Fall display of kitchen appliances in window at Lincoln Electric. Lincoln Electric was owned by Tony Ricono. The store carried a complete line of Hotpoint ranges, refrigerators, water heaters, washers, dishwashers, disposals and home freezers. They offered installation and service on all appliances. With their new enlarged location, they also carried juvenile furniture and toys.

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two Northwest Radio employees, their backs to the camera, are surrounded by an array of equipment as they try to determine solutions to service problems. Northwest Radio opened three locations in the city in as many years; they not only sold televisions and radios but also repaired them. Employees pictured in a May 12, 1953, photograph appear to be testing television and radio components. Photograph ordered by Bob Cullom.

Northwest Radio, Inc. (Tacoma); Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Equipment;

Exterior of the Olympus Hotel. The hotel was built in 1909 at a cost of $65,000. It was designed by Darmer & Cutting, Architects. In 1951, it was considered one of the Northwest's best hotels. It was the home of the supper club The Mirror Room and the cafe Frontier Room. The hotel closed its doors in 1974. It was remodeled and opened as apartments in 1978.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--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;

Steven Motor Co. used car lot at 6910 South Tacoma Way. Floyd N. Steven, manager. An ad in the 7/15/1953 Tribune, pg. D-5, stated that business had been so good that the lot was now short on used cars. Steven Motor Co. would now offer an "over allowance" on used cars traded in for new Chryslers or Plymouths at the new car lot. Their slogan was "We sell high quality used cars."

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);

National Auto Parts north show window after dark, featuring products manufactured by General Motors. Pictured are products with the brand names of Hyatt, Delco, Moraine, Rochester, Saginaw and Packard.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Klopfenstein's Clothes display window at night. Klopfenstein's in downtown Tacoma sold quality name brand clothing for men: Hart Schaffner and Marx, Nunn-Bush shoes, Dobbs and Borsalino hats, and women's suits and coats. C.F. Klopfenstein Jr. was President. TPL-9345

Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Klopfenstein's (Tacoma); Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Weisfield's window in July of 1953 featured a free Barwa leisure chair with a Westinghouse laundromat and dryer. The washing machine, and free lounge chair, are $299.95. The D-5 dryer and free chair are $219.95. Plus consumers could take advantage of Weisfield's low easy credit terms. Unlike in the past when consumers bought items cash only, credit was relied upon more often for major purchases.

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

Card rack at Winthrop Hotel, Rust Craft Publications. Since Christmas trees, fir boughs and pine cones decorate the back wall over the many rows of Christmas cards and the photograph is dated in July, this must have been an advertising set up, possibly for a catalog.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greeting cards; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Interiors of the United Mutual Savings Bank in the Washington Building at 11th and Pacific. Tellers counter in the foreground, desks at the rear and at the loft area. United Mutual advertised itself as Tacoma's only Savings Bank, with the stipulation that only a savings bank could offer deposit insurance. United Mutual was a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Franklin F. Summers was president, with Harold W. Gloyde, William P. Matthaei and Charles A. Robbins as vice-presidents.

United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

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;

Brown & Haley Candy Co., for West Disinfecting Co. This appears to be a combination lunchroom and training area. In the back on the counter are a commercial coffee maker, a hot plate and a display of soup cans. There is a Coca Cola chest cooler with cases of empty bottles beside it. Brown and Haley was founded in 1913 by J. C. Haley, who in 1953 was still serving as president. Fred T. Haley was general manager and Richard G. Haley was production manager. The company's most famous product was Almond Roca, the most desired candy during W.W.II when it was shipped to the Armed Forces. (TNT 9/4/1953, pg. C-15)

Confections; Candy; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Cafeterias--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

Herb Satterlee Motor Company's repair shop. Satterlee dealt in the sales and service of Packards and British Austins. One 1940s and one 1950s Packards are in lubrication area. In the background are signs promoting service, tool cabinets, various tanks for oil and grease and a rack of tires. Herb F. Satterlee was president with Herb Satterlee Jr. serving as secretary-treasurer. Body and paint work, auto glass and tailored seat covers were done at this location. Used cars were also sold. Parking & storage was available at 924 Court C.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Packard automobile; Herb Satterlee Motors (Tacoma);

New Puget Sound Bank at Lakewood, ordered by the Condon Co. The permanent location of Puget Sound Bank was built in the Lakewood Center, facing Mt. Tacoma Dr. S.W. The red brick faced colonial with white trim was designed to match the existing architecture at the Center. The new building was three times the size of the temporary building. It measured 50 feet wide by 120 feet long, with 12,000 square foot of floor space, including a full basement. The building was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and Ketner Bros. Inc. served as contractors. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. A-10)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;

Cliff Sign Co. hoists the new Tacoma Hotel sign to the top of the building. The ground floor is occupied by the National Cash Register Co., Budget Finance Plan, the Western Air Lines ticket office and at the far right, with the sign 1/4 visible, the Servicemen's Center at 115 So. 9th. This was the location of the bowling alley.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

Future home office of the United Pacific Insurance Company. Plywood fencing surrounds the construction site in this February 15, 1954 photograph. Steven Motor Company and the Old City Hall can be seen in the background. Steel framework has been erected for what would become the five story office building of United Pacific. The building was designed with a foundation capable of supporting 10 stories if needed for future expansion. The concrete, steel and glass structure would be completed in January of 1955.

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

Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This appears to be the employees lounge with chairs and sofa provided for comfortable seating. A tall commercial ashtray stands beside a coffee table covered with magazines. Books available for reading occupy shelves along the back wall. Dining tables and chairs are provided for employees to have lunch.

Banks--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This appears to be a non public accessible accounting area. Pairs of women confer over sheets of figures. Large adding machines sit to the right of the desks. Windows high in the walls and florescents supply lighting.

Banks--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Triangular flags flap in the wind at the site of a Shell Service Station in a March, 1954, photograph. Two mechanics are inspecting an elevated car inside the garage. There are at least four gas pumps at this station. Tires and other auto accessories can be purchased here as well as gasoline.

Automobile service stations; Gasoline pumps;

The Pierce County area's population was booming in the 1950's; more and more houses were being built to satisfy demand. Consumers found that prefabricated homes could be built quickly and less expensively than custom-made houses. Briggs Manufacturing Co., 3755 South 60th St., specialized in prefabricated housing. A series of photographs was taken in one day, March 29, 1954, to show the speed in which houses could be constructed. Clocks were placed in the corners of these photographs to show the exact time when the photo was taken. Because the location was not identified, it is possible that more than one house was built by Briggs' crews at the same time. In this noon progress photograph, walls are up on apparently two sides of the house, and wooden roof trusses in place.

Briggs Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Building construction; Prefabricated houses; Progress photographs;

No workers are in sight in a photograph taken at noontime, on March 29, 1954. The Briggs Manufacturing Co., located at 3755 South 60th St., were builders of prefabricated homes. A series of photographs were taken in one day to show the speed in which a prefabricated home could be put up; clocks were placed in the left corners of each photo to show the time when it was taken. Since this home was built without a basement, there was no need to spend time excavating and laying concrete. It appears that some walls are already in place, with door and window openings. Since the location of the construction is not known, it is possible that more than one home was being built at the same time.

Briggs Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Building construction; Prefabricated houses; Progress photographs;

The Briggs Manufacturing Co. specialized in prefabricated homes. These houses could be built more quickly and less expensively than a custom made home. The area's population had been steadily increasing after World War II and prefabricated homes eased the hunger for more housing. To show the speed that prefabricated homes could be constructed, a series of photographs was taken in one day on March 29, 1954. There was a clock placed in the left corner of each picture to show the time of day when it was taken; thus, the progress of the construction could be tracked. View of construction at 9:00 a.m.; some walls are already up while plywood forms are in place on the other sides. Since there was no basement, the time needed to excavate could be eliminated. Because the site of the home was not identified, except to note that it was a heavily wooded lot, it is possible that more than one home was being built on the same day.

Briggs Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Building construction; Prefabricated houses; Progress photographs;

Modern office furniture and boldly geometric flooring provides a distinct contrast to the chandeliers and Italian Renaissance style of the Bank of California building in March, 1954. Two employees are pictured working on a balcony within the building; one is examining the contents of a filing cabinet while the other sits at a wide, metallic desk operating the telephone system. An adding machine and telephone are also visible. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Office Supply Co.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office equipment & supplies; Chandeliers; Telephones; Tacoma Office Supply Co. (Tacoma);

The Kit Kat Tavern was celebrating its third anniversary in April, 1954. Overhead view of tavern's interior; all seats seem to be occupied with happy customers. People could enjoy a drink while playing what appears to be a form of bingo. Budweiser, Lucky Lager, and Rainier beers were some of the beers available for purchase. The Kit Kat Tavern was located at 746 Pacific Avenue and owned by Elmer Gardner and Patricia White.

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kit Kat Tavern (Tacoma);

A large multi-panel photo mural of Mount Rainier greets customers as they enter the new Pierce County Savings and Loan building in March, 1954. Bank staff are clearly visible; there are no walls to make individual offices in this portion of the bank. The building was originally built in 1888 by Col. J. M. Dougan; the Pierce County Savings and Loan Association bought the site in 1950. Marshall Perrow is the architect of the remodeled building with Kirkebo & Sons as contractors. Remodeling began in November, 1953. Photograph taken for the TNT. (TNT 3-22-54, p. 6,7)

Pierce County Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Financial facilities--Tacoma; Murals--Tacoma;

There are apparently four gas pumps at this Shell Service Station, selling both regular and premium. A driver could not only fill up with gas, but also purchase tires and cans of oil, and have repairs made on his vehicle as well. Shell Oil had numerous stations in the Tacoma area; the station pictured here in March, 1954, might have been newly constructed near Thompson's Corner Cabins on South 84th Street.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps;

Art's Glass & Upholstery were auto glass experts located at 816 Tacoma Avenue South. Their exhibit booth in the 1954 Tacoma Home Show indicated that they also provided hand tailored seat covers; customers ordering at the home show would be able to purchase these at the special price of $47.50. Large signs indicated that convenient bank terms would be available and that new blue-green tinted glass was now ready for all cars.

Art's Glass & Upholstery Shop (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Expansive view of interior of new Leed's Shoes taken back to front. Leed's opened at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center on April 4, 1957. Located next to Rhodes, the new suburban store featured ladies shoes (primarily QualiCraft), hosiery and purses. This was the second Leed's in Tacoma with the first opening in downtown Tacoma in 1937. The 150-foot deep store used a blend of brick, glass, wood and stone in its construction. The stone was especially noticeable as the base for the hosiery, wrapping and cash counters. (TNT 4-3-57, A-7-article)

Leed's Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;