Night exposure- Busch's Drive-In. It appears that patrons preferred to dine in at Busch's Drive-In on a cold winter's night. Busch's provided both curb-side service and interior dining at their South Tacoma Way restaurant. Extensive neon lighting would make the restaurant visible for several blocks. Purchased by Bill & Thelma Busch in 1943, the restaurant was a popular spot for both young and old alike. It was later renamed Busch's Round Table Restaurant. Photograph ordered by Busch's Drive-In Restaurant.
Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);
Smoke drifts from a chimney toward the looming hills in Elbe on a rainy February day. The streets appear quiet with no visible traffic proceeding on the two-lane road. There are no cars outside the Chevron pumps at M. Gilliardi's Standard Oil station. A grocery store is further down the road across from a B & O boxcar. Elbe is a small community on the Nisqually River at the east end of Lake Alder in the south central section of Pierce County. Photograph ordered by Standard Oil Co. of California. TPL-8363
Standard Oil Co. of California (Elbe); Automobile service stations--Elbe; Signs (Notices);
Harold and Dagmar Wick's brick home, with awning, is the last house on the left in this March 9, 1958, photograph. Brick homes predominate the row of houses. This 9th & Monroe northend neighborhood was extremely close to Jefferson Park. Photograph ordered by Reyier & Wick Construction Co.
Wick, Harold E.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Copy of customer print. Aerial photographs of Seattle's Huntington Rubber Mills' facilities were taken in the spring of 1958. The smaller building in front may have been the office and the larger elongated buildings nestled close together, plant facilities. All three have semi-curved roofs. There were also two other buildings joined together to the left of the photograph. Photograph ordered by Huntington Rubber Mills.
A young boy removes a belt from a hook placed in the doorway of a plywood closet. The versatile closet not only had space for hanging coats and shirts but also had separate sections in the doorway for belts, hats, socks and notebooks. Narrow shelves tidily kept smaller items from spilling onto the floor. This closet would be portable and a welcome addition to rooms without proper storage. Copy of customer's negative ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.
Closets; Plywood; Belts (Clothing); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);
ca. 1958. Copy of customer's negative. Realizing that student population at Pacific Lutheran College would be greatly increasing in the near future, the Board of Trustees made plans for the buildings and facilities which would be needed to take care of these students. Among other additions and renovations was a proposed College Union Building addition, a social education annex providing more recreation facilities. This addition's cost was estimated at $75,000. The above architectural drawing was done by the firm of Johnson-Austin Associates. It appears that a new fellowship hall, called the Chris Knutzen Fellowship Hall, later opened in the CUB; the hall could be made into a large banquet room or divided with movable walls into three smaller meeting rooms. (1959 Saga yearbook, p. 219, TNT 3-12-58, B-2))
Each year the Elks Club made full use of members' musical and acting talents in the Elks Extravaganza. Members were not shy in performing before other members and invited guests; their costumes often were women's clothing and wigs. View of participants in the 1958 Extravaganza before the well-known backdrop of businesses supported by the Elks. Each year the caricature in the center would change to feature another prominent Elk, in 1958, it would be "Vegas Swan." Photograph ordered by the Elks Club.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;
These four figure skaters were all smiles in March of 1958 when photographed on the ice of the Lakewood Ice Arena at 7310 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. They were all bound for the National Figure Skating Championships to be held in Minneapolis on March 26-29, 1958. From left to right are: Linda Galbraith (Novice Ladies), Kathleen Seabeck (Junior Ladies), and Judy and Jerry Fotheringill (Junior Pairs). The skaters had earned their tickets to the national championships by placing among the top three at the Pacific Coast competitions held in Seattle in February. All four were members of the Lakewood Winter Club; the Winter Club had established residency at the Lakewood Ice Arena in 1938. One year later, in 1959, Judianne and Jerry Fotheringill won the national junior pairs crown at the figure skating championships when they were held in Rochester. Photograph ordered by the Lakewood Winter Club. (TNT 3-18-58, p. 20)
Glen Fansler of Spokane shows a pamphlet to fellow Liquified Petroleum Gas Service Association member R.J. Munzer of Long Beach as the gas executives register for a conference on March 28, 1958, at the Winthrop Hotel. Delegates from Sacramento and North Bend look on with amusement. 250 members of the bottled gas industry opened the first Northwest district convention held in Tacoma. This was the 11th annual gathering of the Liquified Petroleum Gas Association. Delegates attended from six Western states and British Columbia. Photograph ordered by the Liquified Petroleum Gas Service Association, Chicago. (TNT 3-28-58, C-12)
Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Liquified Petroleum Gas Service Association (Chicago, IL); Fansler, Glen; Munzer, R.J.;
Float #13 in the 1958 Daffodil Parade was entitled "Alaska's Future in Oil" and was sponsored by the Pierce County Oil Information Committee. The float emphasized Alaska's vast oil resources and its desire to become our 49th state. Three children dressed in identical hoods and warm clothing, perhaps reflecting the future population of the forthcoming state, were seated on the float.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Pierce County Oil Information Committee (Tacoma);
Throngs line Pacific Avenue outside Hopper-Kelly, Washington Camera Mart and Horluck's to admire the entries in the 1958 Daffodil Parade. Passing slowly by was Float #30, sponsored by the Savings & Loan Associations of Tacoma, the top Sweepstakes Award winner. "Cinderella", Kathy Gustafson, rode in an open carriage pulled by four prancing horses, preceded by the smiling Fairy Godmother, Naoma Williams. Joann Greer was the pre-ball Cinderella. At 70 feet the longest float in the parade, the Savings & Loan Associations float was covered with 60,000 daffodils. The Daffodil Festival theme that year was "Fairy Tales in Daffodils." (TNT 4-12-58, A-1, TNT 4-13-58, A-1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Savings & Loan Associations of Tacoma (Tacoma);
Thousands of Pierce County residents flocked to the 1958 Tacoma Home Show to inspect the latest in product design for the home. Scores of booths were erected, including the Star Brite Stainless Steel Cookware by West Bend. View of crowded booth; two sales associates are prepared to help interested visitors enter the $10,000 contest sponsored by the cookware company. Many have entry cards in hand; contestants had to simply indicate which of the five Star Brite features listed appealed most to them. The drawing would be held the last day of the Home Show and the winner need not be present to win. West Bend promoted the Star Brite cookware as being the world's finest 3-ply stainless steel waterless cookware. A complete 17-piece set could be purchased for $179.50. The surgical stainless steel could be cleaned in seconds, was economical in fuel, and its waterless feature saved vitamins and minerals while preserving food flavors. Photograph ordered by Star Brite Stainless Steel Cookware.
Star Brite Stainless Steel Cookware (Tacoma); Pots & pans; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);
Young couple admiring wedding gifts at reception following the McDowell-Haugen nuptials. The bride and groom are examining one of the many fine gifts received and on display. Toasters, mixers, serving dishes, silverware, and fine linens are just some of the wedding presents exhibited. The bride has on a lovely Chantilly lace and satin gown with a French imported fingertip tulle veil. The groom is wearing a white tuxedo with colorful cummerbund and carnation boutonniere. Valerie Joyce McDowell and Milton Dean Haugen were married on March 22, 1958, at the Central Lutheran Church. The new couple will be making their home in South Tacoma. Sepia photograph ordered by Mrs. Glenn McDowell.
This aerial view of Tacoma's commercial district was taken in April of 1958. Several log booms float at the south end of the Foss waterway just past the 15th St. Bridge. The tall smokestack near the center is the Dock St. steam plant. The other two bridges are the Railroad Bridge and the Murray Morgan Bridge. Several prominent buildings, including Old City Hall, Puget Sound National Bank, and the Washington Building, are visible. Among current landmarks that are missing: I-705, the Frank Russell Building, and the Columbia Bank Building. TPL-8467
Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Logs;
Aerial photographs of the Puyallup River as it meanders through Tacoma were taken by Richards Studio on April 22, 1958. A close-up view of the three bridges over the river indicate that only the main bridge in the center had any traffic at the time the photograph was snapped. The bridge appears at a definite angle in this particular picture.
Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup River (Wash.);
Aerial views of downtown Tacoma were taken on April 22, 1958. The busy commercial streets showcase many of the city's financial structures. Looking southeast in the center of the picture is Pacific Avenue with the Security Building (formerly Provident Building), the Ionic-columned Bank of California, Washington Building and Puget Sound National Bank, formerly the tallest building on the West Coast. The new Tacoma Building, Weyerhaeuser headquarters, and its predecessor are side-by-side on A Street, one street beyond, with the Perkins Building across the street.
Aerial photographs; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Security Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Perkins Building (Tacoma);
Individual clothes pressing machines are in use at a local laundry in April, 1958. Each machine has an operator on hand to place the piece of clothing into the press, over an ironing board apparatus. A battery of twenty press line units insured that gentle hand care was combined with automation for perfect garment finishing. After pressing, the clothes are removed and slung on a rack. This laundry and dry cleaning facility was probably the Tacoma-Olympic Laundry and Pantorium Cleaners. They were still settling claims from a recent fire for damaged and missing clothing. Photograph ordered by Howard R. Smith Advertising Co., for Home Service Co., Inc. (TNT ad, 4-14-58, p. 12)
The Home Construction Co. designed and built this lovely lakefront home. It may have belonged to Martin Gosselin of Steilacoom Point. Expansive windows draw attention to the still waters outside the dock. Heavy drapes were available if the glare of the sun became too fierce or for privacy at night. An enormous stone fireplace would make evenings cozy for the home's residents. The fireplace would provide double-duty, separating the living room from the dining area. A glimpse of the kitchen can be seen in the background. Photograph ordered by Home Construction Co.
Gosselin, Martin D.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Fireplaces;
The one-branch North Pacific Bank had been in the South Tacoma area for over 40 years. Located at the corner of South 56th & South Tacoma Way, the bank was a brick structure designed by architects Lundberg & Mahon. Protruding from the bank's exterior was a Time and Temperature sign, a combination which was becoming more common in the 1950's. The sign was designed to show both the actual time and temperature at that location. Attached to the sign was a smaller one indicating the bank offered 3% time certificates. Photograph ordered by American Sign & Indicator Corp., Chicago.
North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Precision Machine Works, founded by Edward Gazecki and Edwin Hofstead in 1924, was located at 2102 A St., next to Graybar Electric. Edward Gazecki was still listed as president in the 1958 City Directory, however, William J. Gazecki was the vice-president and may have been in charge of the plant. Precision Machine Works specialized in automatic machinery, both in fabrication and welding. There was also an aircraft division adjacent to the main building. External view of the industrial facility was taken on an overcast day in April, 1958, for use in a brochure.
