Posed by the stage doors of the venerable Temple Theatre are the Maylon Players troupe in April, 1926. They were there to welcome a bowling team from Spokane. Tacoma was hosting the week-long North Western International Bowling Congress where a five-man team sponsored by Texaco Oil from Spokane would participate. The Maylon Players stock company would perform "Best People" written by Avery Hopwood at the Tacoma Theatre the following evening.

John MacKessy, 13, smiled for the camera from his stretcher during the trial run on December 24, 1929 for his big Christmas Day outing. It would be his first Christmas Day out of bed in three years. He and 125 other children were guests at a Christmas party on the USS Lexington, which was tied up at Baker Dock helping to supply electricity to Tacoma. The trip was supplied by the Tacoma Sciots, a Masonic social group, that took care of the boy. Pictured, left to right, were Maurice Raymond (club sec.), John G. Thorstenson (pres.), Chief of Police M.D. Guy and officer Dick Rodius who drove the boy. He was transported in a police paddy wagon. Young MacKessy suffered from inflammation in the bones of his feet, legs and hips and his family needed assistance to care for him properly. (TNT 12/24/1929, pg. 3)

Showing off her freckled face and bobbed hair, Margaret Wheeler posed serenely with a Lady Craig rose at the Tacoma Rose Show, which was held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 5 South G Street, on June 17, 1927. The young miss looked off camera with her large dark eyes, possibly listening to directions from the photographer. The Lady Craig was being shown for the first time at the Rose Show. It was one of 1,000 entries in the 16th annual show, the largest display in years. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Rose Society. (TNT 6/17/1927, pg. 1)

The funeral for Thea Christiansen (Mrs. Andrew) Foss, founder of Foss Maritime and community leader. Mrs. Foss was so widely admired in the community for her compassion and charity that her funeral was the largest that Tacoma had seen to date. All of the trademark green and white flags of the Foss Co. flew at half mass in honor of "Mother Foss." Immigrants from Norway, Andrew and Thea Foss arrived in Tacoma the spring of 1889. While Andrew took what work he could find, Thea started the family business with the purchase of 1 rowboat for $5, all the money that she had. With shrewd business moves and hard work, the Foss family parlayed that one rowboat into the one of the largest maritime companies in the country. Thea Foss never forgot her origins and continued to aid Scandinavian immigrants offering them food, lodging, work and the family they so sorely missed. Mrs. Foss was never idle, running the company's office, store and boarding house for its workers. She also found time to nurse the sick, help the needy and fulfill her purpose in life- to be of service to others. TPL-8662, BGN 589

Ruth DuCharme and Orville Fuller posed in January of 1926 surrounded by Bill Winder (extreme left) and his Hotel Winthrop Orchestra. The pair was taking part in the Southwest Washington Championship Ho-down Ballroom Charleston competition which kicked off on January 23, 1926. The contest was sponsored by the Rialto Theater and the Hotel Winthrop and took place over 4 weeks. It featured dancers from Tacoma, Aberdeen, Chehalis, Centralia and Olympia. Winners were decided by popular applause. When all the shouting was over, Mrs. DuCharme and Mr. Fuller were the Tacoma champions. This was the first big ballroom Charleston contest to be held locally. (TNT 1/22/1926, pg. 8) TPL-466

In March of 1926, three employees at the Washington Co-Operative Egg & Poultry Association Headquarters, (left to right) Mary Zack, Sarah Gruno and Esther Christoferson, demonstrate how to decorate Easter eggs. Sarah Gruno, in the center, is dyeing eggs with natural dyes made from vegetables, such as beets, spinach and coffee. Mary Zack is cutting out transfers to decorate her eggs, and Esther Christoferson is using a pen and ink to draw faces on her's. The Washington Co-Op packed transfer pictures with every carton of eggs sold around the holidays. (TNT 3/30/1926, pg. 1)

For 17 years Al Pentecost, general foreman at the Milwaukee shops, had kept a single bottle of Rainier pale beer on ice in his ice box. He had purchased a case of the beer in 1915 before Washington State went dry. Only a single bottle remained of the case which Mr. Pentecost faithfully kept cool, replacing the ice frequently. With State Initiative 61 effective on December 8, 1932, repealing the bone dry law, Mr. Pentecost decided to finally crack open the beer bottle. He proclaimed it as good as the day he bought it with plenty of suds. Mr. Pentecost resided at 3708 North Madison St. (T.Times 12-8-32, p. 1,11)

In February of 1931, Lucille Dyment, 6, and her sister Mardelle, 8, offered food items to Harry D. Hurlbut, president of the 4L Band, in exchange for admission to the concert at the Gault Intermediate School auditorium. The girls were the grandchildren of City Commissioner Dyer Dyment. More than 1 and one half tons of food were collected at this event sponsored by the McKinley Hill Improvement Club. This was the first year that the 36 piece volunteer band had performed relief concerts, and this was the 12th concert so far. Over 21,000 pounds of food had been collected in all for the needy and unemployed. The concerts were performed in halls all across the city and the food was distributed in the community where the concert took place. (TNT 2/25/1931, pg. 1) TPL-9968

Flood waters carried this home on McAleer Rd. more than 100 feet from its foundation. The Red Cross stepped in to repair the badly damaged house. Hundreds sustained damage during the recent floods but with the help of the Red Cross, workers had completely rehabilitated 80 homes by mid-February, 1934. Food, clothing, bedding and furniture were liberally distributed. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-11-34, B-1)

1933 was a very wet year in the Tacoma area. A total of 52.47 inches fell during the year with December's rainfall of 18.87 inches making that month the wettest December on record to that point. Many homes were damaged in subsequent flooding around the county and were repaired with Red Cross funds. Two men are shown in this January 23, 1934, photograph beginning construction of a new home near Puyallup for a family who had lost everything in the recent floods. Notes on this Bowen picture indicate that this home may have been built for two spinsters whose house fell into the raging river waters nearby. Stacks of lumber are in the foreground marked with the Red Cross flag. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-11-34, B-1, TDL 1-1-34, p. 2)

Undated photograph of a very large group of children and a few adults who had apparently taken a special excursion. Three buses in background. Location unknown. Due to clothing styles, this photograph may have been taken roughly in the 1920s or 30's.

Tacoma Home Show grand opening. Pierce County Commissioner Clay Huntington wields a pair of large shears to snip the ribbon for the opening day of the 1978 Tacoma Home Show. He is assisted by Tacoma mayor, Mike Parker. It was Mayor Parker's first time officiating at the Home Show, a duty that his predecessor, Gordon Johnston, had performed for many years. The Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall for the sixth straight year. Photograph ordered by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parker, Michael; Huntington, Clay;

Shoppers in the region rejoiced at the opening of the new west end extension of the Tacoma Mall on July 25, 1973. 20 more stores were added to the popular shopping center bringing its total to about 110. 1973 Daffodil Queen Sherri Murrey, Mayor Gordon N. Johnston, and Tacoma Mall executive vice-president Marvin Boys (next to the mayor) were among the dignitaries participating in the addition's ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Corporation.

Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Building dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Murrey, Sherri; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Boys, Marvin;

1973 Tacoma Home Show. A representative of Holly Homes is pictured on the opening day of the Tacoma Home Show, March 13, 1973, speaking to an interested mother about Holly Homes' various house plans. Holly Homes was one of more than 70 exhibitors at the Home Show; for the first time, the event was held at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center, already an important gathering spot for local residents. Photograph ordered by Holly Homes.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Holly Homes, Inc.; Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);

Exterior of model home. This is "La Morada," one of two model houses built for the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. The tri-level was located at 8504 - 45th St. W. in University Place, off 48th St. . Built by Orville Island Construction Co., the 1,670 sq.ft. home had a contemporary Spanish look with stucco-like exterior including a two-car garage. A covered archway led to the entry court. "La Morada" was in the $30,000 class of homes. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-7-73, C-15 - article; TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980;

1973 Tacoma Home Show. A mock living room, tiny as it appears, still draws several interested visitors due to the solid state television and comfortable chairs. It is possible that the two young men seated before the television are using two controllers to play an early version of a video game. This was the Bon Marche's exhibit booth at the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. For the first time in the show's 27-year history, the six-day event was held at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Hundreds would flock to the Mall on opening day, March 13, 1973.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Televisions;

Exterior of model home. This is the "Encore 73," an $50,000 luxury home built by Evergreen State Builders for the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. The University Place home was located in the new Woodlake development off Chambers Creek Rd. where an angled driveway led to the model home. The contemporary home had adapted the "hip roof" design for its cedar shake roof. It contained 2,268 sq. ft. on the main floor and another 932 sq. ft. on the upper level. The double car garage contained an additional 540 sq. ft. The model home would be open for touring during the March 13-18th run of the home show. Photograph ordered by Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-7-73, C-15 -article; TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980;

Kitchen area of model home. This is the family-styled kitchen with casual dining area of "La Morada," one of the 1973 Tacoma Home Show permanent site model homes. Sunshine gold was a color abundantly found in this kitchen: gold Formica counter tops, bright yellow walls and golden vinyl linoleum matching the home's entryway. The formal dining room is visible through the doorway. There is a large empty wine rack, the height of the adjacent refrigerator, in the kitchen. The model home was located in University Place at 8504 - 45th St. W. It was built by Orville Island Constructon Co. whose homes were designed to contain self-cleaning ranges, garbage disposals, custom-crafted cabinets, and automatic dishwashers. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980; Kitchens--University Place--1970-1980;

1973 Tacoma Home Show. In lieu of the traditional ribbon snipping, Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston (extreme r) and County Commissioner Clay Huntington (2nd from left) put some muscle into the 8-foot logger's saw as it sliced through a 2 x 4. They officially opened the 27th edition of the Tacoma Home Show at the Tacoma Mall. This was a new venue for the Home Show; for the past 23 years it had been located at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse and prior to that, at the Tacoma Armory. Admission to the Home Show was free. Hundreds attended opening day to look, try, and dream about the 70+ Home Show exhibitions. The Tacoma Home Show would run from March 13-18th. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-13-73, p. 2 -article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Saws;

1973 Tacoma Home Show. County Commissioner Clay Huntington (left) and Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston (right) lend a hand in the grand opening festivities of the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. For the first time in its 27-year history, the Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall. As the signs held by the officials indicate, the event running from March 13-18 was free and those in attendance need not have worried about cold/rain/hail or sleet as the Mall was covered and climate controlled. Both Mayor Johnston and Commissioner Huntington wore hard hats and overalls -and ties- during the ceremony. They had used the 8-foot logger's saw to snap the 2 x 4 wooden "ribbon." This was also the first year without longtime Home Show promoter, Patrick O'Toole; Mr. O'Toole had died in a car accident in California ten months ago. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-14-73, C-8)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Saws;

Family room of model home. A corner metal fireplace encased in black "lava rock" and resting on black slate provides warmth to this contemporary family room found in the "Encore 73" model home built for the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. In 1973 both permanent site home show model homes were located in University Place. The "Encore 73" was an $50,000 luxury home built in the new Woodlake housing development off Chambers Creek Rd. Photograph ordered by Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-7-73, C-15- article; TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980; Fireplaces--University Place--1970-1980;

Interior of model home. This is the cozy living room of the model home, "La Morada," built by Orville Island Construction Co. for the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. The home was located in University Place at 8504 -45th St. W. in the Fox Glen Div III development. A floor-to-ceiling white mission brick fireplace with dark brown Spanish tile hearth appears to be the focus point of the living room; arches contained a coat of arms and the actual fire pit. Comfortable swivel chairs and a striped sofa rested on the room's thick wall-to-wall multi-colored shag carpeting. Black wrought iron railings separate the living room from the step-up formal dining area. There was 1,670 sq. ft. of living space in the contemporary Spanish tri-level. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-7-73, C-15- article; TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980; Fireplaces--University Place--1970-1980; Living rooms--University Place--1970-1980;

Kitchen of model home. The spacious kitchen of the model home "Encore 73" had many dark built-in cabinets, plenty of counter space, and enough room for a rectangular table and chairs. A fondue pot, popular in the '70s, awaits diners. Other amenities included a dropped ceiling, self-cleaning oven and range, garbage disposal and automatic dishwasher. Practical linoleum flooring was easy to clean and maintain. In addition, the room's large windows overlooked the patio and the landscaped backyard. The "Encore 73," built by Evergreen State Builders, was located in the new Woodlake housing development in University Place. The home had a total square footage of 3,200 square feet- most on the first floor. Visitors to the Tacoma Home Show could tour the model home during the home show's March 13-18, 1973, run. Photograph ordered by Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980; Kitchens--University Place--1970-1980;

