The Girl Scouts of America are well represented as they march down Pacific Ave. past the Bank of California building and the United Mutual Savings Bank in the 1955 Daffodil Parade.The girls wear the traditional uniform of skirt, shirt, kerchief and beret type hat. Bands worn diagonally across their chests are for displaying merit badges. There are lots of ankle socks and saddle shoes in the group. The leaders march along with their girls.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Girl Scouts (Tacoma);

An unidentified mounted posse, one of five in the 1955 Daffodil Parade, rides past the intersection of Pacific Ave. and 11th Street. The horses' rumps are adorned with a blanket of daffodils. The riders wear western cowboy hats and jackets with ties. Some in the crowd hold up umbrellas to shield them from the rain. The rains and cool weather did not deter over 200,000 spectators from turning out to view the tribute to the Puyallup Valley's money crop, the King Alfred daffodil.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Horseback riding--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

A marching band rounds the turn from 9th onto Pacific Ave., preceding the Pacific Lutheran College float in the 1955 Daffodil Parade. The College's floral tribute to the year's theme "Golden Future'' depicts a globe issuing a rainbow and won the first place in the education and youth division. Rain and cool temperatures did not dissuade over 200,000 hardy souls from lining the streets to view the 22nd annual parade.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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 Tacoma Fire Department provided ladders and the Safeway stores supplied scaffolding when members of the Painters Union, local # 64 and members of the Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce took on the project of painting Tacoma's totem pole at South 9th & A Street in 1955. By official proclamation, Mayor Harold M. Tollefson had declared May 8-14, 1955 "Clean up, fix up, paint up" week in Tacoma. This annual event encouraged citizens to clean out their basements, attics and yards and dispose of excess items. The re-painting of the totem pole was the project chosen to kick off the campaign. Local # 64 had already painted the totem pole once before in April of 1948.

Totem poles--Tacoma; Painting--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laborers--Tacoma; Painters Union Local No. 64 (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment;

ca. 1955. Framed here in a darkened arch, the combination chapel/music/speech building was the religious and cultural center of the Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland. The groundbreaking for the $750,000 structure was in 1949 and the building was dedicated in May of 1952. Dr. S.C. Eastvold was President of the College. The three story building was built of concrete faced with brick, designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards to harmonize with the new library, science and Student Union buildings. It lay to the west of Old Main, forming a quadrangle with the Science Hall, library and Old Main. It held a large chapel/auditorium that seated 1200 with a oversize stage of 36 x 72 ft., a smaller devotional chapel directly under the 150 ft. spire that held 75, radio and speech studios, 17 piano and 2 organ practice rooms, several music studios, a music library and a small stage. In 1967, it was renamed Eastvold Chapel in honor of the retiring President who oversaw much of the growth of PLC. TPL-8607

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Pacific Lutheran College's "Old Main," renamed Harstad Hall in honor of school founder Rev. Bjug Harstad in 1960. PLC was founded in 1890 by Rev. Harstad. Construction on Old Main began in 1891 and the building was opened for use in 1894. At that time, tuition was $1.00 a week and the six story building on the Parkland prairie 40 minutes from Tacoma (by street car or railroad) was the whole school. It housed dormitories, classrooms, library, chapel, offices and the dining hall and kitchen. Over the years, the building has undergone changes. Its famous ivy was removed in 1950 because it was damaging the building. The cafeteria was moved in 1955 to the Student Union and the offices and classrooms moved in 1960 to the new administration building. The entire building was converted to men's dormitory rooms.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. View in 1955 of the tall doors to the garage bay where the fire engines are stored at Tacoma Fire Department's Engine Company #17. A reader notes that although signage over the doors indicated that Truck Co. #5 also operated from this station, the Tacoma Fire Department never established a staffed Truck 5 out of this station or anywhere else and still operates to this day with only four ladder companies city-wide. In addition to room for a thousand gallon pump truck and 75 ft aerial ladder truck, the building contained accommodations for 18 firemen and six officers. Lighting in the apparatus room came from large clerestory windows. Radiant heating panels were installed in the floors over which the trucks stood, to keep them warm and ready in all types of weather. The station had an enclosed outside garden court adjacent to the living quarters. It was closed when Engine Co. #17 moved to Fircrest. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Fire Department, Engine Company #17 (Tacoma);

Private pool built by Cascade Pool Co. for Dr. Ernest Banfield. The kidney shaped pool has a diving board at one end. A door from what is probably a basement recreation room of Dr. Banfield's residence opens onto a covered patio with an outdoor fireplace and built in brick barbecue and cooking area. Floor to ceiling windows in the living room overlook the pool. Dr. Banfield was a noted plastic surgeon who practiced in Tacoma. His wife Helen (Becky) served on Tacoma's city council. The house next door to the Banfields at 1212 Ventura belonged to George Jacobson. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Patios; Fireplaces; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banfield, Ernest--Homes & haunts; Jacobson, George--Homes & haunts;

Swimming and wading pools at Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. This exclusive club, established in 1905, is located in Tacoma's north end, near the Annie Wright Academy. The pool & surrounding area was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects, and opened in September of 1954. The pool deck area is located down an incline, far below the surrounding homes. This photograph was ordered by the Cascade Pool Co.

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Swimming and wading pools at Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. This exclusive club was established in 1905. The pool area was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects, and opened in Sept. 1954. The pools are not very crowded, since April is still early for outdoor swimming in the Northwest. A high fence surrounds the pool area.

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1900. Frederick Weyerhaeuser, founder of the Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. Frederick Weyerhaeuser came to the U.S. from Germany as a penniless teenager. He ended up in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1856 working in a lumberyard. In the wake of the panic of 1857, he became the owner of a little sawmill. He expanded first northward and later westward, founding his family empire. He went into the lumber business with his brother-in-law Frederick Carl August Denkmann. In 1900, after long negotiations, the Weyerhaeuser syndicate purchased 900,000 acres of Washington timberlands from the Northern Pacific Railroad. Although a daring and adventurous businessman with boundless energy, Weyerhaeuser was also a painfully private and simple man. The patriarch of the Weyerhaeusers was devoted to hard work and the founding of a dynasty. At his death on April 4, 1914 of pneumonia, he left $30,000,000 and a empire of timberlands. ("Phil Weyerhaeuser Lumberman" by Charles E. Twining)

Weyerhaeuser, Frederick; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1900-1910; Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Tacoma);

In June of 1955 Steve Pease's San Francisco "cable car", with a banner on its side advertising the Tacoma Rose Show, was photographed on Pacific Avenue. Pease, who owned Steve's Cafe on South Tacoma Way, better known as Steve's Gay 90s, bought an old San Francisco street car and had it retrofitted for street use. The "cable car" was the inspiration for the his restaurant's cable car room and was often seen in parades. The conductor at the front of the car is believed to be Steve Pease and the costumed woman at the far right is his daughter Dorothy Jean Pease. The Rose Show was one of the highlights of the 6th annual Pacific Northwest Convention of The American Rose Society and the Tacoma Rose Society's 45th annual exhibit. The Weeks Building, behind the front of the car, housed the Richards Commercial Photography Service and Nancy's Childrens Portrait Studio. (TNT 6/23/1955, pg. 1) TPL-9497

Cable cars; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Dorothy Jean;

On Monday May 30, 1955, Mrs. Gundrun Paetz, president of the Gold Star Mothers, placed a wreath at the base of a memorial to servicemen at the Mountain View Memorial Park as part of a special Memorial Day service. Observing the wreath laying ceremony are Superior Court Judge Frank Hale (left), serving as master of ceremonies, and State Senator Albert D. Rosellini, speaker for the event. Several veterans organizations participated in the Memorial Day rites held at 2 p.m. on Memorial Day at Mountain View. The 534th Air Force Band provided accompaniment. (TNT 5/31/1955, pg. 1 & 5/29/1955, pg. 1)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood; Memorial Day; Commemoration--Lakewood; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Lakewood; Paetz, Gundrun; Hale, Frank; Rosellini, Albert D.;

