Fleet Week, July 5 through 11, 1938, Tacoma. Sailors help civilians up the gangplank of a battleship for a tour. During Fleet Week, the citizenry was invited to come out and see out their defense dollars were being spent. In 1938, the USS California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland dropped anchor in Commencement Bay to visit Tacoma and have Tacoma visit them.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Battleships--1930-1940; Gangplanks; Military personnel--Sailors--1930-1940;

Fleet Week, July 5 through 11, 1938. Sailor playing accordion to a group of four young girls. During Fleet Week, Tacoma played host to 5200 officers and men of the visiting battleships, the USS California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. In return, the Navy thrilled Tacoma with a military parade, boat races and nighttime searchlight displays.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military personnel--Sailors--1930-1940; Accordions;

Fleet Week, July 5 through 11, 1938, Tacoma. "Aye, Aye, Sir." Two women in sailor hats request to come aboard on one of the many tours of US battleships docked in Tacoma for Fleet Week.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military personnel--Sailors--1930-1940; Battleships--1930-1940;

Navy Ball held July 6, 1938 during Fleet Week in the Crystal Ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. Rear Admiral A. E. Watson, left, and Navy Captain wearing military tuxedo with gold braid draped on left shoulder. (T. Times, 7/9/1938, p. 9).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military officers--1930-1940; Watson, A.E.; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Children shout and wave as contestants compete in the first annual Times Bicycle Contest. The event began at Jefferson Park at No. Ninth St. and Monroe St. with District No. 1 primaries. Three primaries concluded with an All-City meet at Stadium Bowl. (T.Times, 7/29/1938, p.16)

Events--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma; Jefferson Park (Tacoma);

The first annual bicycle contest started July 28, 1938. Entrants from Jefferson Park, North 9th and Monroe streets, competed in the District No. 1 primaries. Crowd of children with arms raised, cheering bicycle racers. The winners would compete in the main races on August 5th. (T. Times, 7/29/1938, p.1;16).

Events--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma; Jefferson Park (Tacoma);

The first annual Times Bicycle Contest started at Jefferson Park, No. 9th and Monroe Streets, with District 1 preliminaries. The strenuous obstacle course competition included lifting bicycles over wooden barricades placed on the course. Neighborhood houses in background.(T. Times, 7/29/1938, pp.1;16)

Events--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma; Jefferson Park (Tacoma); Children riding bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma;

Twelve men and five women pose at the corner of a table with a trophy on the table in front of them. The group, most of whom are employed by the Metropolitan Park District, are at a banquet celebrating the success of the First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade, jointly sponsored by the Park Recreation Dept. of Metropolitan Parks and the Tacoma Times.

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);

On November 21, 1938, Charles and Marian Bedford celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary with 200 friends and relatives at their home. They lived at 3718 South M Street. They were married November 21, 1888, in Minneapolis and came to Tacoma in 1899. (T. Times, 11/26/1938, p. 9)

Anniversaries; Bedford, Charles; Bedford, Marian;

On November 21, 1938, Charles and Marian Bedford celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with 200 friends and relatives at their home. They lived at 3718 South M Street. They were married November 21, 1888, in Minneapolis and came to Tacoma in 1899. (T. Times, 11/26/1938, p. 9)

Anniversaries; Bedford, Charles; Bedford, Marian;

1938 Lumbermen's Banquet c/o Ike Johnson. Two unidentified men holding engraved silver tray.

Banquets--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Trays;

Lumbermen's Banquet c/o Ike Johnson. Two men appear to be exchanging a gavel during the Lumbermen's banquet on December 22, 1938. Exchanging gavels is often representative of offices being relinquished.

Banquets--1930-1940; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gavels;

ca. 1939. Football banquet given Stadium athletes by Active Club circa 1939. Large group of men and teens around tables looking to the right while possibly watching a film. Two large arched windows and potted tree in background. (T. Times, Sports)

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Active Club (Tacoma);

First annual banquet honoring retired Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad employees. Banquet held at the Walker Apts. January 7, 1939.

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co.--Retirements; Walker Apartments (Tacoma);

International flavor Military Reserve Officers Ball, sponsored by the Tacoma chapter of the Reserve Officers Association February 18, 1939 at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom. Army, Navy and Marine officers from Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and nearby cities, as well as officers of the famed Seaforth Highlanders of British Columbia, dance with their partners under row of flags representing the two countries and their various regiments. Over 500 persons were expected to attend the dance. Canada was represented by officers of the Irish Fusiliers and British Columbia Hussars, as well as the Highlanders in their bright plaids. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1930-1940;

International-style Military Ball held February 18, 1939 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. Military officers and wives or guests converse under the guard of three men in uniform, perhaps the Color Guard. Elaborate wallcoverings in background. Over 500 persons attended the ball hosted by the Tacoma chapter of the Reserve Officers Association. The officers represented every military branch in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia and surrounding cities. Guests from Canada included 55 officers from the famed Seaforth Highlanders as well as the Irish Fusiliers and the British Columbia Hussars. The color guard was drawn from Ft. Lewis and the National Guard. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p.1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military uniforms;

International-style Military Ball, held February 18, 1939 at the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Sue Devlin, of Tacoma, and Elsie Lough, of Vancouver, entertain surrounding officers from their perches on chairs. Admirers, left to right, are Robert Sconce of Tacoma, Capt. Graeme Gibson of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, Col. A.W. McMorris of Tacoma and Lt. Fowles of Olympia, liaison officer for the 248th Coast Artillery. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Devlin, Sue; Gibson, Graeme; Lough, Elsie; McMorris, A.W.; Sconce, Robert E.;

An International-style Reserve Officers Military Ball was held on February 18, 1939, at the Crystal Ballroom in the Hotel Winthrop with over 500 people in attendance. Members of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders from Vancouver, British Columbia, performed a highlander's dance for officers from Washington State. Elsie Lough of Vancouver is pictured dancing with a man dressed in the bright MacKenzie tartan kilt of the Highlanders. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1-article)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Lough, Elsie;

International-style Reserves Officers Military Ball, held February 18, 1939 at the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. Miss Elsie Lough, of Vancouver, holds court from atop a chair, teasing the officers surrounding her. Enjoying her witty repartee are, left to right, Lt. Fowles of Olympia, liaison officer of the 248th Coast Artillery, Miss Sue Devlin of Tacoma, Capt. Graeme Gibson (dressed in MacKenzie tartan kilts) of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, Col. A. W. McMorris of Tacoma, and Robert Sconce. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Devlin, Sue; Gibson, Graeme; Lough, Elsie; McMorris, A.W.; Sconce, Robert E.;

Reserve Officers International Military Ball held February 18, 1939 at the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Major Harold E. Snider, of Vancouver, B.C., dressed in kilts, and wife as well as Mrs. Nelson Lynde and Colonel A. W. Melchoir, of the Tacoma Reserve Officers group, are shown arriving at Winthrop Hotel for the dance. The ball was to be attended by regular and reserve officers of all military branches in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia and surrounding cities, as well as select Canadian regiments. Canada was sending officer representatives of the Seaforth Highlanders, British Columbia Hussars and Irish Fusiliers. All of the officers were resplendent in their elaborate dress uniforms. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Snider, Harold--Family; Melchoir, A.W.; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Singing their hearts out is the Sibelian Male Chorus under the direction of Fritz Berntsen.Tacoma's most famous, and most nattily dressed, men's choral association was about to embark on a concert tour. They would be spreading the news of Tacoma's upcoming Golden Jubilee celebration across the state. (T.Times, 4/14/1939, p. 2- caption includes names)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Berntsen, Fritz; Singers; Choirs (Music);

Sibelian Male Chorus under direction of Fritz Berntsen will sing at 1939 Golden Jubilee events. Chorus line in shape of "S;" director Fritz Berntsen in full evening dress on left. Singers names listed in Times includes three Berntsens, Henry, Val, and Fritz. (T.Times, 4/14/1939, p. 2)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Berntsen, Fritz; Berntsen, Henry; Berntsen, Val; Singers; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940;

Conductor Fritz Berntsen leads his Sibelian Male Chorus in a song in preparation for their upcoming statewide tour during the spring of 1939. The tuxedo-garbed choir would be publicizing Tacoma's Golden Jubilee celebration.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Sibelian Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Singers; Berntsen, Fritz; Tuxedoes; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Easter Sunday at the churches. Seated congregation in a unidentified church building with curved, wooden beams. Small altar alcove decorated with Easter flowers. This photograph was one of several taken on April 9, 1939, at various churches in the Tacoma area.

Easter--Tacoma; Churches--Tacoma--1930-1940; Religious services--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Easter Sunday at the churches in 1939. Congregation members gather on the steps and sidewalk beside their church. The church was not identified but believed to be in Tacoma.

Easter--Tacoma; Churches--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In April of 1939 the newspaper graphologist Andrienne analysed Harry P. Cain's handwriting for her column in the Tacoma Times. At the time Mr. Cain was festival director for Tacoma's celebration of the Washington Golden Jubilee. She saw in his handwriting a person with "unusual ability and dynamic force." Readers of the Times could have their handwriting analyzed for a mere dime by filling out a coupon. Harry P. Cain went on to became Tacoma's mayor the following year and after WWII he was elected U.S. Senator. (T.Times, 4-21-39, p.3)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Offices--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fortune telling--Tacoma; Writing--Tacoma; Andrienne;

Civic leader Harry P. Cain with famous handwriting analyst Andrienne at the office of the Golden Jubilee Festival committee in April, 1939. Andrienne had some very kind words to say about Mr. Cain's character based on his handwriting. For a dime and a self-addressed envelope, she would analyze interested readers' writing on a Tacoma Times newspaper coupon. Mr. Cain was the general chairman of the Golden Jubilee festival which celebrated Washington's fifty years of statehood. The following year he would be elected mayor of Tacoma. (T.Times, ad, 4-11-39, p. 5, 4-21-39, p. 3) ALBUM 12.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Fortune telling--Tacoma; Andrienne;

The launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer 408, the U. S. S. Wilson, took place April 12, 1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton. At 90% complete, the vessel was 341-feet-long with 1725 tons displacement. It carried a complement of 9 officers and 175 men. It was commissioned July 5, 1939 and received eleven battle stars for service in World War II. After sustaining damage during the war, it was selected as a target during the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946. It was decommissioned in August of 1946 but remained afloat and was finally scuttled off Kwajelein in March of 1948. (T. Times, 4/13/39, p.20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer #408, the U. S. S. Wilson, on April 12, 1939. The ship was decorated with pennants and bunting and photographed at dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Ship launchings at the Navy yard differed from those at Tacoma Shipyards. The craft was built in a construction dock which was flooded for launching, much like a bathtub. The launching consisted of the gates being opened and the boat towed out into the Sound. The destroyer under construction in the background was almost entirely submerged during the ceremony. (T. Times 4/13/1939, p. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

The destroyer USS Wilson (#408) was launched April 12,1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. On hand for the launching were, left to right, Rear Admiral E. B. Fenner, Mrs. Fenner (sponsor), Governor Clarence Martin, Mrs. Arthur B. Langlie, Major General Walter C. Sweeney. Mrs. Sweeney, and Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie. The vessel was named after Seaman Charles Wilson, who was recognized for distinguished service in the Navy during the Civil War. (T.Times 4/13/1939, pg. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton);Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Seattle; Fenner, Edward B.; Sweeney, Walter C.;