George G. Franklin's family home was the winner of the Tacoma Times House Beautiful contest in 1947, this house had also been nominated in 1920. The home, located in Tacoma's Stadium-Annie Wright Historical District, eventually became the Central Lutheran Church Parsonage in 1975. Interior view of one of the bedrooms; a fireplace helps keep the bedroom warm in the cold winter months.

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boudoirs--Tacoma; Fireplaces--Tacoma; Beds; Bedspreads; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Franklin, Alice S.--Associated objects; Franklin, George G.--Homes & haunts;

In 1889 James N. Buckley was planning to build an elaborate house on this lot and a local newspaper featured a story with describing the future home. For some unknown reason the house was never built. Charles H. Hyde had this house at 425 Tacoma Avenue North built in 1905; it was later owned by Harold A. Allen, Henry Rhodes and George G. Franklin. Interior view of the spacious and beautifully decorated living room with sofas, chairs, paintings, lamps and tables. This photograph was taken on January 5, 1949.

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Living rooms--Tacoma; Lamps; Draperies; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Franklin, George G.--Homes & haunts;

Hundreds of people enjoyed the 2-hour bus tour of the entries in the 2nd Annual Tacoma Beautiful Contest, afterwards everyone gathered at Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom for a tea reception and awaited the announcement of the winners. Leon Titus announced the winners and awarded the prizes. View of John Kellson's home, garden is on opposite side, lamppost in foreground, the Kellson home was awarded 2nd place (T. Times, 7/12/48, p. 1).

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Neighborhoods--Tacoma; Yards--Tacoma; Lampposts--Tacoma; Lawns--Tacoma; Contests--Tacoma; Competition entries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Gardening--Tacoma; Kellson, John W.--Homes & haunts;

John J. Hewitt house, Delano and Aldrich with Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects; 1925. Exterior view of house.

Dwellings - Houses - Tacoma

Interior view of Wollander Farwest Home; view of living room with matching shag trimmed sectional sofa, shag rug, curtains, fireplace and end tables. The kitchen has white cabinets, a three burner stove and oven, a single sided sink and a washing machine located on left side of sink; there was likely a utility room where refrigerator was kept.

Prefabricated houses; Housing--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Living rooms--Tacoma; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma);

Exterior of Marshall residence, furnace in basement, Harvey Wiggle, Elling E. Olson. The exterior of a two-story bungalow style home with white shingles, a deep covered porch with heavy columns, and rafter tails showing at both edges of the roof. Brickwork supports the porch and columns. Concrete steps lead up to the front lawn.

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bungalows--Tacoma;

This house was built in 1908 for L. Jardeen; the current owner of this property is Nellie K. Otis. Exterior view of Nellie K. Otis' home, located at 3323 North 18th Street in Tacoma's North End neighborhood; Nellie is the widow of Grant O. Otis.

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Neighborhoods--Tacoma; Lawns--Tacoma; Yards--Tacoma; Clapboard siding--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Otis, Nellie K.--Homes & haunts;

Interior view of home belonging to Charles E. and Violet Devlin, their home was located in Lakewood at 10513 Steilacoom Lake Drive Southwest. View of the spacious dining room, kitchen is visible through doorway on right side, window on left side allows for natural lighting in room. Photo ordered by Harold Dixon, Publicity Director for Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Houses--Lakewood--1940-1950; Plywood; Dining rooms--Lakewood; Dining tables; Ceilings--Lakewood; Devlin, Charles E.--Homes & haunts; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma)--Products;

Exterior view of home belonging to Charles E. and Violet Devlin, their home was located in Lakewood at 10513 Steilacoom Lake Drive Southwest. View of their yard with a brick flower bed beneath the windows located to the right of a doorway, possibly the main entrance. Photo ordered by Harold Dixon, Publicity Director for Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Houses--Lakewood--1940-1950; Plywood; Trees--Lakewood; Neighborhoods--Lakewood; Devlin, Charles E.--Homes & haunts; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma)--Products;

The new pathway lighting system for Jefferson Park's playfield took a giant step toward final installation in October of 1949 when the members of the Jefferson Park Playground Association turned out with picks and shovels to dig the conduit ditches for the new 22-foot standards. Along with their arms and backs, the association put $500 into the project. The Metropolitan Park District earmarked $900 for the six new lights, and City Light also helped with this project. The lights were placed around the fieldhouse and along the park pathways. Frank E. Powell, the association president, is one of the men working on the ditch. (T.N.T., 10/25/49, p. 1).

Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1940-1950; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children & adults--Tacoma; Jefferson Park (Tacoma); Jefferson Park Playground Association (Tacoma);

Back of home at 6021 Pacific Ave. An exterior view of the back yard and rear of the one-story house. Flower borders edge the yard. A patio extends from the back of the house with outdoor seating.

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The curved asphalt street and rolling lawns of the suburban Lakewood community "Fairway at Lakewood," developed by H.A. Briggs. The planned community consisted of 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath ramblers, built from several different designs and of varied materials, selling for $10,000- 14,000. The different designs gave the look of custom designed homes to the neighborhood. Two children stop their bicycles on a summer day to converse. The streets are empty of traffic. The above street has been identified as Oakridge Dr. S.W. Young children were used to walking to Custer Elementary School via streets like Oakridge. (Additional information provided by a reader) TPL-10463

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960; Residential streets--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Street scenes from the housing addition "Fairway at Lakewood," developed by H.A. Briggs. Fairway was a planned community of upscale ranch homes off Steilacoom Blvd. about 1 mile from the Lakewood Center. The rambler homes were distinctive in that they were originals; of different designs and varied materials. The curved streets and rolling green lawns invited play by neighborhood children and a suburban style of life.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This daylight basement recreation room, called the family room or TV room, has a clever back peg board to hang sports equipment such as rackets, flippers and gloves. The family room measured 18 x 25 feet. The ever present fifties television stands up on skinny legs. The basement also had a sandstone fireplace with a massive raised slate hearth, space for a workshop, storage, a Delco heating plant, laundry room and a roughed in 4th bedroom. Over 3,000 people viewed the new home on its first Open House during the 9th annual Home Week and Tour of Homes. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Exterior of home, possibly 4009 Ridge Rd. West, in University Place; ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This interesting two story home has a patio with a deck above, plus what appears to be an open air breezeway from one part of the home to another. It appears to be built on a rise with the two story portion on the lower level and a breezeway leading to a one story portion at the top of the hill, possibly a garage. In addition to all of the outdoor living space, the home has lots of windows for natural lighting.

Houses--University Place--1950-1960;

Exterior of home, possibly 4009 Ridge Rd. West, in University Place; ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This August, 1956, photo shows the two story home built snug into the hillside, with a patio below covered by an open air deck above. At the top of the hill is a one story structure, possibly a garage. The home appears to be new; no landscaping has been installed at this time.

Houses--University Place--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. This is the street entrance view of the house and attached carport. Two planter boxes flank the steps leading up to the front door. The home was 1430 square feet on the ground floor with another 1430 sq. feet available in the basement. (TNT 9/19/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A bedroom in the Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. The home had three bedrooms with a roughed in fourth bedroom located in the basement. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of home, possibly 4009 Ridge Rd. West, in University Place; ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This interesting two story home has a patio with a deck above, plus what appears to be an open air breezeway from one part of the home to another. It appears to be built on a rise with the two story portion on the lower level and a breezeway leading to a one story portion at the top of the hill, possibly a garage. In addition to all of the outdoor living space, the home has lots of windows for natural lighting.

Houses--University Place--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. Exterior of a one story rambler with what appears to be cedar siding and with an attached one car garage. The address of this home is believed to be 8809 36th St. W., formerly 8809 So. 36th St., in University Place. The owners are listed in the 1958 suburban City Directory as Mead and Janice McDonald. The home was one of those constructed for the September 1956 Tour of Homes. Photograph ordered by Fanning Starkey Real Estate.

Houses--University Place--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. This "L" shaped contemporary Northwest home was built by the Tacoma Master Builders Association in 1957. Built basically of wood with some brick facing, the home has attractive shutters and an attached one-car garage. Tall trees would provide shade during hot summer months. See D105170-3 for another view of the home. This Sherman L. Rowland-built home was chosen as the 1957 Tacoma Home Show model home. Called "Oakhurst," it would be open to the public on the Home Show opening day, March 19, 1957. The house was located in the Southgate neighborhood at 10103 Montrose Avenue S.W. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Master Builders Association. (TNT 3-19-57, C-5)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

ca. 1957. This house was built under the guidance of the Tacoma Master Builders Association in 1957. The L-shaped contemporary home was primarily constructed of Northwest woods with brick facing. The one-car garage was attached to the longer side of the "L." The home, called "Oakhurst," was the 1957 Tacoma Home Show model home. It was built by Sherman L. Rowland; Rowland also received the honor of building the 1954 Home Show model home, TX 101. The model strolling from the house is Shirley Vanek. According to the 1957 City Directory, Mrs. Vanek was a cashier at the Commonwealth Title Insurance Company. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Master Builders Association. (TNT 3-3-57, C-18, TNT 3-19-57, C-5)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Vanek, Shirley;

Oscar Hokold Construction; open houses for new homes. Most of the homes appear to be modest split levels, with the back of the house 2 stories and the front one story with the front door opening on the higher level. Hokold was holding an open house for these homes, the first of 40 to be built in an area between 76th & 78th on So. Thompson. The average price was $11,800, with $1200 down and $75 a month. The homes were designed to expand as the family enlarges. They featured oak floors, mahogany doors, fireplaces, recreation rooms, plus room for two more bedrooms in the basement. Hokold was also developing additions on East 64th off of Portland and between Wapato and Alling Park. Hokold would later establish the Northwest hotel chain of King Oscar motels. (TNT 4/8/1956, pg. B-6)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Residential streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney sharpens his ax at a grinding wheel. Possibly he is planning to do some of the remodeling work at his summer home himself. He isn't dressed to labor, wearing dress shoes, slacks, jacket and natty cap. He is being observed by an older gentleman in a plaid wool shirt with a cigarette dangling from his amused mouth. Cheney himself was blessed with a strong sense of humor and is smiling at his own actions.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Axes; Grinding wheels;

Exterior of the home of James and Georgia Fowler. Fowler was the promotion director for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association, who ordered this picture. The Fowlers had recently added on to their Rhododendron Lanes home. This appears to be a back patio area for the home. A sliding glass door leads onto the covered portion of the patio. Several benches have been provided for seating.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Remodeling--Lakewood; Patios--Lakewood--1950-1960; Fowler, James--Homes & haunts;

Harbor Terrace Apartments, ordered by McGuire and Muri, Architects. These apartments were built in 1951 by Elmer L. Burnham and Henry O. Wheeler. The apartment building seems to consist of three distinct units, two of two stories and one of three stories. The balconies of the units have floor to ceiling windows that offer a view of the Sound.

Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Harbor Terrace Apartments (Tacoma);

Sylvan Park was a new subdivision near Lakewood; many of the homes built there were one-story ramblers, some with brick surfaces. Home Construction Co., owned by C. E. Hinton and J. M. Hoskins, built several homes there during the 1950's. The large brick home shown here in March, 1953, had a wide, eye-catching chimney, attached garage, and attractive patio with low walls and children's swing set. Photograph ordered by Mark Hoskins.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Home Construction Co. (Lakewood);

This contemporary, one-story rambler was built by the Erspamer Construction Co. and photographed on May 17, 1953. It had a shallow-pitched roof, wood siding and attached garage. The well-kept lawn had a cheerful display of flowers behind a low brick border which matched the brick facing under the picture window. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Houses--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Exterior of a house

ca. 1953. Living room with brick fireplace and large picture window looking onto unidentified lake. Wood floors covered partially with round rug. Walls consist of wood paneling.

Living rooms--1950-1960; Fireplaces; Lakes & ponds;