mosier, Nellie--Homes & haunts; Wells, Bess Duncan; Tacoma Chapter of Gold Star Mothers (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Mountain Lumber Company, February 1939. The Mountain Lumber Company, at 919 East F. Street, was built in 1924 and began cutting lumber in February of 1925. The main mill building was destroyed by fire in July of 1931. The company re-opened before the end of the year, and they were part of Tacoma's busy waterfront until the mid-1940s.

Mountain Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A workman at the Mountain Lumber Company stands on a stack of boards as a crane swings them through the air in this photograph from February 1939. The Mountain Lumber Company, at 919 East F. Street, was built in 1924 and began cutting lumber in February of 1925. The main mill building was destroyed by fire in July of 1931. The company re-opened before the end of the year, and they were part of Tacoma's busy waterfront until the mid-1940s.

Mountain Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Kathryn (Mrs. John) Mueller sits on a love seat with her daughters Nancy K. and Anne in their home on North Junett. The family was photographed on December 22, 1938, as part of a montage of Tacomans enjoying the Christmas season. John Mueller, not pictured, was the secretary-treasurer of Tacoma Investment Co. with Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (T. Times, 12/24/1938, p. 7- alt. photo).

Mueller, John--Homes & haunts; Mueller, John--Family; Mueller, Nancy K.; Mueller, Anne; Mueller, Kathryn; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mothers--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On June 26, 1938 a large contingent of the men and women attending the Sons and Daughters of Norway convention that was being held in Tacoma posed for a group photograph in front of Normanna Hall, 1502 South K Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way). The Pacific Coast District grand lodge brought delegates to Tacoma from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Alaska and British Columbia for the four day conclave that met from June 23-28. Most of the convention activities were held at the Winthrop Hotel, where most of the out-of-town delegates stayed, but there were numberous outings and social events scheduled including a dance at the Masonic Temple and a trip to Scandia Park, a resort on Five-Mile Lake in South King County. (T. Times, 6/23/1938, p. 9).

Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Daughters of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma;

In this photograph from March of 1939, James F. (Jimmy) O'Brien stands beside the library of law books in his office in the Perkins Building at 1103 A St. Mr. O'Brien was born in Canada in 1871. After earning a law degree in Toronto, he moved to Tacoma in 1889. He was admitted to the Washington Bar in 1891, and began practice in Tacoma in 1895. He died in August 1942 at the age of 71. (T. Times, 3/7/1939).

O'Brien, James F.; Lawyers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Law offices--Tacoma;

Reno and Edith Odlin's children: Mary Lee, Richard and Reno, Jr. beside their large Christmas tree. Mary Lee hugs a favorite doll while the boys pose beside presents in this yuletide portrait. (T. Times, 12/24/1938, p. 7).

Odlin, Reno--Family; Odlin, Richard; Odlin, Reno William; Odlin, Mary Lee; Christmas trees--1930-1940; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979--Homes & haunts; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Women of Rotary Club staging annual party. Group of eleven women dressed in formal attire. (T.Times, 2/26/1938, p.7).

Organizations - Clubs - Rotary International Club - Women of Rotary - Tacoma

Spinster Hop at Fircrest Golf and Country Club. Lucile Anderson, Muriel MacDonald, Karl Richardson, and Henry Rosenberg chat during intermission at the semi-formal "Back to School" dance. Decorative windows and wall. (T. Times, 9/3/1938, p. 9)

Organizations - Clubs - Women's Clubs - Spinster ClubOrganizations - Clubs - Country Clubs - Fircrest - Fircrest Golf and Country ClubEntertaining - Parties - Dance Parties

The First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade held August 5, 1938 at the Stadium Bowl. Five girls pose at the end of the parade with their decorated bikes. Thirteen judges or officials, with lapel ribbons, stand behind them. Sheriff John C. Bjorklund is one of the judges and stands on the back row, one from the right.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade, held August 5, 1938 at the Stadium Bowl. A long line of costumed riders and their decorated bikes pose after the parade. Prizes were given for best decorated entries, funniest costumes, craziest looking bicycles and oldest bicycles. Over 1500 youngsters took part in the day's fun.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade held August 5, 1938 at the Stadium Bowl. Seven girls in costumes and dresses pose with their trophies, medals and prizes. One small girl with ringlets holds a loving cup, while the older girls show off their prizes. The prizes include a new bicycle, sunglasses, a jacket, shoes and a watch.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Times-Metropolitan Park District First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade was held on August 5, 1938 at the Stadium Bowl. Three boys posed with their decorated bikes after the parade. The bicycle on the right is decorated with red, white and blue crepe paper bunting and sports several American flags. An Uncle Sam look-alike is the rider. The boy in the middle pays tribute to Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan with his "Corrigan's Special." In 1938, after many governmental refusals for a transatlantic flight permit, Corrigan set off to fly from New York to California in a fog and ended up in Ireland, supposedly due to a compass failure. The man who thumbed his nose at government officials became a national folk hero. The third bike has a sign "Quick Oats." Hundreds of children competed in the street parade and all-city meet. More than 300 prizes were awarded, including wrist watches and medals and as grand prizes, new bicycles. (T.Times 8-5-38, p. 1-article; T. Times 8-6-38, p. 1-article)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Narrows Bridge celebration. Parade on South Tacoma Way, led by Standard Oil gasoline fuel truck, passes Ludwig's Drug and Lang Hardware. More than 500 cars and trucks participated in the event organized by a committee representing the business districts.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Narrows Bridge Celebration (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Pennsylvania Salt, 2901 Taylor Way. Industrial sections of the City of Tacoma. Industries on the Tacoma Tideflats including an overhead pipe line and electric rail lines. This site is believed to be part of the Penn Salt plant as viewed in July of 1938.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Brides-to-be Jane Gear, Jean Magill and Harriet Latham focus their attention on cupid Judy McMillan, standing next to Dorothy Conrad, in living room of Conrad home. (T. Times, 8/13/1938, p. 8)

People - Women

Samuel Ewing, president of Peoples, (with broom) and merchandise manager Fred Carleton, right, donned overalls as they prepared for the shift in stations to occur on Friday, April 22, 1938, when Peoples Store women employees took over operations and administrative duties for the day. This semiannual custom was taken very seriously by the women on staff. Their slogan for the day was "Planned, Manned and Jammed by Women." This year Mr. Ewing allowed the women to elect their own bosses rather than being appointed to the positions. Mary Youmans, personnel manager, was elected president for the day. (T.Times, 4/19/1938, p.14-alt. photograph).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ewing, Samuel; Carleton, Fred;

On Friday, April 22, 1938, employees at Peoples Store will reverse roles. Women are assigned to management positions and men, including company president Samuel Ewing, (seated at left), and merchandise manager Fred Carleton, (seated at right), fill work stations held by women for the day. This role reversal was offered by Peoples twice a year, and on this occasion, the employees got to elect their own officers. The employees are, left to right, standing Evelyn Knoell, Isabelle Swanson, Helen Kiracafe, Freida Belle Worden, Elsie McDaniels, Olga Miller, Hazel Kasae, Brownie Davies & G.R. Milstead. Seated are Ewing, President elect for the day Mary Youmans, Amelia Berger and Carleton. (T.Times, 4/19/38, p 14).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ewing, Samuel; Carleton, Fred; Youmans, Mary;

Dorothy Read, wife of Dr. Jess W. Read poses for a home portrait as publicity for Pierce County Medical Association Auxiliary. She is chairperson for an upcoming dinner party. Desk lamp is knight-in-armor sculpture. (T. Times, 3/11/1939, p. 8)

Pierce County Medical Association (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1930-1940; Read, Dorothy;

A lone Grizzly bear imported from Yellowstone National Park lies resting on a bare wooden platform in a man-made, stone cave at Point Defiance Zoo. The young female cub was brought in to replace the bear that escaped from the zoo in July of 1937 and was never found. If she looks a little lonely, it is because her intended mate broke out two weeks ago, June 12 or 13th, and has not been found. He went over the wall of the pen leaving only some hide and hair on the prongs designed to keep him in. He was recovered July 3rd in the park. (T. Times 6/14/1938, pg. 1; 6/27/1938, pg. 3; 7/4/1938, pg. 1)

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Grizzly bears; Zoos--Tacoma--1930-1940; Zoo animals;

Glen Portrude and Erling Johnson adjusting a telescope that is mounted on a tripod and pointed toward a window. Mr. Johnson, at right, was the manager of the Tacoma Elks Lodge. Mr. Portrude's occupation was that of an engineer.

Portrude, Glen; Johnson, Erling O.; Telescopes--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary Founders' Day. Mrs. Frank S. Hinsdale, daughter of founder Bishop Paddock, meets with diocese Bishop Rt. Rev. S. Arthur Huston and Mrs. S. D. Fratt, member of first graduating class at Annie Wright, on January 19, 1939. (T. Times, 1/21/1939, p. 5)

Private schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Founders' Day commemorations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hinsdale, Frank S.--Family; Huston, S. Arthur; Fratt, S.D.--Family; Bishops; Clergy--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright May Day. Queen and attendants on platform, small girls approaching Queen.

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

Annie Wright Seminary annual doll bazaar. Seven girls around table with dolls and painted backdrops in Christmas motif. The Bazaar was held in the Great Hall and was a tradition as part of the girls' holiday mission work. Mrs. Wilson was in charge. (T.Times Society, 12/5/1938, p. 9)

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

Annie Wright Seminary doll bazaar. A group of upper school girls creates a leprechaun theme with dolls and giant mushrooms. Standing, left to right: Jean Phillips, Frances Eggert, Valerie Walkinshaw, Margaret Miller and Faye Garber. Seated, Gwendolyn Couch and Mary Filberg. The doll bazaar was an annual event, with proceeds going to the school's missionary fund. (T.Times 12/5/1938, p .9).

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