Circa 1910.

• Built in 1892, the Owen Woods building at 1148 Broadway is now known as the Cornerstone Building. circa 1908.
• Printed on front: Looking North from C. and 13th.

On December 4, 1968, Mrs. Ann Walker and Harry Birmingham, the Tacoma Sears Department Store manager, alerted Santa to all the upcoming festivities planned for the second annual Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development Christmas party for underprivileged children. Mrs. Walker and Mr. Birmingham were committee members for the event. They showed Santa a sample of the 6,000 pledge cards being prepared to seek donations for the party. Funds from the pledge cards would provide gifts, toys, clothing, and a scrumptious turkey dinner for 3,000 youngsters on December 21st. The cards were targeted toward citizens, church groups, schools, service clubs, granges and civic organizations. Mr. Birmingham also prepared 20 special Santa mailboxes for supermarkets and other locations in Pierce County where pledge cards could be returned. (Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.) (TNT 12-8-68, A-20)

Walker, Ann; Birmingham, Harry; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Santa Claus--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Herman Walker of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center watched in December of 1968 as Sherwin Williams prepared to insert a letter holding a donation to the Opportunity & Development, Inc. Christmas party for the underprivileged into the special mailbox at the Tacoma Sears store. Young Audrey Kinlow, in suit and tie, looked on. Tacomans in 1968 were asked to make Christmas happier for thousands of youngsters by contributing to the anti-poverty unit's annual Christmas party to be held on December 21st at McCarver Elementary School. Twelve special handmade mailboxes were placed in Sears, Puget Sound National Bank and Bank of Washington's main offices, and other locations . No postage was needed for these special letters; Herman Walker of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center (above) acted as Santa's special postmaster. (Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.) (TNT 12-11-68, A-12)

Walker, Herman; Williams, Sherwin; Kinlow, Audrey; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Mailboxes--Tacoma; Correspondence; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Sears, Roebuck held a summer appliance sale on the rooftop parking area of their parking center at 1140-50 Court C in August of 1954. During the summer clearance sale customers could save up to $72 on a Kenmore washer and $81 on a Kenmore dryer. Wringers, refrigerators and chest freezers were also on sale. Beyond the parking garage further up the South 13th Street hill can be seen: the Dewey Hotel, 1308 Market Street; the Coliseum Bowling Alley, 407 South 13th; and (top right, just beyond the bowling sign) the Crescent Ballroom, 1308-10 Fawcett Avenue. The brick building at top center is the Eagles Hall, 1305-07 Fawcett Ave.; it was demolished in April of 2007 several days after its roof collapsed.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Washing machines; Appliances;

Shoppers swarmed the McCormack Bros. department store on February 7, 1932, in hopes of capturing great bargains as the store had just settled with its creditors for 20 cents on the dollar. McCormack Bros. had been in downtown Tacoma for many years and had closed the previous December. It reopened on February 5, 1932, under the name of McCormack's, Inc. The McCormack family was still in control of the business with James McCormack as president and his three sons as associates. (TDL 2-4-32, p. 3-article)

McCormack Bros. Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shopping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Crowds, described in a Daily Ledger ad as being the "greatest in the history of Tacoma's home owned and operated popular department store," lined up outside the big McCormack Bros. department store, 1148 Broadway, on February 7, 1932. The store had just reopened two days before, refinanced and reorganized. The new name was McCormack's, Inc., but it was still run by James McCormack and his family. Creditors had settled for 20 cents on the dollar and there were new goods added to every department. Men's suits were as low as $9.75, electric toasters for only 98 cents, spring dresses at $4.79 and even a Limonges dinnerware set for $5.95. In 1936, this building would be remodeled for the Sears, Roebuck & Co. store. (TDL 2-4-32, p. 3-article; TDL Ad, 2-7-32, A-5)

McCormack Bros. Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shopping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1892. The Owen Woods' Building at 1148 Broadway is pictured here shortly after its completion in 1892. It was designed by architects Roath & Mendell with Michael McDonnell as contractor. The building was available for rent at the time of this photograph and interested parties could contact the Tacoma Rent Guaranty Co. The Arcade Store, and later the McCormack Brothers Dept. Store, occupied the building before Sears, Roebuck & Co. purchased it in 1935. Sears added two adjacent buildings to its store during expansion. The building was restored and renamed the Cornerstone Building in 1982.

Department stores--Tacoma--1890-1900;

20 trucks at store, Sears Roebuck & Company, Mr. Moore. Trucks from L.M. Jezek Trucking are lined up in the parking lot at Sears, Roebuck and Company. They were used to transfer merchandise from the local Sears store to Seattle. A labor dispute had kept ten Tacoma stores closed for more than five weeks and no progress was being made as to the opening of the retail department stores. Several men are standing out of the rain under the overhang on the key maker's station.(T.Times, 9/16/1948, p.13) TPL-9609

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Retail trade strikes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 24, 1941, two unidentified young girls were photographed with three dogs at the Sears Roebuck store, 1148 Broadway, to help promote National Dog Week. The girl at the left held a beagle pup; the one at the right, a cocker spaniel. Between them, sitting on the counter, was a grown cocker spaniel. National Dog Week was founded in 1928 by Captain Will Judy, a noted judge and former publisher of Dog World Magazine, to promote dog ownership and better dog care. (T. Times)

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Dogs;

As publicity for the Retail War Bond drive held in July of 1942, Madlyn Piper, clad in a white dress and wearing a military type "overseas" cap marked "I'm Selling Stamps and Bonds," is pictured selling bonds to Harry Satterlee, right, an officer of the Teamsters Union, on the roof of Sears Store. The man on the left is unidentified. Members of four of Tacoma's Unions purchased a total of $21,000 of war bonds on the first day of the sale, July 1st. They were the Machinists, Retail Clerks, Cooks & Waiters and Teamsters. (TNT 7/1/42, pg. 11- picture (cropped); T. Times 7/1/1942 p.9)

Piper, Madlyn; Satterlee, Harry; War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

As part of the publicity for the War Bond drive held in July of 1942 by the retail stores in Tacoma, Madlyn Piper, dressed in white and wearing a military type "overseas" cap marked "I'm Selling Stamps and Bonds," was photographed selling war bonds to Harry Satterlee, an officer of the Teamsters Union, on the roof of Sears Store. On the first day of the sale, July 1st, $21,000 worth of bonds were purchased by the members of four unions, Machinists, Retail Clerks, Cooks & Waiters and Teamsters. On the kickoff day, for 15 minutes (12-12:15p.m.) nothing was sold city wide except bonds. (T. Times 7/1/1942 p.9)

Piper, Madlyn; Satterlee, Harry; War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

Five volunteer War Savings Bonds salesgirls, (lt to rt) Rose Colombini, Madlyn Piper, Arlene Johnson Keller, Nancy Carlson and Radie Cramer, posed with one of the Bond sales booths used in Tacoma in July, 1942. The War Bond quota for Pierce County for July of 1942 was $1,723,693. Bonds were sold throughout Tacoma from "Victory Booths" set up both inside stores and on the sidewalks in front of stores. On the first day of the sale nothing could be sold in Tacoma stores, with the exception of restaurants, from 12 noon to 12:15 except bonds. On the first day of July, Tacoma unions bought $21,000 worth of bonds. (T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1- picture, 7/1/1942 p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie;

Six women pose in front of the Sears Roebuck and Company building at 1148 Broadway with a July war bond thermometer chart, prepared to "heat up" the Tacoma Retail Stores Bond & Stamp Sale to be held throughout July 1942. The salesgirls each wear a cap marked "I'm Selling Stamps and Bonds." Pictured standing are, left to right, Madlyn Piper, Rose Colombini, Arline Keller,and Radie Cramer. Kneeling are, left to right, C lella McElroy and Nancy Carlson. The retail sales bond goal for July was $1,723,693. Sears opened their store on Broadway in May of 1936. They were a major retail presence downtown until they moved to the Tacoma Mall in 1981. (TNT 6/30/42, pg. 9-picture, T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1 & 7/1/1942, p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie; Department stores--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma);

Six women wearing military type "overseas" caps marked "I'm Selling Stamps and Bonds" with a "Tacoma Retail Stamp and Bond Sales - July" chart outside Sears, Roebuck and Company. The Tacoma salesgirls were posing for publicity pictures announcing the kickoff July 1, 1942 of the Tacoma Retail Stores Bond and Stamp Sale. The sales goal for July was $1,723,693. Pictured left to right are Rose Colombini, Madlyn Piper, Arline Keller, Nancy Carlson, C lella McElroy and Radie Cramer. (T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1; 7/1/1942 p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie; Department stores--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. Crowd lined-up on sidewalk at Sears, Roebuck and Company for sale on alarm clocks in this circa 1943 photograph. The department store advertised as "Tacoma's Modern Store" featured an updated facade of stucco with a black glass tiled corner entry. Hooded street lamp.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Queues--Tacoma; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. Packed from wall to wall with customers, Sears and Roebuck Company's sale on alarm clocks was a huge success. This crowd was photographed circa 1943.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sears Window, Mr. Moor. Toys fill the window display including a fantasy model train, PT boat, tank, toy soldier and sailor, dolls, stuffed animals, Dumbo, and a clown. A poster of animals playing table tennis and others line the back of the display.

Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. Sears window, Mr. Moor. Servistan Inlaid Linoleum is advertised at "$9.88 Covers average kitchen". Rolls of samples stand in the window. A sign indicates the store is open until 9 p.m. Monday nights to accomodate shoppers working in the war industry.

Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sears window of "Land O' Sky Rugs". The first Sears, Roebuck & Company store opened in 1927 on Pacific Avenue, nine years later they moved into a building on Broadway, part of the Tacoma business district. View of Sears' window display featuring American made "Land O' Sky" rugs.

Rugs; Floor coverings; Window displays;

Washington National Guard window display at Sears. Mannequin dressed as a Guardsman, stacked rifles, posters and flag are all intended to recruit young men into joining the National Guard. The Guard offered training in many areas and monetary compensation for the days that you served in the National Guard. Interested parties were asked to enroll at the local armory on South 11th Street and Yakima Avenue.

Military Organizations; Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Flags; Militias; Arms & armament--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Window Displays;

Six Sears, Roebuck employees appear to be happily gazing at a check or benefit statement from their employer in this March, 1953, photograph. D.A. Anderson, manager of Sears Tacoma, presents Connie Vaughn, newest member to the profit sharing plan, her annual statement. Sears offered profit sharing as one of their many employer-paid benefits to all regular employees after a year's employment. A poster on the wall behind the employees shows some of the benefits covered by the company; besides profit sharing, these included paid vacation and holidays, group life insurance, group hospitalization and employee discounts. A second poster displays a map locating Sears retail and factory stores nationwide and indicates the possibility for unlimited advancement. (TNT 3-7-53, p. 7)

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Employee fringe benefits; Posters; Anderson, D.A.; Vaughn, Connie;

Sears, Roebuck and Company style show on main floor. Eight children, two boys and six girls, dressed in spring outfits. Group portrait taken with children atop a cabinet and in front of spring decorated column.

June was Dairy Month in the State of Washington and local businesses helped to advertise the virtues of drinking milk. A window display in the Sears, Roebuck store on June 8, 1953, was filled with photographs of cows, perhaps prize-winners, along with cut-outs of nature's "food factory" and a scale model of a dairy. Posters reminded passersby that dairy foods, including milk, cheese and ice cream, were "nature's goodness..at its best!" TPL-9371

Dairy products; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Advertisements--Tacoma;

The Sears store, ordered by Fairchild Publications. The entrance to the service station can be seen at the rear of the building. Elevated parking center at 1140-50 Court C.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears Roebuck and Company's shoe department includes a display of oxfords for $5.99 and moccasins for $2.49 on the right with childrens' and waterproof shoes on the left. The rest of the large department continues in the rear.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Shoes;

Sears Roebuck and Company Department Store.Tables display sandals for $2.79 and various other shoes. Chairs and other shoe tables are seen in the rear.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Shoes;

Sears Roebuck and Company's Credit Department has a display on the back wall which includes rifles, pans, an Allstate tire, an automobile visor, a garden hose and silverware, all items carried by Sears. The credit counter is on the left and nine desks, chairs and other equipment are seen lined up throughout the room. A large bouquet of flowers stands near hanging files on the right.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office furniture;

Sears Roebuck displayed fourteen Remington Rand portable typewriters, some with cases, in their window. E. Remington & Sons introduced the first commercially viable typewriter in 1873. Remington Typewriter and Rand Kardex merged in 1927 to form Remington Rand. Remington Rand produced the world's first business computer in 1949. Ordered by Remington Rand Company.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Typewriters; Remington Rand Co. (Rowayton, Ct.); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears, Roebuck and Co. Hand hooked rugs window display, sizes ranging from 2' X 5' to 10' X 14', including oval shaped carpets as photographed on November 3, 1952. Customers were urged to use Sears' easy payment plan.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rugs;