In June of 1955 Steve Pease's San Francisco "cable car", with a banner on its side advertising the Tacoma Rose Show, was photographed on Pacific Avenue. Pease, who owned Steve's Cafe on South Tacoma Way, better known as Steve's Gay 90s, bought an old San Francisco street car and had it retrofitted for street use. The "cable car" was the inspiration for the his restaurant's cable car room and was often seen in parades. The conductor at the front of the car is believed to be Steve Pease and the costumed woman at the far right is his daughter Dorothy Jean Pease. The Rose Show was one of the highlights of the 6th annual Pacific Northwest Convention of The American Rose Society and the Tacoma Rose Society's 45th annual exhibit. The Weeks Building, behind the front of the car, housed the Richards Commercial Photography Service and Nancy's Childrens Portrait Studio. (TNT 6/23/1955, pg. 1) TPL-9497

Cable cars; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Dorothy Jean;

On Monday May 30, 1955, Mrs. Gundrun Paetz, president of the Gold Star Mothers, placed a wreath at the base of a memorial to servicemen at the Mountain View Memorial Park as part of a special Memorial Day service. Observing the wreath laying ceremony are Superior Court Judge Frank Hale (left), serving as master of ceremonies, and State Senator Albert D. Rosellini, speaker for the event. Several veterans organizations participated in the Memorial Day rites held at 2 p.m. on Memorial Day at Mountain View. The 534th Air Force Band provided accompaniment. (TNT 5/31/1955, pg. 1 & 5/29/1955, pg. 1)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood; Memorial Day; Commemoration--Lakewood; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Lakewood; Paetz, Gundrun; Hale, Frank; Rosellini, Albert D.;

ca. 1955. Interiors of Ben Cheney's home. The living room of Cheney's home in Browns Point has exposed beams, knotty wood panelling and a large fieldstone fireplace. In front of the fireplace is a sunken conversation pit with pillows. The furniture is simple and comfortable. Although Cheney was a millionaire, his home is very simply decorated and comfortable.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A smiling Ben Cheney is prepared to swing as his unidentified masked catcher signals "two" for the two bats Mr. Cheney has in his possession. He had his choice of bats from the stacks of bats behind him. Philanthropist and lumber magnate Cheney sponsored the amateur Washington Cheney Studs baseball team as well as many other teams in other sports. His Studs were to meet the pro Yakima Bears of the Northwest League in exhibitions on June 7 - 8, 1955, at Cheney Field. The Bears would go on to defeat the Studs 7-2 in both games. (TNT 6-3-55, D-3-info on exhibitions only)

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Baseball bats; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Abbie (Mrs. Roy) Keplinger, known professionally as "Keppy," sits surrounded by the members of Keppy's Orchestra in the Crescent Ballroom at 13th & Fawcett. In July of 1955, the band was celebrating its 15th anniversary playing at the Ballroom. Fans from as far away as Seattle, Olympia and Portland would come to Tacoma to hear the Orchestra perform Dixieland, Hawaiian, modern hit tunes and dances of yesteryear. Old time dances were a specialty at the Crescent Ballroom with free lessons offered for the dances listed on the callboard. Keppy's Orchestra played every Friday and Saturday, admission $.75. Mrs. Keplinger was the pianist and arranger for the orchestra. Members were: (l to r) Jack Siler, alto saxophone, baritone sax and trumpet; Arnold Settles, tenor sax and clarinet; Bernard McNeil, trumpet; Peter Notley, steel guitar and vocals; Dewey (Duke) Lamont, drummer and harmonica. Not pictured are Lawrence Hubert, violinist and banjo and Arthur Knight, vocalist and dance instructor. (TNT 7/29/1955, pg. 20)

Crescent Ballroom (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Keppy's Orchestra; Saxophones; Ballrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Keplinger, Abbie E.; Big bands--Tacoma--1950-1960; Siler, Jack; Settles, Arnold; McNeil, Bernard; Notley, Peter; Lamont, Dewey;

