The annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade was a great success. With more than sixty entries in the Tacoma parade, the judges had a hard time selecting which ones should be sweepstakes winners. An estimated 600,000 daffodils were used on parade floats. View of the Titus Ford float, decorated by Fisk Flag and Decorating Company, four people ride in a daffodil covered Ford (T.N.T., 3/30/47, p. 1).

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Fisk Flag & Decorating Co. (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Mayor C. Val Fawcett is congratulating Clare Bowe, Miss Tacoma 1948; Miss Tacoma was sponsored by the Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce. Clare Bowe is a music student at College of Puget Sound, she will compete against 23 other women for the Miss Washington Title. Bowe will travel via train, to Ephrata, Washington for the competition. The winner of the Miss Washington contest will receive prizes and scholarships and will compete in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City (T. Times, 6/23/48, p. 1).

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Bouquets; Roses; Bowe, Clare; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965;

The Monday Civic Club members were planting trees at Franklin Park near So. 12th St. and So. Puget Sound, Milton Anderson, Superintendent of the park was supervising the tree planting. An Italian Flag, a gift to the club by Marie Trompen Gilley, who received it from an Italian soldier while in service with the Red Cross in Rome in 1919, will be presented to Chapin D. Foster, Director of the Washington State Historical Society, by Mrs. Archie Idso, club member. View of club members by their newly planted trees, flags in center (T. Times, 6/3/48, p. 10). TPL-9700

Tree planting ceremonies--Tacoma; Parks--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Franklin Park (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma; Monday Civic Club (Tacoma);

Drawing upon the 14th Psalm and the Book of Revelations, Dr. Walter A Maier of the Lutheran Hour radio program addressed a capacity audience in the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 South Union Avenue, on May 21, 1948. The main theme of his address was "Christ, Not Communism". Dr. Maier told his audience that Communism was "anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-church ... and anti-everything that is God or good" and warned that a Third World War would "give the Reds the rule of the world". (T. Times, 5/22/48, p. 2).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Evangelists; Public speaking--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Events--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Maier, Walter A.; Lutheran Layman's League (Tacoma);

Gerrie Waechter and Charles Dartonwere married September 7, 1946. The birde, Gerrie Waechter Darton and her seven attendants are surrounded by flowers as they stand together at the altar. The bride's train flows down the steps and she holds a bouquet of orchids and stephanotis. Her attendants carry bouquets of mums in various colors. The attendants are, L-R: Marily Kershaw, Kate Peach, Shirley Abel, Jane Brace, Marilyn Whitman, Marjorie Lyster, and Lorraine Dahlstrom. (T.Times, 9/14/1946, p.7)

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Darton, Gerrie; Waechter, Gerrie--Marriage; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Kershaw, Marily; Peach, Kate; Abel, Shirley; Brace, Jane; Whitman, Marilyn; Lyster, Marjorie; Dahlstrom, Lorraine;

Walter Butt-Ursella Watts wedding. Attendants at the cake table line up behind the table decorated with the cake, candles and other refreshments.

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

Club of Hearts 11th annual Christmas dance was held in the Crystal and Junior ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. The elaborate decorations included a huge red banner with "Merry Christmas" written in silver, hung behind the orchestra. Seated left to right are: Don Brown, Clara Bowe, Ben Fawcett, Joan Thrasher, Margaret Hansen and Jack Christensen, a bottle of "Clicquot Club" champagne in foreground (T. Times, 12/21/46, p. 10).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Tuxedoes; Couples--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Donna Thayne was chosen as Queen of the annual Gold and Green Ball by members of the Young Women and Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association of the Latter Day Saints Church of Lincoln Ward. The ball will be held at the Odd Fellows Temple on Sixth Avenue and Fawcett. View of Queen Donna as she sits at her throne holding a bouquet of roses surrounded by well wishers and her attendants. (T. Times, 2/5/47, p. 9)

Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Queens; Crowns; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Thayne, Donna--Coronations; Mormons--Tacoma;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The Junior Chamber of Commerce reminded the crowd that it will require research and education to "Fight to Conquer Cancer".

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Cancer--Tacoma;

Miss Frances Lee Macdonald and John C. Lowe were married in Seattle's Church of the Epiphany. Miss Macdonald was the daughter of Julia Lee (Mrs. Donald) Cavanaugh of Mount Vernon. John C. Lowe was the son of Mrs. John C. Lowe of Seattle. The service was read by the Rev. Elmer B. Christie before a gathering of guests from Tacoma, Everett and Seattle. A reception was held at the Seattle Tennis Club. (TNT, 12/29/1949, p.12)

Weddings--Seattle--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Macdonald, Frances Lee--Marriage; Lowe, John C.;

Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb is afloat near the 11th Street Bridge just after launching from the Western Boat ways building. The vessel would be equiped for exploratory navigation as well as for experimental fishing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.. Snow is on the ground as seen on the opposite shore of City Waterway. The tall buildings of the business district of Tacoma are seen in the background. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29) TPL-9652

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cityscapes;

Detailed shot of unidentified lovely 50's era bride, Colman-Brown wedding, in embroidered lace headdress and scalloped edge satin gown. The bride holds a round bouquet of barely opened roses. Photo ordered by Dick Brown.

Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Booth at the second annual Greater Tacoma Home Show by Coastal Builders, 3030 River Road in Tacoma, manufacturers of Keystone windows and doors. Keystone manufactured an aluminum combination storm and screen window and door. By 1950, over 4,000,000 were in use. Keystone stopped drafts, saved fuel and eliminated the need for weatherstripping. In addition, they were built to last a lifetime.

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Coastal Builders (Tacoma); Windows--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Doors & doorways--Tacoma;

Booth at second annual Greater Tacoma Home Show for Lo Heet stainless steel cookware. The Home Show took place March 21-26, 1950 at the College of Puget Sound fieldhouse. The signs emphasized the need for every new bride to add Lo Heet cookware to her hope chest.

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Pots & pans; Cooking utensils;

Carsten's float turns the corner from Broadway to 9th St. in the 1950 Daffodil parade. The parade route in Tacoma started from the line up area on 17th to Broadway, turned on 9th and continued down Pacific back to 17th. Crowds are in places ten people deep to watch the parade, with some standing on ladders for a better view. The best viewpoint belongs to those watching from the upper windows and the fire escape. A large group of people watch the parade from the top of Rhodes department store. To the right of the picture stands the Junior Chamber of Commerce's "Safety First" sign, noting the number of deathless days in Tacoma traffic.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);

Daffodil court members stand between the wings of floral doves in this tribute to the "American Way" produced by St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company, winner of the first place commercial entry award. A huge floral daffodil dominates the center of the float, followed by a fountain at the rear of the float. The float had just turned the corner from 9th onto Pacific. The Daffodil parade has been held annually since 1934 except for World War II years, and was suggested as a use for the blooms of the Puyallup Valleys' Daffodil bulb crop that were either thrown away or used as fertilizer before the parade's inception.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Seed Company, 805 Pacific Ave., sponsored this entry- a Sunbeam Greenhouse pulled by an automobile. The greenhouse is full of hot house flowers including some daffodils. The crowd on Pacific Ave. bundled up in coats, hats and blankets against the brisk spring weather look longingly at the warmth inside the greenhouse. Tacoma Seed Co. was also featured prominently at the Flower Show that was part of the Daffodil Festival celebration.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Tacoma Seed Co. (Tacoma);

The crowd disperses from the 900 block of Pacific Avenue after the completion of the enormously successful 1950 Daffodil Parade, leaving a large job for the street cleaning crew. One man descends from the Federal Finance Co. awning, where he had scrambled up to better view the parade. The Daffodil Festival and its parade were the brainchild of the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner. A volunteer Board of Directors from these cities, representing Chambers of Commerce, businesses and growers, toiled throughout the year without pay to plan the festivities. Ski and yacht clubs planned events in conjunction, and professional growers worked with womens' garden clubs on the Flower Show. The whole Festival was ruled over by a teenage Daffodil Queen elected from one of the three sponsoring cities.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma);

This "hooked" and flower bedecked King Salmon is one half of the float sponsored by the Young Mens Improvement Club in the 1950 Daffodil Parade, the other half is the boat and fisherman pulling it down Pacific Avenue. This ingenious two part float was the third place winner in class 3. The float celebrated the dominance of King Salmon in Northwest commercial and game fishing. (TNT 4/2/1950, pg. A-8)

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This float by Tacoma City Lights carried Queen Nancy Jean Davis (at rear) of Sumner, Princess Audrey Rentsch (left) of Puyallup, and Princess Betty Hurlong (right) of Stadium High in Tacoma down Pacific Avenue during the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The float was decked with thousands of daffodils and tulips befitting the royal trio. The trio were very busy during the Festival and throughout the Spring attending functions and representing the Puyallup Valley area.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Davis, Nancy Jean; Rentsch, Audrey; Hurlong, Betty;

This floral tribute to the daffodil, Puyallup Valley's bright yellow herald of Spring, won the first prize commercial entry award for St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The daffodil industry was established in the Valley in 1926. The area's farmers were dealing with the failing hops industry brought on by Prohibition and a hops virus that decimated the crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture was looking for a location to establish a bulb industry, for daffodils, tulips and irises, to rival that of Holland. The Valley had the perfect growing conditions for daffodils and soon established itself as the leader in the industry, producing bulbs that bested those of Holland, being larger and earlier.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

A bride-to-be, Miss Marilyn Spike, and her mother, Helen H. (Mrs. F. Clifford) Spike, are admiring a display of an elegant formal table setting at Gunderson's on April 27, 1950. Marilyn was to be married to James E. Dore June 15, 1950. Ordered by the Tribune for a layout on wedding preparations. (TNT, 5/3/1950, p.26) TPL-9179

