Newly remodeled trust department of Bank of California. During the summer of 1968, the Bank of California began an extensive remodeling project of its Pacific Ave. location. One of the areas affected was the bank's trust department. Polygon-shaped overhead lighting and arched windows combined with rows of elongated desks add modern touches to the venerable building. Static-free carpeting was added. The Bank of California would celebrate its grand opening from December 11, 1968, to January 10, 1969. Photograph ordered by Bank of California. (TNT full page ads 12-10-68, p. 10, 11; TNT 12-10-68, p. 39)
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office equipment & supplies;
Safe-deposit boxes. The Bank of California had undergone extensive remodeling in 1968 totaling $600,000. One of the areas being improved was the vault room in the Italian Renaissance-styled building. View of rows of safe-deposit boxes, each requiring two keys for opening. Conveniently located freestanding tables were attached to the ends of the cabinets holding the boxes; bank customers had plenty of room to spread out contents of their boxes for inspection. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Safe-deposit boxes--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;
Vault in the Bank of California. A direct look into the vault area of the Bank of California indicates that the bank took the issue of protecting customers property very seriously. Not only did the customer have to proceed through a glassed-in entry and through the rounded vault steel doorway, but also needed to pass through a final entrance secured by bars. Only then could the customer gain entry to the safe deposit boxes within the vault room. The Bank of California spent $600,000 in extensive remodeling which concluded in late November, 1968. Beside the vault area, the main lobby and trust departments were among those refurbished. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Safe-deposit boxes--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;
Interior view of Seattle-First National Bank Highland Hills branch, taken on day of bank dedication, December 9, 1972. The bank has yet to open formally for business but this is the view that customers would see when they walked through the large glass doors of the contemporary designed bank. There is a feeling of openness with the lack of cubicles or cages and the use of "natural" earthtones in the decor. Sea-First had moved its Sixth Ave. branch from Sixth & "L" to the Highland Hills area on Sixth. There would be 3,720 sq. feet of bank space in the brick and cedar building. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank. (TNT 4-30-72, D-12- article on new bank plans)
Banks--Tacoma; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Building dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980;
New United Mutual Savings Bank headquarters. This view of the massive new savings bank building is believed to be looking from So. 11th St. The structure, dedicated on Friday, February 14, 1975, was located on So. 11th between Commerce & Broadway. Other views of the building are shown on D165624, image 3 and image 1. The six-story precast concrete building was designed by the Tacoma architectural firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by McDonald Construction Co. It apparently took nearly two years to complete.
United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1970-1980;
On October 13, 1970 a photographer from the Richards Studio leaned out of an unfinished window of the Bank of Washington building at 1201-23 Pacific Avenue and captured this abstract image of the plaza below. The spiral at top center is the unfinished staircase that when completed would lead to the fountain, restaurant and shops that were planned for the lower level of the plaza. The small circles that surround half of the spiral were designated to hold trees. On the lower edge, two men are working on a scaffold suspended from the side of the building. The plaza became Wells Fargo Plaza in 1997. (Photograph ordered by Labor Advocate Publishing Co.) TPL-9547
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980;
An automobile crashed into the Central Bank, at 2816 6th Ave., early in the morning on Friday August 24, 1934 tearing a hole in the brick wall. Ellis Ayr Smith and Frances Urch, employees of the bank, examine the damage. The car driven by 20 year old Charles Arwood skidded 40 feet on a slippery street, slammed into the wall of the bank and introduced "drive through" banking to Tacoma. Arwood and his passenger Dorothy Roberts both escaped without serious injury. (T. Times 8/31/1934)
Central Bank (Tacoma); Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Urch, Frances; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1930-1940; Accidents--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Charles W. Greening, manager of the Lincoln Branch Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma, stands behind the bank counter and discusses recent bank robberies. He became a hero when he pursued and shot a young bandit who held up his bank January 13th, 1937. The wounded robber was arrested when he sought medical attention in Spokane. Mr. Greening was later rewarded with a watch by the bank's insurance company. (T. Times 11/11/1937, pg. 13)
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Greening, Charles W.;
In January of 1937, Charles W. Greening, manager of the Lincoln Branch of the Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma, stood behind the bank counter while holding a 30-30 caliber rifle crooked over his arm. He became a local hero when he pursued and shot a young bandit who held up his bank on January 13th, 1937. Mr. Greening commandeered a passing car and fired three shots at the fleeing automobile driven by the robber. The wounded robber was arrested when he sought medical attention in Spokane. Mr. Greening was later rewarded with a watch by the bank's insurance company. (T. Times 1-13-37, p. 1-photograph & article; 11/11/1937, pg. 13-article on award)
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Greening, Charles W.; Robberies--Tacoma--1930-1940;
ca. 1938. National Bank of Washington, South 12th and Pacific Avenue. Sandstone renaissance style building designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects in 1920 for National Bank of Tacoma on site previously occupied by the Rudolph Knabel Bakery. The structure is listed on the National Registry. (filed with Argentum)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
ca. 1938. National Bank of Washington, South 12th and Pacific Avenue. Sandstone renaissance style building designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects in 1920 for National Bank of Tacoma on site previously occupied by the Rudolph Knabel Bakery. (filed with Argentum)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
Apple display at National Bank of Washington. Elevated view of bank lobby, shows two women with baskets of apples dispensing them to customers, also apple posters suspended overhead. Saturday, November 4th, 1939 was designated as "Apple Day" and the month of November as "Apple Month" in a state and national campaign to advertise the Washington apple and dispense of surplus apples. Foreign markets for apples had dried up due to the war in Europe, causing an over-abundance of apples available domestically. All retail stores were asked to display apples and serve them to their customers on Apple Day. (T. Times 11/2/1939, pg. 18)
Apple display at National Bank of Washington. People lined up on either side at tellers. Two women in matching pants outfits are giving out apples from a basket. November 4th, 1939 was designated as "Apple Day" in a state and national campaign to advertise Washington apples. Washington was also trying to dispose of a surplus of apples, caused by the loss of foreign markets due to the war. Shipping apples to Europe was impossible and Washington was glutted with apples. Retailers were asked to display apples and serve them to their customers on Apple Day, with the admonition to "eat more apples." (T. Times 11/2/1939, pg. 18)
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Chrm. of the Board Gerrit VanderEnde (seated, extreme left) and his company's branch managers pose for a group portrait on July 22, 1964. The photograph appears to have been taken at the headquarters boardroom at 11th & Pacific. Pacific First Federal Savings had seven locations in the Pacific Northwest including branches in Bellingham, Seattle, Longview, Portland, Eugene and Springfield. Tacoma was the home office, established in 1907. It would have a grand opening of its new building in late September, 1964. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma--1960-1970; VanderEnde, Gerrit;
Puget Sound National Bank employees vow to "stamp out Firstbank cards" by "boost [ing] the big one" on September 15, 1966. Several bankers are ready to toss Seattle-First National Bank's Firstbank cards into the burning trash can. They sought to promote BankAmericard as a means of obtaining instant loans and credit card purchase. Puget Sound National Bank had announced in June, 1966, that they would be issuing an "all-purpose card" available throughout the greater Tacoma area. PSNB was one of the first banks in the United States licensed to issue BankAmericard, previously only used in California. Card holders would not be required to have accounts at PSNB or Bank of America. Eventually, the card would be able to be used nationwide. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 6-28-66, p. 38)
Informal portrait of Bank of Tacoma president David J. Williams. A peek through the open door finds Mr. Williams hard at work at bank headquarters, in the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue, on November 20, 1967. The Bank of Tacoma, organized in 1963, had moved to the remodeled Publix Garage from its original South Tacoma Way location a few years later and also changed its name from the South Tacoma State Bank. Mr. Williams assumed the presidency in 1967 when Frank Cooper left the bank. Photograph ordered by Bank of Tacoma.
Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma; Williams, David J.;
It was business as usual at the Bank of California even during remodeling in the summer of 1968. The major face-lifting project was expected to last until the end of November. Although remodeling would entail new carpeting, chandeliers, and oak wall paneling, the elaborate ceiling would be retained. Great sheets of plastic and fresh plywood kept dust and noise at bearable levels as work progressed in the main lobby. The barricade, 75-feet long and 8-feet high in front of the savings teller windows and new accounts area, was on the north side of the office building. A directory board prominently displayed against a check-writing counter helped customers find the temporary location of various services. Detailed maps were also provided on the lower part of the directory board. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California. (TNT 8-18-68, A-19)
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma--1960-1970; Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Bank of California exterior, taken on July 25, 1968. Built in the Italian Renaissance style of Wilkerson sandstone and granite by J.E. Bonnell & Son in 1928, the Bank of California's four Ionic columns made for an impressive sight on busy downtown Pacific Avenue. A contemporary touch has been added with the installation of a narrow vertical sign to the building's exterior with the bank's name on it.
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);
Pacific Lutheran University's Choir of the West performs at the Bank of California. Bringing cheer to customers and staff alike, the Choir of the West made its seventh annual appearance in the Bank of California's grand lobby on December 17, 1968. Business was conducted as usual with the addition of the choir's songs and refreshments offered. Directed by Maurice H. Skones, the Choir of the West also performed in concerts at McNeil Island and Fort Lewis. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Choir of the West (Parkland); Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Christmas trees--Tacoma;
Bank of California grand reopening. Bank of California manager Howard O. Scott (L) shares ribbon-cutting duties with two unidentified men on December 11, 1968. The bank had just concluded a massive remodeling project at its facility on Pacific Avenue and would mark the occasion with a one-month celebration from December 11th to January 10, 1969. The Bank of California had been in its Italian Renaissance-styled home at 1011-13 Pacific Avenue since 1928. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Scott, Howard O.; Scissors & shears;
Tabulating equipment at Pacific First Federal. Punch card technology was developed in the mid-1880's by Herman Hollerith to help handle tabulation of data for the 1890 census. James Powers, working for the Bureau of Census developed a different type of card punch for the 1910 census. Powers left the Bureau to start his own business which merged with Remington Typewriter Company and Rand Cardex to form Remington Rand in 1927. Ordered by Remington Rand, Inc.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Remington Rand Co. (Rowayton, Ct.);
Night exposure of National Bank of Washington sign and parking. The neon signs welcoming patrons to the National Bank of Washington's drive-up windows and indicating the location of customer parking are bright beacons in the surrounding April 25, 1960, darkness. The Motor Bank opened that day in the Old Pioneer Building site on A St. Two walk-up windows for pedestrians and two drive-up windows allowed customers to cash checks, make deposits or loan payments, conveniently and quickly. The covered motor banking unit was located on the north end of the bank parking lot. (TNT 4-24-60, A-4, B-7)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970;
View of new National Bank of Washington Motor Bank at night. The National Bank of Washington's Motor Bank opened on April 25, 1960, in the Old Pioneer Building site at 1202 A St. That building was razed in late 1959 and a compact drive-through unit constructed. The motor bank, built out of Wilkeson sandstone, covered 18,000 square feet including a convenient parking lot. The 40-car parking lot was provided by the bank in case more banking transactions were needed to be conducted in person at the Main office or the bank annex across the street. Parking was free for one hour. (TNT 4-24-60, A-4, B-7)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970;
View of one-story Pacific First Federal Savings building on March 14, 1961. Clock mounted on building indicates it was nearly 3:30 in the afternoon when this photograph of the Villa Plaza branch was taken. Pacific First Federal was a mutual savings institution with branches in the Northwest; established in 1907, its headquarters were in downtown Tacoma. Rudolph J. Tollefson, assistant vice-president, was listed in the 1961 City Directory as being in charge of the Villa Plaza location.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Lakewood); Clocks & watches;
View of downtown streets. This December 9, 1958, photograph was taken looking toward South 12th and Pacific from South 12th & A Streets in downtown Tacoma. National Bank of Washington's main branch, constructed of Wilkeson sandstone, is on the right side; across the street is the newer annex which housed the installment credit department. An underground, and well lit, tunnel was built to connect the two bank buildings. The main branch was to later become the home of the Tacoma Art Museum. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
A Sunnen crane carefully lifts a new Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan exterior sign into place early in the morning on June 30, 1958. The tall vertical structure has three separate horizontal signs welded a few feet apart. Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan was located on Pacific Avenue between the Bank of California and Hunt's Office Supply. The building was constructed in 1888; it had been remodeled in 1954. Deposits were now federally insured up to $10,000. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.
Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma);Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;
Interior of new Seattle-First National Bank Highland Hills branch. This appears to be prior to opening hours at the new Sixth Ave. location of Seattle-First National Bank on December 9, 1972. Behind the counter is plenty of desk space, room enough for a typewriter and several adding machines. Tables and chairs to the left side of the room are probably for loan officers to conduct business. A sign outside the building points customers to the "Firstbank Cash Machine;" Seattle-First was the first to employ ATM machines in Pierce County where access to cash was possible 24 hours a day. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank.
Banks--Tacoma; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma);
ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan presented a colorful sight during the Christmas holiday season with twinkling lights on outdoor landscaping and brightly illuminated building. This is the Commerce Street view of the savings and loan; Puget Sound National Bank's lighted spire can be seen in the background. This snapshot was taken either during the 1972 Christmas season or shortly thereafter.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Christmas decorations;
Close-up view of Seattle-First National Bank's "Highland Hills" branch. A row of small trees has been planted along the sidewalk border of the new Sea-First branch on Sixth Avenue. This April, 1973, side view of the bank shows the three drive-up lanes of the bank which are under cover. A "cash machine," a concept first introduced in Pierce County by Seattle-First, is outside the front doors. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank, Seattle.
Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
