Song stylist Helen O'Connell at the May, 1956, Greater Tacoma Home Show exhibit booth sponsored by John E. Amberg Co., distributors for Admiral-Hamilton appliances. Miss O'Connell holds open the door to an Admiral dual temperature refrigerator. To her right is a 1956 Admiral television set. The TV is topped by an Admiral portable radio. Helen O'Connell was an internationally known chanteuse who had recently returned to the music business after retiring to become a homemaker and mother of three daughters. She would be headlining the Broadway style revue at the Home Show. After her father's death while she was still a young teen, she had supported her family by singing in clubs and shows. She sang with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and their recording of "Green Eyes" sold over 3 million copies. (TNT 5/10/1956, pg. C-2-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; O'Connell, Helen, 1921-1993; Singers--1950-1960;

Booth sponsored by the Honolulu Conservatory of Music at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show held May 11-20th.The Honolulu Conservatory was a franchise opened by Karolyn & Floyd Piper in their home at 617 No. 2nd St. They specialized in Hawaiian music, teaching ukulele, guitar and accordion. They taught music lessons by the Conservatory method with numbers diagrammed inside notes, sold instruments, music and accessories and ran a studio in their home. At the exhibit booth, a posed mannequin band strikes up a tune on banjo, accordion, clarinet and guitar. Instruments are displayed, including accordions, a guitar and a triple neck steel guitar. Another guitar is available to the right to deposit entries for the free drawing for a ukulele, guitar and accordion.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stringed instruments; Ukuleles;

Cheney Lumber Company's booth at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show. A young Cheney Studs football player poses in uniform with one of the trophies. His uniform features the Cheney "stud" horse logo on the chest. "Studs" were what Cheney renamed the 8 foot 2 x 4 lumber "shorts" that revolutionized the building materials industry. On the back wall are photos of the young man's football team mates, as well as other Cheney teams. One sign points out that the amateur Cheney Studs baseball team was the national runnerup in the 1955 American Baseball Congress.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lumberyards--Tacoma; Lumber--Tacoma; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Awards; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A model of one of Ben Cheney's lumberyards is displayed at the Cheney booth at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show. Miniature stacks of Cheney "studs" dot the landscape. The Tacoma Home Show was held May 11-20, 1956 at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Over 100 local and national companies set up exhibit booths emphasizing products for the home. Cheney "studs" were 8 foot lengths of 2x4 timber that established the residential ceiling height in America.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lumberyards--Tacoma; Lumber--Tacoma; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Models;

Two men are being interviewed in front of the Cascade Electric exhibit booth at the 1959 Home show. The KTVW television camera looks on as the man to his right counts off to air time for the interviewer. Cascade Electric were electrical contractors located at 217 S 38th. Projects for 1959 for the team of Henry and Henry Hofner were the new south end high school, the legal arts building and a proposed 75 unit luxury apartment building. The booth is located next to the one of Rainier Lumber Co.; roofing, siding and remodeling. TPL-9642

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Cascade Electric Co. (Tacoma); Rainier Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Pictured under the basketball nets at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 15, 1969, is four-year-old Suzy Jo who is being held by Mrs. Marguerite Cousins, director of the Hilltop Day Care Training Center for Mentally Retarded Children. Suzy, a student at the center, and Mrs. Cousins jointly hold a basketball. They are joined by Mel Jackson, associate director of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center (L), and Al Roberts, UPS co-chairman of an upcoming charity match between the University of Puget Sound Loggers and the University of Alaska. Ticket sales for the February 1st game would benefit the "kids on the hill" enrolled in the learning center. A followup story in a January, 1970, News Tribune indicated that proceeds totaling approximately $3000 were raised for the day care center by the 1969 game. Several local firms stepped forward to buy blocks of tickets to distribute to Hilltop youngsters, allowing nearly 1,000 children to view a collegiate basketball game, many for the first time. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 1-26-69, D-14, TNT 1-25-70, B-6)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods); Girls--Tacoma--1960-1970; Jackson, Mel; Roberts, Al; Cousins, Marguerite; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;

All eyes face the camera as an All-State orchestra prepares to entertain a packed house of 4,000 in the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on February 24, 1962. The young members of the orchestra, as well as All-State bands and choruses, were participating in a Washington Music Educators-sponsored event. Seated against the curtains are believed to be members of the All-State choruses. The Washington Music Educators three-day convention was held at the Winthrop Hotel. Approximately 2000 people, including 900 top student musicians, took part in panel discussions, demonstrations, rehersals and concerts. (TNT 2-22-62, p. 8, 2-25-62, D-8)

Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1960-1970; Musical ensembles--Tacoma;

Scenes from 1960 Home Show. Judy Keplar, Miss Home Show, delicately lifts a young man's forearm over the head of a small boy as they watch one of the many demonstrations at the 1960 Home Show. Two other men and another boy in the group sport large grins. The 12th annual Home Show was sponsored by the Tacoma Home Builders Association and held, as usual, at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse, broke a record in attendance with 53, 784 visitors to the five-day event. The chosen queen, Miss Keplar of 4015 Pacific Avenue, was a long distance operator for Pacific Telephone. (TNT 3-13-60, B-8)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Keplar, Judy;

Washington Natural Gas's booth at the annual Tacoma Home Show. The large exhibition booth located in the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse promoted the gas company's motto, "Good things happen when you're cooking with gas." Washer and dryers, stoves, indoor and outdoor lighting were all run by gas instead of electricity. Washington Natural Gas wanted consumers to "turn to natural gas" and invited show attendees to visit the Granada Model Home in Oakbrook to experience fine living with gas products. Photograph ordered by Washington Natural Gas. (TNT 3-27-67, C-11)

Washington Natural Gas Co. (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

In step for the March 19, 1968, opening day of the 21st Tacoma Home Show are promotor Pat O'Toole, Miss Home Show Barbara Slott, and developer Boyd Lundstrom. O'Toole had promised a different kind of home show in 1968 as he replaced more than half the previous exhibitors. Nothing that did not directly pertain to actually building or equipping a home would be allowed. This would be a "Red Carpet" event as for the first time, the entire floor of the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse would be covered by thousands of yards of red carpet. Anticipation ran high for attendance in the hundreds of thousands as free tickets would be distributed by local banks and utility companies. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows. (TNT 2-11-68, C-19)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1960-1970; O'Toole, Patrick; Lundstrom, Boyd; Slott, Barbara; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry demonstrates trick riding on his horse Champion during a show at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on July 15, 1949. Champion Jr. also joined his famed sire on stage later that evening. The 12-act western musical variety show was sponsored jointly by the Tacoma Athletic Commission and the College of Puget Sound. Mr. Autry's troupe of western motion picture stars and radio entertainers included M.C. assistant to Mr. Autry, comedian Pat Buttram and vaudevillian Rufe Davis. (TNT 7-15-49, p. 13, 7-16-49, p. 3) TPL-148. ALBUM 8.

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers; Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; Horses--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Trick riding--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Pinafores, a trio of singing cowgirl sisters, are part of western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry's July 15, 1949, variety show at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Singer/songwriter Johnny Bond is believed to be the guitarist on the left. A total of 12 acts performed during the one-night-only show, headlined by the popular Mr. Autry. The crowd of 5000, with a good many children in attendance, hummed along to renditions of "Back in the Saddle Again" and "Riders in the Sky," enjoyed comedic repartee, and watched Mr. Autry's famed horse, Champion, do trick stunts. The opening of the Memorial Fieldhouse in 1948 brought the Tacoma Home Show, Horace Heidt, and most recently, Gene Autry and his company of Hollywood western and radio stars, to the attention of local residents. (TNT 7-15-49, p. 13, 7-16-49, p.3) ALBUM 8.

Pinafores; Singers--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry, at microphone, and his troupe on stage at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on July 15, 1949. The group may be taking its final bow. The show consisted of 12 acts, including the Pinafores, the identically clad sisters to Autry's left. Others performing were singer/songwriter Johnny Bond, comedian Pat Buttram, Frankie Melvin, Rufe Davis, and the Cass Country Boys trio. Champion and Champion Jr., Mr. Autry's horses, also appeared on stage to thrill the audience with animal stunts. (TNT 7-16-49, p. 3) ALBUM 8.

Singers; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; Pinafores; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Several men have joined the fund raiser for the Orthopedic Guild and the Tacoma Day Nursery at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Two men arrive in a Capri convertible dressed as Adlai Stevenson (Hollis Day) and Dwight Eisenhower (Din Fuhrmeister), waving to the crowd in an election-year spoof.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Tacoma Day Nursery (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Satires (Visual works); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Bobby Hicks, featherweight from the Chemeres Boxing Club of Seattle (in the dark trunks), takes a vicious punch to the head in his bout with Gil Durey on January 20, 1956. He ultimately beat Durey, an Oregon State College student, in the opening bout of the Eighth Annual Golden Gloves held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse by decision. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, the tournament attracted 59 entries from six major Northwest cities plus military representations. Going into the fight, Hicks had a record of thirteen knockouts in 29 fights. (Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission.) (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Golden Gloves tournament. It appears that the boxer is winding up for a massive punch against his opponent during this semi-final match at the eighth annual Golden Gloves tournament on January 21, 1956. The amateur boxer to the left is believed to be Tommy Delveccio, representing the South Hill Club of Vancouver, B.C. His opponent, hair flying, may be Clifford Sam, Burns, Oregon, who lost to Delveccio in a decision. Delveccio went on to win the 139 pound class in a split decision over Ruggles Larson of the Seattle McPhersons Club. The Tacoma Athletic Club once again hosted the Golden Gloves. (TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

The College of Puget Sound fieldhouse is being readied for the 1956 Tacoma Home Show. Booths are being set up, featuring goods and services of interest to home owners. A truck with an extended ladder is being used to set the cascading streamers and the lights. More than 100 local and national companies would participate in the 8th annual show held on May 11-20th at the CPS Fieldhouse. A special stage was being erected for a new feature- a complete Broadway style variety revue headlined by Helen O'Connell that would perform twice nightly with an added matinee on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. (TNT 5/10/1956, section C)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Master Builders were the sponsors for the Greater Tacoma Home Show. The Master Builders were a group of contractors that banded together and operated by a set of guidelines that assured quality control. Each year, one contractor was selected to build the Home Show model home. The TMB also participated in the annual Parade of Homes. The display is a "translite" display, where light shines through transparencies of photos of interiors and exteriors of local homes built by TMB members. (TNT 5/10/1956, section C)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma);

Miller Construction's exhibit booth at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show, headlining Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a $30,000,000 addition, featuring 1500 new homes built in the early 1950's. Miller Construction was one of the prime developers. Most of the Miller homes were located on view lots; with views of either the Narrows, mountains or city lights. The homes had been featured for several years in the Tacoma Parade of Homes and in 1954 in Better Homes and Gardens as the Idea Home of the Year.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma;

There were so many exhibits at the 1954 Tacoma Home Show held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse that a large tent had to be erected to handle the overflow. Children's playhouses were exhibited under the big top; each playhouse was designed and built by members of the Tacoma Master Builders Association and labeled with the creator's name. Actual landscaping was provided by Firth Nursery in Tacoma. Twelve playhouses were given away during the six day home show run.

Children's playhouses--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

The A A Insulation & Roofing Co. packed their small 1954 Tacoma Home Show exhibit booth with a variety of roofing, siding and foundation materials. Asphalt roofing manufactured by the U.S. Gypsum Co. in a number of colors plus asbestos cement siding samples and examples of weather stripping could all be viewed by home show customers. A rotting foundation could be easily replaced with cement blocks by A A Insulation. The company had two locations in this area, one was at 1502 South Tacoma Way and the other on Milwaukee Avenue in Puyallup. Their ad in the 1954 City Directory stated they provided "Always reliable and dependable service."

A A Insulation & Roofing Co. (Tacoma); Building materials; Roofing tiles; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Cowden-Wade, Inc. had a large exhibition booth at the 1954 Tacoma Home Show which was held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. The home show was sponsored by the Tacoma Master Builders Association and annually drew thousands coming to view the latest in home and furniture design. In 1953, over 50,000 area residents stopped by to examine the various exhibit booths; the Master Builders were anticipating throngs equaling or exceeding that figure in 1954. Cowden-Wade's exhibit featured a complete American kitchen, examples of Steel Wall Tile and Keystone storm doors and windows, promoted the services of Livermore Co., electrical contractors, and advertised low-cost bank financing. Located at South 13th & "K" Street (street now known as Martin Luther King Jr. Way) next to Sepic Electric Co., Cowden-Wade supplied the formica, modern folding doors and "Duratile" Steel Wall Tile for the 1954 Tacoma Home Show model home. (Ad, TNT 5-18-54, C-8)

Cowden-Wade, Inc. (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

On Thursday October 18, 1956, four days after his 66th birthday, President Dwight D. Eisenhower addressed a crowd of over 8,000 Tacomans crammed into the CPS (UPS) Fieldhouse. President Eisenhower was on a campaign swing through the Pacific Northwest. While in Tacoma, Ike stayed at the home of his older brother, Edgar, in Lakewood. Tacoma Mayor John Anderson is to left of Mamie Eisenhower. Series ordered by International News Photo. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Presidents' spouses; Eisenhower, Mamie; Visits of state--Tacoma; Anderson, John H.;

President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the podium, addressing the crowd at the College of Puget Sound (UPS) Fieldhouse. Eisenhower was on an ambitious 5-day air campaign swing through the west. His visit to Tacoma was sandwiched between speeches in Seattle and Portland. While in Tacoma, he stayed overnight with his elder brother Edgar at his American Lake home and made a 12 mile journey by motorcade from Edgar's home to CPS and then to McChord Air Force Base. Cheering school children stood in the rain to catch a glimpse of their President. Series ordered by International News Photo. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Visits of state--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Alsco Northwest, Inc. booth at 1957 Tacoma Home Show. Storm doors and windows were the speciality of Alsco Northwest, Inc., located at 2704 Sixth Avenue. Their booth at the March, 1957, Tacoma Home Show exhibited samples of their products. Signs on the booth indicated that Alsco was the world's largest all aluminum storm window and door manufacturer and was the only manufacturer recommended by Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping and Today's Health. They were sponsoring a drawing for a free Starlighter picture storm screen door, installation included, with the lucky winner to be picked on March 24th. Photograph ordered by Alsco Northwest, Inc.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Alsco Northwest, Inc. (Tacoma); Windows--Tacoma; Aluminum; Signs (Notices);

1957 Tacoma Home Show exhibit. A model comfortably sits on the attractive tile and stone bench adjacent to the open stone fireplace during the 1957 Tacoma Home Show. The Georgia Pacific Plywood Corporation supplied the massive wall unit which holds a set of Compton's encyclopedias and various curios. The last shelf was designed to slant, displaying magazines which would be highly visible and convenient to reach. The Tacoma Home Show was held March 19-23, 1957, at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Photograph ordered by Georgia Pacific Plywood Corporation.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Bookcases--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1950-1960; Georgia Pacific Plywood Co. (Olympia);

Exhibit booth at the 1958 Tacoma Home Show. The North Shore Country Club sponsored a booth at the 1958 Tacoma Home Show held at the C.P.S. Fieldhouse. Topographical maps and architectural drawings are hung in the booth. Robert Billsbrough Price was listed as the residental park's architect along with Charles E. Riggs as engineer. A drawing to be held on the last day of the show would give one lucky winner the choice of any $1500 lot, completely paid for, including utilities and country club membership. Home construction would be started soon in the new North Shore County Club Estates near Browns Point. Construction was delayed due to two years of litigation. Photograph ordered by North Shore Country Club. (TNT 3-14-58, A-3)

Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); North Shore Country Club (Tacoma); Maps; Signs (Notices);

Ed Schloredt (L) and Richard Cook (R) listen carefully to judge Mel Pedersen who is pointing at contest designs fastened to a plywood wall. They are entrants in the Apprenticeship Contest in the carpentry division at the 1958 Tacoma Home Show. The 3rd annual Apprenticeship Contest, awarding honors to the top applicants, attracted apprentices in carpentry, millwork, and cabinetry from nine cities statewide. Carpenters would be required to build a partial wall eight feet high. They must fit doors and windows into the wall and trim and inside finish to demonstrate individual skills. Tools of the carpenter trade are leaning against the plywood wall including two saws. The Tacoma Home Show was an annual event held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse to bring new products and ideas for homeowners to view and perhaps purchase. Photograph ordered by Washington State Council of Carpenters. (TNT 3-16-58, B-24, TNT 3-20-58, D-1)

Plywood; Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carpentry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Schloredt, Ed; Cook, Richard; Pedersen, Mel;

Branham Stereo High Fidelity exhibit booth at the 1959 Home Show, held at the College of Puget Sound fieldhouse. The store was located at 1422 Tacoma Ave. So. and sold stereo equipment and speakers. Covers from stereo LPs surround the sign for the company, including the 1812 Overture, Carmen and Patti Page.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Branham Stereo High Fidelity (Tacoma);