The 19th century melodrama "United by Love" was being presented on August 23, 1938, on a Works Progress Administration (WPA) travelling stage to an appreciative outdoor audience in South Park. The "Theater on Wheels," a joint enterprise of the WPA and the Metropolitan Parks Board, had presented five complete shows a week since June 13th, playing six times around a circuit of ten Tacoma parks and playgrounds. Members of the Asbury Methodist Church WPA-coached drama club on stage were, left to right, Ruth Bristow, Milo Ernst, Pat O'Conner, Georgia "George" Kisor and Cyril Hansen. More than 100 performers presented shows featuring music by the 6-piece professional WPA orchestra, singing, dancing, dramatic sketches and sound movies. They played to more than 20,000 appreciative theater goers in June and July with August audiences slightly higher. Their season ended on August 31st, retiring the only travelling theater on the Pacific Coast for the year. (T. Times 8/24/1938, pg. 16)

Melodramas; Open-air theatrical productions; Depressions--1929; Bristow, Ruth; Ernst, Milo; O'Conner, Pat; Hansen, Cyril; Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma) --People;

Young girls in costumes pose with their decorated bicycles for the judges to decide on the best decorated and funniest at the August 5, 1938 1st Annual Bicycle Race Meet & Parade. The parade of decorated bikes and their riders started downtown and ended at the Stadium Bowl. The days fun was sponsored by the Tacoma Times and the Park Recreation Department of the Metropolitan Park District. The races and parade had over 1500 participants. (T. Times 7/25/1938, pg. 1 - 8/6/1938)

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

1938 Haley wedding. At home. Frank Haley in stripe suit with tie; his bride Nell wearing dark dress, jacket with large corsage, and hat. (filed with Argentum)

Weddings--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings)--1930-1940; Haley, Frank; Haley, Nell; Haley, Frank--Family;

Haley wedding. Frank Haley, on his wedding day, is in the center of the front row; flanking him are his brother Richard Haley and his father, J.C. Haley, one of the founders of Brown & Haley Confectioners. In the back row, left to right, are the groom's brothers: Cliff Haley, Fred Haley, who succeeded his father in running the business, and Ted Haley. The man at the far right is unidentified. (filed with Argentum) (Additional information provided by a family member)

Weddings--1930-1940; Haley, J.C.; Haley, J.C.--Family; Haley, Frank; Haley, Clifford; Haley, Fred; Haley, Ted;

Commerce Street Dog Parade, April 22, 1939. Children and dogs anxiously wait to hear the winners' numbers announced for 70 prizes awarded after the parade. Nearly 1,000 dogs were shown. Participants wear baseball caps they received. Each participant received a cap, an ice cream treat and a treat for their dog. (T. Times, 4/24/1939, p. 1)

Commerce Street Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children & animals;

Nearly 1,000 dogs and their masters participated in the Commerce Street Dog (Mutt) Parade on Saturday morning April 22, 1939. Sponsored by the Commerce Street Business Men's Club, over seventy prizes were distributed to the winners in various catagories. No youngster went without some award, as each participant received a free ice cream bar, a baseball cap and a balloon - and every dog received a special treat. (T. Times, 4/24/1939, p. 1)

Commerce Street Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children & animals;

Commerce Street Business Men's Club Dog Parade, April 22, 1939. A large crowd of spectators line the sidewalks along Commerce St., north and south of Ninth St. "Dave's Lunches/Billiards" sign projects over the sidewalk in the foreground, Winthrop Hotel on left. (T. Times 4/24/39)

Commerce Street Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children & animals; Spectators--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade held August 5, 1938. Bird's-eye view of parade of bikes and people downtown. The parade started at 2:30p.m. Friday afternoon as hundreds of young people pedaled their decorated bikes from 8th and Commerce through downtown streets and ended up at the Stadium Bowl.

