Policemen's Ball attendees at Armory, Seattle, February 21, 1911 (MOHAI 12956)

Seattle's Policemen's Ball was held annually from at least 1899 to benefit the Seattle Police Relief Association (also called the Policemen's Benevolent Association). The association used funds raised for the pensioning of police officers injured in the line of duty or for the funeral expenses of those who died while members of the force.
The photograph shown here was taken during the 1911 ball, which was held at the National Guard Armory. The Armory had just opened the year prior on Seattle's waterfront at Western Avenue and Lenora Street. The Seattle Times estimated the number of attendees at the ball to be 6,000, and together they raised $3,000. Seattle's population at the time was about 237,000 people.
Caption information source: "6.000 Guests Dance at Policemen's Ball," The Seattle Daily Times, February 22, 1911, p. 5.
Subjects (LCTGM): Ball dresses; Ballrooms--Washington (State)--Seattle; Balls (Parties)--Washington (State)--Seattle; Flags--American; Seattle (Wash.). Police Department