Odd Fellows, "Decoration of Chivalry at Tacoma," August 6, 1931. (filed with Argentum)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Grand Officers of the M. W. Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. (Free and Accepted Masons) of Washington in front of the Masonic Temple. Building by Ambrose J. Russell, Architect, 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Free & Accepted Masons (Tacoma);

Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Group of men photographed in June of 1932 wearing Masonic costumes on the steps of the Masonic Temple. The "Shriners" were founded in 1872 as a fun fraternal organization for men who had completed their requirements in the Scottish or Knights Templar (York rite) Masonic organizations. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Group of men in Masonic costumes on steps of the Masonic Temple. This circa 1932 group photo has been superimposed against a background of Mount Rainier. The "Shriners" were founded in 1872 as a fun fraternal organization for men who had completed their requirements in the Scottish or Knights Templar (York rite) Masonic organizations.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Group of men in Afifi costumes inside the Masonic Temple; photograph taken in June of 1932. This is possibly the same group of men as images 1 & 1A. (filed with Argentum).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma);

This is the Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, photographed within the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave., in June of 1932. It is the same photograph as 411, image 9 except that part of the background has been lightened.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma);

In June of 1936, members of the Afifi Patrol and Band line up on a residential street in Tacoma prior to a parade. Three motorcycles lead the procession and a streetcar is seen in the distance at the end of the parade. Several late 1800s houses in background. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Afifi Temple Band (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Afifi parade in June of 1936. Men lined-up in lodge regalia on old Tacoma street. Streetcar tracks in foreground, motorcycle at end of line, numerous late 1800s houses in background. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1934. Afifi Shrine Parade circa 1934. The Shriners are shown marching in procession up So. 13th Street to Broadway. At the back of the picture is the Tacoma Railway & Power Co. at 1301 A St., built in 1899. The cable car tracks run down the center of So. 13th Street. A streetcar can be seen crossing 13th on Pacific Ave. The Shriners in their traditional garb appear to be marching up Pacific Ave to turn on 13th & proceed to Broadway. The Mecca Restaurant can be seen on the left at 1150-54 Commerce. Across the street from the Mecca is the tailoring business of John Davis with signage jutting out of the building. Mr. Davis was also in law enforcement. The sign for Knapp's Modern Business College (located at 1151 1/2 Broadway) can be seen at the roofline of the far left building. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma); Mecca Restaurant (Tacoma); Knapp College (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1931. Several men stand outside the door of the Tacoma Elks (BPOE- Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) Temple admiring the Elks Magazine Studebaker President 8. Tom Truly has been identified as the young man in the cap at the far left of the photograph. He was one of the drivers on this Studebaker/Elks tour. The automobile according to lettering on its side was travelling from New York to Seattle for the Elks National Convention, July 6-9th. The automobile is believed to be a 1931 Studebaker President 8 Roadster convertible. At the wheel is thought to be W.C. O'Donnell, Studebaker advertising manager from NYC. The Elks National Grand Lodge Convention site was Seattle in 1931. (filed with Argentum) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Studebaker automobile; Truly, Tom;

Afifi Mounted Divan. Thirteen men in Afifi capes and hats on horse back in front of Masonic Temple during a ceremonial and festival of music on July 23, 1932. Names printed by horses, left to right, Leverenz, Densmore, Hill, Allen, Carnahan, Colton, Sutter, Ford, Millard, Whitman, Callow, McKenzie and Middlesworth. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Horses;

Window display at Fisher's Department Store advertising Afifi Shrine Temple's third pilgrimage to China. The tour would be leaving Tacoma January 7, 1933. Illustrations including the Great Wall, Chinese clothing and accessories, model of sailing junk, mannequin in dress and coat beside globe.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

Afifi Shrine Temple; display advertising third oriental pilgrimage at Rhodes Brothers. Mannequin dressed in Afifi fez beside luggage and photographs of highlights of trip. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mannequins; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

On July 23, 1932 Shriners from throughout the Pacific Northwest, wearing their colorful and distinctive uniforms, marched in formation up Broadway and through the business district of Tacoma. Bands from the Afifi Shriners of Tacoma and the Gizeh Shriners of Victoria, B.C. took part. After a full day of activities in Tacoma, including a band concert in the Stadium Bowl, a large contingent boarded a chartered train at Union Station. They left at 12:30 in the morning on Sunday July 24th for the imperial council to be held in San Francisco the following week. (The tall, twelve story building at the top, center of the photograph is the Fidelity Building, 949-55 Broadway; it was torn down to build the Woolworth Building). TPL-3687

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma);

Tacoma Elks motion picture. Man and woman holding a piece of paper and standing in front of Elks casting office. Sign in window "Now Casting Tacoma Elks Own Motion Picture." The Elks had signed the Peptimist Motion Picture Corp. of Hollywood to make a motion picture comedy drama woven around the industrial life and scenic beauties of Tacoma. The script called for a cast of 500 Tacoma men, women and children, with the two lead female roles to be salaried. The cast selection was to be announced on June 27; the picture was to be completed in about two months.(TNT 6/2/1931, pg. 16; TDL 6/14/1931, pg. 10-E; TNT 6/4/1931, pg. 13)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Motion picture production & direction--Tacoma--1930-1940; Motion picture industry--1930-1940;

An unidentified Tacoma motorcycle patrolman operates the camera while cameraman L.A. Tatom, in white knickers and sweater, selects the best angle. Director L. Jack Sherry crouches by a 1931 Buick eight automobile directing the action, involving three motorcycle patrolmen holding two cuties aloft. In 1931, the Tacoma Elks commissioned a motion picture comedy/drama about Tacoma to be made by the Peptimist Motion Picture Corporation of Hollywood. This staged production photograph was taken in the Stadium Bowl. Patrolmen appearing in the film were officers Bill Cordell, Edwin Janassen, Bob Marshall and George Johnson. The two female stars were Hollywood actresses Helen White and Bebe Lee. (TNT 6/2/1931, PG. 16; TDL 6/14/1931, pg. 10-E; TNT 6/4/1931, pg. 13)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Motion picture production & direction--Tacoma--1930-1940; Motion picture industry--1930-1940; Motion picture cameras--1930-1940;

Tacoma Elks motion picture crew beside an automobile at Stadium Bowl. The Elks had signed the Peptimist Motion Picture Corporation of Hollywood to create a motion picture comedy drama woven around the industrial life and scenic attractions of Tacoma. The completed picture would be shown a gala frolic June 27, 1931 at the Elks Convention. A casting call went out for 500 men, women and children to be in the picture with the two main female starring roles receiving a salary. Cameraman L. A. Tatom, dressed in bright white knickers and sweater with plaid socks, operates a motion picture camera capturing the scene of motorcycle patrolmen and two women in suits and pumps posed on a 1931 model Buick eight automobile labeled the "official motion picture car" and supplied courtesy of Mueller-Harkins Buick. Posed on the vehicle are director L. Jack Sherry, officers Bill Cordell, Bob Marshall, George Johnson and Edwin Janassen, and actresses Helen White and Bebe Lee. Miss White was an established Hollywood star while Miss Lee was a Tacoma native starting out in the talkies. (TDL 6/14/1931, pg. E-10)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Motion picture production & direction--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tatom, L.A.; Sherry, L. Jack; Cordell, Bill; Mashall, Bob; Johnson, George; Janassen, Edwin; White, Helen; Lee, Bebe;

Tacoma Elks Motion Picture. Four men in police uniforms with motorcycles at Stadium Bowl, two with women on them. Sign in front "Now Casting Tacoma Elks Own Motion Picture." The Elks were casting a motion picture comedy drama about Tacoma, to be filmed by the Peptimist Motion Picture Corp. and shown at the Elks Convention at the end of June. Officers in the picture are Bill Cordell, Edwin Janassen, Bob Marshall and George Johnson. Actresses are Helen White and Bebe Lee. (TDL 6/14/1931, pg. 10-E; TNT 6/2/1931, pg. 16; TNT 6/4/1931, pg. 13)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Motion picture production & direction--Tacoma--1930-1940; Motion picture industry--1930-1940; Motorcycles--1930-1940; Police--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1933. Afifi Temple window display featuring 100 dolls made by Chinese women in the American Board Mission at Tientsin, China. The dolls were donated to the Afifi Temple in Tacoma by the Dragons Oasis Shriner Club of Tientsin, China for distribution to crippled children in Shriner Hospitals. Exhibit illuminated by two ornate Chinese-style hanging lights.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Dolls; Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Chinese lanterns;

Committee for Masonic Convention. Group of four men and six women standing on steps of building. (T.N.T.) (WSHS)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Free & Accepted Masons (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Group of two men in suits and one woman - Grand chiefs of the Redmen. The group is tentatively identified as Mr. and Mrs. Eamans and Mr. Conner. (T. Times)

Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Group of five men in suits - Grand chiefs of the Redmen. The men are tentatively identified by the last names of Eamans, Conner, LIndstrom, Berg and Linn. (T. Times)

Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Group of eight Grand Chiefs, Improved Order of Redmen, ca. 1937. Group of men in suits, some wearing Indian headdresses. The Order of Red Men trace their origins to certain secret Patriotic Societies founded before the American Revolution. It is the nation's oldest patriotic fraternal organization of American, not European, origin. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum)

Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Puyallup Drill Team, Degree of Pocahontas, circa 1937. Group of women, all are wearing corsages. The Degree of Pocahontas was authorized by the Improved Order of the Red Men in 1885 in Elmira, New York. (filed with Argentum)

Improved Order of Redmen, Degree of Pocahontas (Puyallup);

The Elks Club appears packed on November 28, 1956, as members wait for promised entertainment on Old Timers Club night. The orchestra is seated, sheet music open and ready. The piano bench is empty although there is an organist at his keyboard. Elks members with 25 or more years of service were honored annually with dinner at the Elks Club plus an evening of music and skits. Photograph ordered by the Elks Club.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

In April of 1925, members of the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (DOKK) were planning an initiation in which hapless new members would be fed to their voracious tiger mascot (pictured.) The DOKK was a side degree of the Knights of Pythias committed to fun and revelry. On his knees, chained to the tiger, and being prepared for slaughter was E.A. Dexter, chancellor commander of the Commencement Lodge of Tacoma. Surrounding him, left to right, were J.A. Falconer, A.N. Bostwick, Ted Strong and Ben Haverkamp. The grand initiation and ceremony was held at the Swiss Hall, 1902-04 Jefferson Avenue. Over three hundred members from across Southwest Washington were expected to attend. More than 50 initiates were being prepared for lunch. At this time, the DOKK had no temple of their own in Tacoma, so the Kuh-Ala-Dagh Temple of Seattle served as host at the initiation. (TNT 4/24/1925, pg. 11) (WSHS)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Play (Recreation)--1920-1930; Knights of Pythias (Tacoma); Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (Tacoma); Dexter, E.A.; Falconer, J.A.; Bostwick, A.N.; Strong, Ted; Haverkamp, Ben;

International Rally of I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), Tacoma, Washington, September 4-6, 1926. Representatives from 300 lodges in Washington and British Columbia gathered in Tacoma for the 7th annual gathering of encampments. The kick off was a parade on Sept. 4, 1926 with over 2,000 participants. The parade formed at 7th & Commerce. Pictured is a parade float with a banner reading "Both Old And Young Are Protected By The I.O.O.F. Home in Walla Walla, WA." in front of the Colonial Hotel at South 7th and Commerce. The Washington Odd Fellow home was established in 1897 in Walla Walla. It provided care for the widows and orphans of members of the fraternal organization. (TDL 9/4/1926, pg. 3; 9/5/26, pg. 4-A) (filed under Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) held their seventh annual International Rally in Tacoma on September 4-6, 1926. The largest event of the rally was a parade with over 2,000 participants through the downtown business district that concluded at the Odd Fellows temple at Sixth & Fawcett. The Fern Hill Rebekah Lodge created a float for the parade on the back of a John Dower Lumber Company flatbed truck. The float was photographed in front of the Gansen Electric Company and C.A. Beil, General Contractors, offices at 709-13 Commerce St. The Rebekahs were the affiliated fraternal order of the Odd Fellows as well as a service organization. (TDL 9/4/26, pg. 3-article; 9/5/26, pg. 4-A-article) (filed in Argentum.)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fern Hill Rebekah Lodge (Tacoma);

International Rally of the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), Tacoma, September 4-6, 1926. The rally was a convention for the 300 Odd Fellow & Rebekah lodges in Washington and British Columbia. The East Tacoma Rebekah Lodge float was photographed on the 700 block of Commerce Street. Corner of Colonial Hotel, Tacoma Electrotype Company, Washington Florists truck, Gansen Electric Company, C.A. Beil office. (filed with Argentum)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; East Tacoma Rebekah Lodge (Tacoma);

International Rally of I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), Tacoma, Washington, September 4-6, 1926.The biggest event was a parade through downtown Tacoma with over 2,000 participants on September 4, 1926. The South Tacoma Lodge No. 89 float is bearing signs, "The God of Nations is the Father of All Men" and "All Men Are Brothers". Lefebvre Auto Laundry in background. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 89 (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930;