Side view of Firestone Store. A good portion of the Villa Plaza Firestone Store was wall-to-wall glass so that shoppers could casually peruse the merchandise. The store had opened in August, 1957, and was the first Firestone in the nation to offer goods and services unrelated to automotive needs. Televisions, appliances, washers and dryers and gardening supplies could all be purchased at the Villa Plaza location. On January 10, 1959, power mowers were offered at one-third off regular prices and used washers and televisions were on sale. Clyde Ryder was the manager. Photograph ordered by the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Los Angeles.

Firestone Store (Lakewood); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Lakewood;

Besides offering complete car service, the Villa Plaza Firestone store sold household appliances and televisions. Used washers and TVs could also be purchased there. Firestone opened its Villa Plaza location in August, 1957, as the first Firestone store in the country to offer more than just automotive services and supplies. Gardening supplies and housewares were also available. The store did not neglect its primary customers, however, as it continued to offer free brake adjustments and free safety checks as incentives to bring cars in. Photograph ordered by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Los Angeles.

Firestone Store (Lakewood); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Lakewood; Signs (Notices);

In 1959, two unidentified Pierce County deputy sheriffs have their sleeves all rolled up in preparation for a polio vaccination at the Polio Vaccine Center at 936 Pacific Avenue. They joined others to take advantage of the free shots on January 7, 1959, to mark the opening of the 1959 March of Dimes campaign. The discovery of the Salk vaccine earlier in the 1950's definitely lessened the dreaded disease. Pierce County had run a vigorous campaign to vaccinate all children and young adults when the vaccine became available. Shots were still being administered by trained medical personnel at the Polio Vaccine Center. The public was urged to complete the series of three shots. Photograph ordered by the March of Dimes. (TPL-6492, TNT 1-4-59, A-13)

Vaccinations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Poliomyelitis--Prevention; Injections--Tacoma;

Group portrait of Daughters of the Nile. These women belong to the Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple No. 5. In the foreground are the temple dancers dressed in Arabian gear. The women in the background are possibly the Nile patrol and chorus. Mrs. Robert Hunt was the temple's reigning queen. Photograph was taken on January 6, 1959, at the Masonic Temple as the Daughters of the Nile met to honor the Supreme Queen, Mrs. Adam T. Neen of Vancouver, B.C., during the winter ceremonial. Dinner would be held later at the Winthrop Hotel. Color photograph ordered by the Daughters of the Nile. (TNT 1-2-59, p. 11)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Back of Photo:
--Freeway Model Displayed--
A 40-foot model of the Tacoma Freeway as it will appear when completed in several years is being displayed this month on the second floor of the county-City Building. Picture shows freeway running east to and over the Puyallup River. G. M. Schuster, city public works director, front right, points to state approach to city's projected Yakima Avenue Bridge. Under his arm are Delin Avenue and Tacoma Avenue undercrossings. Behind Schuster are Harold A. Hagestad, left, coordinating engineer between Tacoma and state, and Myron Calkins, city engineer. They are pointing to the complex of crossings and approaches that will be the Pacific Avenue Interchange, designed to relieve Freeway of Cross-town traffic congestion.

Back of Photo:
Tacoma--City Hall History

ca. 1959. Second Narrows Bridge. Aerial view of completed bridge looking southwest . Sixth Avenue business district, Olympic Boulevard and subdivisions in foreground, peninsula and Olympic range in background.

Bridges - Suspension Bridges - Washington State - Tacoma - Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Second) - 1950 - present Aerial Photography - Pierce County

ca. 1959. Copy of a customer's print of Jack Boyle, figure skating champion. Jack Boyle competed with the Lakewood Figure Skating Club in both the pairs with Patsy Hamm and the mens individuals. He grew up in the north end of Tacoma, attended Jason Lee Jr. High and graduated from Stadium High School in 1949. He won every men's division event in the Northwest, including senior mens, and held just about every Pacific Coast title, including senior mens and senior pairs. He and partner Patsy Hamm placed nationally in the junior and senior pairs. Boyle went pro in 1949 and skated with the Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice and other touring revues. He retired from professional skating in 1955 and entered the teaching field. Boyle taught skating for over 30 years in Vancouver, BC. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County" excerpt written by Jack Boyle)

Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Skaters; Ice Skating--Lakewood--1950-1960; Costumes; Boyle, Jack;

This aerial photograph shows the original cloverleaf interchange at I-5 and 512 when it was under construction in January, 1959. The road cutting through from left to right is Hwy 99 right at the point where it changes from South Tacoma Way to being Pacific Hwy. SW. The houses at the bottom are part of the Southgate housing development. Southgate was a newer suburban park developed by Tacoma Master Builder Sherman Rowland which lay west of Hwy. 99. Plans were to build 300+ private homes in a park-like setting.

Aerial photographs; Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1950-1960; Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960; Express highways--Lakewood;

Aerial photographs were taken on New Year's Day, 1959, of the South End neighborhood in the vicinity of South 56th & Park Ave. This is 56th St. east of the new freeway which would carve out a section of the busy street. This area was already quite settled in the late 1950's. A new Safeway store would be built on South 56th St. just beyond Park Ave. to replace the Safeway on So. 54th & Sheridan, just off 56th St. The Moore branch of the Tacoma Public Library, on 56th close to Pacific Avenue and not visible in this photograph, would be completely rebuilt in 1988. Bethany Methodist Church and Clubhouse, the imposing buildings on Park near the top of the photograph, are still there. Traffic has increased substantially since 1959 on South 56th St.

Aerial photographs; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. A geology class at Pacific Lutheran College. The college students sit at lab tables and listen intently as new Professor Jack Gaines points out a feature on a rock. A three story wing added to the Science Hall was one of the completed building projects for 1959. The addition offered more laboratory and classroom space, as well as a new science library. Total expenditure for the new building was over $250, 000. (TNT 4/7/1959, pg. C-9)

Students--Parkland; Educational facilities--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Classrooms--Parkland--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Aerial of Tacoma, circa 1959. Tacoma's downtown can be seen clearly in the center of the picture. The heavily forested area is Wright Park. The Eleventh Street Bridge crosses over the City (Foss) Waterway leading to the industrial development of the Tideflats. High above the city is the visage of Tacoma's most famous landmark, the white capped peaks of Mt. Rainier. A heavy haze lies over the city, either a weather condition or a visible reminder of the "aroma of Tacoma" air pollution. TPL-9299

Aerial photographs--1950-1960; Cityscapes--1950-1960; Wright Park (Tacoma); Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

ca. 1959. Circa 1959 aerial of downtown Tacoma. In the upper left center of the picture is the recently completed County-City building at 930 Tacoma Avenue South. To its left is the new (1952) Tacoma Public Library and the adjacent Carnegie library. To the rear of the County-City building, the old Pierce County Courthouse is partially demolished. Behind the County Courthouse is the Armory, which still stands today. To its left is the Tacoma Vocational School (now Bates.)

Aerial photographs--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; County-City Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

ca. 1959. Aerial of Tacoma, circa 1959. The lower portion of the picture shows the landscape covered with a residential blanket of single family homes. The high rise buildings of downtown can be seen left center of the picture with the Tideflats lying beyond. The snow capped peak of Mt. Rainier can be seen looming over the city, rising from a haze.

Aerial photographs; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. A commercial hyacinth field grows in the spring sunshine under the visage of Mt. Rainier in this circa 1959 photograph. Several people stop to admire the flowers while the commercial crop, the bulb, continues to grow under the ground. Hyacinths are only one of the bright spring flowers that grace the Northwest after the coolness of winter. They are brightly colored with a heady scent.

Flowers--Wash.; Meadows; Farms;

ca. 1959. Harmon Manufacturing Co. of Tacoma built classroom furniture as well as that for the home. The company was located at 1938 Pacific Ave. This studio set displays cabinets for the modern classroom or school library. Shown are the Teachers Storage Cabinet, Wall Cabinets, Counter Storage Cabinet, Tote Tray Cabinet, Drawer Storage Cabinet and magazine display and storage.

Furniture industry--Tacoma; F.S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Cabinets (Case furniture); Bookcases;

ca. 1959. Harmon Manufacturing Co. of Tacoma built classroom furniture as well as that for the home. The company was located at 1938 Pacific Ave. This studio setup is of cabinets for the classroom. Show are the Paper Storage Cabinet, Movable Drawer Storage and a bookshelf.

Furniture industry--Tacoma; F.S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Cabinets (Case furniture); Bookcases;

ca. 1959. Circa 1959 aerial of "Nalley Valley." All of the buildings in the center of the picture, to the left of the railroad tracks and above 35th Street which bisects the picture, belong to Marcus Nalley's vast food production empire. Marcus Nalley arrived in Ellis Island in 1903 at the age of 13 with 15 cents in his pocket. By the age of 21, with hard work and perseverance, he was working as a chef at one of Chicago's finest hotels. When he came to Tacoma, he brought with him a recipe for an Eastern delicacy "Saratoga Chips"- potato chips. By 1920, he had need of a factory to produce his chips, plus two new products of his design: Lumber Jack Syrup and Nalley's Mayonaise. His first factory opened at 409 Puyallup Ave. He guided his company and employees through the depression. By 1930, he set his sights on a 17 acre parcel on the outskirts of town. By the 1940's, his modern factory opened in that area that became known as "Nalley Valley." Marcus Nalley died in 1962 and his company was sold to the W.R. Grace Co. in 1966. It has changed ownership since that time, but "Nalley Valley" is still an important part of Tacoma's landscape. ("A History of Pierce County, Vol. 1")

Nalley Valley (Tacoma); Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Aerial photographs;

ca. 1959. Aerial of Annie Wright Seminary in the North End of Tacoma. The heavily wooded area to the right is Garfield Park. The school is bounded by this park, Tacoma Ave North and No. 10th. Commencement Bay can be seen in the background of the picture. The school moved to this Gothic building in 1924 and remains there today. The girls' school offered grades Kindergarten through high school. In 1959, the college preparatory school had 300 students. It opened in 1884 with a total of 46 students under the guidance of founder Rt. Rev. John Adams Paddock. 1958-59 was the Seminary's Golden Jubilee, celebrating 75 years of achievement. (TNT 4/7/1959, pg. C-14)

Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boarding schools--Tacoma; Parks--Tacoma; Cities & towns--Tacoma; Neighborhoods--Tacoma; Aerial photographs; Aerial views; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--Buildings; Garfield Park (Tacoma);

ca. 1959. Logging on the Olympic Peninsula, ordered by Malcolm McGhie for Rayonier Inc. A faller completes the undercut on a large cedar tree in the Crane Creek logging area. In Washington during the late 50's, Rayonier would cut and haul more than 240 million board feet of logs a year. TPL-9431

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

ca. 1959. Exposure of Reichhold Chemical. Reichhold occupied 51 acres on the Tideflats and manufactured chemicals used by the plywood industry. The plant opened in 1956.

Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Employees with the Pacific Northwest Company pose in front of Steve's Gay Nineties authentic cable car. Steve's had a banquet room that was often used for conventions and company outings.

Cable cars; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);

ca. 1959. The new "Golden Era Cafe" at Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant featuring the fireplace and bric-a-brac from the demolished Yorktheimer mansion. This hand carved spool type entry way came from the mansion. The mansion was located at 27 Broadway and was built in 1887. When it was demolished in August of 1959 to make way for the Belmont Terrace apartments, part of the building's ornaments were purchased by Steve Pease for the remodel of his Gay Nineties restaurant. The restaurant had recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and was well recognized as the #1 spot to entertain out of town guests. It was also the largest entertainment emporium in the northwest, occupying six historic buildings. Steve's had recently demolished an adjoining service station to build its own parking lot. (TNT 11/26/1959, pg. D 2-3)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. The "Golden Era Cafe" at Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant. The new dining area featured the fireplace and the bric-a-brac rescued from the demolished Yorktheimer mansion, formerly located at 27 Broadway. The mansion had been built in 1887 and was demolished in 1959 to make way for the Belmont Terrace apartments. This hand carved spool type entryway came from the mansion. Steve's had recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and was widely recognized as the premier night spot for out of towners. Pease had decorated his restaurant with bits and pieces from some of the finest homes in Tacoma. The Golden Era Coffee Shop served meals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To see the spool woodwork in the Yorktheimer mansion, see I61 images 1 & 2. (TNT 11-26-1959, pg. D-2-3)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Hunt Junior High School, aerial photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Designed by Robert Billsbrough Price, the school design was the recipient of numerous awards, most dealing with the cost effectiveness of the school and its use of wood. The schools most distinctive feature was its circus tent like cafeteria/auditorium. The loaf shaped building at the rear is the gymnasium.

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. The Castle Hall at the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. This Italian Renaissance Revival structure was built in 1906-1907 of Tenino stone from a design by architect Frederick Heath and hailed as the "most elaborate and perfectly furnished lodge building in the West." The building was constructed at a cost of $55,000. The building is on both the city and national historical directory. In accordance with design principles of the day, the main floors were built to contain commercial space with the lodge facilities on the top two floors. Carefully preserved since its dedication, Castle Hall is believed to be one of the most beautiful lodges in the country. It has mahogany walls, Ionic columns, elliptical leaded glass skylights and murals depicting the story of the fast friendship of Damon and Pythias, on which the beliefs of the order are based. Although plagued by dwindling membership, the Knights are still active. The fraternal order was founded in 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone on the principles of friendship, charity and benevolence, or "FCB" the letters inscribed on the triangles that make up the group's emblem. Secret meetings were held in the hall, where members donned robes indicating their rank in the group. They gathered to honor God, America and make friends in a celebration of brotherhood. (TNT 10/3/1989 "Lifestyles" section; "Tacoma Rediviva" by Kipp Associates, pg. 72-73)

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Women and girls sit huddled under umbrellas, their hats covered with scarves, against the inclement Pacific Northwest weather during a service at the Mountain View Memorial Park. The event was most probably the Easter sunrise service held each year out of doors at the Park.

Memorial rites & ceremonies--Lakewood; Commemoration--Lakewood; Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Events--Lakewood; Easter--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

ca. 1959. Barbara Heil points out the circled March 17 on a 1959 calendar as a reminder of the opening day of the 11th annual Greater Tacoma Home Show. Three area contractors assist her in this promotional photograph. The show was to be held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse from March 17-22, 1959. Backing Miss Heil are, from left to right, R.L. Johnson - president of the Masonry Contractors Association, Robert J. Sproul - president of the Tacoma Master Builders and Roger Trolson - President of Unit Masonry Company. (TNT 3/12/1959, pg. C-5, TNT 3/15/1959, pg. B-2, TNT 3/16/1959, pg. 27+, TNT 3/2/1959, pg. 11) Ordered by the Tacoma Master Builders Association.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Heil, Barbara; Johnson, R.L.; Sproul, Robert J.; Trolson, Roger; Calendars;

ca. 1959. Aerial of Tacoma, looking across downtown to the Tideflats, circa 1959. The City Waterway (now Foss) bisects the picture, crossed by its three bridges. A haze rises from the heavily industrial Tideflats.

Aerial photographs--1950-1960; Cityscapes--1950-1960; City Waterway (Tacoma);

ca. 1959. Imposing entrance of the new County-City building, an soaring glass and aluminum structure designed by A. Gordon Lumm. Lumm was the controversial selection of the County Commissioners as architect. His selection raised the ire of the local architects as he was the only one who did not participate in the free preliminary work performed by the architects' society. Bids for the construction of the original design came in 3 1/2 million higher than available funds. Voters approved an additional $3,700,00 in a bond issue to make up the difference. The building was finally constructed according to the original design and dedicated on April 10, 1959. (TNT 4/7/1959, pg. B1+)

County-City Building (Tacoma);