1941 exterior view of National Bank of Washington. Sandstone building for National Bank of Tacoma by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects, 1920. Thirty years later in 1971, the Tacoma Art Museum moved into the former bank building.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On April 22, 1941, C.F. Trendall (Chen) Rowe and his wife, the former Evangeline Acheson, pose with the tulips on display by their company, Tacoma Seed Co., at the Bank of California. The 14th annual flower exhibit is composed of over 50 varieties of tulips. (T. Times 4/23/1941, pg. 12)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Rowe, Charles Frederick Trendall; Acheson, Evangeline; Tacoma Seed Co. (Tacoma);

Group portrait at the National Bank of Washington annual company picnic held at Benbow Lake on Sunday August 17, 1941. Benbow Lakes Resort was located on Tanwax Lake, about 20 miles from Tacoma.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Picnics--1940-1950; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin);

On Sunday, August 17, 1941, National Bank of Washington employees traded in their business suits for more casual wear at the annual company picnic held at Benbow Lakes Resort in Kapowsin. One of the big events of the day was a three legged race; paired up boy-girl and fastened together at the leg, the groups made their way across the grass. Benbow Resort was located 20 miles from Tacoma on Tanwax Lake. The resort offered fishing, boating, swimming, dancing, tennis, basketball, horses and picnic facilities for 3,000.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Three-legged racing; Picnics--1940-1950; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin);

ca. 1941. Row of teller windows and safe deposit boxes inside lobby of Puget Sound National Bank, 1117-19 Pacific Ave., circa 1941.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

ca. 1941. Teller windows and Christmas tree in lobby of Puget Sound National Bank for the Christmas season circa 1941. Square columns, open beam ceiling, and what appears to be either granite or marble embellishments.

Banks--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Puget Sound National Bank, vault with open door.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

Puget Sound National Bank, interior work area.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

Interior of Puget Sound National Bank, view of lobby, defense poster on column.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

The Tacoma home office executives of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association hosted a luncheon on December 17, 1942 at the Tacoma Club for Ormond E. Loomis, Administrative Assistant to the Commissioner of the Federal Home Loan Bank System in Washington, D.C. Executives from Portland, Eugene, Bellingham, Seattle and Tacoma were on hand to confer with Loomis. Pictured left to right are, seated: B.E. Buckmaster, Tacoma President PFF, Loomis and C.E. Buckley, Vice President. Standing, left to right, Ivan Graybell (Portland), A.M. Banks (Bellingham), Chester Starks (Seattle), Roy E. Davison, Louis E. Larson and Frank Cashman (Eugene). (T. Times 6/18/1942,pg. 10-picture)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Buckmaster, B.E.; Loomis, Ormond E.; Buckley, C.E.; Davison, Roy E; Larson, Louis E.;

On June 17,1942, the executives of the Tacoma office of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan held a luncheon for Ormond E. Loomis, administration assistant to the Commisioner of the Federal Home Loan Banks System, Washington D.C. Seated around a table conferring with Loomis are, left to right, A.M. Banks (Bellingham), Frank Cashman (Eugene), Ivan Graybell (Portland), Roy E. Davison, Chester Starks (Seattle), B.E. Buckmaster, Louis E. Larson, Ormand E. Loomis, and C.E. Buckley. (T. Times 6/18/1942, pg. 10)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Buckmaster, B.E.; Loomis, Ormond E.; Buckley, C.E.; Davison, Roy E; Larson, Louis E.;

Interior of Broadway Branch, Puget Sound National Bank. View of vault.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms);

Interior of Broadway Branch, Puget Sound National Bank. View of vault..

