Aerial view, looking north, of the Villa Plaza Shopping Center and various Lakewood neighborhoods on February 26, 1969. The shopping center, with its vast parking lot, is in the center of the photograph. At the bottom left corner is part of Clover Park High School with ball field. A portion of the Lakewood Center can be spotted on the left side of the photograph. Lockburn Junior High, Flett Dairy and Clover Park Voc-Tech are also visible. The Villa Plaza Shopping Center would be renamed the Lakewood Mall in 1989. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1960-1970; Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1960-1970;

This is how the area around South 72nd Street and I-5 appeared by air in March of 1969. Wapato Lake off of Alaska Street is the large body of water nestled among trees. The cluster of buildings on the far left is the Roadway Inn of America under construction at 6802 So. Sprague. Nearby is a Standard Oil station. This photograph was taken for the Wapato Lake Development Company who had sought permission from the City Planning Commission in early February, 1969, to build a 234-unit lowrise apartment complex on a 12-acre site north of South 72nd between Alaska Street and the freeway. This would entail rezoning and be subject to approval from the city council. We find no record that this complex was built. (TNT 2-4-69, p. 10) TPL-9697

Aerial views; Wapato Lake (Tacoma); Express highways--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rodeway Inn of America (Tacoma);

Aerial views of the City of Olympia requested by Puget Sound National Bank. Olympia, the state capital, is located at the head of Budd Inlet in the northern part of Thurston County. It was officially platted in 1850 by settler Edmund Sylvester who laid out a town in the New England style with town square, tree lined streets, Masonic Hall, land for schools and capitol grounds. The grand domed Legislative Building overlooking Capitol Lake was completed in 1927. It was damaged in the April, 1949, earthquake and later in the 1965 earthquake but was repaired and reinforced. The bridge to the right of the capitol buildings was heavily damaged in the earthquake of 2001. (www.ci.olympia.wa.us/information/history)

Aerial views; Legislative Building (Olympia); Streets--Olympia--1960-1970; Capitol Lake (Olympia);

Aerial photograph of the North end neighborhood about No. 4th & "D" in June of 1969. Homes in this area would have exquisite views of Commencement Bay. A large vacant lot on the northwest corner of No. 4th & "D" might be ready for building soon. Home with treed lot in rear of the vacant lot is 401 No. "E;" empty lot is actually 402-08 No. "D;" and home with portico across the street from lot is 401 No. "D." Photograph ordered by award winning architect Robert Billsbrough Price.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1960-1970; Houses--Tacoma; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Mount Rainier peeks over the University Place neighborhood of 27th & Bridgeport Way W. in the fall of 1969. University Place water tower can be seen left-center in the midst of trees in this aerial view. Safeway's large supermarket (center of photograph) is at 7520 - 27th St. W. in a small shopping center. Also located there are Thrifty Drugs and Value Stores. Photograph ordered by Jack Baty & Associates.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--University Place--1960-1970; Safeway Stores, Inc. (University Place);

Aerial photographs of the City of Olympia in the fall of 1969. View of the Port of Olympia. Olympia, the state capital, had a population then of about 23,000. As the above aerial indicates, there was still plenty of room for growth with acres of uncut timber. Located about 30 miles south of Tacoma, Olympia was named provisional territorial capital in 1853 by Isaac Stevens, Washington's first territorial governor. The name of the city was chosen by local resident Isaac Ebey to commemorate the view of the majestic Olympic Mountains. (www.ci.olympia.wa.us/information/history) Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Port of Olympia (Olympia);

State capitol and grounds. Aerial view looking north on September 5, 1969, of the City of Olympia focusing on the domed Legislative Building and surrounding grounds. Body of water is Capitol Lake. Neatly lined streets are a blend of businesses and large homes. Long road east of the capitol grounds is Capitol Way. Sylvester Park is clump of woods adjacent to Capitol Way. Photograph requested by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Streets--Olympia--1960-1970; Legislative Building (Olympia); Capitol Lake (Olympia);

1969 Aerial view of the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Prior to the construction of the massive Tacoma Mall, there was the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in Lakewood. The Villa Plaza was built in 1957 on the site of the former 200-acre Visitation Villa. By the mid-50's, Lakewood was growing in leaps and bounds and there was a need for more convenient shopping in the suburbs. The Villa Plaza was not the first "one-stop" shopping center in the area--that honor would go to the Lakewood Center--but it had more room for development and most importantly, plenty of free parking. Ads for the Villa Plaza constantly promoted the availability of its 4000 car parking lot. Major downtown stores J.C. Penney, Woolworth and Rhodes would open branches in the Villa Plaza, therefore lessening the necessity of suburban shoppers to venture downtown. Unlike the Tacoma Mall, which would open in 1965, the Villa Plaza was not contained under one roof although many stores were clustered within short walking distances. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1960-1970;

Aerial view of the Villa Plaza Shopping Center and surrounding Lakewood neighborhoods on February 26, 1969. Steilacoom Lake is in the background. St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church property near left bottom corner. Tenzler Library (now Lakewood Library) close to Gravelly Lake Dr. on extreme left edge. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1960-1970; Lake Steilacoom (Wash.); Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1960-1970;

View by plane of Villa Plaza Shopping Center and surrounding Lakewood neighborhoods on February 26, 1969. The Villa Plaza's 4000-car parking lot and congregation of large stores were major attractions. In 1969, the shopping center was twelve years old and facing competition from the younger Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. There was still room for expansion for the Lakewood facility but it lacked direct freeway access that the Tacoma Mall enjoyed. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1960-1970; Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1960-1970;

Another aerial view in a series of photographs of Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center taken on February 26, 1969. A McDonald's restaurant has sprouted up near an entrance to the large shopping center. A notable feature of the Villa Plaza is the immense parking lot, capable of holding 4000 cars. Customers could choose to park their vehicles near any of the 30+ stores and not worry about feeding the meter. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1960-1970; Parking lots--Lakewood; McDonald's (Lakewood);

Aerials of Brookdale area around Brookdale Golf Course, Chesney Rd. E., Givens Rd. E., and Waller Rd. E. taken on August 18, 1969. The Brookdale Golf Course was built in 1931 and offered its patrons fine views of Mount Rainier while striding the par-71, 6400-yard course. Photograph ordered by Healy Bros.

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Brookdale Golf Club (Parkland);

Closer September, 1969, northwest to southeast aerial view of intersection of 27th W. and Bridgeport in University Place. (see D156922, image 7 for extended view) This now busy intersection was still fairly undeveloped in 1969; there are a few businesses including the Park & Shop market at 26th & Bridgeport (parking lot visible at bottom) and several service stations--Paul's Chevron, University Place Shell around 27th & Bridgeport. University Place water tower can barely be seen in upper center of photograph amidst the towering trees. The cap of Mount Rainier forms a beautiful background. Photograph ordered by Jack Baty & Associates.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--University Place--1960-1970; Automobile service stations--University Place;

ca. 1969. This "artistically modified" view of downtown Tacoma was created for the Downtown Tacoma Association in 1969. Along with the Bank of Washington building at 1201-23 Pacific Avenue, it shows a second high-rise building in the 1100 block of Pacific and numerous parking structures on Market and on the south end of Broadway. The building at the corner of 11th and pacific is at least twice the height of the Pacific First Federal building that was built on that site. Only the Washington Plaza (now Wells Fargo Plaza), which was completed in January of 1971, was built more or less as visualized.

Aerial views; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); City Waterway (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Northerly aerial view of County-City Building and downtown business district taken on October 4, 1969. County-City Building is in center of photograph; the Washington National Guard Armory is separated from the County-City Building by large parking lot. Part of the Tacoma Public Library can be glimpsed across the street on Tacoma Ave. So. from the County-City Building. McDonald's and Central School are just north of the county and city offices. Medical Arts Building is Art Deco structure on Market far right of photograph. Commencement Bay is body of water with Brown's Point in background. Photograph ordered by Whitacre Engineers.

Aerial views; County-City Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma); Central School (Tacoma); McDonald's (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Aerial view of Stadium District in early 1970. The French chateau-styled Stadium High School and adjacent Stadium Bowl are near the top of the photograph on North "E" St. One street below is Tacoma Avenue; the white tower on the upper left corner is the Vista Manor Apartments, 319 Tacoma Avenue North. Further south on Tacoma Avenue (right lower edge) is the First Presbyterian Church with its ornate dome extending from the red brick structure. A small wedge of Wright Park is close by. The streets running vertically and intersecting Tacoma Ave. are 3rd, 2nd, and 1st; Division runs rather diagonally near the right side where it also intersects Tacoma Ave. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Wright Park (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Vista Manor Apartments (Tacoma);

County-City Building. Close-up view of the County-City Building with two its wings - law enforcement on the left and courts on the right with the 12-story central structure between. Also in this October 4, 1969, aerial view is the Washington National Guard Armory in the photograph's foreground. The brick edifice was dedicated on the first day in January, 1909, and remodeled several times since then. Located in the 700 block of So. 11th St., it was across the street from the L.H. Bates Vocational-Technical Institute (formerly Tacoma Vocational). Photograph ordered by Whitacre Engineers.

Aerial views; County-City Building (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Aerial view of industrial Tideflats area around East D St. between City (now Thea Foss) Waterway and Middle Waterway on October 16, 1969. Fick Foundry (center) had long been an occupant at 1005 East D with Richfield Oil across the street. The building right of Fick is the Junior Line Furniture Co., 1017 East D. The large plant above Fick Foundry is the Coast Sash & Door Co., 1002 East F St. It was later known as Coastcraft. Photograph ordered by Winston Fournier & Associates, Dallas. (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-10293

Aerial views; Fick Foundry Co. (Tacoma); City Waterway (Tacoma); Middle Waterway (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Coast Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma); Junior Line Furniture Co. (Tacoma); Richfield Oil Corp. (Tacoma);

October 4, 1969, aerial view of County-City Building, location of city, county, police and court systems. This view captures the rear portion of the County-City Building and shows the large parking lot available. Somewhat resembling an airplane with extended wings, the County-City Building was formally dedicated in April of 1959. It occupied land between So. 9th & So. 11th Street on Tacoma Ave. So. The old Gothic-styled Pierce County Courthouse had been demolished and services transferred to the new building; parking for the County-City Building would take its place. Although the County-City Building was only ten years old in 1969, it was already bursting at its seams. Supporters had proposed to the City Council in late September, 1969, that an $8 million dollar bond issue for a new 5-story wing be considered. The courts needed more space so that trials could proceed without delays. Horace J. Whitacre of Whitacre Engineers gave a detailed projection of the County-City Building's future space needs. Photograph ordered by Whitacre Engineers. (TNT 9-23-69 , p. 10- article)

Aerial views; County-City Building (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Aerial view of new Tacoma Boatbuilding plant and log dumps on the Hylebos Waterway. The new facility would replace the longtime plant on the Sitcum Waterway which had been gutted by fire in 1968. The L-shaped structrure nearest to Marine View Dr. roadway is believed to hold the administrative and engineering offices. The largest building in this October 4, 1969, photograph is the aluminum fabricating plant, flanked by the steel fabricating building. The building nearest the water is the trades building which holds the equipment used by pipefitters and electricians. A 300-foot pier is being constructed next to 350-foot double ways. With 20 acres of land, the plant had plenty of room for further expansion if needed. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT full page ad 10-10-69, A-20; TNT 10-19-69, D-10)

Aerial views; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Logs; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

County-City Building. Aerial view looking south on Tacoma Ave. So. with close-up of side and rear of County-City Building, its large parking lot, and Tacoma Public Library across the street. The County-City Building had been completed in 1959 to replace the venerable Old City Hall, 625 Commerce St. Ten years later it housed both city and county offices, including the health department, auditor, assessor, sheriff and city police, city council & mayor, county commissioners and courts. The future would see many of these departments move to separate buildings including the Municipal Building (formerly the Medical Arts Building), Pierce County Annex and the new Tacoma Police Department's complex on Pine St. Photograph ordered by Whitacre Engineers.

Aerial views; County-City Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Aerial view of County-City Building and vicinity on a clear early October day in 1969. The County-City Building had celebrated its 10th birthday in 1969, having replaced the dilapidated Old City Hall on Commerce. It is the multi-story aluminum and glass building on Tacoma Ave. So. in the center of the photograph; one of its wings visible is the reinforced concrete court building. To the south of the County-City Building is the Tacoma Public Library; the Carnegie Library, now home to the library's Northwest Room & Special Collections, is the rounded Renaissance-styled structure. West of the County-City Building is the Washington National Guard Armory at 11th & Yakima; across the street from the Armory is the (now) L.H. Bates Vocational-Technical Institute. This view looks much the same now in 2006 as it did 37 years ago. Photograph ordered by Whitacre Engineers. TPL-9648

Aerial views; County-City Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970;

1970 Aerial view of North end neighborhoods surrounding Wright Park including the Stadium District. A wedge of Commencement Bay is toward the upper right corner of the picture. Stadium High School and Stadium Bowl are close to the right edge. Garfield Park, located next to Annie Wright Seminary, is the wooded area near the top of the photograph. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Wright Park (Tacoma); Commencement Bay (Wash.); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Garfield Park (Tacoma); Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1970-1980;

A series of photographs were taken by air on February 20, 1970, featuring north end neighborhoods, including the Stadium District. This view focuses on Wright Park, and the businesses and apartments surrounding the park. Located about Sixth & "I," Wright Park provided a peaceful alternative to the bustle of urban living. Through the trees can be seen a glimpse of the First Church of Christ, Scientist at the corner of Division and "I" and Tacoma General Hospital's facilities on nearby "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way). A section of tranquil Commencement Bay is on the right upper edge. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Wright Park (Tacoma); First Church of Christ, Scientist (Tacoma); Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Aerial photograph of Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and vicinity in 1969. The area around the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center looked quite different in 1969 as the mall had not expanded to the size it holds in 2006. This view is taken looking across South 48th St. towards the mall with Penney's, Pay Less Drugs, and Nordstrom Best clearly visible. The Bon Marche (now Macy's) is the large red building in back of Nordstrom. The Tacoma Mall Office Building is off to its left and had recently opened. Best Buy and BabiesRus would later be built in the wooded area across So. 48th St. Pine St., which intersects So. 48th St., would later become more developed as the Post Office would build the Evergreen Station closer to So. 38th. The White Front store with large parking lot is already on So. 38th where Michael's would later be situated. In the distance toward the top center of the photograph is the Public Utilities building on So. 35th near Union Ave. Color photograph ordered by Center Offices, Inc.

Aerial views; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma; Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma); J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pay Less Drugs (Tacoma); Nordstrom Best (Tacoma); White Front (Tacoma);

1970 aerial views of Tacoma neighborhoods around Sixth Avenue and Division. The long bending street is Sixth Avenue as it turns into Division. Jason Lee Junior High (now Middle) School is complex of light-colored buildings at Sixth & Sprague. Jason Lee, built on the site of the former College of Puget Sound, was the first and largest of six intermediate schools funded in 1923. Wright Park is the large wooded area about Sixth & "I." Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. TPL-9667

Aerial views; Wright Park (Tacoma); Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Aerial look of the populous North end and downtown area of Tacoma in 1970, including glimpse of Commencement Bay and bustling industrial Tideflats. This view is looking east over the city's landscape. I-5 is toward the right corner. University of Puget Sound is in the center. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. TPL-9668

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; University of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On February 20, 1970, several aerial photographs of North Tacoma were taken on behalf of Puget Sound National Bank. They showed the north end residential neighborhoods extending to Commencement Bay. The beautiful campus of the University of Puget Sound and adjacent Baker Stadium and Fieldhouse are located in the lower left-center. Wright Park is the large wooded area close to downtown Tacoma.

Aerial views; University of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Wright Park (Tacoma); Commencement Bay (Wash.);

A February, 1970, photograph taken on a sunny winter day looking north toward Commencement Bay showed the north end Stadium District. Wright Park, located around Sixth & "I," is on the right lower edge. Across the street from the park is the Greek-ionic styled First Church of Christ, Scientist. The Washington State Historical Society building, Stadium Bowl and Stadium High School are near the right upper edge. The white tower in the upper center is the Vista Manor Apartments; built in 1950, Vista Manor had some outstanding views of the bay. Next door to the Vista Manor at 409 Tacoma Ave. No. is the Central Lutheran Church. A portion of Tacoma General Hospital can be seen at the bottom of the photograph. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Wright Park (Tacoma); First Church of Christ, Scientist (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society Building (Tacoma); Vista Manor Apartments (Tacoma); Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Closer aerial view of Stadium District in February of 1970. The Neo-classic Washington State Historical Society building overlooks Stadium Bowl and adjacent Stadium High School at the right edge of the photograph. Other prominent landmarks in the area are the Romanesque First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Ave. So. (lower center) and the white tower of the Vista Manor Apartments at 319 Tacoma Ave. No. (near top of photograph). Across the street from the Vista Manor is the Central Lutheran Church with its white steel 25-foot revolving cross. A segment of Wright Park is toward the left edge. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society Building (Tacoma); First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Vista Manor Apartments (Tacoma);