First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade held August 5, 1938 at the Stadium Bowl. "Major Hoople" on "Leaping Lena" shaking hands with a boy on another decorated bike, most resembling a Daffodil Parade float. Major Amos B. Hoople was the cartoon star of the newspaper comic "Our Boarding House," created in 1921 by Gene Ahern. Hoople was a long winded stuffed shirt, usually identified by his overflowing midsection. The comic strip took place in Martha Hoople's boarding house and ran for six decades. The boys are tentatively identified as William Kennedy of 5318 So. Fife and Albert Dock of 5315 So. Junnett.

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

A parade of automobiles on Pacific Avenue passes Peoples Department Store celebrating the grant from the Progress Works Administration to build a bridge over the Narrows. Huge "Your Credit Is Good" sign on Schoenfeld's in the distance. More than 500 automobiles and trucks paraded through city during the celebration. They ended at the Stadium Bowl, where a crowd of 5,000 heard speeches by Governor Clarence Martin, Senator Homer T. Bone, Representative John Coffee and Senator Lewis B. Schwellenbach, among others. (T. Times, 7/1/1938).

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

The trial, for mail fraud, of the remaining eight officials and salesmen of the People's Gas and Oil organization began February 14, 1939. Some of the defendants are pictured in a federal courtroom watching the jury selection process. They are, left to right, Samuel (Derby) Markowitz, Milton Simons, Maurice (Pat) Robkins, and William Markowitz, general sales manager of the two million dollar oil promotion enterprise. The California promoters were accused of taking about $1,900,000 from about 30,000 small investors throughout the state, many of them in Tacoma. Most accusations included selling fraudulent oil leases on 135,000 acres of land near Ephrata in Eastern Washington. The leases sold at about $10 -35 an acre, despite the fact that drilling had struck no oil. The selected jury was composed of 8 women and 4 men. (T. Times 2/10/1939, pg. 2; 2/13/1939, p. 1)

People's Gas and Oil--Judicial Proceedings; Courtrooms--Tacoma;

Two buses are stopped at the corner of 11th and Pacific in front of Peoples Store to pick up passengers in early February of 1939. Modern bus transportation had replaced the old streetcar system in mid-1938. There were now 95 up-to-date buses operated by the Tacoma Rail & Power system in the city. Routes operated over 76 miles of Tacoma streets carrying 35,000 passengers daily. A group of people dressed in suits and coats prepare to cross Pacific where the old streetcar tracks and brick pavers are visible. (T. Times, 2/8/1939, p. 21-alt. photograph, p. 22-article).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Buses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mass transit--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1938. Al Peterman Manufacturing Company truck with extension. An extension to the body of a heavy-duty truck appears welded to the frame and mounted over eight large truck tires. It is parked inside the door and veneer factory. This was the first "Peterbuilt" truck ever built by the Peterman Manufacturing Co. for its logging operations at Morton. Mr. Peterman had purchased a fleet of fifteen retired White trucks from the Shell Oil Co. and then completely rebuilt them at his Tacoma plant. More powerful engines, dual drive axles and air brakes were added. He had tinkered with these early trucks and made more modifications at the Morton logging site before building this prototype in 1938. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Attempted robbery at Hunt and Mottet Company. Officers in office. Police officer looking around desk with flashlight. (T. Times)

Police--Tacoma--1930-1940; Robberies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);

On August 27, 1938, Capt. Edmund Clarence Weaver, one of Tacoma's more colorful characters, celebrated his 100th birthday. Born in Minneapolis, Minn, he left home at 13 and, until a few years before this picture was taken, adventured through every continent and most countries. The retired sea captain made many flamboyant career choices, including time spent as a fighter, explorer and soldier of fortune. The loss of his right arm in a train wreck directly after the Civil War did not hamper Capt. Weaver. He was the only surviving Pony Express Rider, came across Stanley and Livingston in Africa and was acquainted with Trader Horn. Relaxing at his home prior to his special day, he recounted that he was good for another 50 years. Unfortunately, Capt. Weaver was killed by a city bus near his East Side Drive home on September 15, 1938. Although much more vigorous than a man many years his junior, he became confused and misjudged the direction of the oncoming bus. (T. Times 8/26/1938, pg. 10; T. Times 9/15/1938, pg. 1)

Postal service employees--Tacoma; Pony Express; Weaver, E.C.; Centenarians--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1938. The First Presbyterian Church, showing its large stained glass window and dome. This lovely Romanesque red brick church was dedicated in September of 1925 and is on the Tacoma City Registry. It was designed by noted architect of churches Ralph Adams Cram, of Cram and Ferguson of Boston. The structure reflects Cram's interest in ecclesiastical symbolism. The design is heavy with religious symbols carved in stone, wood and metal, including its ornate dome with ancient Christian symbols and figures.

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

Annie Wright Seminary annual doll bazaar. Eight girls around table with dolls, sign "8th Grade". The exhibit theme is a school classroom. Some dolls appear to be Madame Alexander dolls. 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;

Jason Lee 1938 Orchestra posed in front of their school with their stringed instruments. The school had recently purchased violas and cellos, adding to the depth of the orchestra's sound. The three girls seated on the far right play the new violas. They are, left to right, Aura Russell, Marion Kittredge and Wanda Sanders. (T. Times 4/29/1938, pg. 8)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Stringed instruments; Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Violoncellos;

Group of Jason Lee pupils pose in front of their school with basses and cellos. Photograph ordered as publicity for the upcoming Spring music festival sponsored by the public schools music department. The annual festival would begin April 27, 1938 and conclude May 12th and feature a series of nine concerts at area schools. Musicians would range from elementary school to advanced high school performers.

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Stringed instruments; Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Violoncellos;

Mason middle school heavy brass. Two young men play the trombone and one the tuba. The seated boy playing the trombone is Joe Heitman, Jr. The trombonist on the right is Arthur Warren Jr. The boy encoiled in the tuba and sporting a shiner is Bob Cole. (T. Times 5/13/1938, pg. 22)

Public Schools--Tacoma; Youth orchestras; Students; Musicians; Brass instruments; Trombones; Tubas; Heitman, Joe; Warren, Arthur; Cole, Bob;

Daffodil Yacht Club Regatta race. Several boats on Commencement Bay with hill east of Browns Point in background.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

The Second Annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta was held on Sunday April 3, 1938. Daffodil Queen Bliss Lundrigan, wearing a captain's hat and cape, is shown at the helm of I.J. Leonard's cruiser "Gadget" with her attendants Bernice Daniel (seated on the helm) and Agnes Kucemba. Eighteen sail boats and forty power boats took part in the procession before a day of races.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Lundrigan, Bliss; Daniel, Bernice; Kucemba, Agnes;

Les Green, Union Secretary, congratulates Frances Taylor, representing Mondau's Tugboat, and Stanley Johnson, Pappy's Cabin; race winners in the 1938 Cooks, Waiters and Bartenders Tray Derby. The "race course" wound from 9th and Broadway, where the competing men and women shot off with trays of bottles, to the Century Ballroom in Fife. Taylor ran in 56 minutes, 15 seconds, behind Johnson, 55 minutes, 17 seconds. (T. Times, 3/18/1938, p. 18).

Racing--Tacoma--1930-1940; Walking races; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cooks & Waiters Derby (Tacoma); Taylor, Frances; Johnson, Stanley; Green, Les; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma);

All Aboard, as 280 local Shriners prepare to board a sixteen car special train on June 4, 1938 enroute to the 1938 Imperial Council Session to be held June 6-9 in Los Angeles. Several Shriners stand on the observation platform of the train at Union Station. The sign on the railroad car reads: "Afifi Shrine, Golden Jubilee Special, 1888 - 1938, Tacoma, Wash." They will be joined by fraternal brothers from Southwest and Central Washington. (T. Times 6/3/1938, pg. 2)

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma was treated to an afternoon parade when Knights Templar from all over the state gathered here for the 51st Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington. Men in the traditional plumed hats with a large group of flag bearers behind them. The Roxy Theatre is in the background. The Roxy later became the Pantages. (T. Times 5/9/1938)

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Knights Templar (Tacoma);

Fleet Week, July 5 through 11, 1938, Tacoma. Night view of United States Navy Battleships in Commencement Bay with searchlights aglow against the evening sky. Each night during Fleet Week, Tacomans were treated to searchlight drills which would light up the night sky.

