Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Edith Anderson. Built in 1906 as the First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church and opened in 1907 as the Bethlehem Norwegian Lutheran Church. The white clapboard exterior shows the details in the arch over the door, moldings on the pilasters and cornice, and fans under the louvered bell tower covers. Stained glass windows are included on both sides of the church seen here. There are two spired towers with lancet windows on the front of the church; the taller one houses the church bells. TPL-8336
Pacific Boat. The hull of a new motor/pleasure boat is laid out on supports in the boat building facility. The new aluminum boats were to be the "Ford" of the boat industry. Bob Breskovich indicated he planned to produce 1,000 or more of these in 1948. Several models were planned running from the simple fisherman's model, consisting of two seats converting into a double bunk, a canopy and an open back, to a deluxe model with an all enclosed cabin. (TNT, 12/10/1947)
Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Yachts--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Pacific Lutheran College. Marv Harshman, one of the two "Marvelous Marvs" (the other was Marv Tommervik, coach of football and baseball), coached the Lutes "thinclads" track team. Six young men have just taken off from the starting line in a foot race. A few other men stand along the side, one of them is holding a stop watch. A few automobiles are parked behind them.
Retirement tea, third floor lounge, Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, Mrs. Oliver. Almost fifty employees, all women, attended the retirement tea. Several women brought their young children with them for the celebration. The table is decorated with a lace tablecloth, flowers and candles. Three women are seated as servers. The woman on her way to retirement will receive a large piece of luggage as a going away gift.
Man and family celebrating Christmas, Times, Jack Phillips. Christmas came late for Jack Phillips and his family this year. Jack had been on maneuvers in Alaska and returned March 5th. Mrs. Phillips prepared an elaborate meal and joined the family briefly for opening gifts. Pierce Jr, age three, tried on one of Santa Claus' boots and Lucille, age two sat on her dad's lap to open her gifts. (T.Times, 3/9/1948, p.16)
Purchasing Agents visiting Permanente, Washington Purchasing Agents & Manufacturers. The Purchasing Agents Association held monthly meetings in Tacoma. George H. Wilson, from Atlas Foundry and Machine Company, was chairman of the Tacoma group. The group enjoyed a no-host luncheon on March 11, 1948, at the Top of the Ocean followed by a tour throughout Permanente Metals Company aluminum plant. A dinner business meeting was held afterwards at the New Yorker Cafe. The group is seen here outside the Permanente plant. Tall alumina storage towers are seen behind them. (T.Times, 3/8/1948, p.3)
Purchasing Agents Association (Tacoma); Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Daffodil Parade, Times. Queen Doreen Moody and Princesses Joy Lundgren and Jerene Fly are seated on the royal float. They have had a busy week. The 15th annual Daffodil Festival began March 29, 1948. Coronation took place on March 2nd at Sumner High School. Parades through Tacoma, Sumner and Puyallup and a flower show took place March 3rd. The yacht parade and sail boat races on Commencement Bay took place March 4th and a ski race at Paradise Valley on Mount Rainier also took place on March 4th. (TNT, 3/30/1948, p.1)
Daffodil Parade, Times. The crowd is dispersing after the parade along Pacific Avenue. The parade had a 2 mile march line. The Cameo Theater and Bragets Auto Supply are seen on the left. A large number of people are crossing Pacific in the background at 11th Street. TPL-9923
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma;
Daffodil Parade, Times. The Amvets float represented a tank and a young woman waves to the crowd from the top. A band is in front of Peoples store heading past the Puget Sound Bank Building along Pacific Avenue. In all 1/2 million daffodils were used in the parade. One hundred floats, bands, mounted posses, and marchers appeared in the fifteenth annual parade.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Amvets Club (Tacoma); Veterans organizations--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);
Daffodil Parade, Times. The Golden Arrow Archery Club depicted Robin Hood and his merry band with several members on the float in costume. A large circular target is shown at the rear of the float. Several members are walking ahead of the float pulling ropes. Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant and Tavern is seen on the opposite side of the street as well as an entrance to a pool parlor.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Golden Arrow Archery Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma; Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant & Tavern (Tacoma);
Special order for special edition, Studio, by Tacoma Times, George Beckingham. Two men are reviewing the quality of the ground material being loaded onto a railroad freight car at the General Mills-Sperry plant. The mill produced all white flours, whole wheat, pancake and cake flours, cereals and mixed feed.
Six Lincoln and Mercury cars at McChord Field, Ray Ridge Motors, Ray Hanson. Ray Ridge Motors was the designated Lincoln and Mercury dealership for the Tacoma area. Ray Hanson was a salesman at the dealership. The six pilots are shown with Mr. Hanson and the six automobiles in front of the two-propeller troop transport at McChord Field.
Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Airplanes--Tacoma; Airports--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military air pilots--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Daytime scene of traffic accident, Tacoma-Olympia highway, Jack B. Evans, adjuster. A view of the four-lane concrete highway that was the scene of an accident. One of the vehicles involved was a Mack Truck semi. Tire tracks on the right had side show where a vehicle may have gone over the road's siding. An automobile is parked on the other side of the road near the entrance to a motel. Billboards and signs are seen along the right hand side of the road. Jack B. Evans was the insurance adjuster involved in determining payments to be made to the parties involved in the crash.
Jack Roberts voting February 24, 1948, Times, Chuck Carsons. Jack Roberts, one of seven candidates seeking the post of Commissioner of Public Works, signs the poll register as he prepares to vote. He had been appointed by City Council to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner A.R. Bergersen who resigned his position. After receiving a majority of votes in the election, Mr. Roberts was elected Commissioner. (T.Times, 2/24/1948, p.1)
Roberts, Jack; Roberts, John S.; Voting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Government officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950;
In February of 1948, Ray Stock, a saw filer, was photographed setting a band saw blade used in saw milling in an automatic sharpening machine at the Shortt Saw and Knife Company. The machine can grind gullets uniformly and buzz shoulders and points of teeth in the same operation. This view shows the interior of his workshop. Sharp saw blades were vital in the mills; they could minimize accidents and make the work go faster. The men who sharpened the blades were key men in the mills. ("This was Sawmilling" by Ralph W. Andrews) TPL-9605
Harvey O. Scofield (left), chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and Joseph E. Ford, auditor and clerk of the board, had to hand sign 1,500 bonds valued at $1,000 each for a total of $1.5 million to guarantee interest payments on the $14 million Tacoma Narrows bridge bond. The bonds were delivered on the afternoon of April 13, 1948, to the National Bank of Washington, trustee. Work on the second bridge began in April of 1948. The bridge opened on October 14, 1950. (T.Times, 4/13/1948, p.1) TPL-8240
Construction views, main administration building at Bow Lake Airport, DFPA, Edith Leik. The Seattle-Tacoma Airport at Bow Lake was dedicated July 9, 1949. The airport would be served by four major airlines: Northwest, Western, Pan-American and United. This side of the building shows two stories for the reinforced concrete building.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac); Airports--SeaTac; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Construction--SeaTac--1940-1950; Reinforced concrete construction--SeaTac--1940-1950; Progress photographs;
An unidentified gardener, surrounded by palms and palmettos, kneels next to a small waterfall inside the Seymour Conservatory in this photograph from February 1948. The conservatory is in Wright Park on the South G Street side of the park. It was donated by W.W. Seymour and opened in 1908. I.J. Knapp was the architect. (Special order for special edition, studio, by Tacoma Times, George Beckingham) TPL-5723
Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma); Wright Park (Tacoma); Greenhouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Palms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Easter Lily display in Wright Park Conservartory, Times, Corky Maybin. Massed lilies and spring tulips and hyacinths created the seasonal display at Seymour Conservatory at Wright Park. The background foliage was provided by banana and date palms, rubber trees and many exotic blooms of plants and bulbs having habitats all over the world. (T.Times, 3/29/1948, p.2) TPL-5724
High School hockey team. Times, Metcalf. The 1948 Stadium Ice Hockey team was practicing at Lakewood Ice Arena. Dick Milford was coach, standing on right. The goalie is wearing a padded vest for some protection against a puck coming his way. Names listed. (T.Times, 3/23/1948, p.10)
Stadium High School (Tacoma); Sports; Ice hockey--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coaching (Athletics)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood);
Several groups at Stewart Junior High School, Mrs. Andres, Times. Stewart Junior High School held its eight annual May festival May 7, 1948. Queen Arlee Curtice is seated on a stool raised higher than the others who are seated on stools. The other young women are her posture duchesses. They are dressed in summer play clothes including pedal pushers, shorts, and blouses, some with midriffs exposed. Helen Andres was one of the directors of the May festival for 1948. Names listed in newspaper. (T.Times, 5/6/1948, p.13)
Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Several groups at Stewart Junior High School, Mrs. Andres, Times. Eight students from Stewart Junior High School are standing on the school steps wearing full-length summer dresses.
Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dresses;
This photograph, taken February 18, 1948, shows three Stadium H.S. students being initiated prior to being accepted by clubs. A young woman is using her lipstick to write the names of "Jester" or "Penguin" along with circles and lines on the faces of three young men who are seeking membership into one of the school clubs. Another young man holds a paddle with a shape something like a guitar. The 1948 high school yearbook for Stadium does not list any clubs called the Jesters or the Penguins.
Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hazing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Initiation rites--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Officials at opening of new laundry office, Mr. VanMeter, Llewellyn Advertising Agency. F.J. Meyer, J.D. Hersey and Marcus Christie opened the Supreme Fur Storage at 2 Tacoma Avenue North in April 1948. The manager, Earl G. Greenfield, is showing Ruth (Mrs. E.M. Llewellyn) the quality of the plant's workmanship. (T.Times, 4/16/1948, p.5)
Tacoma's totem pole in Fireman's Park was commissioned by W.F. Sheard and Chester Thorne. It was carved by Native Americans from Sitka, Alaska in the Haida tribal style. Then it was presented to the city in 1903, it stood 103 feet tall. This totem pole represents the history of the Eagle Tribe of Alaska. The top most figure of a totem pole would be the special animal god (eagle, seal, salmon or bear or even the sun) from which the tribe claimed descent and a particular protection. The eagle on top of Tacomas pole is "Skanskwin", the crest of the Nexa'da people. (Tacoma Ledger, 12/14/1924; TNT, Page R. Hosmer, 3/16/1946; TNT, 12/6/1953)
Tacoma Totem Pole (Tacoma); Totem poles--Tacoma; Skanskwin; Eagles; Sculpture--Tacoma;
Telenews Theater, Les Allen. The marque advertises Ken Murray's unique award winner, "Bill and Coo", featuring a group of remarkably accomplished birds and animals, the tale of two lovebirds. The co-feature was "Driftwood" starring Walter Brennan and Ruth Warrick. Movie posters nearly cover the exterior of the theater. Popcorn was advertised at 10 cents. An American Flag stands outside the theater. (T.Times, 4/1/1948, p.12) TPL-1939
Tacoma Athletic Club Dinner for Gretchen Fraser. More than 600 people jammed the Top of the Ocean to pay tribute to the Olympic Champion, Gretchen Kunigk Fraser. The Tacoma Ski Team was also honored that evening. Several young men line the outdoor stairway to the top of the Top of the Ocean singing and holding ski poles. (TNT, 4/6/1948, p.1) TPL-2220
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medals; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Ski Team (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);
On April 5, 1948, the Top of the Ocean had out a Welcome banner for Gretchen Kunigk Fraser, the first American skier to win an Olympic event. Mrs. Fraser won a Gold Medal (first place) for the special slalom and a Silver Medal (second place) for the Alpine combined downhill and slalom in the 1948 Winter Olympics. The Tacoma Athletic Commission was hosting a dinner at the Ruston Way restaurant for Mrs. Fraser. More than 600 people, including Tacoma mayor C. Val Fawcett, crammed the restaurant to its ceilings to honor the former Tacoma resident. (T.Times, 4/6/1948, p.5) TPL-2220
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);
On Sunday April 11, 1948, 20 members of Tacoma Painters' Union, Local 64, helped to kick off the Clean-up Tacoma campaign by giving the Tacoma totem pole a fresh coat of paint. Working to the music of Max Frolic and 27 of Tacoma's union musicians, the painters finished the job in just 72 minutes. Einar Nelson, head of Tacoma's Steelworkers' Union, and his men, put up the steel scaffold used by the painters on Saturday. In comments by Mayor Fawcett, he stated: "Tacoma can well be proud of the part labor, as represented by the tree participating unions, plays in our community life". (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)
Men painting totem pole, Times, Burt McMurtrie. It took the twenty members of Painters' Union Local 64 (AFL) 72 minutes to paint Tacoma's totem pole at 10th and A Streets as they kicked-off the Clean-up Tacoma Campaign for 1948. Max Frolic and 27 of Tacoma's union musicians played for 90 minutes finishing their performance with the Star Spangled Banner just as the painters were finishing painting the totem pole. The totem pole was a famous old landmark at this time, standing in Fireman's Park at 10th and A Streets. (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)
Totem poles--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma; Painters Union Local No. 64 (Tacoma); Scaffolding--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;
