This section of Sixth Avenue looks a bit different now than it did in 1974. Kmart, with its 1000-car parking lot, is still there but the area directly across the street has been dotted with small shopping malls. In 1974 the only business immediately across Kmart was a new Goodyear store which would celebrate its grand opening at the tail end of October, 1974. The First Christian Church is set on a large wooded lot close to Goodyear. Wilson High School, 12th & Orchard, is the cluster of buildings near the top left center. Aerial photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Kmart (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1970-1980; Goodyear Service (Tacoma); First Christian Church (Tacoma); Woodrow Wilson High School (Tacoma);

Aerial view of the Westgate neighborhood, taken via helicopter on August 28, 1974, on behalf of Puget Sound National Bank. Shopping center below is the Westgate Shopping Center at North 26th & Pearl St. The Westgate Thriftco (formerly known as Thriftway) was one of the main tenants. North 26th runs horizontally at bottom of the photograph; it intersects with Pearl Street on the left. Pearl is the extremely long street that will eventually end at Point Defiance Park. Other landmarks clearly visible include the North 30th St. reservoir and water tower at photo's right-center and ASARCO's smokestack at top.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Westgate Shopping Center (Tacoma); Reservoirs--Tacoma; Water towers--Tacoma; Thriftco (Tacoma); Smokestacks--Tacoma;

Westgate Shopping Center and environs via helicopter on August 28, 1974. The Westgate Shopping Center at North 26th & Pearl would later expand to include the large block across North 26th St. Most of the lot was undeveloped at the time of this 1974 photograph. Major streets on display are Pearl and Orchard St. (running vertically and parallel to one another) intersected by North 21st and North 26th. The North 30th St. water tower and reservoir is located at the upper right corner. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Westgate Shopping Center (Tacoma); Water towers--Tacoma; Reservoirs--Tacoma;

Aerial view of Tacoma's west end neighborhoods on August 28, 1974. Main streets shown above are Pearl (running toward Point Defiance) and Sixth Avenue (more diagonally). Hunt Junior High School (now Middle) with its mushroom-shaped cafeteria/auditorium is at the bottom of the photograph. On the left side of Sixth Ave. is the Highland Hill(s) shopping center with Ernst Hardware (white building) nearby. On the left of Pearl is the Auto View Drive-In at the center of the photograph. ASARCO's smokestack is near the top of the picture. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Auto View Drive-In (Tacoma); Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Smokestacks--Tacoma;

Aerial view of Sixth Avenue close to Orchard St. This August 28, 1974, view by helicopter shows the enormous Kmart parking lot with room for 1000 cars. Directly across the street is the new Goodyear Service, 5131 Sixth Avenue, managed by Chuck Ackley. The First Christian Church, at Sixth & Orchard, is separated from the Goodyear store by a thick strand of firs. Smaller strip malls have since been erected on the wooded sites to the left and rear of the Goodyear store. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking lots--Tacoma--1970-1980; Kmart (Tacoma); Goodyear Service (Tacoma); First Christian Church (Tacoma);

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Aerial view of Tacoma Tideflats. The view above is believed to be Concrete Technology's property on the Port of Tacoma Rd. The area was bordered by E. 11th St. and Lincoln Ave. The body of water below is believed to be the Blair Waterway (formerly Port Industrial Waterway). The Puyallup River is near the top of the photograph.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Shadows are creeping up on the venerable Union Station, 1717 Pacific Ave., in this 1975 aerial view. By 1975, the magnificent structure was showing its age. A proposed $14,000,000 shopping center/transportation complex sought to restore the station to its former splendor. "Depot Galleria" hoped to add two large buildings to the north and south of the station which would house department stores or perhaps include a major hotel. The Union Station interior would have had a remodeled "Gay '90s" look with the glass dome skylight admitting light to central atrium gardens. Three parking levels would provide parking for 1500 cars. The station would continue to serve as an Amtrak passenger terminal. These ambitious plans by Malls North and BNL Development Corporation (subsidiary of Burlington Northern) would not be realized. (TNT 2-23-75, A-1 article)

