Soldiers and female volunteers, wearing "hostess" ribbons, gather around the piano on March 10, 1951 for a song fest at the United Churches Service Center, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The young lady atop the piano sings loud and clear as she wears a borrowed serviceman's hat. The center offered recreational services for soldiers stationed in the Tacoma area.

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Pianos; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma); Korean War, 1950-1953--Social aspects--Tacoma; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel;

Members of the Radio Club of Tacoma, Inc. The Tacoma Club was one of the oldest radio clubs in the US, having been organized and in continuous operation for more than 35 years.The Club was relied on heavily by the Communications Division of Civil Defense and expected to facilitate communication in the case of an emergency. The Club members were fully trained and licensed amateur radio operators. The Club owned its own equipment consisting of two complete transmitting and receiving stations, one used for Civil Defense emergencies and one for Red Cross emergencies. In addition, they owned four auxiliary lighting units for nighttime emergencies and 15 members had mobile communication units in their cars. The emergency frequency band used by the Club was monitored 18 hours a day by Mrs. Irma Aufang. The constant monitoring was made possible by a "squelch" receiver, developed by Max Bice and Dick Engh- engineers at KTNT. The receiver remained silent unless activated by the "squelch" receiver signal initiated by an emergency. Members are- back row, left to right: Ernest Ripola, Roy Devigh, Sid Sowers, Engh, Dale Cook, Alex Braidwood, President of the Club, Richard McDonald & Art Paul. Row behind transmitters: Ray Estep, Bruce Ross, Dr. F.C.J. Spike, Charles Emigh & Walt King. Seated: Mrs. Aufang. In front of transmitters: Charles Aufang, Tacoma Emergency Co-ordinator, Bice, Cliff Osborne, Jr., Gene Dodge & Ralph Upright. (TNT 4/29/1951, pg. A-19)

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Radio Club of Tacoma, Inc. (Tacoma); Aufang, Irma; Bice, Max; Engh, Dick; Braidwood, Alex; Aufang, Charles;

Intersection at Ft. Lewis for Farmers Insurance. In the center of the picture is the Red Cross field office. To the left of the field office is the Post Exchange. A sign in front of the field office points to the left, the direction of the Reserve Headquarters.

Military camps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

A volunteer offers advice during the servicemen's game of checkers at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The center, under the direction of Rev. Loyal H. Vickers, was in its seventh year of operation and provided recreation for about 12,000 persons a month. In addition to recreation, the center also offered religious instruction for the young people of Tacoma. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Checkers; Board games;

The 1,050 students at Jason Lee School in 1943 became personally involved in supporting the war effort. Many worked a 4-hour shift after school in local factories and shops to raise money for war bonds and stamps. From the start of the school year in September to April of 1943 when this photo was taken, the Jason Lee students bought over $4,400 in war bonds. This is the fifth jeep they helped buy for Uncle Sam. (T.Times, 4/19/1943, p.14; TNT 4/19/1943, pg.4)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jeep automobile;

Washington National Guard had just received 155mm howitzers, cannons and other large firing weapons, from the government. Guardsmen would receive training on how to use the new equipment at Camp Murray. The weapons would be used by the National Guard in future maneuvers. View of two Guardsmen inspecting the newly arrived four barreled firing weapon (T. Times, 10/9/47, p. 2).

Militias; Artillery (Weaponry)--Tacoma; Artillery (Troops)--Tacoma; Arms & armament--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

The interior of one of the kitchens at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Sinks are set below the windows along the far wall. The floor is covered with tile for ease of cleaning. Metal counters and stacked baking pans are seen to the right of center.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The interior of one of the kitchens at the Veterans Administration Hospital located in a quonset-style building. Refrigerators stand against the left wall with boxes of straws sitting on top. A worktable and stove stand in the middle of the room. A row of spice boxes are seen along the right edge of the work table. Dish washing equipment lines the right wall. Storage areas have been provided in the back for utensils and canned goods.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

An interior view at the Veterans Administration Hospital at American Lake showing two gurneys against the windows, a folding screen at the left and a few other pieces of hospital equipment. TPL-10388

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Medical equipment & supplies;

A snack bar was included in the Canteen at Veteran's Administration Hospital. A soda fountain and hospital store are seen off a central hallway through the quanset-hut style building. The reflective, curved ceiling material was joined by numerous connections. TPL-8215

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood; Snack bars--Lakewood; Soda fountains--Lakewood;

Two workmen are installing steel rebar in the plywood forms for the reinforced concrete walls for the new barracks at Fort Lewis. The reinforcing steel came from Bethlehem Steel. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

At least three new barracks are under construction for the new regimental areas at Fort Lewis. This view shows three barracks buildings, a crane and the several smaller buildings and automobiles scattered around the work site. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. TPL-10393

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

A portrait of a young soldier in his US Army uniform taken at the Post Studios.

Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel; Military uniforms--United States; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Marymount Military Academy, new east wing extension to grounds. Marymount, the only military school in the state of Washington, was located south of Tacoma and conducted by the Dominican Sisters. The Dominican Sisters, a teaching order, purchased "Shangarry," the 97 acre country estate of the late J. Shields, in 1920. Ground was broken on 7/1/1922 for a modern $200,000 Catholic school for boys. Architects Lundberg & Mahon of Tacoma contributed the plans. The school was dedicated in May of 1923 and the central building officially named St. Edwards Hall, Marymount. It replaced the Dominican St. Edwards Hall for Boys in Tacoma, which opened in 1907.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

A small vehicle, resembling a jeep, is parked inside the Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot on November 2, 1954. This possibly could be a paint spray booth located within a warehouse on Fort Lewis. Hoses are attached to the sides of the booth which has doors that close. Photograph ordered by Sprayking, Inc., Los Angeles.

Sprayking, Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.); Military vehicles--Fort Lewis;

Officers of the dirigible USS Shenandoah stand in front of the mooring mast at Camp Lewis in October, 1924. The Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built on US soil. It was first airborne in September of 1922, one of a proposed fleet of German Zeppelin-like lighter than air craft. It came to a tragic end in September of 1925 when it broke apart during a thunderstorm, killing 14.

Military air pilots; Airships; Mooring masts;

Officers and crew of the dirigible "Shenandoah" pose in front of the mooring mast at Camp Lewis in October of 1924. The mooring mast was constructed by the Navy for this two day visit. The Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built in America. Commissioned by the Navy, it was a copy of the German Zeppelin that so impressed our military in World War 1. The Shenandoah was first airborne in 1922. It came to a tragic end in September of 1925 when it broke apart in a thunderstorm with 43 persons aboard, killing 14.

Military air pilots; Airships; Mooring masts;

This photocopy of Battery "D", 10th Field Artillery's 12-gun salute to Charles Lindbergh was made on September 15, 1927, the day after Col. Lindbergh's pass over Fort Lewis's parade grounds occurred. It is almost identical to Boland B17378 but with the identification and date absent. Charles Lindbergh was traveling through the country promoting aviation. His pioneer non-stop solo voyage across the Atlantic to France was met with tremendous awe and admiration and the boyish aviator's photographs and activities drew much press. G69.1-129 (see also G67.1-124)

Cannons--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Lewis; Airplanes--Fort Lewis; Lindbergh, Charles--Associated objects;

Main gates of Fort Lewis. The gates were built in 1917 using field stone and squared logs and paid for by a subscription fund set up by the employees who constructed the main buildings of (then) Camp Lewis. The cost was $4000. Camp Lewis was designated as a permanent Army post and officially became Fort Lewis in September of 1927. G69.1-159 TPL-10315

Gates--Fort Lewis; Military facilities--Wash.; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Photograph of the 1935 Army Day Parade on 2nd Avenue, Seattle. Crowds of people watch army trucks roll by. The buildings in the background including the National Cash Register Co. at 1919 2nd Ave. TPL-7105

Military parades--Seattle--1930-1940; Military vehicles--Seattle--1930-1940; National Cash Register Co. (Seattle);

Around 1922, Marvin Boland took this photograph of the main gate and entrance to Camp Lewis (now Fort Lewis). The gate was erected toward the end of the year in 1917 and paid for by a subscription fund set up by the employees who constructed the main buildings at the Camp. In 1917, Pierce County donated 70,000 acres to the federal government for the establishment of a military base. Construction began July 5, 1917 and in the span of 90 days, 10,000 men built 1,757 buildings and 422 other structures. They installed lighting, plumbing and heating and started on streets, roads and railway spurs. They were so proud of their work that when the construction was completed, the workers subscribed $4,000 to build the main gate. The gate is still standing, although was moved from its original location due to the construction of Highway I-5. TPL-7070 (www.lewis.army.mil)

Camp Lewis (Wash.); Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This photograph of the 6th Engineers, 1st Battalion barracks at Fort Lewis is nearly the same as Boland B24356 with the added entry of Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma) and woods. The original photograph was taken on December 29, 1931; this photograph, taken slightly closer to the barracks, was snapped on January 23, 1932.