Launching. This is the "Maia H" tugboat that was officially launched on Saturday, March 24, 1973, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. According to a News Tribune article, she was the first tug launched in Tacoma in many years. She had actually had an "instant dumping" two months ago. Maia Halvorsen, daughter of owner Boyer Halvorsen of Bainbridge Island, was the ship's sponsor. The "Maia H" will haul a fast freight barge between Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska. (TNT 3-25-73, A-22)

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

La Vista. This was one of the two model homes built off-site courtesy of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma for the 28th annual Tacoma Home Show. The contemporary home, located on a large wooded lot, was called "La Vista." The multi-level, wood sided home, built by Pete Colbert Construction, was constructed with a two-car attached garage in the El Rancho Madrona subdivision. Photograph ordered by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Model houses;

1974 Tacoma Home Show. For the second year in a row, the Tacoma Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall. Among the many exhibitors was the Boedecker Co., a Tacoma cleaning company in business since 1919. Their booth outside of the Jay Jacobs clothing store featured the "Rug" Doctor. Those wishing to get their carpets thoroughly cleaned could rent the "Rug" Doctor, by appointment only. Rental rates posted indicated that a 4-hour rent would run $12, all day (actually 8 1/2 hours) at $20 and overnight for $15. For really dirty carpets, a $25 charge for nearly 24 hours was also offered. A "Rug" Doctor and strip of carpet awaited customers eager to try out the product. Organizers of the 28th annual Tacoma Home Show would later report that attendance at the five-day event was about 300,000, roughly the same as the previous year. Color photograph ordered by the Boedecker Co., Inc.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cleaning--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floor coverings; Signs (Notices);

The Islander. The "Islander" was a model home constructed for the 1974 Tacoma Home Show. It was located at 6675 E. Grandview in the Gregory Park subdivision and also featured in the 1974 Spring Tour of Homes. Built by the Orville Island Construction Co., the contemporary one-story residence had a recessed entry and exterior faced with stone. A two-car attached garage was included by the builder. Photograph ordered by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Model houses--Tacoma--1970-1980; Houses--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1974 Tacoma Home Show. Visitors to the 28th edition of the Tacoma Home Show appear fascinated at the workings of the "Rug" Doctor as demonstrated in the Boedecker Co.'s exhibit booth. "Rug" Doctors were available at the home show by appointment only, for specified times and rates. They were a new brand of carpet cleaners and carpet cleaning products that were established in 1972. Color photograph ordered by Boedecker Co., Inc.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cleaning--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floor coverings; Signs (Notices);

The 181-foot tuna seiner, "Jilor," was successfully launched on February 8, 1975, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. She was the first of three steel hulled fishing boats destined for Senegal. The launching attracted several dignitaries including the ambassador to the United States from Senegal, Andre Coulbary and wife Saffia, and Congressman Floyd Hicks. The "Jilor" had a 22-man crew and could hold 800 tons of frozen fish. Photograph ordered by the United States Information Agency, Washington D.C. TPL-9885

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Wearing traditional Senegalese clothing were Andre Coulbary and his wife Saffia as they pose in front of the newly launched fishing vessel, "Jilor," on February 8, 1975. Mr. Coulbary was the ambassador to the United States from Senegal who flew in from Washington D.C. for launching ceremonies at Tacoma Boatbuilding. The 181-foot fishing vessel was the first of three tuna seiners destined for Senegal at a total price tag of $12 million dollars. The steel hulled seiner was believed to be the first major American built fishing boat to be delivered new to a country outside the Americas. Named after a small fishing village southwest of Dakar, she could carry a crew of 22 and had a 14-tank, 800-ton frozen fish capacity. Traveling at a top speed of 15 knots, the "Jilor" would set sail for Senegal in the spring. A crowd of about 500 people braved the slight snow/sleet to watch the launching. The two men flanking the ambassador and his wife were not identified. (TNT 2-6-75, A-3 -article; TNT 2-9-75, D-6 -article) TPL-9475

Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coulbary, Andre; Coulbary, Saffia; Ambassadors--Senegal;