Employees of the Commonwealth Title Co. gather around a modern metal desk set containing new IBM equipment on January 17, 1958. The men appear to be waiting for the young woman who is holding a pile of papers, perhaps prior to passing them out. There is at least one IBM typewriter on the extended desk, and possibly two. The metal swivel chair would enable the secretary to have more than one document ready to type. Photograph ordered by IBM.

Office equipment & supplies; Typewriters; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; International Business Machines (Tacoma); Commonwealth Title Co. (Tacoma);

A technician uses his sander to smooth down any bumps in a vehicle to be painted. He has his goggles on, but not over his eyes, as he stares intently at the two-door sedan. The dark blotch of paint may be the new color chosen for the car, or the last portion of the old to be covered. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.

Painting; Automobiles--1950-1960;

An employee of Puget Sound Plywood is measuring an exceptionally large log on a log deck at the company's East "F" St. plant on February 20, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Logs; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooperatives--Tacoma;

Members of the Sons of Norway salute the crowds lining Pacific Avenue near 11th during the 1958 Daffodil Parade. The men are standing behind shields on their Viking ship and are dressed for battle. United Mutual Savings Bank, Household Finance, and the new Selden's location can be spotted in the background.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma);

Ray Ridge Motors, a longtime Lincoln Mercury dealer, also had a used car lot at the corner of 62nd and South Tacoma Way. The fact that their cars were national bonded was heavily promoted. The vehicles were protected for one full year, including parts and labor. Ray Ridge used cars would be a "safe buy" with these guarantees in place. According to the 1958 City Directory, William Gill, Jr., was listed as sales manager for the used car lot. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.

Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Schubert's Westgate Pharmacy advertised itself as being a complete drugstore, serving the North End. It also contained a postal station and offered free delivery. Here a pharmacist, possibly owner Guy W. Schubert, appears to be dispelling advice to a customer about "Bisma Rex." Besides prescriptions, pharmacies also sold assorted sundries and non-prescriptive items, including remedies for chapped lips, cough syrup, and razor blades. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW. TPL-8272

Schubert's Westgate Pharmacy (Tacoma); Drugstores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A small, desktop model Singer sewing machine has been removed from its table at the Joe L. Long, Jr., residence in Lakewood. The machine has been threaded and still has a full spool of thread. An opening has been cut into the plywood sewing table so that the machine can be upended and hidden from view. The table can then be used to cut material or for other uses. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Sewing machines; Sewing equipment & supplies; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The Horace Mann Elementary School PTA was preparing for an upcoming carnival at the southend school. The baked salmon dinner and carnival was to be held on April 18, 1958 with a "Mother Goose in Outer Space" theme. Here a stuffed, or perhaps papier-mache, Mother Goose perches on a tinfoil log. A touch of the modern world intrudes with the addition of satellites and rockets as decorations; news of the Russian Sputnik had captivated the world in 1957. Mrs. Anton Gesinger, standing far right, headed the committee in charge of the event. Photograph ordered by Horace Mann PTA.

Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (Tacoma); Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In a scene reminiscent of the day after Christmas, anxious crowds pour into the Washington Hardware store to snap up bargains in hardware and sporting goods. Even the cold, damp weather is not enough to deter shoppers attending Washington Hardware's Washington Birthday Sales in 1958. As the crowds push through the doors, young boys who had hopped onto the store's thin cement wall try to maneuver their way over the bodies of others. As an added attraction, KTAC would be broadcasting direct from within the store. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma;

Washington Hardware Washington Birthday Sales. The cashiers stand ready before their registers as they await purchases at the 1958 Washington Hardware Co.'s Washington Birthday Sales. Some of the items bought would be destined for presents as three girls were prepared to gift wrap. The store is packed with customers, bargain hunters and just plain browsers. Moose and elk heads are mounted on the walls along with stuffed swordfish and birds. Guns, tools, and outdoor clothing are on display. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma;

Patricia Westbrook and Ron Taylor posed for a charming engagement photograph on March 8, 1958, at Miss Westbrook's North Jackson St. residence. All eyes are focused on the cuddly black cat, Who-Dat?, in her arms. Patricia was the daughter of Mrs. John Westbrook. She was a graduate of Stadium High School and Stanford University. Her fiance, Air Force Lt. Ronald Taylor, graduated from Indiana University where he was on the varsity basketball team. The young couple planned to marry on June 21st at St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church. Photograph ordered by Patricia Westbrook. (TNT 3-16-58, C-2)

Westbrook, Patricia; Taylor, Ronald; Cats;

Exterior - Calvary Baptist Church. A brick tower with a simple cross stands between the Calvary Baptist Church and its auxiliary building in a February 7, 1958, photograph. The church is located in a brick building with a steep roofline. A cross is placed on one end of the building. The auxiliary building is a modern structure, also made of brick, with multiple windows. Calvary Baptist remains located today at 6511 South C St., a couple of blocks from Pacific Avenue. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminiated Products, Inc.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma;

Sunkist oranges are being bagged by a worker at Consolidated Fruit & Produce on January 30, 1958. The oranges are loaded into a large machine which proceeds to move them, via assembly line, down a chute so that they can be placed into plastic bags by hand. Several bags have already been filled and placed into packing boxes. Consolidated Fruit & Produce was located just off Hwy. 99 at the corner of Occidental and Holgate. Photograph ordered by Dobeckman Co.

