The exterior of the Bank of California building. The Bank of California opened their Tacoma offices in 1928 in this building of Italian Renaissance style with four Ionic columns. It was built of Wilkeson sandstone and granite with an interior of walnut and Travertine masonry. John Graham was the architect. Ornaments have been added on either side of the engraved name of the bank and at the cornice. TPL-8449

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Columns--Tacoma; Architectural decorations & ornaments--Tacoma;

The employees and their spouses are shown at Tacoma Savings and Loan's annual Christmas party in December of 1950. They are seated at banquet tables arranged in a U-shape. The thrift had been operating in Tacoma since 1899. Ordered by William D. Hopping.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In December of 1950, William D. Hopping (center in suit), president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, joined the "Kornaires"a barbershop quartet, to sing the praises of his company during the thrift's annual Christmas party. Louis Tebeau has been identified as the singer third from left. The following month, Mr. Hopping announced the substantial growth of the thrift during 1950. Savings increased $793,059.34 to a total of $10,830,421.78. Reserves increased to 8.8% of share liability. 35% of assets were represented by cash, US government, state and municipal bonds. Directors were: George B. Guyles, Charles B. Welch, Raymond T. Winden, and President Hopping. (TNT, 1/16/1951)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barbershop quartets; Hopping, William D.; Tebeau, Louis;

William D. Hopping, president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, poses with the five women employees of the thrift in front of a large poster of him at their annual Christmas party. In June 1949 the company had five women employees and fifteen men employees in addition to their president. Robert N. Ketner, a prominent builder, was elected as a director in June 1950. (TNT, 6/19/1950)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hopping, William D.;

William D. Hopping Sr., president of the Tacoma Savings and Loan Association and State Chairman for the National Thrift Campaign, dropped a coin into the savings bank of seven year old Bonnie Jean Will to kick off Thrift Week, Jan. 17-23, 1951 while Gerrit VanderEnde, Pierce County Chairman of the Thrift Drive, looked on approvingly. The campaign, with the slogan "Save...It's the American way to success," was designed to place emphasis on the old time philosophy of Benjamin Franklin which encouraged thrift and savings to build up individual security and the nation. Thrift Week began on Jan. 17th, the national birthday of Ben Franklin "the Apostle of Thrift." The nation wide campaign was being pushed as an all-out effort to help hold down post-war inflationary forces which were threatening the economy. (TNT 1/16/1951, pg.1 & 8-11)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coin banks; Hopping, William D.; Will, Bonnie Jean; VanderEnde, Gerrit; National Thrift Week (Tacoma);

The National Bank of Washington branch at South 12th and Pacific is under construction. Lea, Pearson & Richards were the architects for the project. Warter Construction Company were the general contractors. This two-story building was demolished in 1970 to make way for the new 24-story office building that was to be National Bank of Washington's headquarters but had merged in Pacific National Bank of Washington before that building was completed.

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

The temporary quarters for the new Puget Sound National Bank on K Street were two war-surplus Quonset-type buildings joined by a shared entrance. Located on So. 11th and "L" Streets, the bank was constructed and opened within 10 days. On June 25, 1951, the doors were opened to bank customers. It took an additional 13 months to build the permanent K Street branch. In the meantime, the bank did not lose its sense of humor regarding the temporary branch; it commissioned a commercial artist to paint a sign showing a can opener with the caption, "This is the key to Puget Sound National Bank." (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 106)

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

Progress photograph of quonset hut construction in the K Street shopping area. Puget Sound National Bank was providing temporary quarters for their K Street Branch while a new building was constructed. Ordered by Condon Company.

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

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);

Puget Sound National Bank opened temporary quarters on L Street between 11th and 12th Streets June 25, 1951 in two quonset huts. Although architectural plans had already been drawn up for a permanent bulding, construction was delayed due to national defense building restrictions. Rene Odin, the bank's president, determined that a temporary building should be built to fill the demand for local services from K Street merchants and residents. The permanent building was eventually built at 1120 So. 11th Street. Odlin. Ordered by Condon Company, Roscoe Smith. (TNT, 6/20/1951, p.3)

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

New Central Bank branch at 12th and K Street. Interior of bank, man standing in foreground and four employees in background.

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

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

In July of 1951, a tunnel was built under South 12th Street to connect the main National Bank of Washington building at the northwest corner of South 12th Street and Pacific Avenue with the new bank annex that was under construction across 12th Street. The six foot wide passageway was built to permit the movement of money and securities between the two buildings without going out-of-doors. It also provided access to the employees' room in the basement of the new building for those working in the main office. Plywood was used to build the forms into which the concrete was poured. (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;

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;

Lincoln Branch, Puget Sound National Bank, view from northwest. International style brick building with large plate glass windows, neon sign over entrance. The building was designed by the architectural firm of Charles and Clarence Rueger and constructed by Industrial Engineers and Contractors, Inc. The exterior of the building is faced with Roman brick with large areas of glass. There are public entrances on both G and 37th streets. In the rear of the building is a large asphalt paved free parking area and on the south end of the building is a drive-through banking window. The building was constructed so that a second story could be added, if needed. (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

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

Twenty-three men are seen around the large table for the last board meeting in the old board room at the National Bank of Washington. A landscape mural is seen on the far wall above the wainscoting. Skylights can be seen above the table. The National Bank of Washington had recently completed an annex across the street at 1201-03 Pacific Avenue. A.H. Brouse was president of the bank at this time.

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

Door of safety deposit vault showing locks at the Lincoln branch, Puget Sound National Bank. The safe was from Mosler Safe Company, Hamilton, Ohio. The bank offered a safe deposit vault with all the latest safety features and 1,600 safe deposit boxes. (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

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

The interior of Puget Sound National Bank's Lincoln Branch showing the backside of at least six teller windows on right and the safety deposit vault on left. The new building was designed to provide the rapidly growing Lincoln district with what bank experts stated was the most modern and up to date service of any district bank in America. The new bank contained large, convenient areas for both customers and bank personnel. (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

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

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;

Puget Sound National Bank, Lincoln Branch. Back of teller area showing stool, cupboards, cubbies for forms and adding machines. Herbert Hunt, popular Lincoln Branch manager, who had been with the bank for 20 years, increased the bank's staff to accommodate the larger facilities. (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

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

Puget Sound National Bank, Lincoln Branch. Bank employee desks in the foreground. Teller stations on the left and at rear, with vault behind. G St. entrance on the right of the picture. The new bank, designed by the architectural firm of Charles and Clarence Rueger, occupied a space 82 ft. by 63 ft. and offered 7,800 sq. ft. of banking room. (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

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

The interior of Puget Sound National Bank's Lincoln Branch showing teller windows on right with safe behind them. The administrative and commercial area is at the rear with a large window behind it. The entrance on the left opens onto G Street and 37th Street lies behind the rear of the photo. The new bank occupied a space 82 feet by 63 feet and provided 7,800 sq. ft. of banking space, nearly 3 1/2 times the area of the former Lincoln branch. (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

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

The back of the tellers cages at the Lincoln Branch of Puget Sound National Bank is shown with the windows closed. Cubbies are shown to the right of the stool and locking drawers are under the counter on the left and in the center. A calculating machine is seen to the left on the counter and another instrument is covered with plastic. Small cubbies for forms are seen just under the top of the upper level of the dividers. A rotary telephone is visible on the shelves between the two stations. The opening of this branch was the third step in the city wide expansion of Puget Sound National Bank. The opening followed in quick succession the completion of the downtown customer parking area at 13th and A Streets and the erection of the temporary K Street branch at 1115 So. L St. Ordered by Vince Carlstrom. TPL-9673 (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

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

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);

Cornerstone ceremony. Bank executives from Tacoma and Seattle lay the cornerstone to the new National Bank of Washington building at South 12th and Pacific in November, 1951. From left to right are James Byers, J.K. Ewart, C.T. Chandler, G.T. Pierce, Ward Estey, Maxwell Carlson and A.H. Brouse at the site of the new annex. Carlson was the president of National Bank of Commerce (Seattle) and Brouse, trowel in hand, was the National Bank of Washington president. One of the highlights of the formal opening was the placing of a specially designed copper box in the cornerstone which contained historical documents for future generations. (TNT 11-17-51, p. 9)

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

Floral displays decorate the lobby and main floor of the new National Bank of Washington's 12th and Pacific building in November, 1951. The building is an annex of the main branch and will house the installment credit department. Customers can also make deposits and withdrawls, including transactions through drive-up windows. A.H. Brouse is the president of National Bank of Washington; in his ten year term, he has seen bank assets grow 100 million dollars. (TNT 11-15-51, A-4, A-5)

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