On February 20, 1937, members of the Le Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chavaux (aka 40 et 8) of Washington and Oregon gathered in Tacoma for their fifth annual "interstate wreck." The 40 et 8 was a fun recreational branch of the American Legion, whose members were selected because of their exceptional service to the Legion. They were known for their outlandish costumes and propensity to parade; preparing for just such a exhibition were, left to right, an unidentified minuteman, Arnold Leverenz (Tacoma organist) dressed as a clown, Frank Callender (former Police Chief) in a smock, an unidentified officer and an unidentified person from Port Angeles group #29 "La Belle de Armentiers." The wreck was attended by 1,200 members from Washington and Oregon. (T. Times 2/19/1937, pg. 1; 2/22/1937, pg. 12)

American Legion (Tacoma); Veteran's organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; 40 et 8 auxiliary (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Leverenz, Arnold; Callender, Frank T.;

This portrait of Mrs. Betty Grosse was made in December of 1935. She posed in a long formal white dress next to a buffet holding crystal. Mrs. Grosse was an active member of the Olympic Chapter, NO. 216, Order of the Eastern Star. She held the office of noble grand in the Mystic Rebekah Lodge, No. 168. (Bremerton Sun 12/28/1935, pg. 4)

Clubwomen--Bremerton; Buffets (Furniture); Grosse, Betty; Order of Eastern Star, Olympic Chapter, NO. 216 (Bremerton); Fraternal organizations--Bremerton; Mystic Rebekah Lodge, No. 168 (Bremerton);

Five women looking at book "Piano Jazz" on front porch of a house. Taken for the Bremerton Sun newspaper on September 24, 1935. The women were the committee completing the final arrangements for the annual Grand Ball sponsored by the Olympic Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star in Bremerton. The Ball was held at the Masonic Temple on October 4, 1935. The women are, left to right, Mrs. Sadye Dunlap; Mrs. Gertrude Reynolds, Mrs. Beth Young, worthy matron, Mrs. Alice Duckwiler and Bertha Tappe. (Bremerton Sun 10/3/1935, pg. 2)

Clubwomen--Bremerton; Sheet music covers; Order of the Eastern Star, Olympic Chapter (Bremerton); Dunlap, Sadye; Reynolds, Gertrude; Young, Beth; Duckwiler, Alice; Tappe, Bertha;

Committee - Junior Woman's Club. Mmes. Diven, Bottcher, Hagan, and Bornander. (T. Times, Society, Mrs. Brady) (WSHS)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Junior League women are photographed weighing a toddler girl during a well baby check at the County Hospital. The Well Baby Clinic was one of the programs financially supported by the Junior League. (filed with Argentum)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pierce County Hospital (Tacoma);

Awarding of silver beaver medal to Superior Court Judge Ernest M. Card by Tacoma Boy Scout council. Left to right, Bill Reynolds, Eagle Scout; U. E. Harmon, president Tacoma area council; Judge Card, president of Tacoma Boy Scouts; and Robert Mitchell, Sea Scout. Judge Card received the award on February 19, 1936, for outstanding long service to youth. (T. Times, 2/20/1936, p. 18).

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Card, Ernest M.; Reynolds, Bill; Harmon, U.E.; Mitchell, Robert; Awards; Judges--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flags--United States;

Four Japanese-American Boy Scouts, (l to r) Nobukazu Oyanagi, August Nakagawa, Jimmy Miyazaki, and Tetsuo Tamaki, performed as the color guard at a special party held on October 29, 1941 honoring the "Nisei" soldiers in the United States Army stationed at Fort Lewis. Several hundred soldiers, civilians and guests attended the dinner and dance sponsored by the Japanese-American Citizens League, and held at the Odd Fellows Hall. (T.Times 10/31/1941 p.3)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Oyanagi, Nobukazu; Nakagawa, August; Miyazaki, Jimmy; Tamaki, Tetsuo; Japanese Americans;

Pausing in front of the Titus Motor Co., 618-24 Broadway on July 12, 1939, was a Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. flatbed truck with a bevy of young women aboard. They were taking part in the Rainbow Girls Parade and represented Yakima Assembly. The truck carried a basin labeled "Fountain of Youth" that was carefully tendered by the girls.

Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainbow Girls (Yakima); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford trucks; Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1939. The Normanna Male Chorus attired in their distinctive dark blazers, white slacks and captain's hats posed for a group portrait circa 1939. The men's chorus would be performing in a concert with the Tacoma Swiss Singing Society at Normanna Hall. (T. Times 3/31/1939, pg. 11) (filed with Argentum)

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma; Singers; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Eastern Star Convention in Tacoma, June 23, 1939. Eighteen women wearing formal dresses, some holding large bouquets of flowers. For John D. Morris. (filed with Argentum)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Pioneer Association meeting at Steilacoom Town Hall; Federal Revival style building by Emanuel J. Bresemann, Architect, built in 1930. On October 11, 1939, the Pierce County Pioneer and Historical Society held their fall meeting in Steilacoom at the Town Hall. The members dressed in their ancestor's period clothing for the event. Between 1850-1858, Steilacoom was home to the first territorial court and the first Protestant Church north of the Columbia river. It was the first area north of the Columbia River to incorporate as a town and had the first public library. (T. Times 10/12/1939, pg. 12) (filed with Argentum)

Pioneer Association (Steilacoom); Steilacoom Town Hall (Steilacoom); Historical societies--Steilacoom;

In May of 1940, Ruth Babbit was photographed swinging into the spring golfing season at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. Every Tuesday was Ladies' Day at the Club, and over 50 female members took the opportunity to practice their follow through on the links. Ruth Kennedy Babbit was the wife of Alexander Babbit, then assistant manager of the Bank of California National Association. Mrs. Babbit also excelled in figure skating, later becoming an international skating judge, and was a well known water color artist. She passed away on August 31, 1992, at the age of 89. (T. Times 5/18/1940, pg. 5; TNT 9-2-92, B-4-obituary)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Babbit, Ruth Kennedy; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Country clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Every Tuesday in May of 1940 was Ladies' Day at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. Teeing up on the practice green in front of the Clubhouse are, left to right, Mrs. Thomas Curran, Mrs. Harry Andrews, Mrs. O.A. Tucker, Mrs. Lowell T. Murray, Mrs. Fred Davis, Mrs. Charles Peterson and Mrs. Henry Foss. ( T. Times 5/18/1940, pg. 5- photograph reversed in paper)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Country clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Co-Ed Club barn dance at Dash Point Community House. (T. Times).

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma);

Tacoma Elks handball team. Most men are wearing white Tshirts with the Elk logo and the Lodge number, 174 along with shorts, court shoes and special gloves in this January 5, 1940 photograph. There were apparently more than one handball team among the Elks members. In June of 1940, the News Tribune in a special Elks insert, paid tribute to a Tacoma Elks handball team who had gone undefeated in Class B Puget Sound league that season. Although not the team pictured above, the victorious Elks proved the popularity of the sport. (TNT 6-13-1940, p. 8-special insert)

Elks Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Handball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sport clothes; Athletes--Tacoma;

Each troop of Tacoma's Girl Scouts had chosen a project for Christmas 1939, in order to make it a happier time for children and underprivileged adults. These three Girl Scouts, all from different troops, display the dolls they have dressed. From left to right are: Barbara Ann Brotherson, Fern Hill Troop 15; Patsy Kelly, Washington Troop 13 and JoAnn Fitch, Jason Lee Troop 11. (T.Times 12-23-39, p. 4-alt. photograph)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dolls; Christmas presents; Gifts; Christmas trees--1930-1940; Brotherson, Barbara Ann; Kelly, Patsy; Fitch, JoAnn;

Gathering of men at the Tacoma Club in the Washington Building to celebrate Sam Perkins 73rd birthday. Group of men seated and standing around dinner table, Perkins far left; Mayor Smitley third from left.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.--Commemoration; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The unidentified young women in this photograph from June, 1938 are probably the drill team from the Knute Rockne Lodge, Daughters of Norway. Over 1,000 members of the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway, representing lodges in Washington, Oregon,California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, attended the four day convention in Tacoma from June 23 - 28. The drill team members, and their little "mascot," are attired in jodhpurs and holding what appear to be polo mallets. The male team leader in the center is wearing a United States Marines uniform. (T. Times 6/23/1938, pg. 9)

Daughters of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma;

Hatasu Dancers, June of 1938. Large group of women in hall, attired in matching costumes. The Hatasu Temple was a group name used by Daughters of the Nile. Queen Hatasu was an Egyptian monarch. The Daughters of the Nile are the female offshoot of the Shriners, or Masons. The group was founded in 1913 in Seattle. The Hatasu #1 Temple still meets in Seattle. The annual session of the Supreme Temple of the Daughters of the Nile was held in Tacoma June 6-10, 1938. It was the first convention of this group to be held in Tacoma since 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Daughters of the Nile (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Photograph taken at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, showing attendance. (filed with Argentum)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple, circa 1938. Men being served by waitress, fireplace with head of an elk above it. (filed with Argentum)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma;

Twenty-one members of the Normanna Male Chorus, wearing the group's distinctive white pants, dark blazers and nautical hats, posed for a formal portrait on the steps of the Masonic Temple in 1938. The Chorus was to be very busy in September of 1938 as they were celebrating their Golden Jubilee. Norwegian singing societies from across the Northwest were coming to Tacoma to help the group celebrate their 50th anniversary at Normanna Hall, 47 Saint Helens Avenue, on September 10-11th. The singing society had organized in 1888 with John Soquest as the director. They originally met in the old school house between I and J streets; their publicity was handled by the publishers of the Norwegian newspaper "Tacoma Tidende." The group reorganized in 1895 and has been active since that date. The singers were led by Carlo A. Sperati, churchman and musician, until 1904; he was succeeded by George Johnson, still the director in 1938. (T. Times 9/9/1938, pg. 3) TPL-9519

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma; Singers;

Over 1,000 members of the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway, representing lodges in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, attended the four day convention in Tacoma from June 23 - 28, 1938. These sixteen men in uniform with their leader were probably a visiting chorus. Group performances were part of the activities of the four day convention held in Tacoma. This particular group is attired in jaunty nautical costumes with brass buttons, bow ties and service bars, or stripes, on their sleeves.

Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma;

College of Puget Sound sororities plan dances in April of 1939. L. to r: Frances Hoss, Alpha Beta Upsilon; Erna Brenner, Delta Alpha Gamma; Dorothy Shaw, Kappa Sigma Theta; Marjorie Wickens, Lambda Sigma Chi; Kathleen Sherrill, Alpha Beta Upsilon. (T.Times 5/6/1939, p.7)

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Girl Scout Day Camp at Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Thirteen young girls, Brownie age, work on crafts at a picnic table. The Brownies came to camp on Fridays. They are decorating covers for their mother's telephone directory. The Tacoma Day Camp was entering its fourth season and for the first time it was located at the abandoned CCC camp below Ft. Nisqually. Girls 7-18, whether they were Girl Scouts or not, were invited to attend. The girls are, beginning in the foreground, Marlene Frieshem, Betty Ogden, Eleanor Jones, Barbara Packard, Amelia Stacy, Alice Condon, Delores Wright, Frances Thorness, Joanne Cinilli, Patsy Buffum, Delores Foster, Gwen Adams and Rosemary Neidum. (T. Times 6/18/1939, pg. 9; picture 7/8/1939, pg. 6)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

Girl Scouts Day Camp on June 27, 1939, held at the Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Three teenage girls busily work at a picnic table, assisted with macrame projects by two women wearing "gypsy" costumes. 1939 was the fourth season for the Tacoma GS day camp and the first year that it was held at the abandoned CCC camp below Ft. Nisqually. It began on June 19th and ran for five weeks. Girls, aged 7-18, were invited to attend. (T. Times 6/13/1939, pg. 9 article only)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Teenagers--1930-1940;

Girl Scout Day Camp at Point Defiance C.C.C. Camp. Five young girls from the "Pioneer" unit roasting hotdogs on sticks over an open fire, learning the art of stick cookery. Others prepare the lemonade supply. For the first time, the four year old day camp would be located at the abandoned CCC camp near Ft. Nisqually. Intended to give the girls a real outdoor experience, the camp included instructions and practice on preparing your own meal over an open fire. The Scouts around the fire are, left to right, Lucy McIntyre, Laydel Green, Juanita Clark, Phyllis Elsworth, Ruth Strom and Dorothy Allen. (T. Times 6/13/1939, pg. 9; picture 7/8/1939, pg. 6)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Outdoor cookery--Tacoma; Campfires; Frankfurters--Tacoma; Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma);

Dance hosted by the Spinster Club at the Winthrop Hotel. Margaret Franich poses with her date on the right in this photograph dated May 30, 1939.

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Franich, Margaret; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Part of the membership of the Tacoma Amateur Astronomers poses on the College of Puget Sound campus. Their photograph will be exhibited in the planetarium at the New York World's Fair. The group organized in 1931and has built 30 telescopes of varying size and power. The membership has spread and now boasts members as far away as Yakima, Seattle, LaGrande and Wollochet Bay. The group currently meets at CPS, but has plans to build a clubhouse and observatory on McKinley Hill. Pictured, left to right, are W.H. Crump, George Imoe, L. Herbert Love, J.R. Wiborg, James Wiborg, Fred Myers, Earl Sowles, Walter Imme, Edward Imme, R.S. Seward, Evelyn Hazelton and Albert Morrison. (T. Times, 5/16/39, p. 16. Names listed)

Tacoma Amateur Astronomers (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Astronomers; Astronomical instruments; Telescopes; Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Celebration of the 1939 National Boy Scout Week. Sea Scout Willard Hoveland of Ship 110 is illustrating to Cub Scout Kenny Johnston of Cub Pack 6 how rope knots are tied. Knot tying instruction was one of the planned activities for the weekend celebration of Scout Week. Scouting was founded in 1907 in Britain by Robert Baden-Powell. It was established in America in 1910. (T.Times, 2/14/1939, p. 1)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Hoveland, Willard; Johnston, Kenny;