Barracks--Fort Lewis; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Exterior view of the Fort Lewis Hospital as seen on February 9, 1932. This is the same photograph as Boland B24470 except for the addition of Mount Rainier (then called Mount Tacoma by locals). New permanent brick buildings like this hospital continued to be built in the early 1930s at Fort Lewis to replace the WWl-era wooden structures.

Hospitals--Fort Lewis; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Ground was broken on July 1, 1922 for a modern $200,000 Catholic boys school by the Dominican Sisters on the grounds of the 97 acre country estate of the late J. Shields, "Shangarry." The completed school, Marymount Military Academy (photographed here in 1937), was located in what is now Spanaway. It was a spacious two story structure of five buildings in the Lombardine Mission style. The school housed a modern gym, pool and infirmary as well as surrounding playing fields, stables, tennis courts and shooting ranges. It was the only military school in the state of Washington. In 1974, the school dropped its military appellation and became a boarding school for wealthy families. It closed in 1976. The property was purchased in the 1980's by Harold LeMay, who used much of it to house his antique car collection.

On March 12, 1924, Maj. General Edwin Burr Babbitt and his new bride, the former Miss Maud Ainsworth of Portland, returned from their two week honeymoon in Southern California to their newly remodeled home at Camp Lewis. Gen. Babbitt was Camp Commander and during his absence for his wedding and honeymoon, his grim and neglected bachelor quarters had been transformed into this neat, if unpretentious, home. The crowning glory was the bulb garden in front, planned by Gen. Babbitt for his new bride. (TNT 3/13/1924, pg. 11) G69.1-160 TPL-10313

Camp Lewis (Wash.); Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930; Babbitt, Edwin Burr--Homes & haunts;

Mounted artillery in semi-circle, probably at Camp Lewis. The Great War was over but this shining array of military might provided a reassuring sight for soldiers and civilians alike. G69.1-166

Artillery (Weaponry);

Unidentified building at Camp Murray as photographed in June of 1921. Railroad tracks located close by would make transporting men and equipment easier. Camp Murray was the home of the Washington National Guard and was located near American Lake. TPL-6466; G77.1-012

Camp Murray (Wash.); Railroad tracks--Camp Murray;

Arsenal at Camp Murray. The Arsenal was built on the grounds of Camp Murray in 1915 and nearly a hundred years later, is now the museum of the Washington National Guard. Here historical artifacts are collected and preserved to inspire and educate past and present Guardsmen and citizens alike. TPL-6467; G77.1-010

Camp Murray (Wash.); Arsenal (Camp Murray);

On February 24, 1922, ten Army personnel stood in front of a large truck which contained a wireless telephone and radio system with Magnavox speakers. A sign on the truck indicates that it belongs to the "Rock of the Marne Division," a nickname for the famed 3rd Infantry Division. The men and vehicle were at Camp Lewis. Army officers had planned back in November of 1921 to obtain a receiver and amplifier for radio concerts and were testing this process through Magnavox. By early February of 1922 Camp Lewis was able to hear music and daily news from San Francisco and weather reports from ships far out at sea. Arrangements would be made to transmit the music of the Camp Lewis military bands through space to areas far away. G69.1-164 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-31-21, A-12-article; TNT 2-1-22, p. 1-article) TPL-10311

Military personnel--Camp Lewis; Trucks--Camp Lewis; Signs (Notices);

Camp Lewis' 44th Infantry was noted for its fine athletes. Their tug-of-war team, under the direction of athletic officer Capt. Booth, had defeated teams from the Navy, Marines and the Bremerton Naval Shipyard in recent contests. In August of 1918 the 44th Infantry tug-of-war team posed with one of their many trophies. The shiny trophy is displayed on a large, thick coil of rope. Camp Lewis was host to a big track and field meet August 21-22nd, 1918. Although tug-of-war was be one of the events in competition, the outcome was not published in the News Tribune. The 44th Infantry was, however, the top point holder at the end of the meet with 59 points overall. (TNT 8-6-18, p. 11-article; TNT 8-22-18, p. 11-article) G69.1-156

Soldiers--Camp Lewis; Awards; Tug of war; Ropes;