Model Saree Scott, dressed in black with a pillbox-styled hat, enjoys a bottle of Coca-Cola while standing next to a Chevrolet delivery truck in October of 1947. The smiling Coca-Cola delivery man standing in the back of the truck was not identified. The Coca-Cola Chevrolet truck had a famous valve-in-head truck engine. The new modern "Advance Design" truck had stronger frames to carry greater loads at a greater distance for a longer time. The longer wheelbases also provided better load distribution. Photo ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co. TPL-10574

Chevrolet trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma); Carbonated beverages; Bottles; Scott, Saree; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Rudder Club was planning autumn activities for members and their guests in October of 1947. They had recently hosted a hat show, were in the process of planning bridge games and a member ferry party. View of Rudder Club members aboard the "Lincoln" ferry, band members can be seen on upper level.

Ferries--Tacoma; Marine terminals--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

Feminine personnel on evening cruise on Mr. Cummings boat, Wheeler Osgood. The women wave and bask in the warm summer evening while they speed across the water in the 36 foot wooden yacht, the "Challenger". The Challenger was built by Fred Cummings and Charles Brooks of the Sound Boating Company. She had 115 hp twin engines and cruised at 20 mph. The Challenger was launched 4 weeks earlier and was docked at Old Tacoma Boat Mart. The women were embarked for Cross' Landing on Vashon Island this evening. (T.Times, 8/18/1947, p.3)

Yachts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bodies of water--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Recreation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Challenger;

The Commercial Distributing Company at 301 E. 25th St. specialized in hauling heavy machinery, houses, boats, steel and iron between Tacoma and Seattle. The firm was founded in 1928 and was owned and operated by Joe Sunnen. The firm had a staff of twenty five men. Commercial had recently purchased four new Diamond T truck tractors from Winthrop Motors, these four new trucks joined a fleet of thirty six other pieces of equipment. Exterior view of plant and six trucks (T. Times, 10/27/47, p. 2). TPL-10054

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Commercial Distributing Co. (Tacoma); Diamond T trucks;

Coca-Cola Company in Tacoma had just purchased a new Chevrolet truck with new "Advance Design" features from South Tacoma Motor Company. The new modern truck had an "Advance Design" streamlined body, cab, fenders and hood. Chevrolet had increased the load space, which made it more efficient for commercial uses. View of Coca-Cola vending machines being delivered, possibly to a college dormitory. Photo ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vending machines--Tacoma; Coca Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks;

Griffin Fuel Company was started by Fred Griffin more than fifty years ago. Today the company's President and General Manager is Edwin Griffin, Fred's son. Griffin delivered stove, diesel and burner fuel oils, stoker coals, wood and sawdust. Griffin Fuel had the largest and most modern fleet of delivery trucks in the Northwest, prompt and dependable fuel delivery was assured. View of delivery trucks at the Griffin Fuel garage.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Garages--Tacoma; Fuel trade--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Times. The Gretna Victory, the Northwest Christmas ship, docked in Tacoma briefly for loading the contributions from Tacomans to the suffering peoples of Germany and Austria. The ship was filled with contributions from four northwestern states and Alaska including food, clothing and messages of hope for Europe. The Young Men's Business Council planned a gala welcome and farewell for the ship's officers and crew. Captain H.C. Gibbs is seen here seated with a smiling woman on his lap and his chief officer, L. Warren is standing in the back accepting a hug from another smiling woman. The two women and other man were not identified. (TNT, 1/31/1948, p.1)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Relief ships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Assistance--Tacoma; Clothing relief--Tacoma--1940-1950; Food relief--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gibbs, H.C.; Warren, L.;

Times. The Gretna Victory, designated the Northwest Christmas Ship for the duration of its current relief mission, docked in Tacoma before 7 p.m. January 30, 1948, and left shortly after midnight. The 10,000-ton vessel was carrying food and clothing donations from four northwest states and Alaska and would complete its loading of relief supplies at Portland over the next two days. The ship was expected to dock in Bremen, Germany, about March l. (TNT, 1/31/1948, p.1)

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Relief ships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Assistance--Tacoma; Clothing relief--Tacoma--1940-1950; Food relief--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marine terminals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Parker J. Buck was President and Manager of Buck and Sons, Parker J. Buck Jr. and William H. Buck were the company's salesmen. In Tacoma's 1945 City Directory the company was named Buck and Bowers Oil and Tire Company, Buck and Sons Tractor and Implement Company appears in the 1947 Tacoma City Directory. Exterior view of Buck and Sons, Ford Tractors sign and view of tractors and farming implements through the window displays.

Tractors--Tacoma; Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma; Equipment; Machinery; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma);

Buck and Sons specialized in Ford tractors and agricultural farming implements and equipment. Tacoma's 1949 City Directory has William H. Buck listed as Buck and Sons Manager, in the 1947 directory he is listed as a salesman. Exterior view of Buck and Sons, new neon sign with company name and "Ford" tractor is proudly handing above, sale signs and main entrance view.

Tractors--Tacoma; Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma; Equipment; Machinery; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma);

Dickman Lumber Company officers were: Ralph L. Dickman, President, John R. Wiburg, Treasurer and Office Manager, Elizabeth I. Gaylord, Secretary, the company's facilities were located along Tacoma's waterfront at 2423 Ruston Way. Dickman Lumber Company was a lumber sawmill, exterior view of four Ford trucks at Dickman Lumber, part of their truck fleet, photo ordered by Titus Motor Company, Ford truck dealership.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mills--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Ford trucks; Dickman Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Excavating at South Tacoma Way and Chandler Street, Irwin Jones, Truck Division, Walt Dunlap. A line-up of eight Dodge dump trucks are ready to haul away extra fill from the construction site of the new Irwin Jones facility. A bulldozer stands behind the trucks and a crane is busy with its scoop, ready to fill another truck.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dodge trucks; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bulldozers; Steam shovels; Excavation--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Aerial view of "General M. M. Patrick" troop ship with military personnel aboard, photo ordered by Columbia Breweries.

Ships--Tacoma; Military personnel--Tacoma; Aerial photographs;

Birchfield Boiler, 57' x 16' 4" seiner. Possibly the Esther B. This purse seiner is seen from the starboard side.

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boat is completing and will deliver "Liberty" by September 1948. "Liberty" is a 100 foot, 400 horsepower, all brine tuna boat, purchased by Edward X. Madruga, of San Diego, California for $250,000. The boat was christened by Laura Schore at a ceremony held at the boat yard. This vessel was designed by James J. Petrich. View of "Liberty" in foreground, downtown Tacoma in background (T. Times, 5/26/48, p. 12). TPL-8957

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cityscapes; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

View of Bechtel Corporation employees reviewing the building plans for the General Mills Sperry flour plant expansion. The Bechtel Company was based out of California, they brought up their trucks and staff and would be here until the Tacoma project was completed.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction workers--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Engineering--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); Bechtel Corp. (Tacoma);

Bus with group of children at Remann Hall. Northwest Kiwanis Club. This new bus for the children of Remann Hall was purchased with funds from the Kiwanis Club in September of 1951. County probation officer Herbert W. Ward (at left) received a check for the bus from Clarence Reuger of the Northwest Kiwanis Club. Mr. Reuger is standing in the open door of the bus. Also present was Judge Bertil E. Johnson (at right). The bus was used to take kids to ball games, civic events, the Puyallup Fair, school and church. (TNT 9-21-51, p. 1-alt. photograph)

Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remann Hall (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ward, Herbert W.; Reuger, Clarence; Johnson, Bertil E.; Judges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

Ship being towed under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by tugboat from Foss Launch and Tug Company. View from above looking toward Point Fosdick as ship is towed north and approaches bridge. The "Donna Foss" is towing the much larger ship, the "Republic," on March 18, 1952. Assisting her is the "Agnes Foss" at the "Republic's" stern. On the other side of the ex-military transport but not seen is another tug, the "Wedell Foss."

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

The Donna Foss tugboat from Foss Launch & Tug Co. has just towed a much larger ship, the ex-German military transport vessel, the "Republic", under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in a photograph taken on March 18, 1952. Fellow tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss, are aiding in the tow. The "Republic" has a long voyage scheduled; it is on its way to the Panama Canal and then onto the East Coast where it will be scrapped. Tugboats are powerful boats designed to guide and pull vessels many times their weight. Foss Launch & Tug is a long-time Tacoma firm, established in the late 1890's by Thea and Andrew Foss. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

The 590 foot ex-military transport vessel, the "Republic", is being pulled along under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss, in March, 1952. The Donna Foss is being aided by two fellow tugs, the Wedell Foss and the Agnes Foss. The tugboats, although dwarfed in size by the much bigger vessel they tow, are designed to guide and pull boats despite the disparity in sizes. More powerful diesel engines, added in the early 1950's, allowed tugboats to maneuver in deep ocean waters. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TPL-2158, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

A Highway "Super" truck, manufactured by the General Traffic Controls, Inc., is stopped in the process of painting a line down a city street. No driver can be seen. The large cannister to the truck's rear apparently is the source of the paint used. General Traffic Controls is a new corporation headed by Tacoma police officer, Sgt. Carl Sohmer, who invented the highway striping device. The vehicle is on its way to Los Angeles for demonstrations before the National Institute of Traffic Engineers. (TNT 9-23-51, A-4) TPL-8781

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; General Traffic Controls, Inc. (Tacoma); Sohmer, Carl; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. View of tank and gauges at rear of truck. The truck was invented by Tacoma police officer Carl Sohmer expressly to paint lines on city streets. This photograph was part of a series taken in September of 1951.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Traffic accident, corner of North 27th and Lawrence, involving Medosweet delivery truck, occurring in late July of 1952. Curious onlookers have gathered at the accident scene. Medosweet van carries sign: "Hoppy's Favorite Milk," depicting popular silver screen character Hopalong Cassidy. View of neighborhood including waiting fire truck.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On July 28, 1952, a Medosweet delivery truck was involved in a traffic accident at or near the corner of North 27th & Lawrence St. People are gathered near the wrecked truck which carries the sign: "Hoppy's Favorite Milk," depicting Hollywood favorite Hopalong Cassidy. Tacoma Police Dept. Accident Prevention automobile is at the far left foreground.

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Fourteen men in uniform are standing on the tarmac in front of a Western Airlines airplane. Another man, not in uniform, is looking at papers one of the men in uniform is holding.

Airplanes; Soldiers;

The MSB #15 was one of two minesweepers launched at Tacoma Boat Building Company in September 1952. The MSBs were 57-foot minesweepers. Tacoma Boat would build five of the craft. (TNT, 9/21/1952, p.B-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The AMS 115 was the second 144 foot minesweeper to be built at Tacoma Boat Building Company in 1952. AMS 113 was launched in July 1952. The 115 is seen here as she was launched at the boatyard.

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

General Beer Distributing Company had painted signs for Heidleberg Beer on this truck. They chose a Diamond T truck for this new addition to their fleet.

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

Cab and bed of Lige Dickson truck in front of Lige Dickson Company. The company have added a White truck to their fleet of vehicles for their construction and excavation operations Ordered by Lige Dickson Co. General Contractors. TPL-9824

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Lige Dickson Co. (Tacoma);

Jovial L. Evert Landon poses with thirteen young women on the deck of a boat, possibly the Cardian, on May 19, 1951. The young women are wearing shorts and sneakers. A man wearing a suit and two more people are seen along the side of the boat. Mr. Landon was the president of Nalley's Fine Foods at the time of this picture. Ordered by Nalley's Inc.

Boats--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1950-1960; Landon, L. Evert;