Emerging from the Tacoma White Trucks dealership is a Griffin Fuel Company truck in a photograph taken on August 28, 1950. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began building heavy duty trucks and buses in 1900. The Tacoma White Trucks dealership was located at 2719 South Tacoma Way. Frank Buchanan was the president and manager from 1949 until 1954 according to the Tacoma city directory.

Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1950. This photograph of the offices of W. H. Opie Realtors was taken around 1950. The office was located at the intersection of 10th and Pacific Ave., 1001-05 Pacific. The clock in the window upstairs gives the "Knapp College Time" of 2:40. The modernistic structure was built in 1941 and was named the "Anderson Building" after builder Mrs. R.E. Anderson. It is constructed of concrete and crystal glass. Knapp College had occupied the 2nd floor since 1941.

W.H. Opie & Co. (Tacoma); Real estate business--Tacoma; Knapp College (Tacoma);

Exterior view of Washington Hardware Company. Washington Hardware added a 50,000 square foot Wholesale Division at 1247 Puyallup Avenue in 1950. It carried hardware, building materials, tools, shop supplies and sporting goods for sale.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A few self-service stations were starting to appear in the early 1950's in the Puget Sound area; however, it was still an unusual sight. A customer would pump his own gas rather than waiting patiently in his car for an attendant to do so. As this gas station's large sign advertised, you could "save $$" by doing the work yourself. Photograph ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Fletcher Oil Co. (Tacoma);

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Two men and three women, acting as restaurant staff, at bar. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by the Tacoma Actors Guild.. Man at microphone addressing audience seated at tables around dance floor. Two of the columns in the room have sea shell decorations near top of column. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Footprints on the sidewalk lead people to South Tacoma Motor Company to see the 1951 Chevrolets. Fourteen passenger body types were included in the 1951 line. Two- and four-door sedans were available in the Styleline and Fleetline series. All sedans and the sport coupe came in de luxe or special trim. A convertible coupe, all-steel station wagon and the Bel Air were exclusively in the de luxe series. The business coupe was only available in the Special series. (TNT, 12/9/1950, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

December was the month to showcase the upcoming year's new automobile models. Here the 1951 Chevrolets, including the Bel Air, are gleaming under the overhead lights of South Tacoma Motor Company at 5602 South Tacoma Way. The Bel Air's white-wall tires set off its new styling, where improvements and changes were featured in both the chassis and body for 1951. Model changes ranged from the "biggest brakes in the low-price field" to longer and lower design innovations. The Powerglide automatic transmission, optional on the deluxe models only, was also refined. Both South Tacoma Motor Co. and Walker Chevrolet would open their showrooms at night during part of December to highlight the impressive catalog of new cars. (TNT, 12/8/1950, p.13-article )

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A general view of the South Tacoma Motor Company at night. The 1951 Chevrolets are seen through the showroom windows. A neon sign is elevated from the corner of the building and a banner promoting "America's Largest and Finest Low-Priced Car" is seen on the transom.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Newly remodeled 2nd floor at Harold E. Dahl Company. The company sold office supplies and furniture, Mosler safes, typewriters, adding machines, and duplicators. This view features metal and wooden desks, desk chairs, visitor chairs, tables, file cabinets, coat racks and lamps.

Harold E. Dahl Co. (Tacoma); Office furniture; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Desks; Chairs;

In December of 1950, passersby could pause in their nightly stroll downtown to peer through the curved windows into the festive showroom at the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership, 455 Saint Helens Ave. The showroom was decorated for Christmas and featured two new 1950 Buicks on display. A neon sign promoting "Buick Dynaflow Drive" (automatic transmission) hung in the showroom window. Buick sold over half a million of their 1950 models using the slogan "Better Get a Buick." Prices in December 1950 in Tacoma ranged from $2256 for a Buick Special to $3157 for the Roadmaster. TPL-5045

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buick automobile; Christmas decorations; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A night view of Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership decorated for Christmas. A Buick has been placed on top of the roof of the service marquee with trees and "Make this a Buick Christmas" banner. Glass-topped Texaco gas pumps, a Firestone neon sign, US Royal Master tire banner, and a motor oil display are also shown. The dealership's neon sign advertising Buick shines brightly on the vertical sign. TPL-10295

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buick automobile; Christmas decorations; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A young man has just completed the display of Johnson's Glo-Coat floor wax and applicator at the Park-N-Shop grocery store. Ordered by S.C. Johnson.

Park-N-Shop, Inc. (Parkland); Grocery stores--Parkland--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Housework--Tacoma;

The back of the old Tacoma Transit property. Several buses are seen inside the building being serviced. Ordered by Rinaldo Keasal.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Transportation facilities--Tacoma;

A sign affixed to the exterior of the old Tacoma Transit property. The sign reads, "Site of First Tacoma Building in the Street Car Industry, 1888, Erected by Tacoma Women's Club, June 7, 1927". Ordered by Rinaldo Keasal.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Women's Club (Tacoma); Plaques--Tacoma; Street railroads--Tacoma;

Four men are inspecting electric motors at Westinghouse Electric Supply. Arthur F. Sheean was manager of the manufacturing company at this time. Ordered by Verne Hodgins.

Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. (Tacoma); Engines;

In December of 1950, William D. Hopping (center in suit), president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, joined the "Kornaires"a barbershop quartet, to sing the praises of his company during the thrift's annual Christmas party. Louis Tebeau has been identified as the singer third from left. The following month, Mr. Hopping announced the substantial growth of the thrift during 1950. Savings increased $793,059.34 to a total of $10,830,421.78. Reserves increased to 8.8% of share liability. 35% of assets were represented by cash, US government, state and municipal bonds. Directors were: George B. Guyles, Charles B. Welch, Raymond T. Winden, and President Hopping. (TNT, 1/16/1951)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barbershop quartets; Hopping, William D.; Tebeau, Louis;

A group of 34 employees pose for their group portrait at Western Furnace. The company had moved into spacious, new shops and showrooms at 2801 South Tacoma Way in July 1949. The company was founded in 1912 and the firm offices were formerly located in the Fidelity Building. The new building covered approximately 10,000 square feet and included offices, showrooms, and repair shops for the nearly 40 employees. One of the longtime employees has been identified as Terence Patrick Francis Rossiter, 50, who would retire from the company about 1960. He is standing with his arms crossed in the top row, second from the left. (TNT, 7/8/1949, p.3) (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-10101

Western Furnaces, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Rossiter, Terence Patrick Francis;

The Last Round Cafe was located at 1516 Broadway in Tacoma's downtown district. The restaurant was owned and operated by William M. Hamilton. Interior view of the Last Round Cafe; stools and bar area on left side, doorway leading into the kitchen on left corner area; eating booths and jukebox on right side of restaurant. Photo ordered by the Washington State Liquor Board for the tavern's liquor license.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Jukeboxes; Last Round Cafe (Tacoma);

Leed's Shoes exterior at Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Above the 12-foot canopy was cement stucco trimmed in redwood. There were two Leed's locations in the Tacoma area in 1957; one was at 938 Broadway in downtown Tacoma and the newest Leed's was situated at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in Lakewood, next to the Rhodes Department Store. This view is believed to be of the front entrance to the shoe store. Most stores in the Villa Plaza had two entrances. The Villa Plaza Leed's, which handled exclusively women's shoes, hosiery and handbags, opened for business on April 4, 1957. Ellery Wybrow was promoted to store manager. (TNT 4-3-57, A-7-article)

Leed's Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Exterior- bank building. North Pacific Bank had been at the same location on South Tacoma Way since 1914. Designed by architects Lundberg & Mahon, the brick building also housed the South Tacoma Post Office for a while. Clarence W. Wallerich was listed as president of the one-branch bank according to the 1957 City Directory. General banking and safe deposit vaults were offered by North Pacific which had capital, surplus, reserves and undivided profits over $900,000,000. North Pacific Bank was purchased in November, 1998, by Heritage Bank. Photograph ordered by North Pacific Bank.

North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior- savings & loan. A close-up view of the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association front entrance was taken on June 27, 1957. Insulated glass panels surround the new building, including the front entrance. The main entrance doors were electronically operated. New trees have been planted, spaced carefully apart, to provide a touch of softness when contrasted with the modern sleek appearance of the financial institution. The Tacoma Savings & Loan was established in 1899. They urged customers to save, in order to "write your own future". Home loans were tailored to fit customers' individual needs. The new location of the downtown Tacoma Savings & Loan was directly across the street from its former headquarters in the Bowes Building. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Savings & Loan Association. (TNT 6-27-57, A-6-9)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Firestone celebrated a grand opening of their facility in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in 1957. Besides tires, the firm offered complete car service including brake relining, free brake adjustments and new batteries. In addition, lawn and garden supplies and housewares were available for purchase. It was the first Firestone store in the nation to to offer more than just automotive services and supplies. The modern one-story store was built using concrete block with a shed-type roof. Total square footage was 12,472. (TNT 4-7-57, B-9-article)

Firestone Store (Lakewood); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. Brightly lit, spacious interior of the Fashion Shoes store in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Besides shoes for the family, a wide selection of purses and socks was available for purchase. The Villa Plaza location was the second store site for Fashion Shoes who also maintained a store at 11th & Broadway in downtown Tacoma. Fashion Shoes was part of the Roe Brothers chain which had served shoe needs of West Coast families for over 25 years. The Villa Plaza store's first manager was Mr. M. Barnes. (TNT 5-15-57, A-7-article)

Fashion Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac opened a used car center near their dealership on South Tacoma Way in July, 1957. Several late model vehicles are angle parked close to the building. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac's dealership, owned and operated by Don Rowland, was formerly the location of Irwin-Jones Motor Co., dealers in Pontiacs and Dodges. View of used car lot and building; large signs inform drivers on busy South Tacoma Way of the company's phone number, address, and purpose of business. Photograph ordered by Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac.

Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Used Car Center (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Interior exposures--W.T.Grant store. The well-stocked W.T. Grant Co. department store appears nearly ready to greet its first customers in a July 29, 1957, photograph. Signs proclaiming Grant's to be "America's favorite family store" and "Get more, save more" are prolific throughout the store. Individual cash registers are located in the jewelry and other designated departments; in addition, there were check-out counters at each end of the store. Air conditioning and bright fluorescent lighting would make shopping comfortable. W.T. Grant Co. was located in Lakewood's new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. It was the fifth W.T.Grant store in Washington and one of 660 stores nationwide. William T. Grant opened his first store, a small one, in Lynn, Mass., in 1907; fifty years later, 22,000 supermodern department stores are the norm for Grant's. Photograph ordered by W.T. Grant Co. (TNT 7-31-57, A-9)

W.T. Grant Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

Binyon Optometrists at the Villa Plaza. Binyon Optometrists, a well-established firm in downtown Tacoma, opened a second store in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in 1957. Customers were given the same quality expertise and selection of frames with the added attraction of free parking. Dr. Arthur L. Clark, registered optometrist, managed the Villa Plaza store.

Binyon Optometrists (Lakewood); Opticians' shops--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. Exterior of Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists. Opened in 1957, Ghilarducci's newest store was located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in Lakewood. The firm had two other locations: one in downtown Tacoma and the other, Gilly's, also in Lakewood. The Villa Plaza store was managed by Charlotte Gronlund. (TNT Ad 6-2-57, D-7, alt. photographs)

Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists (Lakewood); Florist shops--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

A Globe Machine employee holds onto a large piece of machinery on October 15, 1957. It appears to be a giant roller of some type. Globe Machine was in the business of manufacturing machinery for veneer, plywood, and woodworking purposes. A number of machines had been damaged in transit; it is not clear whether this machine was one of them, or what the damage was supposed to be. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Manufacturing Co.

Globe Machine Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Machinery industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The whole staff of the Tacoma Floor Company, along with their fleet of vehicles and their sanding and polishing equipment, posed for a group portrait in front of their business at 1319 Center Street on November 8, 1957. Tacoma Floor was owned by Leo Nelson and specialized in laying, sanding and refinishing hardwood floors. After the death of Mr. Nelson in 1958, at the age of 53, his wife Margaret managed the business for several years. (Photograph ordered by Tacoma Floor Co.)

Tacoma Floor Co. (Tacoma);