In September of 1944 five unidentified soldiers were photographed while resting in the temporary sleeping quarters provided in Tacoma's Union Station by the USO. During WWII the United Services Organization Travelers Aid Service provided assistance and general information to service men and their wives, newcomers, and other travelers in need of help. They could also provide spartan, overnight sleeping accommodations when called on.

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Beds; Military Personnel--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

USO Union Depot. The United Service Organization Travelers Aid Service provided general information, assistance to new-comers and travelers, emergency overnight sleeping accommodations and activities for servicemen, military wives and others who were in need of services. View of five unidentified people in the Troop-in-Transit Lounge at the USO located in Union Depot on September 26, 1944. Background view of two murals featuring Paul Bunyan, painted by Tacoma artist, Peggy Strong. TPL-10380

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Murals--Tacoma--1940-1950;

During WWII part of Tacoma's Union Station at 1717 Pacific Avenue was set aside for use as emergency sleeping quarters by the Travelers Aid. This view, taken in September of 1944, shows the comfortable rest area set aside for women at the Depot. Cribs, twin-size beds with ruffled bedspreads, stuffed chairs and wooden chairs of all sizes were provided. The United Service Organizations - Travelers Aid Service provided general information, assistance to newcomers and travelers, emergency overnight sleeping accommodations for servicemen, military wives and others who were in need of services during WWII. TPL-10332

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Travelers Aid (Tacoma); Beds; Union Station (Tacoma);

Traveler's Aid, "10,000th" person placed. When Pvt. and Mrs. Lowell Haines checked in at the Travelers Aid desk at Union Depot they became the 9,999th and 10,000th visitors to be given temporary housing by the USO - Travelers Aid since April 1, 1942. Edith Clayton was behind the counter to assist them. Flight Officer and Mrs. John Wilmering are waiting in the background. (T.Times, 6/4/1945, p.1) TPL-6420

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Travelers' Aid (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Clayton, Edith; Wilmering, John; Haines, Lowell; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

College of Puget Sound's National Professional Music Fraternity, the Beta Delta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, had recently installed new members for the coming school year. Mary Jo Frlan (left) and Alda Heath (right) were returning to Tacoma in late June of 1948 after having represented their fraternity in a national meeting. View of Alpha Iota fraternity girls leaving Union Depot after returning from their summer travel.

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Frlan, Mary Jo; Heath, Alda; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sigma Alpha Iota (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

Brownie Scouts Patty Ann Anderson and Beverly Hasfjorde and Girl Scout Jane Ewart are helping carry bags for the women who are on their way to the Pacific Northwest Region XI Girl Scout Conference at Sun Valley, Idaho, leaving from Union Station. The women are, L-R, Barbara E. (Mrs. Richard) Annis, Ruth (Mrs. Philip) Slayden, Mrs. Wilbur Roberts, Edna E. (Mrs. Len) Christianson, Margaret M. (Mrs. C.A.) Sims, Mrs. Lyle Parker, Wyoma A. (Mrs. Luther D.) Moore, Beryl C. (Mrs. E.A.) Manfull, and Dorothy (Mrs. M.J.) LaVelle. Ordered by Margaret E. (Mrs Fred) Roth. (TNT, 10/26/1950, p.10)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma);

Tacoma's delegates to Alpha Iota's Silver Jubilee convention are seen at Union Station with their luggage reviewing time tables from Union Pacific Railroad as they head for San Francisco. Alpha Iota was the business women's sorority. They are, L-R, Sophie Forslund, Mrs. Keith Melendy, Frances Carmichael, May Meyer, Anna Pursley and Mary Frian. Lela Young is seated on the suitcase. (TNT, 7/9/1950, p.D-9) TPL-8403

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alpha Iota (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Elks Band was playing and majorette Gloria Ellexson was performing while club members waited on July 7, 1949 at Union Station for the train taking them to the national convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tacoma Elks ritual team, which held the state championship, together with coach Russ Barlow, would also compete in Cleveland. It was reported during the convention that Gloria Ellexson, a student at the College of Puget Sound, had been named national champion drum majorette. Ordered by Harry Lynch, Elks Club. (TNT, 7/6/1l949, p.10; TNT, 7/13/1949, p.1)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Marching bands; Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ellexson, Gloria; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;