Two unidentified women sit behind a desk that is covered with chocolate bells in this photograph from January 1955. The bells were created for the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company to be given out to their employees as rewards for maintaining a good attendance record. It is not known whether the women in this photograph worked for Pacific Bell or for the company that made the bells.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960;

On January 12, 1955, a photographer, believed to be Bob Richards, balanced gingerly on the top step of a ladder placed between railroad tracks as he prepared to photograph a set of traffic signs made from various materials for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The "Slow" signs are individually labeled as to the materials used in their manufacture- steel, alum(inum), fiber glass, no overlay, no overlay painted, no overlay unpainted, and plywood. The plywood industry sought to convince municipalities that sturdy, durable, plywood was the best material for traffic signs. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Photographers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ladders;

Nativity scene at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. The marker on the side of the church is dated 1953 as the church was dedicated on October 11, 1953. The Wise men and shepherds approach across the lawn to the Baby lying in the manger. The church is of a simple Roman brick design with a vestibule and a steeple. It was designed by architects Mock & Morrison.

Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church (Fircrest); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Fircrest;

Night exposure of Christmas decorations at Sprague Hardware Co. The three Kings approach the baby Jesus cradled in the stable against a painted mural of Bethlehem. Sprague Hardware was owned by Guy B. and Gordon L. Sprague. A sign in the window promotes "do it yourself tools" for home handymen. The building is of concrete construction, circa 1908, and originally housed Owen N. Johns Grocery.

Sprague Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Christmas decorations; Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of Livermore Co. The Livermore Co., located at 2407 Sixth Avenue, were electrical contractors who specialized in Berko Heating units. The Berko Electric units provided glass panel radiant heat year round. The streamlined modern heating maintained even, constant heat. Livermore's also sold Coolerator electric appliances, which included refrigerators, freezers and ranges. Thomas Livermore owned and operated the business bearing his name. View of exterior of Livermore Co. building with neon signage; Palmer Radio & TV Service is brick building to its right.

Livermore Co. (Tacoma); Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Bob Kieszling Accordion Studio accordion band. And "It's a one ana two" as accordion players line the stage from wall to wall, as well as a few strings, brass and percussion players, flanked by Bob (R.A.) and Agnes Kieszling, directors of the music school. The Accordion Studio was located at 3710 No. 25th, which was also the Kieszling's home.

Music education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Accordions; Music ensembles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kieszling, Robert A.; Kieszling, Agnes;

Road signs, for the DFPA. These "Slow" road signs made of different materials will undergo rigorous testing over the next couple of months. The signs are constructed of plywood, overlaid plywood, steel, aluminum and fiberglass. They will be rigorously tested for their ability to stand up to direct hits, gunshots and wear and tear. They will be tested for legibility in the daylight as well as at nighttime. The testing was ordered and recorded by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Testing; Product inspection;

Olympic Mountain scenes from the 6th Ave. area. Ordered by Richards studio, photographed by Bill H. As the area around the Tacoma side of the Narrows bridge settled, contractors scrambled to build on view lots. The lots offered beautiful views of the Narrows, mountains and bridge.

Puget Sound (Wash.); Olympic Mountains (Wash.);

ca. 1954. Copy of customer print. View of unusually shaped, unidentified building, possibly an exhibition hall. A large portion of the exterior of this saddlebacked structure is made of multi-paned windows. The building may not yet be completed as there appears to be several stacks of plywood visible against the glass walls. There is a small entrance to the far left of the photograph. Date of original print is unknown; copy was made probably in late 1954.

Buildings; Buildings distinguished by material;

ca. 1900. Columbia Breweries remained proud of their beginnings in 1900 when Emil Kliese, William Kiltz and John Smith incorporated the Columbia Brewing Company. This photograph of the entire staff of the brewery in 1900 was used in several newspaper stories during the 1940's and 1950's when the company announced new additions to the brewery. Seated in the front are, L-R, William Kiltz, sales manager, and Emile Kliese, president and brew master. The five men in the back are not identified. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. TPL-9625

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1900-1910; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Kiltz, William; Kliese, Emile;

ca. 1937. One of the chemists at Columbia Breweries is placing test tubes of samples in an autoclave to continue testing the beers and ales brewed at Columbia Breweries. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, Inc., Tacoma".

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Chemistry--Tacoma; Scientists--Tacoma; Scientific equipment--Tacoma;

ca. 1937. A new copper brew kettle is being installed on top of several legs at Columbia Breweries. The brew kettle was located between two floors - the structure for the floor has not yet been built. Employees could add the ingredients for a "brew", barley malt, hops, and water, on the upper level through the sliding doors seen just above the rim near the top of the kettle. Dismantling of the kettle in 1953 can be seen in photograph D76,717-4. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. TPL-8854

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Kettles;

ca. 1948. A scale model of Columbia Breweries plant as it was planned in 1948. An expansion was announced in 1948 that called for a 2-story unit for a new bottle shop, bottle storage, cellars, and a steam plant. A second unit was to warehouse case goods and a new receiving and shipping depot on property to the rear on Jefferson Avenue that had been acquired in 1948. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, 714 Market Street, Tacoma".

