A part of Tacoma's and our nation's past came rolling down Pacific Avenue on July 22, 1939, during the Golden Jubilee Parade. A man and woman dressed in vintage clothing drive a 1906 Model "N" Ford owned by Titus Ford. There is barely enough room for two. A sign on the Ford's roof reads, "50 Year Club." The driver of the car is Dick Frayne, superintendent of Titus Ford Service Department.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile; Frayne, Dick; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Float sponsor Centennial was also celebrating their golden anniversary, growing from one small mill in Spokane in July of 1889 to an employer of 700 in four major mills in Tacoma, Wenatchee, Ritzville and Spokane. "Farm girls" ride the float next to golden shocks of wheat. In the back, a barefoot boy with his overalls rolled up leans against a small house. Centennial was located on Schuster Parkway, next to Sperry Mills. It was destroyed by fire in January of 1947.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Centennial Flouring Mills Co. (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Old 1900 South End Transfer "Lock, McLean, Dean" wagon drawn by horses. A man with a moving picture camera on a tripod can be seen at the right hand side of the photograph.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carts & wagons--Tacoma; Horse teams--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Fisher Flouring Mills wishes Washington a special happy anniversary with this layered convection of a float, dotted with girls in white dresses. One girl is perched atop the cake while another is enthroned in the rear under a canopy. The float is colored white and decorated to look like frosting. Fisher Flouring Mills Co. was located at 1153 Dock St.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher Flouring Mills (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Old 1900 South End Transfer "Lock, McLean, Dean" wagon drawn by horses being loaded with "Paul Bunyon Loggers" signs for Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Richfield "Years Ahead" billboard in background.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carts & wagons--Tacoma; Horse teams--Tacoma;

This floral tribute, inhabited by young people performing various kinds of work, was contributed to the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade by the "National Youth Administration (NYA)." The program was a Works Progress Administration offshoot, heavily supported by Eleanor Roosevelt and intended to educate and start young people out in the workforce. Instituted in June of 1935, it covered youths ages 16-25. Those wishing to remain in school were given part-time jobs and those out of school were given on the job training. The program was abolished in 1943.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade, Tacoma City Light float, on July 22, 1939. The Arabian Nights themed float rolls past the photographer. The float featured a gilded youth as Aladdin, an electric lamp, four maidens in huge jars and a smoke machine. Spectators shield their heads from July sun with their Jubilee hats. (TNT 7-23-39, p. 1) TPL-5197

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade, Tacoma City Light float, on July 22, 1939. The theme of the City Light float was Arabian Nights. The float featured a gilded youth as Aladdin, an electric lamp, and four maidens in huge jars. Spectators stand several rows deep to watch the parade. (TNT 7-23-39, p. 1) TPL-5198

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade, Tacoma City Light float at Jefferson and Market Streets, on July 22, 1939. Theme of float was Arabian Nights. The float featured a gilded youth as Aladdin, an electric lamp, and four maidens in huge jars. Four spectators in foreground make themselves comfortable by sitting on wooden rounds at the edge of the wooden sidewalk and curb. (TNT 7-23-39, p. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This horse drawn wagon draped at the sides with evergreen boughs was entered in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade by the Defiance Lumber Co. The men on the platform are involved in some pioneer wood cutting techniques. In the center, one man hacks at the log with an axe, while another man sits atop cutting with a saw. A motorcycle with a side car rides along the side of the wagon. Defiance Lumber was located at 4601 Ruston Way . Lee L. Doud was president.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Defiance Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

This truck covered in red, white and blue bunting and awnings was entered by one of the many "Townsend Clubs" in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. The sign on the top promotes "The Townsend Plan for National Prosperity." A sign on the side reads "The Townsend Plan is the only Recovery Plan." Other signs promote "Townsend Plan gives our youth a chance" and "Work for Youth." Directly behind the cab of the truck ride several young women and under the awning ride several of the seniors that supported the Plan. The Plan was formulated in 1934 by Dr. Francis E. Townsend and called for a $200 a month pension for each retired person over the age of 60. The money had to be spent within that 30 days, insuring circulation of funds. It would be financed by a 2% federal sales tax. The Plan had a strong following among seniors, many who had their savings and retirement funds wiped out by the Depression. Although never adopted, the movement had a strong political base.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This horse drawn wagon loaded with pioneers was entered by the Pacific Match Co. in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. A sign on the side of the wagon reads" We don't make all the matches in the country... we just make the best of them." The sign on the front of the wagon identifies the driver as Mr. James E. Sales, born in 1853, the first white child born in Tacoma. He would have been 86 years old at the time of the parade. Pacific Match Co. was located at 3223 So. Union Ave.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Fisher's Flouring Mills, maker of Fisher Blend Flour, contributed this delectable layered float featuring a three layer anniversary cake, complete with candles, for Washington State's fifty years of "progress," 1889-1939. Several young women in long white dresses with puffed sleeves ride on the float. Fisher Flouring Mills Co. was located at 1153 Dock St.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher Flouring Mills (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Twenty of the counties in Washington State entered a float in the Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, held in Tacoma. This one was entered by Chelan County. It is a giant foil covered heart mounted on an oval float. Around the sides of the float are placards with the cities in Chelan county listed. (T. Times 7/24/1939, pg. 3)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Construction Council of Tacoma entered this float in the Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. The float bears a model of what is possibly the Exposition Hall, 1616-32 E. 26th, opened in 1940. The wording over the door of the model says simply "Washington." The driver's head and steering wheel can be seen directly in front of the model. The parade was celebrating fifty years of Washington statehood. Several people can be seen in the crowd wearing their "Jubilee Hats."

