Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Our neighbor to the north, King County, entered this float in the parade promoting the county as America's Playground. Pictured at the front of the float are two women pilots, followed by a beauty queen, boaters, tennis players, a singer and a marksman in dark clothes.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This evergreen bough covered float promotes two Tacoma and Northwest pioneers, Job Carr and Dr. Charles H. Spinning. A sign on the float states "1864. Dr. C. H. Spinning locates Job Carr on future townsite of Tacoma." In 1864, Job Carr set up a settlement on the waterfront on property he purchased from the federal government. This settlement was to become Tacoma. Dr. Charles H. Spinning is famous as the "canoe and saddle" Doctor. He settled in 1859 on the site of the present Fern Hill. He served for 9 1/2 years as doctor to the Indian Reservations. The float has a canoe on the front with two native Americans, pioneers in the center and a teepee in the back, almost shielded from view by trees.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. This vehicle covered with greenery and studded with dahlias has a sign proclaiming Steilacoom, founded in 1854, as the home of Lee's Dahlia Gardens. A sign on the side of the vehicle reads "Tryon Dahlia Gardens." A young girl in pioneer dress sits atop the float in a straight back chair.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lee's Dahlia Gardens (Steilacoom);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. R.E. Anderson's float celebrates Washington State's fifty years of progress, statehood and time tested dependability. The float is topped with Northwest greenery and carries a frontiersman, complete with fur hat and rifle. R.E. Anderson was a real estate company that also dealt in loans, rentals, insurance and bonds. In 1939, they were located on the 4th floor of the Fidelity Building, 949-55 Broadway. The building was razed in 1949.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; R.E. Anderson & Co. Inc. (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Parade participants patiently wait on the R.E. Anderson Co. float for the parade to start. Brown & Haley's candy factory can be seen in the background. R.E. Anderson was a real estate company that also dealt in loans, rentals, insurance and bonds. In 1939, they were located on the 4th floor of the Fidelity Building, 949-55 Broadway.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; R.E. Anderson & Co. Inc. (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Peterman Door Shop employees holding their Jubilee hats to their hearts in salute of Washington State's Golden Jubilee.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Sibelian Male Chorus under direction of Fritz Berntsen will sing at 1939 Golden Jubilee events. Chorus line in shape of "S;" director Fritz Berntsen in full evening dress on left. Singers names listed in Times includes three Berntsens, Henry, Val, and Fritz. (T.Times, 4/14/1939, p. 2)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Berntsen, Fritz; Berntsen, Henry; Berntsen, Val; Singers; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940;

These cast members appear to depict British officers and sailors in the historical drama "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. They are possibly part of the depiction of Capt. George Vancouver's exploration of the Puget Sound area in 1792. The Saga would cover Washington's history from the earliest times to 1939, with 14 special events highlighted in scenes.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Cast members of the outdoor drama "Saga of the West," costumed to represent different time periods, pose in front of the reverse side of one of the massive sets used in the pageant. The outdoor pageant would be produced July 20-22, 1939 as a part of the celebration of Washington's Golden Jubilee. The Saga had a cast of 2,000 and covered the history of Washington from its earliest times to 1939. To eliminate the need for microphones on the stage, all narration was handled by seven actors in the press box speaking over microphones.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

During a July 19, 1939 rehearsal, a team of dogs pulled a sled and rider past the massive sets used for the historical pageant "Saga of the West" staged in the Stadium Bowl. The heavily bearded man "mushing" the dogs was Earl Hammond. Hammond stopped in Tacoma on his way to Alaska to take part in the Saga and parade. He was a professional "Santa Claus," performing in Christmas pageants back east. His dogs were white Siberian huskies and white marked black Siberians. The framework at the rear of the sets can be clearly seen and costumed cast members representing different time periods in Washington's history line up to watch the show. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. (T. Times 7/20/1937, pg. 2)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

