A display of Mobil tire products was set up at the New Yorker in early January, 1953. Specific tires for snow, truck & bus, commercial and consumer usage were labeled for easy differentiation. A poster indicating that no money down was required at the time of purchase; a customer could take up to six months to pay off the tires. At least four chairs are facing the display; presumably, there would be a presentation extolling the virtues of Mobil products. Photograph ordered by General Petroleum Corp.

Tires; Tire industry--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma);

Three women skeet shooters with rifles half kneeling in front of Washington Hardware Company store window.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Firearms; Rifles; Shooting; Sharpshooting;

Women skeet shooters in front of Washington Hardware Company. One woman kneeling and aiming rifle, two others watching.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Firearms; Rifles; Shooting; Sharpshooting;

Convention of Mayors banquet at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. View of officals on rostrum.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Convention of Mayors banquet at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. General view of room with people seated at tables.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Admiring crowds gather around a South Tacoma Motor Company salesman extolling the features of the new 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hardtop. He holds the passenger door invitingly open so the onlookers can check out the car's interior. South Tacoma Motor Company was owned by C.W. Wallerich and was a Chevrolet car and truck dealership.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma was treated to an afternoon parade when Knights Templar from all over the state gathered here for the 51st Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington. Men in the traditional plumed hats with a large group of flag bearers behind them. The Roxy Theatre is in the background. The Roxy later became the Pantages. (T. Times 5/9/1938)

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Knights Templar (Tacoma);

The Knights Templar band in their traditional plumed hats marched past the Roxy Theatre (later known again as the Pantages) on May 9, 1938. Tacoma was treated to a colorful afternoon parade when Knights Templar from all over the state gathered here for the 51st Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington. This parade of bands followed the marching companies. (T. Times 5/9/1938, pg. 1-article; TNT 5-9-38, p. 1-article on conclave)

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Knights Templar (Tacoma); Marching bands--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Exterior view of Pucci Inn, a roadside restaurant owned by Guido Pucci. The two-story wooden building features a steep roof with projecting bay on the second floor .

Business Enterprises - Food Enterprises - Restaurants - Roadside Restaurants - Pierce County - Lakewood - Pucci Inn

Meat department manager, Mel Ingram, grasps a hanging portion of U.S.Choice beef at the new 56th and Pacific Tradewell store. The beef was hung on meat hooks in the store's coolers. Tradewell had recently opened their latest Tacoma supermarket in the city's southend. They had a self-service meat department where meat was already pre-packaged for the busy customer. Ingram was in charge of the meat department; he had been in the meat business for nineteen years and had recently specialized in self-service meats at the Lakewood Center Tradewell. Photograph ordered by Mr. Swanson, Tradewell, Inc., Seattle. (TNT 2-3-53, p. 7)

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Meat; Ingram, Mel;

Six Sears, Roebuck employees appear to be happily gazing at a check or benefit statement from their employer in this March, 1953, photograph. D.A. Anderson, manager of Sears Tacoma, presents Connie Vaughn, newest member to the profit sharing plan, her annual statement. Sears offered profit sharing as one of their many employer-paid benefits to all regular employees after a year's employment. A poster on the wall behind the employees shows some of the benefits covered by the company; besides profit sharing, these included paid vacation and holidays, group life insurance, group hospitalization and employee discounts. A second poster displays a map locating Sears retail and factory stores nationwide and indicates the possibility for unlimited advancement. (TNT 3-7-53, p. 7)

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Employee fringe benefits; Posters; Anderson, D.A.; Vaughn, Connie;

Workers examine the excavation site and footings of the permanent home of the Lakewood Puget Sound National Bank in April, 1953. Unlike its predecessor, a 35 X 75 foot plywood structure which took only 10 working days to complete, the new brick colonial would take a more leisurely six months to construct. It would open on October 5, 1953, on Mt. Tacoma Dr. S.W. in the Lakewood Center. By the end of 1953, its deposits would have increased more than one million dollars from the previous year. (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 107)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Excavation--Lakewood; Building construction--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The spacious parking lot is full and more cars seem to be headed toward the grand opening, in early May, 1953, of the newest Tradewell supermarket located at Sixth Avenue & Union. Flags flap briskly in the spring air as shoppers stroll by. The store was built basically in the same style as other Tradewell's; it was a one-story, made of Roman brick, and sported large attractive windows. A Van de Kamps bakery was included in the supermarket. This was store #30; the supermarket would later be destroyed by fire in September, 1963. Photograph ordered by Carl Swanson, Tradewell Stores, Inc.

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Celebrating J.C. Penney's 11th anniversary at its downtown Tacoma store with a huge cake are, left to right: Ella York, M. J. Keeley, Esther Sahlin, Frank Walsh, Myrtle Hodge, Louise Kretchmann, and Verona Howard. Six of the seven employees pictured above have been with the store since its opening in 1927. Mrs. York is in alterations, Mr. Keeley is the assistant manager, Miss Sahlin of the silk department, Mr. Walsh is a janitor, Mrs. Hodge of the boys department, Mrs. Kretchmann of coats, and Mrs. Howard is the personnel director. An employees party was held at The Firs to celebrate the event. (T. Times 10/20/1938, p. 9).

J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Anniversaries--Tacoma; Cakes--Tacoma;

National Auto Parts window, 40th & Pacific. William C. Johnston was President-manager and Merle C. Johnston was Secretary-treasurer. The company sold parts for all makes of cars. This display window features a "get your vehicle ready for winter" theme, with U.S.I. & Super Pyro antifreeze and "Claw" tire chains. U.S.I. billed itself as the "world's safest antifreeze."

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

National Auto Parts at 40th & Pacific. Employees pose with a large sign advertising U.S.I. permanent ethylene glycol anti-freeze, "the world's safest anti-freeze." William C. Johnston was President-manager of the store and Merle C. Johnston was Secretary-treasurer. The company sold parts for all makes of cars. U.S.I. anti-freeze contained more ethylene glycol than other brands, plus special inhibitors to stop rust, corrosion and clogging. TPL-5473

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

Charles McCallum, manager, Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. McCallum had been with the bank for 16 years and came to Lakewood the previous Spring to serve as manager of the temporary bank. Puget Sound Bank's philosophy was to name branch managers who were capable of running their operations profitably and were personable enough to attract customers. Their power was the equivalent of vice presidents at the Main Office and the bank aimed for managerial continuity at the branches. (TNT 10/20/1953, pg. C-3 & "Banking on Independence" by Provorse)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; McCallum, Charles;

Weisfield's Jewelers, exterior exposure of the entire store front. This six story brick building was built in 1890 and designed by Pickles & Sutton, architects. Its original tenant was the Holmes and Bull Furniture Co., followed by the Orpheum Theatre, a vaudeville house, in 1904. In 1906, the Theatre closed and the building was remodeled into offices and called the J.J. Roberts Building. Various stores occupied the building including S.A. Andrews Co.(in 1920) and Pessemier's Bootery (in 1936.) The building was modernized in 1938 and occupied by Weisfield and Goldberg Jewelers. The store front was altered again in 1941, under the direction of Pearson & Richards, architects.

Department stores--Tacoma; Window displays; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Weisfield's, Inc. (Tacoma); Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Safeway store fire at 82nd & Pacific. The Safeway store sustained $260,000 in fire damage during an early morning fire on 7/7/1953. The Pacific Ave. wall of the store caved in completely. One firefighter collapsed at the site, and went to the hospital where he was reported in "satisfactory" condition. The fire was initially attributed to a faulty public address system or a forgotten cigarette. In a strange turn of events, the fire equipment had been there twelve hours before responding to an incinerator blaze. (TNT 7/7/1953, pg. 1)

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery Stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960;

At approximately 4:45 a.m. on July 7, 1953, the worst fire in Tacoma in more than four years swept through the Safeway Grocery Company store at 208 South 82nd Street. More than six engine companies reported to the "2-11" class fire. The store sustained over $260,000 in damage: $112,000 for the ruined brick, wood and concrete structure, $83,000 in equipment and $65,000 in ruined food. Fire Chief Harold Fisk said that the firemen were hampered by unexpected low water pressure in the Fern Hill district fire hydrants from which hose lines were run. (TNT 7/7/1953, pg. 1)

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery Stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Safeway store fire at 82nd & Pacific. Fire broke out at approximately 4:45 a.m. on 7/7/1953 at the Safeway store. Station 10 was the first to respond. Before the fire was under control, Fire Chief Harold Fisk was personally directing the fire fighting force of 6 engine companies, the city rescue unit and 2 hook & ladder companies. The fire fight was aided by daylight conditions and the low number of sightseers at this early hour, but hampered by low water pressure in Fern Hill district fire hydrants. (TNT 7/7/1953, pg. 1)

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery Stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Plywood superintendent's office at construction site for new United Pacific Insurance Co. addition, between Trovani's Junior Bootery and the Medical Arts Building (also owned by United Pacific Insurance.) The marquee for the Music Box Theatre, at 302 So. 9th, can be seen through the window opening in the plywood. The addition would provide 30,000 square feet of office space for the United Pacific's home office. The company would move from the Medical Arts building to the new addition, opening up one entire floor of the building and portions of two others for lease by medical professionals. Ordered by the DFPA. (TNT 7/5/1953, Pg. C-12)

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960;

Plywood barricade and superintendent's office at construction site for new United Pacific Insurance Co. addition, between Trovani's Junior Bootery and the Medical Arts Building (also owned by United Pacific Insurance.) A women walks inside the breezeway formed by the barricade.The completed five story building opened in January of 1955. The building was designed with a foundation able to support 10 stories, so the building could expand upwards if needed. James I. Barnes was the general contractor with F.C. Grosser serving as the mechanical contractor. Ordered by the DFPA. (TNT 7/5/1953, pg. C-12)

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960;

Plywood barricade and superintendent's office at construction site for new United Pacific Insurance Co. addition, between Trovani's Junior Bootery and the Medical Arts Building (also owned by United Pacific Insurance.) The five story addition was scheduled to be built for $500,000. It would have a 90 foot frontage on St. Helens and be built of reinforced concrete and stone to match the existing Medical Arts building. Ordered by the DFPA. (TNT 7/5/1953, pg. C-12)

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960;

Carl L. Phillips, Bank President, and Mayor Harold Tollefson, left, pose with a mannequin depicting banking one hundred years ago in the lobby of the National Bank of Washington. As the city of Tacoma prepared for the week long celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Northwest Territory, centennial displays went up all over town. Tacoma's main connection with the centennial was that in 1853 Tacoma's DeLin mill shipped the first lumber from Commencement Bay.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma;

National Bank of Washington lobby decorated for the Northwest Territory Centennial Days. Carl L. Phillips, bank president, holds one of the pictures to be displayed. The pictures document Tacoma around 1853. The festivities designed to celebrate the 100 year anniversary included an outdoor drama, a beard growing contest, district street dances & celebrations and a parade. TPL-9204

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Phillips, Carl L.;

The Sears store, ordered by Fairchild Publications. The entrance to the service station can be seen at the rear of the building. Elevated parking center at 1140-50 Court C.

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

Progress photograph of the construction of the new United Pacific Insurance Co. office building. Heavy machinery works in the area that will become the basement and foundation for the new 5 story office building. The structure will be built of reinforced concrete and stone to match the Medical Arts building. The $500,000 building will add 30,000 square feet of office space for the United Pacific home office. United Pacific organized in Seattle in 1928 and in 1941 bought the Medical Arts building and moved its home offices to Tacoma. It was the only insurance company to maintain home offices in Tacoma.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;

Progress photograph of the new United Pacific Insurance Co. home office next to the Medical Arts Building, taken on October 4, 1953, ordered by James J. Barnes Construction Co. Steven Motor Co. can be seen across the street at 738 Broadway. The five story addition would complement the Medical Arts Building, also owned by United Pacific. The five story building would take almost 2 years to build and cost an estimated $500,000. It was built of reinforced concrete faced with glass.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960;

National Bank of Washington; Branch & Senior management of bank. Twenty men and one woman gather around the boardroom table. Carl L. Phillips, president of the bank, sits at the head of the table with C.T. Chandler, vice-president, to the right. The man to the right of Chandler in the chair is unidentified. The bank was known from 1913-1938 as the National Bank of Tacoma and was housed in the Italian-Renaissance building at the northeast corner of 12th and Pacific, that since 1971 has housed the Tacoma Art Museum.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bankers--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Phillips, Carl L.; Chandler, C.T.;