Munson-Smith Motors dedicated its 100,000 square foot motor center August 19-20, 1955. Its vast used car and truck lots can be seen on the left, with the new car show rooms, service garage and administrative offices on the right. Munson-Smith was a Dodge and Plymouth dealer located between downtown Tacoma and South Tacoma on Highway 99. They offered both sales and service. Company officers were Ed Munson, president; Don Munson, vice-pres. and Alberta Smith, secretary-treasurer. The company had 65 employees and an annual payroll of over $300,000. Gross sales were approximately 2 1/2 million per year. (TNT 8/18/1955, pg. 11)

Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Group boarding bus at the Olympus Hotel, photograph ordered by the Young Calvinist. Members of the group appear to be of many different ages. Based on the ordering newspaper, the group must be followers of Calvinism. According to the Webster's Dictionary, the theological system of John Calvin and his followers is marked by a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of mankind and the doctrine of predestination.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The exterior of Craig Furniture Co. The building exterior is painted with "ranges, furniture, rugs and radios." Craig offered name brand furniture as well as some appliances, oil heaters and floor coverings for sale. Sharing the storefront at ground level are G.D. Phillips Co. shoes and Leroy Jewelers.

Craig Furniture, Inc. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Window display at Schoenfelds of the Davy Crockett bedroom furniture group in "silver gulch" finish. The furniture was available in open stock on easy terms. Key pieces were the bunk beds, dressers and student desk. A Crockett coonskin cap is hanging from the hat stand to the right. Davy Crockett was a folklore hero who became a familiar name to the children of the fifties through the popular ballad and the Disney television production. In the summer of 1955, the Disney feature length film starring Fess Parker was making the rounds of the movie theatres. Coonskin caps were the fashionable headgear for fans, causing a shortage of small animal furs. In fact, the "King of the Wild Frontier" was the champion retailer of the fifties, with estimated sales of $300 million dollars worth of Crockett labelled merchandise in 1955.

L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Children's furniture; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma;

The National Bank of Washington, Industrial branch, on the Tideflats opened to the public on July 1, 1955. Robert B. Price was the architect and Concrete Engineering Co. was the contractor for the new bank. The building was Tacoma's first example of "prestressed concrete construction." The 102 foot by 48 foot building was completely fireproof. The northwest side of the building was floor to ceiling glass, providing natural light. The 4300 sq. foot lobby contained tellers space, officers' quarters, conference rooms and vaults. The mezzanine had storage facilities, the employees' lounge and a compact kitchen for employees. Phillip C. Hultman was the branch Manager. Photographs ordered by the Howard R. Smith Co. (TNT 6/29/1955, pg. A-3)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Bank of Washington, exterior of new industrial branch on the Tideflats. The 15th banking office of National Bank of Wa. opened for business July 1, 1955. It offered, for the first time in the industry, complete banking facilities to the more than 200 industries and their 11,000 employees on the Tideflats. The branch was also convenient by car to Browns Point, Dash Point, Northeast Tacoma, Federal Way, Fife and Milton. It had ample free parking for customers. (TNT 6/29/1955, pg. A-3)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Earl and Inez Russell smilingly pose with banjos. Photograph ordered by Steve's Cafe (also known as Steve's Gay Nineties.) The Russells lived at 1417 Browns Point Blvd. Their occupation was listed in the 1956 City Directory as "musicians" at Steve's Gay Nineties. Earl Russell was featured in the Steve's ads as part of the continuous music provided in Steve's Gay 90's and Cable Car Rooms. Steve's became famous throughout the Northwest for offering entertainment as well as great food at a reasonable price. It became a "must see" for out of town guests and a regular hang out for locals.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma; Banjos; Russell, Earl; Russell, Inez;

Interiors at Fletchers Grocery in Parkland. Photos ordered by the Jack Frost Co. Packs of cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco line the shelves behind the checkers. As the woman checker enters the prices in the cash register, two bag boys box the groceries. Signs indicate that this is the store's Grand Opening. Numerals indicate different areas of the aisles. The aisles are wide enough for carts and well stocked with canned and boxed goods.

Fletcher's Grocery (Parkland); Grocery stores--Parkland--1950-1960;

Andy's Service Station, featuring Mobilgas, at 4801 So. Park Ave. Photos ordered by the General Petroleum Corp. Andy's was owned by Vincent M. Anderson. In addition to pumping Mobilgas, the station also sold tires and had a garage. One car can be seen on the lift in the garage. The winged horse logo of Mobil can be seen in several locations. According to the building index, the station was originally built in 1923.

Andy's Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mobilgas--Tacoma;

Doug Garrett's Service station. Photos ordered by the General Petroleum Corp. The station was owned by Douglas E. Garrett, who had previously operated the station with a partner as Doug & Cliff's. The station sold Mobilgas and also had a repair garage.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Doug Garrett's Service Station (Tacoma);

Interior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. Lea, Pearson and Richards served as the architects on this branch bank built in 1955. Construction was of brick, tile and aluminum. The front of the bank was almost entirely plate glass window. The lobby measured 3600 square feet and had brown striped mahogany woodwork with frosted walnut formica counters.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. The 40 x 100 foot building was of modern design. It was build of Roman brick and ceramic tile. The north side of the building glittered, being made almost entirely of plate glass and polished aluminum. Customers could enter from Pacific Avenue and also from the north end of the building.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. Lea, Pearson and Richards served as the architects on this branch bank built in 1955. Construction was of brick, tile and aluminum. In the fifties, the banks followed the flow of population out of the cities and into the suburbs. While leaving their grand financial institutions open downtown for the largely business trade, small friendly neighborhood branches were built to attract individual customers. The branches offered lots of parking and efficient, convenient services.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man points at the bottles inside the serve-yourself refrigerator at the Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern. The Park Way operated at this location from 1951-1957 and was owned by Al Moody. A counter and stools and a neon sign for Columbia Ale can be seen behind the man. The refrigerator is in the novelty shape of a bottle and holds 7-Up, Bubble up, Nesbit, Pepsi-Cola, Old Colony, Coca-Cola, Can-a-Pop Grape, Heidelberg beer and Squirt. TPL-7954

Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern (Tacoma); Refrigerators; Carbonated beverages; Beer

A beaming unidentified man helped himself to a six-pack of Heidelberg from the serve-yourself refrigerator at the Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern at 313 North I Street on June 7, 1955. The Park Way operated at this location from 1951-1957 and was owned by Al Moody. A counter and stools and a neon sign for Columbia Ale can be seen behind the man. The refrigerator is in the novelty shape of a floor-to-ceiling bottle and holds ice-cold 7up, Bubble Up, Nesbit, Pepsi-cola, Old Colony, Coca-Cola, Can-a-Pop Grape, Heidelberg beer and Squirt. This is currently the location of the Parkway Tavern. TPL-6630

Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern (Tacoma); Refrigerators; Carbonated beverages; Beer;

Switch gear equipment at Pacific Oerlikon Co. The worker appears diminutive next to the huge electronic machinery mounted above his head. Pacific Oerlikon, a subsidiary of Oerlikon Engineering Co. of Switzerland, manufactured large equipment for the power grid. It occupied the site of the former Henry Mill and Timber Co. in a building specially designed to accomodate the sheer height of its products.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

Switch gear equipment at Pacific Oerlikon Co. The worker eyes suspiciously the hook used to lift this product packaged for transport. Although the hook reads Yale five ton, the worker looks doubtful that it will hold. The product is labelled "porcelain, handle with care, fragile." Pacific Oerlikon manufactured large breakers and equipment used in the transmission of electric power.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

The interior of the Market Street Tavern, for the Washington State License & Beverage Association. George Koukles & Arthur T. Charuhas are listed as the owners in the 1955 City Directory. Booths line the right and left sides of the picture. The center section is occupied by a circular bar. On the booth tables and every few feet on the counter are Shyvers's Multiphones. They were telephones connected to an operator who would spin your selected record for a fee. The music was transmitted back via phone lines. Round built-in stools provide seating at the bar. A center island holds glasses and liquors and is topped by a shelf of displayed beer cans and bottles. Very modernistic light fixtures incorporate neon lighting. Photograph used in a Tacoma News Tribune special feature on taverns. The caption emphasized the new look of modern taverns, with greater luxury and attractive appointments replacing the dark look of earlier years. (TNT 5/30/1955, pg. 25)

Market Street Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eating & drinking facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma; Jukeboxes;

Group of men, in butcher's coats and one in a chef's uniform, eye some meat hanging at the Central Market. The meat has a ribbon denoting it as a prize winner in the 4H and F.F.A. Junior Livestock show. The prize winning entries were often auctioned off to area restaurants who both served the meat and considered it a contribution to the education of future cattlemen.

Central Market (Tacoma); Meat; Butcher shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The new Puget Sound National Bank at Midway. Puget Sound National Bank opened in Midway, part of unincorporated King County, in 1955 but because of state banking regulations it was run as a separate bank until Midway was incorporated by the city of Kent in 1959. To finance the new bank, Reno Odlin personally borrowed $160,000 from Wells Fargo Bank and became its president and sole stockholder. On 5/1/1955, Midway signed an agreement with Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma that provided the fledgling bank with equipment, credit overlines, personnel hiring and the use of the newly completed building, provided rent-free. The following day, the bank opened its doors as Puget Sound National Bank of Midway. The bank was located on Pacific Highway 99 at the intersection of the Kent Des Moines Highway. The rambling ranch style building of green stone and "Texture One-Eleven," introduced by the DFPA, would serve the growing communities of Kent, Des Moines, Federal Way, Burien and Auburn. It had interior walnut paneling, terrazzo floors and exposed Douglas Fir beams. Puget Sound Bank did not venture out of Pierce County again until 1970. ("Banking on Independence" Provorse & TNT 5/1/1955, pg. C-23)

Puget Sound National Bank (Midway); Banks--Midway; Banking--Midway;

Exterior of the new National Bank of Washington building at 54th and Pacific, featuring ceramic tile for Gladding, McBean & Co. The new bank was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. It was of modern design with an exterior of Roman brick and ceramic tile. The north side of the 40 x 100 foot building was almost entirely plate glass and polished aluminum. In keeping with the tide of population out of the city center and into the suburbs, the banks followed the flow and opened branch offices.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Remington Rand, daytime exposure of exterior of building, taken in April of 1955. The house on a rise next to the building that can be seen over the flat roof of Remington Rand is possibly 410 Saint Helens Ave., built in 1905 and now demolished. Remington Rand manufactured office equipment and furniture and had a complete repair department.

Remington Rand Inc. (Tacoma);

Barcott's Sea Food; interiors of restaurant as seen in April of 1955. Owner John E. Barcott, Jr. was a member of one of Tacoma's pioneer restaurant operating families. Located near the intersection of 38th & Pine, Barcott's was considered to be at the exact geographical center of the city. Its spacious dining room, as befits a seafood and steak restaurant, was decorated with fishing gear, nets and life rings stamped with Barcott's. The restaurant had its Grand Opening in May of 1953.

Barcott's Sea Food (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Barcott's Sea Food; interiors of spacious restaurant. Owner John E. Barcott, Jr. had 15 years of experience in restaurants, as did his night manager Domi Petronivich. Their seafood and steak house had a nautical theme, decorated with fishing gear and nets. Ample seating can be seen at tables and booths, as well as a counter at the left of the picture. The tables have a small lamp and a bud vase with a few daffodils. Part of the kitchen can be been at the back left hand side of the picture. The cash register area is at the right rear, with a cigarette machine and lighted shelving displaying seashells. Their convenient location near 38th & Pine also had ample free parking.

Barcott's Sea Food (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Night exposure of Weisfield's Inc. General Electric window, including the free 15 day home trial of small appliances. Weisfield's customers could "try it, then buy it" and on easy credit terms too. Pictured are clocks, clock radios, mixers, toasters, irons, electric frying pans and electric blankets. Window display does not say what the store did with any returned appliances.

Department stores--Tacoma; Window displays; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Weisfield's, Inc. (Tacoma); Appliances;

Exterior view of Summit Trading; ordered by Wingard & Co. Inc., air conditioning and refrigeration commercial and industrial contractors & maintenance service.

Summit Trading; Wingard & Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Burroughs Corporation, night view of building. Burroughs sold and serviced business machines, also supplies and accessories. Pictured in the window are several adding machines. Framed pictures on the wall are of young women operating adding machines. The sign is the window reads " Call on Burroughs for free Microfilm Counseling Service." In the left hand window is the removed "Mechanical Brain" of one of the machines.

Burroughs Corporation (Tacoma); Calculators; Office equipment & supplies; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Views of the Tradewell Super Market and its parking lot on 6th Ave., ordered by Carroll Mortgage Co. Leslie A. Gray was manager. The supermarket offered its customers plenty of free parking at this busy location. The stores trademark pylon with the Tradewell name can be seen at the front of the the store.

Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma);

Views of the Tradewell Super Market and its parking lot on 6th Ave., ordered by Carroll Mortgage Co. Leslie A. Gray was manager. Van De Kamps Bakery is pictured prominently on the Tradewell pylon. Signs in the windows advertise avocados, oil, MD Tissue, turkey and lowered coffee prices. The suburban grocery store offered plenty of free parking for its mobile clientele. TPL-8315

Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with 13 men and one woman posing by fleet of new "Ranch Wagon" 2 door station wagons. Neon and painted signs on facade of Elizabethan style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926. TPL-10140

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ford automobile;