A young soldier, carrying his possessions, happily prepared to board a military transport at the Armory, bound for the Olympic Peninsula. Thirty Washington State Guardsmen and their commander were called into active duty, the first in Washington. They were leaving on June 18, 1942 for their new headquarters at Forks, where they would fan out to man coastal air raid warning posts. They would be working with the Fourth Fighter Command, US Army Air Corps. (T. Times 6/18/1942, pg. 1)

Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Military uniforms--Washington State Guard; World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations;

A group of State Guardsmen are pictured leaving the Armory and loading into motor lorries on June 18, 1942. Thirty men and one officer of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Volunteer Infantry, Washington State Guard had been called into active duty, the first in the state of Washington. They were travelling to the Olympic Peninsula where they would man coastal air raid warning stations. (T. Times 6/18/1942, pg. 1)

Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Military uniforms--Washington State Guard; World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Military vehicles;

On September 25, 1941, three of the four commissioned officers of Tacoma's units of the Washington State Guard posed for this portrait. They are, left to right, Lt. Lloyd Sell Jr. (Company D), Capt. W. B. Hamilton (Co. C), and Lt. Charles T. Sweet (Co. C.) Tacoma's units were heavily recruiting for 100 men to replace those now serving in active duty. For the most part, recruits were those ineligible for active army service. They currently had 80 volunteers. Capt. Hamilton was a local insurance agent, married and had two sons who were privates in Company C. He had served as a private in the first World War. He enlisted in the Guard as a private and rose to the rank of Captain. (T. Times 9/26/1941, pg. 1)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington State Guard (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Military uniforms--Washington National Guard; Sell, Lloyd; Hamilton, W.B.; Sweet, Charles;

On November 13, 1940, David Larson (left) and George Tucker, two saxophone players from the 146th Field Artillery Band, tried to blow away the unidentified listeners attending the Enlisted Men's Dance at the Tacoma Armory. All three saxophone players in the band, including Dean Curtiss who was not pictured, were former members of leading dance bands. The 146th FA Band was supplying the music for the dance, the second in a series of dances. All men in uniform from McChord Field, Fort Lewis and Camp Murray were invited for the evening's entertainment; all area young women were invited to act as dance partners. TPL-1755 (T. Times 11/14/1940, pg. 13)

Dance parties; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Saxophones; Tucker, George; Larson, David;

An unidentified couple shares a quick drink of water from the fountain at the enlisted men's dance held November 13, 1940 at the Armory. All of the military men from McChord, Ft. Lewis and Camp Murray were invited to attend and a hurried call went out for 25,000 of Tacoma's fairest to serve as dance partners. (T. Times 11/14/1940, pg. 1+)

Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dance parties; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma);

Stadium High School Class of 1943 graduation at Armory. (T. Times)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Tacoma, Washington State Guard units were hosts to the Seattle, Washington State Guard units at the State Armory in late May of 1946. This was the last official ceremony for both units. The re-establishment of the Washington National Guard is expected in the near future. Seated left to right are: Nelson, Hamilton, McMorris and White. In back we have, left to right, Middlesworth and Cronander (T. Times, 5/28/46, p. 1).

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Military uniforms;

Governor Bricker's party coverage. Governor Bricker was in Tacoma to attend the Pierce County Republican Convention being held at the State Armory. Left to right view of Ohio State Governor John W. Bricker, Mrs. Bricker, Mrs. Langlie and Washington State Governor Arthur B. Langlie (T. Times 4/12/44, p. 1).

Political conventions--Tacoma; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Bricker, John W.; Political campaigns;

Testimony at the legislative committee investigation into vice and crime in Tacoma continued into an overtime session hearing testimony regarding bookmaking operations, slot machines, a story of $20,000 vice payoffs to police in one month, prostitution, making gifts of money and liquor to named patrolmen, card rooms, bottle clubs paying protection money, amusement arcades making payoffs, and bribes for supporting political campaigns. Crowds of about 350 people partiallly filled the Armory day room, listening attentively. The newspaper coverage continued as front-page stories for six days. (TNT, 11/27/1951 - 12/3/1951)

State Armory (Tacoma); Governmental investigations--Tacoma;

This photograph shows part of the crowd of 2,800 teenage Tacomans who spent their Halloween evening in 1951 at the Tacoma Armory, 715 South 11th Street. Working with the Metropolitan Park District and the Tacoma Police, the Tacoma Moose Lodge sponsored the third annual all-city high school dance to give Tacoma's young people someplace safe to go after dark. The dance was from 8 to 11:30 p.m. with music provided by Larry Carino and his orchestra, one of the best 10 piece bands in the area. Police later said that the evening was one of the quietist on record. (TNT 11-1-51, p. 1, p. A-8) TPL-9546

Halloween--Social life; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dance parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma);

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, speaks from the podium during rally at Tacoma Armory. Large poster of Gov. Thomas Dewey, the Presidential nominee, behind Warren. Former Governor Arthur Langlie, who was running once more for election, and his wife are seen, blurred, in the background. Mr. Langlie had introduced Governor Warren to the overflowing crowd of over 5000. It was the largest indoor crowd to greet him on his tour of 31 states except for Chicago. Sepia photograph was taken during the evening speech of Governor Warren on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Public speaking--Tacoma;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, accepting a 23rd Anniversary cake from acting Mayor C. A. Erdahl during a campaign appearence in Tacoma. The Warren family looks on. Presentation of the cake at the end of Governor Warren's address came as a complete surprise to the Governor and his family. It was in honor of the couple's 23rd wedding anniversary. A moved Governor Warren remarked that they had spent their honeymoon in Washington state. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Warren, Nina; Warren, Dorothy; Warren, Virginia; Warren, Nina Elizabeth; Warren, Robert; Erdahl, C.A.; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's professional basketball team, the Coast League Mountaineers were getting ready to play their first game. The home games would be played at the State Armory. Their first game was against Bellingham and would be played at home, their next game was against Astoria's Royal Chinook's and would be in Oregon. View of Mountaineer number seven in action (T. Times, 11/25/47, p. 7).

Balls (Sporting goods); Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team);

Tacoma's professional basketball team, the Coast League Mountaineers, consisted of, Irv Leifer, Bob Graf, Jack Roffler, Johnny Katica, Bob Voelker, Sig Sigurdson, Ernie Endress, Jack Voelker and Hank Vallee. The team was getting ready to play their first game at the State Armory. View of Mountaineer number five in action (T. Times, 11/25/47, p. 7).

Balls (Sporting goods); Basketball--Tacoma; Jumping--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team);

Tacoma's Pacific Coast League profession basketball team, the Mountaineers, were ready for their first game in December 1947. There were six northwest teams in the league, including Seattle and Portland. Tacoma played their home games in the State Armory. Left to right, Helen Hayes, team's leader and half time show performer, J. Katica, H. Vallee, S. Sigurdson, B. Graf, Ernie Endress, B. Voelker, J. Voelker, T. Werner, Coach, and Milton Bay, Co-owner and Club President (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 8; Endress identified by an acquaintance). TPL-8550

Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Coast League (Tacoma); Mountaineers (Basketball Team); State Armory (Tacoma);

Tacoma's National Guard recruits are being sworn in at the Armory. The Washington National Guard had a recruiting campaign going on throughout the State. These new recruits will start training at the Armory and in late November the Guard was planning an open house for the public, where they would show and demonstrate the equipment being used by the Tacoma National Guard units. The State Armory was also being remodeled at this time, a new day room for guardsmen was being added to the facilities (T.N.T., 11/5/47, p. 6).

Oaths--Tacoma; Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

The College of Puget Sound basketball team played against Pacific Lutheran College to determine the city's champions in December of 1947. College of Puget Sound beat Pacific Lutheran College with a score of 45 to 38. The game was well attended and was played at the State Armory. View of basketball teams in action, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 12/18/47, p. 11).

Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Basketball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma);

Henry A. Wallace tells a crowd of 3000 and a radio audience that a Communist "is a Democrat with a job a Republican wants" at a campaign rally at the State Armory. Mr. Wallace, VP 1941-45, called on Democrats to close ranks and elect progressive representatives in the upcoming November 5th election. Although he had been asked to resign his Secretary of Commerce post by President Truman just a month before, Mr. Wallace still considered himself to be a Democrat. The 3000 in attendance was the largest turnout in the county so far in that current campaign; a number of Republican party workers were seen among the audience that evening. Henry Wallace went on to make an unsuccessful run for the presidency in 1948 as a candidate of the Progressive Party. (T. Times, 10-29-46, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma; Wallace, Henry A., 1888-1965;

No empty seats were visible in the Washington State Armory during President Harry S. Truman's speech in early October, 1952. Local dignitaries sat on the platform behind Mr. Truman while he addressed the massive crowd. Policemen stood guard on the upper deck of the armory. Radio and television covered the president's appearance for the benefit of local residents. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma);

Approximately 3000 teenagers enjoyed the "Youth Honor Day Dance" held at the Armory on Halloween, 1958. The M.C. or orchestra had been requested to stop the dance in order that this photograph might be taken. Overall view of crowded Armory; several girls still have on their coats and carry their handbags. Skirts are still worn long and bangs seem to be popular with the girls. While an occasional crew cut is seen, boys seem to be wearing their hair longer as well. Photograph ordered by the Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435.

Halloween--Social life; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dance parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Better Home Exposition held at the Armory March 30- April 6, 1935. Tacoma's first federal housing exposition was designed to show Southwest Washington just what could be done under the federal housing act, which encouraged home modernization and new construction. Over 50 exhibitors from across the country contributed. This particular exhibit was sponsored by Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan Association and the Tacoma Society of Architects. It offers information on home loans- to buy, build or remodel and refinancing. Of special interest is the model home in the glass case built by then 13 year old budding architect Alan Liddle. Alan was the son of Abram and Myrtle Liddle at 821 No. Steele. We have the senior Liddle's occupation listed as real estate, mortgage loans, insurance and rentals. Alan Liddle went on to study architecture and returned to Tacoma to set up his firm. He has won many awards for his original Northwest homes. (TDL 3/31/1935, pg. 1; T.Times 4/1/1935, pg. 8-9)

Liddle, Alan C.--Associated objects; Architects; Architectural models; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Better Home Exposition (Tacoma);

Large sales booth sponsored by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association and the Tacoma Society of Architects with displays of house plans under signage: "Buy, Build, Remodel, Refinance." The Tacoma Better Home Exposition was held at the Armory March 30- April 6, 1935. Tacoma's first federal housing exposition was designed to show Southwest Washington just what could be done under the federal housing act, which encouraged home modernization and new construction. Over 50 exhibitors from across the country contributed. (TDL 3/31/1935, pg. 1; T.Times 4/1/1935, pg. 8-9) (Argentum)

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Better Home Exposition (Tacoma);

The Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard sponsors the first horse show of the season on November 29, 1937 at the Armory. Two soldiers watch a white horse perform a trick with a very young rider on the horse's back. Tacoma's famous Cavalry unit was known locally as "Troop B." It was the oldest military organization in the state. (T. Times, 11/30/1937, p. 5).

Horse shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Show horses; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma); Trick riding;

Supervised by a Tacoma police officer, an unidentified nurse tests her skills as a motorist on a driving simulator at the Tacoma Safety Council Show held March 1 - 6, 1937 at the Tacoma Armory. The public was invited to view exhibits and try various modern gadgets that were designed to test their driving skills. This machine was sponsored by the Aetna Life Insurance Company.

Examinations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Police--Tacoma--1930-1940; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1948. Governor (or Republican candidate) Arthur Langlie and his wife Evelyn, Congressman Thor Tollefson, and Puget Sound National Bank chief Reno Odlin on the platform at the Tacoma Armory, likely during the 1948 Republican State Convention.

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Legislators--Washington--1940-1950; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Political elections--Tacoma;

Elderly group at Armory. A group of women surround one of Tacoma's early pioneer men at a banquet held at the Armory in September of 1937. Portraits of United States Presidents hang on the wall; a single lightbulb dangles on a knob wire above the group. (T. Times).

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pioneers--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma);

May, 1939, visit of Norwegian Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha. Interior of Armory showing large crowd, band and choir in front. Stage decorated with Norwegian and U.S. Flags, bunting on balcony and hanging from rafters.

Olav V, 1903-1991; Martha, Crown Princess of Norway; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Exterior of Armory, 715 So. 11th St., for I.F. Lauckes Inc., Seattle, Wa. The Armory was constructed in 1908 as a home for the local National Guard. The gothic Pierce County Courthouse, 1012 So. G St., can be seen in the right background. This structure was demolished in 1959 after the construction of the current County City building. Its site is now a parking lot. (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

Lincoln High School Class of 1939 graduation at the Armory, held June 9th, 1939. Girl and boy at microphone, students seated, audience in foreground. Lincoln graduated 707 seniors, who listened to a total of 26 speakers at the ceremony. For Leonard Langlow, Tacoma Times. (T. Times 6/10/1939, pg. 11)

Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

The 1938 graduation exercises for Stadium High School at the Armory. The 1938 graduating class was the largest in the school's history, 667 students. The photograph is taken from the viewpoint of parents and spectators seated in the mezzanine on either side of the graduates. (T. Times 6/10/1938, pg. 24)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;