Mauer Construction built this tidy one-level apartment complex in 1957. Located at 3315 Sixth Avenue, it consisted of four brick units with large view windows. It appears that a new sidewalk has just been constructed in front of the complex. A stylish street lamp is located near a corner of the apartments. According to the 1957 City Directory, Mauer Construction Co. was located at 8307 Nixon S.W. in the Lakewood Center area.

Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sidewalks--Tacoma; Mauer Construction Co. (Lakewood);

This two-story contemporary Northwest home was being prepared for the 1957 Western Builders Home Show in March, 1957. Located on a slight slope, the house had a wraparound balcony. There are many view windows on the front of the home. As was becoming more common, the multi-level roof was flat. ALBUM 15.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A Philco high-fidelity television is tucked away in the recesses of an attractive wooden wall unit. This Shelton home has an abundance of wood paneling, including louvered doors and cabinets to match. Objets d'art are placed in the wall unit's compartments. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors.

Televisions--1950-1960; Doors & doorways--Shelton;

Abundant cabinet space was provided in this contemporary suburban kitchen built by George Barclay Builders. Tiled countertops and a double sink, a built-in General Electric stove with ceiling vent and separate oven made this kitchen attractive as well as useful. Photograph ordered by George Barclay Builders.

Kitchens;

The John and Julia Uglicks residence at 11604 Mount Brook Lane was set in the suburban community of Rhododendron Lanes. Nestled among tall trees, the contemporary rambler style home had an extended porch, shutters and attached two-car garage. A long, wide paved driveway was an added amenity. According to the 1958 Tacoma Suburban Directory, John Uglicks was in the U.S. Army. Photograph ordered by George Barclay Builders.

Uglicks, John--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of the Tacoma Association of Classroom Teachers gathered to model a variety of hats on March 14, 1957. Most of the hats seemed to be made of paper and could easily be used for crafts in local schools. The hats pictured were to be sold at the March 20th variety show sponsored by the Classroom Teachers Association to raise funds for the Tacoma Teachers Home Corp. The Teachers Home Corp. was dedicated to raising money for the construction of a retirement home for Tacoma teachers. From left to right are: Marvin Christel, Wilfred Jewell, Al Moffat, Harry Erickson, William Ravey. In the center is Eula May Taylor, chairman of the event. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Association of Classroom Teachers. (TNT 3-18-57, p. 9)

Hats; Tacoma Association of Classroom Teachers (Tacoma); Teachers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A couple take their vows before a military chaplain on March 14, 1957. The bride is dressed in a mid-calf lace outfit with satin jacket. She has one attendant who is carrying her Bible and small bouquet. The bride is apparently putting the wedding ring on her young husband who is dressed in dark uniform. This wedding portrait was finished in sepia tones.

Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Weddings--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960;

Tuberculosis was still occurring in the 1950's. Medical professionals, hoping to catch the disease in its early stages, urged the public to make use of the mobile X-ray unit which would provide free chest X-rays. Sponsored by the Department of Health, State of Washington, the X-ray unit traveled around Pierce County by van. These shoppers in the downtown area lined up to receive information about T.B. and to have their chests X-rayed on March 12, 1957. By early February, 1957, 58,126 people had received the free chest X-rays. Photograph ordered by the Washington Tuberculosis Association. (TNT 2-10-57, A-13)

Tuberculosis--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Tuberculosis Association (Tacoma); Examinations--Tacoma;

Employees of the Tacoma Dental Lab are shown hard at work on March 12, 1957. Dental impressions can be seen in trays accompanied by charts. Lee Siler was listed as president of the firm according to the 1957 City Directory; it was located in the Medical Arts Building. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Dental Laboratory.

Tacoma Dental Laboratory (Tacoma); Molds (Shaping tools);

Klopfenstein's was a well-known men's and women's furnishings store located on Broadway since 1929. They emphasized their line of Hart Schaffner & Marx clothing but also had a fine display of hats. A portion of their store was devoted to Dobbs hats, with illustrations showing proper styles for individual faces. Dobbs came in regular oval, wide oval, long oval and extra-long oval shapes. Gift certificates could be purchased for these hats as they would be suitable for any special occasion. Photograph ordered by Klopfenstein's for Hat Life Magazine.

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma; Hats; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On March 8, 1957, as the vast empty rain-swept parking lot indicated, stores at the newly constructed Villa Plaza in Lakewood were not yet open for business. The location of the new shopping center was formerly the 200-acre Visitation Villa, a Catholic boarding and day school for girls and a summer retreat for women operated by the Sisters of Visitation. The school closed in 1954 and the property sold to developers. The buildings were demolished, oak groves pulled down, the creek filled in and stores constructed. The Villa Plaza later changed its name to the Lakewood Mall. Photograph ordered by the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan.

Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The Normanna Male Chorus, led by Gunnar Malmin of Pacific Lutheran College, posed for a group picture on March 7, 1957. Professor Malmin, dressed in a dark tuxedo, is seated in the front row. Normanna Male Chorus was the oldest Norwegian singing organization in the west. It was formed in 1888 by Tacoma and Parkland men, and held its first Sangerfest in Tacoma in 1906. The first director was Professor Carlo Sperati; the present conductor Malmin has held the title since 1947. Normanna Male Chorus has approximately 50 members. Photograph ordered by Normanna Male Chorus. (TNT 2-25-57, p.5)

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Singers; Malmin, Gunnar J.;

Interior of Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant. An unusual lattice ceiling, artificial tree with spreading branches and potted plants brought the outdoors into the Inferno restaurant. Chairs and drapes were decorated in a floral pattern to further accentuate the garden atmosphere. Part of the walls were apparently draped in sack-like materials, with masks staring at the seated customers. The Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant was located at 7430 Pacific Avenue. TPL-9662

Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ceilings--Tacoma; Masks--Tacoma;

The sidewalks were packed on March 1, 1957, as potential car buyers streamed into Steven Motor Co.'s open house. Local residents were asked to "look around" at all the different used cars for sale to see how much money they could save that evening. Convenient terms to suit each individual buyer could be arranged. Steven Motor Co. was a Chrysler and Plymouth dealership, selling both used and new cars. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.

Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior- Inferno restaurant. As their large signage indicates, the Inferno restaurant specialized in charcoal broiled steaks and chicken in 1957. Flames roar under the Inferno's name on their neon sign. A canopy covers the long walkway to the front door; awnings in the same material on windows provide shade. The Inferno was located in a modest wooden one-story building at 7430 Pacific Avenue. TPL-9663

Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awnings--Tacoma;

Car shopping was truly a family affair in the 1950's. At their open house on March 1, 1957, Steven Motor Co. gave out balloons to the youngsters while their parents scrutinized the "best used car deal in town!" Steven Motor Co. was owned by Everett T. Steven. The long-time Chrysler and Plymouth dealership had three locations: the pictured sales & service center at 738 Broadway, a repair department on Saint Helens and their used car lot at 37th and South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.

Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A warning on the Sheffield Precisionaire column instrument indicates that the only persons authorized to handle the machine are paper inspectors and testing station personnel. The Sheffield machine may be used in testing paper strength. One technician has his hand on a handle of a smaller Sheffield product; the black disc is applying pressure on the sheet of paper. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Electrical apparatus; Testing; Measuring; Paper products; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

Judge Wilford A. Richmond, Superior Court judge, and his colleagues posed for a portrait at the Pierce County Court House on February 28, 1957. Photograph ordered by Washington Tuberculosis Association.

Richmond, W.A.; Judges--Tacoma; Washington Tuberculosis Association (Tacoma);

On February 28, 1957, a series of photographs were taken apparently at an unidentified testing laboratory. Several technicians were pictured running tests on various machines. This man is intently gazing at the meter, which is registering all zeros, and has a notepad with calculations close at hand. The machine was manufactured by the Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Co. of Philadelphia. Part of the machine is labeled "Massachusetts Institute of Technology Folding Endurance Testing". Working in conjunction with the Tinius machine is a speed reducer from Janette Mfg. Co. of Chicago. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Electrical apparatus; Machinery; Testing; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

A technician's hands are pictured carefully turning knobs on February 28, 1957, as he is apparently running quality control tests. Several small post-it notes with negative numbers and letters are located nearby. Voltage can be measured from 0 to 135 volts on this machine. The compensator and reflection scale can apparently be adjusted. It is possible that these quality control tests would measure the whiteness of paper. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Electrical apparatus; Measuring; Testing; Paper products; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

A peeler block appears to be emerging from this machine; it has apparently been barked. A technician, on an slightly elevated platform, monitors the proceedings in front of his control panel. He has his hand on a lever. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Logs; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

A series of photographs were taken on February 28, 1957, at an unidentified laboratory involving product testing. This technician appears to be monitoring the strength of note-size paper using the Elmendorf Paper Tester. Manufactured by the Thwing Instrument Co. of Philadelphia, the arrow on the paper tester is pointing at 30 on the scale. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Machinery; Testing; Measuring; Paper products; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

Construction continues on a new Tacoma highrise built by Fentron Industries. This photograph, taken on February 28, 1957, shows the new Tacoma Building (later to be called Weyerhaeuser Bldg.) at 1015 A St. Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. would be the primary occupant after completion. According to the 1957 City Directory, Cole & Weber, advertising, Cheney Lumber Co., Mutual Life Ins. Co. of N.Y., and Metzger, Blair & Gardner, attorneys, would also have offices in the new Tacoma Building. The twelve-story building next to the new construction is also called the Tacoma Building; it was built in 1910. The new Tacoma Building was actually located at 1015 A St., and considered an annex to the old section at (then) 1019 A St. Photograph ordered by Fentron Industries.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Weyerhaeuser Building (Tacoma); Fentron Industries (Seattle);

There are printed instructions on the Bausch & Lomb machine that show a technician how to measure "Printing opacity" and "Opacity". He is looking at a small negative or picture with a magnifying glass. Copies of prints are laying next to the machine. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Machinery; Hand lenses; Testing; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

A Lorain crane continues to hoist materials needed for the construction of a new power building at McChord Air Force Base on February 26, 1957. Trusses are being installed on this date by the Western Electric Co., Inc. This is project #1557. Photograph ordered by Western Electric Co., Inc.

Building construction--McChord AFB; Hoisting machinery; Western Electric Co., Inc.;

Exterior of new home. Large view windows are abundant in this newly constructed home, believed to belong to the Brockman family, in a February 23, 1957, photograph. It has a very modern feel with its flat roof, large use of wood, and wall-to-wall windows. The home appears to be situated in a suburban landscape and surrounded by tall trees. The foundation appears yet to be built as the home is still on jacks. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Building construction; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Crowds of shoppers hit downtown Tacoma to hunt for bargains during the 1957 Washington Birthday Celebration sales. Washington Hardware and their Sports Shop at 922-24 Pacific Avenue were having a massive sale; this lucky man shows off his gun purchases to three interested boys. Names of the man and boys were not provided. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rifles; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

Heavy wood ceiling beams attract the eye in the new Brockman residence; there are not many lights to distract from the smooth wooden surfaces. Wood is plentiful in the living and play areas, with paneled walls and vertical columns separating large plate glass windows. A woman is enjoying the sunshine as she sits on top of an elongated wooden desk. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Living rooms--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Construction at Fort Lewis remained strong in the mid-1950's as the military population continued to grow. February 12, 1957, aerial photographs show two company barracks and utilities structures being built at the south end of Gray Field. Donald M. Drake Co. of Portland, Oregon, apparently were involved in Contract #3706. Photograph ordered by the Donald M. Drake Co.

Aerial photographs; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Donald M. Drake Co. (Portland, Or.);

Aerial photographs of the south end of Gray Field on Fort Lewis were taken on February 12, 1957. Construction appears to be continuing on two company barracks and utilities building. Roads will have to be extended to meet the new quarters. Photograph ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland, Oregon. TPL-10352

Aerial photographs; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Donald M. Drake Co. (Portland, Or.);