A view of the exterior of the F.W. Woolworth Company building recently completed in Tacoma from across Commerce Street. The store's escalator can be seen through the large window on this side of the five-and-dime's building. TPL-4551

Commercial facilities; F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma);

The exterior of the old B.F. Goodrich building. B.F. Goodrich moved to their new location at 707 Pacific Avenue in May 1950. Lloyd Suiter Tire Company had taken over this location by 1951. Lloyd Suiter had formerly been located at 2302 Pacific Avenue. Lloyd Suiter died in April 1949. Ted L. Fix served as president of the Lloyd Suiter Tire Company in 1951. Wesley Maitland served as secretary. Ordered by Lloyd Suiter Tire Company, Mrs. McGorran.

Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Lloyd Suiter Tire Co. (Tacoma); B.F. Goodrich Co. (Tacoma);

This photograph of the recently completed million dollar F.W. Woolworth Co. building, 955 Broadway, was taken from across Commerce St., for the Roy T. Earley Co., engineers in January of 1951. The Woolworth store replaced the Fidelity Building that had stood at the corner of 9th and Broadway from 1890 until it was demolished in 1949. The News Tribune called the new building "the most up-to-date beautiful store of its kind in the world." After the store closed in 1993, it was sold and transformed into a giant telephone switching station with no public access, and its people-oriented uses limited to the art gallery space created in its street level windows.

Commercial facilities; F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exposure from Lloyd Suiter Tire Co., 1955 Pacific Ave., looking each way down Pacific Ave. On the right hand side of the picture is Hunt and Mottet Co. wholesale hardware (2112), Coast Auto Wrecking (2120) and Tacoma Junk Co. (2128). On the left hand side of the street is the G.L. Walls Gas Station (2101), the Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. occupies 2113-2115 Pacific Ave. The city bus headed for Manitou occupies the foreground.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exposure from Lloyd Suiter Tire Co., 1955 Pacific Ave., looking each way down Pacific Ave. On the right hand side is Union Station (1735 Pacific Ave.), Schoenfelds and the Eleventh Street bridge. On the left hand side is Harry Brown Confections Inc. Wholesale (1932-34), Westinghouse Electric Corporation (1930), Webster-Robinson Machinery and Supply Co. (1924), Johnson Brush Co. (1920), American Plumbing and Steam Supply Co. (1908-16) and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is on the corner of Pacific and 19th. Streetlights are on either side of the wide thoroughfare. TPL-9382

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Union Station (Tacoma);

Exterior of Pacific First Federal Building, home of the Savings and Loan Association, at the corner of 11th and Pacific Ave. Gerrit Vander Ende, President. This Romanesque style building was originally built in 1891 and designed by Proctor & Dennis, Architects. It was demolished and replaced by the current First Federal Building in the sixties.

Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);

The exterior of the reconditioned General Paint store. This nighttime view shows the illuminated neon sign in the shape of a toy soldier. O'Connell-Regan company is located on the second floor of the building.

Buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Paints & varnishes; General Paint Corp. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; O'Connell-Ragan Co. (Tacoma);

Looking north on Jefferson Avenue at South 25th Street, Pacific Refrigeration Company Ice Plant in right foreground, Columbia Brewing Company in right background. This view of a well-traveled city street was taken on June 5, 1951.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Refrigeration Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Looking south on what is believed to be Jefferson Ave., south of 19th Street. Columbia Brewery is in left background. Photograph was taken in June of 1951.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Street scene in Tacoma, photographed on June 5, 1951. Several cars parked along brick building and across the street.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Brewery and Tacoma Plumbing Supply as seen from street on June 5, 1951.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Plumbing Supply Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1907. Copy of photograph of Rhodes Department Store, circa 1907. View of three story building by Ambrose J. Russell and Frederick Heath, Architects, 1903. Photograph was taken after repairs to building. Richards Studio copy made on 11-31-1937. (filed with Argentum)

Commercial buildings--Tacoma--1900-1910; Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

The old switchboard at the Jones Building, also known as the Pantages Theater, at 909 Broadway. Ordered by Westinghouse Electric Supply Company, Van Hodgins.

