The Civil Defense "Block Ladies" met at Stewart School, in January of 1943. In order to disseminate information quicker and facilitate civil defense training, the city was divided into "blocks." Each block had one volunteer representative who attended meetings and was in charge of getting the information out to those residing in his/her section. The representative was usually a woman, since many men were either at war or working odd and long hours in the wartime industries.

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On June 19, 1942, barrels of 25 pound sand bag "mats" were placed throughout downtown Tacoma by the Public Works Department and Cub Scouts. During the early years of World War II, Tacoma, like other cities up and down the West Coast, was preparing for a possible invasion. Jack Schutzman (left) and Jack Sandstrom, both 11, were photographed on the back of a truck at 11th and Pacific placing a bag in a barrel being steadied by PWD driver William Anderson. The Washington Cigar Store and the Rust Building are in the background. Each barrel contained five bags for use in handling incendiary bombs in case of an air raid. The idea came from similar use in London. The instructions printed on the barrel were simple; place the mat over the bomb and run. (T. Times 6/20/1942, pg.1- picture)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Washington Cigar Store (Tacoma); Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Schutzman, Jack; Sandstrom, Jack; Anderson, William;

Five volunteer War Savings Bonds salesgirls, (lt to rt) Rose Colombini, Madlyn Piper, Arlene Johnson Keller, Nancy Carlson and Radie Cramer, posed with one of the Bond sales booths used in Tacoma in July, 1942. The War Bond quota for Pierce County for July of 1942 was $1,723,693. Bonds were sold throughout Tacoma from "Victory Booths" set up both inside stores and on the sidewalks in front of stores. On the first day of the sale nothing could be sold in Tacoma stores, with the exception of restaurants, from 12 noon to 12:15 except bonds. On the first day of July, Tacoma unions bought $21,000 worth of bonds. (T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1- picture, 7/1/1942 p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie;

Six women pose in front of the Sears Roebuck and Company building at 1148 Broadway with a July war bond thermometer chart, prepared to "heat up" the Tacoma Retail Stores Bond & Stamp Sale to be held throughout July 1942. The salesgirls each wear a cap marked "I'm Selling Stamps and Bonds." Pictured standing are, left to right, Madlyn Piper, Rose Colombini, Arline Keller,and Radie Cramer. Kneeling are, left to right, C lella McElroy and Nancy Carlson. The retail sales bond goal for July was $1,723,693. Sears opened their store on Broadway in May of 1936. They were a major retail presence downtown until they moved to the Tacoma Mall in 1981. (TNT 6/30/42, pg. 9-picture, T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1 & 7/1/1942, p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie; Department stores--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest. James and Zelma Garvin residence showing soldiers' accommodations. The Garvin's gardens were highly prized and their weekend military guest are photographed admiring the pond. The Garvins had opened up their home to soldiers on weekend leave in Tacoma.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

On June 20, 1940, soldiers crowd around the desk at the USO Center in the Rust Building. They are patiently waiting to sign up for beds. As soldiers on weekend leave from Fort Lewis during the war years poured into Tacoma; area churches, the mission and local homeowners set up makeshift dormitories to make sure they were not having to spend the night on the street.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

On June 20, 1942, smiling volunteers take soldiers' reservations for available beds. This was a typical scene at the USO center in the Rust Building on Saturdays during the war years. Temporary weekend dormitories were set up at area churches, homes and the Mission. For 35 cents a soldier could get a bed; a hot breakfast would cost 20 cents more. TPL-1974 (TNT 7/5/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

In October of 1942, under the tutelage of veterans of the U.S.S. Tacoma, V.F.W. Post No. 2329, three young men from Tacoma passed the examinations for enlistment in the Army Air Corps. The young men who passed the test and were waiting to be called up to become "air cadets in training" were: (beginning 2nd from left) George L. Warter, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Warter, 4817 No. 43rd St.; Virgil F. "Bud" Walker, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Walker, 1002 So. Sprague St.; and Richard D. Foley, son of Mrs. Florence C. Foley, 720 6th Ave. Flanking the three cadets-to-be are: (left) S.J. Gabis, chairman of post No. 2329's recruiting committee; and Capt. Dewey Busch, post commander. Richard "Dick" Foley enlisted in the navy after graduating from Bellarmine H.S. He died Oct. 8, 2004. (T. Times 10/10/1942 p.3)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Warter, George; Foley, Richard; Walker, Virgil; Gabis, S.J.; Busch, Dewey;

When President F.D. Roosevelt called for a nationwide scrap rubber collection campaign to take place June 15-30, 1942, Tacoma's fishing fleet responded by giving up their boat bumpers to "Bump" the Axis. Rubber recycling was necessary because 92% of the U.S.'s normal supply of crude rubber had been cut off by the Japanese. On June 22, the fishing fleet turned over 800 pounds of rubber, most of it old tires that had been used on the boats as bumpers; the tires had protected the boats when docking and launching. Pictured aboard his salmon fishing boat is Anton (Tony) Tencich. He is holding the rope for the tire being lowered from his boat. Mr. Tencich, now deceased, and his wife Mary (Basich) Tencich were immigrants from Croatia-Slovenia, as were many of the local fishermen of his era. He later became a U.S. citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Tencich lived in Tacoma their entire adult lives, raised their family here and built several homes. (T. Times 6/23/1942, pg. 1) (Additional information provided by a reader)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tires; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tencich, Anton;

