Interior of South Tacoma Motor Co. parts department. Workers stand behind a glass fronted service counter. Arched doorways lead to the parts storage area beyond.

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

Interior shot of Gerrick's Rexall Drug Store, 2415 So. 12th, for their Grand Opening Feb. 9-10th publicity. Owned and operated by Ray Gerrick, the store offered a full line of drug items, home remedies, a large fountain and a prescription department. Tacoma's newest and one of the Northwest's most modern drugstores was housed in a new concrete block building with large plate glass windows that extended the entire length of the store front. One of the many features of the new store was the prescription department with the most up to date equipment assuring accuracy in medicine compounding. For opening day, the store gave away door prizes and free coffee, flowers, balloons, candy and ice cream. (TNT 2/8/1951, pg. C-2)

Drugstores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gerrick's Drug Store (Tacoma); Soda fountains--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Fixture displays at Sib's Thriftway, 1215 So. Union Ave., showing personal care products as of March 1, 1951. Products are Dr. Lyon's Tooth Powder, Rayve Wave Home permanent wave cream, Veto and Mum deodorants, Mennen skin bracer, and Jergens and Woodbury skin creams. The grocery store was owned by Sib L. Carstensen.

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Toiletries; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of new transit building and shops. The new Tacoma Transit shop was located on So. Sprague Ave. from 12th- 15th Sts. The complex included four large and round topped shop and barn units with wide floor areas, a two story office and headquarters building of concrete construction and ample paved parking space for busses. (TNT 2/13/1951, pg. C-12)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of Hogan's 8th grocery store, at 98th & Pacific Ave., for its Grand Opening March 9-11, 1951. All of the Hogan Grocery Stores were owned by Walter Hogan, who also owned Western Grocery Co., a wholesale grocery outlet for retailers. This store offered Southeast Tacoma and the surrounding rural areas a complete assortment of groceries, meats, produce and dairy. The store had 5600 sq. ft. of merchandising floor space and a color scheme of chartreuse green and wine. The flooring was wine, red and brown. Mirrored produce cases reflected the jewel tones of the fruits and vegetables. The highlight of the opening was the giving away of four barrels of groceries. (TNT 3/8/1951, pg. C-4)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hogan's Fine Foods (Tacoma); Farm produce--Tacoma;

Interior exposure of Helen Davis Shop, smart apparel for women, at 917 Broadway. Helen Davis, President. This elegant boutique features antique light fixtures, a sweeping staircase and a divan for waiting as the lady decides on a special outfit in the dressing rooms at the back of the picture. Dresses hang on the right and on a free standing rack while accessories are displayed in the ornamental cart and the glass topped cases. The shelves behind the cases hold separates, such as blouses and sweaters. Everything for the discriminating woman.

Helen Davis Shop (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Fixture displays at Sib's Thriftway, 1215 So. Union Ave., showing housewares. A rack of household extension cords is located to the left hand side. The grocery store was owned by Sib L. Carstensen. The numbers on the divided bins possibly indicate the prices. Bundt pans, cookie sheets, muffin tins, pots, utensils, potholders and what appear to be dog or cat food bowls are displayed. Everything that the busy 1950's housewife needed in a hurry for her kitchen is here.

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooking utensils--1950-1960; Pots & pans--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of the Silver Dollar Cafe, 1554-56 Jefferson, for the liquor board. The cafe was owned by Mrs. Dorothy Harradine. The cafe is set up like a classic diner. Booths line the right hand side of the picture. A lunch counter, with mirror behind, is on the left hand side of the picture. Three waitresses stand behind the counter ready to refill coffee cups or take orders. At the rear of the picture, a rectangular opening can be seen in the wall where the chef can pass out prepared plates for delivery to customers.

Silver Dollar Cafe (Tacoma); Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Fixture displays at Sib's Thriftway, 1215 So. Union Ave., showing personal care products including Colgate, Pepsodent & Ipana tooth paste. The grocery store was owned by Sib L. Carstensen. Groceries line the shelves on either side of the personal product display. What appears to be a butcher shop can be seen at the right rear of the picture. Two unidentified men stand by the display and a fire extinguisher hangs prominently on the post.

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Toiletries; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Rainier Auto Sales lot and cars at 2220 South Tacoma Way. Rainier sold used cars and their street side sign says "STOP and sell us your car." They arranged their own auto loans and insurance and were open evenings and Saturdays. Clyde E. Engoe was the owner of the lot which bought, sold and traded used cars.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rainier Auto Sales (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Ladies' Musical Club sponsored a concert by Hildegarde, a New York supper club singer who was on a concert tour across the continent, at Temple Theater. She would perform a 2 1/2 hour concert with her 12-piece orchestra. Her program included not the classics but favorites such as, "The Last Time I Saw Paris". She traveled with 35 evening costumes packed in specially built 6-foot trunks but would only be wearing two for her Tacoma appearance. She is seen here looking from the window of her room at the Hotel Winthrop. Tacoma's City Hall can be seen through the window. (TNT, 4/18/1951, p.12)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hildegarde; Singers;

Scene from the Grand Opening of the Gay Nineties Room at Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s.) Customers and employees pose in Nineties costumes, the women in elaborate picture hats. Steve's was the brainchild of Steve Pease and John Stanley. It incorporated good food, cocktails and entertainment in a unique and imaginative setting. The restaurant became a tourist attraction in the fifties and sixties, and grew from a 20 person coffee shop to swallow up all surrounding businesses and become a huge facility that seated up to 725 at a time. Mary and Steve Pease are standing at the middle of this group shot, Dorothy Jean Pease is seated at the far right. William and Harriet B. Fowler, parents of Mary Pease, are also included in this photograph. Mrs. Fowler is standing next to Mrs. Pease and her husband is seated before her. Another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pease is Mary Lou (Pease) Torgeson who is seated between Mr. Fowler and John Stanley. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg B6-B7) (Additional identification provided by two readers) TPL-10448

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1890-1900; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Mary; Pease, Dorothy Jean; Fowler, William; Fowler, Harriet B.; Torgeson, Mary Lou;

Two men repair a utility pole after a car-bus accident in front of Conley's Grocery Store at 6601 South Tacoma Way. Oil marks in the street and the downed pole are the only reminders of the wreck the night before when a station wagon ran the red light at 55- 80 mph and hit a Tacoma Transit Co. bus broadside sending it careening 10 feet into the power pole and shearing it off. The driver of the station wagon was killed and three other persons were injured in the accident. (TNT 3/21/1951, pg. 1)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Wrecks; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1950-1960; Conley's Grocery (Tacoma); Utility poles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A banquet is being held at the Viking Smorgasbord. A group of 20 people are grouped in front of the large painting of a Viking ship at the restaurant. (Format 5' x 14")

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man, probably John E. Berglund, stands by one of the dining tables at the Viking Smorgasbord holding one of the new restaurant's menus. John E. Berglund was president and manager of the incorporated business. He had started his career in 1916. He had worked in some of the finest hotels and restaurants throughout the world in Paris, Nice, London, Cairo and the old Waldorf Astoria in New York. He managed the "Bit of Sweden" in Hollywood for more than 10 years. Miss Maja Lisa Lindberg joined the restaurant at vice president. Other officers included Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. David Benson. (TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma; Menus; Men--Tacoma--1950-1960;

John Stanley poses in a publicity photo for opening of Gay Nineties Room of Steve's (Gay '90s) Cafe at 5238 South Tacoma Way. Steve's was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease. The mural on the wall depicts area businesses such as Jordan Bakery and Pantex Cleaners in the "Gay Nineties." Steve Pease began his business around 1941 partnered by Mrs. John Martinolich, of the shipbuilding family, in "Steve's Tavern." After two years, he bought out her interest in the building. When liquor-by-the-drink legislation came along in 1949, he needed a restaurant in order to have a liquor license. He formed a partnership with John Stanley who owned a coffee shop next door to the south. Stanley ran the restaurant and Pease ran the lounge. Much of the area surrounding the original restaurant was bought and remodeled to become part of Steve's. The spot became a tourist attraction and popular hangout of the fifties and sixties. It closed around 1977 and in 2001 is again opening after being converted to retail and restaurant space. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg. B6-B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stanley, John;

Scene from the Grand Opening of the Gay Nineties Room at Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s.) Employees pose in Nineties costumes, with frilly garters on their sleeves. Steve's was owned and operated by local restaurateur John Stanley and Steve Pease, the "unofficial mayor of South Tacoma." They merged Stanley's coffee shop and Pease's tavern in 1949 when, with the passage of liquor by the drink, Pease found he needed a restaurant in order to retain his liquor license. Providing new and unique environments and entertainments during the next twenty years, such as the Cable car room and the Opera House with its can can dancers, the Gay '90s remained a popular tourist attraction throughout the fifties and sixties. They closed in 1977. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg B6-B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1890-1900;

Progress photograph of Puget Sound Bank's new parking lot, formerly the Tacoma Transit garages. A steam shovel and trucks are being used for excavation and hauling away of the debris.The bricks from the Transit building demolition were used to fill in the warrens left below ground from the street car days. The ground has now been leveled and the site looks more like the parking lot it will become. The parking lot will measure 320 ft by 144 ft and will have a capacity of 126 automobiles. Bank customers will be able to enjoy a half hour of free parking in which to attend to their banking needs. The lot will also employ an attendant during hours of operation, 8:30-5 weekdays. Schoenfelds Furniture, at 1423 Pacific Ave., can be seen in the background of the picture. (TNT 5/24/1951, pg. 23)

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

Beautician's chair and standing hair dryer at Town and Country Beauty Salon, Inc. located at 815 Pacific Ave. The folding counter has a sink underneath so that the stylist can wash, cut & style hair all in one location. Mrs. E.L. Heaston was president, Mrs. A.M. Bod was vice-president & treasurer and H. G. Geer was secretary.

Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Town & Country Beauty Salon, Inc. (Tacoma);

A display of Nalley's potato chips at the Big Bear Store. Potato chips were Marcus Nalley's first product, prepared in his own small kitchen, fried in cooking oil, and packed in paper bags. "This is only the beginning" was his favorite comment during the 1930's and it was certainly true. This rack includes two sizes, 25 cent and 39 cent, of the regional favorite potato chips. Krun-chees and pop corn were 10 cents a bag. Bags of Ruffles Potato Chips hang along the left hand side. Hanging in the middle of the display is a copy of an ad that ran in Sunset magazine. (South on the Sound, Murray and Rosa Morgan)

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Products; Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior shot of the Town and Country Beauty Salon, Inc., located at 815 Pacific Ave. To the right of the picture is the receptionist's counter backed by product displays. The customer waiting area was probably in front of the left hand product displays. The stylists' booths are on the left hand side behind the product display. Light fixtures hang from the exposed beams in the ceiling and the room is painted white or light pastel. The floor is a dark tile.

Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Town & Country Beauty Salon, Inc. (Tacoma);

The receptionist counter at the Town and Country Beauty Salon, Inc., at 815 Pacific Ave. To the left of the padded counter is a display of honey oil shampoo. Other brand names include Copacabana, Contessa and Kurlash eyelash curlers.

Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Town & Country Beauty Salon, Inc. (Tacoma);

Mohawk window display at Selden's Home Furnishings and Carpet store. A heavily brocaded sofa with a coffee table and end tables sits in front of a large patterned floral wallpaper in Selden's display window. S.C. Selden, a Parkland native and graduate of Lincoln High School, opened his own store in 1940 across from the Sears store on Broadway. He sold linoleum, window shades and carpeting. With the advent of World War II, carpet was not available but business was booming in blackout shades. Their shade assembly shop operated 16 hours a day, six days a week. After the war, the company scrambled to enter the post war housing era.

Furniture stores--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma);

Exterior N. Earl Davison Co., Packard Bell's wholesale and factory service division with three trucks. Packard Bell was a leading manufacturer of televisions in the fifties.

Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; N. Earl Davison Co. (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960;

Publicity photo for the opening of the Gay Nineties Room of Steve's (Gay '90s) Cafe at 5238 South Tacoma Way. Steve's was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease. The restaurant offered cocktails and American food served smorgasbord style for a nominal charge, with dining music and entertainment provided. This long shot of the "Gay Nineties" dining room shows the smorgasbord table on the right and booths on the left decorated to appear like "surreys with fringe on top." Checked table cloths and wagon wheel chandeliers complete the down home look. Steve's Gay '90s operated from 1950 to 1977 and was one of Tacoma's most popular night spots. It grew from a 20 person cafe to a huge complex that could seat up to 725 at a time. In the mid fifties, Steve's added to their unique treasure trove an actual cable car, converted to street driving, bought at auction in San Francisco and driven to Tacoma. The Cable Car Room then opened with replicas of Tacoma and San Francisco cable cars as booths in the cocktail lounge. The crowning gem was the Opera House, opened in a mid fifties expansion, furnished with antiques from the South Tacoma mansions and featuring a twice nightly floor show with can can girls, among other performers. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg. B6-B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

John Stanley poses in a publicity photo for the opening of the Gay Nineties Room of Steve's (Gay '90s) Cafe, at 5238 South Tacoma Way. The restaurant featured a smorgasbord every day of the week and was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease. It was decorated in 1890's style and offered music from a Hammond organ, dining, dancing and employees in Nineties costumes.The mural at the rear of the buffet table depicts local 1951 businesses in a "Gay Nineties" setting.The smorgasbord was open from 12 noon - 9 p.m. every day of the week for a nominal charge, reminiscent of the Nineties "free lunch." John Stanley, well known South Tacoma restaurateur, was in charge of all culinary matters and Steve Pease, the "unofficial mayor of South Tacoma," headed up the lounge end. People travelled from all over the Northwest for the unique dining and entertainment offered. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg. B6- B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stanley, John;

The exterior of the Poodle Dog after the 1949 rebuild. Regarded as one of Tacoma's major tourist attractions, the restaurant had huge photo-murals that encircled both private dining rooms and a portion of the lobby. The photos by the Richards studio displayed both scenic wonders of the area and local industries and businesses. The internal design was a model of labor saving devices including automatic dishwashing and a circular seating counter that surrounded the waitress stations. The chefs worked at stainless steel counters just beyond the service area, allowing counter diners to watch their food being prepared. Parking surrounded the building. TPL-553

Poodle Dog (Fife); Restaurants--Fife--1950-1960;

Publicity photo for the opening of the Gay Nineties Room of Steve's (Gay '90s) Cafe at 5238 South Tacoma Way. Steve's was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease.The stage was entirely surrounded by a hand painted display of signs, handlettered by South Tacoma artist Bill Knabel. Mr. Knabel did the lettering work for the Pantages and Grand theatres when curtain advertising was the only venue available. The signs for local South Tacoma businesses surround the stage where Jane Power and Arnold Leverenz performed nightly on the Hammond organ. Old fashioned lanterns hang from a wagon wheel chandelier. Bold checked tablecloths welcome diners and invite them to enjoy good food in an homely and friendly atmosphere. Another part of the restaurant's decor was old photographs of South Tacoma and old style shadow boxes, created by Mrs. George Kelly of Seattle. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg. B6-B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This photograph shows the exterior of Steve's Cafe, 5238-40 South Tacoma Way, (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s.) as it appeared in April of 1951. Huge neon signs points the way to South Tacoma's newest dining hot spot. Owned & operated by Steve Pease and John Stanley, Steve's offered a smorgasbord every day (at $1 for lunch) and entertainment in the evening. As the restaurant grew in popularity, it swallowed up all the surrounding real estate becoming the huge conglomeration that became Steve's Gay '90s. Steve's closed in 1977. TPL-8691

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The interior of the reconditioned General Paint store. Cans of paint, buckets and other supplies are displayed on racks. A table with sample books of wallpapers is provided in the rear.

Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Paints & varnishes; General Paint Corp. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;