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 .

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

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

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Ivan, the shopping mall gorilla, stared pensively into the camera from his cage at the B&I Circus Store in September of 1973. Ivan, a Western Lowland gorilla (now an endangered species), had lived in this 14 x 14 cage since 1967. B&I owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin had bought Ivan from an animal trader in the Congo in 1964. Irwin, a master showman, intended to use Ivan to draw crowds to the store. Ivan lived up to his part. From 1967-1994, people came to the B&I to visit with Ivan. As attitudes towards captive animals changed with the times, a "free Ivan" movement developed. After much contention, the Irwin family donated Ivan to the Woodland Park Zoo in 1994. They in turn loaned him permanently to the Atlanta Zoo, where he died on Monday, August 20, 2012

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Ivan the gorilla posed in the doorway separating the two rooms of his cement and steel home at the B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way, in September of 1973. This was Ivan's home for 27 years, from 1967-1994. When it was constructed in 1967, the cage was state of the art. However, as time passed and zoo animals were released from their cages and introduced to "habitats," Ivan still remained alone at the B&I. A "free Ivan" movement developed and 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

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

B&I Circus Store owner Earl Irwin was a master showman and an expert at promotion. His longest running promotion for the store was Ivan, the shopping mall gorilla; pictured here in September of 1973. The gorilla, acquired by Irwin in 1964, was a permanent resident at the B&I from 1967-1994. He lived in a steel and concrete cage with no contact with others of his species. In 1994, after years of controversy over his captivity, he was donated 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

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Tacoma Commercial Bank's new branch. Tacoma Commercial Bank, a "Tacoma Landmark since 1972," opened their first branch on March 16, 1974, at 7020 Pacific Ave., on what was apparently the site of the old King's Drive In No. 1. The one-story structure was built of wood with a shake roof. It had a drive-up window for patrons' convenience. An imposing stand-alone sign rising high above power lines advertised the bank's presence. Included on the sign was a digital clock feature; it may also have listed the date and temperature as well. Gary M. Hershey was appointed the branch's first manager. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Commercial Bank. (TNT 3-3-74, H-11 article; TNT Ad 3-12-74, A-3)

Tacoma Commercial Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor celebrated its grand opening on May 21, 1974, with dignitaries enjoying a bite of red licorice instead of the traditional red ribbon snipping. Located in the west end portion of the Tacoma Mall, Farrell's offered delicious hamburgers and other delicacies as well as mountains of ice creams in many flavors. It was an old fashioned ice cream parlor, believed to be the 84th in a large chain. Food was not served sedately but with much horn blowing and drum beating, especially for soon-to-be popular birthday parties. Color photograph ordered by Gerber Advertising, Portland. (TNT 5-22-74, B-12 -article)

Farrells Ice Cream Parlor (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980;

July 12, 1974 was the grand reopening of the Roxy Theatre located at 901 Broadway. A family film, Disney's "Herbie Rides Again," was the first-run feature in the newly remodeled and refurbished motion picture theater. The Roxy had been closed since May of 1973. It was one of the five theaters owned by Will Conner recently sold to the Mullendore family of Auburn. In 1975 the Tacoma Community Development Department began to explore the idea of taking over the building to create a showcase for the performing arts. The City purchased the building in 1979 and it, once again known as the Pantages, opened as a performing arts center in February of 1983. Also in this photograph is the Winthrop Hotel, across the street from the Roxy. The Deli, a new restaurant located on the site's ground floor, was scheduled to open in July of 1974. Photograph ordered by the North Pacific Trade Center, Inc. BU -11178 (TNT 7-9-74, A-5 article on reopening; Kipp: Tacoma Rediviva, p. 74-article )

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

July 12, 1974 was the grand reopening of the Roxy Theatre located at 901 Broadway. A family film, Disney's "Herbie Rides Again," was the first-run feature in the newly remodeled and refurbished motion picture theater. The Roxy had been closed since May of 1973. It was one of the five theaters owned by Will Conner recently sold to the Mullendore family of Auburn. In 1975 the Tacoma Community Development Department began to explore the idea of taking over the building to create a showcase for the performing arts. The City purchased the building in 1979 and it, once again known as the Pantages, opened as a performing arts center in February of 1983. Also in this photograph is the Winthrop Hotel, across the street from the Roxy. The Deli, a new restaurant located on the site's ground floor, was scheduled to open in July of 1974. Color photograph ordered by the North Pacific Trade Center, Inc. BU -11178 (TNT 7-9-74, A-5 article on reopening; Kipp: Tacoma Rediviva, p. 74-article )

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Back of Photo:
Lyle Swenson in his Autorest Cafe in Cle Elum

CLE ELUM--The Autorest Cafe, known to travelers for its pastry and a back bar that came 'round Cape Horn, will change ownership on Sept. 15 after being in the same family since 1918.
Many cross-state travelers have stopped at the venerable place, operated for the past 30 years by Lois and Lyle Swenson of Cle Elum. They have sold the restaurant to Ron and Donna Voight of the Tacoma area. Voight has been with Safeway.
The massive back bar of dark, Honduras mahogany is the dominant piece. Visitors who sat at the counter and saw themselves in the bar's broad mirrors wouldn't know its history unless they read the sign.
Hand-carved and built in Alabama in 1897 by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., the bar was shipped around Cape Horn to Seattle, where it embellished the old Mecca Saloon on First Avenue in 1915. The bar was moved and installed in the Autorest Cafe, Cle Elum, in 1918.

United Mutual Savings Bank. This photograph of the new headquarters of United Mutual Savings Bank was taken on January 28, 1975, just two weeks before its formal dedication. This is a view of the six-story precast concrete building from the 11th & Broadway side. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank.

United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1970-1980;

New downtown United Mutual Savings Bank building. Located on 11th St. between Broadway & Commerce, the statewide headquarters of United Mutual Savings Bank was formally dedicated on Friday, February 14, 1975. Mayor Gordon Johnston presided over the noontime dedication ceremonies. He and United Mutual Savings Bank president Howard Scott placed documents in a sealed time vault. The six-story structure, built of precast concrete, cost $6,000,000. It was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. The bank would subsequently take out several large ads in the News Tribune thanking the public for their attendance at the dedication. (TNT 2-13-75, B-2 - article; TNT 2-17-75, A-16 - ad)

United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1970-1980;

New United Mutual Savings Bank headquarters. This view of the massive new savings bank building is believed to be looking from So. 11th St. The structure, dedicated on Friday, February 14, 1975, was located on So. 11th between Commerce & Broadway. Other views of the building are shown on D165624, image 3 and image 1. The six-story precast concrete building was designed by the Tacoma architectural firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by McDonald Construction Co. It apparently took nearly two years to complete.

United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Board of Directors- Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association. Retired Chairman of the Board Gerrit VanderEnde (seated, far left) and current Chairman and president H. Dewayne Kreager (next to Mr. VanderEnde) were among the directors of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association who met on April 16, 1975. Retired Puget Sound National Bank Chairman Reno Odlin was also present, seated on the extreme right. The color photograph was taken on the thrid floor, reception area. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1970-1980; VanderEnde, Gerrit; Kreager, H. Dewayne; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979;

Daily operations at Dalgety Foods. Assembly line workers inspect bags of vegetables, possibly corn, as the bags pass by on the conveyor belt. Dalgety Foods were frozen vegetable and fruit processors. Photograph ordered by Dalgety Foods.

Dalgety Foods (Tacoma); Food industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Vegetables--Tacoma; Assembly-line methods--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Daily operations at Dalgety Foods. Sparklets Green Peas boxes are possibly being filled with the vegetables or lids mechanically sealed via assembly-line methods in this April, 1978, photograph at the Dalgety Foods plant. Photograph ordered by Dalgety Foods.

Dalgety Foods (Tacoma); Food industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Vegetables--Tacoma; Boxes; Assembly-line methods--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Daily operations at Dalgety Foods. Dalgety Foods were frozen vegetable and fruit processors. A Dalgety employee pictured above in April of 1978 is examining trays of Western Family Cut Corn, Bel-Air Green Peas and a succotash mixture. Photograph ordered by Dalgety Foods.

Dalgety Foods (Tacoma); Food industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Vegetables--Tacoma; Peas--Tacoma;

Dalgety Foods shipment. A White truck is either delivering or transporting Dalgety Foods frozen food products in this 1978 photograph. Dalgety foods were frozen vegetable and fruit processors and wholesalers with offices in Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Dalgety Foods.

Dalgety Foods (Tacoma); Food industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Trucks--1970-1980; Shipping;

Daily operations at Dalgety Foods. A young Dalgety worker sifts through a wide conveyor belt full of vegetables, probably corn, on April 27, 1978. Dalgety Foods was a frozen foods processor and wholesaler located at 1501 Pacific Ave. Photograph ordered by Dalgety Foods.

Dalgety Foods (Tacoma); Food industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Vegetables--Tacoma;

Unidentified restaurant. The restaurant is empty at this time except for one employee in the background. Once open, donuts, pies, and pastries could be ordered as well as hamburgers and other dishes. Customers could sit at either booths or separate tables. Color photographs ordered by S & W Management.

Restaurants;

Unidentified restaurant in Des Moines photographed in December of 1978. A customer is placing an order with the restaurant's cashier as others dine peacefully. This is possibly a restaurant called the Pie Pantry where cut pies, ala mode, and whole pies to go could be purchased. Apparently other, more meatier dishes could be obtained as well as the condiments on the surrounding tables attest. Color photograph ordered by S & W Management.

Restaurants--Des Moines;

Restaurant in unidentified Mall. This may be a quick dining establishment called "Kitchen Burgers" as pictured in December of 1978. A partial glimpse into the restaurant shows a number of booths adjoining the bumped-out windows and separate tables within. Earth tones of copper and ivory are found both on the interior and exterior of the restaurant. Color photograph ordered by S & W Management.

Restaurants;

ca. 1979. The skyline in 1979 was adorned with the ornate turrets of the Samson Hotel, 1152-56 Fawcett Ave. It was built in 1889 and designed by F.A. Sexton, architect. The Hotel was converted to apartments in 1928. After several fires, the building was demolished in 1989. The site, in 2007, is a vacant lot.

Samson Hotel (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. View through cafe windows of businesses across the street, circa 1979.

Cafes--Tacoma; Cityscapes--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Interior of unidentified beauty shop, circa 1979.

Beauty shops--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. The gaily striped awning decorates the exterior of Tutor Craft Interiors at 1531 Market St. In 1979, a newly remodeled store had opened following a disastrous fire in Jan. of 1978. The business had opened in 1944 and specialized in custom draperies.

Fabric shops--Tacoma; Draperies; Textiles; Tutor Craft Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1979. View from the intersection of 13th St. and Tacoma Ave So. of the Bacon Building, 1151-55 Tacoma Ave. So. The structure was built in 1888 and has been home to many businesses; most recently, the Tux Shop (2000-2003) and Aster Technology Institute.

Tux Shop (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. West Coast Grocery Co. building, 1732-38 Pacific Ave., circa 1979. The structure was built in 1890 from a design by Proctor & Dennis, architects. It is now part of the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma);