The golf course at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The sky seems striped with clouds as several golfers try out their skills on the green. In 1894, golf was introduced to Tacoma by a small group of displaced Scotsmen who negotiated to lease 280 acres of prairie land in Edison (now South Tacoma.) By 1904, the club made plans to relocate and the R.B. Lehman farm on the eastern shore of American Lake was purchased. This purchase, along with some adjacent property, gave the club 237 acres to stretch out on. This became the first permanent home of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club, the oldest continuing country club west of the Mississippi. ("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Golf--Tacoma--1950-1960; Golfers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Swimming area at American Lake, part of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The club purchased this property on the eastern shore of American Lake in 1904. Originally, members were issued deeds to 25 foot lots along the lake front where they could set up tents and escape the city's summer heat. As time passed, the tents gave way to homes, greens and the clubhouse. The lake still remained a favorite "Ole Swimmin' Hole" for a quick refreshing dip. A dock reaches out into the lake, topped with a life guard stand. Boats are also tied up to the right of the dock. ("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1) TPL-8640

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Water holes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This photograph shows the clubhouse of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club on American Lake as it looked from the lake side of the building in September of 1956. It was built in 1910 from plans by the architects Russell and Babcock to replace the original clubhouse which was destroyed by fire. By 1956, it was known as "The Grand Old Lady". Its most prominent feature was a spiral staircase in the entry hall, which appears in many wedding and party pictures of the time. A fire gutted the structure in 1961. TPL-5740 ("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--Buildings; Clubhouses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. This artist's rendering from 1956 shows the design for Woodrow Wilson High School by the architectural firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards. Opening in September of 1958, Wilson was Tacoma's first new high school in 44 years. It was built to serve the rapidly growing West Tacoma area. Enrollment on opening was 1400 students, less than 10 years later it was 2000, with teaching staff almost double. It is designed in a campus format with 12 separate buildings spread out over 12 acres and linked together with covered walkways. The gymnasium was added in 1959. Construction of an auditorium was delayed for 12 years due to a lack of funds and the 1.2 million dollar structure was dedicated in 1970. The school is named for the 28th United States President, former educator and founder of the League of Nations Woodrow Wilson. ("For the Record" a history of Tacoma Public Schools by Winnifred L. Olsen) TPL-9293

Woodrow Wilson High School (Tacoma);

Addco Inc. office front. The company was owned by George T. Babbitt, who was president and general manager. The specialized in "home modernizations." They remodeled bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens, where they sold the appliances and did the plumbing, electrical and heating. Next door, 1119 A St., is Columbian Optical, complete optical service with glasses, contact lenses, artificial eyes and hearing aids. Lloyd J. Sass was the president and general manager. TPL-5758

Addco Inc. (Tacoma); Columbian Optical (Tacoma); Opticians' shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A demonstrator points out the advantages to a couple of a new Hotpoint oven in this model or showroom kitchen. Photograph ordered by Addco Inc. The kitchen is very modern with the cooktop located on a brick island. To the left of the oven is what appears to be a brick framed grill. The linoleum is in a bold geometric pattern. Addco Inc. was located at 1117 A St. and specialized in home modernization. They also sold appliances and did plumbing, heating and electrical work. The company was owned by George T. Babbitt, who was president and general manager.

Addco Inc. (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. The Camp Fire Girls are gearing up for their annual sale of chocolate mint candies. The candies were manufactured by Brown and Haley in Tacoma. One girls pours the mints from an open box into the waiting hands of the other girl; mints and wrappers spill onto the floor. The girls pose in traditional Camp Fire uniforms, skirts, white shirts with kerchefs and beanies, in front of a heart decoration.

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Candy--Tacoma;

At the annual Cheney Lumber Company football banquet in December of 1956 the boys who played on one of the Cheney Studs football teams that year gathered around a large group photo, trying to find themselves in the picture. In 1956 the Cheney Lumber Co. fielded rookie, bantam, peewee and midget teams in the local leagues. The rookie league was new in 1956 and consisted of boys 11 years old and less than 90 pounds. The Cheney Lumber Co., headed by philanthropist Ben Cheney, poured money into sports for children, enabling many Tacoma area youngsters to experience the fun of sports. Ben Cheney had been instrumental in the founding of the kids football program; by 1956, the program had 30 competing teams.

Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

One of the Cheney Studs junior league football teams pose in front of the sign for Cheney Field. To the right in the Studs jacket is Ben Cheney, Tacoma lumberman and sports philanthropist, and in front and to his left is his daughter Sandra, in Studs jacket and hat. Ben Cheney donated thousands of dollars for uniforms and equipment to sports teams, enabling youngsters to experience the thrill of sports. He had helped the kids football program get started 6 years prior and had continued to aid the program. By 1956, it had 30 competing teams. The boys wear the familiar "Cheney stud" logo on their uniform shirts; they also wear helmets and pads.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Sandra; Cheney Field (Tacoma); Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Chrysanthemum Growers Association. Four women, two in traditional Japanese kimonos, pose with the huge pom pom like Chrysanthemum flowers. The Growers Association's 9th annual show was held at the South Park Community Center October 26-28. Marjorie (Mrs. Harry) Ketell, right, was the chairman for the horticultural division of the show. To her left is Mrs. Clara Goering, Tacoma City Councilwoman, who cut the ribbon to open the show. In keeping with the Japanese origins of many chrysanthemums, the theme of the show was "Over the Bamboo Fence." A coffee hour opened the show, hosted by Miss Yasuko Hashimoto, left, and Hanako (Mrs. Nobu) Yoshida, left center. Japanese floral arrangements by Tacoma artists were featured in the show. (TNT 10/15/1956, pg. B-6 & 10/21/1956, pg. A-15 & 10/28/1956, pg. A-8)

Chrysanthemums--Tacoma; Chrysanthemum Growers Association (Tacoma); Kimonos; Yoshida, Hanako; Hashimoto, Yasuko; Ketell, Marjorie; Goering, Clara;

Aerial of construction at the Concrete Engineering Company. This site is listed in the 1957 City Directory as the Concrete Technology Corp. with Thomas and Arthur Anderson as president and vice president. The company made concrete products including prestressed and precast concrete. It would reopen in June of 1958 as the new headquarters of Concrete Engineering Company with a new building designed by Robert Price with Tom and Arthur Anderson as the structural engineers. The newly named company specialized in prestressed concrete beams and precast sections. Their pre-cast 70' concrete beams would be used in the 21-story Norton Building under construction in Seattle in 1958. The Norton Building would be the first steel frame building in the world to use pre-cast beams with no immediate supporting columns. (TNT 9-24-58, A-8)

Concrete Engineering Co. (Tacoma); Concrete; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In October of 1956, three, smiling uniformed carhops pose single handedly wielding trays loaded with food and treats at the Buschs Drive In at 3505 So. Tacoma Way. Bill and Thelma Busch bought the former Triple XXX Barrel Restaurant in 1943 and made it into the cruising capital of 1950's Tacoma. Carhops delivered burgers, fries and shakes right to the window of your car, so that teens could see and be seen and young families did not have to fret with crying babies. In addition to burgers, the restaurant also served breakfast, chicken pot pies and steaks. The carhop at the far right was Ellissa Quaschnik at the time this photo was taken; the carhop at the far left was named Marie.

Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);

Paulson's Appliances, located at the corner of So. 11th & K (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way), was owned by Cliff Paulson. A major part of the K Street Business District, they sold radios, furniture, televisions and appliances on K street from 1941 until 1998. This building, designed by Sutton, Whitney & Dugan and built for Paulson's in 1948, was across the street from their original K Street store. It was next door to the Macphersons Federal Bakery. The building was demolished in August of 1998 to make way for a Rite Aide store. TPL-3790

Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Appliance stores--Tacoma; Window displays; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Paulson's Radios & Appliances (Tacoma);

The Jolly Jack Char-Broiler, ordered by Carolyn Sholdar. The Jolly Jack was owned by Jack M. Wood. At this popular eatery, you could get a charbroiled deluxe burger for $.35 or a Big Jack for $.55 and wash it down with a soft drink or coffee for a dime. They also offered milkshakes, sundaes and the soft ice cream cones that most of the people in this picture are enjoying. The restaurant had drive thru service and what appears to be a small dining room to the left. It was located at 8801 South Tacoma Way, Highway 99 at the Lakewood turnoff.

Jolly Jack Char-Broiler (Lakewood); Fast food restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960; Drive-in restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Publicity photo for the Tacoma Junior Women's Club Christmas dinner dance. The paper mache snowman inspires one woman to break into song, possibly "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" or "Frosty."

Junior Women's Club (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma;

Meyer Linoleum in Lakewood. Meyer Linoleum was owned by Ray E. Carlson and Robert Stumpf. The store sold tile, linoleum and carpet. To the right is the Village Drapery Shop with custom draperies and broadloom carpets. Far right is 8202 South Tacoma Way which is listed as a residential structure. It appears to have a business downstairs and possibly apartments above.

Meyer Linoleum (Lakewood); Home furnishings stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Floor coverings;

Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant, ordered for TV slides. The Tug Boat was owned by Luzon (Louie) Mondau who also owned the Andover Apartments and the James Hotel. Mr. Mondau, at right, is pictured on October 27, 1956, handing a large slice of pizza on a plate to another man. The restaurant specialized in Italian food, especially pizza and spaghetti. The restaurant was also open for breakfast and lunch, serving 3 hotcakes, bacon, an egg and coffee or soup, salad, sandwich and coffee for 55 cents. Although they served cocktails, children were welcome. The hotel next door is the Avenue Hotel. TPL-3825 (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Mondau, Luzon; Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant & Tavern (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Jay Kanney Band at the old Tacoma Elks Club on Broadway. Trombonist Jay Kanney with his wife, Bunny (vocalist), fronting the band. Other band members in the back row (from left to right): Bill Baty, Al Meddaugh, Dick Norton, John Joyce at the bass, Hal Sapp at the drums and Lee Whiteman at the piano. In the front row (from left to right): Bill Ramsay, Chuck Stentz and Morey Kenton.

Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Big bands--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trombones;

Interior of the Pioneer Room at the Oregon Trail Restaurant. The room has an innovative buffet shaped like a chuck wagon.

Oregon Trail Restaurant; Buffets (Cookery);

Pacific Lutheran College, exterior of the Music/chapel building with students. The building with the spire is the combination chapel, music and speech building dedicated in 1952 and designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards. The building is now known as the Eastvold Chapel, named after Dr. S.C. Eastvold, president of the college during its greatest period of growth. The three story building is concrete faced with brick and forms a quadrangle with the Science Hall, library (to the left of the picture) and Old Main. The library, science hall, chapel and student union buildings were all built around the same time period. The 126 acre campus had stately Douglas firs and lush green lawns that set off the neat modern buildings. It was considered one the finest small colleges in America. (TNT 10/19/1956, pg. B-1+)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings;

The Thriftway Park 'N Shop, formerly the Park 'N Shop, self serve meat department. The white aproned butcher holds a Carsten's fully cooked smoked ham in one hand and a Lynden turkey in the other. The signs on the display coolers advertise this week's special, steaks and pot roasts for 49 cents a pound. Mirrors reflect the containers of pre-packaged meats waiting for the shopping homemaker to take home.

Park-N- Shop (Parkland); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Parkland--1950-1960;

Motorcade of President Dwight D. Eisenhower from his brother Edgar's home to the College of Puget Sound. Eisenhower had again been nominated by the Republican party as their candidate in the 1956 presidential election, and he was making his first appearance in Tacoma since his first term campaign swing through the state. He was to spend the night at his brother Ed Eisenhower's American Lake home, following a Seattle appearance on October 17th. He delivered a speech on October 18, 1956 at the CPS Fieldhouse. The plans were to leave his brother's home at 11 a.m. for CPS. His motorcade included the big Presidential limousine followed by 16 autos filled with White House and State dignitaries. Plans were to roll past Clover Park schools, down South Tacoma Way, Union Ave past Bellarmine and onto CPS. One of the highlights for the military man was 100 Marymount military cadets in full uniform blowing bugle calls and presenting arms. Many Tacoma schools were on the route and the children stood in the rain to cheer the President. After the speech, the motorcade would depart CPS for McChord AFB where his personal plane "The Columbine III" would fly him to Portland. Series ordered by International News Photo. TPL-6677

Presidents--United States; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Visits of state--Tacoma--1950-1960; Motorcades--Tacoma; Presidential elections--United States of America;

The Tacoma French Bakery, for Carolyn Sholdar Associates. The bakery was owned by Inaco & Tosca Lucchesi and located at 1201 Center St., at the corner of Center and "L." The bakery handled both wholesale and retail sales. The building appears to be of cement block with a two story building in the front and a one story one behind. Tacoma French Bakery was located on the lower level. The main upstairs window shown above is the apartment and the other upper windows to the left gave light to the office. The one-level unit in the back was Mr. Lucchesi's workshop where he kept all his metal working/welding tools and machinery. The sign in front also has a clock giving the time as 3:20p.m. Windows in the front display baked goods for sale. The Lucchesi's operated the bakery from 1944, when Inaco purchased it from his uncle Frank Giusti, until 1982. They serviced the Tacoma area for a total of 38 years. TPL-8577 (Additional information provided by a reader)

Tacoma French Bakery (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma French Bakery, for Carolyn Sholdar Associates. The bakery was owned by Inaco & Tosca Lucchesi and located at 1201 Center St., at the corner of Center and "L." The Lucchesis display freshly baked loaves hot out of the commercial Petersen oven. The oven can bake many loaves at one time. The bakery specialized in french bread in many shapes and sizes, sold both retail and wholesale. The Lucchesis purchased the bakery in 1944 from Inaco's uncle. They operated the bakery for 38 years. Inaco was a member of the Teamsters Union, Local 599, the Sons of Italy and the Tacoma Elks, No. 174. The couple attended St. Rita's Catholic Church. (TNT 2-5-1989, pg. B-4 & 2-15-2000, pg. B-4) (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-8579

Tacoma French Bakery (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lucchesi, Inaco; Lucchesi, Tosca;

Mobile chest X-ray units, ordered by the Tuberculosis League of Pierce County. The x-ray units were located in paneled vans, so that they could be transported to areas where people congregate, such as schools. This was part of the program to eradicate TB. Four of these mobile units would be travelling around the county until April 15th in an effort to locate undiscovered cases of TB, the 5th would unit would be located in the Sears Roebuck parking lot. Plans were to offer free chest x-rays for 219,000 county residents 6 years of age and older beginning November 13th. The goal was to x-ray 100% of the County's population over the age of 15. TB was still the deadliest and costliest of all infectious diseases. One hundred, eighty-two cases were treated in 1955 at a cost of $15,000- 20,000 each. TB shows no symptoms until the disease is in the advanced stages. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-7, 11/11/1956, pg. A-14)

Tuberculosis--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma);

Aerial of the Port of Tacoma, taken from over Commencement Bay heading into the Port. Tacoma can be seen as the forested area on the right dotted with buildings, with the Tideflats laying to the left of the bridge shrouded densely with industrial smoke.

Aerial views; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

The Highland Hills Big Bear store at 5915 6th Avenue, near Pearl Street, opened in 1955 to serve the growing West end, including the areas of University Place and Fircrest. The Big Bear was the first tenant of the Highland Hills Shopping Center, which had its Grand Opening in December of 1956. When completed, the shopping center had 21 stores with a pedestrian mall in the center and five acres of parking.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution. Employees cars are parked beside the loading area. A bridge crossing the railroad tracks can be seen in the background.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. Exterior of a one story rambler with what appears to be cedar siding and with an attached one car garage. The address of this home is believed to be 8809 36th St. W., formerly 8809 So. 36th St., in University Place. The owners are listed in the 1958 suburban City Directory as Mead and Janice McDonald. The home was one of those constructed for the September 1956 Tour of Homes. Photograph ordered by Fanning Starkey Real Estate.

Houses--University Place--1950-1960;