Harold L. Stamey was the owner and president of Stamey Insurance, Inc. with offices at 918 Commerce. In 1957 he and his company sponsored a junior baseball team. They posed for a group picture on June 24, 1957 at Jefferson Park. All the boys are dressed in team uniforms with Stamey Insurance Inc. on the front. Mr. Stamey is in the front row, exteme left. The smaller boy in the front row is listed as Curtis Stamey; he had been the bat boy in previous years. Back row from L to R: Walter Schall, Jerry Mode, Mike Thompson, Terry Bartlett, Owen Brown, Don Drake, and Ed Johnson. Front row (players): Kurt Judd, Larry Jerdahl, Lon Varnadore, Bud Fawcett,Terry Dahl, Ron Mann. Frank Thompson is the man to the far right in the first row. Photograph ordered by Stamey Insurance, Inc.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (Tacoma); Stamey, Harold;

Thanks to local lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney, hundreds of young boys and girls were able to participate in a variety of sports. Mr. Cheney especially loved baseball and sponsored the Cheney Studs, a group of high school and college stars who played competitively in the Pacific Northwest and also in national tournaments. View of member of the Cheney Studs; the young man is wearing a pinstriped uniform with the Studs logo on the chest as well as on the cap. The Wilson glove looks small on his large hand. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hands held behind her back, an unidentified little girl smiles shyly for the camera in a promotional picture taken for KTNT-TV on July 1, 1957. Wearing a belted two-tone dress and shiny Mary Janes, she has one foot slightly toed in. Judging from the shadow on the wall, an adult is holding up a large cue-card, perhaps for the child to read from. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., advertising agency.

Child actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Silhouettes; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Empire Crafts Corporation sponsored a pep-rally and dinner at the Top of the Ocean on July 10, 1957. Signs of encouragement are posted on the back wall urging support from employees. There is a wide variety of fine dinnerware and silverware plus a radio which may have been incentive prizes. Photograph ordered by Empire Crafts Corporation.

Empire Crafts Corporation (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A worker appears miniscule as he stands high on top of the giant, curved beams that would hold up the dome shaped roof of the cafeteria/auditorium of the Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (later renamed Middle School) at 6501 So. 10th St. Posed under cloudy skies on June 26, 1957, the new wooden structure resembles a multi-legged spider. Architect Robert Billsbrough Price's unique designs was described as "one of the most imaginative new schools in the nation." Construction of a new junior high was approved because of the growing school age population in Tacoma's western region and in neighboring Fircrest. The school was completed in the summer of 1958, with an official dedication on October 29, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 157)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The beautiful Queen Anne style home at 318 North Yakima Avenue was owned by Mabel Basham. Built in the 1890's, the house had tall, vertical proportions; balconies, overhanging porch, and chimney were added amenities. The lot was landscaped with shrubs and small trees . Sepia photograph ordered by Mabel Basham.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Basham, Mabel--Homes & haunts;

Algeria Patrol members joined other Shriners from across the Pacific Northwest at Lincoln Bowl in June, 1957. This club may have traveled a fair distance from Kalispell, Montana. Each club proudly wore their special uniforms and hats showing club designation. Although this club did not have rank listed on the fezzes, the man on the extreme left of the first row has golden braid on his jacket, indicating high rank. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Montana; Uniforms;

The Flathead Shrine Club, representing the Algeria Temple, hailed from Kalispell, Montana. They probably traveled to Tacoma via chartered bus to join fellow Shriners at the Lincoln Bowl. In turned up shoes, Arabian headdresses, and artificial facial hair, members in this oriental band were prepared to entertain thousands with a variety of loud, enthusiastic tunes. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Montana; Uniforms; Drums; Daggers & swords;

Thousands of Shriners from all over the Pacific Northwest came to Tacoma during June, 1957, for fellowship and ceremonies. Traveling by bus and car, they convened at the Lincoln Bowl next to Lincoln High School. Pictured are members of the Al Kader Salem Patrol of Portland with captain, lst lieutenants, and quartermaster in the front row. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Oregon--Portland; Uniforms;

Shriners from around the Pacific Northwest were able to meet old friends at the giant convention held in the Lincoln Bowl in June, 1957. Each temple wore varying uniforms with designated fezzes. The El Katif Arab Patrol from the Spokane area had its own temple flag, held at a tilt, and carried by a proud flag bearer. The captain of the patrol and his two lieutenants stand before patrol members. Photograph ordered by the Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Spokane; Uniforms; Flags;

Gizeh club members pose on the bleachers in Lincoln Bowl as they await their turn to participate in Shrine ceremonies. Approximately 10,000 Shriners from Alaska to Montana and including the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario attended the annual Pacific Northwest Shrine Association convention in early June, 1957. Fourteen temples sent delegates, bands, uniformed patrols, and mounted units to Tacoma; many arrived by chartered bus. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Uniforms;

A Canadian contingent joined fellow Shriners at Lincoln Bowl in June, 1957. Club members from Gizeh Temple in Vancouver, B.C., were a real brass band, complete with official drum major. It also appears that a past potentate (1942) in dark blazer accompanied the group. This was certainly an enormous gathering of Shriners; 10,000 were expected to attend from five states and two Canadian provinces. The annual Pacific Northwest Shrine Association meeting would last three days, from June 6-8th. Fourteen temples would send representatives including mounted units and Oriental bands. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association. (TNT 5-19-57, A-12)

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Uniforms; Bands--Vancouver, B.C., Canada;

A benefit ball for the City of Hope was held at the Winthrop Hotel on June 9, 1957. The City of Hope is a free medical center in Duarte, California. The Tacoma Chapter of the City of Hope was organized less than a year ago by Mrs. Max LeBid. It has over 165 charter members. Honored guests at the benefit ball included Governor and Mrs. Albert Rosellini and Supreme Court Justice and Mrs. Hugh Rosellini. Photograph ordered by Max LeBid. (TNT 6-8-57, p. 5, TNT 6-10-57, p. 3)

Rosellini, Albert D.; Tacoma Chapter, City of Hope (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

A large wooden sign announces to the public that natural gas is piped into all stores in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Newly opened in the spring of 1957, Villa Plaza would serve the growing population of suburban Lakewood with many of the same stores found in Tacoma. View overlooking the shopping center's massive 4,000 car parking lot; Rhodes, Leed's and Lerner Shops exteriors visible. Photograph ordered by Washington Natural Gas Co.

Signs (Notices); Parking lots--Lakewood; Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

Interior of church. The Tacoma Gospel Assembly, located on South 39th St. near State Street, was completed in 1957. A sanctuary dedication was planned for June 3, 1957. A May 28, 1957, photograph taken from the rear of the church emphasizes the arched open beam ceilings. The large church had three full rows of pews facing the raised altar; it would seat 550 people. Two dual staircases lead into the church from behind the altar. The cost of building the new church was $45,000. It was valued at $85,000 as most of the labor was volunteered. The Tacoma Gospel Assembly was an independent Full Gospel Church. Its congregation had met for six years at Normanna Hall prior to the new church being built. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Gospel Assembly. (TNT 6-1-57)

Tacoma Gospel Assembly (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior Tacoma Gospel Assembly. The Tacoma Gospel Assembly built a new church at 2508 So. 39th St. near State Street in the spring of 1957. The church was led by Pastor Ernest Maisch. View of church's exterior shows a large brick structure, extended overhanging roof over double doors, and unpaved parking lot. Volunteer labor was used for the most part to build the new church; this kept costs down to $45,000. The new church would seat 550. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Gospel Assembly. (TNT 6-1-57, p. 5)

Tacoma Gospel Assembly (Tacoma); Churches--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior- savings & loan. A close-up view of the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association front entrance was taken on June 27, 1957. Insulated glass panels surround the new building, including the front entrance. The main entrance doors were electronically operated. New trees have been planted, spaced carefully apart, to provide a touch of softness when contrasted with the modern sleek appearance of the financial institution. The Tacoma Savings & Loan was established in 1899. They urged customers to save, in order to "write your own future". Home loans were tailored to fit customers' individual needs. The new location of the downtown Tacoma Savings & Loan was directly across the street from its former headquarters in the Bowes Building. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Savings & Loan Association. (TNT 6-27-57, A-6-9)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Exterior - Avalon Apts. The Avalon Apartments at 237 Saint Helens Avenue were undergoing some remodeling in August, 1957. Wally Stabbert, Inc., were contracted to plaster and lathe the exterior of the units; scaffolding is already in place. The Avalon Apartments were designed by architect Frederick Heath and built by contractors Olson & Young in 1906. It was twice damaged by fire, in 1933, and finally destroyed on May 2, 1969. Photograph ordered by Wally Stabbert, Inc.

Avalon Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scaffolding--Tacoma;

View looking south at the Intermediate Building under construction at McChord Air Force Base in August, 1957. This is the SAGE Project #1557. Workers on scaffolding peer down at activity occurring below. SAGE stood for semi-automatic ground environment (air defense system.) Once completed, the buildings would store computers built by IBM. The computers would keep track of air traffic, report weather conditions, issue split-second reports on defensive weapons available to be unleased on enemy targets and direct and control jet fighters and missiles. There would be four 400-ton air conditioning units to keep the computers cool. Photograph ordered by Western Electric Co. (TNT 11-9-58, A-10)

Building construction --McChord AFB; Western Electric Co., Inc.;

Exterior - Cheney Field. The Seattle Studs baseball team came to town in late August, 1957, to join their Tacoma counterparts in the State ABC Tournament. Games were played at Cheney Field; lights were available for night games. View of exterior of Cheney Field near admissions booth; cutout of a stallion, symbol of the Cheney Studs, is highlighted on fence. Eight teams, including the defending national champions Tacoma Studs and Seattle City League champs, Seattle Studs, participated in the August 23-28 tournament. Neither Studs team was the eventual winner; the Tacoma Contractors defeated the Seattle Hardwoods 10-7 to claim the title. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 8-20-57, p. 21)

Cheney Field (Tacoma); Athletic fields--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

An unmanned City of Tacoma garbage truck is parked in Memorial Park, with the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the background, on September 11, 1957. The City of Tacoma had purchased four new garbage trucks which were put into service recently. Each had a 20 cubic yard capacity. The four new trucks brought the total number in the garbage fleet to 30. Each new truck cost approximately $12,940. Diamond T's were rugged vehicles, capable of handling heavy loads. Photograph ordered by Diamond T. TPL-2529 (TNT 9-20-57, A-3)

Diamond T trucks; Garbage collecting--Tacoma; Refuse disposal--Tacoma; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);

Firestone celebrated a grand opening of their facility in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in 1957. Besides tires, the firm offered complete car service including brake relining, free brake adjustments and new batteries. In addition, lawn and garden supplies and housewares were available for purchase. It was the first Firestone store in the nation to to offer more than just automotive services and supplies. The modern one-story store was built using concrete block with a shed-type roof. Total square footage was 12,472. (TNT 4-7-57, B-9-article)

Firestone Store (Lakewood); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Barrie Jackson was photographed against a plywood backdrop wearing the official uniform for the "Slam-Bang" game. The T-shirt and shorts have the 'Slam-Bang" insignia on them as well as his hat with ear flaps. Mr. Jackson was apparently the 1957 "Olympic Slam-Bang" champion. The game appears to have been similar to Ping-Pong with small wooden rackets but with larger balls as in racquetball. The balls were perhaps bounced against the plywood walls. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Jackson, Barrie; Athletes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Friends and family enjoy fun and games at the Dennis Pooreen residence in Bellevue on September 14, 1957. The "Tout" and the "Bookie" are assisting bettors with their racetrack picks. The track and numbered horses appear to be made of wood. The game could be set up both indoors and outdoors for the convenience of the players. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Pooreen, Dennis--Homes & haunts; Games--Bellevue; Racetracks (Horse racing)--Bellevue; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Progress photographs--new junior high school. Work continues during July, 1957, on the new cafetorium on the campus of Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (now Middle School). The unusually shaped building would house both the cafeteria and school auditorium. View of workers installing plywood decking was taken on behalf of Douglas Fir Plywood Association on July 16, 1957.

Progress photographs; Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Jack Rivers (left), Western musician and host of CBS television's "Raging River Ranch," was joined by his longtime friend Tex Williams (right) at the scene of the Lakewood Villa Plaza Shopping Center's grand opening celebration on August 8, 1957. Both men were dressed in contemporary Western garb with stylish hats. The young woman and third man in the picture were not identified. Mr. Rivers, an accomplished guitarist and singer, was familiar to television viewers as his program was aired on weekday afternoons by KIRO. Mr. Williams, well-known for his participation in Spade Cooley's western swing band, had branched out on his own with his million selling record "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke" (That Cigarette) for the Capitol label. Both musicians performed at the Villa Plaza; Mr. Williams, first, at 3 p.m. with Mr. Rivers as guest. The following evening, Mr. Rivers' own western revue, featuring his "Raging River Ranch Boys," was the featured attraction. (TNT 8-7-57, B-14) ALBUM 8.

Williams, Tex, 1917-1985; Rivers, Jack; Musicians--Lakewood; Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

Interior- bowling alley. The Villa Bowl, located in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center, welcomed area bowlers to their modern new facility in September, 1957. Semi-circular bench seating was provided for bowlers on the checkered flooring and comfortable chairs with arm rests awaited onlookers. Villa Bowl had 24 lanes and automatic Brunswick pin setters. There would be a league room for lessons by both a male and female instructor and a leathercraft shop where bowlers could learn to make custom made covers. A snack bar and banquet room would also be available. Owners Russell and Jo Trauger would also provide a nursery with trained supervisors to watch the children of bowlers. The bowling alley would be open 24 hours a day. For exterior of building, see A108778-5. Photograph ordered by Villa Bowl. (TNT 8-7-57, B-20, TNT 9-19-57, p. 14, 15))

Bowling alleys--Lakewood; Villa Bowl (Lakewood);

The Villa Bowl was one of the newest bowling alleys to open in Pierce County in 1957; it was located in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The building's exterior is typically concrete-block construction with some brick facing. Large letters near the roofline advertise the business' name; there is also a cutout of two bowlers on a separate panel nearby. The bowling alley was scheduled to open about September 1. It would have 24 lanes and automatic Brunswick pin setters. Bowling lessons would be provided by both a male and female instructor. Photograph ordered by Villa Bowl. (TNT 8-7-57, B-20)

Bowling alleys--Lakewood; Villa Bowl (Lakewood); Signs (Notices);

ca. 1957. Brightly lit, spacious interior of the Fashion Shoes store in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Besides shoes for the family, a wide selection of purses and socks was available for purchase. The Villa Plaza location was the second store site for Fashion Shoes who also maintained a store at 11th & Broadway in downtown Tacoma. Fashion Shoes was part of the Roe Brothers chain which had served shoe needs of West Coast families for over 25 years. The Villa Plaza store's first manager was Mr. M. Barnes. (TNT 5-15-57, A-7-article)

Fashion Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

View of Gehri Apartments. These modern three-story apartments, located at 302 North Stadium Way, were built on a sloping lot. The apartment complex was built by Alfred J. Gehri, longtime local builder, and designed by John Sutton & Alan Liddle, architects. The units were completed in August, 1956. Photographed a year later on August 16, 1957, these apartments featured multiple view windows and covered balconies. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Gehri Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;