The new Mueller-Harkins Buick center provided their customers with all of their automotive needs, the new building was officially opened to the public on December 6, 1948. Interior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency; showroom features 1949 Buick Roadmaster on display, architect's model of building in left foreground. Model still exists inside the building, which now houses USA of Yesteryear Motor Car Company (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).
Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership had two twin turn tables, with huge windows that surrounded the display room; all fixtures were constructed of aluminum. Exterior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency, lighted, glassed-in showroom at night; 1949 Buick Roadmaster is on display inside, neon signs pierce the darkness on the exterior (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).
Service that you can depend on was Mueller-Harkins' motto, they were proud of their fast and efficient service. Interior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency's showroom at night, looking south; 1949 Buick Roadmaster, accessories including child booster seats and US Royal whitewall Tires on display; Neon sign for Hudson Automobile dealer down the street visible thru window (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).
Brown's Conservatory of Flowers was celebrating their re-opening; they had just gone through a remodeling and expansion of their flower shop. Brown's had invested approximately $67,000 in the latest flower ideas. Interior view of Brown's Flowers; an unidentified man is in the decorating room, this room has the floral arrangement supplies, including a flower spray painting machine; ribbons are lined up under the cabinets (T. Times, 12/16/48, p. 14-15).
Florist shops--Tacoma; Flowers--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Brown's Conservatory of Flowers (Tacoma);
Brown's Flowers had one of the most qualified flower staffs in all of Tacoma. Patsy Johnson was a wedding specialist, Hazel Freeman specialized in center pieces and bowl arrangements, Margie Leingang specialized in corsages, Larry Rucker specialized in funeral arrangements, and William Durrall was the greenhouse supervisor. Interior view of Brown's special order and arrangement room, refrigerated cabinets and storage compartments are located below the spacious counters (T. Times, 12/16/48, p. 14-15).
Florist shops--Tacoma; Flowers--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Brown's Conservatory of Flowers (Tacoma);
Brown's Flowers had an extra wing added, roof gardens and an apartment were also an addition on the second floor. The building houses a large display room, rock garden, corsage room, special order room, and the store is proud to offer their customers new and exotic flowers from South America and Hawaii. View of Brown's Flowers modern display case, a recent addition in the remodeling project (T. Times, 12/16/48, p. 14-15).
Florist shops--Tacoma; Flowers--Tacoma; Window displays; Decorations--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Brown's Conservatory of Flowers (Tacoma);
The newly remodeled Elks Temple was celebrating their new facilities with an open house for members and their wives. The Tacoma Elks Club was organized in 1890, the Tacoma Charter was presented by Deputy Exalted Ruler C. W. Niving. View of spacious and redecorated dining room of the Tacoma Elks Lodge; the Elks famed Stag table is in the background, this table seats fifteen members who have their daily lunch at the club (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).
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).
The Elks were organized to inculcate the principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity; the club promotes members' welfare and enhances the happiness of its members. The Elks believe they can increase American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship. Interior view of Tacoma's Elks Lodge No. 174's clubroom, the clubroom is near the Secretary's office, the room has new billiard tables and Christmas decorations (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).
Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas decorations; Billiard parlors--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Clubhouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elks Club (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);
Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company's 757 Fawcett Avenue building was being used to expand their local dial equipment and long distance switchboards to provide customers with efficient service. The expansion project was expected to be completed in 1949. Exterior view of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company's building, scaffolding from Safway Steel Scaffolds Company, "Foster & Kleiser Company" billboards advertising school support, are posted on safety walls.
Mueller-Harkins new building was one of the most modern automobile dealerships in the country. Interior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick showroom looking northwest; Madison M. Brager admires 1949 Buick convertible on floor turntable; advertising display explaining "Dynaflow" (automatic) transmission at far right in photo, "Buick 8" neon sign in window at left (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28). TPL-3772
Tacoma Drug Company, later known as the Northwestern Drug Company, was owned and operated by Fred Osmers. Their new facilities were being referred to as "Modern as Tomorrow". The building would have a large warehouse area, an inventory control room with a modern punch card tabulating system, spacious offices, and an efficient shipping area. View of Tacoma Drug Company's employees in their new building; business operations would begin in March 1949.
Pharmaceutical industry--Tacoma; Medicines; Drugstores--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;
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).
On December 30, 1948, the Elks Temple at 565 Broadway opened its doors to members, wives and ladies to see the newly renovated building. The club room, very popular with the majority of the membership, was just one of the rooms that was completely redone. Everything - chairs, tables, floor coverings, light fixtures - was new and modernized. Even the billiard tables were completely overhauled. All the funiture was custom made in Tacoma. (T.N.T., 12/30/48, p. 4-7).
View of window display at Fisher's Department Store; the display features modern "Morton and Kelvinator" kitchen appliances and cabinets, with a female mannequin on right side. "Morton" pantryettes and kitchen cabinets are along the walls of the display; "Kelvinator" range, freezer, double kitchen sink and refrigerator help give this kitchen all of the modern conveniences.
Department stores--Tacoma; Cupboards--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Window displays; Appliances; Appliance stores--Tacoma; Mannequins; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);
Most of the Wollander Farwest Homes built were two bedroom family homes in Tacoma and the surrounding area. The January 1949 Tacoma Times advertised two and three bedroom houses, some furnished, in various areas of the city, for prices ranging from $3,600 to $7,500. Interior view of a Wollander Farwest home; view of fully furnished living room with shag trimmed sofa and chair and matching shag rug, two chairs and radio unit against the back wall, dining room area on right side.
Prefabricated houses; Housing--Tacoma; Living rooms--Tacoma; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma);
Exterior view of a Wollander Farwest prefabricated house; view of driveway and stepping stones leading to the main entrance of house. This house was constructed with prefabricated plywood panels, and likely built in just a few days. In 1946 Farwest Homes stated they would be building approximately 25-100 homes daily; these homes were being purchased by new families.
Prefabricated houses; Housing--Tacoma; Driveways--Tacoma; Yards--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma);
Most of the houses built in Tacoma after the end of World War II were prefabricated houses. The need for housing was a serious issue in Tacoma for many years after the war; this also increased the need for telephones, which prompted Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company to expand. Interior view of home designed by Wollander Better Builder Plans and built by Wollander Farwest Homes. The living room is decorated with a matching sofa and chair; the brick fireplace gives the room a warm and cozy feel.
Prefabricated houses; Housing--Tacoma; Living rooms--Tacoma; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma);
Interior view of home designed by Wollander Better Builder Plans and built by Wollander Farwest Homes. The living room is decorated with a matching sofa and chair; the brick fireplace gives the room a warm and cozy feel, a closet with shelves is located by the bedrooms in background.
Prefabricated houses; Housing--Tacoma; Closets--Tacoma; Living rooms--Tacoma; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma);
Interior view of Wollander Farwest Home; view of living room with matching shag trimmed sectional sofa, shag rug, curtains, fireplace and end tables. The kitchen has white cabinets, a three burner stove and oven, a single sided sink and a washing machine located on left side of sink; there was likely a utility room where refrigerator was kept.
Prefabricated houses; Housing--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Living rooms--Tacoma; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma);
Tacoma and its surrounding communities were growing rapidly and housing construction was in great demand. After World War II ended, many small 2 and 3 bedroom homes were built to accommodate the new families. Interior view of home designed by Wollander Better Builder Plans and built by Wollander Farwest Homes. The living room is decorated with a matching sofa and chair; the brick fireplace gives the room a warm and cozy feel.
Prefabricated houses; Living rooms--Tacoma; Fireplaces--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma);
The house designed and built by Wollander Far West Homes was likely a two or three bedroom house. Wollander homes were made with prefabricated materials and usually built in just a few days. Interior view of prefabricated house built by Wollander Farwest Homes. View of small kitchen, it is equipped with a sink, cabinets, stove and oven unit, and a "Kenmore" washing machine; view of living room on right side.
Prefabricated houses; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washing machines; Cupboards--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma);
Willard A. Wollander owned Wollander Farwest Homes and Wollander Better Builder Plans, home designers and building companies. In 1946 Farwest was getting ready to build a massive amount, about 25-100 homes daily, of prefabricated homes in Tacoma. The consumer would have a choice of 725, 832 or 920 square feet, two bedroom houses; these houses would be available for under $6,000. Exterior view of a Wollander Farwest home, family dog in foreground.
Prefabricated houses; Housing--Tacoma; Neighborhoods--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma);
Griffin Fuel Company was one of the largest fuel delivery companies in Western Washington, with one office in Tacoma and another in Seattle. Griffin Fuel promised prompt and speedy delivery 24 hours per day. Exterior view of Griffin Fuel Company, the coal piles are being loaded into the fuel delivery trucks, "Barber Greene" coal chute is being used by the laborers, Griffin Fuel sign in background. This photograph was used to advertise Griffin Fuel Company, the advertisement read "Be Safe... with Aberdeen", possibly a type of coal (T.N.T., 1/7/49, p. 3). TPL-9959;
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;
Interior view of the home belonging to George G. and Alice S. Franklin, located in Tacoma's Stadium District at 425 Tacoma Avenue North. This home was built in 1905 in modern English style. The house was designed by architect E. A. Wager, and built by Cornell Brothers construction company; Charles H. Hyde was the original owner. View of the beautiful banister, sitting area is decorated with a wreath and garlands for the holidays.
Balusters; Furnishings; Wreaths--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Franklin, Alice S.--Associated objects; Franklin, George G.--Homes & haunts;
Exterior view of George and Alice Franklin's home, located in Tacoma's Stadium district at 425 Tacoma Avenue North, taken on January 5, 1949. The Franklin's home was awarded second place in the 1947 Tacoma Times House Beautiful contest. View of beautifully maintained lawns, rose garden is located on right side of driveway, view of the Franklin Greenhouse.
Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gardens--Tacoma; Lawns--Tacoma; Yards--Tacoma; Greenhouses--Tacoma; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium District (Tacoma); Franklin, George G.--Homes & haunts;
George G. Franklin was the owner of Franklin Food Stores, a Tacoma grocery and meat store. Franklin Food Stores had five locations located throughout Tacoma. George G. was married to Alice S. Franklin, they lived at 425 Tacoma Avenue North, in Tacoma's Stadium District. Exterior view of the Franklin home, two large trees frame the view of the house, greenhouse on right.
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.
Tacoma Moving and Storage Company specialized in furniture and piano moving; they were located in downtown Tacoma at 2136-38 Pacific Avenue. Interior view of Tacoma Moving and Storage Company facilities, an unidentified worker is applying "Owens-Corning Fiberglas" to the wall; photo ordered by Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, a building insulation company based out of Seattle, Washington.