Precision Machine Works (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machine shops--Tacoma;
Sears opened a new farm and garden store in the spring of 1958, just beyond Tacoma city limits at 8720 South Tacoma Way, where Hwy. 99 intersects with Steilacoom Blvd. Besides the usual appliances and televisions, customers could peruse garden items, farm equipment, pet supplies, and place catalog orders. View of Sears' exterior with customers examining garden shop outdoor exhibits, including a "Shrub-O-Rama" of evergreens at $2.77 each. Signs indicate that the store was open on Sundays. Photograph ordered by Sears. TPL-9910
Wing's Sport & Tackle Center and the Wing Variety Store were located in one of the oldest buildings in downtown Tacoma. Built in 1889, the building was first home to the Oakland House/Hotel. Between the two William Wing establishments was the entrance to the California Apartments with apartments upstairs. Wing's Sport & Tackle was the factory authorized dealer in Mercury outboard sales and service; in addition, Bill Wing carried a complete stock of salt and fresh water fishing tackle, small boat hardware, houseware, skiis and croquet equipment. Wing's was celebrating its grand reopening of its newly remodeled and enlarged quarters in April, 1958. Now 5,000 square feet, the store originally was tiny with a 2 foot counter. Hunting and fishing licenses could be purchased at Wing's. The Wing Variety Store in the same building, also known as Wing 10 cent store, had their windows full of inexpensive items costing from 5-15 cents. This photograph was taken on April 11, 1958, from the 13th Street side. Photograph ordered by Wing Variety Store. (TNT 4-15-58, p. 19)
Wing Variety Store (Tacoma); Wing's Sport & Tackle Center (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sporting goods stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); California Apartments (Tacoma);
Copy of customer print. A man appears to be studying plans on perhaps how to complete the body of the aircraft behind him. The fuselage is not finished although windows have been positioned. The plane appears to have been largely constructed of plywood. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Original print was imprinted 11-23-1955 with "SM 197293" also on print. Copy of print was made in March, 1958.
Bright fluorescent lights reflect off the shining wooden alleys of the Sky Lane Bowling center on October 22, 1955. The new bowling alley had recently opened for business in Seattle. Bowling was a very popular sport in the 1950's with many alleys in Seattle and Tacoma to cater to the multiple bowling leagues and also the occasional bowler. Photograph ordered by Skylane Bowl.
Bowling alleys--Seattle; Sky Lane Bowling (Seattle);
This lovely brick contemporary at 5714 79th St. W. was owned and built by Sherman L. Rowland. It had a well-manicured lawn with nice landscaping, and the two-car garage in addition to the multiple large windows made it an attractive addition to the neighborhood. It was located near Lochburn Middle School. Sherman Rowland was a developer and built the Southgate Housing development.
Exterior Cheney Lumber. Neatly stacked piles of logs are separated from sections of plywood by railroad tracks at the Cheney Lumber Co. lumberyard at the Port of Tacoma. The Cheney Lumber Co. was owned and operated by Ben Cheney. Founded in 1936, the company was established originally to manufacture railroad ties. Cheney developed the 8' Cheney Studs which were heavily in demand in the building industry. His logo of a horse was stamped on each stud produced. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.
Rows of practical nurses, garbed in traditional white uniforms, pose with their new diplomas at the Tacoma Vocational School evening graduation services on November 2, 1955. A total of 64 women received their graduation certificates. Their happy families are seated behind them in the school's auditorium. Names of the recipients are listed in the November 4, 1955, News Tribune. (TNT 11-4-55, A-5)
Nursing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma); Vocational education--Tacoma;
Exterior Security Building. A "no parking loading zone" sign sternly advises against the possibility of blocking these loading doors during business hours in 1955. This was probably the rear of the Security Building which was located at 9th & Pacific. The beautiful brickwork has been defaced by scratches and possibly paint. Designed by noted architect George W. Bullard and built in 1903, the building had previously been known as the Provident Building. Photograph ordered by Comfort, Davis & Blangy.
Security Building (Tacoma); Provident Building (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Comfort, Davis & Blangy (Tacoma);
There was a large gathering of Union Oil employees on November 18, 1955. The men enjoyed a delicious banquet and discussed matters pertaining to the company.
Union Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Copy of customer's print. Don Eastvold, Washington State Attorney General, requested this print of the Capitol Building. Copy of the print was made on October 28, 1955; date of original print is unknown. Other pictures in the series show Eastvold and his large family strolling by the Capitol Building. Better known now as the Legislative Building, it was the centerpiece of the capitol campus. Constructed on top of the existing Flagg foundations, the building had Doric-colonnaded wings to the north and south and central colonnaded and pedimented entrance porticoes between. The dome rising on top of it weighed 15,400 tons and was encircled by Corinthian colonnade. It took 500 workers five years to complete. (Dorpat: Building Washington, p. 339)
Capitols--Olympia; Legislative Building (Olympia);
