The 45th Annual convention of the Washington Bankers Association was held June 13th and 14th, 1940 at the Hotel Winthrop. A trio of bankers sits holding a conversation on a sofa; Reno Odlin, Puget Sound National Bank, is on the right. The Bankers Association was established in 1889 and boasts a membership of officials from all banks in Washington and representatives of all national affiliates.

Bankers; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Washington Bankers Association (Tacoma);

Group picture of the over 200 officers and employees of the National Bank of Washington celebrating the bank's 55th anniversary at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club on October 19, 1940. Included in the front row is prominent businessman Henry Foss.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--Commemoration; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986;

ca. 1941. Row of teller windows and safe deposit boxes inside lobby of Puget Sound National Bank, 1117-19 Pacific Ave., circa 1941.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior at National Bank of Washington. Office in Trust Department with six desks. Names plates on desks: H. Anderson, M.W. McCarty, R.W. Peck.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - National Bank of Tacoma - National Bank of Washington

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior at National Bank of Washington. Formerly known as the National Bank of Tacoma, its name was changed in 1937. Dining area with round tables, piano, chairs with slip covers. It is unclear whether this dining area was for staff only.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pianos;

On April 22, 1941, C.F. Trendall (Chen) Rowe and his wife, the former Evangeline Acheson, pose with the tulips on display by their company, Tacoma Seed Co., at the Bank of California. The 14th annual flower exhibit is composed of over 50 varieties of tulips. (T. Times 4/23/1941, pg. 12)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Rowe, Charles Frederick Trendall; Acheson, Evangeline; Tacoma Seed Co. (Tacoma);

A view of the lobby of the National Bank of Washington with a tulip display from the mezzanine. More bouquets of tulips stand along the shelf at the top of the tellers' cages. Pilasters along two walls lead to arches at the ceiling that cover the wide lobby. Customers are seen at the teller windows and the two counters at the middle of the room. Ordered by Mrs. Lindquist.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New safe deposit vault at Pacific First Federal, Condon Co., Roscoe Smith. A view of the street entrance lobby of the new Pacific First Federal safe deposit vault. The garden planting and bright red upholstered couch lend a spirit of charm and warmth to the richly paneled walnut walls. Wall mirrors reflect the lower lobby, the vault, counters and coupon booths. (TNT, 11/30/1949, p.9)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma; Waiting rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

National Bank of Washington was previously known as the National Bank of Tacoma until 1937, when they changed their name. In 1949 the bank President was Arthur H. Brouse; Charles T. Chandler, Ward Estey, Guy T. Pierce, W. L. Brown, Blake G. Crary, and Harold J. Dille were the Vice-Presidents; Orville T. Olsen, Charles R. Buchanan, J. Kaye Ewart, and Edward T. Ness were the Assistant Vice Presidents. View of employees of the National Bank of Washington reviewing customer accounts.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bankers--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People;

Industrial edition, Banks, Times, Buzz. A view of the exterior of the National Bank of Washington. The building, designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan architects, was built of Wilkeson sandstone in 1921. The building became the home of the Tacoma Art Museum in May 1971 and contained the Dr. Lester S. Baskin Hall, Sara Little Center for Design Research, Helen B. Murray Gallery. TPL-9203

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma;

Copy of architect's drawing of National Bank of Washington, ordered by National Bank of Washington, Miss Lindquist. A drawing of the new Parkland Branch by Lea, Pearson & Richards Architects. The drawing shows a tall, single-story building.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Architectural drawings; Architects; Lea, Pearson & Richards (Tacoma);

Washingtonians love the rhododendron so much that they made it the state flower. In honor of their favorite flower, Tacoma was holding its 1st annual rhododendron show on May 5, 1949, in the main lobby of the Bank of California building, 1011-13 Pacific Ave. The show was sponsored by the Tacoma Garden Club and the Capital District, Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs. Visitors were greeted with a wonderland of beautiful azaleas and rhododendrons; so many in fact that it was hard to believe that banking business could still be conducted. A whimsical and colorful feature included rhododendron hats worn by the flower show committee members (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-6 & 5/8/49, p. A-2). TPL-8561