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Architectural models;

ca. 1949. A view of the bottling line at Columbia Breweries where three men are maintaining quality control over the bottling operations. The two men on the left are viewing the filled bottles of beer for any impurities or imperfections. The man on the right is assuring that the machinery continues to run smoothly. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954. The photographer's name in the lower right shows, "Associated Photographic Service, 714 Market Street, Tacoma". TPL-7955

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Bottles;

ca. 1952. An architectural drawing of Columbia Breweries' new bottle shop that was to be built at the southern end of the brewery along South C Street. The glass-fronted bottling line and storage building would contain over 53,000 square feet of additional plant. Drawing by Wohleb & Wohleb Architects in Olympia, Rober Dudley of Seattle, photographer. Copies of old prints ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Company in December 1954.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Architectural drawings;

ca. 1953. Artist's rendering of the Everell S. Collins Memorial Library, College of Puget Sound campus. The building was designed by Silas E. Nelsen and constructed by Bona Fide Builders. It was dedicated in May of 1954.

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--Buildings; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Architectural drawings;

ca. 1954. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St.Paul & Pacific Railroad Co., commonly called The Milwaukee Road, opened a new passenger depot at East 11th and Milwaukee Way, on the tideflats, in April of 1954. Made of Roman brick, the $150,000 structure was a comfortable place to wait for incoming or outgoing trains. Large plate glass windows provided a clear view of the trains while keeping passengers safe and dry. The railroad company had used a simple wooden building at 25th and A Street since just after the turn of the century. The Milwaukee Road railroad went bankrupt in the late 1970s; all its land and buildings on the tideflats were purchased by Sea-Land in the early 1980s. TPL-3729

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Well-known newspaper, radio and television personality Ed Sullivan arrived in Tacoma in June, 1954, to participate in the cornerstone laying ceremony for Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan was the host of the hour-long variety show, "Toast of the Town". He had been the first to introduce Jack Benny to radio audiences in 1932 and lyric soprano Margaret Truman made her debut on his television show in 1952. Mr. Sullivan was expected to comment on the growing need for children's hospitals in America. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital had an estimated cost of $900,000; it would be a two-story structure built on South "L" Street between 3rd and 4th Streets. Initially, it would have forty beds for children ranging from babies to 14 year olds. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Orthopedic Association. (TNT 5-20-54, C-2)

Cornerstone laying--Tacoma; Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974;

Phillip Cammarano sat at the wheel of the Cammarano Brothers' new Diamond T delivery truck in July of 1954 while it was parked in front of their building at 2307 A Street. The company's name was proudly displayed in a circular crest on the driver's side door. The Cammarano Brothers were distributors for Hamms, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Rainier Beers as well as carbonated beverages. Their warehouse on A Street was built in 1937 by MacDonald Building Co., contractors, and had been designed by local architectural firm, Lance & Muri. The Cammarano Brothers company closed at the end of May in 2001 after 80 years in the beverage distribution business. TPL-9473

Diamond T trucks; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. View of two-story, wood frame house and surrounding property.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. Distant view of house hidden by row of fruit trees.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. View of farm showing house and garage on left, pasture, fences and trees.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts; Fences;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. View of house, landscape and gravel road. Rose arbor, border plants and trees in garden.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts; Trellises;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. Distant view of dairy barn and outbuildings. Cattle in pasture.

Farms--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts; Barns--Tacoma; Cattle;

Two well-dressed young ladies, Mrs. Joan Loechner (formerly Clark) and Mrs. John Schutzman (the former Shiela Widener), in a late-model convertible may be getting ready to park their vehicle in the large carport in the early evening of June 29, 1954. The carport is attached to the American Lake rambler style home of Loechner's parents Harrison and Myrtle Clark. The carport, however, has a flat roof in comparison to the slightly shallow-pitched roof on the rambler. Built of wood on a concrete foundation, the carport is partially enclosed with paneled walls on two sides. The panels are of grooved fir plywood siding called "Texture One-Eleven." The carport features exposed posts with 1x2 exposed stops which serve as the railing base for the textured panels. Small lights are affixed to the eaves, providing illumination at night. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 9/19/1956, pg. E-17)

Garages; Convertible automobiles; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Loechner, Joan; Widener, Shiela;

Safeway Builders after pictures. Safeway Builders apparently remodeled numerous homes in the Tacoma area in the 1950's. This contemporary home was a one-story wood model with long, horizontal lines and shallow-pitched roof. A small awning shades the front doorway. A split fence separates the property from the land next door.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Safeway Builders Co. (Tacoma); Fences;

A crowd of spectators await the launching of the minesweeper #489, the U.S.S. Gallant, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding on the evening of June 4, 1954. Martinac Shipbuilding had received a contract to built nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy during the early 1950's. Those observing the launching heard Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, give the principal address. Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac, was the ship's sponsor. Music for the ceremony was provided by the McChord Air Force Band. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan is welcomed to Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue South after his arrival on June 9, 1954, for the laying of the cornerstone on the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan received a TPD motorcycle escort and a ride in a new convertible courtesy of Mr. Ridge's dealership. Ray Ridge is on the right in the light suit; man shaking hands with Mr. Sullivan is tentatively identified as Judge George Boldt. Mr. Ridge, Mr. Sullivan and Judge Boldt would be among the honored guests at a 1500 person celebration of the new hospital held at the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

In 1954 Tacoma had its own toy factory, the Tacoma Metal Products Company, located at 414-16 Puyallup Avenue. Workers at the manufacturing plant are pictured using a primitive looking assembly line. During the assembly line process, toy tea kettles are painted, parts assembled, polished and then placed in small boxes. A thin conveyor belt moves the tiny tea kettles from one worker to another.

Tacoma Metal Products Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Assembly-line methods--Tacoma; Toys; Toy industry--Tacoma;

Dressed to play tennis, Joan (Clark) Loechner poses in front of her parents', Harrison and Myrtle Clark's, American Lake home on June 29, 1954. She is smiling and looking off-camera while clutching her wooden tennis racket. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Tennis players; Tennis rackets; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Loechner, Joan;