Archive for February 2018

The proprietors of Western Worms were believed to be the only women operators of a worm farm in the 1940s. Lee Mason (left) and Harriet Kennedy are shown working in their outdoor worm farm located at 505 East 93rd Street on February 28, 1947. Roy the dog is an interested spectator. The worms, estimated at…

This is the choir of Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1723 South "I" Street, as photographed in February of 1950. The choir was led by William Ervin, at center (with hymnal) next to church pastor Rev. E.B. Wilson. Bethlehem Baptist was founded in 1890 in Tacoma and was the oldest African American Baptist church in the city…

In February of 1949, any woman in Tacoma who felt threatened could protect herself by setting off her hand-held personal alarm. Mrs. Donna Younger and Henry Sandahl, both employees of Fraser's, 912 Broadway, demonstrated the new alarm that would scare the daylights out of law-abiding citizens let alone one who was on the prowl. The…

1949, frost damage was common over many miles of Tacoma streets surfaced with oil mat. Some sections were impassable and barricaded. A survey of winter damage had been ordered by Public Works Commissioner Jack Roberts preliminary to a request for an emergency appropriation to restore streets. An unidentified man is holding a piece of the…

Six young girls, daughters of Elk Lodge members, dropped in at Farley's Florists, 2702 Sixth Ave., to enjoy a preview of the decorations for the annual Fathers and Daughters' party, scheduled for February 11, 1949. The theme for the anticipated event was Valentine's Day. The girls are, L-R, Charlotte Duncan, Deanne Duncan, Gretchen Roberts, Kathryn…

Group portrait of actors and actresses at the Broadway Theater in February, 1928. It is possible that this is Fanchon & Marco Road Show #1 from Los Angeles which appeared at the Broadway that February to help celebrate the Broadway's first birthday. The 50-person revue starred Jack North, banjo player extraordinaire (believed to be man…

At the tender age of 18-months, Ronald "Ronnie" Ferch was already roller skating across the hardwood floors in his parent's home. The toddler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin L. Ferch of 3907 No. 24th, probably qualified as Tacoma's youngest skater. In December, Ronnie had been visited by his older cousins who brought their special…

Dolores Knight, supervisor of the intensive care unit at St. Joseph Hospital and Dr. John A. Kennedy, chairman of the board of trustees for the Pierce County Chapter of the Northwest Kidney Fund, stand next to a small peritoneal dialysis to publicize the 1972 Kidney Fund drive. The 1972 Kidney Fund drive would run from…