Wallace E. (W.E.) Difford, managing director, addresses the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's (DFPA) annual meeting. The Golden Jubilee Convention was held in Portland, Oregon, June 19-21, 1955; celebrating 50 years of the plywood industry from its inception in 1905 to 1955. Difford advised the group of the need for research and product improvement to fuel industry growth. He also warned that the future of industry management depended on talented young people being advanced on the career path, not shuttled into dead end jobs. Difford was selected at the meeting as one of the top 3 plywood salesmen in the industry's history. The highlights of the Jubilee were a Broadway type musical pageant, the presentation of Arlene Francis's televised "Home Show" and the unveiling of a giant exposition containing 50 golden ideas designed by 5 nationally leading architects.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland; Plywood; Difford, Wallace E.;

The National Bank of Washington, Industrial branch, on the Tideflats opened to the public on July 1, 1955. Robert B. Price was the architect and Concrete Engineering Co. was the contractor for the new bank. The building was Tacoma's first example of "prestressed concrete construction." The 102 foot by 48 foot building was completely fireproof. The northwest side of the building was floor to ceiling glass, providing natural light. The 4300 sq. foot lobby contained tellers space, officers' quarters, conference rooms and vaults. The mezzanine had storage facilities, the employees' lounge and a compact kitchen for employees. Phillip C. Hultman was the branch Manager. Photographs ordered by the Howard R. Smith Co. (TNT 6/29/1955, pg. A-3)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two blonde models and a casually attired unidentified man pose on the barrier around the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's Plywood Memorial at the Forestry Building in Portland, Oregon. On display is the first plywood panel ever made from Douglas Fir. Early in 1905, Portland was getting ready for a World's Fair as part of the centennial observance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Portland Manufacturing Co. was asked to prepare an exhibit featuring something new and unusual. N.J. Bailey and Gustav Carlson and a crew of about six men constructed by trial and error the first plywood panels. This was the birth of the plywood industry that became one of the backbones of the economy of the Pacific Northwest. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland--1950-1960;

Circus trucks used to transport the travelling exhibit "Fir Plywood Golden Jubilee Show." Photo series ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. 1955 marked the 50th anniversary of the plywood industry. As part of the year long celebration, the travelling display toured the West Coast regions where plywood was manufactured. The free show included something for everyone. It featured a plywood menagerie, a color movie showing how plywood is manufactured and some new ideas for modern living, "Fifty Golden Ideas" by prominent designers. (TNT 7/19/1955, pg. C-17)

Plywood; Logs; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The processional into St. Ann's Catholic Church for the Silver Jubilee celebration, a special mass honoring Rev. J.F. Milner on the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, the Archbishop of Seattle, will preside at the mass. The Knights of Columbus lead the processional. The mass was followed by a reception held from 2-4p.m. in the new school building. Father Milner was presented with a new automobile by the members of his parish at the reception. At 6 p.m., Father Milner hosted more than 100 priests of the archdiocese at a dinner in the parish hall. Many of the clergy were from his native Ireland and fellow students there. (TNT 6/25/1955, pg. 4)

St. Ann's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Milner, J.F.; Connolly, Thomas A.;

Harold Stamey, the owner of Stamey Insurance Inc. and sponsor of the "Insurancemen," shows Dick Evans (2nd from left) the correct way to grip a ball. The Insurancemen, with a season record of 16 wins and 2 losses, were the 1955 Tacoma Junior Baseball League champions. The short player on the right is Curtis Stamey, the team's bat boy. The player with glasses is believed to be Dennis Lamson. The other two players are Greg Berry (far left) and John Reed (far right). (TNT 8/14/1955, pg. B-15)

Stamey Insurance Inc. (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey, Harold; Stamey, Curtis; Evans, Dick; Lamson, Dennis;

Several members of the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club lend a hand in cooking for the large turnout celebrating the club's second annual steak fry in June of 1955. These women are stirring the food inside the electric rectangular cookers. Club members and their families would be able to enjoy dining out under beautiful sunny skies and later cooling off in the club's new swimming pool.

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Cookery--Tacoma;

Dining area of the "Hemlock House," the residence of M.E. Pitman Jr. at 8512 Veterans Dr. S.W., Lakewood. Photos ordered by the Condon Co., advertising agency. The dining area has built in bench seating around a central table. The oven can be seen to the right. Wood panelling decorates one wall. M.E. Pitman is possibly Marquis E. Pitman, real estate sales associate.

Dining rooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Pitman, Marquis E.--Homes & haunts;

Exposure showing radiant heating panel in the childrens' bedroom of the Kenith Aarhaus residence at 5923 East Vickery Rd. The panel is located underneath the bedroom window. Twin beds with chenille bedspreads occupy the room. A child sized dressing table with a lace runner and a Kewpie doll is against one wall. The small chair is labelled "Patches" on the back. A long limbed monkey that looks as though it was made of socks sits in the window. Kenith D. was listed as machinist with Coast Iron and Machine Works in the 1955 City Directory and as an employee of St. Regis in the 1956 Directory. His wife's name was Esther. Photos ordered by Glassray of Tacoma.

Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma; HVAC systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Radiators; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Aarhaus, Kenith--Homes & haunts;

Kitchen of the "Hemlock House," the residence of M.E. Pitman Jr. at 8512 Veterans Dr. S.W., Lakewood. Photos ordered by the Condon Co., advertising agency. M.E. Pitman is possibly Marquis E. Pitman, real estate sales associate. This is a very modern appearing kitchen for the fifties. A back splash protects the wall space above the counter & below the cabinets. Light floods the room from the skylight above. The cabinets are rectangular with sliding plywood doors. (TNT 9/9/1955, pg. B-12)

Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960; Pitman, Marquis E.--Homes & haunts;

Sunlight streams through the large picture windows into the dining room of the home of Dr. William B. and Myrtle McNerthney at 24 Summit Rd. The walls are very bright and bold with rose wallpaper. Oriental style rugs grace the wood floors. A cuckoo clock adorns a wall in the room and prism crystals hang from the chandelier over a lace draped dining table. Potted houseplants make use of the sunshine. The colonial style home was built in 1940. The Mcnerthney's home would be on display as part of the first annual Home Tour on 6/18/1955. (TNT 6/12/1955, pg. C-18)

McNerthney, William B.--Homes & haunts; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of C.C. Mellinger Co. Funeral Home. TPL-2430. Photograph ordered by Wally Stabbert to show "Quick Brik" building materials. The colonial style funeral home was built in 1909 and designed by Heath & Twichell, Architects. The adjoining Memorial Chapel was built in 1945 and designed by Earl N. Dugan, Architect. The family owned funeral home was operated by James J. Mellinger, president, his wife Ann as vice president and Martha Mellinger as treasurer.

Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; C.C. Mellinger Funeral Directors (Tacoma);

Interior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. Lea, Pearson and Richards served as the architects on this branch bank built in 1955. Construction was of brick, tile and aluminum. The front of the bank was almost entirely plate glass window. The lobby measured 3600 square feet and had brown striped mahogany woodwork with frosted walnut formica counters.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Switch gear equipment at Pacific Oerlikon Co. The worker appears diminutive next to the huge electronic machinery mounted above his head. Pacific Oerlikon, a subsidiary of Oerlikon Engineering Co. of Switzerland, manufactured large equipment for the power grid. It occupied the site of the former Henry Mill and Timber Co. in a building specially designed to accomodate the sheer height of its products.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

Exposure of the Tacoma Planning Commission's traffic control display in the lobby of the Puget Sound National Bank. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. The display shows the Commission's plans for a street program that will provide for a growing Tacoma's traffic needs. The plan is the result of a long range study of Tacoma's future traffic needs completed by the City Planning Commission. Emphasis is placed on the development of a Tacoma- Everett toll road, the forerunner of a freeway system. It is predicted that in the future Tacoma will have several freeways with one way traffic, no left turns, no parking and no commercial traffic. (TNT 7/12/1955, pg. 4)

Presentation drawings; Traffic congestion--Tacoma;

The Shafer Apartments at So. 9th & K. Photograph ordered by the Fred Stobbert Co., Inc. to show the "Kwick Brick" finish. The apartments were built in 1889 and designed by F.A. Sexton, Architect. There are two street level entrances to what appear to be three story apartment buildings. One story is at basement level. Two television antennas protrude from the roof. Open wooden staircases lead from the apartments back doors to the ground level. The building contained 10 apartments.

