The foreman and crew of "erectors" for the Scandinavian-American Bank being built at 1019 Pacific Avenue were photographed during a pause in work in November of 1920. The erectors were responsible for raising the 32-ton beams and 60-foot steel columns into position. The 12 men were handpicked for their steady nerves, even tempers and ability to work as team players. The first two floors alone contained over 1,000 tons of steel. The planned 16 story building rose beam by beam until January of 1921 when the bank failed and construction was shut down. The building was eventually completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. and named the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU-10760, Boland B 3244, TPL-9548

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

One of the "erectors" dangles high in the air in this November 1920 photograph, attaching chains and wires that will pull the 60 foot column into position at the Scandinavian-American Bank (now the Washington Building) construction site. The skeleton of the building was put together by the erectors, who were followed by the riveters. As designed, the building would ascend to 16 stories. Over 1,000 tons of steel were used in the first 2 floors alone. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 756, Boland B 3212

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "erectors" get one of the massive 32 ton steel beams into position at the construction site of the Scandinavian-American Bank (later the Washington Building) in this November 1920 photograph. The beams were lifted into place by a pulley system and then rivetted. Because the main banking room, when completed, would be the largest open space on the Pacific Coast without a supporting pillar or post, the massive cross beams required specially designed lifting equipment. When completed, the room was to measure 60 feet frontage, 100 feet deep and 30 feet from floor to ceiling. However, construction was halted when the bank failed in 1921. The building was resold, redesigned and completed in 1925 as the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 758, G17.1-122 TPL-9944

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This photograph from November 1920 shows one of the huge 32 ton beams of the framework for the Scandinavian -American Bank nearing its resting place. The erectors stand on top of the beam, ready to secure it in position. The design for the bank called for 16 stories with 22 rooms per floor with 5,000 feet of rentable space. The 11th Street entrance would open on a 26 foot wide court with a huge colored glass dome forming the ceiling for the massive banking room below. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction was halted. The building, after a re-design, was completed in 1925 and was renamed the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 759, Boland B 3235

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this was the bank vault at the Scandinavian American Bank in December of 1920. At that time the bank was building a 16-story structure at 1019 Pacific Avenue. While the new building was being constructed, the bank conducted business at a temporary location at South 13th and Pacific. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction stopped. The building remained unfinished until 1925 and is now known as the Washington Building. G34.1-019

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association operations. The office staff of the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, 100 So. 9th St. in downtown Tacoma, is pictured on September 12, 1923, conducting daily operations. An unidentified woman is making an entry on a ledger while her co-worker, seated at a large adding machine, observes. The Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, with assets (then) of over 3 1/2 million, was located in the white marbled Bowes Building. It was established in 1899 and was one of the city's oldest financial institutions. G13.1-009

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Roy State Bank was built in 1908 in the peaceful farming community of Roy near McNaught and Water Streets. Bank robbers brought unwanted excitement to the small town in the 1920s. It was held up in 1921, 1924, and 1928; this photograph was taken on the day of the last robbery, April 2, 1928. A young male bandit stole $3500 in currency just before closing time. Impacted by the Depression, the bank closed in 1931; it burned down the following year. TPL-2547; G73.1-064 (TDL 4-3-28, p. 1-article on bank robbery)

Banks--Roy; Roy State Bank (Roy); Robberies;

Pacific Savings & Loan Association occupied the Equitable Building (former location of the Merchants National Bank) in 1928. Other tenants included Crown Drugs and Pyro-Kure Dentists. The building adjoining the Equitable Building was the home of the F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 cent store.

Pacific Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Central Bank, located at Sixth & Pine, was one of the main occupants of the Hendry Block in 1928. William Hendry built the brick building in late 1924 and Central Bank opened its doors in March of the following year. Other tenants included a dentist, a physician, a printing firm and radio shop. TPL-8201; G18.1-042; BU-10,803;

Central Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Hendry Block (Tacoma);