Six new officers of the Tacoma Athletic Commission posed for a group portrait at TAC headquarters on December 30, 1969. Included in the group are: President Hal Brotman and Frank Ruffo (front); Hank Semmern, Tom Paine, Dick Greco and Forrest Rodgers (standing). Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission.
Rain Tree. On display in the lobby of the Puget Sound National Bank's main office during the Christmas season of 1969 was the silvery "Rain Tree" created by Ghilarducci Florists. Shimmering strands of white beads dangled from the tree limbs which were also decorated with clusters of balls and velvet bows. Ghilarducci's was a well-known florist with long-term ties to downtown Tacoma. Color photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.
Christmas decorations; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Ghilarducci's California Florists (Tacoma);
Water view of Pennwalt Corp. shortly after Christmas, 1969. By 1969, Pennwalt (formerly known as Pennsalt or Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington) had been operating in Tacoma for 40 years. The company was located on 40-acres of land in Tacoma's Tideflats along the Hylebos Waterway. A leader in chemical production, it would merge with Wallace & Tiernan to form Pennwalt Corp. in 1969. More changes and mergers would occur and by 2004, the company would be known as Arkema, Inc. Photograph ordered by Pennwalt Corp.
Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennwalt Corp. (Tacoma); Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);
Exterior view of Pennwalt Corp. Formerly known as Pennsalt, the chemical producing company was located on 40 acres of land adjacent to the Hylebos Waterway. This view on December 26, 1969, shows one of the large piles of salt used by Pennwalt in daily operations. Doing business in Tacoma since 1929, Pennwalt had originally specialized in caustic soda and liquid chlorine for sale to the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry before diversifying. Photograph ordered by Pennwalt Corp.
Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennwalt Corp. (Tacoma);
Boat launching. An interested crowd watches as the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "John F. Kennedy," slides down the ways into City (now Thea Foss) Waterway on December 20, 1969. Built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the ship had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and would be delivered to Star-Kis Foods on Terminal Island, California. She was a sister ship to the "Mary Antoinette" which had already been delivered to her owners. December 20th also saw the launching of the USS Benicia gunboat by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4) TPL-9451
View of PG-96, the USS Benicia, on launch date of December 20, 1969. The Benicia, the second US Navy ship to bear the name and named after the city of Benicia, California, was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. The 165-foot gunboat had a 24-foot beam and could reach speeds of 40k. She would be commissioned on April 20, 1970 and decommissioned on October 2, 1971. After service in the South Korean navy, the ship was struck from the Naval Register on August 30, 1996, decommissioned and scrapped. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4; www.navsource.org/archives)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Post-launch view of the USS Benicia. The all-aluminum patrol gunboat was successfully launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new shipyard on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. She had been christened by Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. Tacoma's shipbuilders were very busy during the 1960's with orders from the US Navy as well as from individuals, particularly those seeking big fishing vessels. Both Western Boat Building and Tacoma Boatbuilding would operate from new, larger plants on the Hylebos in 1969. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Boat launching. With a mighty swing, Mrs. W.F. Petrovic christened the new patrol gunboat, the USS Benicia, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new $3,000,000 shipyard on the Hylebos Waterway on December 20, 1969. Mrs. Petrovic was the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. The 165-foot vessel, PG-96, was made entirely of aluminum. The Benicia was the 10th of 12 165-foot gunboats being built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. She would be commissioned in April of 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 4-20-69, B-19; TNT 12-21-69, A-4)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;
Boat launching. Saturday, December 20, 1969, saw two major boat launchings in Tacoma. Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, wife of the commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, was the sponsor at the launching of the USS Benicia at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. She is standing with her family in pre-launching ceremonies. The 165-foot all-aluminum patrol gunboat was the first to be launched from one of the plant's 350-foot double ways. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;
Boat launching. The YFB-87 is pictured on December 18, 1969, as she slid down the ways at Western Boat Building's new plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot double-ended car and passenger ferry was built for the Navy and would be towed to Hawaii in May of 1970. She was patterned after the Hiyu which now traveled between Point Defiance and Vashon Island. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
The YFB-87, built for the U.S. Navy, was the first vessel launched from Western Boat Building's new shipbuilding plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. N.E. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot ferry, christened by Mary Petrich, slid down the ways on December 18, 1969. This ferry was not built to operate in Washington waters but instead was towed to Hawaii where she was used for the Pearl Harbor - Ford Island runs. She was completed in May, 1970 and christened "Moko Holo Hele" which means "Ship that goes back and forth". YFB-87 is no longer in service between Pearl Harbor and Ford Island. She went out of service when the Admiral Bernard "Chick" Clarey Bridge opened in April, 1998. (Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.) (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
Boat launching. Mary Petrich, daughter of Western Boat Building vice-president James Petrich, christens the new Pearl-Harbor bound YFB-87 ferry on December 18, 1969. The traditional bottle of champagne has exploded upon impact. The YFB-87 ferry was the first vessel launched at Western Boat's new shipbuilding plant on the Hylebos Waterway. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Mary;
Boat launching. The Hawaii-bound ferry, YFB-87, was successfully launched at Western Boat Building's new facilities on the Hylebos Waterway on December 18, 1969. The 165-foot car and passenger ferry had a 38 car/500 passenger capacity. Built for the U.S. Navy, she would be towed to Hawaii in May of 1970, for use traveling to and from Ford Island to Pearl Harbor. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)
Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);
Ben Cheney (in glasses) and Gene Grant admire part of the first truckload of studs that have arrived at Cheney Lumber's new plant in mid-December, 1969. An unidentified Cheney Lumber employee in hardhat stands by the Hyster forklift. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.
Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Grant, R. Gene; Hoisting machinery; Lumber--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Gene Grant (L) and Ben Cheney (R) watch the Hyster forklift operator carefully lower a stack of studs at Cheney Lumber's new plant on December 16, 1969. This bundled stack was part of the first carload of studs from the new location. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.
Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Grant, R. Gene; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Lumber--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Sea trials. Color photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. of the tuna seiner, "Mary Antoinette," as she churns through the waters of Commencement Bay during ship trials on December 15, 1969. The white ship makes a striking appearance as waves break over her bow; in constrast to the white fishing boat, the blue of the sky seamlessly melds into the clear blue water. After passing her sea trials, the "Mary Antoinette" would be delivered to her San Diego-area owner, Capt. John Zolezzi, Jr. TPL-9476
Sea trials. The tuna seiner, "Mary Antoinette," is pictured on December 15, 1969, undergoing sea trials before she is delivered to her San Diego owner & captain, John Zolezzi, Jr. The fishing boat was built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation and launched on October 11, 1969. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. TPL-9450
Building dedication. With a snip of the giant silvered scissors, Tacoma Mayor-elect Gordon Johnston officially dedicated the Tacoma Mall Office Building on December 12, 1969. The 2.7 million dollar structure was designed by Olympia architects Bennett & Johnson to be soundproof and built of reinforced concrete. Although December 12th was the official building dedication, it had actually already been open for several months. Also present for the dedication were two of the four owners of the building : Joseph A. Price and Mr. and Mrs. John S. Leavitt; Brig. Gen. (Ret) R.L. Scott, J. Henry Helser and Lloyd Beauleaurier, manager of the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. After speeches and champagne, the group toured the building's offices. Photograph ordered by Center Offices, Inc. (TNT 12-13-69, p. 28 - article)
Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma); Scissors & shears;
Tacoma Mall Office Building dedication. Newly elected Tacoma mayor, Gordon Johnston (far right) helped to officially dedicate the Tacoma Mall Office Building on December 12, 1969. The six-story building was one of the first new major office buildings constructed in Tacoma in many years. Located just off Pine Street, the Tacoma Mall Office Building is still in use in 2006. The other two men in the photograph are not positively identified but may have been owners of the building. Photograph ordered by Center Offices, Inc. (TNT 12-13-69, p. 28 -article)
Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma);
Seattle-First National Bank established itself in Tacoma with its purchase of the Bank of Tacoma's four branches. December 1, 1969, was Seattle-First's first day in town. Pictured above are staff members of the South Tacoma branch, 5813 South Tacoma Way, with Joseph H. Blissenbach continuing as branch manager. This branch had been the original main office of the (then) South Tacoma State Bank. The Bank of Tacoma had only been in business since 1963; its president and board of directors would assume roles in the Seattle-First organization. Photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank. (TNT 11-29-69, p. 1)
Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma;
Staff of Seattle-First National Bank's South Tacoma branch. December 1, 1969, was the first day for Seattle-First in Tacoma. The bank, largest in the state with 134 offices, had absorbed the four branches of the Bank of Tacoma. All Bank of Tacoma employees would be retained. This is the staff of the South Tacoma branch, headed by Joseph H. Blissenbach. George D. Van de Mark and Ivar Turnquist were the assistant managers. The Bank of Tacoma had been organized in 1963 as the South Tacoma State Bank and the South Tacoma location was the original main office at that time. Photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank. (TNT 11-29-69, p. 1)
Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma;
Ben Cheney (r) happily received a check for $500 written on a wooden baseball bat from two Cheney Studs "alumni," who had benefited from Mr. Cheney's generosity during their boyhood sports careers. In appreciation, a check was issued dated 11-29-69 payable to Mr. Cheney for use in the Ben Cheney Scholarship Fund. Monte Geiger (far left) and Paul Tomlinson of the newly formed Cheney Studs Alumni Association participated in the presentation. In May, $500 would be presented to a graduating high school senior or college senior who played for the Studs. It was the second scholarship awarded in Mr. Cheney's name. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 12-17-69, C-13)
In 1969, the Hilltop Multi-Service Center lent a helping hand to those whose Thanksgiving may have otherwise been bleak by providing boxes stuffed with nourishing food and drink. Bags of potatoes and cans of soup, salad, and fruit accompanied the fixings for pumpkin pie and cake. Assisting Henrietta Jones fill the first of 75 boxes was Mel Jackson, director of the center. The Hilltop Multi-Service Center was located at 1209 So. I St. , the former site of the First Norwegian Lutheran Church parsonage. Hilltop Multi-Service's annual holiday program to help the disadvantaged would continue to Christmas. Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 11-27-69, A-18)
Randy and Billy Mohan smilingly hold up "Season's Greetings" cards on November 25, 1969. Although it is not yet December, tinsel and holly serve as a holiday background. The two blond haired boys were awaiting the annual Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., Yule-time parties, this year held at several different locations. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 12-14-69, A-17)
The Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. each year sponsored a Christmas party for underprivileged children. Donations were requested from the general public to help make Christmas a happier time for low-income children. Two little children from the day care center at St. John Baptist Church demonstrate how to deposit donations into specially crafted mailboxes while a young lady displays an unfilled pledge card. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.
Mailboxes--Tacoma; Correspondence; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Standing on the front steps of the old Northern Pacific Hospital on November 25, 1969, is Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., board chairman L.H. Pedersen. The ODI had looked to place its new "Humanities Center" at the old railroad hospital if its special-use permit application was approved by the City Planning Commission. ODI offices and agencies, including the Tacoma Narcotics Center, would be housed in one central location. The non-profit private corporation administered 20 units of the War on Poverty program under the Office of Economic Opportunity guidelines. It was decided to postpone its bid for the hospital due to opposition from McKinley Hill residents. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 11-9-69, B-16; TNT 11-14-69, A-9)
Northern Pacific Beneficial Association Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pedersen, L.H.; Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (Tacoma);
In November of 1969, Mayor-elect Gordon Johnston assisted three Senior Girl Scouts in wrapping Christmas presents for the needy. The gifts would be distributed at the third annual Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunities Development, Inc. (ODI) Christmas party, to be held in several different locations in 1969 in order to accommodate more children. Assisting the mayor-elect, the honorary chairman of the citywide celebration, are: (l-r) Jane Evans, Diana Moser and Nancy Nelson. Publicity photo for Tacoma - Pierce County ODI . ALBUM 14. (TNT 11-30-69, A-17)
Soccer team. This team of 9-year-olds was sponsored by philanthropist Ben Cheney. It was one of many "Cheney Studs" teams that was able to participate in amateur sports thanks to Mr. Cheney's generosity. The soccer team, coached by Jim Strader, posed for their group portrait on November 22, 1969, at Lakewood's Forest Park. They are all dressed uniformly except for the boy kneeling in front cradling the ball; presumably the goalie, he is wearing a white jersey. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.
