Southcenter Theatre. Workers are busy doing finishing touches to the new Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila prior to the theater's opening night of April 1, 1970. With two weeks to spare, they are working in the spacious lobby. The theater was the last 70-mm Cinerama model built in North America. It would eventually close and be demolished in 2002. (www.cinematour.com--article)

Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila);

Southcenter Theatre under construction. This is believed to be the auditorium of the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila a few weeks before its grand opening on April 1, 1970. The theater would only have one screen but it would be an immense one - 88 feet wide and 32 feet high. The extremely curved screen would insure that all customers would have a good view when seated. Publicity photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.

Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila);

ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre--lobby. The circular snack bar stands empty of customers in this 1970 color photograph of the new Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila. Its burnished wood tones and colored display screen of fiery gold and muted blues complement the gold-and-brown mixed pattern carpet. There was an abundance of soft recessed lighting. The theater celebrated its opening night on April 1, 1970, with Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz" as the feature presentation. Color photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.

Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila); Lobbies--Tukwila; Snack bars--Tukwila;

ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. "Ben Hur" was the feature presentation at the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila during part of the summer of 1970. The theater had just opened in April of that year with a special guest appearance by actor John Forsythe promoting his film, "Topaz." Patrons enjoyed the free parking supplied by the theater as well as the building's modern facilities. Southcenter Theatre was a single-screen movie house and run by United Theaters.

Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila); Marquees;

Southcenter Theatre. Performing at Southcenter Theatre's V.I.P night were the Taylor Sheppard band. Pictured in the spacious lobby of the new theater was the five-piece band. The Southcenter Theatre would celebrate its grand opening on April 1st; the evening before was set aside for a special V.I.P. night by invitation only. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.

Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila); Musicians--Tukwila;

Hands poised on the keyboard, twenty-one year old Barbara Braggs prepared to operate a card punch machine in January of 1970. She was employed at McKesson & Robbins Drug Company in Lakewood. Ms. Braggs had successfully completed a Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., computer class through its Manpower Resource Center in November of 1969 and was subsequently hired by McKesson & Robbins. Ms. Braggs had only been on the job at McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. for three months but already was one of the company's top keypunch operators, according to McKesson manager Ken Morrison. Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 1-25-70, A-15)

Office workers--Lakewood--1970-1980; African American women--Lakewood--1970-1980; Braggs, Barbara; McKesson & Robbins Drug Co. (Lakewood);

February, 1970, studio portrait of entertainers Joe Oliver and Ken Upton. Ordered as publicity pictures by Torrence Booking Agency.

Oliver, Joe; Upton, Ken;

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building at night. The ultra-modern Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building shines brightly into the night in January in 1970. Sheer glass walls and modern fixtures have replaced the massive ornate original structure. The venerable Bernice Building next door was also demolished to create a much larger Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building in 1964. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products. TPL-5668

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Petition. An extended petition is on display at KTVW, Channel 13, on February 19, 1970, registering a protest to the president of the United States. The signers of the petition were against the shipping of nerve gas from Okinawa to Hermiston, Oregon and "elsewhere." Signatures visible were obtained from residents of Edmonds down to Shelton. Senator Warren G. Magnuson was photographed with this, or a very similar petition, of 63,000 signatures and indicated that he was requesting an appointment with President Nixon to deliver the long scroll of names. The nerve gas, although destined for Oregon, would have to pass through Washington State. (TNT 3-1-70, C-23 - photograph of Magnuson with petition)

Petitions--Washington; KTVW (Tacoma); Television studios--Tacoma;

Potlatch Forests plant operations. One Potlatch Forests employee handles the controls while another checks the progress of the rolls of kraft pulp in mid-October, 1969. This plant in Lewiston, Idaho, produced high quality softwood bleached kraft market pulp and bleached paperboard. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Industrial facilities--Idaho; Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970;

Scenes from Lewiston, Idaho, Potlatch operations. A young worker stands before mounted rolls of kraft pulp at the big Lewiston plant in mid-October of 1969. The rolls extend far into the distance. He appears to be putting in a metal rod through the hole of the roll. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Idaho;

Pulp & paper operations - Potlatch Forests, Inc. Potlatch Forests used a full range of species found in the northern Idaho timberlands to produce a variety of lumber products. Its Lewiston, Idaho, sawmill manufactured products used in construction framing to board sidings and paneling. Inland red cedar, pine, and fir mixtures were commonly utilized. An employee of Potlatch Forests is shown above on March 20, 1969, examining a piece of lumber. All of Potlatch Forests' products conformed to specific grading rules. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York. (www.potlatchcorp.com)

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Idaho;

Progress photographs. By mid-June, 1970, the (National) Bank of Washington Plaza tower had shot up to at least 21 stories, bypassing Puget Sound National Bank as the tallest building in town. Designed by architects Skidmore, Owings & Merill and utilizing 5 million pounds of reinforcing steel and 23,000 cubic yards of concrete, the tower would even have its own 350 kw emergency power generator. The law firm of Gordon, Honeywell, Malanca, Johnson & Peterson had already requested the top floor of the building for their offices. Bank administrative offices would occupy the first 12 floors with the Tacoma Main Banking Center on the mezzanine level. Photograph ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland. (TNT 12-14-69, D-10 - article)

Progress photographs; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Progress photographs. The high-rise (National) Bank of Washington Plaza is on the road to completion by the end of September, 1970. Employees of Dunkin & Bush Painting are busy on scaffolds doing some exterior work. The building has been "topped" and work still continues on the massive water fountain. Photograph ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland, the project's general contractors.

Progress photographs; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Progress photographs. Rear and side view of the upcoming and nearly finished (National) Bank of Washington Plaza in November of 1970. Built utilizing the modern corporate form, materials heavily used were steel, concrete and glass. With 22+ floors, the emphasis is on the vertical as this skyscraper bypassed Puget Sound National Bank as the tallest building in town. By the time bank staff moved into the tower in mid-December, 1970, the bank had merged with Pacific National Bank of Washington. Later the name of the plaza would change to First Interstate Plaza and finally, after First Interstate was acquired by Wells Fargo in 1996, the plaza's new owners, Unico Properties, Inc., would re-name the tower the Wells Fargo Plaza. Photograph ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland. (seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1998/03/02/focus7.html)

Progress photographs; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Progress photographs. An elevated view of the (National) Bank of Washington Plaza site at 1201-23 Pacific Ave. on June 22, 1970. Its neighbor, Puget Sound National Bank, is on the left corner. Large round pit will become the plaza's water fountain. The high-rise building is set back from busy Pacific Ave. by some 80 feet. The building had just been "topped" on June 12th with the hoisting of a living 15-foot Douglas fir onto the roof. This traditional ceremony signified structural completion of the now 24-story bank building. The tree would later be given to the Tacoma School District for planting on the site of the new Henry Foss High School. Photograph ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland. (TNT 6-14-70, p. 1, B-9)

Progress photographs; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Empty classroom- Purdy Elementary School. Purdy Elementary was constructed in 1970 and opened in 1971. This appears to be a 4th grade classroom with the teacher's desk angled to face the student tables. There are no traditional student desks in this room as rectangular tables instead are spaced widely apart. Information on primitive man and a globe are located on a table next to the teacher's desk. According to the school's website, four portables, located near Peninsula High School, were used for a year before the school actually opened. It is unclear whether the picture above was taken in one of the portables; it does have paneled walls, bright lighting, and no windows visible. Photograph ordered by Northwest Homes of Chehalis, Chehalis, WA. (www.peninsula.wednet.edu/school/purdy)

Purdy Elementary School (Gig Harbor); Public schools--Gig Harbor; Classrooms--Gig Harbor;

Sea trials. The tuna seiner, "Anne M," proceeded with sea trials in mid-September, 1969. She had a frozen fish capacity of 650-ton and was skippered by Captain Frank Souza. Built by Martinac Shipbuilding, the 1.5 million dollar vessel ran on a 20 cylinder 2800 h.p. diesel engine. She was completely carpeted in the living quarters of the skipper and 14-man crew and was equipped with air conditioning. The "Anne M" was named after the wife of the president of Bumble Bee Seafoods. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 8-3-69, D-11) TPL-9410

Ship trials--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Modular home. St. Regis Paper Co. would make their "MODS" modular homes available for touring at the 24th annual Tacoma Home Show held March 31- April 5, 1970. The three sections of the home would be transported to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse's parking lot where they would be assembled. The modular home could apparently be assembled in one day, including carpeting. The "MODS" were geared toward people looking for affordable, low-cost housing. St. Regis was a leader in the fast-growing field of modular home construction. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10--article; TNT 4-1-70, D-16 - article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses; Signs (Notices);

Modular home on the move. "Here come the MODS" warned the sign plastered to a section of modular homes that was being transported to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse in mid-March, 1970. The "MODS" would be on display at the 24th annual Tacoma Home Show to be held March 31 - April 5th. The manufacturer was the St. Regis Paper Co., a leader in the Pacific Northwest's fast-growing modular home construction field. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10--article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Modular home units. A Kenworth truck has just pulled up to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on March 18, 1970, and will shortly be unloading one section of a modular home which will be displayed during the annual Tacoma Home Show. The modular homes, called "MODS," were manufactured by St. Regis Paper Co. and aimed toward buyers seeking low-cost homes. They could be assembled in one day at the buyer's lot. View of heavy duty truck with "Caution Wide Load" sign and part of modular home; the university's Baker Stadium is in rear. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10- article)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses;

Star Iron & Steel. On January 14, 1970, a series of photographs were taken regarding plant operations at Star Iron & Steel, 326 Alexander Ave. This is believed to be the building housing the aluminum fabrication unit. The interior looks very crowded with a variety of aluminum products. Founded in 1908, Star Iron & Steel was one of the oldest steel fabrication plants in the Pacific Northwest. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Star Iron & Steel. This is believed to be the aluminum fabrication plant at Star Iron & Steel in early 1970. The interior appears crowded with stacks of aluminum with metal shavings and piles of debris in the photograph's foreground. Star Iron & Steel, a long established Tacoma firm, had moved to more spacious quarters in the Port Industrial area in 1963. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Holiday Inn swimming pool. This is the outdoor swimming pool located on the premises of a Holiday Inn, possibly at 3518 Pacific Hwy. E., Fife. An open-rail fence was used to enclose the swimming area. A water slide, lounging chairs, and trash cans were provided for the inn's customers. A landscaped area of shrubs, rocks, and small trees was next to the swimming pool with at least one lamp pole in view. Photograph ordered by the law firm of Reed, McClure and Moceri, Seattle.

Swimming pools; Holiday Inn; Hotels;

Six new officers of the Tacoma Athletic Commission posed for a group portrait at TAC headquarters on December 30, 1969. Included in the group are: President Hal Brotman and Frank Ruffo (front); Hank Semmern, Tom Paine, Dick Greco and Forrest Rodgers (standing). Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Brotman, Hal; Ruffo, Frank; Greco, Dick; Rodgers, Forrest; Paine, Tom; Semmern, Hank;

This is the newly constructed office building at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. The company built a three million dollar facility on Marine View Dr. in 1969 to replace its Sitcum Waterway plant which was completely destroyed by fire in August of 1968. One of its near neighbors was Western Boat Building who had permanently moved to a seven-acre site on the Hylebos after its longtime plant on 11th St. was gutted by fire in October of 1965. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Office buildings--Tacoma--1960-1970;

New Thriftco. Co-managers Jack Borell and Ray Wall, kneeling front row, lead their staff at the opening of the new Westgate Thriftco at 5739 No. 26th St. on November 11, 1969. The former Sib's Supermarket was purchased by the Klauser Corporation, operator of four other Thriftco's in the area. Both managers brought a wealth of experience to the new Thriftco. Jack Borell graduated from White River High School and Western Washington State College; he had previously been the manager of the Renton Thriftco. Ray Wall, a lifelong Tacoma resident, was a Stadium High School graduate as well as graduating from the University of Puget Sound and University of Washington. Mr. Wall had been in the grocery business for 35 years. Complete list of individuals pictured above was printed in a Thriftco advertisement in the News Tribune dated 11-17-69. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT 11-5-69, D-13; TNT 11-17-69, p. 11)

Thriftco (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Borell, Jack; Wall, Ray;

Thriftco opened at N. 26th & Pearl, the site of the former Sib's Supermarket, in early November of 1969. Thriftco was the new name for the Thriftway chain of supermarkets. Co-managers Jack Borell (L) and Ray Wall (extreme R) posed with Klauser Corporation president Russ Klauser on November 4, 1969. Klauser operated the four other Thriftco stores in this area. The new N. 26th & Pearl store would celebrate its grand opening from November 6-8th. It had been remodeled and equipped with new fixtures. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT 11-5-69, D-13)

Thriftco (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Borell, Jack; Wall, Ray; Klauser, Russ;

Seeking to make the car-buying experience as pleasant as possible, Titus-Will Ford built its salesman closing office with ceiling-to-floor windows to bring in natural light and provide unobstructed views of the outdoor landscaping. The customer was positioned so that he could rest his eyes on the trees and shrubbery beyond the salesman; lower windows could also be opened to let in fresh air. A salesman is shown on September 16, 1969, pointing out the details of a new Ford in a glossy magazine to a prospective client. Photograph ordered by the Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan, for a "dealers publication."

Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Unique Social & Community Club planned to start off its year with a fashion show and dance at the Am-Vets Hall at So. 39th & Union on October 3, 1969. Pictured above are Thelma (Mrs. Thomas H.) Williams (left), president of the club and Martha (Mrs. Fred) Erwin (right), chairman of the event. Linda Warren and Dennis Williams (center) would be modeling stylish new clothing. Photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 9-28-69, E-8)

Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Williams, Thelma; Erwin, Martha; Warren, Linda; Williams, Dennis;