Game and card room at Tacoma's newest and most exclusive club, the Tacoma Club, located on the top floor of Washington Building. The Grand Opening for the Club's new quarters was held May 10, 1937. It was an invitation only event for members and their guests. Photograph is of the game room with several square game/card tables. Room features knotty pine paneling on structural columns and checker board patterned flooring. (WSHS) (T. Times 5/10/1937, pg. 1)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Game and Card room at the Tacoma Club, located on the 17th Floor of Washington Building. Photographs were taken for coverage of the Club's Grand Opening May 10, 1937. Interior wall features glass block above knotty pine paneling. (WSHS) (T. Times 5/10/1937, pg. 1)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The "Lounging Room" at the Tacoma Club, located on the top floor of Washington Building. The Grand Opening for Tacoma's newest and most exclusive social club was held May 10, 1937. Lounge with sofa, upholstered chairs, desk, tables and lamps. (WSHS)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A capacity crowd attended Jack Lacy's Sales Clinic at the College of Puget Sound that was presented by the Tacoma Sales Executive Club over three evenings. All shows were sold out days ahead of the lectures. William S. Crean, vice president of Lacey Sales Institute, flew from San Francisco for a three-city itinerary which included Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle, and Tacoma. (TNT, 2/2/1952, p.19)

Tacoma Sales Executive Club (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Public speaking--Tacoma; Business people--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Marie Hazen Orthopedic Guild. Interior exposure of decorated tent for "Strawberry Festival" taken on June 20, 1952. Spacious tent is set up with dining tables, evergreen trees and pots of ferns and flowers. The Marie Hazen Orthopedic Guild sponsored a "Strawberry Festival" for many years.

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Marie Hazen Guild (Tacoma); Tents; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

January 18, 1938, saw the installation of new officers of the Tacoma Lodge of B'nai B'rith, worldwide Jewish community service organization. From left to right were: Lester Seinfeld, president; Ben Schwartz, assistant monitor and Morris Elyn, vice president. Ceremonies were held in the Talmud Torah synagogue. (T.Times 1-19-38, p. 7-alt. photograph)

B'nai B'rith (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940; Seinfeld, Lester; Schwartz, Ben; Elyn, Morris;

Dinner at Tacoma Club for 73rd birthday of Sydney Albert "Sam" Perkins, local tycoon and former newspaper editor. The dinner was attended by over 100 of Mr. Perkins's friends and business associates. During his 50 years in Tacoma, he had served as the partner of W.P. Bonney in a wholesale and retail drug business, in Washington D.C. as the secretary of Mark Hanna and as owner of the Tacoma Daily Ledger and the News.

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

Sam Perkins, right, receives a toast from an unidentified friend on his 73rd birthday at a party given in his honor at the Tacoma Club.

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

Tacoma Rhododendron Society display at Winthrop Motor Company. May was a prime month for rhododendrons. The Winthrop Motor Company, Plymouth and DeSoto dealers, graciously allowed their showroom to be filled with rhododendron displays courtesy of the Tacoma Rhododendron Society. Rhodys, of various colors and sizes, were planted in a natural setting with a wood fence and borders. 1953 DeSoto advertising displays remained hanging from the showroom's ceiling.

Tacoma Rhododendron Society (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flower shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A large gathering of the Pierce County Practical Nurses Association met at the Woman's Club House on May 14, 1953. The Woman's Club House was located at 426 Broadway and was the former residence of Isaac Anderson; it had previously been occupied by the University Club. The practical nurses listened to a speech by Dr. Scott Jones. The superintendents of nurses for several hospitals, including Northern Pacific, Washington Minor, Pierce County, and Mountain View Sanatorium, and the president of the State Association of Practical Nurses were among the dignitaries present. Mrs. Justine Palmer, president of the local association, was the mistress of ceremonies. Photograph ordered by Louise McMillan. (TNT 5-10-53, D-10)

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nurses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Woman's Club House (Tacoma);

The Pierce County Practical Nurses Association met at the Woman's Club House on May 14, 1953, and enjoyed a delicious banquet. Spring flowers and lighted blue tapers decorated the tables. Dr. Scott Jones was the principal speaker that evening. Honored guests included the superintendents of nurses for several local hospitals and the president of the State Association of Practical Nurses. The gathering occurred in the historic former residence of Isaac Anderson, built in 1890, and formerly occupied by the University Club. Photograph ordered by Louise McMillan. (TNT 5-10-53, D-10)

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nurses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Woman's Club House (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Master Builders Association was a group of area contractors and others in the building industry whose members were proud of their quality workmanship. As the sign in their 1953 Tacoma Home Show booth indicated, if a home was built by a Master Builder, it was "The Sign of Good Construction." Each year they sponsored the Greater Tacoma Home Show, held at the College of Puget Sound's Fieldhouse, to demonstrate to the growing homeowner public new styles in construction, landscaping and furnishings. In 1953, over 100 exhibitors took part in the Home Show, held on May 20-24th. The Master Builders also built a home annually whose location was kept secret until just before the show opened. Del Belfoy was the 1953 president of the association. View of Tacoma Master Builders Association booth; includes star bunting surrounding booth with architectural models of homes and photographs of members' construction above.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

American Institute of Architects, Southwest Washington Chapter, in the Wedgewood Room at the Winthrop Hotel. Most Tacoma and Seattle architects are pictured here, some with spouses. In the foreground of the picture, left to right, are Si Nelson, Percy Ball, Rod O'Hiser, Marshall Perrow, James Wilson and future mayor Gordon Johnston. Seated on the right side of the room, directly under the palm tree wall decoration are Hubert and Betty Bisson. Mr. Bisson was an architect, and later associate, for the well-known Tacoma firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards. Mr. Bisson worked for them for over 20 years until his death in 1971. He designed many of Tacoma's banks and schools for the firm. (for more detailed name information, please see name chart accompanying picture in Richards files) (Additional information provided by a reader)

American Institute of Architects, Southwest Washington Chapter (Tacoma); Architects; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bisson, Hubert; Bisson, Betty; Johnston, Gordon N.; Nelson, Silas E.; Ball, Percy G.; O'Hiser, Rod; Perrow, Marshall; Wilson, James;

Group portrait taken at the Sportsmen's Club of Tacoma for the Tacoma Times, circa April of 1939. The club was located in the Wright Building at 902-04 Pacific Ave. The Sportsmen's Association purchased the entire building in 1942. (filed with Argentum)

Sportsmens Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Group portrait taken at the Sportsmen's Club of Tacoma for the Tacoma Times, circa April of 1939. The club was located in the Wright Building at 902-04 Pacific Ave. The Sportsmen's Association purchased the entire building in 1942. (filed with Argentum)

Sportsmens Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Rhododendron Society held their sixth annual flower show May 8-9, 1954, in Normanna Hall. The public was invited to attend at no charge. The University of Washington Arboretum sent plants to display as well as the U.S. government's Ballard Canal Locks. The offerings from Tacoma growers included those plants grown specially in greenhouses. View taken of stage at Normanna Hall; stage is covered with rhodys with Maypole in center. Example of rockery with flowering plants can also be seen facing stage. (TNT 5-6-54, A-7)

Tacoma Rhododendron Society (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Flowers--Tacoma;

May was a prime month for rhododendrons. The Tacoma Chapter, American Rhododendron Society held their sixth annual flower show on May 15-16, 1954, in the Bank of California lobby. Exhibitors were concerned that an early May 1st frost had damaged the supply of rhododendrons but the more than 100 varieties entered eased their fears. As in previous years, the bank lobby was landscaped with specimen plants as the background for entry exhibits; view of lobby filled with rhododendrons. This year it was decided that the flower show would be noncompetitive and no prizes awarded. (TNT 5-12-54, B-1, TNT 5-16-54, A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

A beautiful selection by A.R. Hieneman of Milton was just one of the many entries in the sixth annual rhododendron show sponsored by the Tacoma Chapter, American Rhododendron Society in May, 1954. The more than 100 varieties of rhododendrons displayed in the Bank of California lobby on Pacific Avenue attracted thousands of interested flower aficionados. There were also azaleas and a waterfall in the natural woodland setting. Carl P. Skoog was listed as the staging chairman. (TNT 5-12-54, B-1, TNT 5-16-54, A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma;

The sixth annual rhododendron flower show sponsored by the Tacoma Chapter, American Rhododendron Society was expected to attract more than 6000 individuals during its two day run in the Bank of California lobby in May, 1954. There were more than one hundred varieties of rhododendrons on display, many in tall planters, along with azaleas and a waterfall in a natural woodland setting. The colors of the flowers ranged from scarlet to deep white, soft yellows and gentle pinks. Rhododendrons ranged in size from twelve feet high to mere inches off the ground. Local growers were proud to exhibit their prize specimens although it was decided this year that the show would be noncompetitive in nature. 9TNT 5-12-54, B-1, TNT 5-16-54, A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma

Dinner honoring Nancy Hewitt at University Union Club on June 26, 1939. Party was probably in honor of her upcoming marriage on June 28, 1939. (filed with Argentum)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hewitt, Nancy;

Photograph taken on July 12, 1939 of a Cooney Transfer and Storage Co. flatbed truck in front of Titus Motor Company, decorated for the Rainbow Girls Parade. Ten girls with " Yakima Assembly No. 1" banner posed on and around the truck. A decoration labelled "Fountain of Youth" was also featured on the truck. [Also dated 07-13-1939] (filed with Argentum)

Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainbow Girls (Yakima); Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford trucks; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

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);

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;

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;

On October 11, 1939, the fall meeting of the Pierce County Pioneer and Historical Society was held at the Steilacoom Town Hall. Members are dressed in period costumes, ca. 1880, saved in trunks from their ancestors. Steilacoom is historically important to Pierce County, being the first shipping port on the upper Puget Sound, the location of the first territorial court, the first Protestant Church north of the Columbia River, first area north of the Columbia to incorporate as a town and the home to the first public library. (T. Times 10/12/1939, pg. 12)

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

Bank of California; Rhododendron display in lobby. The Tacoma chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presented its 7th annual Rhododendron Show in the lobby of the Bank of California May 21-22, 1955. The show was free of charge and open to the public. For the show, the lobby was transformed into a Spring garden with evergreens disguising the tellers' cages and forming a backdrop for the colorful display of hybrid and specie rhododendrons. Statues adorned this flower "island" in the center of the lobby and another corner was transformed into a patio garden with a pool with running water. Exhibits were featured by the University of Washington Arboretum, Portland and Seattle chapters of the national organization, Northwest growers and local members. Attendance in 1955 was larger than ever before. (TNT 5/19/1955, pg. A-6 & 5/22/1955, pg A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1939. Ladies musical club taken at YWCA - about 50 ladies on stage with man in center holding book. Book on music stand open.

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1940. Dormitory, chapel, combination dining room and kitchen at Tacoma Rescue Mission - group of people in chairs, speaker at podium. Photograph is circa 1940. TPL-9084

Tacoma Rescue Mission (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In January of 1940, nine men were photographed while looking over the dormitory in the new Tacoma Rescue Mission at 1510-12 Pacific Avenue. The Tacoma Rescue Mission provided clean beds in a wholesome, Christian surrounding to transient and homeless men, most referred by the Pierce County hospital, the welfare office or the Police Department. The Mission's "new" building had previously been a tavern and small two story hotel. The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel was built on the site where the Rescue Mission used to stand. (T. Times 2/27/1941, pg. 13) TPL-9085

Tacoma Rescue Mission (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma;

These 60+ Eagle Scouts and adult leaders met at the First United Presbyterian Church (now Trinity Presbyterian Church) on January 30, 1940 to take the first step in organizing the former 15,000 Boy Scouts of America who had called the Tacoma area home into an alumni group. It had been decided that the Eagle Scouts, the highest ranking in scouting, would be the first group formed in the new alumni organization. Among those attending were four sets of brothers who were all Eagle Scouts: Mike & Pat Brendel, Bill & Charles Rohrs, Dick & Frank Clinton and Harold & Don Foster. The Tacoma Area Council of Boy Scouts were formed about 1918 although a few troops had been organized in earlier years. (T.Times 1-31-1940, p.3- article & photo of the four sets of brothers)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Eagle Scouts (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;