On September 18, 1940, a young fair goer looked up amazed as he was awarded his carnival game prizes. He had won two inflatable bunny balloons, almost as big as himself. The unidentified boy was one of 42,500 people attending the 41st annual Western Washington Fair in Puyallup on Tacoma Day. In 1940, the fair ran from September 16 - 22nd. TPL-9803

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950;

A crowd is pictured on the midway at the 1940 Western Washington Fair at Puyallup. Busily turning are the Ferris Wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Merry-Go-Round and an airplane ride. In addition, people stand in line to take their turn at the games. The midway was ten acres, filled with over 25 rides plus side shows and carnival attractions. (T. Times 9/16/1940, pg. 1; 9/19/1940, pg. 1)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Crowds; Amusement rides--Puyallup--1940-1950;

On September 18, 1940, five year old Barbara Madsen, left, and her sister Marilyn, 7, of Tacoma enjoy a visit at the Western Washington Fair with Chief Sky Eagle of Michigan. The girls are out of school for Tacoma Day at the Fair. Each year, Tacoma's students were given a day off to enjoy the exhibits and other attractions at the fair. Chief Sky Eagle sits cross legged on a hay bale explaining to the two blonde youngsters the workings of his bow and arrows. (T. Times 9/19/1940 p.1)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Madsen, Barbara; Madsen, Marilyn;

On September 5, 1941, Lois Elizabeth Nelson and Dean Gifford Thompson were married in a romantic candlelight ceremony at the First Lutheran Church. The glowing bride is pictured with her attendants on the church's altar. Mrs. Thompson was attended by (in no particular order) her youngest sister Doris Nelson as maid of honor in a "rose dust" gown and four bridesmaids attired in aqua gowns, Mrs. Marco Magnano (also a sister), Charlene Anderson, Virginia Jones and Mrs. Victor Bernard Gunderson (matron of honor.) (T. Times 9/6/1941, pg. 5)

Brides--1940-1950; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; First Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma; Nelson, Lois Elizabeth--Marriage; Wedding clothing & dress--1940-1950;

Hundreds of Tacomans lined up on the sidewalks outside the Western Auto Supply store at the northeast corner of South 8th Street and Pacific Avenue in September of 1941 to catch one of the special busses that would carry them to the Western Washington fair grounds. Despite the gray skies and light drizzle nearly 50,000 people passed through the turnstiles at the Puyallup Fair on "Tacoma Day". The grandstands were filled almost to the last seat and all the rides on the fairway were kept busy into the night.

Crowds; Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950;

The 1941 graduating class of the St. Joseph School of Nursing boasted two male nurses. Male nurses were still enough of a rarity that the story was given front page coverage. Pictured are Vincent Otis (seated) and Kenneth Vaughn. The standing nurses are Norine Taylor (left) and Mary Justice. The seated nurse is not identified. (T. Times 6/4/1941, pg. 1)

Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medical students--Tacoma; Nurses--Tacoma; Nursing--Tacoma; St. Joseph's Hospital & School of Nursing (Tacoma); Otis, Vincent; Vaughn, Kenneth; Taylor, Norine; Justice, Mary;

In the 1940's, male nurses were still rare but their numbers would be increasing with the ongoing military expansion. Vincent Otis, left, and Kenneth Vaughn, right, were the only male members of the St. Joseph Nursing School June 1941 graduating class. Vaughn would be working at St. Joseph Hospital during the summer before continuing his medical education. Otis would be working at Providence Hospital in Seattle. The other graduates pictured in the background are, left to right, Norine Taylor, Helen Luffey and Mary Justice. (T. Times 6/4/1941, pg. 1)

Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medical students--Tacoma; Nurses--Tacoma; Nursing--Tacoma; St. Joseph's Hospital & School of Nursing (Tacoma); Otis, Vincent; Vaughn, Kenneth; Taylor, Norine; Luffey, Helen; Justice, Mary;

On June 23, 1942, Lakes district school officials and contractors participated in ground breaking ceremonies for Park Lodge and Lakeview grade school additions. Clover Park District officials and Federal Works Agency officials are pictured checking blue prints in front of one of the schools. Pictured, left to right, are Walter Hedlind, Iva Alice Mann, Olai Hageness, Charles Rueger, Stanley Lytle, A.G. Hudtloff, Mrs. Harold E. Liebe and contractor Peter Hansen. The $92,500 adjoining addition for Park Lodge would contain seven classrooms, a cafeteria, office, heating plant, workrooms and auxiliary rooms. The one for Lakeview would contain four classrooms, a lunch room, office, work rooms, heating plant and auxiliaries. The addition was intended to offset increased enrollment. (TNT 6/24/1942, pg. 5)

Ground breaking ceremonies--Lakewood; Public schools--Lakewood--1940-1950;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. R.E. Anderson's float celebrates Washington State's fifty years of progress, statehood and time tested dependability. The float is topped with Northwest greenery and carries a frontiersman, complete with fur hat and rifle. R.E. Anderson was a real estate company that also dealt in loans, rentals, insurance and bonds. In 1939, they were located on the 4th floor of the Fidelity Building, 949-55 Broadway. The building was razed in 1949.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; R.E. Anderson & Co. Inc. (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Parade participants patiently wait on the R.E. Anderson Co. float for the parade to start. Brown & Haley's candy factory can be seen in the background. R.E. Anderson was a real estate company that also dealt in loans, rentals, insurance and bonds. In 1939, they were located on the 4th floor of the Fidelity Building, 949-55 Broadway.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; R.E. Anderson & Co. Inc. (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Peterman Door Shop employees holding their Jubilee hats to their hearts in salute of Washington State's Golden Jubilee.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Sibelian Male Chorus under direction of Fritz Berntsen will sing at 1939 Golden Jubilee events. Chorus line in shape of "S;" director Fritz Berntsen in full evening dress on left. Singers names listed in Times includes three Berntsens, Henry, Val, and Fritz. (T.Times, 4/14/1939, p. 2)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Berntsen, Fritz; Berntsen, Henry; Berntsen, Val; Singers; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940;

These cast members appear to depict British officers and sailors in the historical drama "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. They are possibly part of the depiction of Capt. George Vancouver's exploration of the Puget Sound area in 1792. The Saga would cover Washington's history from the earliest times to 1939, with 14 special events highlighted in scenes.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Cast members of the outdoor drama "Saga of the West," costumed to represent different time periods, pose in front of the reverse side of one of the massive sets used in the pageant. The outdoor pageant would be produced July 20-22, 1939 as a part of the celebration of Washington's Golden Jubilee. The Saga had a cast of 2,000 and covered the history of Washington from its earliest times to 1939. To eliminate the need for microphones on the stage, all narration was handled by seven actors in the press box speaking over microphones.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

During a July 19, 1939 rehearsal, a team of dogs pulled a sled and rider past the massive sets used for the historical pageant "Saga of the West" staged in the Stadium Bowl. The heavily bearded man "mushing" the dogs was Earl Hammond. Hammond stopped in Tacoma on his way to Alaska to take part in the Saga and parade. He was a professional "Santa Claus," performing in Christmas pageants back east. His dogs were white Siberian huskies and white marked black Siberians. The framework at the rear of the sets can be clearly seen and costumed cast members representing different time periods in Washington's history line up to watch the show. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. (T. Times 7/20/1937, pg. 2)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

As the West was settled, cities were formed. This scene is typical of that lifestyle. A woman reaches down to cluck the toddler in the wicker stroller under the chin while the proud parents look on. The pair of young men on the left appear to be planning some mischief. It was all taking place during the preview performance of "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. Three cast members wait for their cues in the stands with bored expressions on their faces. The young man in the checks is tentatively identified as Donald MacDonald and the woman pushing the pram as Barbara Bonnell. The extravaganza, with its cast of 2,000, was made up of 14 scenes. This appears to be from the Gay Nineties street scene.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Redskins in full body makeup represent the importance of the Native Americans in the West. These cast members took part in the recreation of an early Indian village in the historical drama "Saga of the West." The show opened with the area's earliest native settlers, known as the "Squallys." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

The staff of the Tacoma Times poses in front of the newspaper's offices in their Jubilee hats.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Spectators watching man attempting to ring bell with large mallet, hammer. Test-your-strength carnival games were very popular among fairgoers.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Carnival games--Puyallup;

Thousands of Tacomans packed the downtown business streets Tuesday night August 14,1945 to celebrate the end of the war. Many women - young and old - trying to show appreciation for both the end of the war and the service the men in uniform had rendered, gave "victory kisses" to soldiers and sailors. A more formal celebration for Surrender Day was quickly planned for Wednesday the 15th including a victory parade through Tacoma's business district. Caught in an embrace in the right foreground is Lavonne Waite (later McClelland,) while her sister E'Laene Waite looks on smiling in the background center. Both girls worked at the Ft. Lewis Photo Exchange. Their job was to develop and print the pictures that servicemen had taken overseas, checking them as well for restricted images. The Exchange was located just below the Tally Ho Tavern (1011 So. 11th.) (identification provided by a viewer)

Victory celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Kissing; Hugging; Waite, Lavonne; Waite, E'Laene;

The 1946 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. TPL-833

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

Puyallup Girl Scouts proudly march down the street following their float in the 10th annual Daffodil Parade, held on March 30, 1946 in Puyallup. The Daffodil Planning Committee was not going to have a parade, due to a post war shortage of trucks and decorators, until the Puyallup Chamber of Commerce stepped in and put together the first parade in three years. The first post World War II parade was a great success. TPL-8694 (TNT 3/31/1946, pg. 1)

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

Thirty thousand spectators, three times the population of Puyallup, were estimated to have attended the 1946 Daffodil parade on March 30, 1946 in that city. The first post war Daffodil parade was 90 minutes long. On of the first groups to pass was Governor Mon C. Wallgren sitting on the back of a convertible. Young uniformed guards march on either side of the vehicle. Parade spectators line both side of Meridian Street in Puyallup. (TNT 3/31/1946, pg. 1)

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961;

Gloria Dinwiddie of Sumner, Queen of the 1946 Daffodil Festival, was photographed preparing for her coronation on March 29, 1946. Helping her with her crown of golden daffodils were her attendants, Patricia McPherson (far right) of Tacoma and Maxine Barth of Puyallup. The coronation ceremony took place in Sumner. The three day Daffodil Festival began with the coronation and would end with the annual sailboat races. TPL-10152

Daffodils--Sumner; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Sumner); Dinwiddie, Gloria--Coronations; McPherson, Patricia; Barth, Maxine; Crowns;

Mayor Harry P. Cain crowns Gloria Dinwiddie of Sumner, Queen of the 1946 Daffodil Festival, with a crown made of golden daffodils. 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. The three day event began with the coronation and would end with the annual sailboat races. ALBUM 13.

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;

The 1946 Daffodil Queen Gloria Dinwiddie (center) stands, with her attendants Patricia MacPherson, left, and Maxine Barth, on a daffodil covered platform that was built in front of the Tacoma totem pole. The 1946 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival was the first to be held since 1942. The Daffodil committee originally did not plan to have a parade in 1946 because of a shortage of decorators and truck chassis. The Puyallup Chamber of Commerce stepped in to sponsor the parade, and managed to organize a top rate show in just a few short weeks. Although the court was presented to the people of Tacoma on this totem pole stage, the parade was only held in Puyallup along Meridian. (TNT 3/31/1946, pg. 1)

Daffodils--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Tacoma); Totem poles; Stages (Platforms);

The annual Shipmates' Club is planning to participate in the Pacific International Yachting Association races to Nanaimo in July. Edna Lerum on right side with unidentified Shipmates' Club member on left, both are wearing streamlined summer suits, the comfortable and perfect suits for summer outings (T. Times, 4/13/46, p. 2).

Events--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Fashion shows--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & Dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

Large group picture taken at February 1943 function of the Latter Day Saints at Weyerhauser Hall. Although no further information is available on this picture, it is most probably from the Gold and Green Ball, the winter social event of the church. The dance is sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association of the Church. The event is named for the colors of the Mutual Improvement Association and it is staged in all stakes and missions of the church.

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

Metal Trades Convention for the Labor Advocate. On March 2, 1943, four unidentified men who were convention delegates stood behind a table with a blackboard behind them showing tally of votes for president of the Pacific Coast District Metal Trades Council. Incumbent Anthony Ballerini was defeated in a re-election bid by Ed Weston of Seattle. A banner states: "Affiliated with the A.F. of L." Held at the Hotel Winthrop in early March of 1943, the wartime convention was concerned with the metal trade councils' responsibility to deliver vital goods essential to allied victory. Delegates took an aggressive stand against the NLRB-CIO's disruption in the shipbuilding industry. Keynote speaker was John P. Frey, president of the A.F. of L. Metal Trades Department, Washington D.C. (Tacoma Labor Advocate, 3-5-43, p. 1+ -article)

Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Metal Trades Council (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Federation of Labor (Tacoma); Group portraits--1940-1950;

Girl Scouts of America float in an unidentified parade. Girl poses with bow and arrow on a truck bed decorated as a camp site with tent and logs. Building appears to be downtown due to a parking garage but no address numbers are identifiable .