High stepping drum majorettes posed next to the Brown and Haley float in the March 29, 1941 Daffodil Festival parade. A tin of their signature Almond Roca candy floated above a red, white and blue floral shield. Two unidentified young girls rode on the float. In the front, left to right, were Billie Diedrich, Betty Siegle, Betty Gunstrom, Joyce Siegle, Alice Cross and Joan Hoyt. (T. Times 3/29/1941, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Festivals--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Tacoma); Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Drum majorettes;Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A three star review, the largest since World War I, was held at Fort Lewis in honor of Lt. General John L. DeWitt, the West's only 3 star General. Lt. Gen. DeWitt, commanding general of the Fourth Army, was visiting the Fort from his Headquarters at the Presidio, San Francisco. Over 45,000 troops would pass in review, as well as tanks, a blimp, artillery with its pack mules and Cavalry. During the parade, ten bands comprised of 400 musicians played continuously for the 3-5 hours. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Musicians--Fort Lewis--1940-1950; Fort Lewis (Wash.); Marching bands;

The largest collection of military might since World War I was paraded on May 9, 1941 for the benefit of Lt. Gen. John L. DeWitt. Gen. DeWitt was the commanding officer of the 4th Army and the West's only three star General. In a parade that lasted over three hours, 45,000 troops passed in review with the 41st Division in the lead, followed by the 3rd Division, IX Corps, tanks, a blimp, and the always amusing Field Pack Artillery mules. Officers accompanied their units on horseback and the Cavalry brought up the rear of the parade. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Mules; Fort Lewis (Wash.); 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis);

On May 9, 1941, a large military review, the largest since World War I, was held at Fort Lewis for the benefit of Lt. General John L. DeWitt. Here, all terrain vehicles tow artillery mounted on trailers. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Lewis;

Fort Lewis arranged a 3-5 hour parade of military might on May 9, 1941 in honor of Lt. General John L. DeWitt, commanding general of the 4th Army. 45,000 troops would pass in review, as well as 5,000 mechanized units. In this picture, trucks pull artillery, with 10 soldiers riding in the back of each truck. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Lewis;

Pauline Martin, 18, was selected on February 28, 1941 to reign over the 1941 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival. Miss Martin, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Paul Martin of Sumner, was born in a log cabin on a Montana ranch 25 miles from Sidney. Her family moved to Sumner when she was two, and she graduated from Sumner High School. The photographers and other Daffodil Queen contestants in this photograph are not identified. (T. Times 3/1/1941 p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Sumner); Martin, Pauline; Photographers;

Pauline Martin, seated sixth from left, was selected as the 1941 Daffodil Festival Queen from this group of Sumner contestants. They are seated on stage at Sumner High School. L to R: Unidentified contestant, unidentified contestant, Ruth Carnahan, Myrtle Ramsey, Doris Lee, Queen Pauline Martin, Verna Blanchfield, Patty Riddell, Bonnie Moriarity, Jean Howe, Margaret Bowen. (T. Times, 03/01/1941, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Sumner); Martin, Pauline; Carnahan, Ruth; Ramsey, Myrtle; Lee, Doris; Blanchfield, Verna; Riddell, Patty; Moriarity, Bonnie; Howe, Jean; Bowen, Margaret;

Pauline Martin, age 18, born in a Montana log cabin, sits on stage with bouquets of daffodils after being named 1941 Daffodil Queen during pageant at Sumner High School. (T. Times, 3/1/1941, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Sumner); Martin, Pauline;

Review of troops at Fort Lewis for Governor Langlie. The new Governor of Washington would be reviewing the 3,200 selectees of the 3rd Division, accompanied by tanks and vehicles. The afternoon would be spent in close inspection of artillery.

