This 31-foot Chris-Craft wood boat was being assembled at Tacoma Boat Mart in January of 1953. After World War II, Chris-Craft began selling boats in kits which could be easily put together. An unidentified Tacoma Boat Mart employee is examining the plywood hull of the boat. To keep the cost of their kits down, Chris-Craft introduced a new boat building material into their kits - plywood. Tacoma Boat Mart, located on Ruston Way, was a boat service plant which had opened in 1938. The Chris-Craft Kit Boat Division was in business from 1950 to 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Mart (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A line of parked cars outside the Columbia Breweries building indicates that people are still working late on a rainy January, 1953, evening. There are still lights on the first floor and partially on the second floor. Columbia Breweries was well known across the country for their production of Heidelberg beer and Columbia Ale.

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

A Great Dane extends a paw to hotel personnel as she accompanies Police Chief Jack Elich during the 1953 March of Dimes campaign. Diane Katherine O'Donnell, a pedigreed Great Dane, has a March of Dimes coin bank strapped to her side for donations. The coin banks are in the shape of miniature iron lungs. Diane is the official mascot of the Tacoma Police Department. The March of Dimes was an annual fundraiser by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to provide the means for polio research and treatment. Photograph ordered by the Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Poliomyelitis--Prevention; March of Dimes (Tacoma); National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Elich, Jack; Coin banks;

Ben Cheney and his family pose for an informal photograph for a News Tribune Sunday layout on gardening. The January, 1953, photograph was finished in sepia tones. Ben and wife Marian are flanking a newly planted tree while daughter Sandy, age five, holds a shovel almost as tall as she is. Photograph ordered by Barbara Dana, News Tribune. (TNT 2-1-53, D-1)

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Family; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Cheney, Sandra; Gardening--Tacoma; Shovels;

A small child smilingly makes eye contact with a chick at Ken Bergman's farm in January, 1953. She is holding a scooper full of chicken feed. There are dozens of baby chicks in the hay strewn wooden enclosure; some are huddled against the large stove while others line up to eat and drink. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Assn.

Chickens--Washington; Poultry houses--Washington; Stoves--Washington; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);

Four unidentified young players on the hockey team sponsored by the Barbecue Inn take a milk break in front of the Tacoma Arena, 3801 South Union Avenue, in February of 1953. In 1953, Hockey in Tacoma wasn't confined to Tacoma's professional team, the Rockets. Thanks to the Metropolitan Park District and the Tacoma Hockey Club, approximately 250 boys and young men in Tacoma were able to compete in three leagues that played at the Arena on Monday and Thursday nights. No other town on the pacific coast had a hockey program that compared to Tacoma's. The Barbecue Inn was at 8102 Maple Street S.W. in Lakewood. (TNT 2/22/1953 p.B-5) Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A member of the I.O.O. F. hockey team prepares to enter the game as he swings open the heavy rink door in this February, 1953, photograph. A small, but intent, group of supporters sit behind the team bench. This may be a mixed practice or game as a member of the Barbecue Inn team is on the same Tacoma Rockets bench. It would be expected that the "home team" be assigned the Tacoma Rockets section. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports spectators--Tacoma;

A young hockey player modestly signs an autograph for two admiring fans in this February, 1953, photograph. He apparently took time off from practice to chat with the spectators as he is dressed in full hockey gear, sans helmet. Hockey was very popular in the 1950's in the Tacoma area; there were many teams involved in the sport ranging from the Under-12's to high school teams. The Tacoma Rockets was the area's semi-pro team whose players and scores were reported on in the daily newspaper on a regular basis. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin. TPL-8262

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports spectators--Tacoma;

Tacoma Rockets coach Murray "Muzz" Patrick gives advice in February of 1953 to forward Jack Stewart (age 7) and goalie Dick Boedecker (age 10) as the young players listen intently. The coach, a former NHL player and member of a well-known hockey family, may be giving pointers to the forward on how to get the puck past the goalie. Jack Stewart's North-End I.O.O. F. team would be in action in February against the Studs for the first-half Pee-Wee League title. The Pee-Wee title match would be the preliminary game before the Tacoma Rockets and Tacoma Amateurs played in an exhibition contest. (TNT 2-4-53, p. 24) Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin for the King Feature Syndicate.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks; Coaching (Athletics)--Tacoma; Stewart, Jack; Boedecker, Dick; Patrick, Murray;

A young goalie, believed to be Dick Boedecker, sprawls on the ice with his right glove clenched in front of a hockey goal. He may have just caught a puck shot at him by the opposing forward. His coach, hands on his knees, watchs while a photographer, sans skates, films the action. This photograph was probably taken at the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 So. Union Ave. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin for King Feature Syndicate in February, 1953.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks; Photographers--Tacoma;

A guest ticket admitting two is displayed on a black velvet background along with a beribboned wrist orchid corsage and elaborate jeweled tiara. All could be used for the installation on March 27, 1953, of Eunice (Mrs. George W.) Miller in a Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple #5, ceremony. The installation would occur in the Fellowship Hall of the Masonic Temple; admission by card only. Sepia photograph taken on March 27, 1953.

Invitations; Ribbons; Jewelry; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On February 7, 1953, the men of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at the College of Puget Sound posed in their tuxedoes with white boutonnieres at their annual "Black and White" formal. They stood on the winding staircase beneath the thirty-three foot totem pole at Gaffney's Lake Wilderness ballroom, located in Maple Valley. The woman in the middle of the group was Mrs. Mary Sloat, fraternity housemother. She was there to present the Richard Sloat Memorial award, honoring the fraternity's man of the year, to Walt Millard. Photograph ordered by Fred Fontana, Kappa Sigma Fraternity. (TNT 2-5-53, C-4, TNT 2-14-53, p. 5)

Kappa Sigma (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stairways--Maple Valley; Totem poles--Maple Valley; Balls (Parties)--Maple Valley; Tuxedoes;

Eunice (Mrs. George W. ) Miller has her portrait taken dressed in a long, flowing cape over a floor length evening gown in March, 1953. She was to be the honoree at the installation ceremony held at the Masonic Temple on March 27, 1953, by the Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple #5. She is wearing a tiara and carrying a large bouquet of flowers. There is apparently an Oriental rug on the floor while feathered stands, elaborate lamps and gilded columns complete the Middle Eastern atmosphere.

Miller, Eunice; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rugs; Masonic buildings--Tacoma;

Water gushes from a pipe as the Steel Star 71 machine efficiently completes the pumping procedure. It appears that the wheeled piece of machinery on the right is managing to turn the valve to release the water. It is possible that a well was drilled by the L.R. Gaudio Well Drilling Company in this December, 1952, photograph. Photograph ordered by Gaudio Well Drilling.

Pumps; Machinery; L.R. Gaudio Well Drilling Co. (Tacoma);

Puppet shows were very popular in the 1950's. They were often used by service and civic organizations as entertainment for special events. The Junior League of Tacoma, shown here in a January 1953 photograph, practice their puppetry skills before several children from Stanley Elementary School. They had just finished performing "Nestor, the Talking Horse"; the Junior League visited different city schools each week. In February, they planned to bring their puppets to Pierce County schools. The puppeteers made their own puppets and props and performed on a new collapsible, aluminum stage which weighed only five pounds. Names of performers and students were listed in the News Tribune article dated January 25, 1953. (TNT 1-25-53, D-8)

Puppet shows--Tacoma; Junior League (Tacoma);

This elevated photograph of the Tideflats featuring the St. Regis Paper Co. was taken on a sunny day in February, 1953. Smoke billows from various smokestacks in the area. St. Regis had recently completed its eight year expansion plan; a new multiwall bag plant was constructed in 1952. Photograph ordered by Electrical Products Consolidated.

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Smokestacks--Tacoma;

A display of Mobil tire products was set up at the New Yorker in early January, 1953. Specific tires for snow, truck & bus, commercial and consumer usage were labeled for easy differentiation. A poster indicating that no money down was required at the time of purchase; a customer could take up to six months to pay off the tires. At least four chairs are facing the display; presumably, there would be a presentation extolling the virtues of Mobil products. Photograph ordered by General Petroleum Corp.

Tires; Tire industry--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma);

Wedding portrait of bride, Beverly Tropiano, daughter of Domenico and Mary Tropiano. Bride seated wearing lavish gown of Chantilly lace, scalloped hemline and veil. She carried a bouquet of pink roses and white and yellow orchids. Marriage to Donald Arthur Johnson at St. Rita's Church. Reception in Wedgewood Room at Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 2-15-1953, D-4-article only)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tropiano, Beverly Mary--Marriage; Brides--1950-1960; Wedding clothing & dress--1950-1960;

Double-ring wedding ceremony of Beverly Tropiano and Donald Arthur Johnson at St. Rita's Catholic Church on February 14, 1953. Beverly is the daughter of Domenico and Mary Tropiano and Donald is the son of Mrs. Alveta Johnson and the late C.O. Johnson. Rev. Father Anthony Buffaro administers vows at altar. Biblical statues adorn the sanctuary. Pews filled with invited guests. (TNT 2-15-1953, D-4-article only)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tropiano, Beverly Mary--Marriage; Johnson, Donald Arthur; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding clothing & dress--1950-1960; Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Ritas Catholic Church (Tacoma);

Master of Foxhounds, Earl Craig, his wife Leona, (at left) and a second couple kick up their heels at the annual Woodbrook New Year's Day hunt on January 1, 1953. Both couples are dressed in riding gear, including breeches and boots. The Woodbrook Hunt Club was founded in 1926 and is the oldest hunting club in the Northwest. (TNT 1-4-53, D-1)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Craig, Earl; Craig, Leona; Dancers--Lakewood; Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960;

A worker appears to be peering into a woman's head on a Foster & Kleiser billboard in January, 1953. The giant cutout focuses the passerby's attention on the virtues of saving at the National Bank of Washington. The billboard was placed at the corner of Puyallup and Winthrop Streets. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Inc., San Francisco.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertisements--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Foster & Kleiser Co. (Tacoma); National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Merchandising Factors, Inc. (San Francisco);

An installation ceremony was held at the Masonic Temple in late January, 1953, for the Tacoma Assembly, Social Order of Beauceant. The sixteen women shown here in this sepia photograph are dressed in ankle length white gowns with large sleeves. They are all wearing small gold crosses and have large tilted black crosses placed on their shoulders. The Social Order of Beauceant is composed of the wives and widows of Sir Knights, of Ivanhoe Commandery (Knights Templar). The national order was founded in 1890 with the purpose of aiding the Knights Templar. (Clipping file, NWR)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic buildings--Tacoma; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma;

A unusual brick-encased stove is the focal point of this contemporary 1953 kitchen. On the other side of the stove is a massive fireplace placed in the living room. A large round rug covers most of the flooring between the stove and the cabinets. Patterned wallpaper covers the ceiling of the combined kitchen and dining room; lamps hang from the triangular wooden beams. The kitchen cabinets are made of bleached mahogany with copper handles. This $35,000 custom-made home was designed, decorated and furnished by Lindstrom Home Furnishings; photograph ordered by Al Lindstrom. (TNT 1-25-53, C-15)

Kitchens--Washington; Stoves--Washington; Rugs; Wallpapers; Lamps; Lindstrom, Al;

Two men are pictured examining a display of kitchen appliances and tile on January 13, 1953. Samples of tile were provided by Duratile of Tacoma. The long counter has a sink, built in stove units and an L & H range. Photograph ordered by Love Electric, Seattle.

Merchandise displays--Washington; Showrooms--Washington; Tiles; Appliances; Love Electric Co. (Seattle);

Motoramp Garage had been at its Commerce Street location since 1925. It was probably one of Tacoma' s first multi-story parking garages. Large signs identify the building, making it clear that covered parking was available for downtown customers. View of garage on Commerce close to 9th Street; Moose Temple is next door with Ben-Dew's restaurant at opposite end. Photograph ordered by Al Taylor, Standard Oil of California. TPL-1732

Motoramp Garage (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Two men sit on a bench on the first floor of the Motoramp Garage possibly waiting for their cars to be repaired in this January, 1953, photograph. The Motoramp was a multi-story parking garage located downtown on Commerce Street; it had parking available for over 300 cars. Besides covered parking, the Motoramp also offered car repairs, lubrication and the chance to purchase batteries and Prestone anti-freeze. No need to run to the gas station: the Motoramp also had at least two pumps for outgoing patrons. Photograph ordered by Al Taylor, Standard Oil of California.

Motoramp Garage (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Lincoln High School enjoyed a thriving musical atmosphere in the 1950's. Both the school orchestra and band attracted many participants. The orchestra performed in the senior class play, Christmas Vespe play and winter concert, among others. They traveled to local junior high schools to acquaint the students with Lincoln's talented musicians. The orchestra's performances were broadcast over the Campus Radio Theatre to give the people of Tacoma a chance to hear local musicians. View of Lincoln High School orchestra performing on stage in the school auditorium in January, 1953. Photograph taken on behalf of the Lincolnian yearbook; ordered by Al Swift. (1953 Lincolnian, p. 87) TPL-8472

Orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of new Tradewell store. Self-service ice cream freezers were becoming more available to the Tacoma shopper in 1953; these three freezers are compactly located at the ends of the store's aisles. The wide shopping aisles also made it easier for shoppers to push their carts through. The shelves are full of seafood cans, jars of prepared baby food, and juices. Tradewell also had a self-service meat department where meats were already pre-packaged for the busy shopper. Photograph ordered by Tradewell, Inc., Seattle.

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Freezers; Ice cream & ices;

ca. 1889. Roster of Tacoma Police Department, 1889. According to the Tacoma Police Department's website, City Ordinance No. 77 officially created the Tacoma Police Department on April 15, 1885. This was the roster of the police department four years later in 1889; photo and identification provided by Carl Jacobs. Lower Row: Jack Keating, Jack Fitzgerald, John Smith, Mike Day, Hans Larson, Orvil Kaylor, William Solstein, John Flett, Chas. June, Ed Woods, Jack Ellison. Second Row: - - Gildchrist, Arthur Hice, clerk, Tom Fisher, Sterling Leroy, Capt. Leslie Ellis, Steve Murphy, Al Harris, - - Crawford, Jack Kinney, Minor Cudahy. Third Row: Wm. Westover, James Donivan, Ed Flanigan, W.H. Grinnell, J.B. McCoy, Capt. A.S. Read, Jack Martin, - - Harris, - - Stevens, Martin Kinney, Harvey Miller, Con Cane. Top Row: John Cunningham, Minor Btotten, - - Strand, Louis Granwich, D.O. Smith, Joe Bush, Jack Burke, Fred Ewing, Chas. Myers, Bill Hawley, - - Butcher and Bill Casey. Chief of Police in 1889, not shown, was listed on the TPD website as A.M. Chesney. TPL-7117

Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1880-1890;

Customer's copy of man on tractor. This retouched customer's photo of a tractor equipped with Fletcher traction shoes was made on January 7, 1953. The traction shoes appear to have been drawn on along with the worker's cap, and the soil itself seems an addition to the picture. Photograph ordered by Gardner-Jacobson, Inc.

Tractors--Washington; Tires; Gardner-Jacobson, Inc. (Tacoma);