Studio setup of Acrilan yarn and display for advertising purposes; ordered by Seattle Woolen Co. The first board displays acrilan fiber, made from gas and air. The board proclaims it to be light, warm and resilient; soft and never itchy or scratchy. The second board shows fabric made from acrilan; it is luxurious to the touch, keeps its shape and resists wrinkles and tears. The final board displays acrilan yarn; it's strong, yet pliable and resists moths and mildew. The fabric was being promoted for clothing manufacture, since it was washable, quick drying and would not shrink, stretch or sag. Synthetics would gradually replace or supplement natural fabric materials in clothing.
The Patty Ann Bakery at the Thriftway Park 'N Shop, formerly the Park 'N Shop. Two bakery assistants in clean white uniforms pose, one holding freshly baked bread. The lighted glass display cabinets hold luscious looking cakes, doughnuts, cookies and pastries. Smiling jack o' lantern cutouts decorate the shelves, along with a palm tree look alike coming out of the planter box behind one woman's head.
The Highland Hills Big Bear store at 5915 6th Avenue, near Pearl Street, opened in 1955 to serve the growing West end, including the areas of University Place and Fircrest. The Big Bear was the first tenant of the Highland Hills Shopping Center, which had its Grand Opening in December of 1956. When completed, the shopping center had 21 stores with a pedestrian mall in the center and five acres of parking.
Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs;
Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution. Employees cars are parked beside the loading area. A bridge crossing the railroad tracks can be seen in the background.
Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;
Aerial photograph of downtown Tacoma to show the spired Puget Sound National Bank building at 11th and Pacific (1119 Pacific Ave.) To the building's left is Peoples Department Store at 1101-07 Pacific and to its right is the National Bank of Washington, 1123 Pacific, the 2002 location of the Tacoma Art Museum. Behind facing A Street is the Federal Building and the Post Office at 1102 A Street. The city appears divided into a grid of large office buildings. The streets, left to right, vertically are Commerce, Pacific and A Street. They are divided by, top to bottom, by 11th Street and 12th Street. Left to right at the top of the picture are the Rust building at 950 Pacific, the Washington Building at 1019 Pacific and the Tacoma Building at 1017-21 A Street. Across 11th Street from the Tacoma Building is the Perkins building at 1101 A Street.
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Aerial photographs;
Sib's Thriftway, at 5739 North 26th Street, was built in 1953 by Sib Carstensen and was the first store in the newly named "Westgate" area of Tacoma. Sib's, with its large, sweeping arched roof advertised itself as "Tacoma's first supermarket". The Sib's store, which later became the Westgate Mark-It Store, was demolished around 1988. TPL-9761
Selden's, in 1956, had two convenient locations in the Tacoma area: one in the downtown area on Broadway and the other in the Lakewood Center. The store had made its name in being "first in floor coverings" but also offered interior decorating and electrical appliances. View of household appliances department at Selden's, including Frigidaire refrigerators and stoves and Moore heaters. Photograph ordered by Selden's.
Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;
It might have been somewhat cramped in this trailer but the National Bank of Washington strove to provide good service to their customers while their permanent Lakewood branch was being constructed. It appears that the temporary quarters of the Villa Plaza branch was set in the middle of a parking lot during April, 1957. John R. Whisler, assistant cashier, and Marc H. Miller, manager, have nameplates on adjoining desks; there is also room for two teller windows. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington. (TNT 3-15-57, p. 9)
National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;
Car shopping was truly a family affair in the 1950's. At their open house on March 1, 1957, Steven Motor Co. gave out balloons to the youngsters while their parents scrutinized the "best used car deal in town!" Steven Motor Co. was owned by Everett T. Steven. The long-time Chrysler and Plymouth dealership had three locations: the pictured sales & service center at 738 Broadway, a repair department on Saint Helens and their used car lot at 37th and South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.
Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;
C & G Radio Supply were wholesalers of electronic equipment, televisions, and radio parts. Located in the 2500 block of Jefferson Avenue in the former Motor Truck Service Co. building since 1949, the large company was owned by Lloyd R. Norberg. The business had been operating in Tacoma since the 1930's. 33 employees lined up for a company picture on April 16, 1957. Photograph ordered by C & G Radio Supply Co.
C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Stores & shops--Tacoma;
Interior of new Leed's Shoes at Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Leed's advertised QualiCraft shoes. In addition, purses, handbags and hosiery could be purchased there. The new suburban store opened on April 4, 1957, as the 197th QualiCraft store in the United States, the 59th on the Pacific Coast and second in Tacoma. The first Tacoma Leed's opened at 932 Broadway in 1937. The Villa Plaza Leed's was about 30 feet wide and 150 feet deep. Its ceilings and main wall were painted pale turquoise and beige and oyster-white textured tweed carpet was laid on the floor. Ellery Wybrow was named as the Villa Plaza Leed's first manager. (TNT 4-3-57, A-7-article)
Leed's Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
The man at the blackboard is trying to capture his sales group's attention as they all turn away to grin at the camera. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph periodically had sales meetings to list goals and encourage their employees to increase production. To raise spirits, employees would sing traditional songs with lyrics changed to reflect the telephone industry. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph.
An extended view of the new Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. building on South Tacoma Way was taken on December 12, 1955. The large one-story brick building may have had a basement as well. There were two large plate glass windows near the entrance but limited windows elsewhere. The business had recently moved from its former location on Pacific Avenue to 1325 South Tacoma Way. Arthur F. Sheehan was its long-time manager. Photograph ordered by Westinghouse Electric Supply Co.
Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior Lou Johnson's. One of Lou Johnson, Inc., three stores was located in the Lakewood Center in the 1950's. An evening exposure was taken in December, 1955, of the store's exterior. It had recently opened in the newly expanded Lakewood Center. The storefront was wall-to-wall glass which allowed passersby to see virtually the entire lighted interior. Lou Johnson's specialized in women's apparel and accessories; it was owned and operated by Lucie Palmer. Photograph ordered by Lou Johnson's. (TNT 11-16-55, C-8)
Lou Johnson, Inc. (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;
The barrier wall has gone up, anticipating the beginning of the construction of the new home-office headquarters of the Tacoma Savings and Loan. The Savings & Loan was founded June 28, 1899 in a lawyer's small office with assets of $2,000. At 57 years old, it was Tacoma's oldest and most respected savings and loan. Signs on the fence read "No knotholes in this fence. Get it all from a bleacher seat. Bleacher seats reserved for sidewalk superintendents, watch the show from a bleacher seat." Arrows point around the right hand fence where the bleachers must be located. The building, as designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards, would have modern glass and aluminum silhouette. Its main entrance would be on 9th, with a side entrance on Court A with a drive up window and space for 7 cars.(TNT 5/2.1956, pg. D-4)
Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Ground breaking for the new Tacoma Savings & Loan building, ordered by the Condon Advertising Co. Two of the three men present look anxiously up at the wrecking ball that will be used to break up the concrete where the new building will stand. The three men are bank officers Raymond Winden, vice president, W.D. Hopping, president, and Donald Kohler, secretary. Built across the street from the bank's current headquarters, the new building would be a modern edifice of aluminum and glass. It will have a basement, main floor, mezzanine and the ability to accomodate two additional floors when needed. The new building is estimated to be ready for occupancy in 10 months. Founded in 1899 in a lawyer's office while Tacoma was still a rowdy youngster with planks for sidewalks, Tacoma Savings and Loan is the city's oldest savings and loan. (TNT 5/2/1956, pg. D-4)
Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Winden, Raymond T.; Hopping, William D.; Kohler, Donald;
Washington Cleaners and Launderers. Washington was a full service modern cleaning plant, having undergone progressive modernization over the last 20 years. The company was owned by Ed Lane. Its main plant was located in Tacoma, with seven branches at Fort Lewis. The employees were apparently mostly women, as out of this picture of 50, only 3 are men. The women are a wide variety of ages. Most are wearing bright spring print dresses or skirts. (TNT 5/13/1956, pg. A-15)
Washington Cleaners and Launderers (Tacoma)--People; Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;
Washington Cleaners and Launderers. The two men are applying solutions to the clothes using a tubing device topped by a nozzle. They have several glass bottles of solution beside them. The solutions are possibly used for spot removal or dry cleaning. Washington Cleaners termed its dry cleaning service "Fabri-Sheen." (TNT 5/13/1956, pg. A-15)
Washington Cleaners and Launderers (Tacoma)--People; Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;
Standard Oil; opening of new service station. Richards appointment book gives the station's address as 9821 South Tacoma Way. Three gas station employees in sparkling white uniforms and caps kneel in front of five men in suits. The Standard Oil neon sign is emblazoned over all.
Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma);
Two waitresses, Jennie Wheeler (right) and Josephine Trumble, in dark dresses and crisply ruffled white aprons pause in setting a homey checked table to smile for the camera at Steve's Gay 90's. Behind them is a large antique mirrored hutch. Steve's was furnished with pieces from some of the finest mansions in South Tacoma, and the walls were decorated with pictures of those homes. (TNT 6/13/1956, pg. C-9- C-11)
One of the original rooms at Steve's Gay '90s. The table for the smorgasbord can be seen to the left. The buffet was served daily at lunch and dinner for a nominal charge. At the back of the room can be seen the stage where Jane McKee and Arnold Leverenz performed nightly; it is surrounded by hand painted signs by Bill Knabel for local South Tacoma businesses. The booths recall surreys with fringe on top, and wagon wheel chandeliers and checkered cloths complete the look. Steve's had grown to include 5 dining areas: Steve's Cafe- serving meals 24 hours a day; the Cable Car room- with cocktails and food; this Gay 90's Smorgasbord- open 7 days a week; the Opera House Coliseum- with its live revue and the Mystery dining and banquet room. TPL-6699 (TNT 6/13/1956, pg. C-9 - C-11)
Tradewell opened another new supermarket in Tacoma in 1953; the 56th and Pacific Tradewell celebrated its grand opening in early February, 1953. Ample parking was provided for customers at this busy Southend location. Van de Kamps Bakery was also a part of the supermarket. W.A. Bolduc was the store manager; the modern Roman brick structure had been designed by Skoog Architects of Seattle and built by Bona Fide Construction Co. of Tacoma. It contained 11,000 square feet of sales place. A sampling of signs indicated that 2 lbs. of coffee could be purchased for $1.49, salad dressing for 29 cents and delicious pot roast for 39 cents a pound. Photograph ordered by Tradewell, Inc., Seattle. (TNT 2-3-53, p. 4-5)
Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Signs (Notices);
When Lincoln Electric moved into their new building at South 38th and Park Avenue, they expanded into the furniture and juvenile market. The furniture department was managed by Roy Grayson; he had twenty years experience in the home decorating and furnishings field. Lincoln Electric carried many name brand furniture including Broyhill, Thomasville, Rose City Upholstery, and Chromecraft. View of five-piece chrome dining sets with small appliances on them; washers, dryers and kitchen appliances in background. (TNT 12-10-52, p. B-7)
Besides selling new Dodge and Plymouth vehicles, Munson-Smith Motors had a large used car lot. A sign on one of their buildings advised you could safely "Buy With An Open Eye" at their dealership. Munson-Smith was also authorized to repair and sell Dodge parts at their South Tacoma Way facility. View of Munson-Smith car lot on a rainy day in March, 1953, with cars reflected on the wet pavement.
W. H. Opie and Company, real estate. March, 1953, photograph shows the corner entry to Art-Moderne-style building. There is a curved marquee above glass double-doors with half-circle hardware forming circle. Realtors neon sign and "Knapp College Time" clock at window on second floor of the Opie Company's main office. Their motto apparently was "We seek only what is right"; it is placed above the entry way.
W.H. Opie & Co. (Tacoma); Real estate business--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
Night exposure of Angle's Flowers. Angle's Flowers, located at 1121 South "K" St., was owned by Ralph and M. Anna Angle. Their entry in the 1953 City Directory indicated that they were florists and also creators of artistic arrangements and corsages. The small store appears to have its window filled with floral displays and ceramic dolls. A large neon sign has the store's name prominently in view. The "K" St. branch of Central Bank was a close neighbor. Photograph ordered by Mrs. Ralph Angle.
Angle's Flowers (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Ederer Engineering Co. was based in Seattle and was a manufacturer of cranes, hoists and veneer machinery. They did general machine work, according to the 1951 Seattle City Directory. Their cranes were utilized in the St. Regis Paper Co. plants to move heavy paper products. View of interior of St. Regis plant, probably Tacoma, showing Ederer cranes. Photograph ordered by Ederer Engineering Co.; photograph taken on July 3, 1953.
Ederer Engineering Co. (Seattle); Hoisting machinery; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
National Auto Parts window, 40th & Pacific. William C. Johnston was President-manager and Merle C. Johnston was Secretary-treasurer. The company sold parts for all makes of cars. This display window features a "get your vehicle ready for winter" theme, with U.S.I. & Super Pyro antifreeze and "Claw" tire chains. U.S.I. billed itself as the "world's safest antifreeze."
Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);
John E. Barcott, Jr., celebrated the grand opening of his Barcott's Sea Food restaurant in May of 1953. The new restaurant was located at 3832 South Pine Street, in what was dubbed "the center of the city," on Pine just off South 38th St. Mr. Barcott had 15 years experience in restaurants and was a member of a pioneering Tacoma restaurant-operating family. A large rooftop neon sign had an arrow pointing downwards, drawing the eyes to smaller neons of the "chops, seafood, steaks" menu. There was also a whimsical lighted sign of a smiling fish with large bubbles nearby. The water theme continued in the interior of the restaurant with fishing gear and nets decorating the spacious dining room. The structure was built by Walter C. Witte, general contractor, and fixtures supplied by Andrew's Fixture Co. Fifty years later, the location is now occupied by the Pine Street Landing eatery and is across the street from the Evergreen Post Office. (TNT 5-28-53, p. 15) TPL-8122
Barcott's Sea Food (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
It appears that Harry Carollo of Auburn has just taken over ownership of the new Shell station at 2520 South Tacoma Way in June, 1953. A Shell dealer training school truck is parked outside the station's garage. Mr. Carollo's name hangs proudly on a sign on the plate glass window listing him as the proprietor. A large sign indicating that the station cleaned windshields is prominently placed in the circular office building attached to the garage. Another sign indicates that Shell is the "most powerful gasoline your car can use." The site was listed in the 1953 City Directory as a Firestone store; by 1954, it had both Harry's Firestone and Harry's Shell Station at the same address. Liberty Drive-In had opened a restaurant at that location in 1946 but had apparently moved since then.
Harry's Shell Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1950-1960;
