Interior-Medical Arts Building. The hallway is empty in this September 15, 1954, photograph of the Medical Arts Building lobby. Hanging lamps illuminate the ornate ceiling and marbled floors and walls . The Medical Arts Drugs Store entry is on the right facing the multiple bronze elevator doors. The Medical Arts building was a prime example of Art Deco architecture; it was designed and engineered by noted architect, John Graham, Sr. It was a new concept in medical care which called for a full service building in the central business district to handle all aspects of health care. Built of Romanite stone, it was 17 stories tall and was the tallest building in Tacoma at the time of construction in 1930. It is on all three registries--City, State and National. Photograph ordered by Comfort, Davis & Blangy. (Tacoma Rediviva, p. 79)

Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Ceilings--Tacoma; Passageways--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On September 15, 1954, the real estate and insurance firm of Comfort, Davis & Blangy requested several photographs of the Saint Helens and Market St. business area. This photograph taken at South 7th and Saint Helens Ave.shows primarily the Medical Arts Building, partially completed United Pacific Insurance Co. addition, Mousley's Cantilever Shoes, Trovani's Jr. Bootery, Landis Shoe Repair, Don Harter's drycleaning and tailoring establishment with the Berk Apartments overhead. The Medical Arts Building, at 17 stories, looms over neighboring businesses.

Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two employees of United Pacific Insurance Company at company headquarters in the Medical Arts Building examine data being printed probably involving policyholders on October 28, 1954. The man in the suit is pointing at a particular entry on the list while the other man observes. Three more employees are in the background possibly handling data entry cards. Photograph ordered by United Pacific Insurance.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Insurance companies--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery;

A variety of departments in the United Pacific Insurance Company were photographed in one day, October 28, 1954, as requested by the firm. Three employees appear to be determining the layout of a publication, perhaps the company magazine The Gryphon, as there is a large photograph, a drawing and text laid out on a desk. United Pacific had its headquarters in Tacoma in the Medical Arts Building and provided employment to many local residents. Photograph ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Insurance companies--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior- Medical Arts Building. Originally known as the Rhodes Medical Arts Tower, the Medical Arts Building was designed by architect John Graham, Sr. with Heath, Gove & Bell, associate architects and completed in 1930. Built in the New York Art Deco style, the building had 17 stories and was 233 feet tall. It was a full-service health care facility in Tacoma's central business district. Occupants included physician offices, laboratories, pharmacy, library, coffee shop and auditorium. An attached garage with ramped connection provided much needed parking. There were two entrances to the Medical Arts Building, one on Market St. and the other on Saint Helens. United Pacific Insurance would purchase the building for its home offices in 1941 and later build a five-story addition next to the structure. The sixth floor would be remodeled for the Washington Minor Hospital in 1955. The City of Tacoma purchased the Medical Arts Building in 1977 as it needed additional office space and wanted to increase the downtown business core's economic base. It was subsequently renamed the Tacoma Municipal Building. Photograph taken on September 15, 1954, on behalf of Comfort, Davis & Blangy. (Tacoma Rediviva, p. 79)

Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma;

Employees of United Pacific Insurance Company are shown scrutinizing typed reports at company headquarters on October 28, 1954. The man seated is possibly Morris Brown, company vice-president. United Pacific Insurance had 15 branch offices throughout the county in addition to several claims offices. It was not just a local firm but was a presence nationally in 32 states plus the District of Columbia and Alaska. United Pacific moved into new quarters in January, 1955, as a $500,000 addition to the Medical Arts Building was finally completed. Photograph ordered by United Pacific Insurance.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Insurance companies--Tacoma;

Although organized in Seattle in the 1920's, United Pacific Insurance Company decided to move their headquarters to Tacoma after purchasing the Medical Arts Building in the early 1940's. Their new addition to the Medical Arts Building would open in early 1955 and contain new quarters for their company. Here two employees of United Pacific Insurance look over data from the Sanborn Map Co. concerning information about North "E" Street on October 28, 1954. Several other Sanborn Map volumes are filed nearby, including Vol. 2 for Tacoma and three volumes for Portland. Photograph ordered by United Pacific Insurance Co.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Insurance companies--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Maps;