Banks--Tacoma; Lobbies--Tacoma; Azaleas--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhododendrons--1940-1950; Flower shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

A team of technicians, contractors and factory representatives were on hand in July of 1949 when the new 16 ton vault door was installed at the Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan Association, 1102-08 Pacific Ave. Transporting and installing the huge 32,000 pound steel door for the new safe deposit vault was a ticklish operation. The massive, complicated mechanism contained hundreds of gears, tumblers, wheels and other assorted gadgets. The door was 27 inches thick and approximately 8 feet square. In spite of its bulk and weight, it swung with ease. Shown installing the door, starting with the second man on the left, are Joseph Iko (kneeling), foreman in charge of transporting the door; M.L. Larson, contractor; J.T. Downs (on ladder), the manufacturer's representative, and James Opalecky, factory technician in charge of installing the door. The gentleman on the far left was not identified. (TNT, 7/30/1949, p.32) Condon Co., Kay Shinn

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma; Iko, Joseph; Larson, M.L.; Downs, J.T.; Opalecky, James;

Tacoma Savings and Loan, 50th Anniversary, Mr. William Hopping, Sr.Group portrait of Tacoma Savings & Loan Association staff. Unprecedented growth of savings and loan associations during the 1950s provides funding for construction and new homes. In this industry, men predominated as officers and managers. Although some in the industry were progressive, it would be more than two decades before the Women's Rights Movement prompted the banking and finance industries to promote women to management. Standing on the far right is Howard R. Goold, one of the directors, and next to him is Raymond Winden, secretary-treasurer of the thrift.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Banks--Tacoma; Lobbies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The March of Dimes merry-go-round operated in Bank of California's new parking lot at South 10th and A Streets. The bank set back their opening day for the new parking lot to assist with the polio drive. City buildings can be seen in the background. (TNT, 1/20/1952, p.C-15) TPL-8769

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking lots--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); March of Dimes (Tacoma);

Central Bank held an open house for their new K Street branch at K street and South 12th. The interior of the new facility was a pleasing harmony of colors and materials. Flooring was of rubber tile and the ceiling was finished in acoustical tile. Walls were finished in tones of green and gray. Attractive fixtures of ebony wood included the paying and receiving and savings cages, the real estate department and check-writing desks. Bouquets of congratulation are seen along the counters and dotted around on the floor. (TNT, 1/24/1952, p.9)

Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Central Bank (Tacoma);

Progress photographs on construction of Puget Sound National Bank's temporary Lakewood Branch. The temporary branch opened March 24, 1952, in an addition to Lakewood Center, directly south of the main shopping center, across the parking lot. Charles McCallum was to be the Lakewood Branch Manager. (TNT, 3/8/1952, p.A-3)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;

Overall exposure of the rhododendron show at the lobby of the Bank of California. A bit of the outdoors has been brought inside the bank with this display of the lush flower of the state of Washington set off by pines, a flagstone patio and bench, backed by wooden fencing. Sponsored by the Tacoma Rhododendron Society.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Rhododendrons; American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma);

Puget Sound National Bank provided temporary quarters while the new K Street Branch was being built. This exterior view shows two quonset-style buildings joined with an entrance between them. TPL-3798

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Rear view of K Street Branch of Puget Sound National Bank. While permanent quarters were being built on the K Street site in 1951, customers were able to conduct bank business using temporary quonset-style facilities. According to the large sign near the exit, free half-hour parking was provided for customers. K Street in the 1950s was a bustling busy business district and a growing Puget Sound National Bank sought additional customers by expanding in this area not far from downtown Tacoma. This temporary home of the K Street Branch was constructed in 10 days and opened for business on June 25, 1951.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Puget Sound National Bank provided temporary quarters while the new K Street Branch was being built. This office interior shows a curved ceiling, three desks and a long counter for paying and receiving. The name plate for Joe Hawthorne, Assistant Cashier, can be seen on the desk in the foreground. R.C. Holmes' name plate is on the desk in the rear.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

New Central Bank at South 12th and K Street. Interior of bank lobby with many large floral arrangements.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Central Bank

Plywood was used to build the forms where concrete was poured to make a tunnel between National Bank of Washington and their new building across South 12th Street on Pacific Avenue. The passageway, which was six feet wide and seven feet high, allowed the moving of money and securities between the two buildings without going out-of-doors and also provided access to an employee room in the basement of the new building for those working at the main office. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.B-4)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tunnels--Tacoma; Plywood; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Concrete--Tacoma;

Exterior of new National Bank of Washington building at South 12th and Pacific Avenue as pictured on November 11, 1951. It was built on the site of the original Tacoma Chamber of Commerce building erected in 1885 and was the first home of Pacific National Bank, the predecessor of the National Bank of Washington. Cornerstone laying ceremonies would occur on Friday, November 16th. The new building, containing the installment credit department, was designed by local architects Lea, Pearson and Richards with concrete and ceramic tile wainscoting. A 70-foot tunnel across 12th St. connected the head office and the new addition. (TNT 11-15-51, A-4, A-5)

Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

Rain soaked streets would not prevent the opening of the new National Bank of Washington branch at South 12th and Pacific in November, 1951. The new branch addition was built on the site of the original Tacoma Chamber of Commerce building, and would house the installment credit department. A well-lit tunnel would connect the main bank building and its new annex. Under the direction of president A.H. Brouse, the National Bank of Washington saw its assets grow from 19 million in 1937 to 119 million dollars by 1951. The bank had provided uninterrupted service in Tacoma since 1885. Exterior view of National Bank of Washington; Pioneer, Inc., manufacturers of business forms for banks and commercial printers, to the rear. (TNT 11-15-51, A-4, A-5)

Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pioneer, Inc. (Tacoma);

A barbershop quartet sings during Tacoma Savings & Loan Association's annual Christmas party held in Fircrest on December 21, 1951. Members of the quartet wear costumes from near the turn-of-the-20th century with tall top hats, cut-away coats, bow ties and handle-bar moustaches.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--Employees; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barbershop quartets; Singers; Costumes; Holidays--Tacoma; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Puget Sound National Bank's Lincoln Branch showing six employee desks with telephones and three with dictaphones. The new building contained large, convenient areas for both employees and customers. It was completely departmentalized with the savings and commercial departments in separate sections. (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An alluring hula girl mannequin beckons Bank of California customers to protect their vacation funds by purchasing American Express travelers cheques. The June, 1957, display suggests that, whether visiting Hawaii or South Dakota, a cautious vacationer should play it safe by using travelers cheques instead of carrying large amounts of cash. A giant sea shell, a towel, a model Northwest Airlines plane, two palm trees and copious amounts of "sand" in the midst of a bank lobby would certainly draw the attention of the bank's vacation-minded customers. American Express launched its travelers cheque business in 1891; they introduced their travel charge card in 1958. (Photograph ordered by Bank of California.)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

ca. 1957. Exterior of the National Bank of Washington located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The bank sponsored an open house on July 13, 1957, at its new banking office located in the north wing of the Lakewood shopping center. It was one of eight Tacoma area offices. The one-story building was 50-feet wide, 104-feet deep and totaled 5,200 square feet. The exterior was constructed of mottled blue ceramic tile with large areas of plate glass. The facility was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by general contractor Merritt Construction. Six teller units, a conference room and officers quarters were located on the east side lobby. There was a modern vault in the rear. The Villa Plaza-Lakewood branch of the National Bank of Washington had as its first manager Marc H. Miller. (TNT 7-11-57, A-6-article & alt. photograph; A-7 full page ad)

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Exterior of Pacific First Federal Savings Building. The large revolving corner clock indicates that it is 11:50 a.m. and the Pacific First Federal Savings Building is open for business. Plaques on the marbled foundation indicate that the bank offered a safe deposit vault for protection of valuables as well as insuring customers' savings and issuing home loans. Situated in the downtown business district of 11th & Pacific, the venerable building had been a local presence since 1891. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound Office Equipment.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);