View of structural steel in new I.B.M. building, taken on July 30, 1962. Groundbreaking had occurred on January 4, 1962, at I.B.M.'s new location at 9th & G Sts., across from the County-City Building. The International Business Machines Corporation would move from its Tacoma Avenue North location to So. 9th St. in 1963. The I.B.M. offices would be on the first floor of the multi-storied contemporary steel and concrete building. A progress photograph taken in late July, 1962, shows the structural steel frame of the building. Star Iron & Steel furnished 208 tons of structural steel for the project. It was designed by the Tacoma architectural firm of Nelson, Krona, Wilson & Ziegler with construction by the Merit Company. A large sign placed on the side of the unfinished building indicates that the building would be fully air conditioned; the $400,000 building would be the first fully air conditioned commercial office center in Tacoma. Additionally, it would be completely fireproof. The I.B.M. Building would be dedicated on June 19, 1963. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co. (TNT 1-4-62, p. 9)
International Business Machines (Tacoma); Progress photographs--1960-1970; Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Osborne-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, general view of dealership. This September, 1962, photograph shows new Pontiacs in showroom, Cadillacs and other automobiles in carport area. Chair-link fencing set up in front of showroom windows. The 1625 South Tacoma Way address had previously been the location of the Irwin-Jones Motor Co. Truck Department until 1954 and the Rowland Pontiac Cadillac Center until 1957. Osborn-McCann moved to Fife in 2004 after 46 years in Tacoma. TPL-9230
Osborn-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pontiac automobile; Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970;
In 1963 United Mutual Savings Bank advertised that it was "Tacoma's ONLY Savings Bank." The above photograph is United Mutual's No. 26th & Madison branch, one of three in the city. Designed by architects Harris, Reed & Wilson, the new branch had a circular floor plan. The bank was mushroom-shaped with the upper story overhanging the lower. It would be holding an open house on Saturday, June 29, 1963, to become acquainted with its new northend neighbors. Photograph ordered by Gardner Advertising Agency. (TNT 6-28-63, p. 14)
United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
The Esther Williams Girls are in Tacoma for publicity arranged by Ernie Grindley, advertising manager for the Washington Sports Shop. The bathing beauties also showcased foreign automobiles at the new showroom of Tom Carstens' Imported Motors, dealer for the Austin-Healey, MG. Jaguar, Porsche, and Morris 1000. Leaning against the sports car is believed to be Joel Hayes, Esther Williams executive. (TNT 8/2/1959, pg. A-10)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Sports cars--English; Imported Motor Cars, Inc. (Tacoma); Publicity; Bathing beauties; Esther Williams Girls;
Steven Motor Company, Plymouth and Valiant dealers, general view of their new location. New Plymouths can be seen in the showroom window and on the lot. Owner Everett Steven had over 50 years in the automotive business, beginning in 1916 as a partner to Harold Gilliam of Gilliam & Steven.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
The grand opening of the National Bank of Washington Ft. Lewis Branch. Keys are being exchanged to the new bank. The bank was located on the base at the corner of Pendleton Ave. and No. 12th St. W.E. Roberts was the Manager of the new bank. The ultramodern structure was built for $130,000. It was 8,000 square feet, two times as large as the previous facility, which was built in 1932 and had been enlarged 4 times. (TNT 7/19/1959, PG. B-4)
National Bank of Washington (Fort Lewis); Banks--Fort Lewis; Banking--Fort Lewis; Fort Lewis (Wash.);
Highland Hills Shopping Center. A female shopper gazes into the window at Coonan's Country Store in late September of 1959. Coonan's was a variety store owned by Frank R. Coonan. The building utilized large windows to permit customers to view goods offered for sale, both from within and outside the facility.
Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coonan's Country Store (Tacoma);
Highland Hills Shopping Center. Only a few cars occupy the huge lot at the west end shopping center. The Center opened in 1956 to serve the growing westend community. Shown are the Big Bear Market, Coonan's Country Store, Jewel's Styling Salon and Stebner's Furniture.
Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma; Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Puget Sound National Bank Christmas Club trophy, ordered by the company magazine. The winner in 1959 was the K Street branch; the winner in 1958 was the Midway bank. Christmas Club accounts were used to save money all year long for Christmas gifts and travel. In an economy that still depended heavily on cash, saving for the holidays was essential.
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
ca. 1959. The new "Golden Era Cafe" at Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant featuring the fireplace and bric-a-brac from the demolished Yorktheimer mansion. This hand carved spool type entry way came from the mansion. The mansion was located at 27 Broadway and was built in 1887. When it was demolished in August of 1959 to make way for the Belmont Terrace apartments, part of the building's ornaments were purchased by Steve Pease for the remodel of his Gay Nineties restaurant. The restaurant had recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and was well recognized as the #1 spot to entertain out of town guests. It was also the largest entertainment emporium in the northwest, occupying six historic buildings. Steve's had recently demolished an adjoining service station to build its own parking lot. (TNT 11/26/1959, pg. D 2-3)
ca. 1959. The "Golden Era Cafe" at Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant. The new dining area featured the fireplace and the bric-a-brac rescued from the demolished Yorktheimer mansion, formerly located at 27 Broadway. The mansion had been built in 1887 and was demolished in 1959 to make way for the Belmont Terrace apartments. This hand carved spool type entryway came from the mansion. Steve's had recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and was widely recognized as the premier night spot for out of towners. Pease had decorated his restaurant with bits and pieces from some of the finest homes in Tacoma. The Golden Era Coffee Shop served meals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To see the spool woodwork in the Yorktheimer mansion, see I61 images 1 & 2. (TNT 11-26-1959, pg. D-2-3)
The "Bankwarming" for the new Westgate branch of the National Bank of Washington, was held on Saturday, January 23, 1960 from 1-5 p.m. The "L" shaped building was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards. It had a total square footage of 5,400 sq ft. and was built of concrete finished in off-white zolotone. Laminated beams in driftwood gray extended to provide an overhang, giving covered protection for customers. Prizes, refreshments and a chance to go "behind the scenes" lured a huge crowd on this gray day. (TNT 1/21/1960, pg. 8-9)
National Bank of Washington, Westgate Branch (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The shelves of the warehouse at the Manning Seed Co., located at 3831 Wallingford Way in Seattle, are carefully stacked with burlap bags of seed. A worker stands on a cart topped with more bags to fill the shelves. Photograph ordered by the Georgia Pacific Corp. Georgia-Pacific Corp. is listed in the 1960 City Directory as being located at 824 E. 25th in Tacoma and as selling wholesale lumber.
The women are working with large barrels filled with seed from the Manning Seed Co., located at 3831 Wallingford Way in Seattle. The woman on the right is pouring the seed from a sack into a container for weighing. She stands before a large scale. The women are possibly packing the seed for storage or shipment. These photographs were most likely taken at Manning Seed Co. Photograph ordered by the Georgia Pacific Corp. Georgia-Pacific Corp. is listed in the 1960 City Directory as being located at 824 E. 25th in Tacoma and as selling wholesale lumber.
A new exterior sign for Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan has just been delivered to the building site on Pacific Avenue early on June 30, 1958. The Sunnen crane is in the process of lifting the sign from the truck bed in preparation of its erection. Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan was located at 1007 Pacific Avenue, flush between the Bank of California and Hunt's Office Supply. The W.H. Opie Co. can be spotted at the corner with the Security Building across the street. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.
Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;
Two employees of Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. steady the enormous vertical sign for the Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan Assn. on June 30, 1958. A portable crane has lifted the sign in preparation for its erection. In order not to cause a traffic hazard, the work was accomplished at 6 o'clock in the morning. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.
Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;
Even at 6 o'clock in the morning, cranes plus electric signs still equaled a fascinating draw for spectators. Military personnel are among those viewing the erection of a new Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan sign on the edge of the narrow building. The savings & loan was located between Hunt's Office Supply and the Bank of California on Pacific Avenue. A large sign on the side of the building indicated that a 3 1/2% dividend was paid currently on accounts with savings federally insured up to $10,000. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.
Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Hoisting machinery;
National Bank of Washington manager A.M.(Lee) Nordi bids a customer goodbye on August 29, 1963. He is standing next to the open doors facing the north side of the building; that side of the bank was almost entirely plate glass and polished aluminum. The bank, located at So. 54th & Pacific Ave., had been built in 1955. This picture was used in a large ad run in the October 29, 1963, News Tribune, which advised that customers could expect to receive a cordial welcome from Mr. Nordi, a veteran banker, and financial counseling tailored to their specific needs. National Bank of Washington was advertised as the "Bank of Personal Service." (TNT 10-29-63, p. 2)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1960-1970; Nordi, A.M.;
Three employees of Puget Sound National Bank are prepared to put the bank's new IBM 1419 check-sorting machine into operation on September 30, 1963. The main office's basement was fully equipped to handle bank processing matters. Gene Amar, assistant cashier in the electronic department, Mary Lee Fanger and Eleanor Anderson (seated) look at the machine which is capable of sorting and reading 96,000 checks an hour. In 1962 Puget Sound National Bank processed some 10.4 million checks and deposits. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 10-6-63, B-7)
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Machinery; Amar, Gene; Fanger, Mary Lee; Anderson, Eleanor;
Exterior view of new Washington Natural Gas Co. building at 3130 So. 38th St. with emphasis on towering walkway and well-landscaped surroundings. The modernistic building with its two symmetrical wings was a marked departure from older, classic buildings. Photograph ordered by Bozell & Jacobs Advertising.
Color photograph of the Bon Marche department store, parking lot, and Tire Center in the fall of 1970. At this time of day, the large Tacoma Mall parking lot is fairly empty of cars. There are several automobiles parked, however, close to the Bon Marche Tire Center which was directly across the small shopping center roadway from the main Bon store. The Tire Center offered batteries, shock absorbers, mufflers, brakes, and wheel alinements. There is still an automotive shop offering the same services 36 years later, however, it is now a Courtesy Tire Service Center featuring Goodyear.
Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bon Marche Tire Center (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma;
New eastside Kmart store. Claiming to be the largest discount department store in the world and still rapidly expanding, the new Kmart store, 1414 E. 72nd St., was pristine and already prepared for business thirteen days before its grand opening. The second of two Kmarts in Tacoma, it carried a large selection of name brand appliances, including washers, refrigerators, freezers, rangers, televisions, guitars, hi-fis and stereos. A complete department store, Kmart also carried toys, furniture and clothing for the family. It was managed by Glenn W. Darling. Photograph ordered by News Tribune. (TNT 9-18-68, C-4)
Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Appliances; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Grand opening of eastside Kmart. Mayor A.L. Rasmussen stands safely off to one side as hordes of shoppers rush through the doors of the new Kmart at 72nd & Portland Ave. on September 19, 1968. The grand opening of Kmart, the second in Tacoma, attracted hundreds of shoppers eager to check out the store's merchandise. Photograph ordered by Kmart.
Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Crowds--Tacoma; Shopping--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Tennis display at Bank of California. Two tanned tennis players in tournament whites stand next to a man holding a large trophy, possible the Thorne Cup, on July 15, 1966. The Bank of California had allowed the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club to display in the bank memorabilia pertaining to the club's Pacific Northwest Tournament. The tournament, held from July 11-17th, would be its 75th annual. Photograph ordered by Bank of California.
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Awards; Tennis players--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Ed Taylor and beauticians Alice Burns (left) and Willie May Harris celebrated the grand opening of the newly remodeled Ed Taylor Barber & Beauty Salon facility in late February of 1969. Both men and women customers could be accommodated at Ed's South 23rd & "K" Street (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Way) shop. Walls appear to be covered with wood panels with matching cabinetry. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.
Barbershops--Tacoma--1960-1970; Beauty shops--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ed Taylor Barber & Beauty Salon (Tacoma); Taylor, Edward; Burns, Alice; Harris, Willie May;
South Tacoma Motor Company, three men around a desk in office. South Tacoma Motor Co. was an authorized Chevrolet dealership located in the 5600 block of South Tacoma Way. The company had been at the same site since 1924. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company, service area. Mechanic works under the hood of a 1968 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop with 307 - V8 engine. Chevrolet pickups in extreme foreground and beyond Impala, other automobiles in background. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Chevrolet trucks; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company's second showroom with customers admiring 1968 Chevrolets. Clockwise from left: Impala 4-door sedan with 327 V8 engine, Camaro RS-327 convertible, Camaro SS-350. Sales personnel are on hand to answer questions; cubicles are nearby to close the deal. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company, general view of dealership. Vintage Chevrolet roadster in showroom and banner promoting 1968 Chevrolets attract the attention of a small party of three. The dealership was established at 56th & South Tacoma Way in 1924. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970;
The three new can-can dancers at Steve's Gay '90s (l to r) Vickie Conner, Kathy Tamburelle and Pamella Conner posed while on stage in December, 1967. They were photographed while performing a special Christmas holiday stage show which was presented on weekends.The dancers had a variety of costumes but all featured tall plumes, ruffles and fishnet stockings. The new dancers replaced the can-can trio of Connie Moisio, Callie Mathews and Hazel Gjerde, who retired in November, 1967, after 14 years at Steve's. Steve's Gay '90s was a longtime South Tacoma fixture that offered reasonably priced cuisine along with entertainment harking back to the America of the 1890's. (Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s.) (TNT 11-9-67, D-11, TNT 12-22-67, p. 20) TPL-9874
