Henry Mill shots of hardware and quantity. Henry Mill & Timber Co. was a leader in the pre-fabricated lumber field. Pre-fabricated lumber helped speed the war effort in filling their government orders. Henry Mill also had their products throughout Tacoma housing projects. Exterior view of Henry Mill & Timber Co. plant.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumberyards--Tacoma; Prefabricated buildings--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

American Girl. View of Joe and Lucille Machado aboard the "American Girl" tuna boat after her July 23, 1944, launching. Joe Machado, 23, was the captain of the fishing vessel and his wife, Lucille, was the ship's sponsor. Captain Machado and co-owner Joe Alves were affiliated with Van Camp's sea food company out of San Diego. The 106-foot "American Girl" with 180 ton tuna capacity was built by Petrich Shipbuilding. (T. Times, 7/24/44, p. 2-article). TPL-8870

Machado, Joe; Machado, Lucille; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Acting Mayor Val Fawcett, center in bow tie, posed with the launching party aboard the boat " American Girl " at the Old Town dock on Sunday, July 23, 1944. A blessing was bestowed by Father Henry J. Schultheis of Bellarmine High on the 106-foot long, completely refrigerated tuna fishing boat built by Petrich Shipbuilding. Mrs. Lucille Machado, wife of the 23-year-old skipper Joe Machado, was the ship's sponsor and christened her with the traditional bottle of spirits. Others aboard during the ceremony included Harvey and Martin Petrich, Captain Joe Machado, co-owner Joe Alves. Ordered by Petrich Shipbuilding Company. ALBUM 14 (T.Times 7-24-44, p. 2-article; TNT 7-24-44, p. 1-article)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Petrich, Martin; Petrich, Harvey; Machado, Joe; Machado, Lucille; Alves, Joe; Schultheis, Henry J.; Priests--Tacoma;

American Legion honoring gold star mothers. Mothers who have sons in the armed forces were honored at the American Legion in early September of 1944. Those women who have lost their sons in the armed forces received gold star awards. F. D. Richardson, Post Commander and Acting Mayor, Val Fawcett (center) were both present at ceremony. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 9/8/44, p. 1). ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commemorations--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Legion Tacoma Post No. 138 (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical Co. was awarded the Army Navy "E" award by Major General Joseph D. Patch and Navy Officer W. C. Gilbert. An impressive ceremony was held at plant. Music was provided by the 440th Army Service Forces. Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett was the Master of Ceremonies (T. Times, 1/10/45, p. 3).

Military decorations--Tacoma; Awards; Flags; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Acting Mayor Val Fawcett leads the singing of "God Bless America" during a Army-Navy "E" award ceremony at Hooker Electro-Chemical Company. Employees were honored for outstanding production of materials vital to the war effort. ALBUM 14. TPL-6654

Military decorations--Tacoma; Awards; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The College of Puget Sound Conservatory had just received opera scores and volumes of German lieder, from Frederick W. Wallace; and oratorio music from Martha M. Hughes in October of 1944. The Conservatory was also featuring paintings and etchings from old masters and contemporary artists, which the public was invited to visit. View of five unidentified music students and Karl H. Bratton, director of music at College of Puget Sound.

Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bratton, Karl H.; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Initiation into Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Six of twenty four veterans of the U.S.S. Nashville, who were active in many battles in the South Pacific, were recently accepted into the U.S.S. Tacoma post 2329 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The men are being sworn in as members of the Tacoma V.F.W. post. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 3/7/45, p. 3).

Oaths--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Tacoma; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Veterans of Foreign Wars (Tacoma);

Children's Industrial Home for Community Chest. A furnace and boiler exploded in the basement of the Children's Industrial Home, leaving 42 children temporarily homeless. Two adults were injured, but all 42 children were able to escape without any harm. View of exterior damage caused by explosion at Children's Industrial Home (T. Times, 9/26/44, p. 1).

Orphanages--Tacoma; Explosions--Tacoma; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Children's Industrial Home (Tacoma);

Tacoma belt line new switching yard. The rail classification yard will be used by four railroads, where they will be able to sort their cars faster. View of Tacoma's future rail classification yard (T. Times, 9/13/44, p. 3).

Penstocks--Tacoma; Pipes; Railroad construction & maintenance--Tacoma; Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Belt Line Division (Tacoma);

Marvin Marine Repair Co. was originally a fishing boat repair company, but with the need for war related products they received government contracts to repair and build landing crafts and barges for the military.

Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Landing craft--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marvin Marine Repair Co. (Tacoma);

Impressed by the successful youth program at the Salishan housing project, Democratic nominee for Washington state governor U. S. Senator Mon C. Wallgren participates in a boxing class during his campaign tour. Senator Wallgren, left, gains a few fighting tips from classmates: left to right, Butch Olmstead, Dick Dougal, Gordon Tresness, Coach Oliver Olmstead, Jim Blake, Tynne Tresness and Jimmy King (T. Times, 9/26/44, p. 7).

Political campaigns; Boxing--Tacoma; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961;

Avenger at Todd Pacific. The "Avenger" tank, commonly called by Marines "Water Buffalo" is visiting Tacoma for one week and can be seen at Todd Pacific Shipyards. It is technically called a LVT or landing vehicle tracked. View of two unidentified men standing in front of "Avenger" (T. Times, 8/24/44, p. 3).

Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Tank warfare; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);

Avenger at Todd Pacific. This amphibious tractor was caught in the crossfire with machine guns and artillery, which put it out of commission after the battle of Tarawa. View of five unidentified men standing in front of "Avenger" (T. Times, 8/24/44, p. 3).

Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Tank warfare; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);

Five pictures of Navy recruiting station. Women were doing their part with the armed forces in Tacoma. View of unidentified woman who is enlisted in the Navy WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, at the Naval Recruiting Station in Tacoma (T. Times, 9/2/44, p. 1).

Women--Military service; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; United States Naval Recruiting Station (Tacoma);

General construction, erosion and piling at Todd Pacific. Todd Pacific Shipyards Inc., formally known as Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., is currently going through rapairs and construction. They are preparing for an expansion in order to fill larger contracts. Interior view of shipyard during expansion period (T. Times, 9/1/44, p. 22).

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);

The "Hot Pops," (l to r) Jack Thomas, Lee Hodgert and Jack Brouillard, were one of the acts that performed at the second annual Elks Fathers and Daughters Night held on Friday March 7, 1947 at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway. The night of fun and entertainment included local performers and three professional acts. The program's feature attraction was 6-year-old pianist, Margaret Kochendoerfer, from Portland, Oregon. (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Staffs (Sticks); Straw hats; Hats--1940-1950; Thomas, Jack; Hodgert, Lee; Brouillard, Jack;

Construction on the East 11th Street Bridge began in July 1911 and was officially opened and dedicated in February 1913, drawing a crowd of over 10,000 and motion picture cameras from Hollywood to cover the event. The bridge was designed by John Alexander Low Waddell and cost approximately $550,000 to build. View of the 11th Street Bridge with Mount Rainier in background. Ordered by Barbara Ball Hewitt. TPL-4491

Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma);

Pacific Storage and Distributing Co. had five storage facilities and their main offices. They had many contracts throughout the Tacoma and Seattle area. Exterior view of plant No. 6 located on Dock Street. Northern Pacific freight cars will be filled with stock then transported to their final destination. Pacific Storage provided protection for all good stored with them.

Warehouses--Tacoma; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Loading docks--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Pacific Storage & Distributing Co. (Tacoma);

Joan Booth and Orville Wick wedding. Two little flower girls stand in front of the altar, smiling as they get their picture taken. The girls are wearing matching dresses, head wear and flower bouquets. Candelabras and a religious statue are in background.

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Booth, Joan--Marriage; Girls--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wick, Orville--Family; Booth, Joan--Family; Candelabras;

West Coast Grocery Company had just moved into their new headquarters in Tacoma. This building included, food storage warehouses, offices and subsidiary companies all on one site. The $400,000 building was 640 feet long, 240 feet wide and over 135,000 square feet of space, all on one floor. Aerial view of West Coast Grocery Company.

West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Aerial photographs; Progress photographs; Storehouses--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Elks Lodge was having their annual Father-Daughter program at the Elks Temple in March of 1947. Elks members and their daughters or granddaughters would be performing. The main attraction was 6 year old pianist Margaret Kochendoerfer of Portland, Oregon. View of five unidentified women attending the Elks show are admiring two cardboard cutouts of Li'l Abner and Daisy Mae in the lobby (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Buck & Sons manufactured farm machinery, sold Ford and Ferguson Tractors, repaired tractors and sold tractor tires. Exterior view of their building, Ferguson System tractor sign above entrance, shop windows, garage on left side.

Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma; Machinery; Tractors--Tacoma; Storefronts--Tacoma; Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma);

Buck & Sons manufactured farm machinery, sold Ford and Ferguson Tractors, repaired tractors and sold tractor tires. Exterior view of their building, Ferguson System tractor sign above entrance, also visible are Puget Sound Paint and Hardware store and Signal gas station.

Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma; Tractors--Tacoma; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma; Storefronts--Tacoma; Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma);

Buck and Sons was holding a tractor and farming equipment demonstration for the local farmers. They were showing their new merchandise and their new and modern facilities. Buck and Sons had modern equipment and supplies to meet a farmer's needs. Interior view of Buck and Sons.

Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma; Tractors--Tacoma; Meetings--Tacoma; Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma);

The Stadium High School varsity football team had an undefeated season during the 1946-1947 school year when they wore the Cross-State and City crowns.The varsity football captains were Bruce Andreasen and Wells Anderson. Coach Heinrick was both the football coach and a guidance counselor. View of a Stadium football game, photo taken for the Tahoma, Stadium's yearbook.

Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma);

Harold A. Sanford was the President of Sanford-Nash Inc., he had been in the Nash dealership business since 1918. Exterior view of Sanford Nash Company, two signs posted by entrance tell us this is the Parts Department for used cars, the Service Department is located on lower floor. Stucco building at Sixth and Tacoma Avenue, two Nash automobiles in showroom windows, neon and painted signs on building.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Showrooms--Tacoma;

Hooker Electrochemical Co. also had a large plant in Niagara Falls, New York. The company was always expanding and had many smaller plants and offices throughout the United States. Since the end of World War II, they had substantially grown and were looking at the possibility of opening up an office in Vancouver, British Columbia. Exterior view of Hooker-Dextrex solvent plant, where Hooker produced chemicals PCE and TCE from 1947-1973. The water tank (safety first!) is on an adjoining shipyard property. Additional image information provided by patron.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Westwood Furniture Manufacturing Company was established in Tacoma in 1940 by L. Donald Fisher. The company was first on Center Street then moved to Lawrence Street in 1945. View of showroom with a matching dresser and vanity, the furniture measurements are given on bottom of photo. A floral wallpaper and lamps beautifully accent this bedroom furniture.

Clothes chests--Tacoma; Dressing tables; Lamps; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Westwood Furniture Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

General Mills produced over 12,900 barrels of flour per day, their output had doubled in just five years. They were one of the oldest flour mills in the Pacific Northwest. The Tacoma plant handled most of the international exporting. Interior view of storage building with thousands of sacks of Sperry flour stacked up.

Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grains--Tacoma; Bags; Food storage buildings--Tacoma; Storage facilities--Tacoma; General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma);