Smooth sheets of plywood are carefully marked so that the craftsman knows exactly where to cut and nail in a May 3, 1957, photograph. These pieces will be used to construct a foosball toy by Panther Woodworking. See D106490-4 for a view of the finished product. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Toys; Woodworking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Work progresses on the new County-City Building in April, 1957. Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation provided the steel needed for the framing. View of steelworks including plywood sheets on top. Construction would not be fully completed until 1959. Central Schools building can be seen in the far left with City Dye Works at the right rear. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; County-City Building (Tacoma); Steel; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

Family gathering before or after the wedding of University of Washington graduates Luana Chizuru Uyeda and Dr. Keith Hiroshi Yoshino.

A cargo of sisal is being unloaded from a ship on July 1, 1957. Sisal is a strong, durable white fiber used especially for hard fiber cordage and twine. The word originates from Yucatan, Mexico, where Sisal was a port. Apparently the fibers can be used for bedding (i.e. mattresses). Sepia photograph ordered by Sound Mattress & Felt Co.

Agaves; Hoisting machinery; Shipping--Tacoma;

J.W. and Dora E. Stokes celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Chehalis on June 9, 1957. A couple, presumably Mr. and Mrs. Stokes, stand beside a neatly printed sign announcing the Stokes Family Reunion. Mr. Stokes has his hammer in hand, apparently just finishing nailing down the sign. Mrs. Stokes has a large beribboned corsage pinned to the shoulder of her printed dress; Mr. Stokes sports a boutonniere. Other family members listed in the reunion are W.F. Stokes, Charles W. Stokes and Charles W. Stokes, Jr. Sepia photograph ordered by Mrs. L. Cain.

Anniversaries--Chehalis; Reunions--Chehalis; Stokes, J.W.; Stokes, Dora E.; Hammers; Signs (Notices);

An alluring hula girl mannequin beckons Bank of California customers to protect their vacation funds by purchasing American Express travelers cheques. The June, 1957, display suggests that, whether visiting Hawaii or South Dakota, a cautious vacationer should play it safe by using travelers cheques instead of carrying large amounts of cash. A giant sea shell, a towel, a model Northwest Airlines plane, two palm trees and copious amounts of "sand" in the midst of a bank lobby would certainly draw the attention of the bank's vacation-minded customers. American Express launched its travelers cheque business in 1891; they introduced their travel charge card in 1958. (Photograph ordered by Bank of California.)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Interior barbershop. Lyons opened a new barbershop on the grounds of Fort Lewis in May, 1957. This may have been the third Lyons Barber Shop on base. Customers are shown on May 27, 1957, getting close trims. A sergeant, haircut completed, receives change back from his barber. Photograph ordered by Lyons Barber Shop.

Barbershops--Fort Lewis; Barbers--Fort Lewis; Lyons Barber Shop (Fort Lewis);

Ben Cheney, prominent lumberman and local philanthropist, is pictured with his Medford Cheney Studs team on July 11, 1957. Mr. Cheney is in the front row, on the extreme right hand side of the photograph. He sponsored several Cheney Studs baseball teams in the Pacific Northwest, including the Medford team from southwest Oregon. The Cheney Studs teams all wore pinstriped uniforms, only the logos on the jersey and hats were slightly different. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms;

Progress photographs--new junior high. The unusually shaped cafeteria/auditorium is taking shape at the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (now Middle School) on June 26, 1957. Resembling a wooden mushroom, the new facility would be able to accommodate students for both meals and assemblies. It would be built separate from the main buildings on campus. The Henry F. Hunt Junior High School would serve, as it still does, the growing neighborhoods of Tacoma's West End and nearby Fircrest. Tacoma Community College would be built just a couple blocks away in 1965. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

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

Progress photographs--new junior high school. The Sunnen Crane Service was utilized by the Tacoma School District to do heavy lifting in the building of the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School in 1957. Here they are pictured on June 26, 1957, hoisting arched panels to the roof of the new gymnasium. The unique design of the gymnasium was just one of the ultra-modern features incorporated into the school by architect Robert Billsbrough Price. His use of wood represented a "renaissance" in the usage of wood and wood products for school construction. Construction at the school was completed in 1958 with the school being officially dedicated 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; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

Progress photographs--new junior high school. View looking outward from inside the new cafeteria/auditorium being constructed on the campus of Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (later renamed Middle School) on June 26, 1957. The cafeteria/auditorium would have a dome-shaped appearance with laminated wooden beams radiating from a central key block and extending to the ground. The new gymnasium with arched panel roof is in the photograph's background. In the middle are classrooms. The new cafeteria/auditorium would be situated on a small hill on the large campus. The school would be completed in the summer of 1958; it was officially dedicated on October 29, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 8-11-57, B-8)

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

Clinton C. Hull, unit director of the Pacific N.W. Shrine Association, is wearing his Afifi fez as he places his hand on the door of a Lincoln convertible on June 8, 1957. The car is parked at the foot of the Tacoma Totem Pole at S. 9th & A. He, along with other Afifi officials, was to participate in a parade of cars, as part of the three hour long Shriners parade downtown. Mr. Hull and his driver are wearing dress uniforms and fezzes. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Hull, Clinton C.; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Totem poles--Tacoma;

41 Al Bedoo Arab Patrol members joined other Shriners in a giant conclave at the Lincoln Bowl in June, 1957. These men are dressed in elaborate regalia. Al Bedoo Temple officers, including two lieutenants, major, lt. colonel and colonel, wear uniforms of a slightly different hue. These Shriners hailed from Billings, Montana. They, along with 10,000 costumed Shriners, would be attending the annual three-day Pacific Northwest Shrine Association convention. Photograph ordered by the Pacific Northwest Shrine Association. (TNT 5-19-57, A-12)

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

Complete with fake beards and Arab clothing, the Oriental Band from the El Katif Temple and the Blue Mountain Shrine Club are prepared to entertain fellow Shriners at the Lincoln Bowl in June, 1957. Ornate gongs, drums and woodwinds are seen scattered among the members. Apparently the communities of Pomeroy, Dayton, Walla Walla and Waitsburg were represented in the club. The El Katif Oriental Band was one of eight Oriental bands participating in the annual Pacific Northwest Shrine Association convention. Fourteen temples participated by sending delegates, bands, uniformed patrols and mounted units to Tacoma. Photograph ordered by the Pacific Northwest Shrine Association. (TNT 5-19-57, A-12)

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

Facing the color guard are thousands of Shriners who had attended the annual Pacific Northwest Shrine Association convention in June, 1957. Standing under the bright lights of Lincoln Bowl were 17 Shrine patrols, eight bands, eight Oriental bands, six mounted patrols, a motorcycle unit, and pipe band. The general public was invited to the exciting pageant entitled "Shrine-O-Rama" to view the marching units and listen to the various bands. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

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

In 1957 these young accordion players, students at the Nomellini Accordion Studio, each won trophies in various classifications at the annual competition sponsored by the Washington Accordion Teachers Association which was held in Seattle. In the front row are: (l to r) Richard Frye, Delindo Orlandini, Diane Vincent. Standing behind them are: (l to r) Geraldine Swanson, Vincent Kokich, Marc Warner. Geraldine Swanson and Vincent Kokich won in both the individual and the duet divisions. The accordion was a very popular musical instrument in the 1950's and there were several studios specializing in its instruction. The Nomellini studio was owned and operated by Louis J. Nomellini; it was located in the Bernice Bldg. at 11th & Pacific. Mr. Nomellini had also conducted the Eagles all-accordion children's band in the late 1940's. (Photograph ordered by Louis Nomellini.) (TNT 6-23-57, D-12)

Nomellini Accordion Studio (Tacoma); Accordions; Awards;

The downtown streets of 9th and Pacific are blocked off so that spectators can enjoy the three hour long June, 1957, Pacific Northwest Shrine Association parade. Marching in formation is the large El Katif Shrine Band from Spokane with general membership to the rear. Fourteen temples sent representatives and bands to the three-day convention; they came from across the Pacific Northwest as well as two provinces in Canada. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Spokane; Marching bands; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Display of prizes. The Pontiac Motor Division in June, 1957, apparently offered a wide variety of prizes including bicycles, lawnmowers, televisions, and grills for a sales promotion involving their automobiles. Photograph ordered by Pontiac Motor Division.

Pontiac Motor Division (Tacoma); Awards; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

29 elders of the First Presbyterian Church posed for a group picture on June 27, 1957. These men were officials at the church and were able to assist the pastor in his endeavors. The First Presbyterian Church was built in 1924 and was a prime example of Romanesque architecture. Photograph ordered by the First Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Group portraits;

The Villa Plaza Shopping Center, built on the grounds of the former 200-acre Visitation Villa, saw the opening of many new stores in the spring of 1957. Foreman & Clark, who specialized in fine men, women, and children's clothing, was one of the latest to celebrate its grand opening in early June, 1957. Besides offering clothing specials, bonus gifts for the family were also awarded. Credit was readily available with deferred payment until August. Foreman & Clark was a top clothing retailer with 90 stores coast-to-coast. The first Foreman & Clark store was opened in Los Angeles in 1909. It quickly built a reputation for excellent quality in its clothing line. Hal Miller would be the new Villa Plaza store manager. View of entrance to Foreman & Clark, with large store lettering, and overhanging roof. Photograph ordered by Foreman & Clark. (TNT 6-5-57, A-6)

Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

National clothiers Foreman & Clark opened up the latest in their 90 chain stores in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center on June 6, 1957. They were well-known for their fine quality men's, women's and children's line of clothing. Foreman & Clark's was established in Los Angeles in 1909 by W.A. Foreman. His policy of upstairs stores, low rental costs and inexpensive fixtures resulted in savings passed on to his customers in the form of quality merchandise at low prices. The Foreman & Clark chain ran from New York to California and then up to the Pacific Northwest. The Villa Plaza store had a prime location next to Rhodes Department Store. It was run by Hal Miller. This is probably the rear view of the store, taken on June 17, 1957. For another view, probably of the front, see A107266-1. Sepia photograph ordered by Walter Scott, Foreman & Clark. (TNT 6-5-57, A-6)

Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

ca. 1957. Exterior of the National Bank of Washington located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The bank sponsored an open house on July 13, 1957, at its new banking office located in the north wing of the Lakewood shopping center. It was one of eight Tacoma area offices. The one-story building was 50-feet wide, 104-feet deep and totaled 5,200 square feet. The exterior was constructed of mottled blue ceramic tile with large areas of plate glass. The facility was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by general contractor Merritt Construction. Six teller units, a conference room and officers quarters were located on the east side lobby. There was a modern vault in the rear. The Villa Plaza-Lakewood branch of the National Bank of Washington had as its first manager Marc H. Miller. (TNT 7-11-57, A-6-article & alt. photograph; A-7 full page ad)

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Exterior of Pacific First Federal Savings Building. The large revolving corner clock indicates that it is 11:50 a.m. and the Pacific First Federal Savings Building is open for business. Plaques on the marbled foundation indicate that the bank offered a safe deposit vault for protection of valuables as well as insuring customers' savings and issuing home loans. Situated in the downtown business district of 11th & Pacific, the venerable building had been a local presence since 1891. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound Office Equipment.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. Copy of customer print. A man is perched on a worktable with his eyes focused on his rod and reel in a photograph possibly taken in the mid-1950's. A tall white cabinet is open; it has space for flies and a net on the interior of the door. There are hooks to hang outdoor clothing and plenty of room for hats, wading boots, tackle box and additional reels. The storage unit appears to be made of plywood. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Actual date of print is unknown; copy was made for a 35 mm slide on May 24, 1957.

Cabinets (Case furniture); Fishing & hunting gear; Fishing lures; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Progress photograph--new junior high school. Plywood decking is being nailed into place on the roof of the new cafetorium on the campus of Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (now Middle School) in mid-July, 1957. Windows already have been cut into the dome-shaped structure. The new school garnered much praise for its unusual design and use of wood in its construction. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

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

Three men sport large grins as they examine the Quaker brand of heaters at Rowell's appliance store on August 19, 1957. The Quaker heater, labeled "America's Most Beautiful Heater," promised to deliver warmer floors at a warm up time 5 1/2 times faster than old fashioned cast iron. It had "twin" automatic floor level blowers. Rowell's on River Road would give the customer $50 for their old heater, courtesy of Quaker Mfg. Co., regardless of the heater's make or condition. Photograph ordered by Quaker Mfg. Co.

Radiators; Appliance stores--Puyallup; Rowell's (Puyallup);

On August 8, 1957, country musician Jack Rivers, host of KIRO Television's "Raging River Ranch," at left, performed outside the Rhodes Department Store at the grand opening of Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The bass player is not identified but may be a member of "Tex" Williams' band. Mr. Rivers had joined his longtime friend, country star "Tex" Williams at the Villa Plaza during Mr. Williams' 3 p.m. show. Jack Rivers had his own all-western show, with his group the "Raging River Ranch Boys," at the shopping center the next evening. A full-hour stage show was promised. Mr. Rivers' "Raging River Ranch" show was seen on CBS outlet, KIRO, on weekday afternoons. (TNT 8-7-57, B-14) ALBUM 8.

Rivers, Jack; Musicians--Lakewood; Guitars; Stringed instruments; Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

A new Aquinas Academy rose on the site of the former girls' school in 1957. A workman is shown on August 28, 1957, smoothing down a concrete walkway in front of the modern pre-fabricated concrete building. The original Aquinas Academy opened in Tacoma under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Dominic in 1899. The school was razed in October, 1955, and a new school with facilities for 400 students was designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. The new Aquinas was dedicated on October 27, 1957, by Seattle Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly. The three-story building had 10 classrooms, a library, two science laboratories, a home economics room, a gymnasium and a cafeteria. It was built at a cost of $656,000. 1112 North "G" St. is now the site of the Saint Patrick School. When Aquinas vacated the building in 1974 to consolidate with Bellarmine and Saint Leo's as Bellarmine, Saint Patrick School left their 55-year-old building at North 11th & "J" and moved down the hill to occupy the newer Aquinas structure. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 10-27-57, B-8; www.saintpats.org) ) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma);

Two loaves of Roman Meal bread were dramatically displayed on a black background on July 10, 1957. The bread was baked in two different locations and accordingly labeled. Both the Amrhein's Roman Meal of Springfield, Illinois, and Braun's Roman Meal of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were light brown breads that were vitamin fortified. The bread was a mixture of white, whole wheat, bran and rye bread. Roman Meal Bread was said to be "so good tasting" and "so good for your figure." Consumers could write for a special diet plan that utilized this particular brand of bread. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Engraving.

Bread; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A gully is carved out of the North Bend countryside and filled nearly to capacity with timber in an August 12, 1957, photograph. Two men can barely be spotted surveying the logs. The massive logs appear to be piled several times the height of the men. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie.

Logs; Lumber industry--North Bend;