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;

South Tacoma Motor Company, outdoor view. Customer and salesman approach 1968 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop with 327 V8 for a test drive. Another Impala is parked at curb. North Pacific Bank is across the street. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

South Tacoma Motor Company, view of showroom. Customers admire 1968 Chevrolets: Chevelle 4-door in foreground, Nova SS at left center, two Impalas at right. Vintage Chevrolet roadster, believed to be a 1914 Royal Mail, in left background. Bob's Burger Barn can be spotted through the dealership's large windows across the street in the Food King Supermarket parking lot. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit. TPL-6546

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970;

On January 4, 1968, prospective car buyers milled around the showroom of South Tacoma Motor Company, at 5602-08 South Tacoma Way, admiring the new 1968 Chevrolets. An employee pointed out the fine workmanship of the Camaro SS-350 to a prospective buyer, a military man in dress uniform. Another salesman chatted with a young woman who was testing the passenger seat of a Camaro RS-327 convertible. Also pictured was the new Impala 4-door sedan with 327 V-8 engine. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit. TPL-10261

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Military personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

South Tacoma Motor Company, four men around a desk in office. It is not clear whether or not final paperwork is being processed for a sale. South Tacoma Motor Company was a Chevrolet dealership which had been a longtime fixture on South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970;

South Tacoma Motor Company, view of showroom from glassed-in office area. 1968 Chevrolets on display: Chevelle 4-door in foreground, Nova SS at left center, two Impalas at right. Vintage Chevrolet roadster in left background. 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. View from back seat of 1968 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop during test drive. Salesman demonstrates heater controls for customer at wheel. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Automobile driving--Tacoma; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

South Tacoma Motor Company, outdoor view. Mount Tahoma principal George Fallis and salesman Earl Christianson (at right) talk next to 1968 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop with 327 V8 before leaving for a test drive in January, 1968. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Christianson, Earl;

South Tacoma Motor Company view in showroom of new cars. A salesman is on the telephone in front of a 1968 Chevrolet Nova SS. A 4-door Chevelle is in the background. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Telephones; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Exterior view of Bank of Tacoma's South Tacoma branch, taken on January 9, 1968. Originally established as South Tacoma State Bank in 1963, the bank changed its name to Bank of Tacoma in 1965. At the same time, it moved its headquarters to downtown Tacoma near So. 11th & Pacific. This contemporary stone edifice at on South Tacoma Way became a branch of Bank of Tacoma. Late in 1967, the Bank of Tacoma opened its newest location on Sixth Ave. and welcomed a new president, David Williams. Photograph ordered by Bank of Tacoma.

Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Night exposure of new Tacoma Mall Theater; large back-lit signs on brick and glass exterior. All is ready for the grand opening of the $1 million dollar Tacoma Mall Theater in May, 1968. The theater would open for business in one week with Hollywood stars in attendance. "First Night" tickets were still available at the time of this May 9th photograph; however, they were sold out by the 11th. Management added an extra late-evening viewing of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," but no stars would be present for the 11:30 p.m. show. The Tacoma Mall Theater was the latest addition to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. It offered ample free parking, luxurious lobby and a giant Cinerama screen. (TNT 4-18-68, B-15, TNT 5-8-68, D-13, TNT 5-14-68, insert) TPL-6520

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Miss Tacoma. Miss Tacoma, Cleta Jo Johnson, gets a early first-hand look at the new Tacoma Mall Theater prior to its grand opening on May 16, 1968. Miss Johnson would be among the luminaries present on the "First Night" of its movie existence. She is shown examining the comfortable body-conformed armchairs which were spaced 40 inches back-to-back. This allowed for plenty of leg room and easy maneuvering through the rows. The theater was originally built for a 1200-seat capacity. (TNT 5-8-68, D-13, TNT 5-14-68, insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Johnson, Cleta Jo; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Miss Tacoma, Cleta Jo Johnson, listens intently as she is shown the workings of the projection room on a May 9, 1968, visit to the Tacoma Mall Theater, the latest addition to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Projectionist Frank Carlson shows Miss Johnson the new projection machines. The theater used a Simplex 35-70 set to run 35 and 70 millimeter film. The Tacoma Mall Theater would officially open on May 16th with gala entertainment planned for the evening. (TNT 5-14-68, insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Johnson, Cleta Jo; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Carlson, Frank; Motion picture devices;

Interior - Tacoma Mall Theater. This is the view one would get looking from the giant screen to the back of the theater. The seats are empty because it is three days before the Tacoma Mall Theater's grand opening. The 1200 seats were deep and upholstered with extra space between the rows. They were staggered so that all would have a good view of the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screen. Armrests were made of upholstered foam rubber. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Theater. TPL-6521 (TNT 4-18-68, B-15, TNT 5-8-68, D-13, TNT 5-14-68, insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Interior - Tacoma Mall Theater; view of 2000 yards of red draw curtains, stage and rows of empty upholstered seats. The Tacoma Mall, first indoor theater in the Forman-United Theater circuit of drive-ins in the Tacoma area, was just days away from its grand opening on May 16, 1968. Architect George T. Nowak utilized updated motion theater design in planning the new theater. The $1 million dollar theater was advertised as "Elegance in Entertainment" with staggered seating, body-contoured armchairs, custom made chandeliers, bronze-smoke Belgian glass mirrored walls and a giant screen extending wall-to-wall and floor to ceiling. It had a seating capacity of 1200. The building was divided into two sections in 1974 and renamed the Tacoma Mall Twins. Ultimately, it would close in July of 2002; the building was razed and a Krispy Kreme store opened on the site. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Theater. (TNT 4-18-68, B-15, TNT 5-8-68, D-13)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Theater curtains;

Lobby in Tacoma Mall Theater. A beautiful display of elegance greeted patrons of the new Tacoma Mall Theater in May, 1968. Four $6000 imported, custom-made crystal chandeliers hang from the lobby's lofty ceiling. Each chandelier contains 3,250 clear crystal pendants. Small recessed ceiling and wall lights present an illusion of stars. The plush red carpet and corresponding red curved snack bar wall provide a colorful contrast to the dark walnut vinyl paneling. The snack bar, at 72 feet, was the West Coast's longest. The Tacoma Mall Theater was the first major theater development in 40 years in this area. 34 years later, in July of 2002, it would shut its doors for good. (TNT 5-8-68, D-13, TNT 5-14-68 insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chandeliers; Snack bars--Tacoma; Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Women's restroom in Tacoma Mall Theater. Even the restrooms at the new Tacoma Mall Theater carried on the theme of elegance with chandeliers, patterned wallpaper and fine floor coverings. Bright lighting and good ventilation were integral parts of the large, sparkling ladies room. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Mall Theater.

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rest rooms;

V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater. L.H. Sutton, managing director of the Tacoma Mall Theater, poses with an unidentified woman on May 14, 1968, V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater. Mr. Sutton had recently been appointed to his position. His guest is wearing a fur wrap over a sequinned dress. On one wrist is an orchid corsage. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Mall Theater.

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sutton, L.H.; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970;

V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater. Theater executives take a behind-the-scenes look at the new Tacoma Mall Theater on V.I.P. night, two nights before the grand opening of the latest addition to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Michael R. Forman, second to the right, and William R. Forman, extreme right, are associated with Forman United Theaters, owners of the new theater. William Forman had Northwest connections: he attended the University of Washington and married a Seattle woman. He had been named the pioneer of the year by the motion picture industry. (TNT 5-14-68, insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Forman, Michael R.; Forman, William R.;

On May 14, 1968 the new Tacoma Mall Theater held a special V.I.P. night two days before its official grand opening on the 16th. Selected officials and guests were invited to see the spacious new movie theater, which cost over $1 million to build and could seat 1,200, before it opened to the general public. The four crystal chandeliers in the lobby were imported from Belgium, and its giant screen was capable of accommodating "Cinerama" films. The Mall Theater closed in July of 2002 and it was demolished before the end of the year. (Publicity photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall to be mailed to Pacific Theaters in Los Angeles.)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chandeliers; Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970;

V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater. Zack S. Beiser of United Theatres in conversation with a woman tenatively identified as Miss Tacoma, Cleta Jo Johnson, at V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater on May 14, 1968. Those attending the private party were able to view the theater before its grand opening on May 16th. Forman-United Theatres were the builders of the $1 million dollar theater, the first major theater development in the area in 40 years. Publicity photograph ordered by Tacoma Mall Theater for Pacific Theaters, Los Angeles.

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Beiser, Zack S.;

Evening view in May of 1968 of Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers. Neon and backlit plastic signs on building and posts, new Plymouths in showroom window and on outdoor lot, used car department beyond. Steven Motor Co. had been at 2705 South Tacoma Way since late 1959. They had previously been in the downtown Broadway area for decades. Color photo ordered by Action Color Advertising, Portland, Oregon.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Bank of California exterior, taken on July 25, 1968. Built in the Italian Renaissance style of Wilkerson sandstone and granite by J.E. Bonnell & Son in 1928, the Bank of California's four Ionic columns made for an impressive sight on busy downtown Pacific Avenue. A contemporary touch has been added with the installation of a narrow vertical sign to the building's exterior with the bank's name on it.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Three Bank of California officials lend a helping hand in the remodeling process of their Pacific Avenue building in August of 1968. They are building plywood walls in the main lobby to provide noise and dust protection. Daily operations would continue during the construction period with directory boards listing temporary locations of the various departments. Only one area of the bank at a time would be affected during the extensive interior remodeling. John Graham & Co., architects of the original edifice, would also be in charge of the $600,000 project. Photograph ordered by Bank of California. (TNT 8-18-68, A-19)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma--1960-1970; Plywood;

It was business as usual at the Bank of California even during remodeling in the summer of 1968. The major face-lifting project was expected to last until the end of November. Although remodeling would entail new carpeting, chandeliers, and oak wall paneling, the elaborate ceiling would be retained. Great sheets of plastic and fresh plywood kept dust and noise at bearable levels as work progressed in the main lobby. The barricade, 75-feet long and 8-feet high in front of the savings teller windows and new accounts area, was on the north side of the office building. A directory board prominently displayed against a check-writing counter helped customers find the temporary location of various services. Detailed maps were also provided on the lower part of the directory board. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California. (TNT 8-18-68, A-19)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma--1960-1970; Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970;

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;

New Kmart store. This parking lot would not stay empty long. Kmart opened its second store in Tacoma at E. 72nd & Portland Ave. in the fall of 1968. Tacoma's first Kmart was located on Sixth Ave. and had opened just the year before. The newer Kmart was built similarly to the older one; it had an enormous parking lot for customer convenience and provided the Kmart chain of affordable department store wares, auto services and garden supplies. The bright bold Kmart neon sign would attract hundreds of shoppers to the store's September 19th grand opening. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT 9-18-68, C-4)

Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parking lots--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;

The staff of Kmart's newest Tacoma store poses for a group portrait before the doors open to the public for the first time on September 19, 1968. The store, located at 1414 E. 72nd St., was the second Kmart in town; the first was located on Sixth Ave. next to Busch's Drive-In. The eastside Kmart had a large staff, predominantly female who wore either the white uniforms of restaurant workers or the modified aprons of checkers and stockers. The store was managed by Glenn Darling. Photograph ordered by Kmart.

Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen holds part of the just-snipped ribbon at the ceremonies marking the grand opening of the city's latest Kmart department store on September 19, 1968 as Kmart officials and their families stand close by. From L-R are (unidentified woman), W.E. Warburton and R. Archibald Fawcett, Kmart regional officials; Richard Beebe representing Governor Dan Evans; Mayor Rasmussen; Mrs. Glenn W. Darling and store manager Mr. Darling; Robert E. Dewar and Robert H. Griffin, corporate Kmart officials; (unidentified man in back and unidentified women). The store was located on the east side of town, at 72nd and Portland Ave. It followed closely the October, 1967, opening of the first Kmart on Sixth Ave. Kmart provided its customers with discounted department store wares, appliances, auto services and plenty of free parking. Photograph ordered by Kmart. (TNT 9-20-68, C-19)

Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Darling, Glenn W.; Dewar, Robert E.; Griffin, Robert H.; Beebe, Richard; Warburton, W.E.;