Hello from the History Department — When one thinks of the Elks, one doesn’t immediately think of baton twirling. Think again… She came strutting and swinging into view with two furiously spinning batons catching the sunlight. She danced like Ginger Rogers. She did splits so gracefully you didn’t wince. And she made better catches than…

Hello from the History Department — We just announced the 20th Annual UFO Festival line-up – and wow, is it a good one! We are especially pleased to welcome guest speaker U.S. Naval Commander David Fravor, who was an actual Top Gun Naval pilot (yes, as in Maverick, Goose and Iceman). Cmdr. Fravor has never…

Hello from the History Department — Not all of our Tacoma Elks research is about the Elks. For example, what happened after the Elks sold the downtown building at 565 Broadway and herded themselves to the suburbs? The property had a series of managers and an array of creative uses over the next two decades.…

Hello from the History Department — It is historical fact that the Elks organization, founded in 1868, was open to white men only. It wasn’t until its bylaws were amended in 1976 to allow men of color and again in 1995 to admit women. However, there still are plenty of stories about those who influenced…

Think you’re a McMenamins history buff? Identify the five properties associated with these images. Property #1 Property #2 Property #3 Property #4 Property #5 Extra Credit: Name this band.                                                 Answers: Property…

Hello from the History Department. We’re in the process of documenting interesting and notable figures who influenced the city of Tacoma, as well as the Elks itself. One shining example is Emmett Anderson. Not only was he a popular leader in the Tacoma lodge, but he become Grand Exalted Ruler, head of all Elks throughout…

Hello from the History Department. Here’s another story of a person within a small community who made a big difference – Elias Carlson only lived to be 43 years old but certainly made his mark on Kalama, WA, from fish dealer to opera house owner to logging industry innovator. **** It is said that a…

Hello from the History Department. As we move forward into the new year, looking toward new projects and properties, let’s not forget all of those who came before us — like Mrs. Jordan at the Kennedy School. **** Martha Beatrice (Ashford) Jordan taught Kindergarten at Kennedy School from the fall of 1948 until June 1962,…

Think you’re a McMenamins history buff? Identify the five properties associated with these images. Property #1 Property #2 Property #3 Property #4 Property #5                                 Answers: Property #1: Chapel Pub Property #2: Grand Lodge Property #3: St. John’s Theater & Pub…

Hello from the History Department. Here’s another example of new artwork done for the Tacoma Elks Temple, plus one of the old photos that inspired the piece. Notice anything slightly off about it? (Besides the guy wrestling the octopus, that is?) Read on… **** This colorful, fanciful work is by McMenamins artist Lillian Ripley. So,…