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry);

Review of troops at Fort Lewis for Governor Langlie. A military band stands at rest while a dirigible flies overhead. The hills are covered with nearly a thousand seated spectators, present to view the show of military might. The 3rd Division, over 3,000 strong, would be parading for Washington's new Governor Langlie. The afternoon would be spent on close inspection of artillery and vehicles. (T. Times 3/6/1941, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Airships;

Tacoma Garden Club float in 1940 Daffodil Parade. This float took second place in Division 2, after the Central Labor Council entry. The truck bed was filled with a massive garden of blooming spring flowers and was skirted by golden daffodils. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum) (TNT 3-30-1940, p. 1-description of float)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1940 :Tacoma); Tacoma Garden Club (Tacoma);

Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. The parade honored Washington's admittance into the Union 50 years prior and travelled over part of the route of the first statehood celebration promenade in 1889. This parade float features a replica of the covered wagon that brought the first settlers to Tumwater, where the Columbia River branch of the Oregon Trail ended. Sign reads "The End of the Oregon Trail." The float is entered by Cub Scout Pack 5, sponsored by the Eastside Community Center. It is parked on a street with house in background. (T. Times 11/13/1939, pg. 9)

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

Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Firemen aboard horse-drawn fire engine, sign on side reads "1883." The Admission Day celebration in Olympia was patterned after the original inauguration of Governor Elisha P. Ferry. The two mile parade travelled over part of the route of that original statehood celebration. Ben's Service Station, Maxwell dealer, and houses in background.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Parades & processions--Olympia--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Olympia;

Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Since the date was both Admission and Armistice Day, the parade was a mixture of historical floats and pageantry plus a selection of military men and guns honoring the end of World War I. Soldiers are shown marching in formation in the parade with homes on a hill in the background. This Armistice Day in 1939 was particularly turbulent as Europe was already at war again and America appeared ready to follow. Several anti-war demonstrations were held on this date across the country. (T.Times 11/13/1939, pg 9)

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

Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Soldiers marching along wet street. Since this date was also Armistice Day, honoring the end of World War I, the parade included several contingents of marching men and weapons. This Armistice Day was bittersweet as Europe was already at war and America soon to follow.

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

Four men, bodies slathered with silver paint, rode atop the YMCA float during the Narrows Bridge/McChord Field Parade on July 1, 1940. Accompanied by a giant globe, they provided visions of brawny Atlas to the 60,000+ parade viewers. A photograph of the same quartet taken from ground level can be seen at D9944-25.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Young Men's Christian Association (Tacoma); Body painting--Tacoma;

On July 1, 1940, there was a parade in Tacoma to celebrate the openings of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. The most unusual float was that of Tacoma's YMCA, Phalanx Club. Four young men, their bodies silvered, rode on a float while holding up a large globe. Here are the men - minus the globe. Before the year's end, the bridge, which quickly became known as Galloping Gertie, had collapsed into the Narrows. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 3).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Young Men's Christian Association (Tacoma); Body painting--Tacoma;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Tacoma Public Utilities, Light Department float. City Light and its counterpart, Seattle City Light, both sponsored brilliantly lit floats featuring dams during the July 1, 1940, parade honoring the opening of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. Tacoma City Light's large float was sculpted with representations of the Olympic Mountains, Cushman Dam, and the Narrows Bridge. The small children on the float are fishing, skiing, hunting, and boating. The designated theme was "Gateway to the Olympics." (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public utility companies--Tacoma; Power plants;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade. A shiny delivery van pulls the Brown's floral company float with its "Say It With Flowers" sign during the massive July 1, 1940, parade honoring the opening of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. A young florist delivery boy sits on the automobile hood with a man, possibly the owner of the company, standing next to the van. Four women are seated on the float decorated with floral sprays. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brown's Conservatory of Flowers (Tacoma);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Brown Floral Company float. Four women seated among large baskets of floral sprays during the July 1, 1940, parade honoring the openings of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. The sight of beautifully decorated commercial floats from Brown's and Carsten's Packing drew enthusiastic responses from the massive throngs viewing the 1 1/2 hour parade. Brown's has been a longtime institution in Tacoma; it is still located at 4734 South Tacoma Way. (T. Times, 7-1-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brown's Conservatory of Flowers (Tacoma);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, July 1, 1940. Sponsored by the Peninsula community, and taking note of the 1940 presidential elections, an automobile festooned with flags, greenery and a portrait of President Roosevelt with caption "He gave us the bridge, he will protect it" injected a political aspect into the July 1, 1940, parade. A solemn "Uncle Sam" rests his hand on the stopped vehicle. The Republicans countered with a Wendell Willkie float of their own. Other signs include: "Watch the Peninsula Grow:" and "Rosedale." The massive parade was just one of the many celebratory events occuring June 29 - July 4 which honored the openings of the new (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. Others included the annual Y.M.B.C. water carnival, block parties, and a July 4th extravaganza at Stadium Bowl. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political campaigns; Signs (Notices); Flags;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, July 1, 1940. A variety of cars, trucks and floats took part in the 1940 celebratory parade for the new (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and opening of McChord Flying Field. View of automobile decorated as a float with crepe paper streamers for Skansie Brothers' Richfield Service; it was parked across the street from American Marble on Jefferson Avenue. A woman is seated on the car's fender.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Paper products--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade. Among the sixty or so floats in the July 1, 1940, parade commemorating the grand openings of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Flying Field, one of the most charming might have been the float bearing four children riding on playground equipment, a Merry-Go-Round float pulled by a sedan. The name of the company is partially obscured; the four children, all wearing hats, may belong to employees of the firm.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Amusement rides--Tacoma;

Knights of Pythias members ride on a float sponsored by the lodge's Pythian Sisters, Washington Temple No. 6 and Tacoma Temple No. 58, during the 1940 Narrows Bridge-McChord Field Parade. The men, who are outfitted in lodge regalia, pause for a Richards' photographer while waiting for the event to begin. To add a patriotic note, Uncle Sam hitched a ride on the float. Mention was made that one of the Knights lost his beard temporarily as the float passed in front of the reviewing stand. The event celebrated the opening of the first Narrows Bridge and the new U.S. Army Air Corps base. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Fraternal organizations; Knights of Pythias (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, July 1, 1940. Large group of men dressed as Native Americans with war paint. These representatives of the fraternal order "Improved Order of Redmen" marched in the celebratory parade, honoring the grand openings of the new (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the country's newest airbase, McChord Field. Crowds estimated from 60,000-100,000 watched the 1 1/2 hour parade as it wove its way through downtown Tacoma. The Order of the Redmen was founded in 1765 as the Sons of Liberty. It was a secret society dedicated to throwing off the bonds of English tyranny. After the revolution, it assumed its current name. The group is devoted to inspiring a greater love of the United States of America and the principles of American liberty. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Indians of North America--Tacoma; Headdresses; Drill teams--Tacoma; Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma); Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Old Tacoma Improvement Club float. Designed by Walt Sutter, the Old Tacoma Improvement Club float was possibly the most original of those entered in the July 1, 1940, celebratory parade. It featured a series of "firsts," replicas of Old Tacoma: first church (St. Peter's Church), first home (Job Carr cabin), first electric power plant, first shipment of lumber, first survey of Puget Sound, and the oldest bell tower in America. Tacoma was celebrating the grand openings of the (first) Narrows Bridge and the country's newest airbase, McChord Field. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Port Orchard float. One of two floats entered by Port Orchard in the July 1, 1940, parade depicting an aerial view of the "new" Port Orchard, "Proposed Improvement of Port Orchard's New Waterfront." The aerial view is similar to an architectural model. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade. Commercial floats like this one from the Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau were crowd favorites during the 1 1/2 hour parade through downtown Tacoma on July 1, 1940. Three women on the float peek out from decorated large hats. Tacomans probably saved their goofy and stylish hats from the Golden Jubilee celebration the previous year to wear them once again during the weeklong festivities. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Hats--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, July 1, 1940. Farm Maid Dairy Bar/Tacoma Milk Producers/KMO Radio float carrying a large group of young people on back of decorated truck. The children wave merrily to parade viewers as they and their streamer-bedecked truck pass by. The City of Tacoma threw on a huge celebration in honor of the opening of the first Narrows Bridge and the newest national airbase, McChord Flying Field. Crowds estimated between 60,000-100,000 viewed the 1 1/2 hour parade after the bridge dedication. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Gig Harbor - Peninsula float, July 1, 1940. Young women on evergreen-bedecked float with sign: "The Peninsula. Playground of the Northwest. Gig Harbor." Tennis and swimming were two of the activities profiled on the Gig Harbor float. There were over 60 floats entered in the July 1, 1940, parade commemorating the openings of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Flying Field. The Peninsula area was heavily represented with floats and other entries from the Gig Harbor, Key Center and Port Orchard communities. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;