On Friday the 13th of January, 1950, the worst blizzard in years hit Tacoma. The gale brought five foot snow drifts, twenty degree chills, several hours of 40-60 mph winds and an estimated million dollars worth of storm damage in Tacoma. As pictured, the bulkhead near the "bow" of the Top of the Ocean, the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Ruston Way nightclub shaped like a ship, collapsed. However, the club itself did not suffer extensive damage. Waves 20 feet high broke over Ruston Way during the storm. The freezing temperatures brought in by the storm stayed until the middle of the following week. In the background is the Henry Mill. Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. TPL-8836

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts; Storms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On February 6, 1950, Pacific Lutheran College students gaily tossed their shoes off at the door to enjoy the Stocking Shuffle Dance in the gymnasium. Rhoda Young (right), head of the women's physical education department, was on hand to judge most holey, colorful and biggest pairs of socks. Among the finalists in the competition were Walter Masters, Raymond Green and Florence Brandstetter. The prize for the winners was, appropriately, three new pairs of socks. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 2/9/1950, p.C-6)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Dance parties--Parkland--1950-1960; Hosiery; Young, Rhoda;

Interior of C & G Radio Shop. This view shows the business offices for C & G Radio Shop, a wholesaler of radio, television and electronic parts. A wall with large windows separates the offices from the showroom area. Two wooden desks are set close to the windows. Each desk has a rotary dial telephone, a lamp, and organizers for incoming and outgoing items. Another office with windows into the larger office area and a door is seen in the back.

C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office furniture; Office equipment & supplies;

Interior of C & G Radio Shop. A view of the display shelves, sales counters and parts storage areas at the wholesale distributor's showroom for radio, television and electronics parts. TPL-9680

C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The exterior of Post Theater at Fort Lewis recently completed by Construction Engineers & Contractors. Fort Lewis was established in 1917 as Camp Lewis at the start of World War I and it covered about 62,000 acres. It has since been increased to about 94,000 acres. It is the military center of the Northwest and has sub-posts at several locations throughout the state. TPL-10351

Construction Engineers & Contractors (Tacoma); Post Theater (Fort Lewis); Motion picture theaters--Fort Lewis;

Four new Dodge trucks from the Irwin Jones Motor Company are parked in front of the Diamond F Meat Company. The DeLuxe "Route Van" bodies were designed, developed and built in Tacoma by the Irwin-Jones Motor company in their truck center. Ordered by Walt Dunlop, truck division. This photograph was used in an advertisement in the Tacoma News Tribune, 2/14/1950, p.A-14.

Diamond F Meat Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dodge trucks; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A large crowd is in attendance at the Elks Temple. Members of the orchestra are seated at the front of the auditorium near the stage. Murals decorate the walls above large panels. A statue of an elk is seen on the far side of the room. Several people are seen standing in the balcony at the back of the room. TPL-8448

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Audiences--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Before photograph of kitchen at 3716 North 37th Street, owned by Harold Stamey, Stamey Insurance Service, Inc. This view from the kitchen into the breakfast nook includes the archway to the eating area with a small table and chairs and another door, possibly leading to the basement. A heating vent is seen at floor level. Another door, that appears to be a swinging door, leads into the house at the back of the breakfast nook.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Breakfast rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey, Harold--Homes & haunts;

Before photograph of kitchen at 3716 North 37th Street, owned by Harold Stamey, Stamey Insurance Service, Inc. This view from the breakfast nook into the kitchen the includes the archway and two built-in cabinets in the breakfast room, a corner cabinet on the left and an overhead cabinet on the right. A child's high chair stands near the corner where a pencil sharpener and note paper dispenser are attached to the wall. Looking into the kitchen, a refrigerator sits in a space left between the back door and the stove with built-in cupboards above it.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Breakfast rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey, Harold--Homes & haunts;

Before photograph of kitchen at 3716 North 37th Street, owned by Harold Stamey, Stamey Insurance Service, Inc. This view provides a look into the kitchen from one of the living areas of the two story home. A bathroom is seen through the open door on the right. The front room has an ivy leaf patterned wallpaper and the bathroom has a floral wallpaper above a painted wainscotting. The kitchen has a patchwork patterned linoleum on the floor. A large, oval mirror hangs on the wall between the doors to the bathroom and kitchen. A coat stand is in front of the mirror.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Interiors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wallpapers; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey, Harold--Homes & haunts;

Interiors of homes ordered by Wm. W. Tietz. A view of an early 1950's kitchen. The working areas of the kitchen are lined against opposing walls with light-colored, shiny surfaced cabinets above and below the working surfaces. The walls are also light colored and the floor covering is a muted, light shade. Venetian blinds cover the windows, one over the sink and one in the breakfast nook. A rotary dial telephone sits on the counter with only a cookie jar to join it. A door at the back of the kitchen is closed.

Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Breakfast rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This photograph from February, 1950, shows part of the engine rebuilding shop at TAM Engineering Corp, 3033 So. Lawrence St. Four workmen are assembling and bench testing rebuilt Ford "flathead" V8 engines. The TAM plant was the most modern Ford Authorized engine rebuilding plant in the Pacific Northwest. By 1950, they had already rebuilt over 50,000 engines and small parts for dealers in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. TAM Engineering Corp. was acquired by the Oklahoma City-based firm, Autocraft Industries, in 1995. (TNT 2-14-1950, A-4) TPL-8482

Machine shops--Tacoma; TAM Engineering Corp. (Tacoma);

Sepic Electric employees are gathered for a group portrait outside the remodeled facilities. The furniture and appliance store was owned by Stan and Fred Sepic. Several of the men wearing coveralls are standing by the company's three delivery trucks. Administrative staff are standing by the show windows. The company advertises Kelvinator and Maytag appliances. Ordered by Stan Sepic. (TNT, 2/14/1950, p.D-14) TPL-8167

Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Flatbed with tractor manufactured by South Tacoma Welding. Two men stand behind the newly completed flatbed trailer with three sets of wheels at the back. It is set onto a tractor with a fifth-wheel hitch. The company specialized in welding and steel fabrication and were manufacturers of Bos-car, low bed and semi trailers, hoists and dump bodies. Ordered by Nick Bosko, Jr. owner of South Tacoma Welding.

South Tacoma Welding & Equipment Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1950-1960; Equipment industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trailers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Welding--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A view of the game room at the Tacoma Club. Square tables with four chairs around each are set on a floor decorated with alternating colors of linoleum tile. The walls are covered with knotty-pine paneling. The windows are covered with venetian blinds and flowered draperies. Earl Reynolds.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Recreation rooms--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma;

Pacific Lutheran College dedicated their new $200,000 Science Hall October 1947. Architectural studies, ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, Charles Pearson.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

The Right Reverend Stephen Fielding Bayne, Jr. in Raynor Chapel at Annie Wright Seminary. Photo taken for The Shield, Annie Wright Seminary's yearbook, 1950 issue. In 1959, in a surprise move, Rt. Rev. Bayne was elected to head the world wide, 40 million member Anglican Communion with headquarters in London. In a new position created for him, he would coordinate activities of 15 different autonomous churches, including the Episcopal Church of the United States. He would operate as spokesman and leader of the world organization, in hopes of unifying all of its diverse factions. Rt. Rev. Bayne had headed the diocese of Western Washington in Olympia for 12 years. At 52 years of age, Rt. Rev. Bayne had also previously served as a reporter on the Wall Street Journal, as a Navy chaplain and as the Chairman of the Department of Religion at Columbia University. A native of New York City, he was educated at Amherst, ordained in 1932 and consecrated as the Bishop of Olympia in 1947. He was well known as a speaker, famous for his wit and sense of humor. (TNT 4/19/1959, pg. 1, 4/20/1959, pg. 7)

Chapels--Tacoma; Raynor Chapel (Tacoma); Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Bayne, Stephen Fielding; Vestments;

H. A. Briggs, owner of Briggs Construction, and staff looking over the plot map of the construction area for Lakewood Manor, estate addition in Lakewood. Lakewood Manor addition was designed with estate sized lots with 3 bedroom homes containing fireplaces, Delco automatic heat, GE appliances, and attached garages. In the photograph, left to right, are Verne Spillman, general sales manager, H.A. Briggs, President of Briggs Construction, W.P. Miller, sales manager, Ed Taylor, construction superintendant, and James Gardner, architect.

Construction--Lakewood--1950-1960; Construction industry--Lakewood--1950-1960; Briggs Construction Co. (Tacoma); Spillman, Verne; Briggs, H.A.; Miller, W.P.; Taylor, Ed; Gardner, James;

The decoration committee at work on the arrangements for a "Shamrock" dinner dance held by the Tacoma Country and Golf Club on St. Patrick's Day 1950. Dinner was scheduled from 8-9 p.m., followed by dancing from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Cutting out the decorations are, left to right, Mrs. Richard D. Turner, Mrs. Don G. Willard, Mrs. Paul Ingvalson, Mrs.Thomas M. Heard, and Mrs. Gerald F. Child. Mr. & Mrs. Ingvalson were co-chairmen for the formal affair. (TNT 3/14/1950 pg. 11) TPL-8639

Country clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Saint Patrick's Day; Holidays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Studio portrait for Glamour magazine. Evelyn L. Deans. 2348 So. Fawcett Ave. Miss Deans is neatly attired in a cinched waist suit with a straight skirt and matching gloves, handbag, hat and pumps.

Deans, Evelyn L.; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats--1950-1960; Fashion models; Gloves; Handbags;

Layout on style show at Lakewood Terrace, Young Mens Business Club, Women's Auxiliary. Club members, left to right, Mrs. William H. Bottcher, Lona Potucek Huseby, pianist for the affair, and Jane (Mrs. Bert) Sundgren, dressed in whimsical and stylish hats, admire the umbrella girl table decorations for the April 6th, 1950 style show. (TNT 4/10/1950, pg. 8)

Hats--1950-1960; Young Mens Business Club, Womens Auxiliary (Tacoma); Huseby, Lona Potucek; Sundgren, Jane;

Studio portrait of Curtis Hays, attached to the medical company of the 23rd Infantry stationed at Ft. Lewis. Mr. Hays wears a dark leather jacket and wide necktie.

Hays, Curtis; Men--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coats; Neckties; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The family dog posed outside the exterior of a new ranch block home. The home, nestled in the northwest evergreens, displayed lots of windows to let in the light and a single car garage.Photo ordered by Holroyd Co., manufacturer of concrete blocks, at 5047 S. Washington, Tacoma. As construction boomed, and wood became scarcer, even in the Northwest, concrete became a common construction material. Holyroyd manufactured a product that was economical and versatile, coming in a variety of colors and textures.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pets; Dogs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of unidentified new fifties style ranch home, Rex Harrington, contractor, built by Kendall Construction. The rambler has a one car garage, a chimney indicating the presence of a fireplace and steps leading up to the front door. A brick surround flowerbed in front of the house remains empty until landscaping is complete.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A house and shed perch atop a cliff where dirt has been removed for construction near Puyallup Ave. in Tacoma. This is possibly the site being prepared for the construction of the new sanitation plant.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alleys--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Before shot of 5643 So. Birmingham St., home of Harry Good, for Linwood Sales. Photograph taken on March 27, 1950.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Good, Harry--Homes & haunts; Then & now comparisons; Linwood Sales Co. (Tacoma);

After shot of 2104 So. 8th St., siding and roofing remodel by Economy Roofing and Siding.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Then & now comparisons;

Before shot of Bungalow style house at 1022 No. Prospect St. for a Seattle remodeling company.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Then & now comparisons;

Jack Boyle of the Lakewood Figure Skating Club. Jack Boyle and Patsy Hamm were Pacific Coast Senior Pairs Champions in 1950. Mr. Boyle was also second in Senior Mens Singles. At the 1950 National Championships in Washington, D.C., Boyle finished 8th in the Junior Men's Free Skate, and 4th in Senior Pairs with Miss Hamm. (TNT 3/18/1950 pg. 8 & 3/26/1950 pg. B-7)

Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Skaters; Ice Skating--Lakewood--1950-1960; Costumes; Teenagers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Boyle, Jack;

Award winning ice skater Patsy Hamm, of the Lakewood Figure Skating Club, Lakewood Ice Arena. Miss Hamm and pairs partner Jack Boyle won many national skating awards in the late 40's and early fifties.

Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Skaters; Ice Skating--Lakewood--1950-1960; Costumes; Teenagers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Hamm, Patsy;