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);

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;

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);

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;

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;

The Morrow Fuel Company located at the intersection of 38th and McKinley Ave. The company was owned by Gerald F. (Jerry) Morrow, a former partner in Radiant Fuel Co. Morrow had been in the fuel business 14 years when he opened his own company on the east side. They sold stove and diesel oils and offered 24 hour delivery. A Chevrolet delivery tank truck is shown in front of the offices. Located on the east side of Tacoma in the McKinley Hill area, this building is now divided into residential apartments. (TNT 10/28/1956, pg. B-13)

Morrow Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet trucks;

ca. 1956. Artist's rendering of the proposed Kent branch of the National Bank of Washington. The building was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects.

National Bank of Washington (Kent); Banks--Kent--1950-1960;

Highland Hills Shopping Center. Originally called the Highland Hill Shopping Center, it was completed in 1956 and celebrated its grand opening on December 12, 1956. The Big Bear Market was its first tenant and had begun operations there in 1955. The city's West End was growing rapidly and it was felt that a shopping center would best fit the needs of the expanding community. Situated on Sixth Avenue near Pearl Street, it was centrally located for West End customers, including the University Place and Fircrest communities. Original tenants also included the Sun Drug Co., Roy's Shoe Repair, Lads and Lassies Clothing and the Highland Hill Barber Shop. Covered walkways protected customers from inclement weather; Highland Hill was planned as an up-to-date one-stop shopping center. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. (TNT 12-11-56, B-2)

Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Highland Hill Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A bartender tops off a glass of Heidelberg for a waiting customer as other customers already have schooners in hand. Beer was cheap in March, 1957; Heidelberg on tap cost 10-15 cents a glass, 20 cents for a schooner, fifty cents a pitcher and only $1.25 for an entire gallon. If you wanted to take home a six-pack of Heidelberg, it would only cost $1.15 or should you splurge, $2.25 for two. The bartender could also supply his customers with eggs, pickles, pepperoni, and sardines. He could even whip up clam nectar, oyster or beef stew and chili for those hungry. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing.

Bars; Alcoholic beverages; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Interior of Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant. An unusual lattice ceiling, artificial tree with spreading branches and potted plants brought the outdoors into the Inferno restaurant. Chairs and drapes were decorated in a floral pattern to further accentuate the garden atmosphere. Part of the walls were apparently draped in sack-like materials, with masks staring at the seated customers. The Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant was located at 7430 Pacific Avenue. TPL-9662

Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ceilings--Tacoma; Masks--Tacoma;

ca. 1957. Interior- Thriftway supermarket. A customer would not need to linger in lines for any length of time as the new Villa Thriftway came equipped with at least eleven check-out stands. At least one stand was expressly for quick check-out with six items or less. Customers were asked to place items on the movable belt with the prices up for faster service. Scales were provided at each stand so that produce could be weighed. Boxes of cigarettes were readily available on top of each cash register. The new 22,000 square foot supermarket was located in the Villa Plaza shopping center in Lakewood at the site of the former Visitation Villa. Photograph ordered by Associated Grocers, Inc. (TNT 4-2-57, B-7)

Villa Thriftway Food Stores (Lakewood); Supermarkets; Cash registers;

ca. 1957. Exterior- Thriftway. The Villa Thriftway supermarket would open for business in April, 1957. The store's name is in large neon letters on the building's porch roof. The overhanging porch would also protect customers from the elements as they entered or exited the store. Following an architectural trend, enormous windows are positioned at the supermarket's front. Located in Lakewood's new Villa Plaza Shopping Center, the 22,000 square foot store was built to order for a Thriftway market. It cost approximately $200,000. The shopping center boasted of plenty of parking; there was room for 4000 cars. Photograph ordered by Associated Grocers, Inc. (TNT 4-2-57, B-7)

Villa Thriftway Food Stores (Lakewood); Supermarkets; Electric signs--Lakewood;

Exterior- Puget Sound National Bank. Bank officials, realizing that the city's southend continued to grow, placed a branch of Puget Sound National Bank at the corner of South 84th and Pacific Avenue. The branch had a large neon sign and also a time/temperature device above. The Main Office of the bank had a similiar "double T" sign placed at their Pacific Avenue headquarters only four years before. The 84th & Pacific branch was managed for many years by Ralph Hubbard. The bank is still in its same location 45 years later; it is now owned by KeyBank. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clocks & watches; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Shell Oil Co. had a sales meeting on April 25, 1957, with approximately 100 people in attendance. Participants enjoyed a catered meal from Wellman's. These sales meetings were used to inform employees of new products and sales techniques. View of lecturer demonstrating the use of the new X-100 premium motor oil. The X-100 was a heavy duty oil which adjusted automatically to extreme temperature changes in modern engines. A nearby chart explains the contaminant balance for gasoline engines. Photograph ordered by Shell Oil Co.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of new Leed's Shoes at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. This is believed to be the back entrance to the shoe store; most of the stores in the new Villa Plaza had both back and front entrances. Leed's was located on the Rhodes and Grant department stores side of the promenade. In the Villa Plaza's first few months of existence, Leed's and Fashion Shoes were the only major shoe stores there. It celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, April 4, 1957.

Leed's Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with 13 men and one woman posing by fleet of new "Ranch Wagon" 2 door station wagons. Neon and painted signs on facade of Elizabethan style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926. TPL-10140

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ford automobile;

Views of the Tradewell Super Market and its parking lot on 6th Ave., ordered by Carroll Mortgage Co. Leslie A. Gray was manager. The supermarket offered its customers plenty of free parking at this busy location. The stores trademark pylon with the Tradewell name can be seen at the front of the the store.

Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma);

Views of the Tradewell Super Market and its parking lot on 6th Ave., ordered by Carroll Mortgage Co. Leslie A. Gray was manager. Van De Kamps Bakery is pictured prominently on the Tradewell pylon. Signs in the windows advertise avocados, oil, MD Tissue, turkey and lowered coffee prices. The suburban grocery store offered plenty of free parking for its mobile clientele. TPL-8315

Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1920. A raft of logs being brought by early day tug "The Black Prince" to the Sedro Box and Veneer Co. plant at Sedro Woolley, Washington. A group of well dressed people stand calmly on this precarious log perch on the Skagit River. The Sedro plant went out of business after a devastating fire in December of 1924, but the individuals involved in its formation and management became the leaders in the growing Northwest plywood industry. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930; Mills--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. The Sedro Box and Veneer Co. plant at Sedro Woolley, Washington. Stacks of completed fir panels sit waiting shipment to door companies such as Wheeler Osgood of Tacoma. By 1920, William J. "Cottonwood Bill" Royse, a legendary millwork veteran with a hearty handshake and a flamboyant air, and Clyde D. Lloyd, the consummate businessman, eased off the production of boxes and crates at their plant to begin manufacturing plywood panels. Business took off and by 1924 orders were piling up. Business boomed until the plant was destroyed by fire on December 4, 1924. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930; Mills--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

Remington Rand, daytime exposure of exterior of building, taken in April of 1955. The house on a rise next to the building that can be seen over the flat roof of Remington Rand is possibly 410 Saint Helens Ave., built in 1905 and now demolished. Remington Rand manufactured office equipment and furniture and had a complete repair department.

Remington Rand Inc. (Tacoma);

The new Puget Sound National Bank at Midway. Puget Sound National Bank opened in Midway, part of unincorporated King County, in 1955 but because of state banking regulations it was run as a separate bank until Midway was incorporated by the city of Kent in 1959. To finance the new bank, Reno Odlin personally borrowed $160,000 from Wells Fargo Bank and became its president and sole stockholder. On 5/1/1955, Midway signed an agreement with Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma that provided the fledgling bank with equipment, credit overlines, personnel hiring and the use of the newly completed building, provided rent-free. The following day, the bank opened its doors as Puget Sound National Bank of Midway. The bank was located on Pacific Highway 99 at the intersection of the Kent Des Moines Highway. The rambling ranch style building of green stone and "Texture One-Eleven," introduced by the DFPA, would serve the growing communities of Kent, Des Moines, Federal Way, Burien and Auburn. It had interior walnut paneling, terrazzo floors and exposed Douglas Fir beams. Puget Sound Bank did not venture out of Pierce County again until 1970. ("Banking on Independence" Provorse & TNT 5/1/1955, pg. C-23)

Puget Sound National Bank (Midway); Banks--Midway; Banking--Midway;

The National Bank of Washington, Industrial branch, on the Tideflats opened to the public on July 1, 1955. Robert B. Price was the architect and Concrete Engineering Co. was the contractor for the new bank. The building was Tacoma's first example of "prestressed concrete construction." The 102 foot by 48 foot building was completely fireproof. The northwest side of the building was floor to ceiling glass, providing natural light. The 4300 sq. foot lobby contained tellers space, officers' quarters, conference rooms and vaults. The mezzanine had storage facilities, the employees' lounge and a compact kitchen for employees. Phillip C. Hultman was the branch Manager. Photographs ordered by the Howard R. Smith Co. (TNT 6/29/1955, pg. A-3)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. Lea, Pearson and Richards served as the architects on this branch bank built in 1955. Construction was of brick, tile and aluminum. The front of the bank was almost entirely plate glass window. The lobby measured 3600 square feet and had brown striped mahogany woodwork with frosted walnut formica counters.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Switch gear equipment at Pacific Oerlikon Co. The worker appears diminutive next to the huge electronic machinery mounted above his head. Pacific Oerlikon, a subsidiary of Oerlikon Engineering Co. of Switzerland, manufactured large equipment for the power grid. It occupied the site of the former Henry Mill and Timber Co. in a building specially designed to accomodate the sheer height of its products.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

In September 1955, you could watch (l to r) Beverlee Crombie, Callie Mernaugh and Connie Mernaugh every Friday and Saturday night in the Gay Nineties room at Steve's Gay Nineties, 5238 So. Tacoma Way. Steve's was famous for its use of local talent and was known as a place where the whole family could enjoy an evening out. The Mernaugh girls were twins and graduates of Stadium High School. Their dancing was an artistic outlet, not a profession; both girls held "day jobs." Connie worked at Northwest Chair and Callie worked at St. Regis. Connie Mernaugh was Miss Tacoma of 1956. Beverlee Crombie left Tacoma for Los Angeles where she studied dancing with Vera Ellen, Leslie Caron and Sheree North. By 1956, she was appearing in the revue at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas and was booked for an engagement at the Moulin Rouge in Los Angeles. Miss Crombie was a 1955 graduate of Clover Park High School. (TNT 5/9/1956, pg. A-13, 5/29/1957 pg. 4, 8/12/1956, pg. D-12) TPL-8435

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma; Costumes; Crombie, Beverlee; Mernaugh, Callie; Mernaugh, Connie;

American Wholesale Grocers. Exterior of new IGA Foodtown store located at Park Ave. and Airport Way. A planter box, including two trees that extend through the roof line, and flagstone paving lead to the entrance of the store. The Van de Camps bakery windmill logo can be seen on the neon sign to the right. Parking fans out around the building. Fluorescent tube lighting illuminates the inside and outside of the store. The 20,000 square foot concrete block and Roman brick building has large plate glass windows across the north side. (TNT 8/16/1955, pg. 7-10)

IGA Foodtown (Parkland); Grocery stores--1950-1960; Supermarkets;

This was how the new IGA Foodtown store located at Park Avenue and Airport Way in Parkland appeared on the evening of August 16, 1955. One of the earliest strip malls in Pierce County, the complex contained the supermarket, bakery, variety store, cafe, beauty and barber shops, real estate office and dry cleaning plant.The entrance to the grocery store is to the right. Checkout registers and baskets can be seen behind the glass entrance. The variety section may have had its own entrance to the left of the brick wall. The store had the new feature of automatic doors and ample self service; 66 feet of self service meat, self service Van de Kamps bakery and large self service variety store. The parking lot provided space for 150 cars. Photograph ordered by American Wholesale Grocers. (TNT 8/16/1955, pg. 7-10)

IGA Foodtown (Parkland); Grocery stores--1950-1960; Supermarkets;