This one story home has a view of the mountains through its one car carport. It is located in scenic Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was designed by developer Ed Miller and was noted for its views. This home is made of brick, cedar and siding. The home had already been sold to its first owner Claude Harris.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The exterior of the 1959 Home Show model home, "The Calypso." The 1959 Glenwood Acres home was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price and built by Stromberg Construction. A firm believer in the theory that good fences make good neighbors, Price has carried this one step further with glassed walls that look out onto patios, fenced with transluscent multi-colored plastic screens as high as the roofline for privacy. The home has two fenced areas, one off the kitchen-dining area for outside dining and one off the living room area. The home later won national awards for its use of space and privacy. It also has numerous skylights allowing for the introduction of natural lighting. (TNT 3/16/1959, pg. 30)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

The identifying sign for the 1959 Home Show model home, "The Calypso." The unveiling of the model home was an integral part of the Tacoma Master Builders Association's Home Show. The 1959 home was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price and built by Stromberg Construction. It was located near the community pool in Glenwood Acres. A fine example of contemporary architecture, the home had won a design citation by Progressive Architecture magazine, from a field of 600. (TNT 3/16/1959, pg. 27+)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

This modest one story home with its one car garage was built in Skyline Terrace by Miller Construction. The development by Ed Miller was 1500 homes, of varying designs and prices. The development was located in the growing Westgate area, around the path that the future 16 freeway would take to the Narrows bridge.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The kitchen of the 1959 Home Show model home, "The Calypso." The 1959 Glenwood Acres home was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price and built by Stromberg Construction. The centrally located kitchen has an open floor plan and a free-standing island with a built in gas range top and rotisserie grill. The draft vent for the range has a clock on the outside. A double oven is to the left of the refrigerator. A wide expanse of glass looks out onto the privacy fenced patio. Pegboard makes up some of the walls, blending into the family room with its built-in television. The kitchen could conveniently serve the dining room, family room and outside dining court. (TNT 3/16/1959, pg. 30)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Portrait of Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Richards Studio 1959 stock file. This bridge was dedicated in 1950 and replaced the infamous "Galloping Gertie" which fell apart in November of 1940 due to high winds and poor design. A beautifully designed suspension bridge, it has become a symbol for the area surrounding Tacoma. TPL-8222

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

White jacketed dance band onstage at the Puyallup Elks Club. The band members appear to play the bass, accordion and a number of different saxophones. The PE on the band stands possibly stands for Puyallup Elks.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 1450 (Puyallup); Musicians--Puyallup--1950-1960;

Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. Trinity was the area's largest Lutheran church. It was designed by John Richards of Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects. The main sanctuary could seat 800-1,000 people. A parsonage was added in 1961, designed by the same architectural firm. The church was remodeled in 1993, under the direction of the BJSS Group, architects. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15)

Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;

Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. Three bells adorn the tower above the Trinity Lutheran Church, designed by John Richards of Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. Trinity was the area's largest Lutheran church; its sanctuary could seat 800-1000 worshipers. It was dedicated on March 8, 1959 and over 2600 persons attended the dedication. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15)

Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;

Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. This bas relief over the main entrance was designed by Pacific Lutheran College Assistant Professor of Art George Roskos. It illustrates the parable of the sower. The 3 ton sculpture relates how the word and the seed need friendly soil. The first figure on the left is depicted preaching the word and sowing the seed. The next group depicts non-concern and egotism, also the birds eat the seed. The next seed are cast in rocky and shallow soil and wither away. The next group of figures have the trappings of the church, but still show lack of interest. The third group shows greed and lust for riches, as one of them clutches a money bag. In the group furtherest to the right, all seven figures hold a reaper. The seed has been planted in rich, deep soil and is bearing fruit. During the design period, the artist worked with a 5 x 18 foot canvas and applied wire lath and clay. It took 1500 pounds of plaster to make a 14 piece mold. The mold was filled with aggregate. The sculpture weighed 3 tons and was lifted up at either end with 1 ton hoists. The area's largest Lutheran Church was dedicated on March 3, 1959. Over 2600 persons attended the dedication. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15, 3/22/1959, pg. C-17)

Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland; Bas-reliefs;

Launching of the MSC 279 by Tacoma Boat Building Co. The MSC 279 was the third 144ft minesweeper to be launched by the boat builder under the current contract. It was launched into the Sitcum Waterway at 2:30p.m. on Saturday, February 21st, 1959. Mrs. Paul Vetrees, wife of the company's chief engineer, was the sponsor and their eight year old daughter Cathy was the flower girl. (TNT 2/15/1959, pg. B-9)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Studio portrait of Max LeBid, co-owner of Top Auto Stores. LeBid's wife's name was Nura and the couple resided in Seattle. Max and Sam LeBid owned and operated Top Auto stores at 2500-18 Pacific Ave. and 5621 South Tacoma Way. The stores sold automobile accessories and parts retail. There is no reason given why LeBid decided to assume this strongman pose, possibly to show off arm muscles obtained by working out.

