A variety of plumbing fixtures, including Dresslyn lavatories by American Standard, dishwashers, Hotpoint stoves and refrigerators are readily available for perusal by interested customers in this unidentified appliance store in 1954. The Crane Co. were dealers in plumbing supplies; one of the toilets in the foreground has the company name pasted on it. Photograph ordered by the Crane Co.

Plumbing fixtures; Appliances; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crane Co. (Tacoma);

This City Light office is apparently deserted in an evening photograph taken in August, 1954. Plans cover the long desks of city engineers Emil Shabtura and Fred McNeill. The room has plenty of bright light and is apparently air conditioned. City Light's new administrative building and garage were completed in 1953; the administrative building would house both the Light and Water divisions. Photograph ordered by Armstrong Cork Co.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Desks; Drawings; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office equipment & supplies; Public utility companies--Tacoma;

Richards Studio copy exposure. This copy of a photograph from the early 1900s shows Pacific Avenue, looking north from the corner of South 13th Street. Electric streetcars run down the middle of the wide street while horse drawn buggies and carts stay close to the curb. Businesses along this section of Pacific included the California Wine House at 1150 Pacific, H.V. Roberts - Dentist, the Central News Co., and the Warwick Liquor Company at 1205 Pacific Ave. A laundry wagon can be seen in the lower right corner.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1900-1910; Street railroads--Tacoma

This is car No. 40 of the Tacoma Railway & Power Co. In 1890, it ran on a set of tracks that went down Pacific Ave. to Jefferson; up Jefferson to Center; and then followed Center to Hosmer, the end of the line. This photograph was probably taken near So. 17th and Jefferson. In the 1890s and early 1900s, Tacoma had one of the best and most extensive electric railway systems on the west coast.

Street railroads--Tacoma--1890-1900; Street railroad employees--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Tacoma Railway & Power Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1954. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St.Paul & Pacific Railroad Co., commonly called The Milwaukee Road, opened a new passenger depot at East 11th and Milwaukee Way, on the tideflats, in April of 1954. Made of Roman brick, the $150,000 structure was a comfortable place to wait for incoming or outgoing trains. Large plate glass windows provided a clear view of the trains while keeping passengers safe and dry. The railroad company had used a simple wooden building at 25th and A Street since just after the turn of the century. The Milwaukee Road railroad went bankrupt in the late 1970s; all its land and buildings on the tideflats were purchased by Sea-Land in the early 1980s. TPL-3729

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Well-known newspaper, radio and television personality Ed Sullivan arrived in Tacoma in June, 1954, to participate in the cornerstone laying ceremony for Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan was the host of the hour-long variety show, "Toast of the Town". He had been the first to introduce Jack Benny to radio audiences in 1932 and lyric soprano Margaret Truman made her debut on his television show in 1952. Mr. Sullivan was expected to comment on the growing need for children's hospitals in America. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital had an estimated cost of $900,000; it would be a two-story structure built on South "L" Street between 3rd and 4th Streets. Initially, it would have forty beds for children ranging from babies to 14 year olds. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Orthopedic Association. (TNT 5-20-54, C-2)

Cornerstone laying--Tacoma; Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974;

Phillip Cammarano sat at the wheel of the Cammarano Brothers' new Diamond T delivery truck in July of 1954 while it was parked in front of their building at 2307 A Street. The company's name was proudly displayed in a circular crest on the driver's side door. The Cammarano Brothers were distributors for Hamms, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Rainier Beers as well as carbonated beverages. Their warehouse on A Street was built in 1937 by MacDonald Building Co., contractors, and had been designed by local architectural firm, Lance & Muri. The Cammarano Brothers company closed at the end of May in 2001 after 80 years in the beverage distribution business. TPL-9473

Diamond T trucks; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. View of two-story, wood frame house and surrounding property.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. Distant view of house hidden by row of fruit trees.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. View of farm showing house and garage on left, pasture, fences and trees.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts; Fences;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. View of house, landscape and gravel road. Rose arbor, border plants and trees in garden.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts; Trellises;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. Distant view of dairy barn and outbuildings. Cattle in pasture.

Farms--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts; Barns--Tacoma; Cattle;

Two well-dressed young ladies, Mrs. Joan Loechner (formerly Clark) and Mrs. John Schutzman (the former Shiela Widener), in a late-model convertible may be getting ready to park their vehicle in the large carport in the early evening of June 29, 1954. The carport is attached to the American Lake rambler style home of Loechner's parents Harrison and Myrtle Clark. The carport, however, has a flat roof in comparison to the slightly shallow-pitched roof on the rambler. Built of wood on a concrete foundation, the carport is partially enclosed with paneled walls on two sides. The panels are of grooved fir plywood siding called "Texture One-Eleven." The carport features exposed posts with 1x2 exposed stops which serve as the railing base for the textured panels. Small lights are affixed to the eaves, providing illumination at night. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 9/19/1956, pg. E-17)

Garages; Convertible automobiles; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Loechner, Joan; Widener, Shiela;

Safeway Builders after pictures. Safeway Builders apparently remodeled numerous homes in the Tacoma area in the 1950's. This contemporary home was a one-story wood model with long, horizontal lines and shallow-pitched roof. A small awning shades the front doorway. A split fence separates the property from the land next door.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Safeway Builders Co. (Tacoma); Fences;

A crowd of spectators await the launching of the minesweeper #489, the U.S.S. Gallant, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding on the evening of June 4, 1954. Martinac Shipbuilding had received a contract to built nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy during the early 1950's. Those observing the launching heard Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, give the principal address. Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac, was the ship's sponsor. Music for the ceremony was provided by the McChord Air Force Band. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan is welcomed to Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue South after his arrival on June 9, 1954, for the laying of the cornerstone on the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan received a TPD motorcycle escort and a ride in a new convertible courtesy of Mr. Ridge's dealership. Ray Ridge is on the right in the light suit; man shaking hands with Mr. Sullivan is tentatively identified as Judge George Boldt. Mr. Ridge, Mr. Sullivan and Judge Boldt would be among the honored guests at a 1500 person celebration of the new hospital held at the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

In 1954 Tacoma had its own toy factory, the Tacoma Metal Products Company, located at 414-16 Puyallup Avenue. Workers at the manufacturing plant are pictured using a primitive looking assembly line. During the assembly line process, toy tea kettles are painted, parts assembled, polished and then placed in small boxes. A thin conveyor belt moves the tiny tea kettles from one worker to another.

Tacoma Metal Products Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Assembly-line methods--Tacoma; Toys; Toy industry--Tacoma;

Dressed to play tennis, Joan (Clark) Loechner poses in front of her parents', Harrison and Myrtle Clark's, American Lake home on June 29, 1954. She is smiling and looking off-camera while clutching her wooden tennis racket. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Tennis players; Tennis rackets; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Loechner, Joan;

Exterior of Blake, Moffitt & Towne building. By June, 1954, the Blake, Moffitt & Towne Co. had moved to its new location of 1157 Thorne Rd. in the Tideflats area. The business was now close to E. 11th and the Port of Tacoma Road; railroad tracks shown in the above picture indicated that their products could be conveniently shipped either by rail as well as by truck. The building would encompass 40,000 square feet for warehouse and office space. It was built on a 3 1/2 acre tract to allow for plenty of customer parking as well as possible future expansion. Blake, Moffitt & Towne were wholesale distributors of printing and wrapping paper and stationery and were formerly located on Jefferson Avenue. Arthur W. Towne was listed in the 1954 City Directory as president with Lyman V. Hall as Vice-president/Manager and Richard A. Meyer as Secretary Treasurer/Office Manager. (TNT 7-18-54, C-15)

Blake, Moffitt & Towne, Inc. (Tacoma); Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Customer copy of house. A print was made of a customer's copy of a rambler style home, perhaps for advertising purposes, in June, 1954. The photograph was ordered by the Condon Co., one of Tacoma's first advertising agencies. The unidentified house, #1437, is built with long, horizontal lines and an attached one-car garage. It appears to have wood siding. The picture window is unusual in that it is not a single sheet of glass but rather separated into nine sections. Flowers bloom in pots fastened to railings adjacent to the front door.

Houses--1950-1960; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Green, Marlene and Darlene Green, were married in a joint wedding ceremony at the Little Church on the Prairie, 6310 Motor Ave. S.W. in Lakewood, on August 11, 1954, their birthday. The two brides posed side-by-side in identical wedding gowns in front of the church altar. Both are wearing gowns heavily decorated in lace and satin covered with net. They appear to be carrying stephanotis bouquets and they have matching pearl necklaces. Marlene Green married Claude Flansburg while Darlene wed William Melville. (TNT 6-20-54, D-9, engagement picture, and information provided by family)

Twins; Weddings--Lakewood--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Bouquets;

Wedding anniversary. Max and Sara Rosen celebrated their 25th anniversary on September 5, 1954. According to the 1954 City Directory, Mr. Rosen owned Rosen Supply Co., a plumbing supply business. The couple resided at 3201 No. Alder. The Rosens received many beautiful silver presents for their anniversary; candelabras, coffee and tea service, platters, bowls and silverware, all displayed on a large oval dining room table under the glowing light of an ornate chandelier.

Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Candelabras; Chandeliers;

These young baseball players were listed as the runner-up team in the 1954 Midget League. They posed happily on August 12, 1954, at Jefferson Park, along with their bat boy and coaches. "Schwinn" is printed on the baseball jerseys; the boys played under the team name "Bicycles." They lost in the playoffs with the North Tacoma I.O.O.F. team. Both teams had identical 7-1 records in the final second half. The I.O.O.F. team won the final playoff game, 3-2, although losing pitcher Al Hopkins only allowed three hits. (TNT 8-16-54, p. 12, TNT 8-21-54, p.8)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits;

Members and officers of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co.'s Board of Directors pose for a photograph alongside a locomotive at the Milwaukee Road's Depot on September 17, 1954. The new $150,000 passenger depot had opened up in April, 1954, on the tideflats parallel to the railroad's freight yards. The railroad company provided an economic boost to the region for decades; in 1954 alone, employment totaled over 1000 people. The Milwaukee Road's board had toured the line's Tacoma shops and then lunched at the Winthrop Hotel. Their visit to Washington would conclude the 4,500 mile inspection tour. Chairman Leo T. Crowley (standing third from the right) announced that the Road has ordered diesels to replace all steam locomotives. Electrically-operated divisions in Washington, Oregon and Montana would continue to operate. (TPL-1714, TNT 9-19-54, C-12)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A huge tree dwarfs and partially blocks from view the Steilacoom Town Hall in an August 9, 1954, photograph. The white clapboard, two-storied town hall was designed by architect E.J. Bresemann and dedicated in 1930. The neighborhood on Lafayette Street blended both business and homes in a nearly seamless transition. Tennis courts and the town fire department are located next to the town hall while on the same side of the street are family residences. Across the street appears to be a vacant lot with high, uncut grass. Photograph ordered by the Lakewood Log, a weekly community newspaper, which apparently requested views of small town life in Steilacoom.

City & town life--Steilacoom; Neighborhoods--Steilacoom; Steilacoom Town Hall (Steilacoom); Steilacoom Fire Department (Steilacoom); Trees; Lakewood Log (Lakewood);

Western circus acts. Three people demonstrate individual Western circus skills in an August 30, 1954, studio photograph. A trick rope artist seems to suspend her rope in the air around her body while a man in cowboy hat and boots lashes his whip across the neck of a startled clown.

Clowns; Entertainers--Tacoma; Ropes; Costumes--Western;

Stadium High School majorettes demonstrate a routine in a studio portrait taken on September 10, 1954. All three girls have batons and plumed hats; they are dressed in short-sleeved sequined outfits with bare midriffs. From left to right are Gretchen Tegen, Jan Hauge (head majorette) and Janet Bonawits. They, along with Lincoln High School majorettes, would be performing as pre-game and intermission entertainment at the 12th annual Grid-Go-Round at Lincoln Bowl . Photograph ordered by Jan Hauge. (TNT 9-16-54, B-5)

Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tegen, Gretchen; Hauge, Jan; Bonawits, Janet;

Display window merchandise. The display window of Washington Hardware's Sports Shop is full of samples of school hats and pins just prior to school beginning in late summer, 1954. Students had the option of placing their school's name on hats and beanies or on pennants. Pins could be purchased in school colors and initials and sports letters and emblems for lettermen's jackets could be bought as well.

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

By the mid-1950's more and more people were becoming accustomed to "do-it-yourselfing" and the Douglas Fir Plywood Association encouraged them to use plywood for their building projects. Stores were devoting space to handyman supplies; pictured in July, 1954, is an unidentified model with displays of new Douglas Fir Plywood Handy Panels. These panels, at 2 ft. by 4 ft., were smaller then full size plywood sheets. They were easy to handle, select and use. They were clearly marked for size, grade and price. Plans were available to build your own storage units or versatile chests and often the work could be completed within a weekend. Stores were eager to help the customer who wanted to save money by doing the work himself. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Handy Panels ad, Popular Science, December 1952, p. 248)

Plywood; Merchandise displays--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Do-it-yourself work--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Over forty members of Stadium High School's Class of '46 enjoyed a reunion luncheon at the Top of the Ocean on September 2, 1954. This was the third gathering of former classmates since graduation. Plans for a family picnic and a dinner dance were discussed for future reunions. (TNT 9-1-54, A-9)

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