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

Hundreds of costumed children on gaily decorated bicycles filled the streets of Tacoma on August 5, 1938 as they took part in the First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade. The parade started at 8th & Commerce, wound through the downtown streets and ended at the Stadium Bowl. The riders were cheered by thousands of spectators. Kids without bicycles could get loaners so that they could take part in the races held in the Stadium Bowl. Prizes were given for best decorated bikes, funniest costumed riders, craziest looking bicycles and oldest bicycles. The top prizes were new, 1939 Schwinn "World" bicycles with all of the latest accessories. (T. Times 7/25/1938, pg. 1- 8/6/1938)

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

The First Annual Tacoma "Bike Meet" was held on Friday August 5, 1938. Hundreds of young Tacomans decorated their bicycles to participate in the parade that started downtown and ended at the Stadium Bowl. After the parade, there were competitive races held on the Bowl track. A Tacoma boy dressed like the comic strip character "Major Hoople," in baggy pants and a stuffed shirt, tips his hat as he stands astride his scooter "Leapin Lena." A young boy, in black mask and hat as the Lone Ranger, sits on a rocking horse, a banner with "Hi Ho Silver" on it, flies behind him. The boy on the right has a new take on "paper boy," his clothes are made out of the Tacoma Times. By the end of the day, three lucky Tacoma youngsters had won new bicycles as prizes.

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

The second annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta. Several wooden power motored yachts, including the "Blanche D," gather on Puget Sound. The day of the regatta, April 3rd 1938, proved to be an exciting one. It opened with a morning fire on one of the yachts, continued on with a collision during the power boat race and ended with a small cabin cruiser capsizing, spilling 5 people into the frigid Puget Sound. They were rescued by a Foss tug. (T. Times 4/4/1938, pg. 1)

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

Western Washington Fair grandstand. During the 1938 Tacoma Day at the fair, 49,690 people walked through the gates. Fifteen thousand people packed the grandstand to the point of sitting on the concrete stairs for shows and races. (T. Times, 9/22/38, p. 1)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Grandstands--Puyallup; Spectators--Puyallup;

Fifteen hundred cheering horse race enthusiasts packed the grandstands at the 39th Western Washington Fair on September 21, 1938. There were six races held daily throughout the run of the Puyallup Fair. The 21st was Tacoma Day. By 1 p.m. over 20,000 fair goers had passed through the turnstiles. The official attendance tally for the day was 49,690.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Racetracks (Horse racing)--Puyallup; Horse racing--Puyallup; Jockeys; Horses; Grandstands--Puyallup;

ca. 1938. Italian Dinner Banquet. The large dining room is filled with people at tables eating spaghetti.

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

At the stroke of 10 p.m. on January 20, 1940, Rhoda Maynes was crowned Queen of the 9th annual Gold and Green Ball, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). The coronation ball was given on the roof garden of the Masonic Temple. Queen Rhoda is photographed surrounded by her court. The "MIA" on the staffs is the abbreviation for Mutual Improvement Association. Miss Maynes is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Maynes of 3940 No 31st St. Photograph ordered by J. Hoyer/Hayer. (T. Times 1/19/1940, pg. 20)

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Mormons--Tacoma; Maynes, Rhoda;

In order to stir interest in shopping on South 38th Street, the 38th Street Boosters Club decided to sponsor a turkey derby on December 16, 1939. Thirty turkeys, spurred on by their jockeys, trotted down 38th Street from South "G" to Yakima. Each bird wore a sign identifying its sponsoring business and "name." The novel promotional event attracted some 3,000 excited spectators. The turkeys were given away to lucky spectators. How the live turkeys got home with their new owners was apparently up to the owners themselves.

Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Racing--Tacoma; Turkeys; 38th Street Boosters Club (Tacoma);

Enthusiastic members of the newly formed (South) 38th Street Boosters Club wanted to let prospective customers know that they were ready to "talk turkey" (sales lingo meaning to "make a deal"), so they held a turkey derby in December of 1939. Members attempted to coax 30 turkeys to race to a feed bag at the end of a set course. At the event's conclusion, birds were to be given free to spectators. Ordered by "Ryan's Weekly." (T. Times 12/7/1939, p. 5).

Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Racing--Tacoma; Turkeys; Costumes; 38th Street Boosters Club (Tacoma);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Tacoma Central Labor Council automobile. 1940 was a political campaign year; the Central Labor Council made its presence known in the parade with its late model sedan, flags stuck in the grill, and large banner. Four people are pictured in this July 1, 1940, photograph, perched on the car's running board. Civic, fraternal and labor organizations worked together to put forth a massive celebration of the new Narrows Bridge and the opening of the country's latest airbase, McChord Field. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Flags--United States;

The Carstens Packing Company was represented in the Tacoma Narrows Bridge/McChord Field Parade of 1940 by two company princesses and "Ham Head." They rode on a large float during the 1 1/2 hour parade that passed through downtown Tacoma streets. Crowds were apparently delighted with the bowing Ham. Carstens was founded in 1897, and was one of the early Tacoma businesses to locate on the tideflats. In 1952 the company was sold to Hygrade Food Products Corp. Hygrade closed its Tacoma plant in 1990. (T. Times 7-2-1940, p. 1)

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carsten's Packing Co. (Tacoma);

1940 Y.M.B.C. Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Four men in Narrows Bridge / McChord Field Jubilee Hats with souvenir hatbands selling "Last Ferry Boat Ride" tickets. The ferry Kalakala would be making its last trip across the Narrows on July 2, 1940. Tickets for nearly 1400 would be available through the Young Men's Business Club membership. Voyagers were asked to dress in costume to compete for prizes; dancing would be provided by Louis Nomellini's orchestra. (T. Times, 7-1-40, p. 5)

Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations--Tacoma; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

1940 Y.M.B.C. Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Racing boats lined up at pier. Many races held during the one-day water carnival sponsored by the Young Men's Business Club including inboard motor, hydro, sailboats. The event drew thousands to Point Defiance to bask in the sun, watch races and air shows, and view the city fireboat perform an exhibition. (T. Times, 7-1-40, p. 12)

Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations--Tacoma; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Racing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Regattas--Tacoma;

YMBC Water Carnival 1940. An unidentified man in a naval costume looks out to sea with a spy glass. He is possibly viewing the planned boat parade or races. (T.Times, 7-1-40, p. 12)

Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations--Tacoma; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Point Defiance Boat House (Tacoma);

One of the highlights of the June 30, 1940, Young Men's Business Club Water Carnival was a demonstration of trick water skiing. An unidentified man in formal dress, top hat firmly in place, swooshes by on one ski with his cane and other ski held high in the air. Thousands of spectators thronged Point Defiance for the annual event which featured boat races, stunts, funny hats and lots of ice cream. In 1940 the Water Carnival honored the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field dedication celebrations. (T.Times, 7-1-40, p. 12-article)

Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Water skiing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

June, 1940 Commencement at College of Puget Sound. Solemn graduates in traditional black gowns are walking up the steps to Jones Hall, the school's main building. Man on the left appears to be photographing the moment.

Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Jones Hall (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer 408, the U. S. S. Wilson, took place April 12, 1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton. At 90% complete, the vessel was 341-feet-long with 1725 tons displacement. It carried a complement of 9 officers and 175 men. It was commissioned July 5, 1939 and received eleven battle stars for service in World War II. After sustaining damage during the war, it was selected as a target during the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946. It was decommissioned in August of 1946 but remained afloat and was finally scuttled off Kwajelein in March of 1948. (T. Times, 4/13/39, p.20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer #408, the U. S. S. Wilson, on April 12, 1939. The ship was decorated with pennants and bunting and photographed at dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Ship launchings at the Navy yard differed from those at Tacoma Shipyards. The craft was built in a construction dock which was flooded for launching, much like a bathtub. The launching consisted of the gates being opened and the boat towed out into the Sound. The destroyer under construction in the background was almost entirely submerged during the ceremony. (T. Times 4/13/1939, p. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Three girls representing Tacoma Assembly No.2, Rainbow Girls, ride a float covered with daffodils. (T.Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades);

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Lakewood Community Center floats moves down Pacific Avenue passing Merit Paint Store with "cut-rate prices", Stationers, and Washington Hardware. T.Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades);

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Lakewood Community Center float passes the Riviera Theatre. Spectators line sidewalks. By 1939, only one stage theater, The Little Theatre, is listed in Tacoma; all others are motion picture theaters. (T. Times, 4/1/39)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades);

On April 1, 1939, all the best dressed parade riders were wearing daffodils. These two unidentified young women rode on a float credited to the sixth annual Daffodil Parade wearing dresses and hats made completely of flowers. They smiled brightly from under flower covered hats tied with chiffon bows underneath their chins and carried umbrellas.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades);