In February of 1947, the Tacoma Ice Palace at 3801 South Union Avenue was being prepared for a boxing bout. Plywood flooring was placed over the Ice Palace's skating rink. A boxing ring and a heating system with 12 large blowers was brought in. The main event, organized by Raleigh Sliger, was between the Canadian welterweight Hal Robbins and Chuck "Kid" Brown from Klamath Falls, Oregon. View of plywood floor being placed over Tacoma Ice Palace's skating rink, photo ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (T. Times, 2/10/47, p. 10).
Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Floors--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma;
West Coast Grocery had just recently moved into their new offices on East D Street. Mutual Fruit Company was a subsidiary of West Coast Grocery. Exterior view of West Coast Grocery Company's AMOCAT, Mutual Fruit Company and Olympia Beer trucks, photo ordered by Condon Company, an advertising company T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 12-B).
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storehouses--Tacoma;
West Coast Grocery was a wholesale grocery company with their large new offices and headquarters on East D Street. Charles H. Hyde was president of West Coast Grocery. Exterior view of West Coast Grocery Company's AMOCAT and Olympia Beer trucks, photo ordered by Condon Company, an advertising company (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 12-B).
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storehouses--Tacoma;
Selden's opened at 1141 Broadway in June of 1942. Their building had five floors of showrooms for high quality home funishings and floor coverings, and was said to be unique on the Pacific Coast in its spacious size and appointments for a business of its type. Selden's was owned and operated by Sidney Selden. This photograph taken in February of 1945 shows their large fleet of delivery trucks. Karl's Shoes, the Moler Beauty School, and the Hotel Lansing were in the building nextdoor.
Furniture stores--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storefronts--Tacoma; Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Selden's had been at this site since 1942, this building had five floors filled with showrooms of high quality home furnishings and floor coverings. Selden's was owned and operated by Sidney Selden. Exterior view of Selden's storefront with Frigidaire appliances sign above Selden's store sign and their delivery trucks lined up, on right side is Milroy's, Hamilton Studio and a Sprenger & Jones Watches street clock, the time is 1:10 P.M.
Furniture stores--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storefronts--Tacoma; Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clocks & watches;
College of Puget Sound's orchestra was first called the Puget Sound Symphony, then later changed their name to the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. Raymond Vaught was the conductor, Clyde Keutzer was the head of the music department at CPS. Aside from the orchestra CPS music department had the Adelphian Choir and the Women's Chorus. View of orchestra during a February concert.
Orchestras--Tacoma; Concerts--Tacoma; Conductors; Students--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;
West Coast Grocery was now in their new headquarters. The building housed their offices, food storage warehouses, distribution center and their subsidiary companies as well. West Coast had just had their formal opening in January of this year. Interior view of West Coast Grocery's food storage building, boxes of "Gerber's Baby Food", "Snow's Clam Chowder", "Wheaties" and "Franco-American Spaghetti" to the right of man on fork lift, photo ordered by Condon Company, an advertising company.
Storehouses--Tacoma; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Barrels--Tacoma; Boxes; Hoisting machinery; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Interior view of West Coast Grocery's food storage building, boxes of "Red & White Yellow Freestone Peaches", "AMOCAT Corn" and "Booth's Y. C. Peaches" are stacked up throughout warehouse, a workman is in center of boxes, possibly checking inventory. Photo ordered by Condon Company, a local advertising company.
Storehouses--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boxes;
The Winthrop Hotel was designed by W. L. Stoddard and Roland E. Borhek; it was built by F. A. Pratt and A. I. Watson. It first opened in May 1925 and was named after Theodore Winthrop, explorer and writer. In 1940 they began offering residential apartments on the top floors of the hotel. Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel; photo ordered by Pioneer Incorporated, a printing, lithography and stationary business.
Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Signal lights--Tacoma; Pedestrians--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Pioneer, Inc. (Tacoma);
Harold A. Sanford was the President of Sanford-Nash Inc., he had been in the Nash dealership business since 1918. Exterior view of Sanford Nash Company, two signs posted by entrance tell us this is the Parts Department for used cars, the Service Department is located on lower floor. Stucco building at Sixth and Tacoma Avenue, two Nash automobiles in showroom windows, neon and painted signs on building. Photograph taken on February 24, 1947.
Harold A. Sanford was the President of Sanford-Nash Inc., he had been in the Nash dealership business since 1918. Exterior view of Sanford Nash Company, two signs posted by entrance tell us this is the Parts Department for used cars, the Service Department is located on lower floor. Stucco building at Sixth and Tacoma Avenue, two Nash automobiles in showroom windows, neon and painted signs on building.
Harkness was a family owned business in Tacoma since 1921. They offered a wide selection of home furnishings. Interior view of Harkness Furniture showroom, with sectional sofa on display. Three piece sofa has a number of possibilities, each piece is shown separately with a split level end table between sofa ends, left end displays a sash indicating the furniture was "Custom Built by Harkness".
Harkness was a family owned business in Tacoma since 1921. They offered a wide selection of home furnishings. Interior view of Harkness Furniture showroom, with sectional sofa on display. Sofa is shown in a neutral tone, split level end tables on each end with modern lamps, throw rug complements this living room look, right side of sofa displays a sash indicating the furniture was "Custom Built by Harkness".
Centennial Flour Mills had a massive fire that completely destroyed the plant, damages were estimated at $2,500,000. Centennial was discussing new possible site locations. Holroyd Company sold and manufactured concrete building materials, they were working with Centennial on a new building materials contract. View of Centennial building after the fire, photo ordered by Holroyd.
Red Cross had just started their annual fund raising campaign. The organization was asking all families, individuals and community members and business to contribute. View of Red Cross window display featuring a campaign poster "Your Red Cross Must Carry On", Red Cross flag, Red Cross photos of their various departments and other information.
Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays; Posters; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);
Interior view of Irwin-Jones Motor Company, Dodge and Plymouth dealers, service department showing equipment installed by Equipment Supply Company, automobile supplies manufacturers and distributors. "Approved lubrication" sign is beneath the Irwin-Jones sign. Auto hoist, enameled cabinets, sign with Plymouth and Dodge crests, Quaker State Motor Oil clock.
Irwin-Jones Motor Company, Dodge and Plymouth dealers, service department showing equipment installed by Equipment Sales Corporation. Auto hoist, Pennsoil tanks, Purolator filter sign, enameled cabinets, sign w/ Dodge crest, Quaker State Motor Oil clock.
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Dodge / Plymouth Dealers - Irwin--Jones Company
Interior view of Mallon Motors Ford Sales and Service shop, service area shows equipment installed by Equipment Supply Company, automobile supplies manufacturers and distributors. Ford sign is between the Mallon Motors Inc. sign and "Approved lubrication" signs. Ford sedan on lift rack, motor oil tanks and overhead hoses are visible.
Mallon Motor Company, interior of service area showing equipment installed by Equipment Sales Corporation. Lift racks, motor oil tanks, overhead hoses, etc. Two workmen servicing a Ford sedan.
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Mallon Motor Company
Interior view of Mallon Motors Ford Sales and Service shop, service area shows equipment installed by Equipment Supply Company, automobile supplies manufacturers and distributors. Firestone Tires sign on right wall, above Quaker State motor oil signs and car lifts in center. Photo ordered by Equipment Supply Company.
Whitworth Fuel Company sold and delivered fuel oil, coal, sawdust and wood. Whitworth was owned and operated by Clarence R. and Reginald P. Johnson. Exterior view of Whitworth Fuel, fuel truck is parked in foreground, their signs were painted by Cliff Sign Company. TPL-9671
Dr. Edward H. Todd, president of the College of Puget Sound, sits at his roll top desk studying papers. Dr. Todd was the President of CPS for 29 years, from 1913- 1942. The men's dormitory was named after Dr. Todd when it was built in 1948.
College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1920-1930; Todd, Edward H., 1863-1951; College presidents--Tacoma;
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad had a new diesel streamliner, "Hiawathian". The streamliner has a 6000 horse-power motor, built by Fairbanks-Morse and General Electric. The engine has a 3000 gallon capacity for fuel oil, and uses four and a half gallons per mile. "Hiawathian" can travel 105 miles per hour. View of "Hiawathian" with two unidentified employees of Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 3-A).
Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad's "Hiawathian" would make daily round trips between Tacoma and Avery, Idaho. This new train had a modern diesel engine, with two pistons to each cylinder, which came together on compression and separated on explosion. The two crankshafts are geared together at one end, and the lower crankshaft is the main one that drives the generator and air compressor on the same shaft (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 3-A).
Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);
General Electric Supply Corp. served the Tacoma market through the Seattle branch for many years. In 1945 they established a warehouse and shipping offices in Tacoma. They chose a location close to the railroad tracks, which would allow for easy shipping and receiving of shipments. They chose a location large enough to hold their complete stock of industrial and domestic appliances. Interior view of research and development department.
Laboratories--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma; Workshops--Tacoma; General Electric Supply Corp. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma;
General Electric Supply Corp. served the Tacoma market through the Seattle branch for many years. In 1945 they established a warehouse and shipping offices in Tacoma. They had their business offices, industrial division and research and development offices all in one location. Company representatives studied the Tacoma area during World War II and determined the industrial needs through the post war era, to determine the probability of General Electric's success in Tacoma. Interior view of research and development department.
Laboratories--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma; Workshops--Tacoma; General Electric Supply Corp. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma;
Tacoma was hosting the Pacific Northwest Plastics Association conference. William Cruse, Vice-President of the Society of Plastics Industries in the Northwest, stated he anticipated a bright future for the plastics industry in Tacoma. View of Modern Plastic Applicators architectural model of a house, photo ordered by Modern Plastic Applicators (T. Times, 4/2/47, p. 9).
Architectural models; Building models; Plastics industry--Tacoma; Modern Plastic Applicators (Tacoma);