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gunderson (Tacoma); Gift shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tableware; Glassware; Table settings & decorations; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Spike, Marilyn; Spike, Helen H.;

Miss Jerry Fries found the just-right spectator shoe to lend the finishing touch to her going-away outfit. She and Ray White were to be married May 21, 1950, in Immanuel Presbyterian Church. She has worn her comfortable saddle shoes on her shopping trip. Ordered by the Tribune for a layout on wedding preparations. (TNT, 5/3/1950, p.38)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Journalism--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shoes; Fries, Jerry;

A bride-to-be, Miss Donna Leslie, is discussing the correctness of invitations with Dorothy M. (Mrs. Philip) Norton, the authority on stationery, at The Stationers, Inc. Miss Leslie was ordering the all-limportant missives for her July, 1950 wedding In 1950, Stationers was still at its original address - 926 Pacific Avenue. Nine years later, they moved to their new building at 1141 Broadway. (TNT, 5/3/1950, p.35)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stationers, Inc. (Tacoma); Invitations; Stores & shops--Tacoma; Journalism--Tacoma--1950-1960; Leslie, Donna; Norton, Dorothy M.;

Jacqueline Holmberg and Joel Arnold Belsvik were married Saturday, May 20, 1950, at Epworth Methodist Church. Mary Margaret Welsh, the bride's niece, was the flower girl. Dr. R. Franklin Thompson read the wedding service. Lilacs cascade from vases behind them as they stand at the altar. (TNT, 5/21/1950, p.D-7; 5/28/1950, p.D-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Altars--Tacoma; Epworth Methodist Church (Tacoma); Holmberg, Jacqueline--Marriage; Belsvik, Joel Arnold; Welsh, Mary Margaret;

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to allow citizens to come together on a single holiday to thank our men in uniform for their service to our country. In this photograph of the May 1950 Armed Forces Day parade military units from Fort Lewis are marching south on Pacific Avenue. The camera's image offers a view of the facades of the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific. The Rust Building with 12 stories is at the end of the block. Awnings and fire escapes hang from many of the buildings. All the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific were demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the Park Plaza North Parking Garage.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A few of the 500 guests at Shirley Llewellyn's and Vaeth Hewitt's wedding reception are seen outdoors at Greenwood Manor. The young women wear evening suits with hats and carry their obligatory gloves and handbags. The two young women on the right are smoking cigarettes. Mrs. Hewitt, daughter of Lt. Col. Edward E. and Eloise Llewellyn, attended Stadium High School and the California College of Fine Arts. Mr. Hewitt, son of Henry and Hilda V. Hewitt, attended Stadium High School and the College of Puget Sound. (TNT, 7/16/1950, p.d-2)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Smoking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cigarettes; Receptions--Tacoma; Greenwood Manor (Tacoma); Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mountain View Memorial Park was having their annual sunrise service on Easter morning. More than 10,000 people joined together for prayer and songs in celebration of the story of the resurrection. Trumpets proclaimed dawn, and the service began shortly thereafter. View of large crowd gathered at Mountain View Memorial Park for the 1949 Easter Sunrise service (T.N.T., 4/18/49, p. 1).

Easter--Lakewood; Celebrations--Lakewood--1940-1950; Events--Lakewood--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Lakewood--1940-1950; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

The Town of Fircrest completed a five-year program to beautify winding Regents Boulevard in May of 1949 by planting a flowering Kwanzan cherry tree near the fire hall at 302 Regents Blvd. This brought the total number of trees planted through the work of Mayor Nelson J. Morrison and members of the Fircrest, Greenwood and Flowercrest Garden Clubs to over 150. The trees were planted by Fircrest employees. Among the large group of townspeople attending the planting ceremony were: (l to r) Sallie E. (Mrs. Theodore) Specht, Oscar Lundberg, Ed Moore, Mrs. Merle Hagman, Mayor Nelson J. Morrison, Mary F. (Mrs. George F.) Harrison and her daughter Mary Ileen, and George Masko, kneeling. (TNT, 5/29/1949, p.c-9)

Tree planting ceremonies--Fircrest; Fircrest Fire Hall (Fircrest); Morrison, Nelson J.; Mayors--Fircrest--1940-1950; Specht, Sallie E.; Lundberg, Oscar; Moore, Ed; Harrison, Mary F.; Harrison, Mary Ileen; Masko, George; Fire stations--Fircrest;

Dorothy Mae Rudolph and James Allen Wasner's wedding ceremony included the Navy officers forming the traditional arch of swords. View of Dorothy Mae and James Allen Wasner cutting their wedding cake with a Navy sword; the couple's reception was held at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church rectory (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-1).

Wedding costume--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Wasner, James Allen--Marriage; Rudolph, Dorothy Mae--Marriage;