The interior of the Viking Smorgasbord showing the main dining room in the foreground and the banquet room at the rear that could be separated using a Modernfold door. The banquet room had a separate outside entrance and displayed a large mural depicting a Viking ship under sail in heavy seas. (TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;

Richard Wagner (center) won this handsome turkey at the Pharaoh Club's 5th annual Thanksgiving dance held on Thursday November 24, 1949 at the Top of the Ocean. Holding Mr. Wagner's turkey, while Miss Janet McMath tickles its breast feathers, is Gene Nelson. The Pharaoh Club was a young men's social group organized by a small number of students in 1939; by 1949 the groups membership had grown. Since Mr. Wagner did not win his turkey until Thanksgiving evening, we must assume that he kept it as a pet - at least until Christmas. (TNT 11/13/1949 p.D-4; 11/27/1949 p.D-1)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pharaoh Club (Tacoma); Turkeys; Nelson, Gene; Wagner, Richard; McMath, Janet; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Banquet for 25 Year Club and Pensioners at Towers, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Mr. George Collins. DuPont Works Annual Dinner, Pensioners and 25 Year Men. The Grasselli division of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company began manufacturing lead and calcium arsenates for fruit, cotton and ground crops in May 1944. They also warehoused millions of pounds of agricultural chemicals manufactured by its eastern plant. The company had another plant for the manufacture of high explosives in Dupont, Washington. Names were listed in the newspaper November 18, 1949. (TNT, 2/17/1949, p.6-A; 11/18/1949, p.B-9; T.Times, 1/30/1946)

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Dupont)--People; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma);

Interior and exterior for submitting to Liquor Board, Valley Cafe, Sumner, Frank Guisti. Swivel stools with back rests line the counter. Booths line the opposite wall and open sided booths create a center seating area.

Cafes--Sumner--1940-1950; Valley Cafe (Sumner);

On Friday the 13th of January, 1950, the worst blizzard in years hit Tacoma. The gale brought five foot snow drifts, twenty degree chills, several hours of 40-60 mph winds and an estimated million dollars worth of storm damage in Tacoma. As pictured, the bulkhead near the "bow" of the Top of the Ocean, the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Ruston Way nightclub shaped like a ship, collapsed. However, the club itself did not suffer extensive damage. Waves 20 feet high broke over Ruston Way during the storm. The freezing temperatures brought in by the storm stayed until the middle of the following week. In the background is the Henry Mill. Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. TPL-8836

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts; Storms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The "noon rush" filled the booths, tables and counter space at Peters' Golden Gate Oyster House, 1122 Pacific Avenue, in February of 1950. The restaurant, in the heart of Tacoma's financial and office building district, was owned and operated by Gus and Mike Peters. The brothers came to Tacoma from the Island of Crete in Greece in 1912 and entered the restaurant and seafood catering business while still teenagers. Gus Peters' original Greek name was believed to be Paneoto Constantine Rodakalikis. They had owned and operated restaurants in Tacoma for 26 years when they opened this new cafe in 1948. It was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (TNT 12/9/1948 p.B-9) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Waitresses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peters Golden Gate Oyster House (Tacoma);

The interior of the Golden City Cafe showing a counter and stools along one side of the room and two rows of booths along the other side. Selection boxes for the juke box can be seen along the counter. TPL-9067

Golden City Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jukeboxes;

A luncheon meeting at the Top of the Ocean was one of the highlights of the annual convention of the Washington State Council of Administrative Women in Education held in Tacoma April 21 and 22, 1950. Visitors came from each of the five branch organizations within Washington. Ordered by Miss Mildred White, President of the Tacoma branch, a concultant in elementary education for Pierce County schools. Names are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 4/21/1950, p.C-5; 4/26/1950, p.12)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Hats--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Council of Administrative Women in Education (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce entertained the armed forces Friday night of Armed Forces Week at the Top of the Ocean in May of 1950. A Military Ball was to complete the week's festivities on Saturday night and was held at the Elks Ballroom. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.11)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms; Ball dresses;

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. This angled view of the serving area of Manning's Market's cafe section shows a large container of crushed ice where cold salads and other foods could be displayed and several units for holding hot dishes. Looking through the long horizontal windows, a customer could easily see and then order his selection for the day. The breakfast menu on the wall shows that cereal, fruit or juice, toast and coffee could be purchased for 50 cents and an egg, potatoes, toast and coffee meal would only cost 45 cents. TPL-9506

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Cafeterias--Tacoma;

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. The coffee counter in the remodeled Manning's was situated between the Jackson Brothers Meat Market and the Bakery. There were an abundance of stools for weary customers to refresh themselves with cups of Manning's coffee or tea. TPL-9508

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Jackson Brothers Meat Market (Tacoma); Stools;

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. Manning's Market, at the corner of 11th and Commerce, was part of Manning's Inc., a multi-million dollar food chain. Manning's in Tacoma contained a coffee store, cafe, bakery, meat market as well as a beauty salon and gardening supplies. This photograph, taken on July 31, 1950, highlights the coffee and bakery sections of the store. The gleaming showcases contain a selection of tea selling from 33 cents per quarter pound to 65 cents per half pound and a variety of coffees starting from 74 cents a pound. There is a lone two layer, heavily frosted, cake along side the coffee and tea. And, if a customer had a craving for peanuts, Manning's also supplied freshly roasted bags of peanuts for year round enjoyment. TPL-9507

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Showcases; Coffee--Tacoma; Tea--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Crawford's Sea Grill, located at 505 Broadway, opened its new Star Room Terrace in August of 1950. Owned by Jack Meaker, Crawford's was built on the site of the Nelson Bennett Mansion in 1946. It was a very popular restaurant with Tacoma residents and visitors alike who enjoyed the unique Terrace which was completely enclosed in glass to take advantage of the view of Commencement Bay. The Town & Country Shop and the Wild West Veterans Club (Post #91) shared space at the same location. Crawford's closed in the early 1950s. (TNT, 8/30/1950) TPL-9848

Crawford's Sea Grill (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Town & Country Shop (Tacoma); Wild West Veterans Club (Tacoma);

Exterior of Dandy Cafe. Located at 917 Tacoma Avenue South, the Dandy Cafe shared a building with the Dandy Barber Shop in 1950. Owned and operated by Fred and Louise Fries, the Dandy Cafe was a small eating establishment. As the signs on the building advertised, they offered Coca-Cola and Flett's Ice Cream as part of the menu.

Dandy Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Fries, Fred; Fries, Louise;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Two men and three women, acting as restaurant staff, at bar. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by the Tacoma Actors Guild.. Man at microphone addressing audience seated at tables around dance floor. Two of the columns in the room have sea shell decorations near top of column. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Last Round Cafe was located at 1516 Broadway in Tacoma's downtown district. The restaurant was owned and operated by William M. Hamilton. Interior view of the Last Round Cafe; stools and bar area on left side, doorway leading into the kitchen on left corner area; eating booths and jukebox on right side of restaurant. Photo ordered by the Washington State Liquor Board for the tavern's liquor license.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Jukeboxes; Last Round Cafe (Tacoma);

King Fried Chicken customers had a choice of home/business delivery or stopping by the Stoneway entrance to pick up the food themselves. Chicken, prawns, and fish were available for hungry patrons. View of King employee standing next to his delivery van which is parked adjacent to King's large advertising sign. The delivery van is covered with advertising, emphasizing the company's telephone number on both sides and the back doors. James A. Campbell was listed in the 1958 Seattle City Directory as owner of the catering company. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.

King Fried Chicken (Seattle); Signs (Notices);

This cheery interior may be one of the dining rooms of the Ole King Cole restaurant. Checkered tablecloths and floral curtains in addition to the wood paneling and casual modern chairs provide for a comfortable dining experience. Each table came with candles, either the tapered variety or glass-enclosed. Fluorescent lighting gave additional brightness to the room, even with its curtains closed. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW television.

Restaurants; Dining rooms; Chairs; Tablecloths; Table settings & decorations;

The interior of this unidentified restaurant shows several wooden tables and chairs placed close together with kitchen facilities to the rear. The walls are covered in wallpaper of a past era, showing a couple strolling among trees and stately buildings. This pattern is repeated throughout the design. The carpeted floor and stairway have a busy flower motif. Drapes and dangling lamps add to the cozy atmosphere. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers for KTVW.

Restaurants; Wallpapers; Floor coverings;

Night exposure- Busch's Drive-In. It appears that patrons preferred to dine in at Busch's Drive-In on a cold winter's night. Busch's provided both curb-side service and interior dining at their South Tacoma Way restaurant. Extensive neon lighting would make the restaurant visible for several blocks. Purchased by Bill & Thelma Busch in 1943, the restaurant was a popular spot for both young and old alike. It was later renamed Busch's Round Table Restaurant. Photograph ordered by Busch's Drive-In Restaurant.

Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);

Earl Russell, Mr. Banjo, the featured banjo virtuoso at Steve's Gay '90s poses with two banjos. Steve's was famous in the fifties and sixties for its old fashioned home grown entertainment and for good food at a reasonable price. It was the brainchild of Steve Pease, whose goal was to create a wholesome family entertainment spot which providing dining and entertainment for one low price.

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

Jennie Wheeler poses with a menu at Steve's Gay Nineties in front of the Opera House Entertainment Coliseum in June of 1956. The public preview of the newest edition to Steve's was scheduled for June 14-17, 1956. The Opera House was the main entertainment venue, where the floor show was performed every Friday and Saturday night. The Gay Nineties revue featured can-can girls, keystone cops, banjo playing and old time sing-a-longs. Steves, owned by Steve Pease and John Stanley, grew in 10 years from a 20 customer cafe and the adjoining tavern to include 5 major dining, entertaining and banquet areas under one roof. The ornate gold facade to the Opera House formerly faced the Banker's Trust Building and its crystal chandeliers came from the recently razed Seattle Opera House. Pease did endless research to preserve portions of the most beautiful buildings of the area and place them in the perfect place in his restaurant. (TNT 6/13/1956, pg. C-9- C-11) (Ms. Wheeler's identification supplied by a former employee at Steve's)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wheeler, Jennie;

Cable Car Room At Steve's Gay '90s restaurant. TPL-6698. The decor in this room was inspired by the actual cable car that owner Steve Pease purchased from the city of San Francisco. Attention to detail and constant additions made the decor always of interest. Much of the murals and signage were done by Bill Knabel. A bar lines the right hand corner of the picture, a historic relic from 1890 Red Front saloon in South Tacoma, with a lunch counter in front of it. A romanticized portrait of a bountiful semi-nude is on the ceiling over the bar. The marble tabletops were rescued from the old Fidelity Building. The Cable Car Room served cocktails and food 6 days a week. (TNT 6/13/1956, pg. C-9- C-11) TPL-6698

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Grand opening of Deans Tavern at 759 So. 38th St., owned and operated by Charles Zigmont. Flowers line the front of the mirror at the back of the bar, good luck tokens from well wishers. A refrigerator and what is possibly the door to a walk in freezer can be seen in the foreground behind the bar. For another view of the tavern, see A100233-1. The Grand Opening was scheduled for Thursday, August 2nd, between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. (TNT 8/1/1956, PG. A-6 & A-11)

Deans Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Barcott's Sea Food restaurant. Tables are set in a narrow room with rough hewn walls and exposed beams. Barcott's signature life preservers with the restaurant's name decorate the walls. Barcott's was owned by John E. Barcott Jr., a member of one of Tacoma's best known families of restauranteurs. It opened in 1953.

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

Grand opening of Deans Tavern at 759 So. 38th St., owned and operated by Charles Zigmont. Flowers line the front of the mirror at the back of the bar, good luck tokens from well wishers. A refrigerator and what is possibly the door to a walk in freezer can be seen in the foreground behind the bar. For another view of the tavern, see A100233-1. The Grand Opening was scheduled for Thursday, August 2nd, between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. (TNT 8/1/1956, PG. A-6 & A-11)

Deans Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In October of 1956, three, smiling uniformed carhops pose single handedly wielding trays loaded with food and treats at the Buschs Drive In at 3505 So. Tacoma Way. Bill and Thelma Busch bought the former Triple XXX Barrel Restaurant in 1943 and made it into the cruising capital of 1950's Tacoma. Carhops delivered burgers, fries and shakes right to the window of your car, so that teens could see and be seen and young families did not have to fret with crying babies. In addition to burgers, the restaurant also served breakfast, chicken pot pies and steaks. The carhop at the far right was Ellissa Quaschnik at the time this photo was taken; the carhop at the far left was named Marie.

Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);

Interior of the Pioneer Room at the Oregon Trail Restaurant. The room has an innovative buffet shaped like a chuck wagon.

Oregon Trail Restaurant; Buffets (Cookery);

A bartender tops off a glass of Heidelberg for a waiting customer as other customers already have schooners in hand. Beer was cheap in March, 1957; Heidelberg on tap cost 10-15 cents a glass, 20 cents for a schooner, fifty cents a pitcher and only $1.25 for an entire gallon. If you wanted to take home a six-pack of Heidelberg, it would only cost $1.15 or should you splurge, $2.25 for two. The bartender could also supply his customers with eggs, pickles, pepperoni, and sardines. He could even whip up clam nectar, oyster or beef stew and chili for those hungry. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing.

Bars; Alcoholic beverages; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);