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This float in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade is labelled simply "Viking." The parade was in celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. A floral Viking boat in full sail motors down the parade route, ridden by a maiden in formal dress carrying a sword and a pike.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade, Carsten's Packing Company float, on July 22, 1939. Man is holding huge carving knife in front of a model of large ham; little girls are sitting on float. Old Chamber of Commerce Building on Pacific Avenue in background.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);

Shaub-Ellison Co., dealers for Goodyear tires, entered this float in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. The parade was celebrating the fifty year anniversary of Washington's statehood. A little girl rides in front holding an oar in one hand and waving with the other. In the back is a large Goodyear tire with a child riding inside. Shaub-Ellison was located at 1902 Pacific Ave. In 1939, the company was owned by Roe E. Shaub and Charles Ellison Jr.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaub-Ellison Co. (Tacoma);

This float celebrating the Narrows Bridge, under construction at this time, was prepared for the Washington Golden Jubilee Parade, July 22, 1939, by Pierce County. Model of bridge, driver in 10 gallon hat, man in Native garb and headdress smoking a "peace pipe" and woman in swimwear. Spectators watch from curb and from windows of Luzon and Baker Buildings at 13th and Pacific. Thousands of Tacomans lined the street and buildings of downtown Tacoma to view the three-hour parade. Crowd was estimated at 100,000. (T. Times 7/24/1939, pg. 3)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A replica of the Narrows Bridge dominates this float entered by Pierce County in the Golden Jubilee Parade, held July 22, 1939 to celebrate 50 years of Washington's statehood. The bridge would connect Tacoma with the remainder of Pierce County lying on the Olympic Peninsula. Two people sit in chairs alongside the bridge, a native American in full headdress in front and a bathing beauty behind. The first Narrows Bridge, later infamous as the "Galloping Gertie," was opened to traffic July 1, 1940. It was destroyed in a windstorm just over four months later in November of 1940. TPL-6195 (T. Times 7/24/1939, pg. 3)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Suspension Bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Griffin Fuel Co., founded in 1889 by Fred Griffin, participates with a horse drawn wagon decked with a flag and bunting. The wagon also has a sign stating "There's no fuel like an old fuel." The company located at 1910-30 Commerce was also celebrating their fifty year anniversary in the fuel business.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. This float, created by KVI Broadcasting, takes a nostalgic look back to the time when the "news" consisted of two women visiting over their backyard fence. The structure on the float is "Ye Olde Woode Shedde."

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association (DFPA) submitted this float to the parade, extolling the use of plywood as a building material. The float is littered with replicas of buildings built of plywood. One of the swimsuit models sits close to the edge of the float, her foot resting on a side extension. The invention of plywood, several layers of wood bonded together, revolutionized the construction industry. The DFPA was a joint organization, composed of plywood manufacturers and dealers, that promoted the use of plywood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Entered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association (DFPA,) this float promotes the use of plywood, "modern miracle in wood," all over the world. The front is a warren of buildings all built of plywood, including a boat on the water. The buildings are followed by three young women sitting in front of a globe. This is perhaps the last float in the parade as the people in the crowd appear to be turning around and leaving. Someone, maybe a photographer, crosses the street carrying a ladder behind the float.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Our neighbor to the north, King County, entered this float in the parade promoting the county as America's Playground. Pictured at the front of the float are two women pilots, followed by a beauty queen, boaters, tennis players, a singer and a marksman in dark clothes.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. The "Swiss Colony" entered this float in the parade. Its floral decorations include replicas of the United States and the Swiss flag on the front. A model of the Alps takes up most of the float. Two accordion players and several people in native costumes populate the float. It is accompanied by four girls in Swiss outfits walking beside the float. The crowd along the parade route, several people deep, can be seen in the background. The front row sits in chairs, while those in back stand or perch on the buildings for a better view.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. A "beary" interesting truck, offered by Buck & Bowers Tire & Oil Co., appears to be pulling a miniature truck, entered by Cavanaugh Lumber. The front truck has a bare tree in the back bed, in which a person in a bear suit with a bear mask is sitting. A bear's head also adorns the hood. A large banner on the side of the truck "We're bears for service." The miniature truck is labelled Cavanaugh Lumber, "Cavanaugh has a plan!" Buck & Bowers was located at 114 Puyallup Ave. They were the distributors of Dayton automobile tires, sunset gasoline, automobile accessories and farm equipment. Parker J. Buck was president. Cavanaugh Lumber Co. was located at 1423 Puyallup Ave. Cecil C. Cavanaugh was the owner. They sold lumber, building materials, paints, and builders' hardware.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cavanaugh Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Buck & Bowers Tire & Oil Co. (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Man standing by flatbed truck bearing display for Tacoma Building & Construction Trades Council float, "Build! Put Our Men To Work." Display is a frame constructed building. The parade entry is parked near Wright's Park at Division and Yakima.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Building & Construction Trades Council (Tacoma);

Close-up of "Miners of '89" float entered in the 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade that celebrated the state's 50th anniversary. The float, a replica of Mount Tacoma (Rainier), was sponsored by the Negro Citizens of Tacoma. At least one "miner," with ax, is riding at the rear of the float. See D8652, image 17, for a general view of the float and spectators.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, to celebrate Washington's fifty years of statehood. "Miners of '89" float, sponsored by Negro Citizens of Tacoma, features a model of Mount Rainier; this was one of the 60+ floats entered in the parade. Flag on street light reads "Northwest Army Center." Movie camerman working near center of street opposite review stand on 12th and Pacific Avenue.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flags;