Exterior of Sears store at the corner of South 13th Street and Broadway as pictured on November 15, 1950. The Coliseum Bowling Alley is seen up the hill along South 13th Street and the Savon Rexall Drug store is across Broadway. Ordered by Herb Moore.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coliseum Bowling Alley (Tacoma);

This building, which used to stand at 13th and A St., was originally built in 1889 as the power house for the Tacoma Railway and Motor Company. On June 2, 1920 is was destroyed by a major fire. After being rebuilt, it was used by Tacoma Transit until a fire in February of 1950 destroyed it for the second time. The building was razed in July of 1959 to make way for a parking lot.

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

The window display at Kress includes candy from Thompson's Candy House in Seattle: chocolate covered cherries, nut clusters, and chocolate malted milk balls for 69 cents per pound and salted nuts for 10 - 15 cents per 1/4 pound. Goslings are featured with a large poster. Paper napkins and tablecloths are hung against the back wall anticipating the holiday season and see-through plastic toys and snowmen fill the upper shelves.

S.H. Kress & Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Candy--Tacoma--1940-1950; Variety stores--Tacoma;

Stebner's Floor Covering's new building was formally opened in December 1950. A large showroom extended across the entire front of the building, affording an opportunity to display the many nationally advertised lines of broadloom, carpets, linoleums and tile. A new department featured electrical appliances. The full basement was used for the firm's storage, workrooms and truck space. August Stebner started his floor covering business in Tacoma in 1948 with three employees. With this move to larger quarters, Stebner's had 19 employees. (TNT, 12/8/1950, p.C-5)

Stebner's, Inc. (Tacoma); Floor coverings;

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;

Grand opening of the Shell Oil station at Center and Union, Earl Moon's Shell Service, 3520 Center St. Three employees service a car in the right foreground, checking under the hood and cleaning windows. Another employee gases up a car at the pumps. The Shell oil delivery truck can be seen beside the station. A paneled station wagon is at the other side of the station. The skyline of residential Tacoma can be seen in the background. Owner Earl J. Moon ran an ad in the January 25, 1951 News Tribune the grand opening of his Shell Service Station. The ad promoted Goodyear tires and batteries, Shell gas and "Shellubrication." Free balloons and candy would be available for the kids and one prize of four free tires for adults. (TNT 1-25-1951, p. 28-advertisement)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Earl Moon's Shell Service (Tacoma);

A group of employees at Tacoma Auto Sales. This photograph was used in a one-page Christmas message to Tacoma Auto Sales' customers for their support during 1950. The automobile dealership also thanked their employees who made it possible to serve their customers so well during 1950. Ordered by Brick Gardner. (TNT, 12/26/1950, p.10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Exterior exposure Porter-Griffith Shell Oil Station.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A group of fifty-two men and women have gathered for a Christmas party at the Mirror Room in the Olympus Hotel. Many of them hold packages, possibly presents from the company. Ordered by Mrs. Brown.

Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

In December of 1950, Arthur K. Jordan (left) and an unidentified baker proudly watched another gentleman taste their freshly toasted bread. In 1950, the Jordan Baking Company won the "First Prize for Quality" in the Better Bread contest staged by the Quality Bakers of America. The competition featured bread baked by over 100 bakeries nationwide. Mr. Jordan began his bakery in 1937 when he purchased the Bert Nichols plant in Old Tacoma and opened it under the Jordan name with six employees and one delivery truck. The bakery quickly outgrew this location and in 1939 moved to 5233 S. Washington St., formerly home to the DuLac Auto Body Co. By 1950, the company employed 131 people in Tacoma with a payroll of a half million a year. In 1952, they introduced their most famous product, Sunbeam Bread, with its mascot, the blond cherub Little Miss Sunbeam. Ordered by Jordan Baking Company.

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bread--Tacoma; Jordan, Arthur K.;

William D. Hopping Sr., president of the Tacoma Savings and Loan Association and State Chairman for the National Thrift Campaign, dropped a coin into the savings bank of seven year old Bonnie Jean Will to kick off Thrift Week, Jan. 17-23, 1951 while Gerrit VanderEnde, Pierce County Chairman of the Thrift Drive, looked on approvingly. The campaign, with the slogan "Save...It's the American way to success," was designed to place emphasis on the old time philosophy of Benjamin Franklin which encouraged thrift and savings to build up individual security and the nation. Thrift Week began on Jan. 17th, the national birthday of Ben Franklin "the Apostle of Thrift." The nation wide campaign was being pushed as an all-out effort to help hold down post-war inflationary forces which were threatening the economy. (TNT 1/16/1951, pg.1 & 8-11)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coin banks; Hopping, William D.; Will, Bonnie Jean; VanderEnde, Gerrit; National Thrift Week (Tacoma);

William D. Hopping, president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, poses with the five women employees of the thrift in front of a large poster of him at their annual Christmas party. In June 1949 the company had five women employees and fifteen men employees in addition to their president. Robert N. Ketner, a prominent builder, was elected as a director in June 1950. (TNT, 6/19/1950)

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

Five men stand around a new model Packard Bell television at the Top of the Ocean exhibit. A portrait of founder H.A. Bell smiles down from the wall. The festivities were hosted by Packard Bell to celebrate their 25th year in business. In attendance from the Los Angeles home office were Vice President Joe E. Spain, General Sales Manager Kenneth R. Johnson and Glen C. Tillack, chief field engineer. N. Earl Davisson, PB distributer, was host. The highlight of the evening was the preview of Packard Bell's 1951 "Masterpiece Founders Series." (TNT 2/8/1951, pg. B-6)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma);

Originally built as a three story building in 1903, the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway had two stories and a roof garden added in 1911; the building continued to undergo considerable remodeling through the years. To modernize the front of the store, a new facade was added at the end of the 1940s. The facade was removed in 1980 when the building was bought by the University of Puget Sound and became home to the Norton Clapp Law Center. In the early days, in an effort to bring more trade into Tacoma from the outside, the Rhodes brothers came up with the idea of highway signs, Washington's first. The signs claimed "All Roads lead to Rhodes" and gave the number of miles to Tacoma. These signs were erected as far south as the Columbia river and into southwest Washington and the Grays Harbor areas. In the days when there were few automobiles, these signs became landmarks.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An executive suite of furniture is displayed by the Harold E. Dahl Company. The suite includes a large wooden desk, credenza, desk chair and several side chairs and a book case. Even the waste basket sitting next to the desk is beautifully detailed wood. The boldly patterned draperies hang next to a wall covered with woven reeds. "Out" and "In" boxes stand at the ready for the lucky organization executive who will use this suite.

Harold E. Dahl Co. (Tacoma); Office furniture; Desks; Chairs;

Bread delivery truck outside of Jordan's Bakery, the state's largest independent bakery, serving Tacoma and surrounding areas. Arthur K. Jordan began his company in 1937 when he purchased the Bert Nichols plant in Old Tacoma and opened it under the Jordan name on May 16 with six employees and one delivery truck. The bakery quickly outgrew this location and opened at 54th and Washington in 1939. The company expanded in 1941 when it purchased Apex Bakery in Bremerton. In 1950, the company won the "First Prize for Quality" in the Better Bread contest staged by the Quality Bakers of America. The competition featured bread baked by over 100 bakeries nationwide. By 1950, the company employed 131 people in Tacoma with a payroll of a half million a year. The bakery bought and used a million dollars worth of ingredients a year. Art Jordan maintained ownership and control of the company.

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior remodeling on the Rhodes Brothers Department store budget annex, photo for Roy T. Earley Co., engineers. The annex was designed to fulfill the demand for lower priced quality merchandise for the budget shopper.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store Budget Annex (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Santa Claus and his reindeer are lit up by spot lights as they fly over the roof of the National Auto Parts store at 4001 Pacific Ave. This photograph was taken December 21, 1950. William C. Johnston was president and sales manager at this time. They advertised that they handled auto parts for all makes of cars, retail and wholesale. TPL-8108

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Christmas decorations;

Automobiles reflect in the plate glass windows at the new location of International Business Machines, 12 Tacoma Ave. No. The IBM store displays clocks in the window and typewriters. What appears to be fluorescent lighting hangs from the ceiling inside the store.

International Business Machines (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies;

The employees and their spouses are shown at Tacoma Savings and Loan's annual Christmas party in December of 1950. They are seated at banquet tables arranged in a U-shape. The thrift had been operating in Tacoma since 1899. Ordered by William D. Hopping.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior of new Maxwell station at Lakewood Center, Maxwell Petroleum, 520 E. D St.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1950-1950;

Exterior of new Maxwell station at Lakewood Center, Maxwell Petroleum, 520 E. D St.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1950-1950;

Power shovel at City Bus Barns. The Tacoma Transit Co.'s garage, destroyed by fire the previous year, was being torn down to make room for a 118 car parking lot for use by Puget Sound Bank. The garage began life as a street car facility; the building housed the huge wheels that dragged the cables for the cable cars. The garage also had a lower level, possibly the area that the man is gazing into, that had a blacksmith shop, streetcar wheel storage area and machine shop, among other things. The bricks left from the destruction of the garage were used to fill the holes where once were foundries and mysterious caverns. (TNT 3/4/1951, pg. A-9)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Transportation facilities--Tacoma; Steam shovels--1950-1960; Digging--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Closed casket with floral displays for the Lynn Mortuary, C. O. Lynn Co. Funeral Directors, at 717-19 Tacoma Ave. So. Lots of molding accents the pillars and ceiling level of the room and heavy curtains give a somber feel and mask noise. There are built in chairs and a microphone to the left of the photo, for those who will speak at the funeral.

C.O. Lynn Co. Mortuary (Tacoma); Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coffins; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This is how the interior of South Tacoma Motor Company shop and service department appeared in February of 1951 when Chevrolets were being serviced throughout the warehouse. The Union Street Livery operated at this location in the late 1800s, but with the growing popularity of automobiles in the 1900s the owners combined the livery business with a garage. Pete Wallerich acquired the company in 1919. In 1924, South Tacoma Motors began selling Chevrolets at this location, making it the oldest Chevrolet dealer in the US owned continuously by the same family. Three generations of the Wallerich family sold Chevys until 1988, when the dealership became Gilchrist Chevrolet. ("South on the Sound" Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-9160

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

Progress picture of Puget Sound Bank parking lot. A heavy crane has been brought in to assist in the demolition of the Tacoma Transit garages, partially destroyed by fire. A worker poses atop the structure and another on the crane itself. This was the original site of the old street car company cable building. The plaque presented in 1927 by the Tacoma Women's clubs commemorating the "Site of the First Tacoma Building in the Street Car Industry" had been removed until it can be placed on the parking lot attendant's structure. (TNT 5/24/1951, pg. 23)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Progress photographs--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma;

Progress picture of Puget Sound Bank parking lot, being constructed on the site of the burned and demolished Tacoma Transit garages. Most of the upper building has been removed, exposing the warren of rooms underneath used when the building housed the street car cables and shops. Puget Sound Bank, following the trend of offering free parking to entice customers, had been looking for a parking lot site for their downtown building and happily purchased the site.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma;

Progress picture of Puget Sound Bank parking lot being built on the site of the demolished Tacoma Transit Co. Garages. The Eleventh Street Bridge can be seen in the background. The Richards photographer captured his own vehicle in the foreground. Earth moving equipment can be seen at the center of the picture. This site will soon become the 126 car courtesy parking lot for Puget Sound Bank. The bank for several years had seen the need for a parking area and was pleased to purchase the transit site. As more customers owned their own autos and mass transit was less utilized, free parking was essential to the survival of downtown businesses.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma;