In July of 1956, the Tacoma Pierce County Blood Bank was celebrating its 10th anniversary. It was established in 1946 by the combined efforts of the Tacoma Central Labor Council and its affiliated unions. The bank moved to this site at 1211 So. 12th (now Earnest S. Brazill St.) in 1951. By the time of this picture, it was supplying all of the blood needed by Pierce County hospitals, 500-600 units per month. Over 49,000 units of whole blood were dispersed during the bank's 10 years of operation. The bank was a non profit organization. (TNT 7/22/1956, pg. B-4 & 9/3/1956, pg. C-8- C-9)

Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank (Tacoma);

Tacoma Pierce County Blood Bank- laboratory area. Long counters are equipped with microscopes and test tube holders. A blood separator is in the foreground of the picture. Donated blood is tested in the lab for purity, type and RH factor. It is then stored under refrigerated conditions until needed; blood can only be stored 21 days. (TNT 7/22/1956, pg. B-4+)

Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank (Tacoma);

A rare early snowfall blankets the earth in this aerial shot of the Hylebos Waterway in October of 1956. Log booms float in the water and part of the mothballed fleet of escort carriers, kept in readiness under the care of the Tacoma Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, can be seen. Mt. Rainier is partially obscured by haze and smoke rising from the industrial sites on the Tideflats.

Aerial photographs; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Snow--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lt. Governor Emmett T. Anderson and family at testimonial dinner on September 7, 1956. Mr. Anderson, third from left, stands with his wife, daughter and son and their spouses at the Top of the Ocean. From L-R are Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Finnegan, Mr. Anderson and wife Lucille, and Mr. and Mrs. Burr Anderson. An overflowing crowd of nearly 540 people attended the Anderson testimonial. It was meant to be a non-political, non-fund raising event with only a large banner of Dwight D. Eisenhower as an indication of any political leanings. The Anderson family were owners of Anderson Printing Co., Inc. Mr. Anderson was very active in civic and fraternal affairs; he was the Past Exalted Ruler of Elks in Tacoma. He won the Republican nomination for Governor in 1956 but lost to Democrat State Senator Albert Rosellini. (TNT 9-8-56, p. 2) ALBUM 4.

Anderson, Emmett T.; Anderson, Emmett T.--Family; Finnegan, Maurice--Family; Anderson, Burritt B.--Family;

Lt. Governor Emmett Anderson, 1956 Republican nominee for Governor, 3rd from right in photo, with family at a testimonial dinner held at the Top of the Ocean. Mr. Anderson served as Lt. Governor from 1953-1957. He won the Republican nomination for Governor in 1956, defeating fellow Republican and State Attorney General Don Eastvold, but was to lose the general elections in November to State Senator Albert Rosellini, Democrat. (TNT 9-8-56, p. 2) ALBUM 4.

Anderson, Emmett T.; Anderson, Emmett T.--Family; Political elections--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Bentz Fly & Tackle Co. A display of fresh trout caught using Bentz flies along with a woven tackle box and a rod and reel becomes an exterior store display resting just outside the window. A printed caption reads "Be wise...Use Bentz flies." The tackle store was owned by Ted Bentz of 415 So. 31st St. The shop manufactured and distributed fine quality fishing tackle and hand tied flies wholesale and retail. In the window is a display on poster board of the tiny, feathered flies. TPL-8128

Bentz Fly & Tackle Co. (Tacoma); Fishing lures; Fishing & hunting gear; Fishing--Tacoma;

J & F Parking lot on 13th between Pacific Ave. and Commerce. Parking is 50 cents a day, or 25 cents for the first hour and a dime every hour after that. Taxis line up on 13th fronting the taxi stand at the corner.

Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Richards stock footage, rural farm with Mount Rainier in the distance.

Farms--Pierce County--1950-1960; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

ca. 1956. Port Alice, British Columbia; aerial of timber. Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited operated a chemical cellulose mill at Port Alice, surrounded by fast growing forests logged under a management license from the province. Port Alice lies on Quatsino Sound, an arm of the sea on the western side of Vancouver Island, B.C. The forests are mostly hemlock and offer an abundant supply of raw materials. Nearby Victoria Lake supplies water, the area has its own lime rock quarry and a deep water port for overseas shipping. For all these reasons, Alaska Pine chose to expand and develop this mill further in 1956, upping its capacity to 125, 000 tons of chemical cellulose a year; an investment of $14,000,000. (Rayonier's annual report for 1956)

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Port Alice B.C.);

ca. 1956. Port McNeil, logging. This appears to be company owned row housing or bunk houses built for the loggers working at the Port McNeil location. The small houses are all identical and two raised wooden sidewalks lie between the two rows of houses. Several men are sitting or lounging on the sidewalks. Housing arrangements like this were provided for the over 2,000 Canadian loggers.

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Port McNeil B.C.);

ca. 1956. Port McNeil, aerial, logging. The logging camp sits on the shore surrounded by old growth forests. A dock extends out into the water and rafts of logs lie in the water. Established in 1953, Alaska Pine's logging camp at Mahatta River, on Vancouver Island, is one of three modern logging communities that provide wood for the Port Alice, B.C., chemical cellulose mill. Logs are rafted to the mill, entirely within the protected waters of Quatsino Sound. Non pulp species are barged to the Vancouver area sawmills. (1957 Annual Report, Rayonier Inc.)

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Port McNeil B.C.);

ca. 1956. Timber industry scenes from Grays Harbor and the Olympic Peninsula, ordered by Malcolm McGhie. The sign identifies this as an experimental forest established in 1948 by the U.S. Forest Service cooperating with the St. Regis Paper Co. Trees were now being viewed as a renewable resource. They were being raised to support the pulp, paper and wood chemical industry. In the meantime, old growth forests were clear cut to supply timber for commercial purposes.

Lumber industry--Grays Harbor--1950-1960; Trees; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

In September of 1956, four small unidentified Japanese American girls were photographed standing in stairstep order, dressed in traditional kimonos and zori. The photograph was intended as publicity for the upcoming Florist convention and its florist tea. Tacoma florists were playing host at the 32nd annual convention of the Northwest Florists Association Sept. 9-12. Six hundred florists from the Northwest attended the conference held at the Winthrop Hotel. The theme was "Artists at Work and Play." Photograph ordered by Miethkes Flower Shop for florist tea. (TNT 9/3/1956, pg. B-4)

Miethkes Flower Shop (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Japanese Americans--Tacoma; Kimonos; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A saleswoman solicitously shows the lining of a winter coat to a customer at Oakes Apparel. The store is decorated like a fine salon, with uncluttered racks and an open floor plan. Price tags dangle from the sleeves of garments. Oakes Apparel sold upscale fashion for women and was owned by Jay A. Grenley. The store was located in the historic Harry Ball block, built in 1890 and now demolished.

Oakes Apparel (Tacoma); Coats; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In August of 1959, Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson had the Tacoma Totem Pole repainted in reds, blacks, greens, rustic browns and whites. During the late fifties, the totem pole had been painted a strange combination of interior design pastel pinks and blues. This raised the curiosity of 10 year old Wendy Barde who wrote a letter to the Mayor opening a controversy. Seattle clam farmer Ivar Haglund suggested that the pole be repainted and moved to the Seattle waterfront where it would be appreciated. Officials of the two cities fired letters back and forth, including a "build your own totem pole kit" sent by Mayor Hanson. The totem pole is located in a park area at 9th & A; oil refineries on the Tideflats can be seen in the background. The Totem Pole was presented to the city in 1903, carved by two Alaskan carvers under the commission of W. F. Sheard, a fur dealer, & Chester Thorne, a lumberman. (TNT 8/16/959, pg. 1)

Tacoma Totem Pole (Tacoma); Totem poles--Tacoma;

Exposure of a grinder at the Washington Coop Farmers Association. The workman appears to be changing a screen on the grinder. A chute to the right appears to feed the material to be ground, possibly grain, into the machine. There is another large pipe leading up from the machine. Photograph possibly taken inside the Association's feed mill.

Food storage buildings--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Mills--Tacoma; Farming--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; Washington Cooperative Farmers' Association (Tacoma);

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This daylight basement recreation room, called the family room or TV room, has a clever back peg board to hang sports equipment such as rackets, flippers and gloves. The family room measured 18 x 25 feet. The ever present fifties television stands up on skinny legs. The basement also had a sandstone fireplace with a massive raised slate hearth, space for a workshop, storage, a Delco heating plant, laundry room and a roughed in 4th bedroom. Over 3,000 people viewed the new home on its first Open House during the 9th annual Home Week and Tour of Homes. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Exterior of home, possibly 4009 Ridge Rd. West, in University Place; ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This interesting two story home has a patio with a deck above, plus what appears to be an open air breezeway from one part of the home to another. It appears to be built on a rise with the two story portion on the lower level and a breezeway leading to a one story portion at the top of the hill, possibly a garage. In addition to all of the outdoor living space, the home has lots of windows for natural lighting.

Houses--University Place--1950-1960;

Exterior of home, possibly 4009 Ridge Rd. West, in University Place; ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This August, 1956, photo shows the two story home built snug into the hillside, with a patio below covered by an open air deck above. At the top of the hill is a one story structure, possibly a garage. The home appears to be new; no landscaping has been installed at this time.

Houses--University Place--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. Alaska Pine, sawmill plant at New Westminster, B.C. During 1956, Alaska Pine set up a new high speed production line, part of which is shown here, for processing western red cedar bevelled siding. The sawmills at the Marpole and New Westminster Divisions produced a variety of products for wholesale markets in the United States and Canada. The products included hemlock and Douglas fir two-inch dimension lumber, sheathing and boards, cedar siding and shingles and industrial grades for such uses as garage doors, ladders and millwork. Alaska Pine was a leading promoter of the use of cedar, especially as siding. (Rayonier's annual report for 1956)

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Vancouver B.C.);

Rayonier and Rayflo plants, ordered by Malcolm McGhie. Rayonier, Inc. manufactured paper, pulp, cellulose products and wood chips. This series of pictures appears to have been taken at the Port Alice, British Columbia, cellulose mill and woodmill. Port Alice was part of Alaska Pine, the Canadian subsidiary of Rayonier, Inc. The logs in the photograph appear to be undergoing the "barking" process. The bark is removed from the log and and the remaining product will either be processed for cellulose pulp or wood chips.

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Port Alice B.C.);

ca. 1956. Alaska Pine, Rayflo plant at Marpole. This is the new plant being constructed in Vancouver, B.C. at the Marpole Sawmill Division of Alaska Pine for the production of the chemical rayflo. Alaska Pine was the Canadian subsidiary of Rayonier Inc. Rayflo was produced from hemlock residuals obtained from the Marpole mill. The chemical was a dispersant that could be added to oil well drilling mud to control its viscosity and chemical properties. Rayflo was one of a new breed of "silvichemicals" being developed from the byproducts of cellulose manufacture by Rayonier. (Rayonier's annual report for 1956)

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Chemical industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Vancouver B.C.);

ca. 1956. Alaska Pine, Rayflo plant at Marpole. Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited, a Canadian subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., was constructing a new plant at Vancouver B.C. for the production of Rayflo, a chemical used in oil well drilling, and its distribution to foreign markets. Rayflo was a new chemical developed from experimentation with the byproducts of cellulose production. It was produced from hemlock residuals obtained from the Marpole sawmill. It was used to control the chemical and physical properties of oil well drilling mud. Rayflo was the result of product development by Rayonier Inc. (Rayonier's annual report for 1956)

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Chemical industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Vancouver B.C.);

ca. 1956. Alaska Pine, Rayflo plant at Marpole. Rayflo was a chemical used in the oil industry. When added to oil well drilling mud, it made it possible to control the chemical and physical properties of the mud. Although developed only a few years earlier, rayflo was in demand. The new factory was being built by Alaska Pine, the Canadian Subsidiary of Rayonier, for production of the new chemical. It was previously produced in Grays Harbor, Wa. (Rayonier's annual report for 1956)

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Chemical industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Vancouver B.C.);

ca. 1956. Timber industry scenes from Grays Harbor and the Olympic Peninsula, ordered by Malcolm McGhie. Two hard hatted workers from Rayonier Inc. stand in an old growth forest. This photograph really shows the size of these enormous trees, the loggers appear tiny next to them. This stand of hemlock is approximately 80 years old. The trees are 110 - 125 feet high and average 24 inches in diameter. This track was recently thinned to promote growth of the best trees. Rayonier and its Canadian subsidiary Alaska Pine produced chemical cellulose, pulp, paper and lumber. They were also experimenting in developing new products called "silvichemicals" from the by products of cellulose manufacture. (Rayonier's annual report for 1956)

Lumber industry--Grays Harbor--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Rayonier, Inc. (Grays Harbor);

ca. 1956. Portrait of a timber worker in a hard hat bearing the green cross safety logo. Photograph was taken on Rayonier Grays Harbor timber lands and ordered by Malcolm McGhie. Timber and forests fueled the economy of the Olympic Peninsula.

Lumber industry--Grays Harbor--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Rayonier, Inc. (Grays Harbor);

Shipping the finished product at the Rayonier and Rayflo plants, ordered by Malcolm McGhie. Much of the market for cellulose markets was overseas and the deepwater docking at Rayonier's Canadian subsidiary's Alaska Pine mill at Port Alice, BC, could accomodate large oil tankers and ocean vessels for overseas shipment. Here a forklift is being used to load a large vessel.

Paper industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Port Alice B.C.); Cargo ships--British Columbia;

Rayonier and Rayflo plants, ordered by Malcolm McGhie. Rayonier, Inc. manufactured paper, pulp and cellulose products. This series of photographs appears to have been taken at the Port Alice, British Columbia, cellulose mill. The Port Alice mill was operated by Alaska Pine, a subsidiary of Rayonier, Inc. Here large machinery is audited by two men.

Paper industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; Alaska Pine & Cellulose Limited (Port Alice B.C.);

Ricono's Furniture & Appliances at the corner of Park and 38th. Tony Ricono and his sister Virginia opened this Lincoln district store in 1952 as Lincoln Electric. Ricono's sister served as business manager and comptroller in exchange for a 20 % interest in the business. In 1956, the Lincoln Electric sign has been removed and a new neon sign proudly proclaims the store as Ricono's. A Grand Opening was held to celebrate the name change and the opening of Ricono's "Bargain Annex" less than a block away. The store sold furniture, floor coverings, televisions and appliances. The store had a rough rock surface and lots of display windows to show off the latest furniture designs. The three story structure was built in 1952 at 38th and So. Park at a cost of $165, 000. It had 20,000 square feet of display space. Thirty six year old owner Tony Ricono was a local Tacoma boy who left his job as an electrical foreman with one of Tacoma's shipyards to open Lincoln Electric with a $100 loan from his parents. His first store at 761 So. 38th had 1500 square feet. He relocated as his business grew to 767 So. 38th, 3737 So. Yakima and finally to this current location. Tony Ricono, born as Antonio L. Riconosuito the son of Italian immigrants Caroline & George, died August 13, 1996 at the age of 76. (TNT 10/3/1956, pg. B-1- B-3)

Ricono's Furniture & Appliances (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Clubhouse at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. In June of 1909, a fire that started in the servant's quarters burned the original clubhouse to the ground. This regal building, known as the "Grand Old Lady," rose in its place. It was best remembered for its gracious spiral staircase in the entrance hall, shown in many wedding portraits. A fire gutted this structure in 1961. TPL-5741 ("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1)

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