Exterior beauty salon. The Grandchamp Beauty Salon in Seattle was a modern, well-equipped beauty shop. Not only was hair cut, curled and permed on the premises but like the beauty salon of today, various beautifying products were also sold to the salon's customers. Hazel Bishop's collection and Dermetics skin care were just a few of the items offered. Comfortable, modernistic chairs were provided for those waiting, with wide picture windows for viewing the busy Pine Street activities. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Beauty Supply Co.
Grandchamp Beauty Salon (Seattle); Beauty shops--Seattle; Show windows--Seattle; Facades--Seattle; Tacoma Beauty Supply Co. (Tacoma);
ca. 1930. Copy of customer print. Employees of the Tacoma Bread Co. stand proudly in front of their fleet of delivery trucks in a photograph possibly taken in the 1930's. This was a far cry from the horse and buggy used to deliver bread to South Tacoma families when the bakery first started in the 1920's. The Tacoma Bread Co. was a long-time local bakery that was well-known for Manthou's Kream Krust Bread. Run by the Chris Manthou family, it expanded its facilities many times through the years. This old print was copied for the Tacoma Bread Co. on August 23, 1954; actual date of print is unknown.
Exterior of Barks Musicians Supply Co. Owned by Theo R. Barks and Earl E. Barks, the Barks Musicians Supply Co. had moved from their South 7th and Saint Helens Avenue address to a modern spacious new store in the Bernice Building in September, 1954. The Barks Musicians Supply supplied Tacoma's musicians with band instruments, accessories and sheet music. They also sold televisions, radios and high fidelity phonographs; a complete repair department was also available to customers. Barks celebrated its grand opening on September 29, 1954. Children received musical toys at the grand opening when accompanied by their parents. Theo R. Barks had 47 years experience in the music business. He formerly was one of the leading clarinetists on the West Coast. Earl Barks was the former assistant director for the 13th and 17th Naval District bands. View of exterior of Barks showing window displays of saxophones, trumpets, drums and stringed instruments; neon signs with musical notes decorate the exterior. (TNT 9-28-54, A-4)
Barks Musicians Supply Co. (Tacoma); Music stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A Naturalizer shoe display at Lloyd-Friesen, Inc. on 9th and Broadway was photographed for Family Circle magazine on September 23, 1954. Small posters advertising Naturalizer's Scottie twins are placed on and in front of the tables holding the shoes. The shoes are displayed at an angle, with some lifted as if an invisible woman were in the process of walking. Only six pairs are on display, leaving the tables relatively uncrowded, with a copy of Family Circle magazine upright in the center. Photograph ordered by Family Circle Magazine, New York.
Shoes; Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lloyd-Friesen, Inc. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Family Circle Magazine (New York);
Exterior shopping center. Lakewood was already a thriving community by 1954 as residents were starting to move from crowded urban areas to more open land in the suburbs. The Lakewood Thriftway supermarket was located in a small shopping center along with a Texaco gas station and Hamlin Cleaners. Built by the March Building Co., it was a concrete block contemporary styled building with a parking lot that would hold 300 cars. The supermarket would hold its grand opening October 7-9, 1954, with free entertainment and gifts for customers, including a performance by Cherokee Jack, merry-go-round and pony rides for children, free orchids, coffee, cake and ice cream plus free groceries. Lakewood Thriftway would offer soft background music played while the customers shopped and seven ultra-modern checkout stands. View of empty parking lot of shopping center with Texaco station to the left foreground and the dry cleaners and Thriftway to the rear. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., Inc., possibly for advertising purposes. (TNT 10-6-54, B-5)
Thriftway Food Stores (Lakewood); Grocery stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Hamlin Cleaners (Lakewood); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Employees of United Pacific Insurance Company are shown scrutinizing typed reports at company headquarters on October 28, 1954. The man seated is possibly Morris Brown, company vice-president. United Pacific Insurance had 15 branch offices throughout the county in addition to several claims offices. It was not just a local firm but was a presence nationally in 32 states plus the District of Columbia and Alaska. United Pacific moved into new quarters in January, 1955, as a $500,000 addition to the Medical Arts Building was finally completed. Photograph ordered by United Pacific Insurance.
United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Insurance companies--Tacoma;
Although organized in Seattle in the 1920's, United Pacific Insurance Company decided to move their headquarters to Tacoma after purchasing the Medical Arts Building in the early 1940's. Their new addition to the Medical Arts Building would open in early 1955 and contain new quarters for their company. Here two employees of United Pacific Insurance look over data from the Sanborn Map Co. concerning information about North "E" Street on October 28, 1954. Several other Sanborn Map volumes are filed nearby, including Vol. 2 for Tacoma and three volumes for Portland. Photograph ordered by United Pacific Insurance Co.
United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Insurance companies--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Maps;
A long line of trucks and cement mixers is stationed outside the Holroyd Co. plant on South Washington St. in November, 1954. The Holroyd Co., owned by James Holroyd, was a supplier of all kinds of building materials, sand and gravel, steel windows and manufacturers of concrete masonry units. Their products were used throughout Tacoma and Western Washington. Their mixers were capable of churning out several hundred cubic yards of concrete mix a day. View of trucks, mixers, storage units and loading machines; photograph commissioned by the Holroyd Co.
Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Cement industries--Tacoma; Concrete industries--Tacoma; Building materials; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Concrete mixers;
Reno Odlin, president of Puget Sound National Bank, poses in front of his own portrait. This is the formal presentation of the portrait, painted by Tacoma artist Mrs. Horace Fogg, at the Lakewood branch of the bank. The portrait was unveiled January 6, 1955 for bank officials and a few close friends to see for the first time. The unveiling was followed by a buffet supper hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Odlin, with Mrs. Fogg as the guest of honor. The oil painting is one of a number of portraits made by Fogg of well known Tacomans. (TNT 1/9/1955, pg. D-9)
Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Portraits;
United Pacific Insurance Co.'s Open House, January 4, 1955, in their new office building. The new building was designed by John Graham Co., Architects, to complement the Medical Arts building. The new building would take almost 2 years to complete and cost close to 1/2 million dollars. The five story building would be used primarily by United Pacific for their home office. The company had 15 branch offices throughout the county, plus a number of claim service offices. It operated in 32 states, plus Alaska and the District of Columbia. The main business of the company was contract bonding, but it also offered auto, fire, marine and hazard insurance on a wholesale basis. In this picture, a group of people study the guest register. (TNT 1/5/1955, pg. 18)
Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers, general view from Broadway. New Chrysler in showroom window, neon signs, used car department. Medical Arts building can be seen behind the Stevens structure. Building was also known as the Griggs building and was built in 1917.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysler automobile; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Night exposure of Weisfield's Inc. General Electric window, including the free 15 day home trial of small appliances. Weisfield's customers could "try it, then buy it" and on easy credit terms too. Pictured are clocks, clock radios, mixers, toasters, irons, electric frying pans and electric blankets. Window display does not say what the store did with any returned appliances.
Department stores--Tacoma; Window displays; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Weisfield's, Inc. (Tacoma); Appliances;
Barcott's Sea Food; interiors of restaurant as seen in April of 1955. Owner John E. Barcott, Jr. was a member of one of Tacoma's pioneer restaurant operating families. Located near the intersection of 38th & Pine, Barcott's was considered to be at the exact geographical center of the city. Its spacious dining room, as befits a seafood and steak restaurant, was decorated with fishing gear, nets and life rings stamped with Barcott's. The restaurant had its Grand Opening in May of 1953.
