Main floor at Rhodes Brothers Store, Christmas season 1937. Christmas display of bags, gifts and jewelry. This photograph was taken by noted photographer J.R. Eyerman from the front of the store, looking toward the rear, and before the escalator was installed. Neon signs around the room, above the fine wood cabinets, denote the goods available- cosmetics, jewelry, toilet sets, hankies, novelties, finer bags and gift bags, to name a few. High arching decorations reach over the clear aisles. A large sign on the back wall gives "Gift Ideas" available by floor. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Stock file. Copy of descriptions for scenic prints by Turner Richards. (WSHS)

Richards Commercial Photo Service (Tacoma)--Associated objects;

Associated Oil Company meeting at the Tacoma Hotel. Men in chairs and on platform with radio. "Flying A" logo displays of football players, placards "Play Ball with Associated Go to the Games with A" and "We Hope You Enjoy Our Football Sportscasts." (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Associated Oil Co. (Tacoma); Business people;

View up Saint Helens Avenue from about Market Street. Tacoma News Tribune building in right foreground, Webster Apartments beyond. Allen Motor Company, Studebaker garage a block up on left, Walker Apartments beyond that. (filed with Argentum)

Business districts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Walker Apartments (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Robert, age 2, and Peter Ribolla, age 4, pose in sailor suits in front of living room drapes. The smaller boy is waving. The boys are are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Danilo Ribolla. Mrs. Ribolla is the former Gloria Fogg. The Ribollas have recently come from New York to enjoy their first Christmas in Tacoma. They will spend the winter at the Buckingham Apartments in Tacoma and later make their home in Olympia. (T. Times 12/18/1937, pg. 7)

Boys--1930-1940; Ribolla, Robert; Ribolla, Peter; Ribolla, Danilo--Family;

Delivery boy Chris Turlis and driver stand next to the Brown's Flower truck in this advertising photograph for the Brown's Conservatory of Flowers taken in front of the Lakewood Theater in December of 1937. Brown's Flowers, 4734 South Tacoma Way, was located opposite the Tacoma cemetery. They claimed to have Tacoma's finest delivery service for Tacoma's finest flowers. The Lakewood Theater had its grand opening on July 8, 1937. (T.Times Dec. 24, 1937 p.12)

Shopping centers--Lakewood; Motion picture theaters--Lakewood; Lakewood Theatre (Lakewood); Florist shops--Tacoma; Brown's Flowers (Tacoma); Turlis, Chris; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Christmas decorations; Trucks--Lakewood--1930-1940;

View of downtown Tacoma taken from rooftop of building. Businesses along Saint Helens Avenue showing the Medical Arts Building (left at 747 Market), Allen Motor Company Studebaker, and the Walker Apartments. (filed with Argentum)

Business districts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Walker Apartments (Tacoma); Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Action starts on the new Hylebos Bridge project. State Highway Department Director Lacey V. Murrow (right, with mustache) and A.R. Bergersen, Tacoma's Commissioner of Public Works, looking at blueprints in Murrow's office in Olympia. For almost seven years, the residents of the communities north of Tacoma had fought for a suitable connection to Tacoma. In 1931, the War Dept. had declared the current Hylebos bridge, constructed by Pierce County in 1925, to have inadequate clearance for passing ships and requested that it be closed. The new bridge, in the planning stages in 1937, would be dedicated in May of 1939. (T. Times 12/1/1937, pg. 3)

Bergersen, Abner R.; Murrow, Lacey V.; Hylebos Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Lea and Margaret Bronson home, exterior night view. The house presents a cheerful appearance with its lights on and lit Christmas decorations. This Colonial style home was built in 1906 and designed by architect S.L. Blair. The home sold in 1924 to lumberman Lea Bronson.

Bronson, Lea--Homes & haunts; Christmas decorations; Houses--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Main floor at Rhodes Brothers Store, Christmas season 1937. The main floor at Rhodes was festive with holiday decorations and crowded with boxed holiday gifts. Signs point out suggested gifts- stationery, hose, wool gloves, gowns and games- all boxed and ready to give. A counter in the back was devoted to wrapping and gift slips. A large sign directs children, and their parents, to the special elevator "direct to Toyland" on the fifth floor. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Luncheon of the State Committee for the Cause and Cure of War at the Y.W.C.A. Ten women sitting in two rows. (T.Times, 12-06-1937, p.9- names in caption) (photo filed with Argentum)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Committee for the Cause and Cure of War (Wash.);

Baby John Lynn sitting in front of the fireplace with his pet dog. Photograph taken for family Christmas card.

Lynn, John; Dogs; Children & animals; Fireplaces;

Baby John Lynn stands in front of the fireplace with his pet dog. Photograph taken for family Christmas card.

Lynn, John; Dogs; Children & animals; Fireplaces;

Art gallery in new top floor of Ferry Museum. (T. Times) (filed with Argentum)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Art; Ferry Museum (Tacoma);

Sculptor Alonzo Victor Lewis standing by stairs in new top floor art gallery of Ferry Museum. (T. Times)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Lewis, Alonzo Victor; Art;

Alonzo Victor Lewis, noted sculptor, stands in the shadow of a column at the entry to the Ferry Museum where he recently added the art-deco detail above the front doors. Artistic portraiture. (T. Times).

Lewis, Alonzo Victor; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma);

Hagerty-? Wedding at Central Baptist Church. Bride, groom, four groom's men and four bridesmaids; candlelabras and flowers. Building constructed in 1900 as First Swedish Baptist. (Filed with Argentum)

Weddings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings)--1930-1940; Central Baptist Church (Tacoma);

Lundquist- Lilly Clothiers, window display with Christmas wreath and signs "Celebrating Our 24th Anniversary, Suits and Overcoats $24." Display of shirts, ties and socks set off by mannequin attired in men's dressing gown. For J. R. Thompson.

Lundquist-Lilly Clothiers (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Window displays;

Convention Banquet, "Culinary Alliance" Cooks and Waiters Union, Local 61, at the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. (Argentum)

Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Culinary Alliance Union Local 61 (Tacoma); Cooks; Waiters; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Home portrait of Tacoma triplets Erma, Erna, and Ernest Christensen, (from left) 19 years-old. Tacoma's oldest living triplets were born to Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Christensen at home, 2921 So. "L" St., on June 18, 1918. Their total weight was a hefty 20 lbs., 6 oz., with Ernest the heaviest at 7 lb., 12 oz., Erma second at 6 lb., 12 oz., and Erna the lightest at 6 lbs. even. The Christensens made the front page of the Tacoma Times' December 16, 1937, edition because of the news of another set of living triplets, the Hartle children, born on November 14th. The older triplets were also photographed holding the newborn Hartles. (T. Times 12-16-1937 p.1-alt. photograph)

Christensen, H.E.--Family; Christensen, Ernest; Christensen, Erma; Christensen, Erna; Triplets; Christensen, H.E.--Homes & haunts;

Policemen's Ball at Fife's Century Ballroom. December 17, 1937, sepia photograph of Mayor and Mrs.George Smitley with two young girls. Isabel Smitley is carrying a large bouquet of flowers, possibly presented to her by the two children. Mayor Smitley is wearing a ribbon indicating that he is a guest at the ball. Proceeds of the ball went to the Police Relief and Benefit Association. ALBUM 11. (TNT 12-18-37, p. 2)

Balls (Parties)--Fife; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Smitley, Isabel; Bouquets; Children & adults--Fife;

Policemen's Ball at Century Ballroom, Fife, on December 17, 1937. Large group of police officers and women standing in lines; a dozen Art Deco style chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen is second from right in first row. Mayor George Smitley (not pictured) led the Grand March into the ballroom; he was accompanied by several city commissioners and high ranking police officials. The ball benefited the Police Relief Fund and Benefit Association. (TNT 12-18-37, p. 2)

Balls (Parties)--Fife; Bergersen, Abner R.; Chandeliers;

Policemen's Ball at Century Ballroom on December 17, 1937. Police color guard from the TPD leads into the ballroom a group including Mayor and Mrs.George Smitley, Safety (Police) Commissioner Frank Callender and Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen. Ranking police officials and their wives completed the group. This benefit ball was claimed to be the most successful ball given by Tacoma policemen. Hundreds attended the gala which swelled the coffers of the Police Relief and Benefit Association. ALBUM 11. (TNT 12-18-37, p. 2)

Balls (Parties)--Fife; Flag bearers--Fife; Police--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Smitley, Isabel; Callender, Frank T.; Bergersen, Abner R.;

Promenade of city officials and police at the Policemen's Ball held at Century Ballroom in Fife on December 17, 1937. Safety (Police) Commissioner Frank Callender and spouse link arms with Mayor and Mrs. George Smitley as they enter the Century Ballroom in Fife for the Policemen's Ball. Both men are wearing "Guest" ribbons attached to their lapels while their wives are carrying large beribboned bouquets of fresh flowers. Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen is directly behind Commissioner Callender. This sepia photograph taken during the Grand March is faded and slightly out of focus. ALBUM 11.