On July 23, 1942, servicemen and USO junior hostesses pose on the "Gallant Lady II." The group was preparing to depart from the Tacoma Municipal Dock for an evening of cruising and dancing under the stars. The ship made weekly cruises on behalf of the USO. The Junior Hostess Association helped soldier morale at Tacoma's USO centers by interacting with the men in sports and social events. Girls could register at the Junior Hostess Bureau in the Rust Building as part of their contribution to the war effort. (TNT 8-2-42, p. A-7-article & alternate photograph)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

In July of 1942, servicemen and USO junior hostesses line up in a picnic "chow line" after a busy afternoon playing outdoor sports. Due to its unique location in a park, the South Tacoma USO, at 4851 South Tacoma Way, was able to offer an extensive program of outdoor sports. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

The "Gallant Lady II" heads back into Municipal dock on July 23, 1942, returning from one of her weekly cruises for military personnel and USO hostesses. Western Boat Building and Northwest Door Co. can be seen in the background. Publicity for Community Chest.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Harry P. Cain chats with three servicemen at the Community Chest Open House at the South Tacoma U.S.O.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In July of 1942, hungry boys and girls eagerly heap their plates at a picnic supper at the South Tacoma USO, following an exciting afternoon of paddle tennis, volleyball and archery on the grounds. Tacoma's USO Jr. hostesses were charged with providing morale boosters for soldiers in town, not only as dance partners but also by taking enthusiastic part in sports and hobbies. (TNT 8/2/1942, PG. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Picnics--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 18, 1942, Tacoma officials and South Tacoma residents gathered for the Dedication Ceremony for the new outdoor fireplace and Barbecue pit outside of the South Tacoma USO Club. The fireplace was built with donated money, materials and labor from a design by Silas E. Nelson, architect. Pictured at the ceremony are, left to right, John Lewtas, Bricklayers Union; Paul Lucht, Cement Finishers and Plasterers Union; South Tacoma USO Director Eva Hancock, Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, and John Meyers, Northern Pacific Railway shops. On the floor is mascot "Taffy." (T. Times 9/21/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Fireplaces--Tacoma; Lewtas, John; Lucht, Paul; Hancock, Eva; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meyers, John;

Publicity for Community Chest. Several servicemen and USO junior hostesses step up to the bat in a friendly game of softball in July of 1942 at the park surrounding the South Tacoma USO, 4851 South Tacoma Way.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Sports;

Women employees at Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corporation. As more men enlisted or were drafted into the service, women stepped forward to take their jobs, both in offices and in non-traditional labor positions.These two unidentified women are workers in the factory itself. The Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. was constructed on the Tideflats in 1941. They produced ferro-chrome alloys that were used for armor plate on tanks and other weapons during the war.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. (Tacoma); Metallurgical industry--Tacoma;

Miss Dorothy M. Wright, left, in August of 1942 had been the physiotherapist at the Warm Springs Foundation, Georgia, for 11 years. The Foundation was a hospital for polio patients founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1927. Stricken with polio in 1921 at the age of 39, he travelled to Warm Springs Ga. to swim in its naturally heated waters as a respite from the pain of his polio induced paralysis. He established a hospital in Warm Springs for other polio patients and built his only home there, a six room cottage that came to be known as the "Little White House." Miss Wright was in Tacoma to visit her father William Wright. While here, she also visited the Fort Lewis Hospital, accompanied by Mrs. Charles F. (Katherine) Grover, right, from the Hospital and Recreation Service unit of the Red Cross. Miss Wright graduated from W.S.C. and studied physiotherapy at Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, DC. (T.Times 8/25/1942 p.5)

Wright, Dorothy; Grover, Katherine;

Publicity for Community Chest. Children at Y.W.C.A. pool. A swimming instructor helps a young student on the diving board while parents look on from the gallery above. The YWCA pool had stayed open for the first time all summer long in 1942. With a shortage of gasoline and tires and with both parents often working in the defense industry, wartime vacations were almost non existent. The pool gave kids stuck at home on those long summer days something to look forward to. [Also dated 08-24-1942]

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma; Swimmers--Tacoma;

Tacoma General Hospital Commencement class at First Baptist Church.

Tacoma General Hospital Commencement class at First Baptist Church.

Lg. belt drive in Tacoma oxygen plant, Air Reduction Sales Co., Neg No. ARS-64

Factories--Tacoma; Air Reduction Sales Co. (Tacoma);

Henry Mill, construction of prefabricated trusses. Photograph shows piles of timber and a wood form that is being constructed at the Mill, located at the foot of Starr St., near the water. Sperry Mills, located on what is now Schuster Parkway, can be seen in the background. During the war, Henry Mill was active in lumber prefabrication.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of the remodeled Great Northern Railroad Ticket Office in November of 1942. Pictured are the long, curved ticket counter with agents seated at the desks lying beyond. Three large landscape paintings decorate the walls. The office was located in the Drury building. It was part of "Transportation Row," 112-18 So. 9th St., which housed the ticket offices of all area railroads.

Railroad companies--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ticket offices; Great Northern Railway Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Back of Union Station, circa 1979.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Unidentified brick building in Tacoma, circa 1979.

Building deterioration--Tacoma--1970-1980; Brickwork--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. Union Station, circa 1979. Station opened in 1911 and is on the City, State and National registry.

Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;