In September of 1973, this unidentified Columbian Opticians shop had a colorful display of fashionable glasses mounted on multi-colored mannikin heads. The heads, in striking hues of indigo, rose and brilliant yellows, were topped with contrasting feathers masquerading as hair. Five or more mannikin heads rested on several gold fringed tables. Color photograph ordered by Columbian Opticians.
A Pacific Northwest Bell employee tentatively identified as Candy Young gives a hint that Easter is around the corner and with Easter, the arrival of the Easter Bunny. Dressed in a rabbit costume with "paws," flapping "ears," and two enormous "front teeth," she reclines atop a mountain of "eggs." A big carrot provides nourishment. This April 4, 1973, photograph may have been taken in Wright Park. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Bell.
Shoppers in the region rejoiced at the opening of the new west end extension of the Tacoma Mall on July 25, 1973. 20 more stores were added to the popular shopping center bringing its total to about 110. 1973 Daffodil Queen Sherri Murrey, Mayor Gordon N. Johnston, and Tacoma Mall executive vice-president Marvin Boys (next to the mayor) were among the dignitaries participating in the addition's ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Corporation.
Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Building dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Murrey, Sherri; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Boys, Marvin;
BASH auction. Goods were being stored at BASH (Building a Scholastic Heritage) headquarters, 1130 Commerce St., as the group geared up for its annual auction to be held at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on April 27-28, 1973. Approximately $200,000 worth of donations would be ready to be snapped up by eager customers, including this antique Edison machine. An unidentified woman is pictured on March 20th testing out its sound. Some of the items, of course, could not fit inside a building - a school bus and a newly built Twin Lakes duplex, for example. Proceeds of the auction supported five private schools in the area, including Annie Wright School, Aquinas Academy, Bellarmine Prep., Charles Wright School and St. Leo's School. Photograph ordered by ADPR Group. (TNT 3-25-73, A-15-article)
Tacoma boxer Dale Grant poses with an unidentified man, possibly his new manager Larry Morris, on October 2, 1973. Following in the footsteps of his half-brother Sugar Ray Seales, Mr. Grant had already won numerous boxing awards and honors. He would announce turning pro on October 5, 1973, with a bout scheduled eight days later in California. He would go on to defeat veteran boxer Dave Arrealino in an unanimous six-round decision. At the start of his professional career, Dale Grant was six feet tall and weighed 153 lbs. Photograph ordered by Larry Morris. (TNT 10-5-73, B-3 article; TNT 10-14-73, B-1 article)
Tacoma boxing champ Dale Grant was 18 when he posed behind his impressive array of trophies including several large Golden Gloves awards in October 1973. Dale Grant was the half-brother of Olympic gold medalist Sugar Ray Seales. At that time, Mr. Grant was a student at Tacoma Community College. He announced that he was turning pro on October 5, 1973, with a debut scheduled in Santa Rosa, California, on October 13th. He went on to defeat veteran boxer Dave Arrealino in an unanimous six-round decision. Dale Grant began his boxing career at the Tacoma Boys Club in 1966. He had a 290-18 amateur record and won 29 championships. Unlike his older half-brother, he was a right hander. (Photograph ordered by Larry Morris, manager.) (TNT 10-5-73, B-3 article; TNT 10-14-73, B-1 article)
Olympic gold medalist Sugar Ray Seales sparring in a local gym on October 2, 1973. This is possibly Sugar Ray's own gym, newly opened at 1517 Commerce St. He was the sole American gold medalist in boxing in Munich's 1972 Olympic Games. Sugar Ray had his first pro fight on January 11, 1973, at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. By October of that year, he had turned 21 years old and was 11-0. His younger half-brother, Dale Grant, also turned pro in October of 1973. The hard-hitting brothers would be training together. Photograph ordered by Larry Morris. (TNT 8-7-73, B-1-article; TNT 8-17-73, B-2 article; TNT 8-19-73, D-2 article; TNT 10-5-73, B-3-article)
1973 Richards stock footage. These large, round, wooden forms are being made for the new Continental Grain Co. terminal which will be built on what will become Schuster Parkway.
Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Continental Grain Co. (Tacoma);
ca. 1972. Downtown Tacoma wished its residents "Seasons Greetings" during the 1972 Christmas holidays with a lighted banner spanning Pacific Ave. Schoenfeld's, Puget Sound National Bank, and the Washington Building with the red neon Bank of California rooftop sign are some of the major businesses on the right side of Pacific, looking north. Bimbo's Italian Restaurant, Tacoma Rescue Mission and American Federal Savings are on the left.
Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Christmas decorations; Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma);
ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Pacific Avenue at night during the 1972 Christmas holiday season or shortly thereafter. This view looks south; the Security (Provident) Building, Washington Building and Puget Sound National Bank are on the left with the Park Plaza North parking garage and the Rust Building, purchased in October of 1972 by American Federal Savings & Loan, on the right.
Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Rust Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Security Building (Tacoma); Christmas decorations;
Close-up of a powerful Hydra-Unit excavator on the job near Algona in late May of 1973. Its shovel has already broken through the surface of what appears to be a roadway, revealing the dirt that lay beneath. The dirt would be loaded onto waiting heavy duty trucks by the Hydra-Unit and removed from the premises. Photograph ordered by Ervin R. Abramson Advertising, Milwaukee, Wisc.
Officials of the Afifi Shrine participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for their new temple at 815 So. Vassault Street on August 9, 1973. All the men were wearing the familiar fez which included the member's rank within the Shrine. The new headquarters would be located on a 24-acre tract north of Tacoma Community College. The mosque and surrounding parking lot occupied five acres. The $200,000 project was designed by Shelton architect Harold Dalke and built by Neeley Construction of Puyallup. The 11,200 sq. ft. facility was expected to be completed in January of 1974. Color photograph ordered by Afifi Temple. (TNT 8-12-73, D-4-article; TNT 8-19-73, D-10-article & sketch)
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Fort Lewis at night. This night exposure of the Main gate at Fort Lewis was taken on March 7, 1973. At the date of this color photograph, the gate was over a half-century old. It was built using field stone and squared logs for a cost of $4000. Photograph ordered by Carl Courtrier, Fort Lewis. (www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/fort-lewis.htm)
The most famous resident of E.L. Irwin's B&I Shopping Center was not a store owner, customer or employee, he was an endangered Western Lowland gorilla named Ivan. Mr. Irwin bought Ivan and a female gorilla, Burma, as infants from an animal trader in 1964. The young gorillas were born in the wild in the Congo, present day Zaire. The female died soon after arrival, but Ivan became a family favorite, even living with the Irwins until his strength became overwhelming. In 1967, he went to live permanently at the B&I in a 14 x 14 concrete and steel cage. He remained there for 27 years, until he was donated in 1994 to the Woodland Park Zoo. He was on permanent loan to the Atlanta Zoo, where he was the star of their Ford African Rainforest habitat. Ivan died in Atlanta on Monday, August 20, 2012
Ivan, the shopping mall gorilla, looked out from his cage at the B&I on September 5, 1973. He had been a resident at the B&I since 1967. He was acquired by store owner E.L. Irwin in 1964 from the Congo and lived the first few years of his life as one of the family. As his size and strength grew, he was moved permanently to the store. For 30 years, he drew the young and old to the mall. As attitudes towards animals in captivity changed and as zoos gave up their cages for spacious naturalistic "habitats," a "Free the Gorilla" campaign developed. Ivan was the source of much publicity and discord until 1994, when the endangered Western Lowland gorilla was donated to the Woodland Park Zoo. He was on permanent loan to the Atlanta Zoo, where he died on Monday, August 20, 2012
A playful Ivan the gorilla approached the camera in September of 1973. For 27 years, from 1967-1994, Ivan was the most famous resident of the B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way. Store owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin purchased Ivan and another infant gorilla from an animal trainer in the Congo in 1964. The pair were intended to publicize the B&I. The female Western Lowland gorilla died soon after arrival, but Ivan became a favorite of the Irwin family and took up residence at their house. By 1967, Ivan's strength, natural curiosity and playfulness ruled him out as a house pet and he went to live at the B&I full time. As attitudes toward captive animals changed with the time, Ivan's fans became the core of a "free the gorilla" movement. In 1994, the Irwin family donated Ivan to the Woodland Park Zoo. The Western Lowland gorilla was on permanent loan to the Atlanta Zoo, where he died on Monday, August 20, 2012 .
1973 Tacoma Home Show. A representative of Holly Homes is pictured on the opening day of the Tacoma Home Show, March 13, 1973, speaking to an interested mother about Holly Homes' various house plans. Holly Homes was one of more than 70 exhibitors at the Home Show; for the first time, the event was held at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center, already an important gathering spot for local residents. Photograph ordered by Holly Homes.
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Holly Homes, Inc.; Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);
Exterior of model home. This is "La Morada," one of two model houses built for the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. The tri-level was located at 8504 - 45th St. W. in University Place, off 48th St. . Built by Orville Island Construction Co., the 1,670 sq.ft. home had a contemporary Spanish look with stucco-like exterior including a two-car garage. A covered archway led to the entry court. "La Morada" was in the $30,000 class of homes. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-7-73, C-15 - article; TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980;
ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. The former Winthrop Hotel gets a good scrubbing by Allied Mobile Powerwash in 1973 as powerful streams of water remove dirt and grime from its exterior. This view is of the Winthrop's back. A glimpse of the Pantages Theater is on the extreme left edge. The Winthrop ceased operations as a hotel in August of 1971 and was converted into senior/elderly housing in 1973.
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Cleaning--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Color photograph ordered by Holly Homes, Inc., of unidentified one-level home overlooking rapidly moving creek or river. The home was built with several large windows with prime views of the water although the drapes were pulled shut on this spring day in 1973. There is a deck extending the length of one side of the home facing the water, a portion of which has been roofed for protection against the elements. The creek or river is just steps away from the home's lawn.
A Hydra-Unit neatly drops a load of dirt onto a waiting DBM Contractors truck in late May of 1973. The roadwork apparently was being done near Algona. Photograph ordered by Ervin R. Abramson Advertising, Milwaukee, Wisc.
1973 Richards stock footage. Passengers aboard "Grace Lines" peer below at the sight of a mishap involving a new gangplank being installed on the ship. The gangplank, used to allow passage onto or departure from the ship, fell during installation procedures on the morning of September 1, 1973. The gangplank was made by the Port of Tacoma.
1973 Tacoma Home Show. A mock living room, tiny as it appears, still draws several interested visitors due to the solid state television and comfortable chairs. It is possible that the two young men seated before the television are using two controllers to play an early version of a video game. This was the Bon Marche's exhibit booth at the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. For the first time in the show's 27-year history, the six-day event was held at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Hundreds would flock to the Mall on opening day, March 13, 1973.
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Televisions;
Exterior of model home. This is the "Encore 73," an $50,000 luxury home built by Evergreen State Builders for the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. The University Place home was located in the new Woodlake development off Chambers Creek Rd. where an angled driveway led to the model home. The contemporary home had adapted the "hip roof" design for its cedar shake roof. It contained 2,268 sq. ft. on the main floor and another 932 sq. ft. on the upper level. The double car garage contained an additional 540 sq. ft. The model home would be open for touring during the March 13-18th run of the home show. Photograph ordered by Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-7-73, C-15 -article; TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980;
Kitchen area of model home. This is the family-styled kitchen with casual dining area of "La Morada," one of the 1973 Tacoma Home Show permanent site model homes. Sunshine gold was a color abundantly found in this kitchen: gold Formica counter tops, bright yellow walls and golden vinyl linoleum matching the home's entryway. The formal dining room is visible through the doorway. There is a large empty wine rack, the height of the adjacent refrigerator, in the kitchen. The model home was located in University Place at 8504 - 45th St. W. It was built by Orville Island Constructon Co. whose homes were designed to contain self-cleaning ranges, garbage disposals, custom-crafted cabinets, and automatic dishwashers. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert-article)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980; Kitchens--University Place--1970-1980;
1973 Richards stock footage. A large crane, rented from Star Iron & Steel, is pictured in action on October 24, 1973, at the construction site of the new One Stadium Way North Condominiums. The concrete and brick 16-story structure would become known as the "tallest building of grouted masonry on the West Coast." The $1,000,000 highrise was designed by Tacoma architects Swedberg & Associates. Located near the Stadium Way & Division intersection, each floor will contain a single 2400-sq. ft. condo unit. There would be an unrestricted view of Commencement Bay with extensive use of glass on the Bay side. A glimpse of the spires of Stadium High School can be spotted far left in this color photograph. TPL-5018 (TNT 4-15-73, D-10- article)
Hoisting machinery; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; One Stadium Way North Condominiums (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma);
ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Construction was well underway in 1973 regarding St. Joseph's curvilinear styled hospital tower on South "I" St. As this aerial view indicates, two stories of the eventual 189-feet, 14-story tower have been built. 22,000 tons of concrete would be used for construction. The new hospital would be dedicated on December 15, 1974. The old St. Joseph Hospital, across the street in the 1800 block of South "I," would be demolished in 1982.
Hospitals--Tacoma--1970-1980; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Aerial views; St. Josephs Hospital & School of Nursing (Tacoma);
The Aardvark 100 machine is pictured on April 4, 1973, at Soil Sampling Service, Puyallup. The Aardvark was able to run on rough terrain as it proceeded to drill through hillsides and other obstacles. Photograph ordered by Soil Sampling Service.
Officials of the Afifi Shrine participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for their new temple at 815 So. Vassault Street on August 9, 1973. All the men were wearing the familiar fez which included the member's rank within the Shrine. The new headquarters would be located on a 24-acre tract north of Tacoma Community College. The mosque and surrounding parking lot occupied five acres. The $200,000 project was designed by Shelton architect Harold Dalke and built by Neeley Construction of Puyallup. The 11,200 sq. ft. facility was expected to be completed in January of 1974. (Same as D163693-10C only B&W.) (TNT 8-12-73, D-4-article; TNT 8-19-73, D-10-article & sketch)
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Ivan the Gorilla, pictured here on September 5, 1973, was synonymous with the B&I Circus Store. People came from far and wide to see Ivan and visit the heavily advertised "Biggest Little Store in the World." That was exactly what owner Earl Irwin hoped for when he purchased the infant gorilla from an animal trader in the Congo in 1964. At first, Ivan lived with the Irwins as a family pet. By 1967, his size and strength made him a domestic liability and he was moved permanently to the pictured home at the store. He remained there for 27 years until 1994, when he was first donated to the Woodland Park Zoo and then loaned to the Atlanta Zoo. Ivan died in Atlanta on Monday, August 20, 2012
