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.
After pictures of homes. Safeway Builders apparently put the new siding on this apartment complex, perhaps known as the Claus Apartments, in spring, 1954. The two-story unit on North Fife St. had a long, wide porch, and heavy columns with possibly rock or brick column supports. Striped awnings shaded four upstairs windows. Unlike most bungalows, the apartments had a flat, not wide pitched roof. A long flight of steps led up from the street and then connected to the porch steps. The lawn appears to have been nicely manicured with neatly trimmed plants and shrubs surrounding the structure.
Houses appear to be packed in tightly in this section of North "M" Street in May, 1954. The Victorian style homes at 508 and 510 North "M" have tall, vertical proportions with steeply pitched gabled roofs. Both have porches and 510 North "M" has a balcony running the width of the home. They both have decorative shingles and may have been painted in multiple colors. Safeway Builders, according to a sign posted on one of the homes, appears to have been involved in the remodeling; Pioneer materials were used in at least one home. According to the Pierce County Building Index, both homes were constructed in the 1890's.
Before pictures of houses. This large two-story home appears to have horizontal wood clapboard siding, a bay window, and unusually shaped chimney. There are two small arched windows in what may be dormers. Landscaping appears mature with many good-sized bushes surrounding the house and trees to the rear and side.
Newly built model home. This very modern, contemporary one-story home was the model home built by S.L. Rowland for the 1954 Tacoma Home. Model TX-101 had 1550 square feet of living space and a large double carport whose outside wall was made of pumice brick arranged in open lattice pattern. There is also a sheltered private courtyard. Home was located at 1802 North Shirley St. (TNT 5-18-54, C-8)
A new home was nearly completed by Robert M. Good of Good Construction Co. in May, 1954. The home was located at 2111 North Winnifred St. This home was possibly in or near the new Westgate subdivision where a number of new homes were built the year before. The house apparently sat higher than street level, as a long curved walkway leads upwards to the covered entryway. It was built primarily of wood with some brick facing. Good Construction owner, Robert M. Good, was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association; his motto was "Masterbuilder of homes for fine living."
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Good Construction Co. (Tacoma);
The Lincoln Park Christian Church was located in the city's southend, close to the Lincoln Business District, at 3832 South "G" Street. According to the 1954 City Directory, its pastor was the Rev. Donald R. Johnson. This view of South "G" Street, looking southward, shows the well-kept houses with trim lawns, and a large flowering tree in the foreground. The church itself is not shown in this April, 1954, photograph. Nearly fifty years later, it is still located in the same neighborhood. TPL-8571
Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln Park Christian Church (Tacoma);
An "after-photo" of a remodeled one-story bungalow was taken on April 24, 1954. The house's exterior was resurfaced with Perma-Stone, a tough, weather resistant coating resembling stone which was placed over existing walls of wood, stucco, tile, block or brick. It could be used with new or used construction. K.H. Kaman Co. specialized in Perma-Stone installation; they were situated on Tacoma Avenue South. Photograph commissioned by Karl H. Kaman.
A "before" picture of the exterior of the house at 511 7th Ave. NW, Puyallup, ordered by K. H. Kamen, Contractors. It appears that the paint has been scraped or water blasted and an underlying coating material is being installed, possibly prior to siding. The driveway and sidewalk are wet and reflective with recent rains.
Houses--Puyallup--1950-1960; Then & now comparisons;
Snow scenes ordered by Mrs. Dwight Orr. The Orrs resided in Lakewood, and that is possibly the location of this large home surrounded by tall evergreens and dusted with snow.
Snow scenes ordered by Mrs. Dwight Orr. The back of an unidentified homes blanketed in snow. The Orrs resided in Lakewood, which is probably the location of this home.
Mrs. Owen's real estate activities. Woman showing snapdragon flowers to two small children in the front yard of a 1930s minimal colonial-style home. Individuals were not identified in this July of 1937 photograph. Ordered but not published by Tacoma Times. (T. Times).
Guests at a tea hosted July 15, 1936 by Kathryn La Gasa in honor of Miss Marian Davis, visiting Tacoma from Chicago. Four young women beside a vine-covered fence at the home of Dr. & Mrs. James La Gasa. Presiding at the tea with Miss La Gasa would be Charlotte Doud. The girls are tentatively identified as, left to right, Dody La Gasa, Kathryn La Gasa, unidentified and Charlotte Doud. (T. Times 7/11/1936, pg. 9)
La Gasa, James--Homes & haunts; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Guests at a tea hosted July 15, 1936 by Kathryn La Gasa in honor of Miss Marian Davis, visiting Tacoma from Chicago. Four young women outside the home of Dr. & Mrs. James La Gasa. They are tentatively identified as Edith Ann Fogg, Laura Wheeler, Judy Fraser and Alice Daugherty. They are seated on modern outdoor furniture made of vinyl and steel. Presiding at the tea with Miss La Gasa would be Charlotte Doud. (T. Times 7/11/1936, pg. 9)
La Gasa, James--Homes & haunts; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Unidentified guests at a tea hosted July 15, 1936 by Kathryn La Gasa in honor of Miss Marian Davis, visiting Tacoma from Chicago. Four young women outside the home of Dr. & Mrs. James La Gasa. Presiding at the tea with Miss La Gasa would be Charlotte Doud. (T. Times 7/11/1936, pg. 9).
La Gasa, James--Homes & haunts; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Intersection of Briggs Ln and Leschi Rd in the housing addition "Fairway at Lakewood." Exteriors of new ranch homes. Fairway at Lakewood was located across from Custer School on Steilacoom Blvd. in Lakewood. The new homes were being sold by H.A. Briggs Co. The homes were part of a planned community with curved asphalt streets & curbs and ramblers of different designs and materials. The addition was located one mile from Lakewood Center. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. E-4 & E-5)
Entrance to the new housing addition "Fairway at Lakewood" and exteriors of new ranch style homes as pictured on September 22, 1953. This is the east entrance to Fairway, taken from the grounds of the new Custer School on Steilacoom Blvd., west of the north end of Steilacoom Lake. Children sit atop the brick markers to the entrance of the addition. This was a favorite waiting spot to cross Steilacoom Blvd. The new homes were being sold by H.A. Briggs Co. They were built on the site of the old airport. The planned community had curved asphalt streets with curbs, wide lawns and different rambler designs of brick, concrete block or frame. The 3 bedroom and 1-2 bath homes sold for $10,500 to $13,800. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. E-4 & E-5) TPL-10462
ca. 1953. Circa 1953 exterior view of house built by Miller Construction Company. Back of house showing open-beam construction over lanai with sliding glass doors onto patio. Large stone fireplace in foreground and stone wall with outside entry at back, on left.
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1950-1960; Patios--Tacoma; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Brick ranch home designed and built for the 1953 Parade of Homes by Fitzpatrick and McIntyre. This brick home was one of the largest displayed during the parade. It was of Roman tile and had a double garage with a uniquely patterned door. The large home had no basement or attic. It featured the new innovations of a radio controlled garage door and a heating system that predicted the weather and adjusted the temperature accordingly. The design team of Fitzpatrick & McIntyre had built 150 homes together, mostly in Alderwood Court and Bellwood, and were currently designing the convent for the St. Francis Cabrini School in the Lakes area. Their specialty was individual custom ramblers with large rooms throughout and the emphasis on kitchens and baths. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. E-17) TPL-8783
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma);
Last minute preparations are being made by contractors for the imminent 1953 Parade of Homes. Sixteen new homes, designed by 15 different design firms, would be open for viewing on Skyline Dr. between No. 13th & 17th. The Parade of Homes would run from 9/24 - 10/4, with homes open Sat. & Sun. from 1-10pm and 6-10pm Mon. - Fri. The Parade was sponsored by the Tacoma Master Builders Association in conjunction with National Home Week. Altogether 60 homes would be available for viewing in the Pierce County area. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. E-2)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma);
Modern ranch home designed by Fitzpatrick and McIntyre for the 1953 Parade of Homes. Narrows bridge in the background. The rather plain front gives way to tall windows and a patio area on the Narrows side. The partnership of James Fitzpatrick and Richard McIntyre was formed in 1946. The pair met while attending the University of Washington and served together in the Navy during WWII. McIntyre was married to Fitzpatrick's sister and they both lived in houses that they designed on Hipkins Road in Bellwood. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. E-17)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma);
Trade Secrets Home. The home, opened to the public in May of 1953, was again displayed in the 1953 Parade of Homes. What made this home unique is that it was built cooperatively with ideas coming from members of the Master Builders. It featured a spacious interior with an open design where the kitchen overlooked the dining area, which in turn over looked the living room. The patio featured a built in sandbox and raised planter. Another unique feature were the truss beams, which placed the home's supports on the exterior. The home would be placed for sale following the Parade of Homes. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. E-26)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Trade Secrets Model Home (Tacoma);
Charming Cape Cod bungalow adapted for Northwest use, designed and built by Art Manly for the 1953 Parade of Homes. The three bedroom and 2 bath ranch home is finished with dark red shingles, white trim and a composition roof. The garage is in the basement and the front doors are set high to keep them dry. The Parade of Homes was sponsored by the Tacoma Master Builders, and featured 60 new homes designed and constructed by members. (TNT 9/27/1953, pg. E-10)
Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma);
A little girl is being handed over to her beaming mom outside a new home in the Mountlake Terrace neighborhood near Seattle. This area was rapidly expanding with new construction; families were perhaps attracted by the large lots and contemporary residential designs. Homes were built with either attached carports or garages and most seemed to have carefully landscaped yards. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.
In the 1950's, Mountlake Terrace was a swiftly growing community springing up near Seattle. Phares Advertising of Seattle took many photographs over the years showing new home styles in this neighborhood. In this June 8, 1953, photograph, a carport appears to separate the two homes into a duplex. A large picture window provides an excellent view of the irregularly shaped concrete patio where families are pictured enjoying grilled hotdogs cooked over an outdoor gas BBQ. The young man sitting in a wheelbarrow appears to be gathering his strength with a cup of coffee before tackling mowing the lawn. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.
In a depiction of the All-American family, a father waves goodbye to his wife, two little girls, and dog as he prepares to depart from his Mountlake Terrace home in June, 1953. Many young families were attracted to the fast growing community near Seattle due to the new homes and large wooded lots. This particular rambler appears to have a fenced backyard, attached single carport and be constructed of concrete block. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.
Exterior of home- Mountlake Terrace. Many of the new homes in Mountlake Terrace were built in a contemporary ranch style manner during the early 1950's. This particular home, photographed on June 8, 1953, has wood siding along with some brick facing. It has an unusual feature in that there appears to be a separate bonus room or other living quarters separated from the main quarters by a covered carport. The windows on the home also appear to be modern, no lead glass content. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.
Families were being drawn to the rapidly growing Mountlake Terrace community in the early 1950's. New homes were being built quickly on apparently large tree-filled lots with lots of room for children to play in. View of ranch style contemporary home with partial brick facing and double carport was taken on June 8, 1953 for Phares Advertising.
This contemporary, one-story rambler was built by the Erspamer Construction Co. and photographed on May 17, 1953. It had a shallow-pitched roof, wood siding and attached garage. The well-kept lawn had a cheerful display of flowers behind a low brick border which matched the brick facing under the picture window. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association.
Houses--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);
