Ceremony at Grove, New Tacoma Cemetery, Wm. B. Reed. A memorial to the memory of the soldier dead of all wars was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1949, at the New Tacoma Cemetery where 300 war veterans were buried. The American flag was raised over the memorial and a wreath was placed upon it by Wellesley Bell, father of Captain Gordon Bell who was killed in Italy in 1944. Others in the picture are William B. Reed, manager of the cemetery, Mrs. Bell, and Ruth, Kathleen and Janice Bell, sisters of the captain. (TNT, 5/31/1949, p.7)

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma; Monuments & memorials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Bell, Wellesley; Bell, Wilhelmina V.; Bell, Ruth; Bell, Kathleen; Bell, Janice; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ceremony at Grove, New Tacoma Cemetery, Wm. B. Reed. A young girl places flowers on a grave for Memorial Day, May 30, 1949. Many flowers have been placed at graves commemorating lives given in defense of the United States.

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ceremony at Grove, New Tacoma Cemetery, Wm. B. Reed. A view of the New Tacoma Cemetery as of May 30, 1949, where many of the graves are decorated with flowers. 300 war veterans were buried here.

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ceremony at Grove, New Tacoma Cemetery, Wm. B. Reed. A memorial to the memory of the soldier dead of all wars was dedicated May 30, 1949, Memorial Day, at the New Tacoma Cemetery where 300 war veterans were buried. (TNT, 5/31/1949, p.7)

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma; Monuments & memorials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A fallen grave marker from the Pioneer Catholic Cemetery, a four acre plot on the corner of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery, at the end of South Villard. This is one of the oldest cemeteries in the county. The land was originally donated for burials by John and Eliza Rigney. No written records exist for the Pioneer portion which had been in use since about 1850, and there are probably even earlier graves that lie unmarked.. ("A History of Pierce County, Washington 1992", vol. 3)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Tombs & sepulchral monuments; Pioneer Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma);

Calvary Catholic Cemetery's 35 acres was located next to the 4 acre old Rigney cemetery (Pioneer Catholic Cemetery) and was purchased in 1905 from Tony Portman to supply a burial ground for the Catholic community since the smaller cemetery was full. In the first 80 years of operation, 20, 657 interments took place at Calvary. A new entrance was added in 1935 patterned after a large country estate. New brick buildings, containing the sexton's office and a lounge with restrooms, were constructed, as well as massive wrought iron gates. (TDN 6/12/1905, pg. 4, "A History of Pierce County, Washington" vol. 3)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Tombs & sepulchral monuments; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma);

Funeral at New Tacoma Cemetery. Unidentified men waiting behind hearse and other parked cars on April 14, 1950. Ordered by C.O. Lynn & Co.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Hearses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

These wooden crosses mark burial sites in the Pioneer Catholic Cemetery, a portion of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. One of the oldest cemeteries in the county, it has been in use since about 1850. The four acre old cemetery was located on the Steilacoom Road near South Tacoma and was donated for burials by John and Eliza Rigney. There were no written records of the burials in the Pioneer section. ("A History of Pierce County, Washington" vol. 3)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Tombs & sepulchral monuments; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Pioneer Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma);

Pioneer Catholic Cemetery, part of Calvary Catholic Cemetery, in use since 1850. Toppled grave markers and overgrown weeds dot the grounds. In 1905, the Calvary Cemetery Association incorporated and bought the adjoining acreage to establish a new cemetery since the old one was full. Pioneer Catholic Cemetery is not owned by the Association, but is maintained by the group. No burials took place in Pioneer after that time and there are no written records of the older cemetery. Information gathered from the headstones is incorporated with the records from Calvary. The condition of the grounds in this picture were probably due to the 1950 cemetery workers strike. ("Calvary Cemetery" Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society, 1985)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Tombs & sepulchral monuments; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Pioneer Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma);

Pioneer Catholic Cemetery, part of Calvary Catholic Cemetery, at the end of South Villard, in use since 1850. The older graves lie unkempt and overgrown, with the wooden and stone markers tumbled over. Pictures from this series were used in an interesting ad in the Tacoma News Tribune (TNT 4/14/1950, pg. 8), contrasting these old and forgotten graves with the "perpetual care" given by modern cemeteries. The ad continues to say that excessive wage demands mean cuts in staff and care. This was probably a reference to negotiations with the Cemetery Workers Union and the following strike by workers. The ad was a joint effort of the New Tacoma Cemetery, the Old Tacoma Cemetery, and the Calvary Cemetary.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Tombs & sepulchral monuments; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma);Pioneer Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma);

The interior of the reception area at the New Tacoma Cemetery as pictured in November of 1950. The room has been decorated with floral draperies, a checked linoleum tile floor, and rag rugs. Ordered by Rill Reid.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

Funeral services for August O. Cultum, aged 70, were held at the C.C. Mellinger Co. Funeral Home in November, 1951. Mr. Cultum had resided at 6470 South Sheridan Street. He passed away on November 15, 1951. Born in Renville, Minnesota, Mr. Cultum was a 63-year resident of Tacoma, and a employee of Metropolitan Park district. He is survived by three sons, three daughters and ten grandchildren. There were several large wreaths, primarily chrysanthemums, on display near the bier, as well as smaller potted plants. Sepia photograph ordered by Stewart Cultum. (TNT 11-16-51, p. 33)

Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Coffins; Wreaths--Tacoma; Cultum, August O.; Cultum, Stewart;

This is a May 19, 1952, view of caskets in (old) Tacoma Cemetery surrounded by numerous floral wreaths and other floral arrangements. One casket is a child's casket. Photographer's notes indicate only that this was the Whalen funeral. Buckley-King Funeral Service was in charge. A reader has identified the cemetery due to the concrete wall separating it from South Park in South Tacoma. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Coffins; Flower arrangements;

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients and families a tranquil serene final resting place. Families can choose from beautiful grounds landscaped with junipers, rhododendrons and azaleas, mausoleum, or an Urn Garden and Rockery constructed in three levels with a perpetual waterfall. View of entrance leading into the New Tacoma Cemetery, the gates are open, the mausoleum is located on the right side.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gates--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients 100 acres of beautiful peaceful resting grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery has been serving Tacoma families since 1932, they are under the administration of the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization. Exterior view of grounds, large trees and beautifully landscaped grounds offer peace and tranquility, sacred sanctuary in background.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

New Tacoma Cemetery is located in the Southwest area of Tacoma, on 9221 Chambers Creek Road. The New Tacoma Cemetery is considered one of the finest in the Pacific Northwest, with a mausoleum and sacred sanctuary on the grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery is a division of the Tacoma Cemetery located on South Tacoma Way. Exterior view of the grounds, some graves are decorated with flowers and American flags.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Benches--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

The New Tacoma Cemetery has just had many Memorial Day services and had hundreds of visitors during this weekend period in 1948. This cemetery was a division of the Tacoma Cemetery located on South Tacoma Way, both were owned by the Tacoma Cemetery Association. View of graves, some have an American Flag, in the New Tacoma Cemetery, a park bench is by a large tree.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Benches--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

Floral arrangement and casket at Mt. View, Mrs. Robert Haley. Cpl Keith W. Hanson, age 19, received a full military service. He was born in Mullen, Wisconsin, and had lived in Tacoma 10 years. He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Robert Haley, of Tacoma, and his father, Clarence Hanson, of Wisconsin. (T.Times, 4/26/1948, p.13

Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Hanson, Keith W.; Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Lakewood--1940-1950; Flowers--Lakewood--1940-1950; Military personnel--Lakewood--1940-1950;

Floral arrangement and casket at Mt. View, Mrs. Robert Haley. Cpl Keith W. Hanson, age 19, received a full military service. He was killed in an accident while serving with the army in Germany. He had served in the army 2 1/2 years. (T.Times, 4/26/1948, p.13

Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Hanson, Keith W.; Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Lakewood--1940-1950; Flowers--Lakewood--1940-1950; Military personnel--Lakewood--1940-1950;

Joe Loveridge funeral flowers at mausoleum. The area around the walls of the mausoleum are filled with flowers hung with ribbons, "Brother", "Dad", "Uncle". The City Directory indicates Joseph L. Loveridge lived at 4205 Asotin and worked as an inspector at the State Vehicle Safety Inspection Station.

Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Loveridge, Joe--Death & burial; Flowers; Bouquets;

Mountain View Memorial Park. A restful, tree-lined road greets visitors to Mountain View Memorial Park.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Mountain View Memorial Park, the Garden Chapel. Mountain View advertised their ability to serve all one needed for funeral arrangements: a mortuary, cemetery, crematory, garden chapel, columbarium, casket display room and limousine service.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Mountain View Funeral Home and Memorial Park. An exterior shot of the Garden Chapel at Mountain View. This building was newly opened in 1942 when Mountain View was expanded.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Exterior view of Mountain View Memorial Park's mortuary, taken in the fall of 1945. With its dormers, shutters and awnings, the funeral home resembles a well-built executive home. Although the memorial park had been incorporated since 1915, the funeral home had not been added to cemetery grounds until 1942. This made Mountain View one of a selected few facilities where funeral preparations and burial could occur in the same location. Through the years, more acreage was added to the property which totaled 180 acres in the 2000's. This enabled Mountain View to build two more chapels and a Celebration of Life Center. (www.mountainviewtacoma.com)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Mountain View Memorial Park. This is a side view of the Garden Chapel on the grounds of Mountain View Memorial Park, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood in October of 1945. The stone structure with steeple and arched shaped doorway is nestled among trees and quietly portrays the peacefulness of an English countryside. It was built to seat 100 people. Mountain View Memorial Park was incorporated in 1915 by James Richard Thompson. A funeral home was added to the cemetery grounds in 1942 by his son, J. Arthur Thompson; it was the second combination funeral home/cemetery founded in the United States. Mountain View Memorial Park is still operated by the Thompson family. (www.mountainviewtacoma.com)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Main entrance of Mountain View Memorial Park's funeral home in October of 1945. This is a closer view of D20426, image B, featuring the fine landscaping, awning, shutters and three dormers. Resembling an expensive home, the funeral home and nearby Garden Chapel was located on about 80 acres of land in Lakewood. Four generations of the James Richard Thompson family have owned and operated the memorial park which has since expanded to 180 acres, two more chapels and about 70 full time employees. (www.mountainviewtacoma.com)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Geiger, Mrs. A. H. exterior of Mountain View Burial. Mountain View Memorial Park was said to be one of the most modern examples of funeral homes in the United States. 1942 was a year of expansion as they became a Unit Memorial Service. Hearses in foreground and exterior view of mortuary in background. TPL-8672 ----- Additional information provided by a patron, The foreground car is a 1942 Chrysler bodied as a Gothic-panel hearse by the A.J. Miller Company of Bellefontaine, Ohio, which was also the likely builder of the adjacently-posed six-window "limousine style" 1942 Chrysler hearse. The two limousines parked next in line were factory-built Chrysler offerings from the same model year, while the rearmost vehicle is a 1942 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery that was likely used for funeral service "first calls" or the transportation of flowers and chairs to gravesite services. All-in-all this is a tremendously unusual and likely-unique funeral fleet given that most hearses built in this period were Cadillac or Packard-based.

Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Hearses--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

ca. 1943. This view of the New Tacoma Cemetery, with large firs on right and small bushes by gravesites, was taken circa 1943. The park-like surroundings provided a serene resting place for the deceased using non-intrusive flat markers. Opened in 1932, the 150-acre New Tacoma Cemetery overlooks the City of Steilacoom and the waters of Puget Sound. (www.newtacoma.com-information)

Cemeteries--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma);

Colonial style building on grounds of New Tacoma Cemetary.

Cemetaries - Washington State - Pierce County - New Tacoma Cemetary

New Tacoma Cemetary, Colonial style Building.

Cemetaries - Washington State - Pierce County - New Tacoma Cemetary