The Tacoma Savings and Loan Association held their annual Christmas party at the Fircrest Golf Club in 1952. Dorothy Hopping Roberts (third from left), Hazel Schaeffer Hopping and William D. Hopping, Jr. (second from right and extreme right) posed for a casual portrait behind a decorated tree branch. The couple at the extreme left were not identified. Dorothy Hopping Roberts was the daughter of William Hopping, Sr., president of Tacoma Savings & Loan. William D. Hopping, Jr., here with his wife Hazel, was the son of the savings & loan president. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Roberts, Dorothy Louise Hopping; Hopping, William D.; Hopping, Hazel Schaeffer; Hopping, William D.--Family;

Reno Odlin (fourth from the left) sits with a group of employees from Puget Sound National Bank.

Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma)--People; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979;

Man at desk in wood paneled office of the National Bank of Washington, surrounded by numerous floral arrangements. This is possibly C.T. Chandler, vice-president, in a photograph taken on August 2, 1952. In 1955 Mr. Chandler would be elected vice-president of Transamerica with an office in San Francisco.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Flower arrangements;

Exposure of 50,000 parking tickets being given away at Puget Sound National Bank's new downtown parking lot. As more people moved to the suburbs and relied more on their automobiles, the downtown branch of Puget Sound added an "auto teller" for drive through banking and a new customer parking lot to entice customers to come downtown.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In May of 1952, two news hungry Tacomans, Mrs. Lindquist & Mr. McIntyre, picked up news bulletins, provided by the news room of KTNT, in the lobby of the National Bank of Washington at 1123 Pacific Avenue. On the morning of April 12, 1952, the pressmen employees of the News Tribune struck Tacoma's only daily newspaper and posted pickets around the plant. The strike shut down the paper from mid-April until August 12, 1952. This was Tacoma's first major newspaper strike in more than 30 years. The KTNT news bulletins, published by the news division the Tribune's radio station, and the Tacoma Reporter, which was published from June-August of 1952, helped provide news to the community during the strike.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior view of Puget Sound National Bank's temporary Lakewood branch. As the 1950's began, so did urban flight. Population in the suburbs was booming and the bank followed its customers. In 1952, Puget Sound opened its Lakewood branch adjacent to the Lakewood Center and took in nearly $2 million in deposits by the end of its first year. Lakewood opened in temporary headquarters- a 35 x 75 foot plywood building- 10 working days after obtaining the Comptroller's approval. The permanent branch opened on 10-5-1953. ("Banking on Independence" by Barry L. Provorse)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;

Progress photographs on construction of Puget Sound National Bank's temporary Lakewood Branch. Workmen are seen putting the finishing touches on the exterior of the building constructed in a record 10 working days. Architect Lea, Pearson and Richards turned to what was virtually an all-plywood construction for a one-story building in keeping with the colonial design of Lakewood Center. (TNT, 3/9/1952, p.C-12)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; Building construction--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Progress photographs on construction of Puget Sound National Bank's temporary Lakewood Branch. A crew of 25 men finished the construction job for the temporary quarters of Puget Sound National Bank near Lakewood Center in 10 working days. The new branch opened March 24, 1952, just 28 days from the time the foundations were laid. Faced with a rapidly increasing population in the area and a growing need for modern branch banking facilities, bank officials made a quick decision to build a new bank and build it now. (TNT, 3/9/1952, p.C-12)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; Building construction--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Ray Gamble has brought a few of the carved elephants in his collection to display at the new offices of Central Bank. He and the staff at the new branch are seen behind the counter where the carved elephants are displayed. Tacoma businessman Ray Gamble owned the largest collection of elephants in the world.

Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Central Bank (Tacoma)--People; Central Bank (Tacoma); Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Collectors--Tacoma;

Central Bank held an open house for their new K Street branch at the corner of K Street and South 12th January 25, 1952. This view shows the staff at the new branch with seven women standing behind five men seated in the front. P.W. Bourgaize, president of Central Bank, is seated in the middle. Central Bank opened for business on March 9, 1925, at the corner of 6th Avenue and Pine Street. The growth of Central Bank, leading to the extension of its banking facilities to the K Street district, is shown by the consistent rise of its assets, from $654,156.43 at the end of 1939 to $4,996,978.81 at the close of 1951. (TNT, 1/24/1952, p.9)

Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Central Bank (Tacoma)--People; Central Bank (Tacoma); Bourgaize, P.W.;

The March of Dimes merry-go-round operated in Bank of California's new parking lot at South 10th and A Streets. The bank set back their opening day for the new parking lot to assist with the polio drive. City buildings can be seen in the background. (TNT, 1/20/1952, p.C-15) TPL-8769

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking lots--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); March of Dimes (Tacoma);

Twenty-three men are seen around the large table for the last board meeting in the old board room at the National Bank of Washington. A landscape mural is seen on the far wall above the wainscoting. Skylights can be seen above the table. The National Bank of Washington had recently completed an annex across the street at 1201-03 Pacific Avenue. A.H. Brouse was president of the bank at this time.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Conference rooms--Tacoma; Meetings--Tacoma;

The Lincoln High School Choir sang at Lincoln Branch of Puget Sound National Bank for Christmas 1951. Reno Odlin, president of the bank, can be seen next to the choir standing at the back on the right. The bank was located just across the street from the high school.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Choirs (Music); Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);

A barbershop quartet sings during Tacoma Savings & Loan Association's annual Christmas party held in Fircrest on December 21, 1951. Members of the quartet wear costumes from near the turn-of-the-20th century with tall top hats, cut-away coats, bow ties and handle-bar moustaches.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--Employees; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barbershop quartets; Singers; Costumes; Holidays--Tacoma; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of new National Bank of Washington building at South 12th and Pacific Avenue as pictured on November 11, 1951. It was built on the site of the original Tacoma Chamber of Commerce building erected in 1885 and was the first home of Pacific National Bank, the predecessor of the National Bank of Washington. Cornerstone laying ceremonies would occur on Friday, November 16th. The new building, containing the installment credit department, was designed by local architects Lea, Pearson and Richards with concrete and ceramic tile wainscoting. A 70-foot tunnel across 12th St. connected the head office and the new addition. (TNT 11-15-51, A-4, A-5)

Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

Rain soaked streets would not prevent the opening of the new National Bank of Washington branch at South 12th and Pacific in November, 1951. The new branch addition was built on the site of the original Tacoma Chamber of Commerce building, and would house the installment credit department. A well-lit tunnel would connect the main bank building and its new annex. Under the direction of president A.H. Brouse, the National Bank of Washington saw its assets grow from 19 million in 1937 to 119 million dollars by 1951. The bank had provided uninterrupted service in Tacoma since 1885. Exterior view of National Bank of Washington; Pioneer, Inc., manufacturers of business forms for banks and commercial printers, to the rear. (TNT 11-15-51, A-4, A-5)

Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pioneer, Inc. (Tacoma);

Cornerstone ceremony. Bank executives from Tacoma and Seattle lay the cornerstone to the new National Bank of Washington building at South 12th and Pacific in November, 1951. From left to right are James Byers, J.K. Ewart, C.T. Chandler, G.T. Pierce, Ward Estey, Maxwell Carlson and A.H. Brouse at the site of the new annex. Carlson was the president of National Bank of Commerce (Seattle) and Brouse, trowel in hand, was the National Bank of Washington president. One of the highlights of the formal opening was the placing of a specially designed copper box in the cornerstone which contained historical documents for future generations. (TNT 11-17-51, p. 9)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In July of 1951, a tunnel was built under South 12th Street to connect the main National Bank of Washington building at the northwest corner of South 12th Street and Pacific Avenue with the new bank annex that was under construction across 12th Street. The six foot wide passageway was built to permit the movement of money and securities between the two buildings without going out-of-doors. It also provided access to the employees' room in the basement of the new building for those working in the main office. Plywood was used to build the forms into which the concrete was poured. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.B-4)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tunnels--Tacoma; Plywood; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Plywood was used to build the forms where concrete was poured to make a tunnel between National Bank of Washington and their new building across South 12th Street on Pacific Avenue. The passageway, which was six feet wide and seven feet high, allowed the moving of money and securities between the two buildings without going out-of-doors and also provided access to an employee room in the basement of the new building for those working at the main office. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.B-4)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tunnels--Tacoma; Plywood; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Concrete--Tacoma;

Puget Sound National Bank opened temporary quarters on L Street between 11th and 12th Streets June 25, 1951 in two quonset huts. Although architectural plans had already been drawn up for a permanent bulding, construction was delayed due to national defense building restrictions. Rene Odin, the bank's president, determined that a temporary building should be built to fill the demand for local services from K Street merchants and residents. The permanent building was eventually built at 1120 So. 11th Street. Odlin. Ordered by Condon Company, Roscoe Smith. (TNT, 6/20/1951, p.3)

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs;

Rear view of K Street Branch of Puget Sound National Bank. While permanent quarters were being built on the K Street site in 1951, customers were able to conduct bank business using temporary quonset-style facilities. According to the large sign near the exit, free half-hour parking was provided for customers. K Street in the 1950s was a bustling busy business district and a growing Puget Sound National Bank sought additional customers by expanding in this area not far from downtown Tacoma. This temporary home of the K Street Branch was constructed in 10 days and opened for business on June 25, 1951.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Puget Sound National Bank provided temporary quarters while the new K Street Branch was being built. This exterior view shows two quonset-style buildings joined with an entrance between them. TPL-3798

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Progress photograph of quonset hut construction in the K Street shopping area. Puget Sound National Bank was providing temporary quarters for their K Street Branch while a new building was constructed. Ordered by Condon Company.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs;

The temporary quarters for the new Puget Sound National Bank on K Street were two war-surplus Quonset-type buildings joined by a shared entrance. Located on So. 11th and "L" Streets, the bank was constructed and opened within 10 days. On June 25, 1951, the doors were opened to bank customers. It took an additional 13 months to build the permanent K Street branch. In the meantime, the bank did not lose its sense of humor regarding the temporary branch; it commissioned a commercial artist to paint a sign showing a can opener with the caption, "This is the key to Puget Sound National Bank." (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 106)

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

William D. Hopping Sr., president of the Tacoma Savings and Loan Association and State Chairman for the National Thrift Campaign, dropped a coin into the savings bank of seven year old Bonnie Jean Will to kick off Thrift Week, Jan. 17-23, 1951 while Gerrit VanderEnde, Pierce County Chairman of the Thrift Drive, looked on approvingly. The campaign, with the slogan "Save...It's the American way to success," was designed to place emphasis on the old time philosophy of Benjamin Franklin which encouraged thrift and savings to build up individual security and the nation. Thrift Week began on Jan. 17th, the national birthday of Ben Franklin "the Apostle of Thrift." The nation wide campaign was being pushed as an all-out effort to help hold down post-war inflationary forces which were threatening the economy. (TNT 1/16/1951, pg.1 & 8-11)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coin banks; Hopping, William D.; Will, Bonnie Jean; VanderEnde, Gerrit; National Thrift Week (Tacoma);

In December of 1950, William D. Hopping (center in suit), president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, joined the "Kornaires"a barbershop quartet, to sing the praises of his company during the thrift's annual Christmas party. Louis Tebeau has been identified as the singer third from left. The following month, Mr. Hopping announced the substantial growth of the thrift during 1950. Savings increased $793,059.34 to a total of $10,830,421.78. Reserves increased to 8.8% of share liability. 35% of assets were represented by cash, US government, state and municipal bonds. Directors were: George B. Guyles, Charles B. Welch, Raymond T. Winden, and President Hopping. (TNT, 1/16/1951)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barbershop quartets; Hopping, William D.; Tebeau, Louis;

William D. Hopping, president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, poses with the five women employees of the thrift in front of a large poster of him at their annual Christmas party. In June 1949 the company had five women employees and fifteen men employees in addition to their president. Robert N. Ketner, a prominent builder, was elected as a director in June 1950. (TNT, 6/19/1950)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hopping, William D.;

In January of 1937, Charles W. Greening, manager of the Lincoln Branch of the Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma, stood behind the bank counter while holding a 30-30 caliber rifle crooked over his arm. He became a local hero when he pursued and shot a young bandit who held up his bank on January 13th, 1937. Mr. Greening commandeered a passing car and fired three shots at the fleeing automobile driven by the robber. The wounded robber was arrested when he sought medical attention in Spokane. Mr. Greening was later rewarded with a watch by the bank's insurance company. (T. Times 1-13-37, p. 1-photograph & article; 11/11/1937, pg. 13-article on award)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Greening, Charles W.; Robberies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Charles W. Greening, manager of the Lincoln Branch Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma, stands behind the bank counter and discusses recent bank robberies. He became a hero when he pursued and shot a young bandit who held up his bank January 13th, 1937. The wounded robber was arrested when he sought medical attention in Spokane. Mr. Greening was later rewarded with a watch by the bank's insurance company. (T. Times 11/11/1937, pg. 13)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Greening, Charles W.;

Charles W. Greening, manager of the Lincoln Branch Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma, stands behind the bank counter and discusses recent bank robberies. He became a hero when he pursued and shot a young bandit who held up his bank January 13th, 1937. The wounded robber was arrested when he sought medical attention in Spokane. Mr. Greening was later rewarded with a watch by the bank's insurance company. (T. Times 11/11/1937, pg. 13)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Greening, Charles W.;