The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This new home was featured in the September 1956 issue of the national magazine. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction, known for their original concept designs. This picture is of the combined living/dining room of the home. To the right foreground of the picture is the "modernfold" door that slides on a curved metal track to separate the living room from the kitchen and dining rooms. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

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

The Better Homes & Gardens September 1956 "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, designed and built by Miller Construction. The modern kitchen has a built in dishwasher, countertop range with electric fan and hood, oven, garbage disposal, kitchen planning desk, spice cabinet, maple cutting board, lazy susan and Frigidaire refrigerator. Unique built-ins included a kleenex dispenser, nutone mixer, blender and knife sharpener. Cabinets had birch doors with bronze trim. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

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

ca. 1956. Alaska Pine, Marpole Division sawmill plant, Vancouver B.C. A fork lift is being used to lift a large load of lumber. The Canadian mills produced a broad range of commercial lumber products in Douglas fir, balsam fir, western hemlock, Sitka spruce and red cedar. They sold to markets in the United States, Canada and other countries under the brand "A Crown P. " (Rayonier's annual report for 1956)

Lumber industry--British Columbia--1950-1960; Trees; Logs; 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. Timber industry scenes from Grays Harbor and the Olympic Peninsula, ordered by Malcolm McGhie. Clear cuts can be seen throughout the forrest dotting the hills where the trees have been harvested. These areas would be replanted for future harvests. Rayonier had a Grays Harbor tree farm that totaled over 111,000 acres.

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

ca. 1956. The new West Hall dormitory building at Pacific Lutheran College. The new dorm had been built at a cost of $580,000 and would provide housing for 151 women. Its "L" shape formed a rectangle with the North and South Halls, completed 2 years ago, at the west end of the campus. The building was 3 stories of steel, concrete and masonry construction, with a solid brick exterior. Students posed in front are, left to right, Twila Gillis, Carolee Chindgren and Richard Rhea. 1323 students were expected to start classes at PLC in September of 1956, a 13% increase over 1955. For the first time since World War II, women would outnumber male students 664 to 659. They came from 21 states, 2 territories and 3 foreign countries.They would be taught by 70 full time faculty members and 8 part time teachers. For the first time, a total of 22 majors would be offered. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-8, 10/19/1956, pg. B-1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Gillis, Twila; Chindgren, Carolee; Rhea, Richard;

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;

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;

A young girl in pajamas, 11 year old Patty Ricono, gives her hair the required 100 brush strokes before turning in for the night; ordered by Ricono's Furniture. Patty was the daughter of owner Tony Ricono and a 6th grade student at Whitman School. Ricono's moved into their 38th & So. Park street location in 1952 and added a full line of furniture, including juvenile furniture. This picture was used as advertising for Ricono's, formerly known as Lincoln Electric. The room is sure to please any young girl's heart with its full size bed, dresser with large mirror and floral wallpaper. The bedroom suite is by Broyhill. (TNT 10/3/1956, pg. B-2)

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

The entrance drive to the exclusive members only Tacoma Country and Golf Club, located on the shores of American Lake. The club relocated to this location in 1904. It is the oldest continuously operating Country Club west of the Mississippi.("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma);

ca. 1956. Arlin's Shoe Store at 2612 6th Ave. The company had another store at 5915 6th Ave. They were owned by Byron H. Brolin and Wilbur F. Arnold. The stores sold the brands of Trim Tred for women, Rand for men and Pol-parrot for children. To the right of the shoe store is the Featheredge Barber Shop at 2614 6th Ave.

Arlin's Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Featheredge Barber Shop (Tacoma);

ca. 1956. Arlin's Shoe Store. Arlin's had two locations on Sixth Avenue: 2612 and 5915 6th Ave. Two men, possibly owners Byron H. Brolin and Wilbur F. Arnold, hold up samples of shoes. Behind the men are boxes of and advertisements for Pol-parrot shoes, a brand of children's shoes. The stores sold Trim Tred for women, Rand for men and Pol-parrot for children.

Arlin's Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shoes;

Two unidentified employees of the American Outdoor Advertising Company were photographed in November of 1956 attaching a giant plywood Santa to one of their company's billboards. The simple, eye catching sign advertised Christmas shopping at the B&I Circus Stores, located at 8012 South Tacoma Way. Owned by Earl Irwin, the B&I was known for its advertising and outrageous publicity. The American Outdoor Advertising Company, located at 3412 South Tacoma Way, was owned by Arthur J. Emery.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Outdoor Advertising Co. (Tacoma);

99 Cleaners and laundromat on South Tacoma Way. Advertised as the fastest service in town, they offered two hour cleaning service. They even had a drive up car window so you didn't even have to get out of your car to retrieve your clean clothes. The cleaners did both dry cleaning and laundry. Store hours were 7a.m.- 9p.m. every day except Sunday. If you wanted to do your own laundry, the cleaners were side by side with the laundromat.

Cleaning establishments--Tacoma; 99 Cleaners (Tacoma);

DeKoven Cleaners in Lakewood, for Carolyn Sholdar Associates. The cleaners, owned by Herschel Smith, are located in a small strip mall labeled "Lakewood Shops." Next door are a sports center and a real estate sales office. Two late model paneled delivery vehicles are parked in front with two unidentified men standing by them. This photograph was taken on Halloween, 1956.

DeKoven Cleaners (Lakewood); Cleaning establishments--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Aerial view of General Metals of Tacoma Inc. The company was located at 1919 Canal (now Portland Ave.) It was established in 1954 and specialized in scrap recovery and junk dealing. Leslie P. Sussman was the company president. General Metals is located to the north of bottom bridge next to the Puyallup River. Railroad tracks and open freight cars stand amid huge piles of metal. The large complex of buildings with the log boom pond at the top of the photos is St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.

General Metals of Tacoma Inc. (Tacoma); Junkyards--Tacoma; Salvage--Tacoma; Metals; Aerial photographs;

In October of 1956, a jolly man in the white chef's hat beckoned hungry customers from atop the sign to the Jolly Jack Char Broiler at 8801 South Tacoma Way. Owned by Jack M. Wood, the popular Lakewood eatery offered drive thru service. Their self proclaimed "big, juicy and delicious" charbroiled Jolly Jack burger sold for $.35 and their Little Jack was only a quarter. They also served cones, shakes and freshly baked pizza. Jolly Jack's went out of business in the mid-1960s. (Ordered by Carolyn Sholdar Associates.)

Jolly Jack Char-Broiler (Lakewood); Fast food restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960; Drive-in restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Homecoming Queen and court for Pacific Lutheran College. PLC Homecoming for the school year 1956-57 was a special nod to the Walt and the Mouse with a Disneyland theme. Just like in Cinderella, the queen's glass slipper would only fit Homecoming Queen Carol Bottemiller (center.) Her court included Princess Winnie Mitton (left) and Princess Betty Soine (right.) Queen Carol was from Milwaukie, Oregon and was majoring in physical education. She planned to be a high school teacher. Princess Winnie (Winnifred) was from Milton, Wa., graduated from Fife High School and majored in education. Princess Betty was from Bellingham, Wa., and received a B.A. degree. More than 1,100 people watched the crowning ceremony. Although homecoming had been celebrated at the College for many years, the first Homecoming Queen was elected in 1941. (TNT 10/19/1956, pg. B-1+ and the 1956 "Saga.")

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Bottemiller, Carol; Mitton, Winnifred; Soine, Betty;

Two women with corsages smilingly compare a gift boxed watch and a large clock with a sunbeam surround. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone and Telegraph. Richards notes have the picture labelled as the retirement tea party. The timepieces are possibly departing gifts for retiring employees.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960;

The Park 'N Shop Supermarket. The Park 'N Shop was owned by John Bussanich and Otto Marth. It had a distinctive dome style roof, a corner entrance and lots of parking. A refrigerated trailer outside holds ice. A delivery truck for Archway cookies is parked outside. At the forefront of one stop shopping, the store offered drugs, dry goods, groceries, meat, vegetables and prescriptions. This aided the busy housewife whose stops in earlier times would have included the butcher, green grocer and pharmacy.

Park- N- Shop (Parkland); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Parkland--1950-1960;

On October 12,1956, Janice Pender, age 8, held up dog tag #1, issued by the Pierce County Humane Society, for her Afghan Hound "Voodoo's" approval. The Pierce County Humane Society, not officially recognized by the city, was offering free licenses to dogs under the age of six months. These were not to be confused with city licenses required by and obtained through the official Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society for all dogs over six months of age. The Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society had been organized many years previously and had a contract with the city of Tacoma to license and operate a pound. The newly organized, and confusing, Pierce County Humane Society was formed by disgruntled board members of the official Society. City Manager David Rowlands advised the City Council to disband the second Humane Society because it was too confusing. (TNT 10/21/1956, pg. A-19, 11/1/1956, pg. 1, 11/6/1956, pg. 1)

Pender, Janice; Dogs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dog licenses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society (Tacoma);

General Adjustment Bureau, U.S.Oil Refinery; damaged reactor tower. The ten million dollar US Oil & Refining Co. was being built on 120 acres south of Lincoln Ave. on the newly dredged Port Industrial Waterway. Projected opening date was 12/1/1956. The workers clearly appear to be discussing the accident that managed to bend the arm of the crane so severely. The mobile cranes were being used to maneuver nine 70 foot and 110,000 pound "cracking" towers into place.

Petroleum industry--Tacoma; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers an address to an attentive audience at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on October 18, 1956. The President had been barnstorming the western portion of the country. While in Tacoma, he and wife Mamie spent some time at his brother Edgar's American Lake home. Eisenhower's bid for re-election in November was successful. He died in March, 1969, of heart disease. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1950-1960; Public speaking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the podium, addressing the crowd of 8,000 at the College of Puget Sound (UPS) Fieldhouse. President Eisenhower was in Tacoma on part of an ambitious 5-day air campaign sweep through the West. Eisenhower, who in 1952 had become the first Republican to win the Presidency in 20 years, was running for re-election. While in Tacoma, he stayed at the home of his older brother Edgar Eisenhower and toured many areas of Tacoma by motorcade from his brother's American Lake home to CPS and from CPS to McChord Air Force Base. Series ordered by International News Photo. TPL-8088. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Visits of state--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Ray's Bike Shop, ordered by Carolyn Sholdar Associates. Ray's was owned by William M. Barclay and both sold and repaired bicycles. Bicycles are parked for display outside of the store front. Brands advertised are Columbia, Schwinn and Raleigh. There is also a miniature lawn tractor outside. The store also dabbled in sharpening and repairing lawn mowers. This storefront appears to be part of a larger strip mall. The 1958 Tacoma Suburban Directory lists the location as 8807 Bridgeport Way, however the sign in image #3 lists the location as 8825.

Ray's Bike Shop (Lakewood); Bicycle shops--Lakewood; Bicycles & tricycles--Lakewood;

An unidentified woman with a big smile accepts a customer's dry cleaning at Sno-King Cleaners in Lynnwood on October 13, 1956; photos ordered by Peerless Laundry. Completed dry cleaning hangs on the rod behind her divided by the letters of the alphabet. Sno-King did both laundry and dry cleaning.

Sno-King Cleaners (Lynnwood);

Inaco and Tosca Lucchesi operated the Tacoma French Bakery located at 1201 Center Street, at the corner of Center and "L," from 1944 to 1982, a total of 38 years. They operated in volume, selling retail to the public and wholesale to local restaurants. In this photograph from October of 1956 a proud baker, believed to be Tacoma French Bakery owner Inaco Lucchesi, poses in front of one of the bakery's large commercial ovens with three perfectly formed and baked loaves of French bread on a wooden paddle. Behind him are racks of completed breads, both oblong and round loaves. Mr. Lucchesi was born in Perpoli-Lucca, Italy, in 1904 and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 17, settling in Chicago and working two jobs in order to purchase his own business. He bought the Tacoma bakery in 1944 from his uncle Frank Giusti. He married Tosca Salotti in 1935 and they had one daughter, Adele. Inaco Lucchesi died February 2, 1989. Photograph for the Carolyn Sholdar Associates. (TNT 2-5-1989, pg. B-4-obituary) TPL-8578A

Tacoma French Bakery (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Towne House Restaurant, ordered by Carolyn Sholdar Associates. The Towne House had a deluxe dining room called the "Copper Room." It was located around the corner from the Tradewell Grocery Store. View of the exterior of the restaurant on a city street with parking meters and parked cars. Although the Richards appointment book lists the restaurant in Auburn, it is most probably the one located at 209 Williams in Renton.

Towne House Restaurant (Auburn); Restaurants--Auburn--1950-1960;

Six men pose in front of a mobile X-ray unit, photograph ordered by the Tuberculosis League of Pierce County. The men are, left to right, Ted Opdenweyer, field representative for the State Health Department, technicians Willis Scott, Howard Puckett, John Elmer, Frances Norton and Walter Kain, Opdenweyer's assistant. The x-ray units were located in paneled vans, so that they could be transported to areas where people congregate, such as schools. This was part of the program to eradicate TB. Five mobile X-ray units would be cruising the county until April 15th in an effort to find undiscovered cases of TB. The units would provide free chest x-rays to 219,000 county residents six years of age and older. A total of 4,890 were xrayed in the first week of the drive. Some of the units, as indicated by the signs on the vehicle, were paid for by the proceeds of Christmas Seal sales. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-7)

Tuberculosis--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma);

Youthful accordion player Larry Alan Whitman smiles for the camera in this studio portrait taken for Steve's Gay Nineties. Whitman, a 10th grade honor roll student at Puyallup High School, was one of the stars in the Gay Nineties musical revue at Steve's. In addition to the accordion, he also played the drums. He was advertised by Steve's as the "personality kid with the accordion that talks." In 1959, he was part of a hand picked group of musicians called the Country Rockers formed by Larry Abel, representative of Universal Productions of Tokyo, and selected to tour dance spots in Japan, Formosa and the Philippines. (TNT 11/9/1956, pg. 23; 7/19/1959)

Whitman, Larry; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Accordions;