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms);

The third War Bond Drive opened on September 9, 1943. People of Tacoma and Pierce County were asked to purchase $19,000,000 in bonds during the drive. It didn't take long for the first million dollars in bonds to be sold. Tacoma Savings & Loan Association bought a block of $1,000,000 of U.S. bonds on September 13, 1943. Shown above are War Bond Drive representatives and officials of the savings & loan: (L-R) general campaign manager for Pierce County Hugo Ferber, vice-president & general manager of Tacoma Savings & Loan Association A.W. Winden, president of the association Alfred Lister, and chairman of the banks/industrial section of the campaign committee Doyle Watt. Association officials commented on the safety of the bonds and urged that the more money invested in war bonds, the quicker the victory over the enemy. (TNT 9-9-43, p. 1, TNT 9-13-43, p. 11)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Ferber, Hugo; Winden, A.W.; Lister, Alfred; Watt, Doyle;

In June of 1944 Pauline Gunstrom, the telephone operator at the Bank of California, 1011 Pacific Avenue, was photographed holding a flask-type pint bottle that had been filled to the brim with dimes. The bottle was brought to the bank by an unidentified shipyard worker at the Todd Pacific Shipyards to purchase a war bond. Once emptied the bottle was found to contain 1,125 dimes, more than enough for a bond. (T. Times, 6/20/44, p. 3).

Banks--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

Central Bank Anniversary Banquet. Central Bank was located at 2816 6th Avenue, they started in the banking business back in 1925 with only three employees. Central Bank is a member of the Washington Banker's Association. View of seven Central Bank employees at the 20th anniversary personnel dinner.

Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commemoration--Tacoma; Central Bank (Tacoma);

National Bank of Washington, building exterior, for sign purposes. Shot from across Pacific Avenue, the National Bank of Washington is shown on the corner of 12th and Pacific. This building would later house the Tacoma Art Museum through the year 2000. Puget Sound National Bank Building is next door on Pacific Avenue and the Federal Building is behind on the right.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

Puget Sound National Bank advertised that they had the most competent, well trained people and specialists in every area of money management. They have steadily and continuously grown and by 1970, Puget Sound had 24 bank branches throughout the Tacoma area. Interior view of Puget Sound National Bank Tacoma Lincoln Branch and their staff.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Puget Sound National Bank opened its first branch in Tacoma in 1895. They have continually grown and expanded throughout the years. They provide a highly localized financial service to many new businesses and industries, and assist with the expansion of established firms. Exterior view of Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma Lincoln Branch. TPL-8202

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Facades--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

North Pacific Bank is one of the oldest banks in Tacoma, beginning operations in 1906. They offered general banking services, safe deposit vaults and had capital, surplus, reserves and undivided profits totaling over $500,000. North Pacific Bank was a member of the Federal Deposit Finance Corporation. In 1947 Peter Wallerich was the bank president and B. M. Wallerich, George O. Weller and Bert R. Magnuson were vice presidents. Exterior view of bank building, customers are standing outside the bank located at the corner of South 54th and South Tacoma Way.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; North Pacific Bank (Tacoma);

When this photograph was taken in February of 1948, the venerable Bowes Building, 100 So. 9th St., was home to Tacoma Savings and Loan, one of the pioneer financial institutions on the Pacific Coast. The company had purchased the building in 1920 and added their neon sign above the entrance in 1941. The Bowes Building was designed by the architectural firm of Heath & Twichell and built of white Vermont marble. It was named after its developer Major Edward J. Bowes, who achieved national fame for his "Amateur Hour" radio program. It is on the City, State and National Registry of Historic Buildings. Photo ordered by William D. Hopping, president Tacoma Savings and Loan. (T.Times, 2/26/1948, p.29)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Bowes Building (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Bank of California was the first bank in Tacoma to offer drive-up banking to its customers. Alfred B. Cummings, owner of Porter-Cummings Co., Inc. a men's clothing store, drove his car along Court A between 10th and 11th Streets behind the bank and handed his deposit to Wallace H. Waite, teller. Publicity shots ordered by Mr. Hernly, Batsford, Constantini & Gardner, Seattle. (T.Times, 3/23/1948, p.9)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cummings, A.B.; Waite, Wallace H.; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mr. A.B. Cummings, owner of Porter-Cummings Company, men's clothiers, decided to try the newly opened drive-up banking services at Bank of California in March of 1948. The teller, Wallace H. Waite, is protected by a special bullet-proof glass window and steel bars. Mr. Cummings liked the new service, the first of its kind in Tacoma, and predicted it would help relieve congestion from customers parking along Pacific Avenue to stop for a short visit to the bank. Bank of California had been at this downtown location since 1928 and the drive-up window was located in the alley back of the bank. (T.Times, 3/23/1948, p.9-article & alternate photograph)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cummings, A.B.; Waite, Wallace H.; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pearl Gunn, a teller at Bank of California was held up by a man she described as "tall, dark, very handsome, well dressed, cool and calm". The man approached her window with a large manila envelope, he was holding what appeared to be a gun with a blue and white bandana over it, and asked her to fill it with money. The good looking criminal left with $1500 in $5's, $1500 in $10's, $3400 in $20's, $1000 in $50's and $1000 in $100's totaling $8400. Pearl Gunn stated she was petrified about the incident (T. Times, 5/6/48, p. 1).

Bankers--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Robberies--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Gunn, Pearl;

Copy of architect's drawing of National Bank of Washington, ordered by National Bank of Washington, Miss Lindquist. A drawing of the new Parkland Branch by Lea, Pearson & Richards Architects. The drawing shows a tall, single-story building.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Architectural drawings; Architects; Lea, Pearson & Richards (Tacoma);

Industrial edition, Banks, Times, Buzz. A view of the exterior of the Bank of California built in 1928 of Wilkeson sandstone and granite. The four ionic columns, which cost $3,500 each to build, stretch three stories up the front of the building. There were numerous banks and savings and loans with their headquarters in Tacoma at this time and they played an important role in the development of industry and the construction of buildings and homes in the area. (T.Times, 2/25/1949, p.12)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Columns--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma;

Industrial edition, Banks, Times, Buzz. A view of the exterior of the National Bank of Washington. The building, designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan architects, was built of Wilkeson sandstone in 1921. The building became the home of the Tacoma Art Museum in May 1971 and contained the Dr. Lester S. Baskin Hall, Sara Little Center for Design Research, Helen B. Murray Gallery. TPL-9203

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma;

Industrial edition, Banks, Times, Buzz. A view of the exterior of the Pacific 1st Federal. Merchants National Bank had stood at this location from 1890. The name of the building was changed to the Equitable Building in 1898. In 1922 it became the home of the Pacific Savings and Loan Association and the name was changed again in 1939 to become Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan Association. The appearance of the building changed significantly when the cornice, damaged in the 1949 earthquake, had to come down.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma;

Following an action making the rhododendron Washington's official state flower, Verna V. Weiler, Director of the Capitol District of Garden Clubs, and Alice S. Franklin, President of the Garden Club of Tacoma, immediately planned Tacoma's first Rhododendron Show; the flowers will be displayed in the lobby of the Bank of California. View of Alice S. Franklin (left) and Verna V. Weiler admiring azaleas on March 2, 1949 (T. Times, 3/3/49, p. 3).

Banks--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Azaleas--Tacoma; Rhododendrons; Flower shows--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Franklin, Alice S.; Weiler, Verna V.;

Washingtonians love the rhododendron so much that they made it the state flower. In honor of their favorite flower, Tacoma was holding its 1st annual rhododendron show on May 5, 1949, in the main lobby of the Bank of California building, 1011-13 Pacific Ave. The show was sponsored by the Tacoma Garden Club and the Capital District, Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs. Visitors were greeted with a wonderland of beautiful azaleas and rhododendrons; so many in fact that it was hard to believe that banking business could still be conducted. A whimsical and colorful feature included rhododendron hats worn by the flower show committee members (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-6 & 5/8/49, p. A-2). TPL-8561

Banks--Tacoma; Lobbies--Tacoma; Azaleas--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhododendrons--1940-1950; Flower shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);