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Encroaching shadows seek to wrap themselves around the landmark Union Station located at 1717 Pacific Avenue. In 1975 the station still served as an Amtrak passenger terminal. Efforts were made to restore the station to its former glory with the proposed $14,000,000 "Depot Galleria" shopping/transportation complex; however, these plans were stalled. Also visible in this aerial view is the multi-storied Albers Mill, located to the rear of the station at 1821 Dock St. TPL-7982

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Albers Bros. Milling Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Aerial view of rear of Union Station, 1717 Pacific Ave. as seen in 1975. Fast-forward 30+ years later and the landscape has changed drastically. SR-705 is now where the railroad tracks once ran. The parking lot to the left of the station is now the location of the Washington State History Museum; the Federal Courts are located to the north in a new wing. The five-story building on Pacific Ave. on the extreme left of the photograph is now the University of Washington Bookstore. TPL-2402

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Closer aerial view of what is believed to be Concrete Technology Corp., 1123 Port of Tacoma Rd., on the Tacoma tideflats. This photograph was possibly taken in the summer of 1975. Concrete Technology dealt in prestressed and precast concrete. Waterway shown is believed to be the Blair Waterway (formerly Port Industrial Waterway).

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Aerial view of industrial facility on Tacoma's tideflats. This is believed to be Concrete Technology's plant on Port of Tacoma Rd. Waterway is believed to be the Blair (formerly Port Industrial) Waterway.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1975. 1975 Richards color stock footage. Rear view of Union Station. Located on lower Pacific Avenue, Union Station was built in 1911 by the Hurley-Mason Co. Although the station is still there some thirty years after this 1975 aerial photograph was taken, its surroundings are quite different. SR-705 would be built to run behind the station and the last train would leave Union Station in June of 1984. The Washington State History Museum is now on the site of the former tree-lined parking lot while the Federal Courts are now located in a new wing north of Union Station. Plans to construct a shopping center/transportation complex including Union Station were shelved after many years of trying. TPL-2399

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Aerial photographs of the area between 320th in Federal Way, North Puyallup, Pacific Highway South and Valley Ave. were taken on a clear day in late March, 1975. This particular view was not positively identified. Lot sizes appeared large and the area not densely occupied. There are two lakes/ponds visible. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Lakes & ponds--Washington;

Puget Sound National Bank had requested aerial photographs of the land between 320th in Federal Way, North Puyallup, Pacific Highway South and Valley Ave. in late March of 1975. The area shown above is heavily wooded with small neighborhoods scattered among the trees.

Aerial views; Firs;

On March 27, 1975, several aerial photographs were taken by the Richards Studio of the area between 320th in Federal Way, North Puyallup, Pacific Highway South and Valley Ave. for Puget Sound National Bank. Most of the series shown the abundance of wooded areas and undeveloped property with smaller neighborhoods scattered on the landscape. The aerials also noted the many roadways, including freeways, in the area.

Aerial views; Express highways--Wash;

A series of aerial photographs were taken on March 27, 1975, on behalf of Puget Sound National Bank of the area between 320th in Federal Way, North Puyallup, Pacific Highway South and Valley Ave. The purpose for the photographs was not expressed in Richard studio notes but it is possible that the bank was preparing for the later acquisition of banks in the vicinity.

Aerial views;

A series of photographs were taken on March 27, 1975, on behalf of Puget Sound National Bank of the area between 320th in Federal Way, North Puyallup, Pacific Highway and Valley Ave. These aerial views of thirty years past show relatively undeveloped areas with little traffic.

Aerial views;

Aerial view, taken in March of 1975, of communities interspersed among large sections of firs. According to Richard Studio notes, the firm had been requested to take a series of photographs of the region between 320th in Federal Way, North Puyallup, Pacific Highway South and Valley Ave. for Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Firs;

Aerial view of heavily wooded lands possibly in the North Puyallup/Valley Ave location. This view has undoubtedly changed in the 32 years since the photograph was taken on behalf of Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Firs;

I-5, SR18 and Weyerhaeuser headquarters. The Richards Studio photograph took a series of photographs of the area between 320th in Federal Way, North Puyallup, Pacific Highway South and Valley Ave. on March 27, 1975, for Puget Sound National Bank. The I-5 freeway runs at the bottom of the photograph. State Route 18 is toward the top. This is also a closer view of the Weyerhaeuser Corporation's headquarters which were built in 1971 in Federal Way. Previously the company had been based in Tacoma. Weyerhaeuser would celebrate its 100th annivesary in January of 2000.

Aerial views; Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Federal Way); Express highways--Wash.;

The landscape above has probably changed in the 30+ years since this Richards Studio photograph was taken. More homes have probably been built and traffic, barely seen above, increased. This aerial is possibly in the North Puyallup section of the county. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views;

1975 Richards color stock footage. Aerial view of downtown Tacoma and industrial Tideflats on July 24, 1975. Major banks, stores and office buildings are separated from factories and mills by the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; City Waterway (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Copy of customer print. Aerial view of the Tacoma industrial tideflats in August of 1975 featuring the Hylebos Waterway at top and the Blair (formerly Port Industrial) Waterway below. There are numerous stacks of lumber in the yards between the two waterways. Color photograph ordered by Westrade, Inc.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Blair Waterway (Tacoma);

1975 Richards color stock footage. This aerial photograph is possibly of an automobile unloading facility in South King County. Rows of cars look like matchbox toys from this lofty distance. Cars could be easily transported via rail and highway.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Shipping; Automobiles;

1975 Richards color stock footage. View by air of northeastern section of Tacoma's industrial area, the Tideflats, in late summer of 1975. Waterway closest to the top of photograph is the Hylebos; the Blair (formerly Port Industrial) Waterway is the other body of water shown above. Plant pictured is believed to be Concrete Technology Corporation.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Blair Waterway (Tacoma);

ca. 1976. Atlas Foundry by air in 1976. Established in 1899, Atlas's sprawling plant in the 3000 block of South Wilkeson was bordered by South Tacoma Way as well as Wilkeson (on right). Center St. is near the top. The Sprague Ave. overpass is in upper left corner along with offramp leading to Hwy 16. The plant's original buildings are near Wilkeson St. Atlas Foundry has been known as Atlas Castings & Technology since 2002. Photograph ordered by Atlas Foundry & Machine Co.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1976. Aerial view of longtime Tacoma foundry, Atlas Foundry & Machine Co., taken in the spring or summer of 1976. The company was founded in 1899 and began making iron castings for the Northwest logging industry. After the foundry was purchased by the Long family 30 years later, it began making steel as well as iron. By the 1930's, half of the firm's production was steel castings. Atlas is still in business in the 21st century; it is now known as Atlas Castings & Technology. This aerial photograph of the foundry in 1976 shows the city and roadways have grown in the 77 years since Atlas was founded. Atlas is bordered by Wilkeson (the long street extending vertically on the right) and South Tacoma Way (bottom) with Center St. on top. Stanley Elementary School is at the end of Wilkeson (top of photograph). I-5 freeway is on the bottom of photograph with the exits to So. 38th St. and Hwy 16 above. At the left corner of picture is the 25th St. bridge and Sprague Ave. (www.atlascastings.com)

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Aerial views of Lakewood neighborhoods near the Villa Plaza Shopping Center were taken on behalf of Newman Properties on June 1, 1976. This particular photograph captures the area around 47th Avenue and Lakeview Avenue. Lakeview is the street running vertically near the right side of picture; 47th borders the Lakeview Elementary School near the center. The cluster of large buildings near the top are part of the Naval Supply Depot which is now the Lakewood Industrial Park.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1970-1980; Lakeview Elementary School (Lakewood); Naval Supply Depot (Lakewood);

1976 Richards color stock footage. Aerial view in October of 1976 of the city's industrial tideflats and businesses bordering the Hylebos and Blair (formerly Port Industrial) Waterways. Bright orange cranes and large containers provide a splash of color amidst the industrial facilities.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Blair Waterway (Tacoma);

1976 Richards color stock footage of Commencement Bay and industrial tideflats. Aerial view featuring the Port of Tacoma's Kaiser Domes, extended Pier 7, cargo ships and railroad cars was taken on October 4, 1976. Ships were able to pull up next to Pier 7 and unload their shipments of ore to be stored in the two large domes. Railroad cars were in the immediate neighborhood for transporting products.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Logs; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1970-1980; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1970-1980;