Window display at Schoenfelds of the Davy Crockett bedroom furniture group in "silver gulch" finish. The furniture was available in open stock on easy terms. Key pieces were the bunk beds, dressers and student desk. A Crockett coonskin cap is hanging from the hat stand to the right. Davy Crockett was a folklore hero who became a familiar name to the children of the fifties through the popular ballad and the Disney television production. In the summer of 1955, the Disney feature length film starring Fess Parker was making the rounds of the movie theatres. Coonskin caps were the fashionable headgear for fans, causing a shortage of small animal furs. In fact, the "King of the Wild Frontier" was the champion retailer of the fifties, with estimated sales of $300 million dollars worth of Crockett labelled merchandise in 1955.

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Children's furniture; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma;

Bold checkered linoleum highlights the selection of Frigidaire appliances at Schoenfeld's Furniture in September, 1954. The white stoves and refrigerators gleam when contrasted with the darker flooring. Schoenfeld's occupied a multi-level skyscraper so there was room enough for many displays without the customer feeling close and crowded. There was always much to choose from Schoenfeld's selections in a wide variety of prices and styles.

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Appliances;

In September of 1954, there was no doubt as to which business occupied 1423 Pacific Avenue--Schoenfeld's blazed their name in massive letters on both sides of the historic Sandberg Building. Owned by L. Schoenfeld & Sons, the furniture and home furnishings store was a downtown fixture for over ninety years. Brothers Herbert and Ralph Schoenfeld were the owners; they were the sons of Louis Schoenfeld who started the business in 1848. They offered the latest styles in furniture, appliances and home decoration. This photograph is of the exterior of the building showing new display windows and a brand new marquee extending the length of the building, including the new adjacent four story addition. Schoenfeld's finally closed its doors in November, 1996. The building was purchased and renovated by Total Renal Care in 1998; they later changed their name to DaVita. (TNT 9-12-54, B-2) TPL-6242

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Drapery department- Schoenfeld's. Schoenfeld's carried a wide variety of draperies for the discerning homeowner. It was customary for homes to have window coverings, especially drapes, and Schoenfeld's made sure they had plenty to offer inquiring customers. They believed that "Windows are living pictures and deserve frames of beauty" as indicated by the wall motto. Schoenfeld's added a free instruction and workroom for the convenience of their customers in their new four-story addition adjacent to the original twelve story building. Schoenfeld's skyscraper was a landmark in downtown Tacoma for many years until the store's closing in 1996. (TNT 9-12-54, B-9)

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Draperies;

Exterior-Schoenfeld's. The massive lettering on the Schoenfeld's exterior was visible from miles away. It drew customers from all over the region to shop at the store's spacious facilities. Schoenfeld's was located in the Sandberg Building at 1423 Pacific Avenue; designed by Western Engineering Co. and built by Peter Sandberg in 1907, the building was listed on the City Registry. Later in September, 1954, Schoenfeld's was to announce the grand opening of their Evergreen Auditorium on the fifth floor. It was to prove to be very popular as it was free to civic organizations. The auditorium would seat 200 people and had a complete kitchenette, tables, and powder room. (TNT 9-12-54, B-2)

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Furniture department- Schoenfeld's. Schoenfeld's was a downtown fixture for ninety four years. L. Schoenfeld & Sons first opened up a store on S. 11th St. in 1902 before moving to the Sandberg Bldg. at 1423 Pacific Avenue in 1924. It occupied a 12-story skyscraper, the oldest reinforced concrete skyscraper on the West Coast. It seemed as if a customer could find anything in the home furnishings field at Schoenfeld's--sofas, chairs, appliances, draperies and televisions. View of sofas, dinettes, chairs and coffee tables; sofa in the foreground has a label stating that "the famous Kroehler" was ready for customers to sample and order. Kroehler four-piece ensembles were on sale for $177 during Schoenfeld's grand opening sale September 13-18, 1954, to celebrate the four story addition adjacent to the original twelve story building. Nearly all of the departments had been remodeled. Schoenfeld's finally closed its doors on November 25, 1996, and its enormous store lettering was eventually erased. (TNT 9-12-54, B-6)

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Dinette sets were very popular in the 1940's and 50's. Schoenfeld's Furniture carried a wide selection of inexpensive kitchen furniture. Dinette sets were made out of chrome and generally had four chairs, with plastic covers, although some came with only two. Most popular shape appears to have been rectangular. Modern wrought iron styles were also becoming popular. Kitchen sets and televisions were located on the sixth floor close to the appliance section. (TNT 9-12-54, B-9)

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Dining tables;

Television department-Schoenfeld's. Schoenfeld's was a downtown fixture for ninety-four years. Occupying the oldest reinforced concrete skyscraper on the West Coast, it had a well-known reputation for quality goods and service. There was always a wide selection of merchandise to choose from; view of television sets on display on the sixth floor. An August 26, 1954, News Tribune article mentioned that there were 362,000 black and white television sets in the Puget Sound region. Shoppers could certainly have purchased one of those sets from Schoenfeld's. (TNT 8-26-54, D-4)

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Televisions--1950-1960;

Furniture department- Schoenfeld's. Schoenfeld's Furniture, formally known as L. Schoenfeld & Sons, occupied the Sandberg Bldg. on Pacific Avenue since 1924. The 12-story, 180 foot skyscraper was the oldest reinforced concrete skyscraper on the West Coast. It was designed by builder Peter Sandberg and Western Engineering Co., architects, to allow for a 24-story building. Schoenfeld's was well known for its quality furniture and appliances. View of elegant wing chairs and sofas; photograph taken on September 7, 1954. The period and contemporary upholstered furniture was placed in the new Design-For-Living Terrace located on the second floor. (TNT 9-12-54, B-6)

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chairs;