Oranges; Shipping--Seattle; Assembly-line methods--Seattle; Consolidated Fruit & Produce Co. (Seattle);

This photograph of the front of Stadium High School was taken in January of 1958 for the Mark Mitchell Roofing Company which was located at 662 East 11th Street. Built in the "Chateauesque" style used for the Canadian Pacific Railroad's resort hotels, with steeply-pitched hipped roofs, cone-shaped towers, turrets and pointed spires Stadium H.S. posed special problems for roofers. The section of North E Street that ran past the front of the high school at the time of this image is no longer open to traffic. (Photograph ordered by Mark Mitchell Roofing Co.) TPL-9499

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A studio portrait of a portable television was taken on behalf of Washington Hardware on February 17, 1958. The store planned to use it later for a newspaper ad. The Emerson TV came in a white case with colored stripe. It had small "rabbit ears" and a handle for carrying. Control buttons for brightness, volume, horizontal and vertical positions were on the side of the television along with a station selection and tuning knob. Sound appeared to emerge from slits flanking the station selection knob. This 17 inch Emerson was the latest 1958 model. The regular price at Washington Hardware was $179.95. For one day only, Washington's Birthday Sale on February 22, the price would drop to $128. (TNT ad- 2-21-58, A-6)

Televisions--1950-1960; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1958. Photograph taken in 1958 from in front of the Security Building (917 Pacific Ave.) looking south down Pacific, including the intersection at Pacific and 10th. On the left is the building originally constructed for the Tacoma National Bank in 1885-88. Its 1958 occupants included the Smoke Shop Tavern (921), the Travel Center of Tacoma (923) and Archie's Coffee Cup (925 Pacific Ave.) This building has since been demolished. On the south side of 10th is the W.H. Opie & Company building at 1001-05 Pacific Ave. It is followed by a narrow building housing the Pierce County Federal Savings and Loan Association (1007) and the ornate columns of the Bank of California (1011). The following building is the 17 story modern American style Washington Building. Construction started in 1919 for the Scandinavian- American Bank but was halted when the bank failed. It was completed in 1925.

Archie's Coffee Cup (Tacoma); Smoke Shop Tavern (Tacoma); Travel Center of Tacoma (Tacoma); W.H. Opie & Co. (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Progress photograph of model home construction. Hammer in hand, a carpenter is on the roof of a newly constructed model home in Federal Way. The roof is partially covered with plywood. Wooden joists and trusses form a geometric pattern. The one-story model home was being built by contractor Bud Montgomery, Seattle, in the spring of 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Building construction--Federal Way; Progress photographs; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Passport picture- Ed Miller. Edward P. Miller was a well-known innovative builder in the Tacoma area. He posed for a passport photograph on March 7, 1958, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie. Decorating his lapel are three ribbons and a name tag. Mr. Miller may have been preparing to attend a conference as a member of the Spring Board of Directors, National Association of Home Builders. The ribbons indicate the offices he has held in the association: Executive Committee, Regional Vice President and Director. Mr. Miller was past president of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He later would be appointed housing adviser to the Republic of Chile by the U.S. State Department. He and wife Juanita resided in the Skyline Terrace neighborhood. Photograph ordered by Miller Construction Co.

Miller, Edward P.;

What would be a parade be without drill teams? An unidentified group of little girls and teenagers perform a routine for the huge crowds attending the 25th annual Daffodil Parade. Strutting down Pacific Avenue, they lift their knees high and hold their batons upright as they smile at their large audience. Brilliant sunshine accompanied their endeavors.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Drill teams;

Tacoma Indian Hospital's entry in the 1958 Daffodil Parade was entitled "Legend of Hiawatha." Seated under a rainbow arch of blossoms is Hiawatha and his bride, Minnehaha, both dressed in Native American garments. The Hiawatha float, accompanied by special music, won first place in the "Other Clubs and Organizations" division. The theme for the 1958 parade was "Fairy Tales in Daffodils." (TNT 4-13-58, B-9)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Tacoma Indian Hospital (Tacoma);

A steel tank is in the process of being erected at McChord Air Force Base in March, 1958. Cranes lift the steel rods into place. Workers on site can barely be seen against the enormity of the structure. Photograph ordered by Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Co.

Steel; Storage tanks; Hoisting machinery;

Model Helene Williamson finds it easy to select a pair of shoes from the portable plywood shoe rack found in a Sylvan Park residence. The shoe rack was constructed with shelves and rods on both sides so that at least eight pairs of shoes could be stored on each side. The rack was portable and could be placed either in a closet or elsewhere depending on what the owner desired. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Williamson, Helene; Shoes; Racks (Supporting devices); Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Model Helene Williamson demonstrates the practicality of a multi-purpose cabinet at George Panther's Woodworking shop. The plywood unit can be used as a room divider, desk, and storage for a folding bed. Ms. Williamson is shown on April 22, 1958, attaching a screw to the cabinet hinge. This woodworking project could be accomplished by a do-it-yourselfer. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Woodworking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Panther Woodworking (Tacoma); Williamson, Helene; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Another view of the bridges crossing the Puyallup River was taken via air by Richards Studio on April 22, 1958. Water levels indicate that the river had not overflooded its borders. There are no buildings directly on the river's edge because of the flooding potential. The white or light gray colored bridge has been identified as the Eells St. bridge looking south. From above it appears to have an open geometric design; the curvature on top is reminiscent of a roller coaster track. It connected Pacific Highway and Fife to the left and Puyallup Ave. and Tacoma to the right. The other two bridges were railroad bridges and still there some fifty years later. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad bridges--Tacoma; Eells St. State Highway Bridge (Tacoma); Puyallup River (Wash.);

Woodlam, Inc., was a laminated wood products company located in the Tideflats at 1476 Thorne Rd. William Lindberg was listed as president in the 1959 City Directory. Woodlam was formerly known as Laminated Wood Products Co. and was owned by Arne Strom. Strom had opened the plant in February, 1957, and sold the facility to Lindberg in April, 1958. Woodlam, Inc., employed between 80-100 workers. Purchase of the plant involved eight acres of land, a 500 X 100 foot main plant, drying kilns and a suite of offices. Aerial photographs were taken on April 10, 1958, showing piles of plywood outside the large plant facilities. Railroad tracks close by meant easy rail access for the laminated products. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc. (TNT 4-26-58, A-1)

Aerial photographs; Woodlam, Inc. (Tacoma);

The Oxford Apartments were located in Auburn at 717 A St. N.E. The two-story, twenty-unit apartment complex was built in a L-shape with carports for some renters. Auburn was a growing little community with a population of nearly 7,000 in the 1950 Census. By 1960, the population had sprouted to 11,933. Housing would be needed for new residents with new housing developments and apartments springing up to meet the need. Photograph ordered by S & S Builders.

Housing developments--Auburn; Garages--Auburn;

The North Pacific Bank T & T sign shows the time to be 12:10 p.m. which corresponds to the smaller clock in the window of the bank. The T & T sign would also give the current temperature. The North Pacific Bank had been in the same South Tacoma location since 1914. It was run by Clarence W. Wallerich, president, Bert R. Magnuson, vice-president and Peter K. Wallerich, cashier. Clarence Wallerich also owned the South Tacoma Motor Co., Western States Investment Group, City Motor Co., and managed the City Insurance Agency. The one-branch bank, which offered general banking and safe deposit vaults, had capital, surplus, reserves and undivided profits over $900,000 in 1958.

North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On March 30, 1958, customers flocked to the new Sears farm and garden store at 8720 South Tacoma Way, near the outskirts of Tacoma, to examine the products on sale. Besides the usual appliances and televisions, customers could peruse garden items, farm equipment, pet supplies, and place catalog orders. Kenmore floor sample washers and dryers could be purchased at a reduced price with no payments due until June 1st. Several browsers checked out the merits of the appliances while others were more interested in buying a 16 inch chain saw for $149.88. The pet shop portion of Sears was located to the rear of this photograph with tropical fish apparently on display.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Lakewood); Signs (Notices); Appliances; Washing machines;

Selden's had been located on Broadway since 1942. They advertised themselves as being "first in floor coverings and furniture" and did not charge for their professional decorating service. They were a complete home center, offering the finest in carpets, draperies, furniture, tile & linoleum and shades. A full line of Parker Paints, Frigidaire Home Appliances and Hoover vacuum cleaners were carried by the store. Selden's had two locations in the Tacoma area, one in the Lakewood Center and the main store now located at 11th & A St. View of 65,000 square foot main store was taken on March 30, 1958; rows of Selden's fleet of 26 delivery trucks and vans are lined up on two sides of the two-story building. A large sign with the company's name is prominently on display. Selden's held their grand opening on April 6, 1958. This downtown location was formerly the site of the O.F.Kegel store, opposite the post office. Photograph ordered by Selden's. (TNT 4-6-58, B-2)

Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. Building under construction. Rolls of wire and forms attract the eye when observing the Samuel R. Guggenheim Museum under construction in 1957. Plywood forms over which steel-reinforced concrete will be placed are on the circular ramp. For a more complete overview of the museum construction, see C113379-4. This was to be the only major work by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in New York City. The museum was designed to display the growing collection of contemporary art collected by philanthropist Solomon R. Guggenheim. Copy of customer's print was made on March 25, 1958. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Building construction--New York--New York City; Samuel R. Guggenheim Museum (New York City, NY); Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);