Set-up for boat promotion. Two men are pouring over plans to build an 8'9" Pram dingy; more and more companies were following the 1950's do-it-yourself trend in offering their customers easy-to-understand instructions on building their own plywood boats. Ads on a nearby wall advise that eight boat plans would be available for only 10 cents each by the Fir Plywood Fleet. Tools and paint could also be purchased at the same location. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., an advertising agency.

Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Saws; Hammers; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Two massive trophies are being held for display at a banquet honoring the Washington Cheney Studs amateur baseball team on October 30, 1955. The Studs were the National Runner-up in the American Baseball Congress tournament in Battle Ground, Michigan, the previous month. The heavy trophy on the left is from the Coca-Cola Bottlers, sponsor of the event. The equally enormous trophy on the right is from the Washington Amateur Baseball Association, an indication that the Studs also swept awards from the state organization. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Awards; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Cheney Studs were the proud recipients of the Coca-Cola Bottler Award as the 1955 American Baseball Congress National Runner-up. Here sponsor Ben Cheney (R) stands with Studs coach, Joe Budnick; they are jointly gripping the large and heavy trophy. Cheney owned and operated Cheney Lumber but was also well known for his love of sports and generosity in sponsoring teams in a variety of activities. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Budnick, Joe; Awards;

Twelve newly capped Gray Ladies, some holding their certificates, pose for a group portrait at Red Cross headquarters on October 5, 1955. Capping ceremonies occurred several times a year; the Gray Ladies were part of the Red Cross volunteer support units. They were a vital part of community services offered at various local hospitals. Seated from left to right are: Mrs. Albert Windsor, Catherine Pentimonti, Mrs. Carl Kerklau, Mrs. Clifton Price, Mrs. Ray Manges. Standing are: Clarreen Thelan, Mrs. Herman Hunt, Judy Trojan, Bobbie Trojan, Mrs. Harold Barwick, Shirlee Allen and Mrs. H.F. Weber. Mrs. Manges and Mrs. Weber were also recipients of service awards; they had been Gray Ladies for sevearl years. These Gray Ladies would be serving at Madigan Army Hospital. (TNT 10-9-55, A-9)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Uniforms;

Each fall the News Tribune ran a layout on the latest fashions for men and women. Beverlee Crombie holds a striking pose dressed in a dark brown tunic suit with flared top and A-line skirt in an all wool fabric. Her fur hat is trimmed with ostrich feathers. Furs were still popular; there is a natural stone marten fur draped over her arm. What appear to be poles, perhaps made of bamboo, are in the background. Beverlee Crombie was well known as a dancer with Steve's Gay Nineties Revue, both in the can can and specialty numbers. By 1956, she was dancing in Las Vegas in a revue at the Frontier Hotel and had plans to appear at the Moulin Rouge in Los Angeles. Miss Crombie was a 1955 graduate of Clover Park High School. (TNT 9-11-55, D-15 & 8-12-1956, pg. D-12)

Crombie, Beverlee; Fashion models--Tacoma; Fur garments; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Bob Keister appears to be preparing to punt as the Lincoln High School sophomore practices with his varsity teammates on November 1, 1955. Besides lettering in football, Keister also was on the successful Sophomore Blacks basketball team and on the Reserve baseball roster. By the time his career concluded at Lincoln, Keister also lettered in varsity baseball as a pitcher and served as Hi-Y president. (1956 Lincolnian yearbook, p.52, p.63, p. 66; 1958 Lincolnian yearbook, p. 23)

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Keister, Robert;

Display at Brewhouse. By 1954, Heidelberg Brewing (formerly Columbia Breweries) had tripled in size in seven years. Over 350 local residents were employed by the brewery at an annual payroll of $1,750,000. Heidelberg had added a $700,000 three-story cellar building for storage and fermentation of beer and installed a second brewing line, doubling brewhouse capacity. On display at the Brewhouse was a step-by-step demonstrational chart of how beer is produced along with samples of grain in tile bins. On top of the display was a miniature metallic or ceramic team of horses pulling a cart full of beer barrels. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Co. (TNT 9-3-54, C-16)

Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

B&I owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin (R) and W.W. ("Blackie") Ruhl stand in front of the large B&I Circus sign in September, 1955. Called "the biggest little store in the world", it was opened in 1946 by Leo Bradshaw and Irwin. For a while, Irwin and his assistant manager Ruhl were the sole employees of the store, which originally dealt in war surplus goods. After Irwin took sole possession of the store, he advertised heavily, increasing the store's size and goods available. It was the home of Ivan the Gorilla for over twenty years from 1967 to 1994. Also in mid-September, 1955, a huge new Safeway store opened as the B&I's neighbor. They had new safety lanes installed to make turns into the shopping center easier and safer, as well as an expanded parking lot that would serve both large stores. (TNT 9-13-55, . 10) TPL-8678

Irwin, E.L.; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Ruhl, W.W.; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Abbie E. (Mrs. Raymond) Keplinger posed for a studio portrait on September 12, 1955. She was elegantly dressed in a black lace and possibly satin gown. Standing in front of a piano, she held the sheet music to "Star Dust" by Hoagy Carmichael while the music to "Deep Purple" remained ready to be played. Mrs. Keplinger was listed in the 1955 City Directory as a musician with Stadium High School. She resided with husband Raymond M., a mechanic, at 8621 South Thompson Avenue.

Keplinger, Abbie E.; Sheet music covers; Pianos; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Three employees, possibly nurses, of the Laboure Nursing Home inspect charts on October 4, 1955. Laboure, located on Tule Lake Rd. in Parkland, was a rest home for the aged and convalescent. Residents were under the care of licensed nursing staff and had access to a house physician. Laboure, as with other licensed nursing homes, was regularly inspected by the state Department of Health and by the local inspector.

Laboure Nursing Home (Parkland)--Employees; Rest homes--Parkland;

Kenneth H. Cobb was listed in the 1955 City Directory as being in charge of the Telex Hearing Center, located in the historic Perkins Building at 1101 A Street. Telex high fidelity hearing aids were touted as the "world's finest". Signs in the Telex Hearing Center advertised the availability of the new Telex 5 transistor Telemaster, ten times more powerful than before. Customers could also purchase Eveready batteries for all makes of hearing aids. View of well-dressed employees behind the counter at Telex Hearing; there is a variety of testing equipment on the counter as well. Photograph taken on September 20, 1955, and ordered by Telex Hearing Center.

Telex Hearing Center (Tacoma); Hearing aids; Electric batteries; Signs (Notices);

James "Jim" Holroyd stands on the running board of an International Harvester truck owned by Holroyd Company, behind the door on the driver's side of the cab. The Holroyd Co. used durable International Harvester trucks to transport mixers, building materials, and concrete products. The trucks' large holding capacity would make delivery of ordered material economical and quick. Photograph ordered by International Harvester.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma); Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Holroyd, James;

Aerial photographs of possibly military base were taken in November, 1955, on behalf of the law firm of Anderson, Pearson & Anderson. This may be on the grounds of Fort Lewis. There appears to be a church with steeple in the far left corner of the photograph. Other buildings appear to be temporary barracks.

Aerial photographs; Anderson, Pearson & Anderson (Tacoma);

Exterior of Electrical Products Consolidated. Electrical Products Consolidated had moved into new quarters in the fall of 1955. They were manufacturers of neon signs and also were involved in the street lighting of downtown Tacoma. They had vacated previous storefront at 723 Commerce St. and moved next door to the Winthrop Motor Co. on Saint Helens. View of exterior of Spanish-styled Electrical Products Consolidated building; doorway is flanked by two columns and there are two distinctly framed storefront windows. A large neon sign indicating the business sold Zeon signs and lighting juts high above the door. Sepia photograph taken on September 19, 1955, on behalf of Electrical Products Consolidated.

Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Another view of the new Electrical Products Consolidated quarters was taken possibly in September, 1955. The Spanish-styled building was originally designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell and constructed in 1929 as the home of Remmert Motor Co. It was built of stucco and colored terra cotta and had a truss roof. By 1955, it was the long-time location of Winthrop Motor Co., DeSoto and Plymouth dealers and a large parts distributor. Electrical Products Consolidated shared space with Winthrop Motor; Electrical Products was a well-known manufacturer of neon signs and heavily involved in downtown street lighting.

Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior Electrical Products Consolidated. Employees of the Electrical Products Consolidated are busy designing and manufacturing neon signage in September, 1955. Their job is made easier with the bright fluorescent lights overhead and spacious work area in their new quarters on Saint Helens. Two of the company's trucks, with Zeon signs advertising prominently displayed on its doors, are parked nearby. A Heidelberg beer sign is nearing completion by one worker. Photograph ordered by Electrical Products Consolidated.

Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An overhanging roof protects the garden storage cabinet at the Ed Miller residence. The tall wood structure is set an an angle, with doors that close so that unsightly garbage cans and pesticides can be hidden from view. Garden tools like hoes, rakes and clippers can be neatly hung on walls. One section appears open to the patio so that potted flowers can be placed on its shelves to receive the full complement of sunshine and fresh air. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Gardening equipment & supplies; Sheds; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Interior of Groff's Natural Foods. Groff's, in downtown Tacoma, stressed the importance of eating right, using "natural" foods and vitamins to keep a person healthy. Whole grain flour and cereals, a selection of salt-free foods, Vitamin A-packed carrot juice, 100% pure honey, and even mineralized cookies were offered to discerning customers. Jugs of papaya juice, surely not a standard on the 1950's breakfast tables, were also available for purchase. Groff's was to celebrate its grand reopening on October 28, 1955. The store had been in the same location in the Crystal Palace Shopping Center at 11th & Market Sts. for the past fifteen years. Owner Virgil Groff claimed his store had the largest supply of vitamins in Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Groff's Natural Foods. (TNT 10-27-55, A-8)

Groff's Natural Foods (Tacoma); Nutrition--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A couple, believed to be Kenneth and Helen Cobb, are photographed before a circular mirror on September 20, 1955. Mrs. Cobb is proudly holding a first place ribbon from the American Violet Festival held in Tacoma that year. Mr. Cobb displays what appears to be the prize winning exhibit in full bloom. Kenneth Cobb operated the Telex Hearing Center in the historic Perkins Building downtown on A Street.

Awards; Mirrors; Violets;

All eyes are focused on the well-dressed speaker at the awards banquet honoring the Washington Cheney Studs baseball team which was held in Seattle on October 30, 1955. The large trophies won by the amateur team at the American Baseball Congress tournament the previous month, along with smaller individual trophies, are on display before the head table. There is a portrait of sponsor Ben Cheney which is leaning on a chair in front of the stage. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Banquets;

A member of the Cheney Studs baseball team, believed to be coach Joe Budnick, casually poses for a September, 1955, photograph. Dressed in a striped uniform, he sports the Cheney Studs insignia of a horse on his shirt and cap. Ben Cheney, lumberman and philanthropist, enabled thousands of men and children to participate in sports. Cheney Stadium was dedicated in his honor in 1960.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Sporting goods;

Team photo of Cheney Studs. A beaming Ben Cheney (L, second row) stands proudly with his Cheney Studs amateur baseball team in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 21, 1955. The Studs were composed of local high school and college-level stars. They had journeyed to Michigan to participate in the American Baseball Congress tournament where they concluded as national runner-ups. It appears that the Cheney Studs had also been the Cascade, Washington State, and Northwest Regional champions. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

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

Young baseball players attempt to relax as they enjoy the comforts of a private railroad car in a September, 1955, photograph. The men are part of the Cheney Studs, an amateur baseball team sponsored by Cheney Lumber. It is possible that the Studs were on their way to Watertown, S.D., for the first rounds of the American Baseball Congress national tournaments.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad passenger cars--Tacoma;

Chunks of broccoli pass swiftly down the assembly line to be selected and packaged for Minute Maid. Women, all in white uniforms complete with cap and clear aprons, work in two separate assembly lines. Sharp knives are used to separate the broccoli sections. Minute Maid had been known for their concentrated orange juice. In December, 1954, however, they purchased the Snow Crop Division of Clinton Foods. This gave them access to the frozen foods, vegetables, and juices market. Snow Crop had a plant in Kent; it is unknown whether this September 19, 1955, photograph was taken there. Photograph ordered by Batten Barton, Durstine & Osborn. (TNT 12-1-54, C-4)

Broccoli; Assembly-line methods; Uniforms;

Trays full of packaged Minute Maid Broccoli Spears already fill the carts behind the uniformed employee as she gathers more boxes off the assembly line to load onto the extended tray. The broccoli was probably frozen for later consumption and only the best produce was selected when trimming. Freezers may have become more common in the mid-fifties in the average home so the demand for frozen foods would have increased. Photograph ordered by Batten Barton, Durstine & Osborn.

Broccoli; Assembly-line methods; Uniforms;

Royal Magnus takes a stance as the letterman prepares for another season of Lincoln football. Lincoln had another successful year as it rebounded from losing all but three first-stringers to winning the City Title and splitting the Capitol League crown with Olympia High School. Magnus would also participate in the decathlon intramurals, Hi-Y Club, and the Forestry Club. (1956 Lincolnian, p. 53, 71, 117, 120) TPL-8473

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Magnus, Royal;

Lincoln High School Coach Norm Mayer, clip board in hand, was photographed in November of 1955 while working with his team at the Lincoln Bowl. Having lost all but three of his first-string men to graduation, Coach Mayer was able to pull together a varsity team that took both the City title and a share of the Capitol League crown. Dennis Cook, Gary Jezek and Harry Harper were the co-captains of the 1955 Abes. Lincoln High School capped off a successful season on a very rainy Thanksgiving Day by beating their cross-town rivals 19-0. (1956 Lincolnian, p. 51-52)

Mayer, Norm; Coaching (Athletics)--Tacoma; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An elderly customer gets his hearing tested at the Telex Hearing Center on September 20, 1955. The Telex employee, possibly Kenneth H. Cobb, its owner, holds a small hearing aid or battery in his hand while the cord is attached to the earpiece in the customer's left ear. The company was offering free consultations regarding the testing and purchase of the new Telex 5 transistor, the Telemaster. Photographed ordered by Telex Hearing Center.

Telex Hearing Center (Tacoma); Hearing aids; Electric batteries;

Display of Brown & Haley chocolates. A stand full of Brown & Haley products is on display on October 7, 1955. There is a variety of chocolate in the form of creams, fruit & nut combinations, wafers, pure chocolate and well-known Almond Roca. A sign urges consumers to "give...and enjoy Brown & Haley Chocolates." The company has been in Tacoma since 1913 when Harry L. Brown and Jonathan Clifford Haley combined forces to form Brown & Haley. Their Almond Roca was the first candy hermetically sealed in coffee tins which allowed the company to promote and sell it extensively outside the Northwest. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 428)

Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Candy--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Another view of the large American Wheelabrator machine that handled studs at the Kaiser Aluminum plant; this September 20, 1955, photograph shows the Kaiser employee with his cart nearly full of the metal studs. He appears to be inserting the stud onto the long extension of the large machine. Photograph ordered by American Wheelabrator & Equipment Corporation.

Machinery; American Wheelabrator & Equipment Corp. (Tacoma); Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;