Searchlights--Tacoma--1930-1940; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Mayor-Elect Dr. John C. Siegle, wife Susan, son John Jr. and daughters Bette (sitting on arm of chair) and Joyce at their home. Dr. Siegle, a dentist by trade, was elected Tacoma's Mayor on March 8, 1938, defeating incumbent George Smitley 18,103 to 14,296. He was the first native Tacoman to be elected to that office. He was ill when he took office and soon took a leave of absence to convalesce. He died April 12, 1939 on a train enroute from California to Tacoma, a scant 10 months after he took office. He became Tacoma's first Mayor to die in office. (Note: image reversed). (T.Times, 3/9/1938, p. 1).

Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939--Family;

Post election portrait of Mayor-Elect Dr. John C. Siegle and his family. Seated, left to right, are his wife Susan, Dr. Siegle and daughter Joyce. Standing are son John Jr. and daughter Bette. Dr. Siegle was elected Mayor on March 3, 1938, becoming Tacoma's first native son to be elected to that office. He defeated incumbent mayor George Smitley. By the time Dr. Siegle took office in June, he was an ill man. He died April 12, 1939, returning to his home in Tacoma by train from California where he was convalescing. (T.Times, 3/9/1938, p. 1).

Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939--Family;

This striking photograph of sixteen tuxedo-dressed men was taken for the Tacoma Times by the Richards photographers on February 8, 1939. Unfortunately, it was not published at that time. The men are identified in the studio records as the Sibelian Male Chorus. The photograph mimics the high angle views made popular in the Busby Berkeley musicals of the 1930s. (T. Times).

Singing--Tacoma--1930-1940; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Singers; Choirs (Music);

ca. 1939. Three female skiers at Mount Rainier, possibly Annie Wright students. They are tentatively identified as Lois Fisher, Peoria Ill., Jean Lenham, Bozeman Mt. and Jane Snider.

Skiers--1930-1940; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. A female skier pulls herself hand over hand up the mountain using the tow rope provided for skiers at Paradise, Mt. Rainier. Mount Rainier had a ban on mechanical ski lifts, feeling that they would mar the scenery.

Skiers--1930-1940; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Winter sports; Snow; Ski lifts;

Skiers pose for the camera at the 1938 Winter Carnival. More than 5000 skiers are expected to attend the festivities which include a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races.

Skiers;

One skier gets assistance with her boot at the 1938 Winter Carnival at Paradise, Mount Rainier. More than 5000 skiers are expected to attend the two day festivities which include a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races.

Skiers;

February, 1938, ski races in Paradise Valley, Mount Rainier National Park. A large group of skiers wait on the sidelines by the lodge for the races in the seventh annual Tacoma Winter Sports Carnival to begin. Although much attention was garnered by the winners in the men's and women's open slalom races, there were races for all abilities and ages. The Washington Ski Club was in charge of the junior level races on the second day of the skiing carnival.

Skiers; Athletes;

Large gathering of skiers outside Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park, waiting for the ski race events in February, 1938. The windows of the Inn can be seen in the drifts of snow. The Winter Sports Carnival, sponsored by the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations, drew many competitors annually from the Pacific Northwest region. 5000 skiers and spectators were expected to attend the two-day carnival, which featured a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races. (T.Times 2-9-38, p. 7)

Skiers; Athletes; Paradise Inn (Wash.);

Paradise was overflowing with spectators gathered to watch the 1938 Silver Skis Race when the race had to cancel due to high winds. A slalom race and ski stunt exhibition were the substitute attractions. (T.Times 3/28/38, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

On March 27, 1938, the Silver Skis race at Mount Rainier, from Camp Muir to Paradise, was cancelled due to gale force winds above 9,000 feet. A special exhibition slalom race was quickly organized to entertain the crowd of 8,000 spectators. They were also treated to skiing stunts performed by various ski stars on a special jump. (T.Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

The 1938 Silver Skis downhill race at Mount Rainier. Skiers maneuver their way through the snow as the trees and mountains cast a crisp backdrop on the scene. The record crowd of 8,000 was disappointed when competing skiers had to turn back at 9600 feet above sea level, near McClure's Rock, due to gale force winds. The race was cancelled for the second year in a row and an exhibition slalom was substituted for the audience's entertainment. (T. Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;