On November 19, 1951 , (l to r) Marilyn Smith, Mike Bjorn, Judy Dahlberg, and Denny Schanno took part in the juniors dance party sponsored by the Lakewood recreation hall. Each of the 26 members of the dance class brought a guest to the party. The dance had a harvest-time theme, and the class members decorated the hall with corn stalks, gourds, a scarecrow and a giant, paper harvest moon. TNT 11/21/1951 p.8)

Dance--Lakewood--1950-1960; Smith, Marilyn; Bjorn, Mike; Dahlberg, Judy; Schanno, Denny

Tacoma News Tribune's 1951 "Christmas Gifts" layout. Nelson Davis' daughters, Diana, 10, and Jill, 8, looking at vases and figurines at Rhodes Department Store's Gift Department to get ideas for the Christmas season. The girls, with braids, are dressed in matching coats and hats.

Davis, Diana; Davis, Jill; Davis, Nelson--Family; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gifts; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior view of a Fawcett Elementary School classroom. Large class sizes were not unusual in the 1950's public schools; there appear to be over thirty students present in a November, 1951, photograph. Students are shown writing at their desks while one child is hanging up her coat in a closet with sliding doors and another is searching for a site on a globe. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association who provided the plywood used in the classroom walls. TPL-9368

Fawcett Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A worker is in the process of applying adhesive to bare plywood as he prepares to lay carpet or linoleum in a photograph taken in November, 1951. This may be a new home as cabinets and closets look unfinished. There appear to be pads protecting the man's knees as he works to complete the job.

Floor coverings; Plywood; Glue;

Helen (Mrs. Robert) Florence, wearing a fur jacket, with daughters Sue, 3, and Judy, 2, dressed in matching outfits, picking out a puppy for 1951's Christmas at Olafson's Pet Supply.

Florence, Helen; Florence, Robert--Family; Florence, Sue; Florence, Judy; Families--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dogs; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olafson's Pet Supply (Tacoma);

Donna (Mrs. Drew) Foss at Craig Furniture. She is pictured examining colonial styled bunk beds at the furniture store on November 12, 1951. Donna Smith and Drew Foss were married in September of 1947. Donna Foss was the daughter-in-law of Henry and Agnes Foss. (TNT 11-25-1951, B-2)

Foss, Donna; Foss, Drew--Family; Bunk beds; Craig Furniture, Inc. (Tacoma);

Miss Dorothy K. Fujita posed for a studio portrait on December 4, 1951. She worked as a typist with the County Welfare Department at the time this photograph was taken. This young Japanese American woman smiles as she looks off to the right. She wears her thick dark hair short and curled.

Fujita, Dorothy K.; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

Tacoma News Tribune's 1951 "Christmas Gifts" layout. Mercedes (Mrs. H. Dutton) Hayward and son Harold, age 2, at A. T. Norman Company. Mrs. Hayward admires a French provincial secretary desk at the furniture store located at 524 Tacoma Avenue South. The secretary, built of cherry wood, would be perfect for keeping household accounts, writing letters and notes to family. (TNT 11-25-51, B-2-alt. photo)

Hayward, Mercedes; Hayward, Dutton--Family; Hayward, Harold; Desks; A.T. Norman Co. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Pi Beta Phi sorority and Sigma Chi fraternity chapters from the College of Puget Sound held their annual dance at Lakeside Park on 5 Mile Lake near Federal Way. The theme was "Gingerbread Christmas." Names of those attending are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 12/3/1951, p.7)

Jack's Lakeside Park (Federal Way); Five Mile Lake (Federal Way); Group portraits; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pi Beta Phi (Tacoma); Sigma Chi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Three-year-old Cortland Johnsen poses for this sepia studio portrait in November, 1951. He is smartly dressed in a dark cap, plaid jacket and dark short pants. Cortland is the son of Cortland W. and Katherine Johnsen of Sylvan; Mr. Johnsen is the president of Bone Dry Shoe Co. on Pacific Avenue.

Johnsen, Cortland; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Diane Jordan, daughter of the Arthur K. Jordans of Jordan Baking Co., hosted a Sadie Hawkins Day dance at her home on Saturday, November 17, 1951. Her guests included high school friends who attended Visitation Villa and St. Martin's. Pictured above with Diane are some of her guests: (left to right) Barbara Allen, Karl Daviscourt, hostess Diane, Johnny Marcell, Jake Doyle and Lora Ann Rederich. (TNT 11-23-1951, p. 11)

Jordan, Diane; Jordan, Arthur K.--Homes & haunts; Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Allen, Barbara; Daviscourt, Karl; Marcell, Johnny; Doyle, Jake; Rederich, Lora Ann;

New towers at KTBI Radio Station, River Road. KTBI was one of three radio broadcasting stations in the area at this time. KMO and KTNT were the two other stations. KTBI's main location was at 2715 Center Street. TPL-7152

KTBI Radio Broadcasting Station (Tacoma); Towers--Tacoma;

December 2, 1951 informal engagement portrait of Jean Lewis and Pat Cummins on skiis at Mount Rainier. Jean, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Lewis and Pat, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin J. Cummins, would annouce their engagement at a recent supper party with favors of miniature skiers with knapsacks bearing their names. Miss Lewis graduated from Stadium High School and the University of Washington. Her fiance also graduated from the UW with a degree in forestry. The couple planned a summer wedding. (TNT 12-9-1951, D-1 - alt. photo)

Lewis, Jean Catherine; Cummins, Patrick J.; Marriage proposals; Skiing; Skiers; Snow--Washington; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

An informal engagement portrait of Jean Catherine Lewis and Patrick J. Cummins was taken on December 2, 1951 behind a snow drift at Mount Rainier. Snow-covered trees formed the backdrop for the portrait. The couple are members of the Seattle Mountaineers and are graduates of the University of Washington. (TNT 12-9-1951, D-1- alt. photo)

Lewis, Jean Catherine; Cummins, Patrick J.; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Snow--Washington; Marriage proposals;

Logging mill at Summit. Men working on-site with portable log sawing machinery. Cut logs and lumber, automobiles and truck in background. For Export Pacific, taken on November 23, 1951.

Lumber industry--1950-1960;

Mill at Summit. Part of a series taken on November 23, 1951 of lumber operations with portable log sawing machinery, lumber and logs on wooded site. For Export Pacific.

Lumber industry--1950-1960;

The interior of Globe Machine Manufacturing Company showing men at work at various machines. The company advertised as manufacturers of veneer, plywood and woodworking machinery.

Machinery industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Globe Machine Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

In 1951, Mrs. Gladys Forrester and three of her children went to the Almvig Music Company store, 945 Broadway, to do some early Christmas shopping. Janice, 16, holds a Stan Kenton album of 45 rpm disks, while her brother Jerry, 10, suggests that a box set of Xavier Cugat rhumbas might be just the thing. Robert, 13, has a Bing Crosby Christmas album cradled under his arm. Benjamin A. Almvig owned and operated the Almvig Music Co. in downtown Tacoma for over 50 years. (T.N.T., not found)

Music stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; B. A. Almvig Music Co. (Tacoma); Sound recordings; Forrester, Gladys; Forrester, Janice; Forrester, Bob; Forrester, Jerry; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Marcus Nalley, founder of Nalley's Inc., started his business with a recipe for "Saratoga Chips", a very popular food item back east. He proceeded, by himself, to cook, bag, and sell the first 50 pounds of potatoes to local grocery stores in 1918. By 1950, his one-man business had expanded to become one of Tacoma's leading employers. View of Marcus Nalley seated at his desk. (History of Pierce County, p. 448)

Nalley, Marcus; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Art Mineo, at left kneeling with hat in hand, and a group of raucous, laughing musicians. In the top row, third from left is the great jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. This photograph was taken at the opening of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe in November of 1951. Peterson, tenor saxophonist "Flip" Phillips (standing, far right) and trombonist Bill Harris (front row center) came down from Seattle, where they were appearing with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show, to sit in and jam for the opening.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar;

Attilio (Art) Mineo on bass, Dick Morehead on drums, Oscar Peterson on piano, Joe (Flip) Phillips on saxophone and Bill Harris on trombone "jam" in the Coney Island Room on the opening night of Mike DeVoto's New Yorker, in November of 1951. Peterson, Phillips and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they saw a notice for the opening. They called Mineo and asked to sit in. Musical history was made as they jammed until closing, leaving Mineo's hired orchestra in the audience to enjoy the music. Art Mineo's career in music began in the 1930s with dance bands on the east coast. He moved to Tacoma after the Second World War and stayed after he married Toni Lento, whose father was a well-known Tacoma musician. The Art Mineo Quartet performed three nights a week at the New Yorker, 1501 6th Ave., for over 20 years. (TNT 11-15-51, C-10, 11& firsthand information supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar; Phillips, Joe "Flip"; Harris, Bill; Morehead, Dick;

When this photograph of the Ocean Fish Mart at 2201 Ruston Way was taken in November of 1951, Puget Sound "Bright Fall" Salmon was on sale for 30 cents a pound. Owned and operated by John P. Karabaich, there had been a fish market at this location since the 1930s. In the mid-1970s the fish mart was bought by John Cologerou Sr. and John Gerontis and re-named Johnny's Ocean Fish Company. The boat in the background, the "La Touche," was built in 1926 for Matt A. Vodanovich Sr. The fishing vessel remained in the family until 1986. It was eventually bought by Mike Vlahovich and renamed the "Commencement." TPL-8758

Ocean Fish Mart (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1950-1960; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An unidentified man in a pinstriped suit and bow tie examines a slide before placing it in the projector while at Central School on November 26, 1951. There is an open "book" of slides in front of the man; within it are five rows of slides. The "book" is actually a thin, square, wooden box with lid that fastens. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Photographic apparatus & supplies; Transparencies; Projectors; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Central School (Tacoma); Men--Clothing & dress--1950-1960; Eyeglasses;

Two men observing gages in humidity chamber of plywood laboratory at Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Testing--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Research facilities--Tacoma; Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma);

Two men observing mechanical equipment in humidity chamber of plywood laboratory at Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Line in upper left is deteriorating diacetate negative damage.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Testing--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Research facilities--Tacoma; Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma);

Beginning on December 4, 1951, Steve Sorenson (center), one of the announcers on KTBI radio, did nightly broadcasts from the lobby at the Music Box Theatre, 902-14 Broadway. Sponsored by Northwest Radio Inc., the programs were done in conjunction with the opening of "An American in Paris" starring Gene Kelly. Northwest Radio had two of their newest TVs on display in the lobby; one, a "4 way combination" console model (far right) was a combination AM/FM radio, 3-speed phonograph and TV for $512.45. KTBI radio later became KTAC. The Music Box Theatre was destroyed by fire in May of 1963. TPL-7158

Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; KTBI Radio Broadcasting Station (Tacoma); Radio stations--Tacoma; Sorenson, Steve; Disc jockeys--Tacoma;

Exterior view of Selden's of Lakewood. Large plate glass windows display Selden's merchandise in the Selden's of Lakewood new store located in the new addition to the Lakewood Community Center. The November, 1951, photograph shows floor coverings, stoves and refrigerators in the Colonial style brick building. Sydney C. Selden, Jr., son of Selden's Inc. founder, Sydney C. Selden, Sr., was the president of Selden's of Lakewood. He began his career in the family business as an apprentice before becoming credit manager. Selden, Sr., saw the business expand from five employees to 180 with stores in Tacoma, Longview, Chehalis, Olympia, and now Lakewood. (TNT 11-14-51, C-18)

Selden's of Lakewood, Inc. (Lakewood); Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Floor coverings; Rugs; Refrigerators;

Railroad ties being loaded onto a ship as photographed on November 15, 1951. Part of a series taken on behalf of Export Pacific Co., lumber exporters.

Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Export Pacific Co. (Tacoma); Railroad ties--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Cargo ships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mr. and Mrs. Lyman V. Hall look at a child's tractor as a Christmas gift at the Small Fry Exchange, a store specializing in juvenile furniture, on Market Street. Retail stores in downtown Tacoma proliferated with diverse abundance in the 1950's. Lyman Hall has his hand on what may be the gear shift; the Caterpillar Diesel, although minature in size, may actually have been operatable but with "foot" power.

Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Toys; Tractors--Tacoma; Small Fry Exchange (Tacoma); Hall, Lyman V.; Hall, Vivian;

This November of 1951 photograph shows disc jockey Steve Sorenson placing a record on a large turntable at KTBI while announcing over the microphone the tune that is about to be played.

Sorenson, Steve; Disc jockeys--Tacoma; Sound recordings; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Radio stations--Tacoma; KTBI Radio Broadcasting Station (Tacoma);