Barcott's Sea Food; interiors of spacious restaurant. Owner John E. Barcott, Jr. had 15 years of experience in restaurants, as did his night manager Domi Petronivich. Their seafood and steak house had a nautical theme, decorated with fishing gear and nets. Ample seating can be seen at tables and booths, as well as a counter at the left of the picture. The tables have a small lamp and a bud vase with a few daffodils. Part of the kitchen can be been at the back left hand side of the picture. The cash register area is at the right rear, with a cigarette machine and lighted shelving displaying seashells. Their convenient location near 38th & Pine also had ample free parking.
Group of men, in butcher's coats and one in a chef's uniform, eye some meat hanging at the Central Market. The meat has a ribbon denoting it as a prize winner in the 4H and F.F.A. Junior Livestock show. The prize winning entries were often auctioned off to area restaurants who both served the meat and considered it a contribution to the education of future cattlemen.
Central Market (Tacoma); Meat; Butcher shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Earl and Inez Russell smilingly pose with banjos. Photograph ordered by Steve's Cafe (also known as Steve's Gay Nineties.) The Russells lived at 1417 Browns Point Blvd. Their occupation was listed in the 1956 City Directory as "musicians" at Steve's Gay Nineties. Earl Russell was featured in the Steve's ads as part of the continuous music provided in Steve's Gay 90's and Cable Car Rooms. Steve's became famous throughout the Northwest for offering entertainment as well as great food at a reasonable price. It became a "must see" for out of town guests and a regular hang out for locals.
Andy's Service Station, featuring Mobilgas, at 4801 So. Park Ave. Photos ordered by the General Petroleum Corp. Andy's was owned by Vincent M. Anderson. In addition to pumping Mobilgas, the station also sold tires and had a garage. One car can be seen on the lift in the garage. The winged horse logo of Mobil can be seen in several locations. According to the building index, the station was originally built in 1923.
Andy's Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mobilgas--Tacoma;
Doug Garrett's Service station. Photos ordered by the General Petroleum Corp. The station was owned by Douglas E. Garrett, who had previously operated the station with a partner as Doug & Cliff's. The station sold Mobilgas and also had a repair garage.
Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Doug Garrett's Service Station (Tacoma);
Interiors at Fletchers Grocery in Parkland. Photos ordered by the Jack Frost Co. Packs of cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco line the shelves behind the checkers. As the woman checker enters the prices in the cash register, two bag boys box the groceries. Signs indicate that this is the store's Grand Opening. Numerals indicate different areas of the aisles. The aisles are wide enough for carts and well stocked with canned and boxed goods.
The interior of the Market Street Tavern, for the Washington State License & Beverage Association. George Koukles & Arthur T. Charuhas are listed as the owners in the 1955 City Directory. Booths line the right and left sides of the picture. The center section is occupied by a circular bar. On the booth tables and every few feet on the counter are Shyvers's Multiphones. They were telephones connected to an operator who would spin your selected record for a fee. The music was transmitted back via phone lines. Round built-in stools provide seating at the bar. A center island holds glasses and liquors and is topped by a shelf of displayed beer cans and bottles. Very modernistic light fixtures incorporate neon lighting. Photograph used in a Tacoma News Tribune special feature on taverns. The caption emphasized the new look of modern taverns, with greater luxury and attractive appointments replacing the dark look of earlier years. (TNT 5/30/1955, pg. 25)
Exterior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. The 40 x 100 foot building was of modern design. It was build of Roman brick and ceramic tile. The north side of the building glittered, being made almost entirely of plate glass and polished aluminum. Customers could enter from Pacific Avenue and also from the north end of the building.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. Lea, Pearson and Richards served as the architects on this branch bank built in 1955. Construction was of brick, tile and aluminum. In the fifties, the banks followed the flow of population out of the cities and into the suburbs. While leaving their grand financial institutions open downtown for the largely business trade, small friendly neighborhood branches were built to attract individual customers. The branches offered lots of parking and efficient, convenient services.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A man points at the bottles inside the serve-yourself refrigerator at the Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern. The Park Way operated at this location from 1951-1957 and was owned by Al Moody. A counter and stools and a neon sign for Columbia Ale can be seen behind the man. The refrigerator is in the novelty shape of a bottle and holds 7-Up, Bubble up, Nesbit, Pepsi-Cola, Old Colony, Coca-Cola, Can-a-Pop Grape, Heidelberg beer and Squirt. TPL-7954
Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern (Tacoma); Refrigerators; Carbonated beverages; Beer
A beaming unidentified man helped himself to a six-pack of Heidelberg from the serve-yourself refrigerator at the Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern at 313 North I Street on June 7, 1955. The Park Way operated at this location from 1951-1957 and was owned by Al Moody. A counter and stools and a neon sign for Columbia Ale can be seen behind the man. The refrigerator is in the novelty shape of a floor-to-ceiling bottle and holds ice-cold 7up, Bubble Up, Nesbit, Pepsi-cola, Old Colony, Coca-Cola, Can-a-Pop Grape, Heidelberg beer and Squirt. This is currently the location of the Parkway Tavern. TPL-6630
Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern (Tacoma); Refrigerators; Carbonated beverages; Beer;
The exterior of Craig Furniture Co. The building exterior is painted with "ranges, furniture, rugs and radios." Craig offered name brand furniture as well as some appliances, oil heaters and floor coverings for sale. Sharing the storefront at ground level are G.D. Phillips Co. shoes and Leroy Jewelers.
Craig Furniture, Inc. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;
American Wholesale Grocers. Interiors of new IGA Foodtown store located at Park Ave. and Airport Way. The end cap is a display of ABC fig bars. The cookies sell for $.49. The sign shows the "world's largest fig bar" and proclaims when better fig bars are made, ABC will make them. The Grand Opening of the store would begin August 17 and continue for 4 days. During that time, free coffee and cake would be served, every lady shopper would receive a free gift and an orchid and a Shetland pony with saddle and bridle would be one prize of many given away. (TNT 8/16/1955, pg. 7-10)
IGA Foodtown (Parkland); Grocery stores--1950-1960; Supermarkets;
Munson-Smith Motors dedicated its 100,000 square foot motor center August 19-20, 1955. Its vast used car and truck lots can be seen on the left, with the new car show rooms, service garage and administrative offices on the right. Munson-Smith was a Dodge and Plymouth dealer located between downtown Tacoma and South Tacoma on Highway 99. They offered both sales and service. Company officers were Ed Munson, president; Don Munson, vice-pres. and Alberta Smith, secretary-treasurer. The company had 65 employees and an annual payroll of over $300,000. Gross sales were approximately 2 1/2 million per year. (TNT 8/18/1955, pg. 11)
Exterior of National Bank of Washington's Industrial branch on the Tideflats. National Bank of Washington was the first to offer complete banking facilities to the more than 200 businesses on the Tideflats and their numerous employees. It was also handy to the growing communities of Federal Way, Browns Point, Fife and Milton. The building was built of "pre-stressed concrete" with the northwest side of floor to ceiling glass for natural lighting.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior view of Puget Sound National Bank's temporary Lakewood branch. As the 1950's began, so did urban flight. Population in the suburbs was booming and the bank followed its customers. In 1952, Puget Sound opened its Lakewood branch adjacent to the Lakewood Center and took in nearly $2 million in deposits by the end of its first year. Lakewood opened in temporary headquarters- a 35 x 75 foot plywood building- 10 working days after obtaining the Comptroller's approval. The permanent branch opened on 10-5-1953. ("Banking on Independence" by Barry L. Provorse)
Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;
Exposure of 50,000 parking tickets being given away at Puget Sound National Bank's new downtown parking lot. As more people moved to the suburbs and relied more on their automobiles, the downtown branch of Puget Sound added an "auto teller" for drive through banking and a new customer parking lot to entice customers to come downtown.
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
