Hunt & Mottet Co. Building and parking lot shot from the side angle at S. 22nd and Pacific Avenue on October 21, 1957. A small parking lot is available for customers of the Hunt & Mottet Co., wholesale hardware and sporting goods dealer, in downtown Tacoma. The small four-story building adjacent to the parking lot was a later addition to the original 1907 eight-story unit. The company made sure that their name was highly visible for many blocks by the use of extremely large lettering on the side of the main building. TPL-4794
Santa appears to have made an early stop at the Ben Cheney household in Browns Point on December 23, 1957. Presents of all shapes and sizes, all colorfully decorated, are scattered throughout the living room. Little Piper Cheney and big sister Sandy are dressed in robes; Piper has ensconced herself in a little red wagon and is holding a small gift. Marian Cheney looks up and smiles while displaying a present while husband Ben leans over her shoulder. Ben Cheney was a well-known local lumberman and philanthropist. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.
Christmas time at the Ben Cheney residence meant lots of gifts for the children and mom and dad. Presents are spilling over onto the living room floor, including a nearby coffee table. A bright red Flyer wagon is ready for a small child to hop on for a ride, or load up with toys and pulled. The Norfolk pine tree stands tall, perfectly fitting in with the beautiful wood walls; ornaments can be displayed at their best advantage. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.
Progress photograph of model home construction. Hammer in hand, a carpenter is on the roof of a newly constructed model home in Federal Way. The roof is partially covered with plywood. Wooden joists and trusses form a geometric pattern. The one-story model home was being built by contractor Bud Montgomery, Seattle, in the spring of 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.
Building construction--Federal Way; Progress photographs; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);
The Oxford Apartments were located in Auburn at 717 A St. N.E. The two-story, twenty-unit apartment complex was built in a L-shape with carports for some renters. Auburn was a growing little community with a population of nearly 7,000 in the 1950 Census. By 1960, the population had sprouted to 11,933. Housing would be needed for new residents with new housing developments and apartments springing up to meet the need. Photograph ordered by S & S Builders.
Harbor Terrace Apartments, ordered by McGuire and Muri, Architects. These apartments were built in 1951 by Elmer L. Burnham and Henry O. Wheeler. The apartment building seems to consist of three distinct units, two of two stories and one of three stories. The balconies of the units have floor to ceiling windows that offer a view of the Sound.
The curved asphalt street and rolling lawns of the suburban Lakewood community "Fairway at Lakewood," developed by H.A. Briggs. The planned community consisted of 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath ramblers, built from several different designs and of varied materials, selling for $10,000- 14,000. The different designs gave the look of custom designed homes to the neighborhood. Two children stop their bicycles on a summer day to converse. The streets are empty of traffic. The above street has been identified as Oakridge Dr. S.W. Young children were used to walking to Custer Elementary School via streets like Oakridge. (Additional information provided by a reader) TPL-10463
Interiors of the Rancho Vista model home for Briggs Construction. The combination living and dining room has exposed beams and a brick fireplace that is almost flush to the wall. The ceiling slopes down to the glass doors that lead outside and the floor to ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light. The homes next door and beyond can be seen out the window, very little space is between the houses. Square fifties furniture dots the room. The combination living and dining rooms of the fifties indicate the turn away from formal dining, the emphasis of food as an event and a turn to more casual dining.
Houses--1950-1960; Real estate development--1950-1960; Housing developments--1950-1960;
The Bernice and First Federal Buildings on Pacific Ave. On the left is the Victorian Bernice Building, 1106-1108 Pacific Ave., build in 1890 by John S. Baker and named in honor of his first child. Located on the ground floor of the building is Bender's, men's and women's ready to wear clothing, owned by Jack R. Bender and the Tacoma Magazine and Gift Shop in the lobby of 1108 Pacific Ave. On the right is the First Federal Building, built in 1891 for Merchants National Bank and designed by Proctor and Dennis. Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan occupied the building in 1939. At this time, the ground floor was occupied by Horluck's Fountain Lunch, a fountain and lunch counter owned by Arthur Riebli and George Hoertrich. Both historic buildings were demolished in 1963 to make way for the modern and expanded Pacific First Federal Building.
Bernice Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma); Tacoma Magazine and Gift Shop (Tacoma); Soda fountains--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Horluck's Danish Ice Cream Shop (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);
The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. The one story ranch home with a two car carport sits by itself on the wide open landscape with the view of the Narrows bridge beyond. A fence surrounds the unlandscaped yard and the patio. The home was single story, rectangular and measured 73 feet long x 48 1/2 wide, including the carport. It was 1430 sq. feet on the ground floor with another 1430 sq. feet in the daylight basement. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. This appears to be a small home office, divided by an accordion door from the rest of the house. The folding doors were used throughout the house, including a massive modernfold door that slid on a curved metal ceiling track to separate the family room from the kitchen. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This new home was featured in the September 1956 issue of the national magazine. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction, known for their original concept designs. This picture is of the combined living/dining room of the home. To the right foreground of the picture is the "modernfold" door that slides on a curved metal track to separate the living room from the kitchen and dining rooms. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Better Homes & Gardens September 1956 "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, designed and built by Miller Construction. The modern kitchen has a built in dishwasher, countertop range with electric fan and hood, oven, garbage disposal, kitchen planning desk, spice cabinet, maple cutting board, lazy susan and Frigidaire refrigerator. Unique built-ins included a kleenex dispenser, nutone mixer, blender and knife sharpener. Cabinets had birch doors with bronze trim. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, built by Miller Construction. This is the living room of the home. The spacious living room had a cutstone fireplace with a stone mantle and slate hearth. It had a mahogany accent wall and large picture windows that embraced the view. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;
New homes by the Jardeen Brothers, in the vicinity of the Westgate shopping center. A shirtless boy in shorts stands in the summer sun in the new road in front of the one story rambler with garage. The mailbox leans at an angle, probably not set yet. Construction debris litters the area around the new homes. There is no vegetation because landscaping has not been done yet. The home has vertical cedar siding, a crushed gravel roof and large windows. This, and other homes pictured, may have been on No. Shirley St. where the Jardeen Brothers were building new homes. Jardeen Brothers' office and millwork plant was located at 1240 So. Sprague Ave. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-12, TNT ad 9-9-56, E-16)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Real estate development--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This daylight basement recreation room, called the family room or TV room, has a clever back peg board to hang sports equipment such as rackets, flippers and gloves. The family room measured 18 x 25 feet. The ever present fifties television stands up on skinny legs. The basement also had a sandstone fireplace with a massive raised slate hearth, space for a workshop, storage, a Delco heating plant, laundry room and a roughed in 4th bedroom. Over 3,000 people viewed the new home on its first Open House during the 9th annual Home Week and Tour of Homes. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This new home was featured in the September 1956 issue of the national magazine. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction, known for their original concept designs. This picture is of the combined living/dining room of the home. To the right foreground of the picture is the "modernfold" door that slides on a curved metal track to separate the living room from the kitchen and dining rooms. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Better Homes & Gardens September 1956 "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, designed and built by Miller Construction. The modern kitchen has a built in dishwasher, countertop range with electric fan and hood, oven, garbage disposal, kitchen planning desk, spice cabinet, maple cutting board, lazy susan and Frigidaire refrigerator. Unique built-ins included a kleenex dispenser, nutone mixer, blender and knife sharpener. Cabinets had birch doors with bronze trim. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A Lorain crane continues to hoist materials needed for the construction of a new power building at McChord Air Force Base on February 26, 1957. Trusses are being installed on this date by the Western Electric Co., Inc. This is project #1557. Photograph ordered by Western Electric Co., Inc.
Building construction--McChord AFB; Hoisting machinery; Western Electric Co., Inc.;
Mauer Construction built this tidy one-level apartment complex in 1957. Located at 3315 Sixth Avenue, it consisted of four brick units with large view windows. It appears that a new sidewalk has just been constructed in front of the complex. A stylish street lamp is located near a corner of the apartments. According to the 1957 City Directory, Mauer Construction Co. was located at 8307 Nixon S.W. in the Lakewood Center area.
Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sidewalks--Tacoma; Mauer Construction Co. (Lakewood);
The John and Julia Uglicks residence at 11604 Mount Brook Lane was set in the suburban community of Rhododendron Lanes. Nestled among tall trees, the contemporary rambler style home had an extended porch, shutters and attached two-car garage. A long, wide paved driveway was an added amenity. According to the 1958 Tacoma Suburban Directory, John Uglicks was in the U.S. Army. Photograph ordered by George Barclay Builders.
ca. 1957. This unidentified plant was being constructed by Paul Hardeman, Inc.'s Gill Division, Los Angeles, in 1957. Smokestacks are already up as well as assorted pipes. Photograph ordered by Paul Hardeman, Inc.
Southgate housing subdivision for Sherman L. Rowland, contractor. Sherman Rowland was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He was developing one of the newest suburban parks, a huge track west of Highway 99 and opposite Max Frolic's cafe. The track of land, formerly a large private estate, was being developed into 300 plus private homes adorned with mature trees in a park like setting. Development began in mid 1954; and by 1955, 70 Rowland built homes were complete and no two were alike. Future plans included an elementary school and easy access to the Lakes district. TPL-8314
This is how the view from St. Helens and 7th looking south appeared in January of 1955. Looking right to left, are the Berk Apartments above Don Harter's Drycleaning, Landis Shoe Repair, Trovani's Junior Bootery, and Mousley's Cantilever Shoes, followed by the new United Pacific Insurance Co. Building, and the towering Medical Arts Building. In the distance, across South 9th Street, is the Music Box Theatre. The United Pacific Insurance Company building was built in 1954 and opened in January of 1955.
Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Health care facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berk Apartments (Tacoma); United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma);
Interiors of Ben Cheney's home in Browns Point. The living room of the home has knotty wood panelling, exposed beams and a sunken conversation pit in front of the stone fireplace. A trophy and baseball memorabilia line the mantel. The room features the ever present fifties television and comfortable seating. The room has a comfortable, homey feel.
Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The "All Electric Starliner" home by Miller Construction Co., built for the 1955 Parade of Homes. This home was one of the model homes in the 1955 Parade of Homes in University Estates, 2 miles south of the University Place school. The homes were built by members of the Tacoma Master Builders Association and their location was kept secret until their unveiling Sept. 10th. The 21 homes in 1955 were located on 42 acres in University Place. The Starliner was built of clinker brick and cedar siding and featured 3 bedrooms, a merged living and dining area, planned kitchen, 2 baths and a family room with an 8 ft wide sliding glass door opening onto a partially paved play area. The play area had a built in sunken sandbox and wading pool. The children in the picture are Penny Valley (on tricycle), Polly Valley (filling pool with hose) and Beidra Miller, daughter of Edward P. Miller- builder and contractor. The home also had an attached garage and a large storage room. After the Parade of Homes, the house was placed on the market for $15,000. (TNT 9/9/1955, pg. B-16, B-29)
Houses--University Place--1950-1960; Children playing in sand; Children playing in water; Children playing outdoors--University Place--1950-1960; Children riding bicycles & tricycles; Valley, Penny; Valley, Polly; Miller, Beidra;
New house at 9032 Steilacoom Pt. Dr. for Fitzpatrick-McIntyre, designers and builders. Ordered by J. Fitzpatrick. The designers dubbed this home "The Home of All Homes." The pair claimed that it was the result of eight years of building better class "Homes of Perfection." The home rested on 100 feet of choice waterfront real estate off Steilacoom Blvd., 1 block west of the Lakewood Ice Arena. It had water on two sides and was completely landscaped. James M. Fitzpatrick and Richard H. McIntyre had been building homes for eight years in the upper scale additions of Lakewood, Narrowmoor, Fircrest and American Lake. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. A-3 advertisement)
North Proctor St., at the intersection of No. 33rd St, looking north. On the left are the Richfield Gas Station at 3310, Herold's Cafe at 3312, Proctor St. Barber Shop at 3316 with apartments above and Sepich Refrigerator Service at 3318. Lauer's Texaco is at 3402, with Ryan's Confectionery at 3410. On the right are Chuck Newman's Chevron at 3301 and May's Shell Station at 3325. The Bay View Drugstore, Bay View Food Center Grocery and Proctor Inn Confectionary are at 3401, 3405 and 3407 No. Proctor. Photograph ordered by Safeway stores and labelled "congested parking." TPL-8255
Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Herold's Cafe (Tacoma); Chuck's Chevron (Tacoma); Bay View Food Center (Tacoma);
Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. The kitchen includes a sunny breakfast nook for lingering over morning coffee. Windows line the space above the kitchen sink. The door at the rear probably leads to the backyard area.
Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. A welcoming roaring fire has been built in the fireplace. The fireplace mantle and built-in bookshelves are of knotty wood. Wallpaper has not been used in this room, instead the plaster walls have been painted. Comfortable stuffed furniture flanks the fireplace.
Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Living rooms--Lakewood--1950-1960;
