Uniformed mechanics were presented with service buttons at the Allen Motor Company on South Tacoma Way Christmas Eve, 1952. Allen Motor Company were authorized Studebaker dealers. Advertising announcing new 1952 Studebakers is painted on the large plate glass windows; there is also a neon "Commander" sign on adjacent window. The man in white coveralls in the second row, second from the right, is Scotty Gordon.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Art Johnson, Lincoln High School linebacker, accepts his school's Most Inspirational individual trophy in a ceremony held at the South Park Community Center on January 14, 1953. Lt. Les Richter, an All-American from the University of California, congratulates Johnson. Harry Esborg, president of the South Tacoma Kiwanis Club, holds the imposing Inspirational Trophy which is given annually to the most worthy high school football player. (TNT 1-15-53, B-10)

Awards; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Johnson, Art; Richter, Les; Esborg, Harry;

Construction was booming regarding military facilities in the early 1950's; the Korean conflict brought thousands of new personnel to the Puget Sound area. Fort Lewis, along with Madigan, experienced new growing pains. This necessitated building new housing on base; view of plywood forms being set into place for Fort Lewis barracks. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Building construction--Fort Lewis; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Guests at the Columbia Breweries' Christmas party for the handicapped listen attentively as a brewery official speaks on December 21, 1952. Apparently the party was well attended with men, women and children present. Besides refreshments, music was also provided. Most of the guests are seated, some in wheelchairs, while one woman lies on a lightweight transportable bed.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas decorations; Handicapped persons--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wheelchairs; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Santa joined the festivities at the Columbia Breweries' Christmas party for the handicapped on December 21, 1952. He is standing behind a row of guests in wheelchairs. There is an enormous decorated Christmas tree against the room's rear wall; it appears that it is about ten feet high.

Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wheelchairs; Handicapped persons--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

The painted leaping elephant on the wall seems to mimic the little girl jumping rope in a November, 1952 photograph. A swinging monkey and observant giraffe are also painted onto the wall. A small child in coat and bonnet "walks" her wooden puppy; she will soon cross the path of another little girl bouncing her ball.

Children playing with toys--Washington; Silhouettes;

A small group of children eye the stuffed Santa standing outside the toy department of Rhodes Brothers Department Store in late November, 1952. Behind them, a large sign with a cutout of a smiling monkey proclaims the store to have the city's biggest toyland. Rhodes also offered miniature train rides for the little tykes. Left to right are Jimmy Newkirk being held by Lawrence Walker, Santa, Kathy Hall, Brenda Newkirk, and Santa's helper, Donna Walker. The Independent Order of Foresters would be holding a Christmas party at Normanna Hall on December 20th; Santa is expected to attend. Photograph ordered by Independent Order of Foresters. (TNT 12-12-52, C-5) TPL-8109

Christmas--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Independent Order of Foresters 327 (Tacoma); Newkirk, Jimmy; Newkirk, Brenda; Hall, Kathy; Walker, Donna; Walker, Lawrence;

The rec room in Lawrence L. Hess' North Stadium Way home appears to have been constructed of natural wood and plywood. View of bar area with footrail; refrigerator and shelves full of glasses. A rattan serving cart with round ice bucket stands next to the cabinet. A section of a wooden bookcase is shown on the right. Lawrence Hess owned several businesses in Tacoma including L.L. Hess & Son Furniture Co., Resthaven Nursing Home, and was listed as president of the Hess Furniture Bargain Annex, according to the 1953 City Directory. Photograph ordered by Georgia Pacific Plywood Co.

Hess, Lawrence L.--Homes & haunts; Recreation rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Georgia Pacific Plywood Co. (Olympia);

Dr. J. Morrison Brady, superintendent of the Pierce County Hospital, accepts delivery of a new "Invalift" which would assist in the lifting of an incapacitated individual via a sling. The new device was given by the Pierce County Wholesale and Retail Malt Beverage dealers. T.O. Larsen has his hand on the crank which would raise and/or lower the device. Chet Adwen and A.K. Wetmore are shown presenting Dr. Brady with what appears to be a check. Photograph ordered by Washington State Tavern Association. (TNT 12-21-52, C-13)

Hoisting machinery; Medical equipment & supplies; Litters; Pierce County Hospital (Tacoma); Brady, J. Morrison; Larsen, Theodore O.; Adwen, Chet; Wetmore, A.K.; Washington State Tavern Association (Tacoma);

Dusk falls on American Lake in a photograph taken on December 23, 1952. There is a stark outline of a sparsely branched fir tree in front of the lake. Glimpses of small decks or ramps can be seen on extreme left. View of lake was taken from the Lakeside Club.

Lakes & ponds--Tacoma; American Lake (Wash.); Firs; Lakeside Club (Lakewood);

North Pacific Bank offered free one-hour parking for their customers in 1952. A sign notes that after the free hour expires, 50 cents would be charged per hour. North Pacific's parking lot was located between Hogan's Fine Foods and South Tacoma Motor Co.'s service division. The bank itself was located at 5446-48 South Tacoma Way, along with Aetna Insurance, Wallerich Agencies, Western States Investment Corp. and City Insurance Co. Photograph ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.

Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); Hogan's Fine Foods (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Work continues on the Columbia Breweries' warehouse on a misty December, 1952, morning. Preparation is being made for the pouring of concrete. Columbia Breweries, producers of Alt Heidelberg beer, Columbia beer and Columbia Ale, had been undergoing massive remodeling and expansion since 1948.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

A Viking warrior, ready for battle, stands above the large neon sign for the Viking Restaurant. Apparently the restaurant offered exceptional food with dining available from 5:00 p.m. It was situated in a rectangular building with large plate glass windows; a striped awning hung over the main entrance. The word "cheese" is painted in large letters on a tall triangular column near the corner of the restaurant. The Viking Restaurant had previously been known as the Viking Smorgasbord, specializing in Scandinavian and American foods. TPL-2510

Viking Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Awnings--Tacoma;

Searchlights pierce the darkness of a winter evening as they beckon drivers to the new Shell Service Station at South Twenty Sixth Street and Pacific Avenue on December 6, 1952. Owned by Jesse C. McGee and Kenneth T. Baker, the gas station was actually located at 2523 Pacific Avenue. It celebrated its grand opening in early December with free giveaways. This view of the exterior of the new station was taken from across the street. The station, with the company name aglow in neon, apparently had four pumps and a small repair facility. Photograph ordered by Shell Oil. (TNT 12-4-52, D-3--ad)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Twenty Sixth & Pacific Shell Service (Tacoma); Searchlights--Tacoma; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Workers lay steel reinforcement over plywood in the construction of the new cerebral palsy center possibly at Rainier School in Buckley. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel.

Building construction--Buckley; Western State Custodial School (Buckley); Institutional care--Buckley; Children--Health & welfare; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

Nineteen members of the Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 gathered at the Masonic Temple in December, 1952. They were there to honor Mrs. Thomas Luke of Portland, Supreme Queen of the Supreme Temple, who was visiting temples and Shriner hospitals across the nation. Mrs. Luke is believed to be the woman in the dark evening gown with corsage. The Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 are dressed in a variety of costumes ranging from Egyptian belly dancers to white "Russian" cossack-style outfits. (TNT 11-30-52, D-7)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Group portraits; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Costumes--Egyptian;

Patrons visiting the Tacoma Public Library's new Main branch were fortunate to be able to view collections of artwork in the Thomas S. Handforth Gallery. Mr. Handforth, a Guggenheim Fellow, left many pieces of his art to the library. The art gallery was named in his honor. View of Handforth Gallery with mounted artwork. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Thomas S. Handforth Gallery (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; General Electric Co. (Tacoma);

A large crowd of men gather in December, 1952, at the Titus Motor Company to preview the new car service floor. A large "Let's Get Acquainted" sign from the Ford Motor Company hangs on a rear wall. Titus Motor Company, headed by Leon E. Titus, was a well-known Ford dealership with a large selection of Ford cars and trucks and a full service department including parts on site.

Group portraits; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

A newly built kitchen is ready to serve the men in Bldg. #14160 at Madigan General Hospital. The roomy kitchen appears well equipped to supply the 165-man barracks in November, 1952. Photograph ordered by Van Vetter, Inc.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Madigan General Hospital (Wash.); Van Vetter, Inc.;

Howard M. Rowe was the Tacoma Public Library Director at the time that the new Main library on South 11th and Tacoma Avenue South was built in the early 1950's. He is pictured working at his desk in this January, 1953, photograph. Mr. Rowe was appointed to replace Aubrey F. Andrews who had died in November of 1950 and assumed his new position in mid-January of 1951. He had been the chief librarian for the city-county library in Santa Barbara, California prior to his coming to Tacoma. His administrative offices were located on the third, and top, floor of the Main library. Besides having the boardroom nearby, there was a long, rectangular table in Mr. Rowe's office which was used for meetings with library personnel. Photograph ordered by General Electric. (TNT 1-12-51, p. 4-article on Mr. Rowe's arrival in Tacoma)

Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Rowe, Howard M.; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; General Electric Co. (Tacoma);

A Tacoma Public Library employee can barely be seen at the end of long stacks of books in the Main library's basement. Bright fluorescent lighting helps the worker find the necessary items. It appears that he may be shelving in the documents/reference section. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

Public libraries--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Books; Bookstacks--Tacoma; General Electric Co. (Tacoma);

The Main branch of the Tacoma Public Library had a very well equipped Fine Arts department in the 1950's. Patrons pictured in this January, 1953, photograph enjoy the department's resources on the library's second floor. Large plate glass windows in addition to numerous light fixtures help provide more-than-adequate lighting. The Main library on Tacoma Avenue South was dedicated in November, 1952. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

Public libraries--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); General Electric Co. (Tacoma);

View of interior of Saunders' Health Service was taken on Christmas Eve, 1952. According to the 1953 City Directory, the business was owned and operated by Eleanor and George Saunders and carried a complete line of natural and accessory foods. Cheerful holiday greetings are written on a chalkboard set between shelves of bottles. Saunders' Health Service provided their customers with plenty of counter space and stools to rest on while ordering tasty and healthy beverages like papaya and celery juices and hot vegetable broth. Intriguing book titles like "Eat and Grow Younger" and "Let's Have Healthy Children" could also be purchased.

Saunders' Health Service, Inc. (Tacoma); Nutrition--Tacoma--1950-1960; Books; Stools;

The Patent Scaffolding Co., located in Seattle at 420 8th Ave. N., sold and rented Gold Medal scaffolding and hoisting towers to businesses and individuals. View of scaffolding inside the Bank of California at 1011-12 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. A sign indicating McClelland Sons, who were professional cleaners, have been employed in this capacity is placed on one of the towers. They may have been there to clean the building's skylights.

Scaffolding; Patent Scaffolding Co., Inc. (Seattle); Signs (Notices); Skylights--Tacoma;

Lillian Swenson carefully lights candles placed on a pair of matching cabinets in a December, 1952, photograph. The cabinets are homemade, wood with apparently a black lacquer finish. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cabinets (Case furniture)--Tacoma; Candles; Candlesticks; Swenson, Lillian; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Boys and girls surround a Pacific Telephone & Telegraph company employee as he demonstrates how sound travels. One boy is blowing into a long tube which loops itself around; the other end is being held by the company employee. There are various pieces of equipment on a black paper-covered table; paper has a Bell System logo visible.

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

Twenty four members of the Aquino clan gathered on Christmas Day, 1952, for a group portrait. The get together may have occurred at the Frank Aquino residence. According to the 1953 City Directory, Frank Aquino resided at 1419 So. Grant; he was employed as a post office clerk. Sepia photograph ordered by Frank Aquino.

Group portraits; Aquino, Frank--Family; Families--Tacoma--1950-1960;

These four children are dressed to resemble Hummel figurines for a 1952 Christmas display. Steve Anderson, 12, is wearing shorts, a vest over a short sleeved shirt, a cap over his blond hair, and carrying a violin. He is the son of the Stanley Andersons. Kristine Grant, age 5, holds her doll while her big sister Karen, 11, stands close to her. They are the daughters of R. Gene Grant. Both Karen and little Gretchen Anderson, age 2, have their heads covered by kerchiefs and all three dresses have puffed sleeves and full skirts. They are standing next to a large picture window decorated with a wreath and lamppost covered with greenery in this sepia photograph taken at the Grants' Lakewood home. (TNT 12-21-52, D-1) TPL-8778

Group portraits; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas decorations; Violins; Anderson, Steve; Grant, Karen; Grant, Kristine; Anderson, Gretchen;

A large group of children are gathered beside a Christmas tree in the living room of the William Dobyns in December, 1952. All look dressed in their holiday best and a few are licking lollipops. William J. Dobyns was the director of Tacoma General Hospital; he and his wife Lilyan resided at 3024 North 31st Street.

Group portraits; Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dobyns, William J.--Homes & haunts; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1950-1960; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

All dressed up for Christmas shopping in late November, 1952, are Patricia (Mrs. Thomas C.) Sias and little daughter Alexandra as they pose in the kitchen display located at Lincoln Electric Co. Lincoln Electric had recently relocated to a new building on South 38th Street where they maintained a good supply of Hotpoint appliances along with children's toys and furnishings. View of Mrs. Sias leaning against a dishwasher and Alexandra standing next to an open refrigerator.

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Sias, Patricia; Sias, Alexandra;