A fireman stands outside of the building where a baby burned to death in a tragic accident on the morning of October 20, 1941. In an attempt to break up the congestion caused by the baby's cold, Katherine Robertson, the mother, had rigged a homemade vaporizing device for her six month old son Richard Robertson. As the mother mailed a letter and hung out a few items of wash, the vaporizer boiled dry and ignited a sheet over the infant's wicker basket bed. The walls, coated with several layers of wallpaper, ignited in a wall of flames. Mrs. Robertson was badly burned trying to rescue her son. (T. Times 10/20/1941, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Apartment houses--Tacoma;

1937 Ford Coupe, license A132701, at White Arrow Service Station on Seattle Highway for Loyalty Group, Seattle. Mr. Waters, attorney. 1937 Ford automobile heavily damaged on passenger side. Photograph taken on November 21, 1941.

Ford automobile; Traffic accidents; Wrecks;

Young boys pose in front of Carstens Meat Packing Co. with a banner, "Future Farmers of American Pure Bred Livestock Project" and several young pigs. The pigs are shown in wooden crates and burlap bags. On May 23, 1942, the boys, members of the Future Farmers of America from Pierce and Kitsap counties, were presented with the young pure-bred female pigs. The pigs were donated by Sears, Roebuck and Co. in a national pig breeding project. Three male pigs were also donated in a "chain-litter" proposition. The females would be bred, and from each litter the boys would give 1-2 females to fellow FFA members. (T. Times 5/25/1942, pg. 12)

Future Farmers of America (Pierce County); Youth organizations--Pierce County; Swine; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Estate of Lowell T. and Helen Murray at Gravelley Lake. Spanish Colonial Revival house by Kirtland K. Cutter, Architect, 1919. The estate was originally owned by Joseph L. Carman and later purchased by Actress Linda Evans.

Gates--Lakewood; Murray, Lowell T.--Homes & haunts; Madera (Lakewood);

Tacoma's seventh Safeway Store opened at the corner of 6th Avenue and Pine Street on October 10, 1941 shortly before this photograph was taken. The new store, which replaced the Safeway at 2603 6th Avenue, had its own parking lot which provided 1 hour free parking for Safeway shoppers. The corner of 6th and Pine had just been re-designed to eliminate the 6th Avenue "jog", solving a problem which cause a bottleneck at that corner.

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

Studio wedding portrait of Evelyn Halloway and Ray Ramseth. The young couple wed in early February of 1942. The groom is wearing his military uniform with corporal's stripes. The bride has a white, perhaps lace, collar on her dark dress and is wearing a heart pendant. Both bride and groom have on flowers; his is a boutonniere. [Also dated 02-06-1942]

Halloway, Evelyn--Marriage; Ramseth, Ray; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Army veterinarian Lieutenant Fred Harris inspects the hoof of one of the horses offered for sale to the U.S. Army at the horse sale held on October 20, 1941 at the Western Washington fairgrounds while Gene Tomchick holds the horse's reins. The army was purchasing horses for the cavalry. Only two of the 35 horses inspected met the army's demanding criteria. They only wanted geldings not less than four nor more than eight years old that were 15 to 16 hands high, weighting 975 to 1,150 pounds. Horses were used in battle by the U.S. Army for the last time in January of 1942. (T.Times 10/21/1941, pg.1)

Harris, Fred; Tomchick, Gene; Horses;

Mr. and Mrs. Loyal W. Hill, photographed in June of 1942 at a family reunion at the Hill homestead, 1636 E. 31st. St. Mr. Hill was the son of Irving E. Hill Sr., Tacoma's "Whistling Mailman." The reunion was in honor of Irving Hill Jr. (Bud) who was leaving for preliminary training for the Naval Air Corps. Mr. Loyal Hill served in the Army in the last war. (TNT 7/12/1942, pg. A-2)

Hill, Irving E.--Family; Hill, Loyal W.; Hill, Loyal W.--Family; Reunions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In October of 1941, Charles F.T. (Chen) Rowe runs toward the camera with Sanka, one of the horses that he boarded at the Point Defiance Riding Academy stables (pictured in background.) Using the old barn and pasture that had been the home for the park's herd of buffalo, the riding academy was founded in 1933. The Point Defiance Riding Academy was destroyed by a fire at 10 p.m. on August 20, 1964. Albert Schramm, stable operator, tried to chase the 15 boarded horses out of the flaming structure. The frightened horses stood huddled in a knot, when Sanka leapt forward and broke through a narrow Dutch door to safety. Twelve horses followed and two perished in the fire. Sanka was proclaimed a hero. She died in October of 1964 at the ripe old age of 33. (TNT 10/4/1964, pg. B-10 for the story of Sanka)

