Narrows Bridge construction. Four unidentified workers in hard hats are bent over laying plywood for the roadbed of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in July, 1950. Smoking on the job is apparently not prohibited; the worker in the foreground appears to have a cigarette in his mouth. The photograph was ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridge construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs; Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

A Tacoma policeman looks over his report on an accident involving a runaway convertible which occurred on Wednesday, July 26, 1950. The automobile was left with its motor still running. It jumped the curb and came to rest against a light pole at 9th and Commerce. A "No U Turn" sign is lying at the feet of interested spectators. The owner of the vehicle had left his car at the Roxy theater corner just below Broadway momentarily to pick up his children. (TNT 7-27-50, A-11; TPL-5873)

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Group portrait of Swiss singers. The United Swiss Singing Societies of the Pacific Coast met in formal concert at the Temple Theater on Friday, July 21, 1950. It was the start of a three day festival of singing and yodeling. Seven cities, including Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Modesto, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Tacoma sent delegations to the festival. Tacoma's Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society, under the direction of Erich Koker, hosted. (TNT 7-22-50, p.3)

United Swiss Singing Societies of the Pacific Coast; Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society (Tacoma); Tuxedoes; Evening gowns;

Studio portrait of Gerrit VanderEnde taken on July 10, 1950. Mr. VanderEnde was the president of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association, located at 204 S. 11th. Pacific First Federal specialized in home loans with five locations located in Washington and Oregon.

VanderEnde, Gerrit; Portraits;

Bride with flower girls and ring bearer. Mrs. Frank A. Roe, the former Jane Irene Carr, gazes smilingly downward at her two little flower girls and solemn ring bearer. She is wearing a wedding gown of ivory slipper satin with a fitted bodice, dolman sleeves, and mandarin collar. Stephanotis decorates her veil and it is also included in her bouquet with gardenias and ivy. Her little cousins, Mary Lee Hein and Margret Taylor, are the flower girls and her nephew, Michael Edward Carr, is the ring bearer. The double-ring ceremony took place on September 1, 1950, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. (TNT 9-3-50, p. C-4)

Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Altars--Tacoma; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Carr, Jane Irene--Marriage; Hein, Mary Lee; Taylor, Margret; Carr, Michael Edward;

ca. 1950. Exposure of truck at Walker Chevrolet with two men in suits by door. Sign on side says "Don Rohan - fine beverages - Schlitz."

Chevrolet automobile; Rohan, Don--Associated objects; Alcoholic beverages;

ca. 1950. Two men, one in suit, one in casual dress, standing by door of delivery van. "Don Rohan - Fine Beverages - Schlitz." A Chevrolet van, with signs advertising Schlitz beer and brewer's agent, Don Rohan, is parked in front of a grove of trees. The man in the light colored suit is leaning against the vehicle with his elbow propped inside the open window. The man in the hat has one hand behind his back and the other hand placed on the van's door.

Chevrolet automobile; Rohan, Don--Associated objects; Alcoholic beverages;

Exposure of carpeting at Franke Tobey Jones Home. This view shows the new carpeting in the spacious dining room of the Franke Tobey Jones retirement home. This photograph was taken on January 18, 1951. Large windows provide plenty of air and light and hanging ceiling lamps also aid in illuminating the dining facility. The Franke Tobey Jones Home was designed by architects Heath & Gove and construction by J.E. Bonnell & Son was completed in March, 1925. The English Tudor home, with several later additions, is still located at 5340 North Bristol, near Point Defiance park.

Franke Tobey Jones Home (Tacoma); Retirement homes; Floor coverings;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Three men and woman with bouquet and ceremonial champagne bottle. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Ship inside wooden building. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In December of 1950, Mikel Ann Thomas was dressed as the New Year wearing a tall party hat and a ribbon across her chest. She was helping with the promotion of the Elks New Year's Eve dance. Mikel was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Thomas. The Elks promised a festive evening with many favors and surprises. Ordered by the Elks. (TNT, 12/27/1950, p.23)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats--1950-1960; Thomas, Mikel Ann; Holidays--Tacoma;

Thirty one members of Delta Kapa Phi at the College of Puget Sound pose for their group portrait on their porch with Santa Claus. The fraternity held a Christmas Party for underpriviledged children in 1950. The fraternity had 58 active members this year. A sign hanging from the porch has the Greek letters painted on it . (1951 Tamanawas)

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Delta Kappa Phi (Tacoma); Santa Claus--Tacoma;

Kappa Phi girls in old fashioned costumes pose in front of the alcove display paying tribute to the first missionaries coming to the Northwest. The alcove, the latest addition to the McCormick Hall in the Washington State Historical Society, was sponsored by Brown & Haley. A large painting of Cushing Fells, the first missionary in the Spokane area, shows him preaching to a group of Indians. Also included in the display were relics from Catholic missionaries and letters from Jason Lee who was the first missionary to come into the Northwest, having been sent here in 1834 by the Methodist church. Ordered by Chapin Foster. (TNT, 12/10/1950, p.A-17)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Costumes;

Blue Bonnet parade in Seattle. The Blue Bonnet covered wagon has stopped at the Seattle Public Market (now known as Pike Place Market.) Two of the Blue Bonnet Sue's are giving samples of Blue Bonnet margarine to the crowd. Ordered by Ted Bates & Company, Benson Inge. TPL-4754

Horses--Seattle; Advertising--Seattle--1950-1960; Covered wagons--Seattle; Pike Place Market (Seattle);

Exterior of the snow-dusted home of William J. and Eva B. Parker. The three-story, Spanish-style house with a tile roof and stucco exterior was built in 1928 for James L. Garvin. A Mercury or Hudson automobile is parked on the other side of the street. William J. Parker was president of Parker Paint Manufacturing Company.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parker, William J.--Homes & haunts; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hashimoto-Fujita wedding. A formal portrait of the bride and groom, their wedding party and four generations of their families. The large group stood in front of a Buddhist altar on November 12, 1950.

Japanese American families--Tacoma; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Altars--Tacoma;

Publicity for Orthopedic Guild doll house. Mrs. Brian Laird and her two daughters, Diane and Marilyn, look upon the two-story, six room, L-shape dollhouse and miniature furnishings on November 29, 1950. "Dolly's Dream House" would be displayed at local department stores and at the Orthopedic Mart in the next two weeks, just in time for the Christmas season. The dollhouse had been designed and furnished by the Harriet Deering guild members. Ordered by the Harriet Deering Orthopedic Guild. (TNT 12-4-1950, p. 8- alt. photograph)

Laird, Brian--Family; Laird, Diane; Laird, Marilyn; Dollhouses; Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Harriet Deering Guild;

The Centennial Flouring Mills Co. was one of the major companies along what is now Schuster Parkway from 1934 until January 30, 1947 when it was destroyed by fire. The empty shell of the building remained standing for almost four years. Finally, in December of 1950, the Lige Dickson Company was contracted to remove the concrete and steel framework. The road past the old plant was closed to through traffic for two months. Rubble from the building was later used to repair Ruston Way which had been severly damaged by the storm of January 13, 1950. A truck is seen pulling a bulldozer to the old plant. (TNT, 12/21/1950, p.1)

Lige Dickson Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bulldozers; Centennial Flouring Mills Co. (Tacoma); Demolition--Tacoma--1950-1960;

One of the lower grades at the Dupont School. Thirty-one children sit with their hands folded in their laps in front of scene showing Santa Claus and his reindeer on a bulletin board.

Schools--Dupont--1950-1960; School children--Dupont--1950-1960;

Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company began enlarging and expanding their communications center before World War II, the war slowed the process due to inability to obtain necessary materials. The improvement program was estimated to cost about $25,000,000. Every telephone district in Tacoma would get new dial and long distance equipment and telephone lines would be extended. View of building progress at the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph facilities located at 757 Fawcett Avenue, scaffolding provided by Safway Steel Scaffolding Company.

Building construction--Tacoma; Billboards--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Safway Steel Scaffolding Co. (Tacoma); Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma);

January of 1949 view of building construction on Market Street; Wild Cat Bargain Center and Neal's Radio Sales Company are located next to the construction site; the building site is marked with a Roy T. Earley Company "Engineers -- Builders" sign. Neal's Radio Sales Company advertises their electric appliances; Wild Cat Bargain Center appears to be a grocery store and soda fountain; an "Olympia Beer" and West Coast Grocery Company truck is parked in front. TPL-10534

Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Neal's Radio Sales Co. (Tacoma); Wild Cat Bargain Center (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Brown's Conservatory of Flowers has recently enlarged and modernized their facilities. Modern display cases, additional rooms, and a unique, interior rock and water garden have been added. New and exotic flowers from South America and Hawaii are now available at Brown's. The business was started by Herbert Brown and is managed by his son Bill. Exterior view of Brown's flower shop; view of electric signs, window displays and delivery trucks parked on side of building.

Flowers--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Florist shops--Tacoma; Brown's Conservatory of Flowers (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Elks were celebrating the completion of their new building with an open house; all members and their wives were invited to attend. Interior view of the Elks Temple dining room, the dining room offers the members a spacious and redecorated are to enjoy lunch and dinners. The famed Stag table is on the left side; this room is predominantly decorated in green tones (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is not just a club, it is a national fraternal organization with over 1,500 lodges in the United States. Interior view of the new kitchen, Head Chef Mitchell Pentel will be preparing wonderful meals for the Elks; everything has been remodeled and all the appliances are new, including an automatic dishwasher, sterilizers and a walk-in quick freeze storage room (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).

Fraternal organizations'--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Elks Club (Tacoma);

Interior view of Tacoma Moving and Storage Company facilities, two unidentified workers are applying "Owens-Corning Fiberglas" to the wall; "Owens-Corning Fiberglas" boxes containing the insulation product are located throughout the work area. Photo ordered by Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, a building insulation company based out of Seattle, Washington.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Building materials; Glass fiber industry--Tacoma; Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Construction workers--Tacoma; Tacoma Moving & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. (Seattle);

Interior view of Buffelen's facilities taken on January 10, 1949; two laborers appear to be stacking plywood panels onto a machine that will lift them and place them in another area of the plant. Dryer is large piece of machinery next to men. American Manufacturing Company Inc. specialized in hoisting equipment for the lumber and plywood industries of Tacoma. American's company officers were: Thomas G. Gepford, President, Henry J. Loquvam, Vice-President, Jack M. Moe, Secretary; their business was located at 2119 Pacific Avenue. TPL-8280

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Elevators; Hoisting machinery; Laborers--Tacoma; Machinery industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); American Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation was located at 710 2nd Avenue in Seattle, Edmund N. Still was the manager. Interior view of Tacoma Moving and Storage Company facilities, two unidentified workers are applying "Owens-Corning Fiberglas" on the warehouse floor; photo ordered by Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, a building insulation company based out of Seattle, Washington.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Glass fiber industry--Tacoma; Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Construction workers--Tacoma; Tacoma Moving & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. (Seattle);

This photograph was taken in January of 1949 of the mountain of sawdust at the Griffin Fuel Company, 1910-30 Commerce Street. Griffin trucks were being loaded with the sawdust for deliveries. Griffin Fuel Company was one of the largest fuel delivery companies in Western Washington, with one office in Tacoma and another in Seattle, and had a large fleet of modern delivery trucks. The fuel company was founded by Fred Griffin Sr. in 1889. The business started as a furniture, ice and fuel delivery service with deliveries made by horse and wagon. Fred Griffin Sr. worked hard for many years, doing most of the work himself, including most of the wood cutting and nearly all of the hauling. The company was known as the Griffin Transfer Company in the early days. (T. Times, 1/20/49, p. 5 & 7).

Laborers--Tacoma; Tractors--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma; Fuel supply; Fuel trade--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

St. Regis is one of the pulp and paper companies that carry the paper producing cycle all the way from wood, to pulp, to paper, and into other various products. View of unidentified worker sitting in an operating booth, he is likely in the area where logs are kept prior to the wood chipping process.

Paper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma; Logs; Machinery; Equipment; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

St. Regis' first mill was located in Deferiet, New York; they now had paper and pulp mills located throughout the world. Interior view of the Tacoma St. Regis plant, an unidentified man is working with recently installed equipment. Photo ordered by Drew Engineering Company, an industrial air systems business, based out of Portland, Oregon.

Paper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma; Machinery; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Drew Engineering Co. (Portland, Or.); St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;