In April of 1961 the distinctive neon double 88 sign of the Giant 88 discount store glowed in the evening sky of downtown Tacoma. Mr. and Mrs. Dirk DeLeve opened the Giant 88 store, at 1129 Broadway, in February of 1960. It was located next to the new escalade that carried shoppers on a "moving sidewalk" from Broadway to Commerce Street. The store was the first of its kind in Tacoma; nothing in the store was priced over 88 cents. They carried a stock of over 20,000 items - from ceramics and children's apparel to toys, gifts and cooking utensils. (TNT 2/15/1960 p.6)

Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Giant 88 (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Tacoma Escalade at 1129 Broadway. Drizzle failed to shoo away the hundreds of spectators who had gathered on February 27, 1961, at the dedication of the new 100-foot, $205,000 escalade, or "moving sidewalk," next to the Giant 88 store in downtown Tacoma. They all wanted a chance to hop a ride onto the ramp that was built between Broadway and Commerce at 12th St. on the site of the former Blue Mouse Theater. This escalade was the first of four ramps designed to make climbing the steep hills of the downtown area a little easier for its pedestrians. It differed from a store escalator as there were no steps on the ribbed rubber surface but did have a moving handrail. The second escalade was scheduled to open in the near future between Pacific and Commerce about 10th St. A bond issue passed in 1958 had set aside $875,000 for moving sidewalks. TPL-6161 (TNT 2-27-1961, p. 1-article)

Belts & belting (Equipment); Pedestrians--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma--1960-1970; Giant 88 (Tacoma);

Mayor Ben Hanson on Tacoma Escalade at 1129 Broadway. The mayor and several city councilpersons including Mrs. Ellen Price (at his side), W.G. "Gerry" Bott and deputy mayor James Porter (behind them) were photographed in February, 1961, at the new 100-foot escalade that was built between Broadway and Commerce at 12th St. The $205,000 escalade was the first of four ramps planned for local pedestrians. Unlike store escalators, the "rubber belt" had no steps but did have a moving handrail. Its speed was about 120-feet a minute, a little slower than the average walking pace. This escalade, designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by the Jardeen Bros. Co., was meant to make downtown's steep hills a bit easier for pedestrians. There would be a week-long trial run before it was shut down for ten days for final tweaking. Mayor Hanson was reportedly not in town at the time of the February 27, 1961 escalade dedication so deputy mayor James Porter did the honors of snipping the three-inch white ribbon officially opening the escalade. This picture was probably taken either days before or after the actual dedication. (TNT 2-27-1961, p. 1-article; TNT 2-26-1961, A-1-article)

Belts & belting (Equipment); Pedestrians--Tacoma; Hanson, Ben; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1960-1970; Price, Ellen; Bott, Gerry; Porter, James;

An anxious crowd gathers for the dedication of Tacoma's first escalade. Tacoma claimed to be the first city in the nation with modern "moving sidewalks. Four ramps connected Pacific Avenue, Commerce Street and Broadway. The noble experiment was discontinued in 1983, due to vandalism and mechanical problems. City photographer. TPL-6161

Conveying systems--Tacoma--1960-1970; Crowds--Tacoma;