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;

A young woman poses in the almost completed diorama of an attacking cougar for the Washington State Historical Museum. The cougar's tanned skin covers the body frame of wood, bone and straw. The body is completed with the cougar's actual claws and glass eyes. The body is suspended from the ceiling with wires to hold it in an attacking position. The rocks and bushes complete the natural setting. The young woman poses in place of the cougar's usual prey, the deer.

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Museum artist J.H. Gipple creates a rock for the cougar diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The rocks are created from papier-mache; paper pulped with glue and formed around a wooden form to simulate a rock. The diorama will show the woodland area that is the cougar's home in the wild. The complex display showing the life or death struggle between a cougar and a white tailed deer took four months to complete.

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.;

In December of 1950, taxidermist J.H. Gipple was busy working on a deer form for a diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The deer's torso has been created from lightweight wood with the real skull attached to a long metal rod "neck". The deer's real leg bones are attached to the torso with metal attachments. The museum artist is using straw to fill out the body in preparation for covering with the tanned skin. The skin has been treated with chemical preservatives to keep the skin soft and make it last. The deer shown is a three or four year old white tail, with antlers in the "velvet" stage of growth. (TNT 4/8/1951, pg A-4)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.; Deer--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Home portrait of Harry M. Wyle and family. Family group, men, women and children, by fireplace. White Christmas tree on right. The Wyles were photographed at their Lakewood home on Christmas Eve in 1950.

Wyle, Harry M.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Wyle, Harry M.--Family; Families--Lakewood--1950-1960; Christmas trees;

Home portrait of Harry M. Wyle and family. Mr. and Mrs. Wyle with Siamese cat seated by fireplace. White Christmas tree on right. Photograph was taken at the Wyle home in Lakewood on Christmas Eve in 1950.

Wyle, Harry M.; Wyle, Harry M.--Homes & haunts; Wyle, Harry M.--Family; Cats; Christmas trees; Fireplaces--Lakewood;

Irvin J. and Lydia O. Novotne, of 1438 E. Morton, about to cut cake with knife at their Silver (25th) Anniversary party held at Polish Hall, 30th and R Streets. Mrs. Novotne worked as a cabinetmaker for George W. Seyter & Sons.

Interior exposure of the home of Harry Rinker at 1254 So. Fairview Dr. This appears to be a den, or basement recreation room, with a well stocked bar and a refrigerator. The bookcase to the left of the cozy fireplace holds books and board games. The daughter of the family has drawn herself and signed the chalkboard. Bold checked linoleum, the large brick fireplace and wood paneling dominate the room. Directors chairs and a fabric covered sofa with painted tulips complete the room.

Dens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Recreation rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma formed a Civilian Defense force, proposed for a force of 150 individuals. Here, Tacoma City Clerk Josephine Melton, left, administered the oath of office to 30 auxilliary police. The men had completed a six-week training course, including first aid, police, and firearms courses. Names are listed in the newspaper. Ordered by Frank Evans. (TNT, 10/29/1950, p.15)

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Melton, Josephine; People associated with health & safety;

Helen B. Murray, holding basket of hydrangeas, stands beside stone, Chinese-style monument in garden. The estate was originally owned by Joseph L. Carman, designed by Kirtland Cutter in 1919, and later owned by Actress Linda Evans. (T.N.T.)

Murray, Lowell T.--Homes & haunts; Murray, Helen B.; Gardens--Lakewood; Sculpture--Lakewood; Madera (Lakewood);

Photograph of a woman sitting at a desk working with a specialized machine with a cabinet with small storage drawers behind her. Stacks of envelopes with metal clasps on them are seen on either side of the machine. Ordered for the Washington Congress of Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) by Mill Spencer.

Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies;

Photograph of a woman typing on a manual typewriter. A card catalog sits beside her and a sign above it says, "Join the P.T.A.". Ordered for the Washington Congress of Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) by Mill Spencer.

Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Typewriters; Typewriting--Tacoma;

Breakfast nooks were very popular in the 1950s. It looks like Melvin Paulson (12) had first dibs on the Cheerios as he and his three brothers enjoy breakfast in their new breakfast nook in September of 1950. From left to right are Steven (3), Melvin, Gerald (15) and Robert (6), sons of Selma and Clifford Paulson. The Paulsons' breakfast nook was custom built and upholstered and fits perfectly around a chrome table. The nook could be used for breakfast, lunch or snacks and as shown, could be large enough to seat at least four growing boys. (TNT 9-24-50, p. B-2)

Paulson, Clifford--Homes & haunts; Furniture; Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boys--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cold room constuction, Douglas Fir Plywood Association laboratory, Dave Countryman. Worker installing plywood panels on walls of foil insulated room on October 31, 1950.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

William E. Porter was ready to vote in November 1950. He was 81 years old October 20, 1950, and had been voting for 60 years. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1869 and first voted in November 1890. At that time, women were not allowed to vote and there was a $2.00 poll tax collected from each person casting a vote. The sign above the levers that voters used to make their selections reads, "Time Limit, 2 Minutes".

Porter, William E.; Voting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Political elections--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In February of 1950, bids for construction of 1,800 feet of Snoqualmie Pass highway snow sheds were called. The project included one 1,300 foot shed at Airplane curve, west of the summit, and a second 500 foot shed at Lake Keechelus. This photograph, taken in October of 1950, shows that progress on the sheds was progressing rapidly. One element that helped speed the construction of the sheds was the use of plastic-faced plywood manufactured by St. Paul & Taoma Lumber Co. Forms built from the newly developed plywood could be re-used numerous times cutting down on both materials costs and construction time. The plastic facing on the plywood gave the finished concrete a very smooth surface. (TNT 11/12/1950)

Progress photographs; Road construction; Snoqualmie Pass; Snow sheds

On November 5, 1950 the News Tribune ran a "Hockey Home Schedule" photograph page featuring various members of the Tacoma Rockets and their families. "Wingy" Johnsten and his wife (seated) shared the local sports news with Mr. and Mrs. Mel "Pee Wee" Read and daughter Donna, age 3. The Johnstens' five-year-old son, Eddie, looked on. (TNT 11-5-1950, D-1)

Read, Mel; Read, Mel--Family; Read, Donna; Johnsten, Eddie; Families--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma;

A reception honoring the new vicar of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Lakewood, was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Gunston on September 28, 1950. Seated from left to right are Anne Newton, the new vicar, Rev. Newton L. Carroll, Brig. Gen. William F. Daugherty, Mrs. J.R. Throckmorton, president of St. Mary's Guild, and Mrs. H.E. Fountain, president of St. Mary's Altar Guild. (TNT 9-30-50, p. 4)

Receptions--Lakewood--1950-1960; Clergy--Lakewood--1950-1960; Carroll, Newton L.; Gunston, Dudley--Homes & haunts;

Scenic views from Eastern Washington. Huge boulders dwarf a house built near a rapids.

Rivers; Rapids; Boulders; Houses;

In October of 1950, Jody (Mrs. James Joseph) Scott showed how a touch of eye makeup could emphasize her best feature. The News Tribune added that, "Skillful use of eye-makeup is one of the most important beauty tricks a woman can use to assure her that she is taking full advantage of her natural attractiveness." The Tribune's feature on makeup was a hot topic; color motion pictures had led to an explosion in the use of cosmetics. Max Factor had invented his "Pan Cake" foundation that guaranteed a flawless complexion just like the movie stars. Eye shadow, lipsticks and nail polish were now available in bright colors. Women everywhere were experimenting with the new cosmetics. The American Homemaker was ready to put the Great Depression and WWII behind her and became glamorous. Photograph ordered by Tribune for make-up feature, by Barbara Dana. (TNT, 10/29/1950, p.D-7)

Scott, Jody; Cosmetics & soap; Grooming; Journalism--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two workmen are inspecting a control box with the name Fairbanks-Morse Pomona Pumps on it. Hoses connect to various valves in the control box. A new type of drilling, known as the reverse circulation drilling method, was used to drill the new well for Lakewood. The pumps would deliver water at a rate of 3,800 gallons per minute. Ordered by Service Hardware Company. (TNT, 11/18/1950, p.16)

Service Hardware & Implement Co. (Tacoma); Pumps;

In October of 1950, a solemn group of Tacoma Sportsmen's Club members held a mock funeral for the club's slot machine. The unidentified club members gathered around the flower draped machine, which lay on a small hand cart, while eulogies were read and sad songs sung. One of the members (far right) wore an official "crying towel." In 1949, Judge Hugh J. Rosselini had started a campaign to crack down on gambling in Tacoma and Pierce County. The Tacoma Sportsman's Club was started in 1933, and occupied a portion of the Wright Building at 902-04 Pacific Ave. from 1936 to the mid-1960s when it was torn down to make room for a parking lot.

Sportsmen's Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Slot machines--Tacoma; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Peeking through the woven bamboo setting are Tacoma Athletic Commission members (kneeling) Salem Nourse and L.B. MacDonald. Standing are Margaret (Mrs. Salem) Nourse and Myra and E.R. Fetterolf. They were part of a large gathering that attended the T.A.C. Hawaiian dinner-dance held at the Top of the Ocean on October 2, 1950. Alfred Apaka, celebrated Hawaiian orchestra leader, and his band entertained. (TNT 10-15-50, p. D-4)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Nourse, Salem; MacDonald, L.B.; Nourse, Margaret; Fetterolf, Myra J.; Fetterolf, E.R.;

A woman acrobat provided part of the evenings entertainment at the Halloween party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on October 30, 1950. In this photograph she is balancing on the platform at the top of a small step-platform with her toes pointed straight up at the ceiling. The acrobate is probably Patsy Jean Smith, who studied acrobatics at the Barclay School in Seattle. Mr. Barclay also taught at the Lewis Harter Studios, 945 1/2 Broadway in Tacoma. The Athletic Commission Halloween party was held at the Top of the Ocean. (T. Times 10-06-1948 p.5) Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life; Stunt performers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma;

In October of 1950 organized labor encouraged all its members to do their part in supporting the Community Chest during its annual fund drive. Maxine Knauf signed up C.I.O. members, (l to r) Pat Ward, George McCann and Andrew Monset, at the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company mill for membership in the "21 Club." To obtain membership, each participant promised to donate at least 25 cents to each of the 21 Red Feather agencies, for a minimum total subscription of $5.25. A club emblem was given to each member who reached his goal. Money donated to the Community Chest was disbursed to agencies such as the Boy Scouts, the Boys Club, the Tacoma Day Nursery and the Y.M.C.A., among others. (TNT 10-8-50, A-15, TNT 10-1-50, p. 1)

Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Membership campaigns--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Knauf, Maxine; Ward, Pat; McCann, George; Monset, Andrew;

Narrows Bridge Opening Ceremonies. Spectators stand along the side of the bridge while a Mercury convertible, Ford coupe, flatbed truck with "South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce" banner, and other vehicles travel across the bridge on its opening day. People did not mind paying the tolls (55 cents a car/15 cents pedestrians) for the chance to step foot on the magnificent new bridge. Despite brisk winds, the bridge held steady. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. TPL-8553

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ford automobile; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Convertible automobiles; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Narrows Bridge. Brig. Gen. Frederic Hayden cuts the ribbon on the east side of the bridge, surrounded by large crowd of celebrants. He was accompanied by Chamber of Commerce Bridge Committee chairman Ted Brown, Governor Arthur B. Langlie, Senator Harry P. Cain, Congressman Thor Tollefson and Mayor John Anderson. Gen. Hayden had to snip the ribbon twice; he was so fast the first time that photographers were not quick enough to get a picture. Admiral Daniel Barbey had the honor of cutting the ribbon on the west side of the bridge; he was accompanied by Hum Kean, Mayor of Bremerton and H.H. Ryan, Gig Harbor's mayor. (TNT 10-14-50, p. 1, 10-15-50, A-2)

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hayden, Frederic L.;

Narrows Bridge Opening Ceremonies. An African American U.S. Army Band is standing at the ready in the foreground while a large crowd is listening to speakers on the grandstand at right. The new bridge's toll plaza is seen in the background. There were a total of six toll gates. On opening day, $5547.40 was collected in tolls from those eager to travel on the new 5979 foot structure. (TNT 10-16-50, p. 1)

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military bands; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Freight truck from the Inter-City Auto Freight carrying an Army tank on City scales on October 28, 1950. Man, possibly the truck driver, standing beside cab of truck parked in front of a two-story, stuccoed building. Ordered by Mr. McGaw, Inter-city Auto Freight.

Trucks--1950-1960; Tanks (Military science); Inter-City Auto Freight, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Helen (Mrs. Fred) Urban washes dishes in her modern kitchen in a September, 1950, photograph. The kitchen appears to be well equipped with lots of storage cabinets and counter space in a U-shaped format. Linoleum flooring would make for easy cleaning. The Urbans permitted their Lakewood home to be photographed for a News Tribune layout for National Home Fashion Time Week. (TNT 9-24-50, p. B-16)

Urban, Fred--Homes & haunts; Urban, Helen; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;