Grand Officers of the Eastern Star on stage in June of 1942. Flags of several nations, including the United States, and silhouettes of Presidents Lincoln and Washington serve as decorations. 1500 Eastern Star members attended the organization's 59th annual meeting held at the Masonic Temple. Mayme Harmony was elected worthy grand matron and Irwin Jones, worthy grand patron. (T.Times 6-17-42, p. 8-article; T.Times 6-19-42, p. 9-article)

Order of the Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Flags; Silhouettes; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On July 13, 1942, the dance committee gathered to plan the upcoming Delta Theta Sorority dance. The dance, held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, would have a nautical theme and benefit the Navy Relief fund. Committee members, left to right, are Kathryn McDonald, Dee Whitham, Jeanne Johnson, and Doris Nelson. (T. Times 7/18/1942, pg. 2)

Delta Theta Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma; McDonald, Kathryn; Whitham, Dee; Johnson, Jeanne; Nelson, Doris;

Interior of Moose Hall-room w/2 lg. windows,vinyl chairs, thick carpet. Photograph taken in July of 1941.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Chairs;

Moose Hall hallway w/chairs and flag at rear. Paneled walls, thick carpet.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Flags--United States;

Three Tacoma chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (the Mary Ball, Virginia Dare and Elizabeth Forey) enjoyed a delicious luncheon in the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom when they honored Washington State Regent, Mrs. Starr Sherman of Walla Walla, on October 27, 1941. Seated above were Mrs. C.C. Mellinger, Mary Ball chapter regent, Mrs. Sherman, and Margaret Long, Elizabeth Forey chapter regent with the others in the photograph not identified. Mrs. Sherman was making an official visit to Tacoma and would later pay similar visits to Grays Harbor and Chehalis as well as northern chapters around the Sound. (T.Times 10-28-1941, p. 9-article only; T.Times 10-30-1941, p. 19-alt. photograph)

Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Melllinger, C.C.--Family; Sherman, Starr--Family; Long, Margaret;

At noon on March 7, 1943, the Lady Eagles turned up at the Pacific Match Co. cafeteria to feed all the hungry Eagle workers at "Scrap Iron Acres," donating their time to sort salvage to go to the mill. Serving are Mrs. Clarence Peterson and Mrs. Clara Simpson. Enjoying the well deserved meal are Bill Stone, Amos Wilson and George Soule. (T. Times 3/8/1943, pg. 1)

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma); Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On March 7, 1943, the members of the Eagles turned out in force at "Scrap Iron Acres," located near the Pacific Match Co. plant at 3223 So. Union, to sort some of the 3,000 tons of salvaged metal piled there. Pictured left to right are Julius LaVerne, Les Green of the Cooks & Waiters union, Undersheriff Joe Karpach, Deputy Sheriff Sig Kittelson and Don Bryant. All together, 65 tons of heavy steel were loaded into a big railroad car for transport to a Seattle mill. (T. Times 3/8/1943, pg. 1)

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma); Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Eagles Ladies Auxilliary stages a mock wedding. And it's a shotgun wedding. The women are dressed in various costumes with the bride, father of the bride, groom and ring bearer in the center front.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Eagles Ladies Auxilliary;

The Eagles Ladies Auxilliary stages a mock wedding. One of the women dressed like a clown serves as the ring bearer - the ring is a sausage laid on a doily on top of a pillow.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Eagles Ladies Auxilliary;

IOOF bingo party. Independent Order of Odd Fellows bingo party. View of large group playing bingo on table in lodge.

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

Eagles ending membership drive. The Tacoma Aerie No. 3 Fraternal Order of Eagles began on December 4, 1898, in Chickering Hall, located on then known "C" Street, now called Broadway. View of Eagles Club Room, remodeled in 1941 and said to be one of the finest in the nation.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3 (Tacoma);

Daughters of the Nile installed their new queen, Mrs. Reuben Golliet of Olympia, at the Masonic Temple. In an elaborate setting depicting the throne room of an ancient temple several women are seated on a dimly lit stage while a woman stands near the front of the speaking into a microphone. The speaker's podium is a replica of an ornate, Corinthian column. Musical selections were sung by Mrs. Romona Rockway Grim and the Zora temple choir. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.E-7)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowns; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stages (Platforms);

Under the leadership of Albert W. Taylor, illustrious potentate of Afifi temple, members of the director's staff attended the Shrine Directors Association of North America's annual meeting in San Francisco. The group is seen here on March 23, 1952 as they prepare to board their train at Union Station. Names are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 3/26/1952, p.19)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Publicity photo of a group of 5 for Elks Extravaganza, Elks Auditorium. The 5th annual Tacoma Elks Extravaganza, under the direction of old time vaudeville star Max Frolic, was presented March 25-26, 1952. The Wednesday performance was exclusively for local lodge members and the Thursday performance was open to all Elks, their ladies and friends. The show featured 15 attractions: singers, dancers, dramatic acts and a 15 piece orchestra under the direction of Bert Kool. Pictured, left to right, are Mike J. LaVelle, Ballet Director, Max Frolic, with violin, E.J. "Bud" Weller, hero in the drama "Never Weigh the Hand," Joe Gorman, Irish Tenor and Rinaldo Keasal, First Assistant. (TNT 3/23/1952, pg A-14)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Frolic, Max; LaVelle, Mike J.; Weller, E.J.; Gorman, Joe; Keasal, Rinaldo;

The Amity chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star held its 26th annual installation of officers March 21, 1951 in the Gothic room of the Masonic Temple. The installation was followed by a reception in the roof garden. (for a list of new officers, see TNT 3/18/1951, pg D-11)

Order of Eastern Star Amity Chapter No. 219 (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

New officers were installed at the Tacoma Lodge of Elks for 1951-1952 May 5, 1951, at an impressive ceremony under the direction of the past exalted rulers. The new exalted ruler was Harold L. (Bud) Duncan. Other officers were John S. Roberts, leading knight; Arthur J. Emery, lecturing knight; E.O. Johnson, secretary; Walter E. Leggett, treasurer; Arthur Stolen, trustee; and Swan Johnson, tiler. (TNT, 4/6/1951, p.C-7)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Inaugurations--Tacoma;

Two local-area boys smile broadly on April 16, 1951, after winning the Yo-yo contest sponsored by the youth guidance committee of the Tacoma Eagles Lodge and Duncan Yo-yos. The boy on the right is Alan Michener. In 1928, Donald F. Duncan, an entrepreneur who also introduced Good Humour Ice Cream, Eskimo Pies and the parking meter, bought the Flores Yo-yo factory and the rights to the name Yo-yo. During the thirties and forties, the wily businessman promoted his product through professional demonstrators, who could "Walk the Dog," "Shoot the Moon" and "Rock the Cradle." Generations of kids competed in Duncan-sponsored contests, showing off the latest tricks. The two young winners above, wearing embossed vests proclaiming them to be Duncan Yo-yo champions, may have used the the new plastic models of yo-yos first introduced in 1950. By the 1950's, the Baby Boomers promoted America's Favorite Toy to the position of Cultural Craze; every kid in the playground had to have one. (www.yo-yos.net) TPL-8832

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Yo-yos; Children playing with toys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Michener, Alan;

Four retiring officers of the Delta Theta sorority are posed in an August, 1951, photograph. They had turned over their positions to new officers at the sorority installation banquet held at Crawford's Sea Grill restaurant on August 27, 1951. From L to R are Janie Wilhelmi (outgoing recording secretary), Junice Ates (outgoing president), Jean Trovani (outgoing vice president) and Myrna Scheckner (outgoing corresponding secretary). All four young ladies are college bound: Wilhelmi to Washington State College, Ates and Trovani to the University of Washington, and Scheckner to the Colorado Women's College. (TNT 9-3-51, p. 18)

Delta Theta Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Wilhelmi, Janie; Ates, Junice; Trovani, Jean; Scheckner, Myrna; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma Elks lodge band on the Spanish Steps, with two drum majorettes .

Organizations - Fraternal Organizations - Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Music Ensembles - Bands - Marching Bands

James M. Ballard, of Seattle, left, and national supreme junior governor, hands the gavel to Robert C. Hauge as he was installed as the new governor of the Tacoma Moose Lodge on April 24, 1951. Mr. Hauge was a graduate of Lincoln High School and Pacific Lutheran College and was a teacher at Vaughn School on the Gig Harbor Peninsula. John H. Anderson, mayor of Tacoma, is standing second from the right, and S. Ralph Frazier, special representative of the supreme lodge enrollment department, stands on the right. (TNT, 4/27/1951, p.B-5)

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Hauge, Robert C.; Anderson, John H.; Frazier, S. Ralph; Ballard, James M.; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Men--Social life--1950-1960;

The Elks were organized to inculcate the principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity; the club promotes members' welfare and enhances the happiness of its members. The Elks believe they can increase American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship. Interior view of Tacoma's Elks Lodge No. 174's clubroom, the clubroom is near the Secretary's office, the room has new billiard tables and Christmas decorations (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas decorations; Billiard parlors--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elks Club (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks Club, Father and Daughter. Three of the daughters who attended the Father and Daughter Party at the Elks Club 1949 are shown together in a swing that sat within a large, decorated heart.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Parties; Children's parties; Valentines; Girls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hearts; Swings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's Elks Club was having their annual "Extravaganza" event. This year's show would include a short concert by the Elks band, ten all-Elks acts, and a minstrel show. All benefits from the show would be used to help send the local Elks Band to the Grand Lodge Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The newly appointed Elks Exalted Ruler, John H. Anderson would give the welcome address for the "Extravaganza". Names appear in newspaper (T.N.T., 4/26/49, p. 5).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Cross dressing--Tacoma; Female impersonators--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Three two-man crews of painters work from platforms suspended on the south wall of the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, in August of 1947. The temple, dedicated on February 22, 1916, was designed by E. Frere Champney. The staircase next to the building, that connects Broadway with Commerce St., is known as the Spanish steps, and were intended to serve as a fire escape for the building. The Elks Temple has fallen into disrepair, and its future is in question. TPL-8446

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Historic buildings--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1940-1950; Streets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Elks, Father and daughter night. Several girls pose with the carousel used to decorate the Elks club along with hearts for Father and Daughter night.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Merry-go-rounds--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Parties; Children's parties;

Exalted Ruler and trustee at Elks Club, Jack Brouillard, Elks Club. Two men are playing handball at the Elks Club. They are both wearing tee shirts, shorts, court shoes, and special gloves. The walls of the handball court show the marks of the ball hitting the surface over and over again.

Elks Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Handball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sport clothes; Athletes--Tacoma;

Rainbow Convention. A drill team performs during the 21st annual session of the Grand Assembly of the Order of the Rainbow for girls held June 22, 23, and 24, 1947 in Tacoma. Several young women cadets in a straight line formation. The young woman on the far right is wearing an all-white uniform. A woman wearing a dress, perhaps the director, is standing second from the left. (T.Times, 6/19/47, p.10)

Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drill teams; Teenagers--1940-1950; Uniforms; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Rainbow Convention. Seven Rainbow girls are seated in the middle of the auditorium with older persons standing behind them waiting for the ceremony to continue. A large audience is seated around the edges of the auditorium and in the balcony. The installation of newly elected 1948 grand officers marked the end of the Rainbow Girls' 21st session. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.1)

Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Royal Arch Masons. A gathering of members wearing various costumes. York Rite delegates attended the annual state convention during May 11 through May 16, 1947. Meetings of the three grand bodies, Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar and the Council were held during this time. (T.Times, 5/9/1947, p.1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Royal Arch Masons (Tacoma);

Scottish Rite reunion, Mr. Farnsworth. Scottish Rite bodies of Freemasonry in the Tacoma district held their 84th semi-annual reunion the week of May 16, 1948, and dedicated it to the memory of the late Felix Robinson, 33rd degree, in appreciation for his 27 years of activity in the Masonic order. Over 100 petitioners were expected to form the reunion class for the ritualistic induction. The Scottish Rite of the Freemasons appears to have been organized in the United States in 1801. It offers higher Degrees to a Master Mason (the third and highest of the traditional degrees, and as far as he can go in his Blue Lodge). The Scottish Rite is open to Jews and others. (T.Times, 5/14/1948, p.9 and International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Alan Axelrod, 1997)

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reunions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);