Peoples Department Store, built in 1895, began a three year renovation and modernization period starting in 1939. This is how the drapery and curtain department looked like in July of 1948 when Peoples featured a great sale on ruffles, panels and cottage sets for only $1.99. Some curtains are on display and customers also have the convenience of looking through the sale bins to find what they need.

Draperies; Furnishings; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Interior decoration; Peoples (Tacoma);

Peoples Store was located on South 11th Street and Pacific Avenue, they had a great selection of household goods. View of Kroehler furniture display at Peoples Department Store. The display features "Kroehler" chairs with frame foundation, back spring unit, shock absorber springs, corner frame foundation, shape retaining seat and steel web platform all "cushionized". The Kroehler furniture signs indicates, "Has greater comfort, smarter style, more durability... It's CUSHIONIZED"

Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Chairs; Furniture; Signs (Notices); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma);

In 1948 the Peoples department store chain had an empire of twelve stores. For two days, starting on November 12, 1948, Mildred Davis became president of the Peoples Empire during the semi-annual Women's Day. On these two days, women took over all executive positions. Mrs. Davis, who worked as the company's switchboard operator, was elected by her co-workers to be president and general manager. William P. Fitpold, the real president and general manager, shows plans and duties to Mrs. Davis. (TNT, 11/11/1948, p.2)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Davis, Mildred; Fitpold, William P.; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mr. Fitpold at switchboard at Peoples Store, Times, Frank Herbert. Mr. William P. Fitpold, president of the department store, has traded positions with Mildred Davis, the store's switchboard operator, during the two-day Women's days event at the store. Mrs. Davis was elected by her co-workers to serve as president during the event.

Peoples (Tacoma); Fitpold, William P.; Davis, Mildred; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sexism--Tacoma--1940-1950;

William P. Fitpold, president of the Peoples department store, at 1101 Pacific Ave., struggled with the store's switchboard in this photograph from November 1946. Twice a year, during their Women's Days sales, Peoples' officers and managers were demoted and the women employees took over all the management positions held by men. Because Mildred Davis, the store's regular operator, was elected president by the staff, Mr. Fitpold had to take over her regular duties while she ran the store. (T. Times 11-11-1948 p.11) Times, Frank Herbert

Peoples (Tacoma); Fitpold, William P.; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone switchboards--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone operators--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1937. Strikers "locked out" at Peoples Store. Three women walking by storefront window; one is wearing a "Locked Out" sign. (T.Times).

Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Strikers "locked out" at The Peoples Store. Full view of the four-story department store building designed by Carl August Darmer, Architect in 1895. Pedestrians and streetcar tracks in the foreground. (T. Times).

Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma);

A parade of automobiles on Pacific Avenue passes Peoples Department Store celebrating the grant from the Progress Works Administration to build a bridge over the Narrows. Huge "Your Credit Is Good" sign on Schoenfeld's in the distance. More than 500 automobiles and trucks paraded through city during the celebration. They ended at the Stadium Bowl, where a crowd of 5,000 heard speeches by Governor Clarence Martin, Senator Homer T. Bone, Representative John Coffee and Senator Lewis B. Schwellenbach, among others. (T. Times, 7/1/1938).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Narrows Bridge Celebration (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma);

A parade of trucks, panel vans, and automobiles on Pacific Avenue passes the Peoples Department Store. More than 500 automobiles and trucks participated in the parade celebrating the P.W.A. $2,700,000 grant to erect the Narrows bridge. The grant would cover about 45 % of the cost and funds would need to be raised to cover the remainder. (T. Times 7/1/1938, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Narrows Bridge Celebration (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma);

Peoples Department Store Building, Carl August Darmer, Architect, 1895. Photograph of store front with scaffolding and steam cleaner, circa May of 1938. Sign reads "This building is being steamed cleaned by Universal Cleaning Contractors." For Ocky Williams, Universal Cleaning Contractors. The structure was built for and occupied by the Peoples Store from 1895-1983 when the store closed its doors. It is now the Puget Sound Plaza. (filed with Argentum)

Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma); Cleaning--Tacoma; Scaffolding--Tacoma;

Peoples Department Store Building, Carl August Darmer, Architect, 1895. Photograph of front and side of Peoples Store with man on scaffolding near top corner of store, circa May of 1938. The exterior of the store was being steam cleaned by Universal Cleaning Contractors. The building was occupied by the Peoples Store from 1895-1983. For Ocky Williams, Universal Cleaning Contractors. (filed with Argentum)

Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma); Cleaning--Tacoma; Scaffolding--Tacoma;

Peoples Department Store, display of mattresses and bed springs. Area rugs are hung from racks on the level above. A sign announces bargains on used furniture.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

Peoples Department Store, Women's wear department. Dresses hang from racks, while sweaters are folded neatly on display tables.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

Peoples Department Store, Cosmetic, Perfume and Toiletries Department.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

Peoples Department Store, Millinery Department. The large department exudes elegance with 2-3 hats displayed per merchandise counter.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Hats--1930-1940;

Women's Day Executives at Peoples Store. Seven women wearing dresses and hats gathered around table with coffee and light breakfast, featuring boxes of Kellogg's Pep cereal.

Department stores--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma);

Santa Claus on his throne surrounded by a crowd of children and mothers at Peoples Department Store after Santa's arrival from airport on November 24, 1939. Santa would be at the Peoples Store until his Christmas Eve gift run, speaking with the children of Tacoma and checking his naughty and nice list.

Department stores--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma); Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma;

Painting crew from Sears and Antonson that worked on Peoples Store building. For General Paint Corporation. Also dated 03-29-1941

Painting--Tacoma; Sears & Antonson (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peoples (Tacoma);

Exterior of Peoples Store after painting.

Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peoples (Tacoma);

Painting crew from Sears and Antonson that painted the Peoples Store.

Painting--Tacoma; Sears & Antonson (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peoples (Tacoma);