Horses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Point Defiance Riding Academy (Tacoma); Rowe, Charles Frederick Trendall;

Charles F.T. (Chen) Rowe with Sanka, one of the horses that he boarded at the Point Defiance Riding Academy stables. Using the old barn and pasture that had been the home for the park's herd of buffalo, the riding academy was founded in 1933. There were more then 12 miles of beautiful bridle paths within the park. "Chen" Rowe was the owner of the Tacoma Seed Company, which was started by his father in 1919. The Point Defiance Riding Academy was destroyed by a fire in August of 1964 in which two horses were killed. Twelve other horses were led to safety by the 33 year old thoroughbred Sanka. The Academy was never rebuilt.

Horses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Point Defiance Riding Academy (Tacoma); Rowe, Charles Frederick Trendall;

Intersection at 24th and Commerce. Two old wooden cottages, three-story frame apartment building in background. For use in court by Metzger, Blair & Gardner.

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Apartment houses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Intersection at 25th and Commerce Street. Two old wooden cottages stand at the corner while two-story flats with second floor balcony are above them. House at left is for sale. Photograph taken on February 18, 1942. For use in court by Metzger, Blair & Gardner.

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Apartment houses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

50th anniversary dinner for parents of Clarence Johnson.

Johnson, Clarence--Family; Anniversaries--1940-1950; Couples--1940-1950;

Ground breaking ceremony for new building at Lake City School. The students take a turn at breaking the ground for the new addition. It would be very welcome as the 1907 school's original enrollment of 50 had blossomed to 170, with no increase of school size. The seven room addition would include three classrooms, an office, and additional rooms with facilities for special education. (TT 5/12/1942, pg. 3; TNT 5/12/1942, pg. 1)

Lake City School (Lakewood); Ground breaking ceremonies--Lakewood;

On May 11, 1942, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the new addition to Lake City School, in the Clover Park School district. It was the first step in a $700,000 expansion program for the district, half of it financed by the Federal Works Agency. Pictured, left to right, are Mrs. H.E. Liebe (with pick), Percy J. Cox (County Superintendent of Schools), Mrs. Iva Alice Mann, Stanley Lytle, John Maas and Mrs. N. Wootan. The planned addition to the original building, built in 1907, would cost $45,000. The school's original enrollment had been 50, it was presently 170. (T. Times 5/12/1942, pg. 3-picture; TNT 5/12/1942, pg. 1)

Lake City School (Lakewood); Ground breaking ceremonies--Lakewood; Cox, Percy; Lytle, Stanley; Maas, John;

Plans for the new addition to the 35 year old Lake City grade school were being inspected on May 12, 1942 before contractors went to work on the $45,000 project. Pictured looking at the plans are, left to right, Clarence Rueger, architect; Walter Hedlind, Federal Works Agency engineer; Stanley Lytle, chairman School Board; Padre Steiro, Contractor; and Superintendent of Schools A.G. Hudtloff. The addition would contain three classrooms, an office and two projected rooms with facilities for deaf and special education students. (TNT 5/12/1942, pg. 6-picture; pg. 1)

Lake City School (Lakewood); Ground breaking ceremonies--Lakewood; Rueger, Clarence; Hedlind,Walter; Lytle, Stanley; Steiro, Padre; Hudtloff, A.G.;

On June 1, 1942, Einar Langseth (center) greets the heads of his city protective services after taking on the duties of Tacoma's wartime Public Safety Commissioner. He had defeated Holmes Eastwood for the office. He is pictured in the City Council Chamber shaking hands with reappointed Fire Chief Emory N. Whitaker. On the right is his new appointee as Police Chief, Tom Ross. Ross had been acting as chief of the department since Langseth, who held that post, had started his run for office. Langseth had served the city for over 20 years as a patrolman and police chief. (T. Times 6/1/1942, pg. 1)

Langseth, Einar, 1892-1968; Whitaker, Emory; Ross, Tom; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma; Municipal government--Tacoma;