ca. 1955. Interiors of Ben Cheney's home. The living room of Cheney's home in Browns Point has exposed beams, knotty wood panelling and a large fieldstone fireplace. In front of the fireplace is a sunken conversation pit with pillows. The furniture is simple and comfortable. Although Cheney was a millionaire, his home is very simply decorated and comfortable.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A smiling Ben Cheney is prepared to swing as his unidentified masked catcher signals "two" for the two bats Mr. Cheney has in his possession. He had his choice of bats from the stacks of bats behind him. Philanthropist and lumber magnate Cheney sponsored the amateur Washington Cheney Studs baseball team as well as many other teams in other sports. His Studs were to meet the pro Yakima Bears of the Northwest League in exhibitions on June 7 - 8, 1955, at Cheney Field. The Bears would go on to defeat the Studs 7-2 in both games. (TNT 6-3-55, D-3-info on exhibitions only)

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

Abbie (Mrs. Roy) Keplinger, known professionally as "Keppy," sits surrounded by the members of Keppy's Orchestra in the Crescent Ballroom at 13th & Fawcett. In July of 1955, the band was celebrating its 15th anniversary playing at the Ballroom. Fans from as far away as Seattle, Olympia and Portland would come to Tacoma to hear the Orchestra perform Dixieland, Hawaiian, modern hit tunes and dances of yesteryear. Old time dances were a specialty at the Crescent Ballroom with free lessons offered for the dances listed on the callboard. Keppy's Orchestra played every Friday and Saturday, admission $.75. Mrs. Keplinger was the pianist and arranger for the orchestra. Members were: (l to r) Jack Siler, alto saxophone, baritone sax and trumpet; Arnold Settles, tenor sax and clarinet; Bernard McNeil, trumpet; Peter Notley, steel guitar and vocals; Dewey (Duke) Lamont, drummer and harmonica. Not pictured are Lawrence Hubert, violinist and banjo and Arthur Knight, vocalist and dance instructor. (TNT 7/29/1955, pg. 20)

Crescent Ballroom (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Keppy's Orchestra; Saxophones; Ballrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Keplinger, Abbie E.; Big bands--Tacoma--1950-1960; Siler, Jack; Settles, Arnold; McNeil, Bernard; Notley, Peter; Lamont, Dewey;

Wallace E. (W.E.) Difford, managing director, addresses the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's (DFPA) annual meeting. The Golden Jubilee Convention was held in Portland, Oregon, June 19-21, 1955; celebrating 50 years of the plywood industry from its inception in 1905 to 1955. Difford advised the group of the need for research and product improvement to fuel industry growth. He also warned that the future of industry management depended on talented young people being advanced on the career path, not shuttled into dead end jobs. Difford was selected at the meeting as one of the top 3 plywood salesmen in the industry's history. The highlights of the Jubilee were a Broadway type musical pageant, the presentation of Arlene Francis's televised "Home Show" and the unveiling of a giant exposition containing 50 golden ideas designed by 5 nationally leading architects.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland; Plywood; Difford, Wallace E.;

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;

Two blonde models and a casually attired unidentified man pose on the barrier around the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's Plywood Memorial at the Forestry Building in Portland, Oregon. On display is the first plywood panel ever made from Douglas Fir. Early in 1905, Portland was getting ready for a World's Fair as part of the centennial observance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Portland Manufacturing Co. was asked to prepare an exhibit featuring something new and unusual. N.J. Bailey and Gustav Carlson and a crew of about six men constructed by trial and error the first plywood panels. This was the birth of the plywood industry that became one of the backbones of the economy of the Pacific Northwest. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland--1950-1960;

Circus trucks used to transport the travelling exhibit "Fir Plywood Golden Jubilee Show." Photo series ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. 1955 marked the 50th anniversary of the plywood industry. As part of the year long celebration, the travelling display toured the West Coast regions where plywood was manufactured. The free show included something for everyone. It featured a plywood menagerie, a color movie showing how plywood is manufactured and some new ideas for modern living, "Fifty Golden Ideas" by prominent designers. (TNT 7/19/1955, pg. C-17)

Plywood; Logs; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The processional into St. Ann's Catholic Church for the Silver Jubilee celebration, a special mass honoring Rev. J.F. Milner on the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, the Archbishop of Seattle, will preside at the mass. The Knights of Columbus lead the processional. The mass was followed by a reception held from 2-4p.m. in the new school building. Father Milner was presented with a new automobile by the members of his parish at the reception. At 6 p.m., Father Milner hosted more than 100 priests of the archdiocese at a dinner in the parish hall. Many of the clergy were from his native Ireland and fellow students there. (TNT 6/25/1955, pg. 4)

St. Ann's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Milner, J.F.; Connolly, Thomas A.;

Harold Stamey, the owner of Stamey Insurance Inc. and sponsor of the "Insurancemen," shows Dick Evans (2nd from left) the correct way to grip a ball. The Insurancemen, with a season record of 16 wins and 2 losses, were the 1955 Tacoma Junior Baseball League champions. The short player on the right is Curtis Stamey, the team's bat boy. The player with glasses is believed to be Dennis Lamson. The other two players are Greg Berry (far left) and John Reed (far right). (TNT 8/14/1955, pg. B-15)

Stamey Insurance Inc. (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey, Harold; Stamey, Curtis; Evans, Dick; Lamson, Dennis;

Several members of the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club lend a hand in cooking for the large turnout celebrating the club's second annual steak fry in June of 1955. These women are stirring the food inside the electric rectangular cookers. Club members and their families would be able to enjoy dining out under beautiful sunny skies and later cooling off in the club's new swimming pool.

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Cookery--Tacoma;

Dining area of the "Hemlock House," the residence of M.E. Pitman Jr. at 8512 Veterans Dr. S.W., Lakewood. Photos ordered by the Condon Co., advertising agency. The dining area has built in bench seating around a central table. The oven can be seen to the right. Wood panelling decorates one wall. M.E. Pitman is possibly Marquis E. Pitman, real estate sales associate.

Dining rooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Pitman, Marquis E.--Homes & haunts;

Exposure showing radiant heating panel in the childrens' bedroom of the Kenith Aarhaus residence at 5923 East Vickery Rd. The panel is located underneath the bedroom window. Twin beds with chenille bedspreads occupy the room. A child sized dressing table with a lace runner and a Kewpie doll is against one wall. The small chair is labelled "Patches" on the back. A long limbed monkey that looks as though it was made of socks sits in the window. Kenith D. was listed as machinist with Coast Iron and Machine Works in the 1955 City Directory and as an employee of St. Regis in the 1956 Directory. His wife's name was Esther. Photos ordered by Glassray of Tacoma.

Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma; HVAC systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Radiators; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Aarhaus, Kenith--Homes & haunts;

Kitchen of the "Hemlock House," the residence of M.E. Pitman Jr. at 8512 Veterans Dr. S.W., Lakewood. Photos ordered by the Condon Co., advertising agency. M.E. Pitman is possibly Marquis E. Pitman, real estate sales associate. This is a very modern appearing kitchen for the fifties. A back splash protects the wall space above the counter & below the cabinets. Light floods the room from the skylight above. The cabinets are rectangular with sliding plywood doors. (TNT 9/9/1955, pg. B-12)

Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960; Pitman, Marquis E.--Homes & haunts;

Sunlight streams through the large picture windows into the dining room of the home of Dr. William B. and Myrtle McNerthney at 24 Summit Rd. The walls are very bright and bold with rose wallpaper. Oriental style rugs grace the wood floors. A cuckoo clock adorns a wall in the room and prism crystals hang from the chandelier over a lace draped dining table. Potted houseplants make use of the sunshine. The colonial style home was built in 1940. The Mcnerthney's home would be on display as part of the first annual Home Tour on 6/18/1955. (TNT 6/12/1955, pg. C-18)

McNerthney, William B.--Homes & haunts; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of C.C. Mellinger Co. Funeral Home. TPL-2430. Photograph ordered by Wally Stabbert to show "Quick Brik" building materials. The colonial style funeral home was built in 1909 and designed by Heath & Twichell, Architects. The adjoining Memorial Chapel was built in 1945 and designed by Earl N. Dugan, Architect. The family owned funeral home was operated by James J. Mellinger, president, his wife Ann as vice president and Martha Mellinger as treasurer.

Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; C.C. Mellinger Funeral Directors (Tacoma);

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;