Pontiac Motor Division. The Pontiac dealership offered new and used automobiles, excellent service, body rebuilding and accessories for Pontiacs and Cadillacs. View of seven unidentified men using "Sun Motor Tester" equipment on pontiac car.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile inspections--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Pontiac automobile; Cadillac automobile;

Pacific Boat Building Co. received a government contract to build 14 barges in February 1944. All vessels were made of wood, diesel powered and sea going. View of unidentified family at launching of 72 foot long sea going power barge with 240 horsepowered diesel engine.

Barges--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat Building had a government contract to build barges for the Army. Building progress photos of U. S. Army B.S.P. 3136, a self propelled, 88 foot long, twin diesel engine, 26.8 foot beam barge. View of vessel and row boat on left side.

Barges--Tacoma; Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry Mill & Timber Company was working on many commercial and government contracts. As a leader in the prefabricated lumber products, they were able to fill orders very rapidly, therefore helping to aid the war effort. View of Peter B. Solberg working on a barge model for Henry Mill & Timber Co. Mr. Solberg worked at the company during WW II. After the war, he founded and operated the Timber Fabrication Company until his death in February 1964. TPL-6662 (Photo identification provided by a family member)

Barges--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Solberg, Peter B.;

Allen Petrich, Sr., is aboard a modified tuna tender in this photograph from 1944. His father, Martin Petrich, Sr., and others started Western Boat Building Co. in 1916. The Petrichs' five sons, Hervey, Allen, Martin Jr., Jim and Jack, helped Western Boat Building become a well known and respected business in Tacoma. They built government vessels, commercial fishing vessels and pleasure boats. The modified tuna tender above, dubbed the "Patty," had an open cockpit and resembled a racing boat. She was used to travel to and from docks when large tuna clippers could not and was carried aboard the larger ships. (Identification and additional information provided by a reader)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Allen;

Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. built Sea Boy, an 85 foot sardine boat, for Bill and Ted Healy. Sea Boy is the fourth seine boat built at the yard. View of two unidentified men aboard Sea Boy. TPL-8878

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat Building was gaining recognition for building first rate fishing vessels. They had just completed a series of Army tugs and barges and were getting an increase of contracts for commercial fishing boats. View of "Vagabond", a tuna clipper built by Puget Sound Boat. TPL-8888

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

American Girl launching. The American Girl tuna vessel, built by Western Boat Building Co., is completely refrigerated and can handle 180 tons of tuna. It will join the tuna fleet that travels between San Diego, California and the coast of South America. View of American Girl tuna boat on Puget Sound (T. Times, 7/24/44, p. 2). TPL-8868

Fishing boats--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. began building vessels in May 1942. The company was started by two of the Martinolich brothers, well known for their boat building on the West Coast. They immediately received government contracts to build ships for the Army. View of recently finished vessel being transported to Puget Sound plant. TPL-8802

Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Bread delivery truck outside of Jordan's Bakery, the state's largest independent bakery, serving Tacoma and surrounding areas. Arthur K. Jordan began his company in 1937 when he purchased the Bert Nichols plant in Old Tacoma and opened it under the Jordan name on May 16 with six employees and one delivery truck. The bakery quickly outgrew this location and opened at 54th and Washington in 1939. The company expanded in 1941 when it purchased Apex Bakery in Bremerton. In 1950, the company won the "First Prize for Quality" in the Better Bread contest staged by the Quality Bakers of America. The competition featured bread baked by over 100 bakeries nationwide. By 1950, the company employed 131 people in Tacoma with a payroll of a half million a year. The bakery bought and used a million dollars worth of ingredients a year. Art Jordan maintained ownership and control of the company.

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Damage to a Tacoma Transit Co. bus after a night time car-bus accident. Firemen and workers took almost an hour to cut the driver of the car, identified as Alfred H. Bonwell - a 30 year old soldier attached to the 325th Headquarters squadron, McChord Air Force Base, out of the wreckage of his late model station wagon. Three other persons were injured. A traffic jam followed as vehicles were diverted for two hours. To the left of the photo is Lemon & Son Mobil Service Station at 6447 South Tacoma Way, and to the right is Conley's Grocery at 6601 South Tacoma Way. The bus has struck the utility pole in front of Conley's. A group of men stand and stare at the accident from in front of the service station. (TNT 3/21/1951, pg. 1)

Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wrecks; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lemon & Son Mobil Service Station (Tacoma); Conley's Grocery (Tacoma); Utility poles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. This truck was invented by Tacoma police officer Carl Sohmer to paint lines on city streets. More than one color combination of striping could be applied. Photograph taken as part of a series in September of 1951.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Specially designed and equipped truck for street work. Highway "Super" manufactured by General Traffic Controls, Inc. and invented by Carl Sohmer, Tacoma police officer to paint stripes on city streets. Parked in center of street near Chevron service station in September of 1951. Note: Marks on image are caused by deteriorating diacetate negative.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Tacoma Boat Building, the launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) #113 for the Navy, sponsored by Evelyn Langlie, wife of Governor Arthur B. Langlie. Mrs. Langlie holds the ceremonial champagne bottle and and an unidentified young girl holds flowers. The AMS 113 was the first minesweeper to be launched in Tacoma since WWII and on completion would cost upward of $1,000,000. Tacoma Boat Building had received the contract to build the minesweepers prior to the devastating fire of 1951 that destroyed their plant. By December of 1951, their new plant was almost complete and construction begun on 3 of the 144 ft class and 5 of the 57 ft. class. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2)

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

Tacoma Boat Building, the launching of the A.M.S. #113 (motor mine sweeper.) Group of 21 at banquet table on July 19, 1952, including Naval officers. Mayor John Anderson is at the left of the seated row, Governor Arthur B. Langlie fifth from left, owner Arne Strom in the center of the same row with Evelyn Langlie to his right and co-owner Haldor Dahl is third from left in the standing row. The worst fire of 1951 totally destroyed the Tacoma Boat Building plant with the co-owners Strom and Dahl holding contracts for the building of Navy minesweepers. A new plant was quickly built on the strip of land separating the Milwaukee and Sitcum Waterways and production of the sweepers began. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Strom, Arne; Dahl, Haldor; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Langlie, Evelyn; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, the largest wooden-hulled vessel to be built in Tacoma since WWI. Martinac had a contract to build four 171 foot minesweepers and was also the first firm on the Pacific coast to be designated by the Navy as a "qualified laminator." When completed in early spring, the ship would represent an expenditure of approximately $3,500,000. The total Navy contract was worth 8 million dollars, a large portion of the 20 million in Navy contracts held by Tacoma boat building firms. (TNT 2-10-1952, pg. B-6, T. Reporter 7/8/1952, pg. 8, T. Reporter 8/11/1952, pg. 2)

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

Launching of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sponsored by Gerry Ann Borovich. Gerry Ann, the 16 year old daughter of Fred Borovich vice president-treasurer of Martinac, holds the ceremonial flower bouquet. The vessel was the first of her size to be launched in a Northwest yard under the Navy's minesweeper program. The firm was constructing four 171 foot minesweepers. (T. Reporter, 8/11/1952, pg. 2)

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

Exposure of an accident scene where a Greyhound bus has been involved in an accident on the Tacoma-Olympia Highway near Fort Lewis. A fireman is washing away any residual gasoline or oil with a fire hose. The bus can no longer be seen, but a car is being hooked up to a tow at the right background. What appears to be Ft. Lewis can be seen on the left hand side of the picture. The Richards panel wagon is on the left hand side.

Traffic accidents-Washington--1950-1960; Automobiles--Washington--1950-1960; Fire engines & equipment--Washington--1950-1960;

General Beer Distributors truck advertising Heidelberg beer in front of the Poodle Dog restaurant in Fife. The driver is unloading cases of beer from the back of the company's new Diamond T truck.

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

General Beer Distributors truck advertising Heidelberg beer is parked in front of the Poodle Dog restaurant in Fife. The company chose a Diamond T truck for the newest addition to their fleet. TPL-8193

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

A driver is backing Tacoma-Fort Lewis Auto Freight Company's new Diamond T truck to a loading dock. A long trailer makes the job of backing more difficult. A man can be seen on the loading dock providing hand signals. TPL-8361

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma-Fort Lewis Auto Freight Co. (Tacoma); Diamond T trucks;

Royal Pacific on her June, 1951 sea trials. The "Royal Pacific," 118' x 26' x 13.5' tuna clipper, was valued at $320,000 and she would carry a 615-hp Superior diesel for a speed of 11 knots. She would hold 230 tons of tuna under refrigeration. Ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT, 5/6/1951, p.B-2) TPL-9048

Ship trials--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Miss California, recently completed by Peterson Boat Building Company, is out for her ship trials. Designed by Arthur DeFever, she had a sweeping bridge around the pilot house with a full measure of visibility. Controls were provided on the bridge as well as in the pilothouse. (Pacific Fisherman, Sept. 1951, p.53) TPL-9045

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Nine cab over engine trucks angle-parked on October 29, 1951. They appear to be delivering Heidelberg beer.

Trucks--1950-1960;

Launching of M.V. Golden Glow at Peterson Boat Building Company. Ordered by George Peterson, general manager.

Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Company truck and trailer, Titus Manufacturing, Jim Cutler. Titus Motor Company had begun rebuilding Ford engines during World War II and when the engine rebuilding department became independent of the Ford dealership it became known as the Titus Manufacturing Company. The truck would have been used to haul parts to the engine rebuilding facility and move the rebuilt engines to automobile repair shops.

Ford trucks; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Compton's Distributing Company was owned and operated by Roy J. Compton; the company distributed groceries throughout Tacoma markets and businesses. The company was located at 4513 South M Street. Roy was married to Ethel Compton, they lived at 1527 South 41st Street. View of new Durkee product's refrigerated truck featuring "Durkee's mayonnaise, margarine and salad dressing"; photo ordered by Compton's Distributing Company.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dodge trucks; Margarine; Food--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Food industry--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma; Compton's Distributing Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Durkee's Products (Tacoma);

The City of Tacoma invested money on warning signs to help ensure the safety of pedestrians. The Tacoma Times photographer strolled through busy intersections and found many signs that were not placed where they should be, and many were severely damaged by automobiles. Police officers are instructed to remove signs from the busy intersections during rain, fog and in the evenings, to avoid the signs being hit by cars; these same signs tend to not be placed back in their appropriate area once the weather has cleared up. View of pedestrian crossing sign behind a lamppost and a parked car, this traffic warning sign should have been placed on busy Pacific Avenue by a police officer (T. Times, 12/27/48, p. 1).

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal services--Tacoma; City & town life--Tacoma; Traffic regulations--Tacoma; Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma; Crosswalks--Tacoma; Pedestrians--Tacoma;

In January of 1949, almost a year before Volkswagen introduced its Transporter (VW bus) to the world's press, people in Tacoma were viewing a strikingly similar vehicle, the Mustang "Teardrop," at Fisher's department store. Made by Mustang Engineering Corporation in Renton, the streamlined, aerodynamic vehicle featured a 4-cylinder Hercules rear engine, hydraulic 4-wheel brakes, swivel seats, split front window with dual windshield wipers, round Mustang logo, protective front bumper grill, and projecting driver's side mirror. Young Ronnie Warter, at the wheel, and passenger Elizabeth Fynboe envision what it would be like to take the Teardrop on the road with its cruising speed of 65 m.p.h. TPL-6191 (T. Times, 1/2/49, p. 6).

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Prototypes; Mustang; Mustang Engineering Corp. (Renton); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Walter, Ronnie; Fynboe, Elizabeth;

Sea port shipping, Ken Kenney shiploading, bundled pulp. One of the longshoremen standing on the deck of a cargo ship is directing the workman operating a hoist to lower the bundles of pulp into the cargo hold.

Cargo holds; Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bundling (Packing)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Longshoremen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marine terminals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;