On June 15, 1942, the sawmill at the Henry Mill and Timber Co. caught fire, the result of electrical problems. Quick action by the fire department managed to save the planer plant, warehouse and offices, but the sawmill was completely wiped out. Monetary loss was in excess of $200,000. No lives were lost; the sawmill was not operating due to a shortage of logs. (T.Times 6/16/1942, pg. 1)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Luther Memorial Church, 50th Anniversary service. The English Gothic church at So. 5th and I St. marked its Golden Anniversary on Sunday, October 26th, 1941. The church was officially organized on June 7, 1891 in a W.C.T.U. hall, but the first service was held February 13th in a dance hall. The group was originally called the Zion's English Lutheran Church. The pictured site was purchased in 1892 for $3500. The church was a pioneer in the sparsely settled district. The building, designed by Emanuel J.Bresemann and Marinus Durfee, Architects, was completed in 1910 and dedicated as Saint John's English Lutheran Church; it was later renamed Luther Memorial. The church held its final service after 112 years on November 9th, 2003; the building was sold to Multicare. (T. Times. 10/23/1941, pg. 12)

Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Luther Memorial Church (Tacoma);

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, Major Gen. John P. Lucas, commander of the 3rd Division, and ex-Mayor J.J. Kaufman, now president of the Chamber of Commerce, at a chamber dinner for new executives of local businesses. The "welcome" dinner was held on October 27, 1941, at the Winthrop. Mr. Cain succeeded Mr. Kaufman as mayor of Tacoma in 1940. (T.Times, 10-28-41, p. 1) ALBUM 11, ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Lucas, John P.; Generals;

Christmas, 1941, party for City employees given by Mayor Harry Cain in his office in (Old) City Hall. The staff apparently enjoyed snacks as the dessert-laden table testifies. Small gifts may have been exchanged as well. City Hall closed at noon on Christmas Eve that year. ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Christmas--Tacoma;

Elsie (Mrs. K.C.) McFarland, right, holds some of the blooms that she exhibited at the Tacoma Chrysanthemum Show, held November 1-2, 1941 at the Floral Hall, Pt. Defiance Park. She was one of the outstanding local amateur gardeners, as shown by the blossoms surrounding her and Doris Davey at the McFarland home at 907 No. 13th St. The show was sponsored by the Tacoma and Pierce County League of Garden Clubs. It was a competitive show for amateur growers only. (T. Times 10/28/1941, pg. 5)

McFarland, Elsie; Davey, Doris; Flowers; Chrysanthemums;

On October 30, 1941 troops of the 3rd Division's Infantry Battalion maintained close-order formation as they passed the Roxy Theater, turning from Broadway to march down South 9th Street. One of the largest crowds to ever watch a parade in Tacoma gathered to view the Army Day extravaganza. The parade of over 10,000 soldiers, with their support vehicles, stretched for over 6 miles. (TTimes 10/30/1941 p. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Spectators stand several people deep to watch the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis parade by on October 30, 1941.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Crowds line the street on October 30, 1941, as men and artillery pass in formation during the Army parade. Over 10,000 soldiers would take part in the 2 hour parade through downtown Tacoma.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Army Day parade in downtown Tacoma, 3rd Division.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, downtown businesses were closed due to the massive two hour military parade making its way downtown. Following the parade, stores would throw open their doors for a once a year United Tacoma Days sale. Here bus and or streetcar employees meet with a coordinator, possibly to go over schedule changes made to deal with the increase of downtown traffic.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; People associated with transportation;

Exterior view of Tacoma plant of Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corporation.

Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. (Tacoma);

The new Tacoma Boys Club at 711 South 25th Street, located on the former site of Longfellow School, was dedicated on April 24, 1942. The three-story colonial structure, built for $25,000, was located near the center of the area in Tacoma with the highest rate of juvenile delinquency. It was founded by Judge Fred Remann to fulfil the social needs of boys 6-16 and provide them with proper guidance, while keeping them occupied and out of trouble. The institution was under the supervision of the Salvation Army, which owned the facility and provided the club with a yearly budget. The club's recreational facilities included game rooms, a library and a gym. These facilities were furnished and financed by different unions and fraternal organizations. The club faced south on 25th Street with playfields on either side. (T. Times 4/23/1942, pg. 3-picture; 4/7/1942, pg. 3- article; www.washingtonhistory.org)

Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma)--Buildings; Youth organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Eleanor Roosevelt chatted with Mayor Harry Cain and his wife Marjorie in the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall, 625 Commerce Street, on December 13, 1941. The First Lady had come to Tacoma to speak to local civilian defense officials. Pearl Harbor had occurred just six days before her visit and Mrs. Roosevelt had made several stops at major cities, including San Francisco and Portland, to assess the nation's readiness and listen to local concerns. While in Tacoma, she also met with a small delegation representing the Japanese American Joint Defense Corp. She was accompanied to Tacoma by her daughter and son-in-law, Anna and John Boettiger. (TNT 12-13-41, p. 1) TPL-153 ALBUM 1.

Presidents' spouses; Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor, 1884-1962; Visits of state--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;