Sigma Mu Chi was celebrating their 25th anniversary with a dance in the banquet room of the New Yorker. Fifty couples were expected to attend, Walt Gundstrom and his Orchestra would be playing. The banquet hall was decorated in the fraternity colors, silver and blue, and large replicas of the fraternity pins and pledge pins were displayed throughout the room. View of fraternity members with their dates in the New Yorker Banquet Hall (T. Times, 4/25/47, p. 9).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Tuxedoes; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sigma Mu Chi Chapter (Tacoma); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Commemoration--Tacoma;

The Day Nursery Club of Tacoma was sponsoring an Easter egg hunt for children of club members and children who went to the Day Nursery School. Publicity photos were taken to promote the egg hunt activities, exterior view of Genevieve Smith's home, children and Day Nursery staff members get ready for the upcoming egg hunt, cake and ice cream, followed by an afternoon nap (T. Times, 4/5/47, p. 12).

Easter--Tacoma; Easter egg hunts--Tacoma; Smith, Paul B.--Homes & haunts; Gardens--Tacoma; Children--Social life--Tacoma; Day Nursery Club (Tacoma);

Greens in hand, little Janet Louise Ellingson tries to persuade one of her four new pet rabbits to take a nibble. Janet received four white rabbits for Easter in 1947. A peeled carrot is lying on the grass near Janet's patent leather shoe. At the time of this April, 1947, photograph, Janet was 2 1/2 years old.

Easter--Tacoma; Rabbits; Ellingson, Janet Louise; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma;

Griffin Fuel Company along with many other prominent Tacoma business and organizations were getting ready the the annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade. Their float was covered in daffodils and was using the Harem motif, but would also include the infamous "Lulubelle Griffin", a regular in the Tacoma parade scene. Ed Griffin was President of Griffin Fuel Company in Tacoma.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Harems--Tacoma; Cross dressing--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Puyallup Valley's Daffodil Festival Parade along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma was a great success. View of the Tacoma City Light float with two daffodil swans in a floral decked boat, a woman is nestled among the daffodils. This float was the Grand Sweepstakes Winner out of 63 entries. The judges unanimously chose this float as the winner (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma; Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma);

The annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade had 63 entries that went along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. The Daffodil Festival would continue through the weekend with dances and a water regatta. View of the Spruce Veneer Company float with a daffodil sailboat docked to a pier, float is being pulled by a car (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Spruce Veneer Co. (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma;

1947 Daffodil Festival Parade along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. View of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce float covered in daffodils; two adults appear to be driving float, three children ride in back of float. This float received an honorable mention (T.N.T., 3/39/47, p. 1). TPL-8768

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma;

Several men enjoy a toast at the wedding of Dorothy Ann Simpson. Miss Simpson's engagement was announced in the Tacoma Times May 10, 1947. She was the daughter of J.P. and Hazel M. Simpson. She and Mr. John J. Wilson Jr., of Boston, Massachusetts, were married at St. Patrick's Church on June 28, 1947. The reception was held at the home of the bride. (T.Times, 5/10/1947, p.10; 6/28/1947, p.9; 7/5/1947, p.9)

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Receptions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Easter lilies for mommy. The beautiful Easter lilies are being carried by 2-1/2 year old Rita Lou Smith for her mother. Rita Lou is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer J. Smith of Tacoma. This will be the first Easter holiday to be celebrated since World War II ended (T. Times, 4/20/46, p. 1).

Easter--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Rita Lou;

Thousands gathered on Broadway in Tacoma to see the impressive Jubilee Parade. The parade went on as planned in spite of the heavy rainfall that fell upon Tacoma's parade-goers for a good part of the festivities. View of Tacoma Yacht Club's bathing beauties on a boat float. The three unidentified bathing beauties are waving to the crowd (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bathing beauties; Bathing suits; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma;

Although it rained for a good part of the Post-war Jubilee parade, over 1000 people showed up to see the festivities. View of American Legion Post No. 138 parade float. They received second place in the sweepstakes and first place in the service organizations division. Two unidentified World War II veterans and a nurse are on American Legion float, fire escapes on Central Hotel building in background (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma; Fire escapes--Tacoma ; American Legion Tacoma Post No. 138 (Tacoma); Disabled veterans;

Thousands gathered on Broadway in Tacoma to see the impressive Jubilee Parade. The parade went on as planned in spite of the heavy rainfall that fell upon Tacoma's parade-goers for a good part of the festivities. View of the Second Division 23rd Invader Regiment, as they march through Broadway and Pacific Avenue. View of Puget Sound National Bank building and Stages (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marching--Tacoma; Military uniforms; Second Division 23rd Invader Regiment;

The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. Groups from Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, Portland and many others were going to participate in the Northwest Temples March, where they would lead camels through the parade. The Afifi Temple will host the event. View of Shriners displaying Afifi's baby Camel on a forklift.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Lifting & carrying--Tacoma; Obesity;

Miss Mary Catherine McDonald has set September 2, 1946 as the date for her marriage to Edward Charles Davis. Mary Catherine is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William McDonald of Tacoma. Edward is the son of Harry Lee Davis of Chicago, Illinois. She stands on the stairway at Haddaway Hall with her train spread on the steps around her. Handsome woodwork adorns the stairway. Large windows behind her look out into tree tops.

Brides--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Veils; Haddaway Hall (Tacoma); McDonald, Mary Catherine--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A delegation of 22 business leaders from Honolulu visited the Pacific Northwest in August of 1947 to help foster trade - and support for statehood for their territory. The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce arranged a full schedule of activities for the visiting business men including a trip to the Carstens Packing Company on the tideflats where they were given a ride in Carstens' horse-drawn meat wagon. Some of the staff stood on the roof of the loading dock to get a look at the festivities. The delegation went on from Tacoma to visit Mount Rainier and Olympia. (T.Times, 8/9/1947, p.1) TPL-9602

Horse teams--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1940-1950; Loading docks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commerce; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Wedding at No. 9th St. and Oxford Church made from an old barn, Times, Paul Lantz. The bride, Myrna McCallister, is wearing a suit and corsage of orchids, and the groom, Paul Case Smith, is wearing his Army uniform. They cut the first piece of their wedding cake. The cake is decorated with a stylish wedding couple figurine. A lace tablecloth and crystal candle sticks decorate the table. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the first bride and groom married at the new church converted from a barn, the Skyline Boulevard Christian Church. They exchanged vows before 30 guests on August 13, 1947. (T.Times, 8/16/1947, p.4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Spouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Figurines; McCallister, Myrna; Smith, Paul Case;

Jack Langley. The bride and groom with the bridesmaid and best man. Flowers and candles are arranged behind the wedding party. This is believed to be the wedding of Jayne Gedelman and Bill V. Williams who were wed in September of 1947 at the bride's home. She is the daughter of W.L. Gedelman of Port Angeles. The couple would make their first home in Tacoma. (TNT 10-7-1947, p. 9-alt. photo of bride)

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Veils; Bouquets; Flowers--Tacoma;

Flavel ("Bizz") Beattie-Henrietta Foss wedding. Miss Henrietta Foss and her four attendants: Marion Osgood, Joan Barber, Bettye Wilbur, and Donna Smith, stand on the steps at the altar. The bridesmaids hold bouquets of mums and the bride's train is spread out down the steps. The bride's bouquet is made of white spider chrysanthemums and ivy leaves. The wedding took place at Christ Episcopal Church. (T.Times, 9/28/1946, p.7)

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Foss, Henrietta--Marriage; Barber, Joan; Smith, Donna Jean; Wilbur, Bettye; Osgood, Marion; Foss, Henry O.--Family;

Sadie Hawkins Dance.Three young men stand near a sign for the "Giggling Gargoyle". One of the men, dressed in long-johns, carries a jug. The second one wears dark clothes, including a jacket with tails, a turban, a bushy black beard and hip boots folded down below is knees. He holds a sign, "Vard Alvordivich, Rapresantif, C.of C., Lower Slobnovia". The man on the right wears his suit too small with an engineer's hat and a wistle in his hand.

Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stardust Dance Club (Tacoma); Lil Abner (Fictitious character); Costumes;

College of Puget Sound Associated Students Navy social. During Homecoming week the Associated Students' Club organized many activities. Dances, baseball, football games and plays were all events to get alumni, students and community members involved. View of unidentified group of students and Navy men getting the jukebox ready for dancing.

Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jukeboxes; Students--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Boys Club groundbreaking for swimming pool. The Tacoma Sportmen's Club donated $9000 to the Tacoma Boys' Club for a swimming pool. View of officials from Tacoma Boys' Club and Tacoma Sportmen's Club on site where swimming pool will be built. Left to right back row view of Feist, Swift, Johnson; kneeling in front row is Ostberg, Poe, Alexson and Croft holding pickaxe (T. Times, 8/8/44, p. 11).

Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma; Swimming pools--Tacoma; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma); Tacoma Sportmen's Club (Tacoma);

Boys Club groundbreaking for swimming pool. The Tacoma Sportmen's Club donated $9000 to the Tacoma Boys' Club for a swimming pool. View of officials from Tacoma Boys' Club and Tacoma Sportmen's Club on site where swimming pool will be built (T. Times, 8/8/44, p. 11).

Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma; Swimming pools--Tacoma; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma); Tacoma Sportmen's Club (Tacoma);

Launching of "Hustler." The young sponsor of the new fishing boat stands at the prow of the ship holding a bouquet of roses in June of 1945. U.S. flags drape the upper and lower decks. The 61.9-foot vessel was built by Western Boat Building. After completion, the trawler was destined for Ketchikan, Alaska.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Flags--United States;

At 4p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 1945, after days of anticipation, President Truman made the announcement that the Japanese had surrendered. Spontaneous celebrations erupted all over Tacoma as store owners closed their businesses and took to the street. Bumper to bumper traffic snarled transportation downtown as an impromptu parade of cheering and honking citizens jammed into vehicles cried out their joy that the war was over. (TNT 8/15/1945, pg. 1)

Victory celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

At 4 p.m. on Tuesday August 14, 1945, news reached Tacoma that Japan had surrendered, and that World War II was over. Practically every business in town closed. The following day, the Boy Scouts served as the color guard in front of troops parading along Pacific Avenue. Soldiers from Fort Lewis and McChord Field, navy personnel and veterans all were represented. The Shrine band as well as military bands played for the parade. (T.Times, 8/15/45, p.1) TPL-4028.

Victory celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Surrender Day and parade, August 14 and 15, 1945. People throw confetti from the upper floors of the Bank of California Building celebrating the end of World War II.

Victory celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

On Wednesday, August 15, 1945, thousands of Tacomans thronged the streets to officially celebrate the end of the war in the Pacific with a parade. The hastily organized event featured over 2,000 participants and several bands, including those from Fort Lewis and McChord Air Base. Marching groups on the 18-block parade route included men and women representing every branch of the service, veterans organizations, shipyard and defense workers, fraternal lodges and Boy Scouts. Confetti rained down upon parade participants from the office buildings on Pacific Avenue. The streets were already littered with tons of paper from the Tuesday night impromptu celebrating of the war's end when downtown streets were jammed with cars and pedestrians. August 15 and 16 were proclaimed holidays with city, county and federal offices closed as well as most businesses. (T. Times 8/15/1945, pg. 1-various photographs & article; T. Times 8-16-45-various photographs & article)

Victory celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military bands;

The Daffodil Parade proved to be a great success and lived up to its pre-war standard of excellence. View of parade entries, possibly the Veterans of Foreign Wars marching through South Meridian Street in Puyallup. Crowds of people are gathered on both sides of street to watch the Daffodil Parade.

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup);

The 10th annual 1946 Daffodil parade in Puyallup drew one of the largest crowds in parade history. The estimated crowd of 30,000 was three times Puyallup's population. Many Pierce County businesses, organizations and schools signed up to appear in the parade. View of Order of Rainbow Club float covered in daffodils. Ladies sitting on the float from left to right: Sue McKinney, unknown, Norma Wilder. Standing: Shirley Asbjornsen, Margaret McDonnell, Marie Hazen and Helen Stevenson. The girls were from Puyallup High School, they were juniors at the time, members of rainbow girls, and all friends. Additional information provided by Shirley Asbjornsen Haugen. (TNT 03/31/1946, pg. 1)

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup;

Mayor Harry Cain gently places a crown of golden daffodils on the head of Gloria Dinwiddie of Sumner, pronouncing her Queen of the 1946 Daffodil Festival. Attendants Patricia McPherson of Tacoma, right, and Maxine Barth of Puyallup look on. The little crown bearer is Caryn Chervenka, age 4. The coronation took place at Guill Hall in Sumner at the Sumner VFW sponsored ball. The three day event began with the coronation and would end with the annual sailboat races.

Daffodils--Sumner; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Sumner); Dinwiddie, Gloria; Crowns; McPherson, Patricia; Barth, Maxine; Chervenka, Caryn; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;