As the West was settled, cities were formed. This scene is typical of that lifestyle. A woman reaches down to cluck the toddler in the wicker stroller under the chin while the proud parents look on. The pair of young men on the left appear to be planning some mischief. It was all taking place during the preview performance of "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. Three cast members wait for their cues in the stands with bored expressions on their faces. The young man in the checks is tentatively identified as Donald MacDonald and the woman pushing the pram as Barbara Bonnell. The extravaganza, with its cast of 2,000, was made up of 14 scenes. This appears to be from the Gay Nineties street scene.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Redskins in full body makeup represent the importance of the Native Americans in the West. These cast members took part in the recreation of an early Indian village in the historical drama "Saga of the West." The show opened with the area's earliest native settlers, known as the "Squallys." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

The staff of the Tacoma Times poses in front of the newspaper's offices in their Jubilee hats.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop. The elegantly dressed Jessie and Walter J. Frankland and Dr. and Mrs. James Gourley practice a step or two before leaving the lounge for the dance floor on April 22, 1939. Mr. Frankland was listed in the 1939 City Directory as a department manager for Rainier National Park Co. (T. Times, 4/29/1939, p. 6).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940; Frankland, Walter J.; Gourley, James;

April, 1939, Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop. Two couples converse in the lounge near a large console radio. Frank R. Griffiths offers Archie Kimball a Camel cigarette. Wives Tim Kimball and Norma Griffiths look on. Mr. Griffiths was listed in the 1939 City Directory as the secretary/treasurer of the Rainier National Park Co. (T. Times, 4/29/1939, p. 7).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Griffiths, Frank R.; Griffiths, Norma; Kimball, Archie; Kimball, Tim; Cigarettes;

New building at the Western State Custodial School for handicapped children at Buckley (now called Rainier State School.) The new facility located 1 mile east of Buckley was scheduled to open in 60 days. It consists of nine red tiled "California Mission" style buildings on a 1,400 acre tract. The buildings are Buckley Hall ( a ward,) Percival Hall (also a ward,) the central kitchen, laundry, power plant, Administration Building and Hospital, a shop/garage and the superintendent's dwelling. The service buildings were designed to serve a population of 3,000, but the school would open with housing for only 300. (t. Times 8/4/1939, pg. 1)

Western State Custodial School (Buckley); Institutional care--Buckley; Children--Health & welfare;

1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Spectators watching man attempting to ring bell with large mallet, hammer. Test-your-strength carnival games were very popular among fairgoers.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Carnival games--Puyallup;

Five women, wearing corsages, are seated at a dining table decorated with a large floral display in the Bonneville Hotel on March 16, 1939. They were attending the Junior Women's Club luncheon that day.

Women--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bonneville Hotel (Tacoma); Junior Womens Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Ira L. Davisson, seated, Utilities Commissioner and Acting Mayor during the illness of Mayor Siegle, helps the Young Men's Business Club boost Tacoma by purchasing poster stamps of Tacoma and nearby scenes. The stamps are being sold by Ebner Mortenson, right, stamp chairman and Dr. H. V. Hoover, left, club president. The stamps will be affixed to 35,000 pieces of departmental mail. In April, Tacoma was in an uproar when Tacoma Postmaster George Fishburne, on order from Washington D.C., banned the Jubilee poster stamps on U.S. mail as being "illegally" similar to some postage stamps. The Post Office recommended that the present seals be withdrawn and larger ones issued, so postal authorities could accept them as "labels." (T. Times, 3/29/1939, p.18; T. Times 4/13/1939, pg. 1)

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Davisson, Ira; Mortenson, Ebner; Hoover, Harold V., 1896-1966; Postage stamps;

Studio stock photograph taken at Mount Rainier. Skiers lined-up for rope tow near lodge.

Man in overcoat with carnation bouteneire, watch bob, balding hair - facing left.

There was a time when Tacoma had a neighborhood called Hollywood. More specifically it was called Hollywood-on-the-Tideflats. Surrounded by the old city garbage dump, a gas plant, Carsten's packing house and an open slough, it was a patchwork of shacks made from scraps of wood and sheetmetal, canvas and fiberboard. Started during the depression by men who were down on their luck, the colony grew into a rowdy village during World War II. The city finally torn down the last of the houses in 1956.

Huts--Tacoma; Slums--Tacoma; Depressions--1929;

J. E. Berkheimer Manufacturing Company fire on July 7, 1938. Men working in debris. The roofing and asphalt materials company suffered its worst fire in eight years when an explosion of molten asphalt in the "saturator" machine set off a blaze that spread through the factory in 2-3 minutes. Highly flammable finished stock and raw materials were consumed by the fire; material loss alone was over $40,000. (T. Times, 7/8/1938, p. 1).

J. E. Berkheimer Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Celebrating J.C. Penney's 11th anniversary at its downtown Tacoma store with a huge cake are, left to right: Ella York, M. J. Keeley, Esther Sahlin, Frank Walsh, Myrtle Hodge, Louise Kretchmann, and Verona Howard. Six of the seven employees pictured above have been with the store since its opening in 1927. Mrs. York is in alterations, Mr. Keeley is the assistant manager, Miss Sahlin of the silk department, Mr. Walsh is a janitor, Mrs. Hodge of the boys department, Mrs. Kretchmann of coats, and Mrs. Howard is the personnel director. An employees party was held at The Firs to celebrate the event. (T. Times 10/20/1938, p. 9).

J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Anniversaries--Tacoma; Cakes--Tacoma;

Jason Lee Junior High School, Opening Day. Assembly in auditorium. Nearly 30,000 students registered as city and county schools opened for fall quarter on September 7, 1938. (T. Times 9/7/1938, p. 1).

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Judge James H.S. Bates at home in Olympia. The Judge is seated on antique sofa below a collection of framed art. Judge Bates is the husband of Kate Stevens Bates, the youngest daughter of Washington Territory's first governor Isaac Stevens. (T. Times, 3/14/1939, p. 1)

Judges; Bates, James;

Junior Women's Club dance, "Night in Harlem." Mrs. Russell, A. T. Dockeray and Eleanor Dockeray wearing formal attire and standing in doorway under Club Cotton sign on November 26, 1938. The popular jitterbug dance highlighted the evening. (T. Times, 11/26/38, p. 11).

Junior Women's Club (Tacoma); Dockeray, A.T.; Dockeray, Eleanor;

In November of 1938, five unidentified young ladies dressed in traditional kimonos rehearsed a ceremonial dance staged among artificial flowering cherry trees. They were members of the 18 person Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizen's League dance group. The group performed November 12th at "Japan Night," a bazaar hosted at Fife High School. This was the second year that the Citizen's League had sponsored this bazaar, carnival and dance, intended to acquaint Tacoma and Valley people with the group's activities and culture. A mixture of traditional Japanese and American food was served, followed by the evening's entertainment of ceremonial dances performed in front of a background of cherry blossoms and red, white and blue hangings. Over 1,000 people turned out to glimpse the culture of Old Japan. (T. Times 11/10/38, p. 20)

Kimonos; Japanese-American Citizen's League (Tacoma); Japanese Americans--Fife--1930-1940; Ceremonial dancers; Japanese Americans--Dance;

Lincoln High School is being overrun by pirates. Actually they are part of the annual Music Department performance on May 20, 1938. The Boys Glee Club developed the pirate scene entirely by themselves, complete with realistic sword play and sea chanties. In this scene, Dean McPhaden and his crew of pirates discover Elton Ramage attempting to break into the treasure chest. McPhaden hits Ramage across the back with his rapier and a duel ensues. (T. Times 5/19/1938, pg. 18)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma)--Performances; Pirates; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Costumes; McPhaden, Dean; Ramage, Elton;

Girl Scout Day Camps included outdoor summer activities like volleyball. In July of 1938, day camps sponsored by the Tacoma Girl Scout Council were held three days a week at Puget and Lincoln Parks. In this photograph eight girls participate in a volleyball game. Tennis courts and trees in dot the background at Lincoln Park. (T. Times, 7/12/1938, p. 1).

Lincoln Park (Tacoma); Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Camps--Tacoma--1930-1940; Volleyball; Children playing outdoors; Sports; Playgrounds--Tacoma--1930-1940;