1969 Richards stock footage. A new motor inn was being built in the summer of 1969 at 6802 So. Sprague Ave., close to So. 72nd and the freeway. The Rodeway Inn of America was part of a large nationwide chain of motels. Its blue and white logo was a familiar sign to budget conscious travelers who could be assured of comfortable rooms and reasonable prices. Built at a cost of 1.25 million dollars, the 130-unit complex was managed by Johnny H. Lambert. It would offer a restaurant/lounge, heated swimming pool, convention and banquet facilities and meeting rooms. The luxury motel hotel would be open for business in early November, 1969. (TNT 11-2-69, D-14)
Aerial views; Rodeway Inn of America (Tacoma); Motels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);
This is how Owen Beach at Point Defiance looked from the air on July 1, 1969. The beach fronting Commencement Bay was named after Floyd E. Owen, a Metro Parks employee for 47 years. There is a marker, a bronze tablet placed on a stone upright near the entrance to the picnic area of the beach. There was plenty of room for more people to bask on the sands of Owen Beach as it appeared relatively uncrowded on this summer day. The parking lot, however, seemed almost full.
Beaches--Tacoma; Owen Beach (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);
1969 Richards stock footage. Numerous stacks of logs are piled up at the new location of the Cheney Port Mill in 1969. The sawmill had moved from its longtime location on the Port of Tacoma Rd. to a site overlooking the Hylebos Waterway. It was now located at 3825 Taylor Way next door to the Glacier Sand & Gravel Co.
Cheney Port Mill, Inc. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sawmills--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Logs;
Aerial view of Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and Tacoma Mall Office Building. This July, 1969, view of the popular Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and newly opened six-story Tacoma Mall Office Building shows that there is still much room for development of the center. New stores would be built on both sides of the Bon Marche (red building), first occupant of the mall. The dirt acreage bordering the parking lot would eventually become extended parking for the mall and the location of Frederick & Nelson's. The Post Office would build its Evergreen Station also on Pine Street, just beyond the left edge of the photograph. Color photograph ordered by Center Offices, Inc.
Aerial views; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma; Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bon Marche (Tacoma);
Crystal Wright, 11, had her sleeping bag checked by St. Albans' counselor Donna Lusher while 10-year-old Karen Wells' suitcase was tagged by Girl Scout leader Maggie Maguire on June 30, 1969. The girls were boarding a bus at Wilson High School to go to summer camp. Several children already onboard are peering out the bus windows. The girls were taking part in a summer camp program sponsored by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. in conjunction with several local groups, including the Girl Scouts. The program made it possible for children from Tacoma's urban center, many of whom had never been camping, to enjoy outdoor activities. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 7-6-69, B-3)
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Representing the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle, the nation's only Filipino American drill team marched in the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. Members of the girls' Princesa Drill Team, teenage boys' Cumbancheros, and younger boys' Mandaya wore costumes patterned after the Moro or indigenous tribal dress of the Mindanao in the southern Philippines. Drill commands were issued in seven Filipino dialects besides four other languages.
Tacoma celebrated its 100th anniversary with eight days of fun for the entire family in June of 1969. On June 28th a grand parade travelled down Pacific Avenue. Sitting atop the backseat of a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville convertible Chief Robert "Bob" Satiacum of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians waved to the crowds enjoying the Tacoma Centennial Parade. Chief Satiacum is wearing a headdress; the other man seated next to him is unidentified. Chief Satiacum was an Indian rights activist and an advocate of native treaty fishing rights. He would pass away in 1991 at the age of 62.
Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Satiacum, Robert; Indians of North America--Puyallup; Pontiac automobile;
Tacoma Centennial Parade. One of the outstanding non-float entries on display during the June, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade was the Command Module 101 accompanied by the McChord AFB Honor Guard. The Command Module was a spacecraft built for NASA and used for the Apollo program; it would house the crew and equipment necessary for re-entry.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. The theme of the June 28, 1969, parade was "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" with entries alluding to those time frames. Representing the past was the Foremost Stage Lines coach drawn by four ponies. The horses were owned and driven by J. H. Lawson. His co-driver, holding rifle, was not identified.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Entry #17 was the float sponsored by the International Order of Job's Daughters, Bethel 27. Accompanied by the chapter's drill team, the queen and her court, dressed in regalia, waved to spectators massed alongside Pacific Avenue on Saturday, June 28, 1969. Job's Daughters have a Masonic heritage and are comprised of young women between the ages of 10 and 20.
Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Drill teams;
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Capturing the award for "best built float" was the Royal City Float. This entry had traveled all the way from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Seated on the float was Miss Royal City for 1968-69, Mary Ellen Kinsey. The Canadian float was one of 23 floats in the June, 1969, parade.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Thousands of area residents lined the streets of downtown Tacoma to watch history pass in review. The two-hour parade started from Stadium High School, headed south on Stadium Way and Pacific Ave. to 21st and Pacific. The bells in the Old City Hall clock tower started ringing at 10 a.m. and continued until the color guard passed. Although the sky was dark and threatening, it did not rain and spectators were able to enjoy the parade under cool and dry conditions. The June 28, 1969, parade was a mixture of 23 floats, 25 horse units, 16 bands, 13 drill teams and about 40 antique automobiles. Standing several rows deep along Pacific near 11th, parade watchers saw the McChord AFB honor guard plus units from other services accompany the Command Module 101 above. (TNT 6-29-69, p. 1)
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Celebrating onboard a 1926 Doane Flatbed truck is a small Dixieland band and several ladies, courtesy of the Seattle Transfer & Storage Co. The morning's cloudy conditions did not deter the group, and spectators, from enjoying the music and all the sights of the Tacoma Centennial Parade. The truck holding the group was in daily use until 1947. It didn't move very quickly but had a tremendous load capacity.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. "Special Delivery" was the aptly titled float sponsored by the Post Office Centennial Belles. Employees were dressed in 19th century costumes as they strolled next to the red "locomotive;" while a beautifully dressed young family rode on the float. Two modern day postal trucks accompanied the entry, depicting postal service from past to present.
Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; United States Post Office (Tacoma); Post offices--Tacoma;
Tacoma Centennial Parade. June 28, 1969, was selected as the date of Tacoma's Centennial Parade, honoring the city on its 100th birthday. One of the many outstanding entries in the parade was the Minnetonka, Northern Pacific Railway's first locomotive. Measuring 28 feet long, 11 feet 2 inches from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the smoke stack, the Minnetonka weighed about 14 tons. It cost $6,700 at the time of purchase in July of 1870. The Minnetonka was still in perfect running condition although only used for exhibitions. Local residents also had the chance to view the Minnetonka during the 1969 Daffodil Festival parade.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Traveling from Seattle for the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade was that city's fire department entry, an antique fire engine. This was originally an 1898 horse-drawn pumper. It was motorized in 1914 and then rebuilt in 1964 by off-duty Seattle Fire Department employees at their own expense. The fire pump had a capacity of 750 gallons per minute.
Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment; Fire fighters;
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Spectators oohed and ahhed at the sight of these antique automobiles during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. Both the Tacoma chapter of the Model "T" Club and members of the Galloping Gertie Model "A" Club drove their basic-black vehicles sedately down Pacific Avenue. This group is believed to be the Model "T" Club. Even the drivers and passengers were dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing to the added enjoyment of thousands of parade viewers.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Purchased by the City of Tacoma in 1890, this horse-drawn patrol wagon was used for 18 years by the city's police force. It has been restored as close as possible to its original form. Overall length of the paddy wagon was 23 feet. On board during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade were Tacoma's own Keystone Kops. (TNT 6-29-69, p. 1)
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Tacoma City Light's "Progress of Power" float won the Sweepstakes Award for the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. It depicted the power generation from 1893 to the 21st century. At the float's center is a model of the Mossyrock Dam which was dedicated in May of 1969. The rear of the float had a representation of City Light's first generation facility built in Gallagher's Gulch in 1884. Leading the float (not pictured) was Graydon Bailey. Centennial Belles on board were Arlene Klein, Sharon Jenkins, Marion Plaquet, Jean Callison, Wilma Kowalchuk and Elizabeth Sand. John Purvis and John Canonica escorted the float.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Among the dignitaries at the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade was Seattle banker Joshua Green accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Reno Odlin. Mr. Green, who also turned 100 in 1969, was a sternwheeler captain, innovative leader in the Puget Sound shipping and ferry industries and premier Seattle banker. He had come to Seattle in 1886 from Mississippi and would remain active in business past his 100th birthday. His bank, Peoples Bank, had grown to $400 million in deposits by 1969. Mr. Green would pass away in 1975 at age 105; his bank was acquired in 1988 by U.S. Bancorp. of Portland. Riding in the convertible along with Mr. Green was Reno Odlin. Mr. Odlin, a well-known Tacoma banker at Puget Sound National Bank, was also the president of the Washington State Historical Society for many years. (www.historylink.org)
Tacoma Centennial Parade. 4-star Admiral James S. Russell was the grand marshall of the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. He is pictured above with his wife Geraldine in a Victorian coach. Admiral Russell, a graduate of Stadium High School at age 15, was a Navy flier, designer of aircraft carriers, commander of nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands, and commander-in-chief of NATO forces in Southern Europe. The much-decorated admiral, nicknamed "Gentleman Jim," would retire in 1965 after 43 years of service. He would pass away in his Lakewood home in April of 1996, at age 93. A tribute to Admiral Russell was printed in the Congressional Record.
Tacoma celebrated its 100th anniversary with eight days of fun for the entire family in June of 1969. On June 28th a grand parade travelled down Pacific Avenue. Sitting atop the backseat of a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville convertible Chief Robert "Bob" Satiacum of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians waved to the crowds enjoying the Tacoma Centennial Parade. Chief Satiacum is wearing a headdress; the other man seated next to him is unidentified. Chief Satiacum was an Indian rights activist and an advocate of native treaty fishing rights. He would pass away in 1991 at the age of 62.
Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Satiacum, Robert; Indians of North America--Puyallup; Pontiac automobile;
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Entries from the American Indians of the Tacoma Area included a mixture of Native American tribes of North America. They sponsored a float (not shown) entitled "Tacoma's First People" which represented the Puyallup, Colville, Yakima, Umatilla, Muckelshoot, Kaw and Nisqually as well as Arizona's Navajo and Oklahoma's Cree tribes. A group of Native Americans wearing ceremonial dress are shown above aboard a Buck & Son flatbed truck.
Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations; Indians of North America--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Bethel 27 of Steilacoom, International Order of Job's Daughters, was one of 23 floats participating in the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade. The chapter's drill team accompanied the white and purple float filled with Bethel 27's royalty. Tacoma was celebrating its 100th anniversary with a lavish parade and a myriad of activities including a costumed historical pageant held at the Lincoln Bowl and citizens, both private and public, wearing an array of old-time clothing styles.
Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Drill teams;
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Making a colorful splash in the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade was the Culinary Belles entry from local area restaurants. The bright red 40-foot float carried examples of nearly-forgotten kitchen accessories including an antique butter churn and an 1889 coffee grinder. A waitress, dressed in long white gown and cap, appeared more like a nurse than a restaurant employee. Visiting "customers" were elaborately dressed in clothing styles and hats of the past. Entertaining at the piano was Marilyn Ogburn of the Cable Car Room of Steve's Gay '90s.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. With steam billowing befitting its nickname, "Old Snorter" gave parade viewers a good look at logging equipment of the past. The Lake Cushman Development Co. entry was a restored 70-year-old steam donkey. "Old Snorter" had been used for logging in the Olympic Peninsula where it loaded logs onto railroad cars at landings and also yarded logs in the woods. Aboard the steam donkey were Bill Parsons, Syd Anderson, George Mueller, Gene Visser and Lyle Linton.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. Spectators enjoyed the stirring sounds of the Clan Gordon Pipe Band during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. The pipers and drummers were dressed in the kilts of the Gordon Tartan. Clan Gordon was the official escort band of the Royal Court of the Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival. Pipe Major was William Micenko, Pipe Sergeant was Jack Montgomery and Drum Sergeant, James Bell.
Tacoma Centennial Parade. U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson and Mrs. Jackson acknowledge the thousands lining the streets of downtown Tacoma during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. They were riding in an antique automobile, believed to be a Model T. Washington's congressional delegation appeared in force at the parade with Senator Warren G. Magnuson and U.S. Representative Floyd Hicks also in attendance.
Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Jackson, Henry M., 1912-1983; Legislators--Washington--1960-1970; Ford automobile;
Tacoma Centennial Parade. These passengers, aboard a miniature Union Pacific train, were treated to a ride of a lifetime during the June, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. The two-hour parade was met by thousands of spectators as it wound its way from Stadium High School down to 21st & Pacific. Union Pacific had established a presence in Tacoma beginning in 1911.
