Members of the Tacoma Post #1, Amvets, present a flag to accompany their donated flagpole to Mountain View Sanatorium officials on December 7, 1954. Shown holding the folded flag are county commissioner Fritz Geiger and Howard Lincoln, chairman of the board of trustees for the sanatorium. Also present were H.R. Kester, state service director for Amvets, Harry Sprinker (in glasses), county commissioner, and John Bennett, Commander Tacoma Post #1 Amvets. (TNT 12-10-54, B-5)

Amvets Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flags--United States; Geiger, Fritz; Lincoln, Howard A.; Kester, H. R.; Sprinker, Harry H., 1896-1991; Bennett, John;

Workers at the Buffelen company appear to be in the process of stacking doors in a December 7, 1954, photograph. There are already two tall towers of doors against the wall. Two men are lifting a door while the third waits to toss it on top of the pile. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., an advertising agency.

Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Doors & doorways--Tacoma--1950-1960; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Christmas decorations at Bob Tribensen's house for the DFPA. A solitary angel stands guard outside the window, flanked by two stars. A shadow is thrown by one of the stars onto the siding of the house, which is decorated by strings of holiday lights.

Christmas decorations;

The birth of the baby Jesus takes center stage in this roof top holiday decoration, as Santa stands to one side, at 6421 Vickery Ave. The one story rambler has a unique angled roof line. The fence to the viewer's left has shelves with potted plants, while built in planter boxes line the front of the home. A woodsy undeveloped area can be seen to the rear of the house.

Houses--Puyallup--1950-1960; Creches (Nativity scenes)--Puyallup--1950-1960; Christmas decorations;

A view of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from homes in the Narrowmoor housing addition. Narrowmoor was an upscale addition west of Jackson, with view lots of the Narrows and the Olympic Mountains. TPL-9640

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Real estate development--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);

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;

Studio portrait of C.T. Chandler, vice-president of National Bank of Washington. Chandler was elected Vice president of Transamerica and would be taking up his new duties in San Francisco in February of 1955. He would be heading up a new department set up by Transamerica to consolidate the activities of several branch banking systems. Chandler joined the National Bank of Washington October 1, 1938 as assistant vice president, coming from San Pedro, California. (TNT 1/5/1955, pg. 18)

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bankers--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Chandler, C.T.;

A lighted star guides visitors to the Nativity scene of Mary with baby Jesus in her arms at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. A simple statement of "Let Us Adore Him" rests among the holly before the figures. The plywood cutouts are flanked by two tall pillars of light in this December 31, 1954, photograph. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Plywood; Christmas decorations; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Christ's crucifixion in stone or marble appears to be on permanent display at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Two angels kneel in prayer on either side of the monument which is decorated in native greenery. Women are portrayed collapsed in grief while others stand and pray. The juxtaposition of plywood angels and stone sculpture apparently works; it is a pleasing blend of materials. The Calvary Catholic Cemetery was one of Tacoma's oldest, purchased in 1905 to be used as burial grounds for the area's Catholic community, and spanned 35 acres. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Monuments & memorials--Tacoma; Sculpture; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Cub Scouts from area packs with the engineer on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. In keeping with the Cub Scout January '55 theme of "Railroading," the Milwaukee road provided a seven car train for more than 1,500 Scouts & their leaders to tour on Saturday, the 22nd at their passenger depot at E. 11th and Milwaukee Way. The boys & leaders all came from units of the Mt. Rainier Council of the Boy Scouts of America. (TNT 1/23/1955, pg. A-2)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cub Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Santa seems to have enlisted the aid of the seven dwarfs, rather than the elves, in this rooftop display on the Farm Restaurant on the Seattle Highway (Hwy 99.) This holiday scene atop The Farm retained for Mr. & Mrs. Stan Koskovich, operators of The Farm, the gold trophy that they won the previous year in Federal Way's first Christmas Lane Contest.

Christmas decorations; Farm (Federal Way);

A portion of the Narrowmoor addition, an upscale housing addition west of Jackson Ave. with views of the Narrows and the Olympic Mountains.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympic Mountains (Wash.); Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Real estate development--Tacoma;

Dressed sides of beef hanging from hooks in a cold storage locker at Carstens Packing Co. Photograph taken in conjunction with Carsten's Open House, celebrating their 50th anniversary in the meat packing business. In 1903, Seattle butcher and German immigrant Thomas Carstens bought 12 deserted acres on the Tideflats, the former home of the old Pacific Meat Company's plant, and began setting up what would become the largest meat packing plant on the Pacific Coast. The company eventually branched out into three processing plants: Tacoma, Seattle & Spokane. It was a huge operation that raised its own livestock, slaughtered and processed it and sold it in their own retail outlets. The company founder died in 1931 and his sons, Thomas and Philip, took over the business until they sold it in 1954 to Hy-Grade Food Products Corp. of Detroit. Hy-Grade closed the plant in 1990, citing it as out dated and not complying with EPA standards. TPL-8123

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Meat industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Old City Hall. Built in 1892, this Renaissance style structure served as the seat of Tacoma's government for 70 years. It was abandoned for 15 years and just saved from the wrecking ball in 1974 and added to the National Register. The building was restored and now houses offices.

Old City Hall (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma;

St. Regis Paper Co. at night with lighted Christmas display on top of building. Union Oil and its tanks with the famous 76 logo are in the right foreground on the City (now Foss) Waterway.

Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Christmas decorations; Union Oil Co. of California (Tacoma);