LeBid, Max; Top Auto Stores (Tacoma);

The newly expanded Block's Furniture Mart. A second story has been added, as well as a one story addition to the right. Block's sold new and used furniture and household appliances. They opened at this location at 82nd and South Tacoma Way 10 years prior with 1500 square feet of display space. The newly expanded store offered a spacious 27,000 square feet of display space. Payment terms were easy and the home delivery was free. A 10 piece living room suite was $189.50 or you could buy 3 complete rooms of fine furniture for $399. The store was also the new Kelvinator dealer; Kelvinator was the oldest manufacturer of electrical home appliances. The Grand Opening for the expanded store began on February 27, 1959 with drawings for free gifts. (TNT 2/27/1959, pg. 9)

Furniture stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Block's Furniture Mart (Lakewood); Appliance stores--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Groff's Natural Foods. Groff's was owned by Virgil Groff and offered vitamins and all natural foods to the discerning consumer. Groff stands at the entrance of his new store at 11th & Market. The store was formerly located in the same building, but moved to the space on the corner previously occupied by Frank's Jewelers. It was rebuilt with a new brick front, new flooring and lighting, window displays and entrances. Displayed in the windows are 100% pure honey and green Papaya juice for digestion. The interior color scheme was sunshine yellow and chlorophyll green. The oldest health food store in Tacoma, it was founded in 1928 as Thomson's Natural Food Store. Groff purchased the store in 1943 and expanded and modernized three times. The new store had a 3 1/2 ton walk in refrigerator to keep fresh natural foods and whole grains, also raw carrots for the juice extractor at the Juice Bar. Virg Groff was an energetic man who played handball and performed with the Tacoma Little Theatre. He claimed his success and energy came from "shots" of wheat germ and carrot juice consumed throughout the day. (TNT 2/19/1956, pg. A-5)

Groff's Natural Foods (Tacoma); Nutrition--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Family portrait of Mrs. Blanche Nicewanger and her brother and sisters. Blanche was the widow of Henry Nicewanger. She was a Christian Science Practitioner and had offices in the Security Building, 915 1/2 Pacific Ave., Ste. #514. Her home address was 1270 Fairview Dr. She poses here with her four sisters and brother. The man holds a violin. The other woman is unidentified. Her obituary in November of 1967 listed her siblings as Noble Rilay; Mrs. Martha Howe; Mrs. Roxie Haynes; Mrs. Maude Sutton and Mrs. John R. Brown of Oswego, N.Y. (TNT 11/28/1967, pg. 33)

Nicewanger, Blanche--Family; Families--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rilay, Noble; Howe, Martha; Haynes, Roxie; Sutton, Maude;

Four unidentified students of the Honolulu Conservatory of Music posed for this photograph in February of 1959. The young man at the far left is playing a Gretsch White Falcon Hollow Body Guitar. The other two young men are both behind triple-necked Fender steel guitars similar to the one played by Wayne Newton when he first appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show in 1956, although the one at the right is "playing" a ukelele. The girl is dressed to perform a hula dance. The Honolulu Conservatory of Music was owned by Karolyn & Floyd Piper who operated the school out of their home at 617 No. 2nd St. They specialized in instruction in Hawaiian music, teaching lessons on the ukelele, guitar and accordion.

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stringed instruments; Hula dancing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Family portrait of Mrs. Blanche Nicewanger and her brother and sisters. Blanche was the widow of Henry Nicewanger. She was a Christian Science Practitioner and had offices in the Security Building, 915 1/2 Pacific Ave., Ste. #514. Her home address was 1270 Fairview Dr. She poses here with her sisters and brother at a birthday party. Mrs. Nicwanger died November 27, 1967. She had lived in Tacoma for 50 years. Her obituary lists her as being survived by her brother Noble T. Rilay, sisters Mrs. Martha Howe, Mrs. Roxie Haynes, Mrs. Maude Sutton (all of Tacoma) and Mrs. John R. Brown of Oswego, N.Y. (TNT 11/28/1967, pg 33)

Nicewanger, Blanche--Family; Families--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rilay, Noble; Howe, Martha; Haynes, Roxie; Sutton, Maude;

Construction continues on the new Student Union Building at the College of Puget Sound in late January, 1959. Ground was broken for the new building in July of 1958 and the goal for completion was August of 1959. Designed by architect Silas E. Nelsen, the two-story unit would have a 700-seat dining room, a bookstore, student lounge and recreation center, meeting rooms and student body offices. A federal government loan for $672,000 was approved and the student body pledged $90,000 with the college supplying the remaining funds; total contracts were $1 million. View of incomplete Tudor-styled Student Union Building with walls partially up, roof joists exposed, and stacks of plywood. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (TNT 2-9-58, D-15, TNT 2-15-59, C-16) TPL-10099

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--Buildings;

A workman keeps an eye on a fellow employee as both are on the steep and unfinished roofs of the Student Union Building under construction at the College of Puget Sound. The wood and brick Tudor was designed by local architect Silas E. Nelsen and built by Strom Construction. Total contracts were approximately $1 million dollars, much of it paid for under a federal government loan. Located at No. 15th & Lawrence Sts., the new building's architecture would be harmonious with the classic Gothic and Tudor style of older units. The completion date was estimated to be August, 1959. The Student Union Building would be dedicated on December 4, 1959. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (TNT 2-15-59, C-16) TPL-10100

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--Buildings;

In February of 1959, the Original Pancake House, located in Lakewood at 3701 Steilacoom Blvd, was prepared to celebrate its grand opening after extensive remodeling. The restaurant was owned by Roy Rosenthal, Jr., and Morris Plotkin and was franchised through Smitty's Pancake House in Seattle. The building itself had been there since 1930 and was the former home of Pucci's Inn. There were eighteen varieties of pancakes always available. There were actually 120 kinds of pancakes on the list and the restaurant rotated its selection regularly. All pancakes were individually prepared and made from fresh ingredients. The owners did not use prepared mixes. The Original Pancake House was so confident of its cooking that it publicly announced a money-back guarantee if the diner was not satisfied. (TNT 2-13-59, p. 9)

Original Pancake House (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960; Electric signs--Lakewood;

Award-winning paintings are held up for display by their proud artists in a January, 1959, photograph. National Bank of Washington branch manager W.W. Dean points to the first place winner's artwork. Each painting has a ribbon dangling from it. The paintings will hang in the lobby of the Villa Plaza National Bank of Washington; the bank was a sponsor of the art contest. The winners of the contest were all seniors at Clover Park High School and had entered the art department's contest. From L-R are Vicky Sebro (3rd place), Mrs. Albert Scott, art teacher, Susan Strickland (2nd place), Iris Waite (1st place) and W.W. Dean. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington. (TNT 1-25-59, D-9)

Awards; Paintings; Artists--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sebro, Vicky; Strickland, Susan; Waite, Iris, Dean, W.W.;

Discussing final plans for the traditional Mothers' March, which would conclude the 1959 March of Dimes campaign were (L-R) Mrs. G.P. Thompson, Lakewood; Mrs. Carl Kanzler, University Place; and city chairman Mrs. Robert W. Osborne. In January 1959, hundreds of volunteers would be canvassing local neighborhoods to collect donations to aid the fight against polio. Money would be collected and placed in Official Mothers March Volunteer envelopes. New targets this year, in addition to polio research and rehabilitation, were arthritis and birth defects. $65 million was the national goal. Photograph ordered by the March of Dimes. (TNT 1-1-59, A-4-article; TNT 1-21-59, C-2))

March of Dimes (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Poliomyelitis--Prevention; Signs (Notices);

A plywood shed was a handy receptacle for garden supplies and landscaping equipment. The storage unit was roomy enough to hold a large lawnmower, outdoor grill, and contain pegboards to hold rakes and shovels. Shallow shelves built to be available on the door's interior would be able to hold smaller gardening tools and plant nutrients. This storage shed was connected to an overlapping patio cover at the home of architect Walter Widmeyer of Fircrest. Mr. Widmeyer had designed the plywood storage shed for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association and the plans were sold through the DFPA. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Sheds--Fircrest; Gardening equipment & supplies; Widmeyer, Walter--Homes & haunts;

John Rowan doffs his hat in a January 13, 1959, studio portrait. He is wearing a dark shirt or pullover with two large emblems: The famous "Z" with Zorro's name emblazoned over and the gallant caballero on his rearing horse. There appears to be embroidery on the shoulders of his shirt. Sepia photograph ordered by James Conolly.

Rowan, John; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A large storage shed was the focus of this promotional photograph taken on behalf of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association in January of 1959. The shed door is open showing shelves full of gardening equipment and supplies. For a closer look at the shed, see A118944-A. The overhanging roof would provide shelter in case of rain. Walt Widmeyer had designed the plywood storage unit for his own home in Fircrest located at 612 Dartmouth St. The storage shed plans were for sale by the DFPA and were featured in various magazines. As noted by a reader, the woman in the photograph was a professional model and not a member of the Widmeyer family. (Additional information provided by a reader).

Widmeyer, Walter--Homes & haunts; Outdoor cookery--Fircrest; Sheds--Fircrest; Gardening equipment & supplies; Tables;

Closer view by air of the Seattle Huntington Rubber Mills plant. The elongated loaf-shaped buildings with dark stripes painted on the roofs were the Seattle plant of Huntington Rubber Mills. The plant was located at 34315 - 16th South, between two roadways. This area was still relatively sparsely populated in the late 1950's; there would probably have been more room for plant expansion if necessary. A large dirt or gravel pit is next door to the plant with forests to the rear. Photograph ordered by Huntington Rubber Mills.

Aerial photographs; Huntington Rubber Mills (Seattle);

For several years the Huntington Rubber Mills in Seattle had their plant annually photographed from the air. This is believed to the be plant located at 34315 - 16th South. At that time the area was still relatively open for expansion; there are large sections of trees and an enormous dirt or gravel pit. The plant was situated on a plot of land between two roadways. The long buildings with the semi-curved roofs are probably the plant itself; the smaller building with extended roof the office. There were other assorted smaller units clustered around the plant. Photograph ordered by Huntington Rubber Mills.

Aerial photographs; Huntington Rubber Mills (Seattle);