On July 27, 1923, President Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) arrived in Seattle from Alaska as part of a 40-day tour of the Western United States. His short six-hour stay included a review of the Navy fleet in Elliott Bay, a parade through downtown, greeting schoolchildren at Volunteer Park, speaking to a huge crowd of boys at Woodland Park, making an address to 25,000 spectators at the University of Washington, a visit to Children's Orthopedic Hospital, and a visit with members of the Press Club. Already showing signs of poor health, President Harding departed Seattle by train and died six days later in California. The Seattle speeches were President Harding's last, as subsequent scheduled events on the tour were canceled due to his illness.
In this image, a crowd of about 30,000 boys and young men gather to hear from President Harding at Woodland Park. The Elks annual "Big Brother" boys picnic was hosted by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) for Boy Scouts, "Little Brothers," and other boys from across the state, with games, competitions, food, and hundreds of Elks helping out as "Big Brothers."
Handwritten on image: Photo by Frank H. Nowell Handwritten on image: President Harding at 5th Annual Big Brothers Boys Picnic, B.P.O.E. No 92, Woodland Park Seattle Wash July 27th 1923 Photographer's number: 212
Caption information source: "President Warren Harding makes final speeches of his life in Seattle on July 27, 1923," by Greg Lange, HistoryLink.org Essay 878.