Shafer Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma City Lights Administration Building, also known as the Tacoma Public Utilities Center, opened in 1953. Silas E. Nelson was the architect and Roy T. Early Co. was the contractor. Photo series ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Steel Co. (SA-28) Both the administrative and engineering staffs of the Light and Water Divisions were housed here. The building's temperature was maintained by a reverse cycle heating and cooling system using heat from the water of two wells located near the building.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma;

The Tacoma City Lights Administration Building, also known as the Tacoma Public Utilities Center, opened in 1953. The controversial $2,600,000 Public Utility operating headquarters was felt to be oversized and overpriced for the department's needs. Many felt that the building should be used as the new County-City building as well as the Utilities Department headquarters, eliminating the expense of designing and building a second building. The Utilities Administration building had three times as much space as Tacoma's Old City Hall. Public Utilities successfully fought to keep the building for their own use, and it is still being used.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In June of 1955, plywood was being promoted heavily as the building material of choice. The Condon Co. ordered this photograph of the "Harbor Wave" plywood record player and television cabinet at the residence of Harry and Edith Watson, 12005 Woodbine Lane SW. The cabinet featured a bench seat where an unidentified model lounged as she selected records. The phonograph turntable was on the top of the cabinet with the television possibly inside the larger covered area to the right. "Harbor wave" possibly referred to the wavy pattern in the plywood grain. Mr. Watson was an account executive with the Condon Co.

Watson, Harry--Homes & haunts; Cabinets (Case furniture); High-fidelity sound systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phonographs;

Construction photograph of new plant for Allied Chemical & Dye Corp taken on July 29, 1955. Progress photo of new plant. A lone man stands at a vast, empty construction site. Railroad tracks have been built to deliver materials by rail. Several large vat containers have been constructed.

Allied Chemical & Dye Corp. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs;

In June of 1955, while a member of the Washington Cheney Studs, Luther Carr demonstrated his bunting technique for the camera. Luther Carr played for Lincoln High School and had aroused the interest of several major colleges and professional teams. He played baseball, football, basketball and competed in track. An all around athlete, Carr in May of 1955 broke the state prep broadjump record that had stood since 1938. His jump was 23 feet, 9 5/8 inches. Carr turned down many professional sports offers after high school, choosing instead a college sports scholarship with the University of Washington Huskies. While a Husky, Luther scored on some of the most dazzling runs ever seen in Husky Stadium. The Studs, an amateur team made up of the most talented baseball players in the Puget Sound area, played 60 games during the summer of 1955 including several against professional players. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg. B-14)

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseballs; African American baseball players; Carr, Luther; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

Army half-track parked at Ben's Truck Parts on South Tacoma Way. The half-track ran on an endless chain-track drive system that propelled a vehicle supported in front by a pair of wheels. This lightly armored unit was used by the US military.

Ben's Truck Parts (Tacoma); Tracklaying vehicles--Tacoma; Armored vehicles--Tacoma;

Acceptance trials of the minesweeper U.S.S. Conquest, hull #488, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Several high ranking Navy officials were present for the test. The Conquest is the first of the 171 ft. minesweepers of the "88 Class" to reach trials. After successfully completing the trials, the ship will be delivered to the Tacoma Naval Station, the 5th AM type minesweeper to be delivered. The USS Pledge (AM 492) will be launched July 20, 1955, the 9th and last under the current contract. (TNT 7/3/1955, pg. B-8)

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

Acceptance trials for the minesweeper U.S.S. Conquest, hull #488, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding began in late June of 1955. After successfully completing its preliminary acceptance trials, Martinac delivered the AM type minesweeper to the Tacoma Naval Station and it was commission on July 20th. As the first 172 foot minesweeper of the "88 Class" to reach trials, the trials were attended by several high ranking officials. The Conquest was one of the first ships involved in the Vietnam war; it swept the Saigon River and helped to establish control in the "Tonkin Gulf". Twenty-five years later, in 1987, it was sent to the Persian Gulf where it helped to clear mines that were threatening oil tankers. (TNT 7/3/1955, pg. B-8)

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

Studio portrait of Bob Cozine with a trumpet. Robert G. Cozine is listed in the 1956 city directory as the Northwest sales representative of Coast Wholesale Music. He was married to Ruth and resided at 645 S. Trafton.

Cozine, Bob; Trumpets; Brass instruments;