Balls (Parties)--Fife; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Smitley, Isabel; Callender, Frank T.; Bergersen, Abner R.; Bouquets;

Policemen's Ball at Century Ballroom in Fife on December 17, 1937. Mayor and Mrs. George Smitley follow a mustached police officer believed to be Sgt. Jim Dew, across the floor. Several other city councilmen were in attendance at this winter gala including Safety (Police) Commissioner Frank Callender and Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen. Others included in the procession were high ranking police officials and their wives. The ball was sponsored by the City of Tacoma's police department with proceeds going to Police Relief and Benefit Association. ALBUM 11. (TNT 12-18-37, p. 2)

Balls (Parties)--Fife; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Smitley, Isabel; Police--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Policemen's Ball at Century Ballroom in Fife on December 17, 1937. Procession walking into the ballroom in rows of eight abreast, led by a police sergeant. Couples include Mayor and Mrs. George Smitley (far R), Mr. and Mrs. Frank Callender (2nd from R) and Mr. and Mrs. Abner Bergersen (far left). Young woman in the middle is not identified; she may be related to the Bergersens as she has her arm linked with Mr. Bergersen. Hundreds attended the Policemen's Ball which was claimed to be the most successful ball given by Tacoma policemen. Proceeds were allotted to Police Relief and Benefit Association. ALBUM 11. (TNT 12-18-37, p. 2)

Balls (Parties)--Fife; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Smitley, Isabel; Callender, Frank T.; Bergersen, Abner R.;

Hundreds were in attendance at Fife's Century Ballroom on December 17, 1937 for the ninth annual Policeman's Ball, including city and police officials from Tacoma, Seattle and Portland. Tacoma Mayor and Mrs.George Smitley led the grand march of men and women entering the ballroom followed by Safety (Police) Commissioner and Mrs. Frank Callender and Public Works Commissioner and Mrs. Abner Bergersen. Ranking police officials and their wives came next. Many of the women carried large flower bouquets. The grand march, capably directed by Sgt. James Dew, was the big event of the evening. Proceeds from the ball benefited the Police Relief and Benefit Association. ALBUM 11. (TNT 12-18-37, p. 2-article; TNT12-17-37, p. 4-article)

Balls (Parties)--Fife; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Smitley, Isabel; Callender, Frank T.; Bergersen, Abner R.;

In December of 1937, the second and third grade classes at Roosevelt School, 3550 East Roosevelt Avenue, decorated a "Bird Christmas Tree" in the school yard for their feathered friends. Clifford Matousek, Beverly Jo Companoli and Edmund Wright were pictured, left to right, replenishing the tree's supply of special bird friendly "ornaments." The ornaments consisted of strings of popcorn, pieces of bread carved into animals and citrus fruit shells filled with birdseed and sunflower seeds. The schoolchildren made sure the little fliers would not go hungry during the Christmas season. (T. Times 12/20/1937, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

Matousek, Clifford, Companoli, Beverly Jo; Wright, Edmund; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Roosevelt Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Christmas trees--Tacoma;

Lincoln High School shop teacher Ned Ubben, right, watched in December of 1937 as Irene Kuhne and Otto Robinson mended two of the items given to needy families in Tacoma by the school's students. Maintaining a tradition started in 1922 by The Lincoln News, the school's student publication, Lincoln students filled 66 Christmas baskets with food and toys. The baskets were then distributed to families selected from a list provided by the state welfare bureau. (T. Times 12-21-1937, p. 12)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940; Christmas gifts; Toys; Teachers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ubben, Ned; Kuhne, Irene; Robinson, Otto;

In December of 1937, Peggy Bently and Lucille Rudd (order not known) were "Santa's Twins" at Lincoln High School. The two young men are Harold Oswald (left) and Gordon Ambrose. Peggy and Lucille were the organizing force behind the Lincoln News' efforts to provide a Merry Christmas to 66 needy families in Tacoma. In a tradition begun in 1922, food, toys and clothing were collected by Lincoln High School students and distributed in gift baskets to families in need selected by Tacoma's social service agencies. Used toys that were donated were repaired in the Lincoln High School metal and wood shops, and clothes was repaired or sewn in the school's home economics classes. (T. Times 12-21-1937, p. 12)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940; Christmas gifts; Toys; Bently, Peggy; Rudd, Lucille; Oswald, Harold; Ambrose, Gordon;