Jones Building (Tacoma); Switchboards--Tacoma; Historic buildings--Tacoma; Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. (Tacoma);

The rear and north side of the Jones Building which was built in 1917 as one of the Pantages Theaters featuring vaudeville. The back of the building shows beautiful detail in the brickwork creating lines and arches reminiscent of the architecture found on the north and west sides of the building as well as the interior. The north side has architectural details with arches and balconies built into the stone facade. Terra cotta details are seen as ornaments against the stone. Lanes Grill is seen at 904 Commerce Street and Tryfon Hatters is at 908 Commerce Street. TPL-9064

Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Lanes Grill (Tacoma); Tryfon Hatters (Tacoma);

The north-west corner of the Jones Building which currently housed the Roxy Theatre. The theater's neon sign is attached to the corner to be visible from both Broadway and North 9th Street and the marquee announces "The Lusty Men" starring Robert Mitchum and the "Wac from Walla Walla". The Broadway side of the building has two more stories than the rear of the building which served as offices for Poe Real Estate and Insurance, Ruby & Leroy's Beauty Salon, a chiropractor, dentist, architect, several physicians, lawyers, accountants, and A-1 Employment Agency among others. This view south along Broadway shows two-way traffic and Christmas decorations hanging over the street. TPL-821

Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Marquees--Tacoma;

This elevated view nouth along Broadway shows, from the left, the Winthrop Hotel on the north side of North 9th Street; The Roxy Theater south of North 9th; Pacific Outfitting Company at 913 Broadway; Pessemier's Bootery at 915; Helen Davis women's clothing shop at 917; Mahncke & Company jewelers at 919; Oakes Apparel at 921; Weisfield's jewelers at 925; Arden's women's clothing at 927, and Lerner Shops at 931 Broadway. A water tank can be seen on the roof of the Jones Building.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In April of 1925, this was the view from the top of the flagpole on the Puget Sound National Bank building, 1117-19 Pacific Ave., looking down on the west side of Pacific Ave. between 11th and 12th. The photograph was snapped by professional steeplejack B.B. Florer with a Tacoma News Tribune employee's camera that was hoisted up to him. Mr. Florer had been engaged to paint the flagpole. (TNT 4/28/1925, pg. 9) (WSHS- negative A693-0)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Ave. and on the left, the Rust building at 950 Pacific Ave.The Washington Building was finished in 1925. At 17 stories, it was the second tallest building in the Northwest. The Rust building measures in at 12 stories. It is named after its builder William R. Rust. (WSHS-negative A695-0)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1953. Built in 1907 by contractor Joseph Wells, and designed by architects Bullard and Hill, the Hunt & Mottet Co. building was located on the 2000th block of Pacific Avenue. The building was eight stories high; the company's name was in enormous letters along both the side and front of the building. Hunt & Mottet were wholesale hardware and sporting goods dealers. According to the 1953 City Directory, A.H. Heath was listed as president/treasurer with J.C. Richards as vice president and W.F. Rieflin, secretary. TPL-8790

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Sporting goods industry--Tacoma; Sporting goods stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hardware stores--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1953. A Hunt & Mottet delivery truck is angled across railroad tracks at the company's west annex, warehouse #2. Two men appear to be examining paperwork while standing next to a dolly. An Evergreen Motor Freight truck is parked nearby. Hunt & Mottet were wholesale hardware and sporting goods dealers.

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In June of 1953, the recently renamed "Security Building," 917 Pacific Ave., was photographed showing ground-floor tenants Comfort, Davis, & Blangy, Inc. and Forrester, Inc., both real estate and insurance firms. The Geo. D. Barclay Co. was in the smaller brick building to the immediate left of Comfort, Davis & Blangy. The six-story building, previously known as the Provident Building, was built in 1903 by Henry Longstreth, designed by architect George W. Bullard and was home to many downtown businesses. In 2006, it was once again renamed the Provident Building. Photograph ordered by Harry Blangy.

Security Building (Tacoma); Provident Building (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Comfort, Davis & Blangy (Tacoma); Forrester, Inc. (Tacoma); George D. Barclay Co. (Tacoma);

Traffic flashes by on busy Pacific Avenue as this May 15, 1957, photograph shows a panorama of downtown Tacoma buildings and businesses. Looking northbound, Day's Tailor is on the right; further down on the right can be spotted Schoenfeld's furniture with the Washington Building furthest north. Billboards advertising mayonnaise, Atlas, Connie's Cafe and the National Bank of Washington are scattered on the left side of Pacific. Notable businesses such as Hunt & Mottet Co., F.S. Harmon Mfg. Co., and the Rust Building all have signage clearly visible from long distances. The Heidelberg Brewery is slightly farther away toward the left center of the picture on "C" Street; smoke is billowing from the plant's stacks. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Co. TPL-9291

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

This is how the view from St. Helens and 7th looking south appeared in January of 1955. Looking right to left, are the Berk Apartments above Don Harter's Drycleaning, Landis Shoe Repair, Trovani's Junior Bootery, and Mousley's Cantilever Shoes, followed by the new United Pacific Insurance Co. Building, and the towering Medical Arts Building. In the distance, across South 9th Street, is the Music Box Theatre. The United Pacific Insurance Company building was built in 1954 and opened in January of 1955.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Health care facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berk Apartments (Tacoma); United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. Elevated view of downtown Tacoma from the northwest circa 1926. Major buildings around 11th Street and Pacific Avenue are, left to right, Tacoma Building, Washington Building, Puget Sound Bank (National Realty ) Building, and Rust Building. (filed with Argentum)

Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound Bank Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. The Washington Building, 1019 Pacific Ave., under construction. This modern structure was originally designed by Frederick Webber in the style of the Chicago School for the Scandinavian American Bank. Construction began in 1919 and halted when the bank failed. It was completed in 1925 when the Washington-California Co. purchased the steel skeleton and completed the building. At 17 stories, it was the second tallest building in the Northwest. When it opened, it contained 350 office suites, including its main occupant, the Brotherhood Co-Operative National Bank. (WSHS) (TDL 6/28/1925, pg. 2B)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Exterior Security Building. The venerable Provident Building at 9th & Pacific was renamed the Security Building in 1952. It was designed by architect George W. Bullard and originally built in 1903 by Henry Longstreth. The multi-floored Security Building in 1955 had a variety of occupants, including tailors, realtors, service organizations, physicians, insurance companies and even a detective agency run by former police chief Jack Elich. Businesses nearby included Archie's Coffee Cup, Smoke Shop tavern, and Lavik Travel Bureau. Photograph ordered by Comfort, Davis & Blangy.

Security Building (Tacoma); Provident Building (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Comfort, Davis & Blangy (Tacoma);

Exterior Security Building. A "no parking loading zone" sign sternly advises against the possibility of blocking these loading doors during business hours in 1955. This was probably the rear of the Security Building which was located at 9th & Pacific. The beautiful brickwork has been defaced by scratches and possibly paint. Designed by noted architect George W. Bullard and built in 1903, the building had previously been known as the Provident Building. Photograph ordered by Comfort, Davis & Blangy.

Security Building (Tacoma); Provident Building (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Comfort, Davis & Blangy (Tacoma);

Another view of the Romanesque styled brick building at 1515 South State Street in Chicago was taken for the Geo. D. Poe & Co. on January 14, 1956. The multi-storied symmetrical structure had semi-circular Roman arches, rectangular columns, and may have been used as a warehouse. Two delivery trucks can be spotted in the basement level; a stern sign warns of "no parking" before its doors. Chicago depended heavily on its trains as a form of mass transit; a train is shown passing by on elevated tracks. A Gulf No Nox service station is located across the street from the commercial building. There are either soap suds or remnants of snow along its gas pumps. Sepia photograph ordered by Geo. D. Poe & Co.

Commercial streets--Illinois--Chicago; Automobile service stations--Illinois--Chicago; Geo. D. Poe & Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1956. Exteriors of the Hunt & Mottet building. The eight story brick building was built in 1907 and designed by Bullard & Hill. Letters several feet tall emblazon the company name on the side of the building. A smaller new building lies to the left, with a parking lot to left of that. Hunt and Mottet were wholesalers of hardware.

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma;

ca. 1956. Exteriors of the Hunt & Mottet building. The eight story brick building was built in 1907 and designed by Bullard & Hill. Letters several feet tall emblazon the company name on the side of the building. A smaller new building lies to the left, with a parking lot to left of that. Hunt and Mottet were wholesalers of hardware.

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma;